Good police work

THANK YOU to the Cape Girardeau police for their diligence and success in the quick apprehension of the bank robber. Thanks also to anyone else who may have contributed in some way to the apprehension. It's now up to the court system to do its job and keep this menace to society off the streets for a long time.

Junk science

THE USE of thimerosal in vaccines as a cause of autism, hyperactivity and other disorders may continue to be debated, as you wrote in your recent editorial. However, among the serious scientific community there is an absolute consensus that there is absolutely no indication that mercury causes any of these afflictions. Thus, if Gov. Matt Blunt signs the bill stopping the use of thimerosal, he may have gained a political victory but based his decision (as did the Missouri Legislature) on junk science.

Other people's money

IMPROVING DOWNTOWN Cape Girardeau by further draining already depleted federal funds is further proof that our generally fiscally conservative community is quite liberal in its willingness to spend other people's money for our own ends. At least it provides grist for Speak Out comments.

Remove the signal

I HAVE a better solution for the traffic light at the end of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge: Remove it. It's not necessary. There is no reason the traffic on that street can't be routed to Sprigg Street and brought back down. That's how they do it in the big city, and Cape Girardeau acts like it thinks it is a big city.

Global economy

IT NEVER ceases to amaze me that there are people mired in ignorance who think that buying products from overseas or supporting other economies around the world is bad for our American economy. I'll make this simple suggestion: Go to www.google.com and type in "the global economy" in the search field. After a few short minutes of reading, I think you'll understand how the value of the dollar isn't based on being a separatist.

Grave disservice

DR. MICHAEL Devaney's devastating evisceration of President Bush's economic and fiscal policies must be taken seriously. After all, Devaney is nothing if not a conservative in these matters. I agree with Devaney's implication that in diverting our nation's attention from the economic to the moral and cultural (things the government can do little if anything about) Washington has done all of us a grave disservice.

Curb those cats

WHAT'S THE deal with the animal-control officer when he comes to picking up unleashed cats? It's the law. I've seen two cats with small rabbits in their mouths today. They are predators. It's their nature. Ask the conservation department what kills more songbirds. I don't mind anyone having a cat or a dog, but the law is you have to keep the animal up. So, animal control, do your job.

Background check

I WOULD like to know how someone can buy a $20,000 car while living on disability income of about $500 a month. Doesn't anyone do a background check to see if the buyer can really afford an expensive vehicle?

Inspired to join

CLOSING THESE National Guard armories is going to be a big mistake for our government. The Pentagon may think meaner and leaner, but when kids see the soldiers in their uniforms, it makes some want to join up. What made this war in Iraq possible was the National Guard. If the kids can't see the National Guard, they won't be inspired.

Move to the country

IF YOU want peace and quiet, why don't you move to the country? Dogs are going to bark no matter what in the city. They bark at everything. Nothing can be done about it.

After the fact

I FIND it a little ridiculous that Congress is looking at changing the rules about women in battle. It's a little after the fact to be deciding that women can't fight in battle. Women have been fighting for years. Women need to fulfill their obligation to the government.

Vinegar and salt

THE OLD-TIME farmers included vinegar in their diet. The body needs the proper balance of acids and base. Instead of consuming much sugar, consider increasing the amount of acids such as citric acids: lemon, lime, grapefruit. Instead of tea, enjoy real lemonade this summer. And for those who like to be outdoors in the summer, remember that salt is also needed for proper nerve-system functions.

Respect for funeral

THANK YOU to the construction worker who took off his hat and stopped working as our funeral procession passed by. It was very thoughtful. My whole family was very touched.

Congestion on Siemers

I WONDER if our mayor and city officials realize that there's a west end to Cape Girardeau. All we ever hear is what they're going to do for historic downtown Cape Girardeau. When do they intend to put a stop sign or a roundabout on Siemers Drive? When Sears opens, you won't be able to get in or out on Siemers Drive. Something needs to be done.

Something for youths

IT'S STRANGE that a small town like Poplar Bluff can have a nice a pool and water slide and a small town like Jackson can have a skateboard park for the young children, but Cape Girardeau can only think of the River Campus, historic downtown Cape Girardeau and Victorian lights being installed . But they can't afford anything for the poor children to have a good time with. I think somebody needs to do something about our city management.

Job well done

WE WANT to thank the Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Sikeston police departments and the FBI for their hard work in catching the two bank robbers and a special thank you to FBI agent Tom Blades and Cape police detective Don Perry for their dedication and hard work. Bank employees in the Southeast Missouri area feel safer now.

Time for paving

IF ANYONE wants to see a disaster being done by the road grader, come out on County Road 244. They should just leave it alone. They make it worse every time they touch the road. They grade the road every two weeks whether we need it or not. Surely they can figure out it's going to be cheaper to pave the road than to waste all this time and money every two weeks.

Spending the money

SOCIAL SECURITY was not bankrupt until the government took all of the excess money for its little perks. Over the last 45 years, we'd been making twice the money every month if it were left alone. Bye-bye, Big Brother.

McClure due for cleanup

SEEMS LIKE everyone is trying to clean up the town, highways and properties. So how about the McClure area? It needs a lot of cleaning up. I think people could clean up a little. I'm sure it would be a big improvement and look a lot nicer.