Speak Out 07/03/04

Full accountability

FOLLOWING THE recent passage of the fire sales tax in Cape Girardeau, there should be a published report periodically on the amount of revenue collected and a detailed account of the disbursement of taxpayers' funds. Accountability demands taking the bull by the horns in exchange for taxpayers' money. If no accountability is presented, then the tax should be eliminated.

No exploitation

MISSOURI RIGHT to Life's Pam Victor said those who favor embryonic stem cell research are "exploiting the death of President Reagan." It's difficult for me to think that way about Nancy Reagan.

French support

REGARDING FRANCE'S role in the American Revolution: Our troops were down and out. The war lingered on, and the troops were freezing and starving. France lent us money. Whether we almost had the British whipped is not the point. France came to our rescue. Yes, we helped them in World War I and World War II, but you can't blame the French for not wanting to risk their troops' lives for a war a lot of people didn't want to begin with.

A sorry sight

I CAME home and found my wife in the front yard. I asked her what was wrong. She said the people across the street had called her names. She wanted me to call the police. I called the police. When they got here, they sided with the people across the street. I don't think I ever thought I'd see my wife cry as a result of having the police around, but when they left she had tears running down her cheeks. That's a sorry sight to see.

Reverse indoctrination

REGARDING THE use of the word "Indian" as Southeast Missouri State University's mascot/nickname, Abbie Crites-Leoni said, "Few Anglo-Americans have had the opportunity to acquire a full understanding or appreciation for the history relative to the American Indian experience." That may or may not be true. However, I am convinced that no Americans have been as thoroughly indoctrinated as has Abbie Crites-Leoni in the avant-garde field of study aptly named anti-American Angloism.

Suvey was skewed

There's been a lot said recently about a random survey that Southeast Missouri State University sent out on this mascot issue. The returns from this survey were said to be largely in favor of the mascot change. This is not entirely true. I was one of those randomly picked to fill out this survey. It was a multiple-choice survey. Each question was carefully worded so as to only give the results in favor of the mascot change. It has not been reported what the survey asked or what the choices were for the answers. The university has never had any intent of entertaining the idea of keeping the Indian name. It's been a scam from the get-go.

Both were wrong

VICE PRESIDENT Cheney's choice of words was inappropriate, and he should be apologizing instead of defending himself. Sen. Patrick Leahy deserved a verbal lashing for his outrageous comments, but he should not have been cursed.

Strength from church

I recently returned to church after being away for a long time. I thought I knew all the answers. I didn't, and I still don't. I do know that spending time with others like myself who are in church studying the Bible to learn what God wants has helped me immensely. I do encourage anyone to seek out a church that concentrates on what the Bible says and avoid those who make up their own rules of right and wrong. Sadly, many people may think they know what is right and wrong, but that does not stop them from doing wrong. And, if you do everything you think is right for your entire life, do you really think that is all God wants?

Great concert

I WAS so impressed with the Shellshocked Concert in the Jackson Park. All the performers gave their utmost. You are all to be commended on a job well done. Hats off to the performers in the Rubber Conductor Band. You guys were awesome.