Readers Discuss Civil Union, Child Rape and Apple Pie: Feedback Friday

As we head into another weekend, we are proud to say we've reached a beautiful 361 likes on the Chicago Heights Patch Facebook fan page! If you don't like us already, please mosey on over and hit that button. We promise you won't regret it.

This week we had a nice variety of interactions from the community, with readers giving their thoughts on love, abuse and pie.

Marriage vs. Civil Union

Since Cook County started issuing civil union licenses this week, , we asked a pretty simple Facebook question: Marriage or civil union? Do they mean the same thing to you?

We got an interesting response from Scott Matthias:

Yes, I believe they are the same. I don't believe it matters if you have a piece of paper telling you how to treat the one you love the most for the rest of your lives. But if it will make some people feel better by having it then so be it. Myself I've been with the same woman for 13 years and no paper since we agree that love is the only thing we need to rely on.

It's great to see readers expressing how they feel about complex topics like love, marriage and unity. Thanks, Scott.

A Disturbing Story

One story that has received a lot of attention is about a Many of our readers were appalled at the idea, and didn't hesitate to say so.

Donna Coy gave her thoughts on the matter by commenting on our Facebook page:

When I read this story, I was HORRIFIED. What that teen did to his niece was disgusting and traumatizing. He deserves to be tried as an adult, with a life sentence w/o parole, so he can feel EVERYDAY the pain he inflicted on that little girl for YEARS! While I feel that little girl deserves her privacy, her bravery should inspire other girls/women to come forward and confront those that abuse them.

We also got a couple of angry comments on the actual story, from a few of our Patch users:

deborah cisneros: Why is this news ? This is a common occurrence with small children.. These are children not being protected by the unwed mothers who are off making more children on the tax payers money. Get with it people, time to take care of your children. Mother should be behind bars and throw the key away on the punk.

Gloria: What does the mother being unwed have to do with what took place to her child? Absolutely nothing! This does occur a lot more than often and not only in a unwed home but also in married homes by fathers, brothers, grandfathers, cousins, uncles and . . .  sometimes by mothers. It is sad that the little girls had to endure such torture in their own homes. Who should also be in jail is the person she confided with, because that person sat back and knowingly allowed this to continue to happen. Never in the statement does it say that she was unwed, nor that tax payers are supporting her . . .You will never know unless it is told. And if or when it do please let the news paper know that "THIS IS NOT NEWS DON'T POST IT" because this is COMMON.

Take a look at the story and let us know what you think. Do you agree with Deborah, Donna or Gloria?

Upcoming Chowdown Showdown

Because our good friend and Homewood-Flossmoor editor Ryan Fitzpatrick will be out of the state this weekend, I'll be conducting the Chowdown Showdown, or as Ryan has named it, "Battle: Apple Pie."

Last week I asked, via Facebook, where we could go to get a good apple pie, and got to great suggestions from readers:

Marvin Successbound Daily Pearson's bakery in The Heights is magnificent. You should give em' a try lol.

Vicki High Try the COBBLER place in the strip mall by EGG N I. They are great!!! and HOMEMADE!!!!

Thanks, Marvin and Vicki for the great ideas. We'll see who wins the showdown Monday.

Moving Forward

We appreciate all the support from our readers, and we hope you continue to visit Chicago Heights Patch and support us on our Facebook fan page. You can also follow us on Twitter for more frequent updates.

Thanks for another week of excitement in the Heights and Olympia Fields!