Speak Out 4/7/04

Proud of soldiers

I AM so proud of the American soldier. By helping to secure peace abroad, he is protecting us at home. Through her courage, kindness and restraint, she is converting enemies to friends. All our soldiers are heroes. Praise them for their dedication and sacrifice and courage and strength in Iraq and Afghanistan. Support them with your prayers. They are doing good work, and the world will be a safer place because of it. I am so proud of them.

Opera at its best

BRAVO TO the cast, crew and orchestra of this semester's opera workshop at SEMO. "Suor Angelica" was beautiful, and "Gianni Schicchi" was hilarious. The music, the singing and the sets were just outstanding. I especially give a standing ovation to Dr. Christopher Goeke and Dr. Leslie Jones for mastering such a wonderful performance.

Don't take Medicare

CAPE GIRARDEAU has some good doctors and some who look like they're still in college. When you call for an appointment, you are asked what kind of insurance you have? If you say Medicare and AARP, they say they don't accept Medicare. I'm paying $66 a month for that and $137 for AARP. What do they think those insurance plans are?

SEMO's identification

I WANT to thank Southeast Missouri State University for finally addressing the nickname and mascot issue. Students have nothing to identity with. Ten and 15 years ago, the alumni of Southeast truly felt they were Indians. They cheered Indians, and the teams had Indians on their uniforms and they were referred to as the Indians. Student today don't have that allegiance or identity. I think it will be a huge lift in spirit and in support for the athletic programs to finally be identified as somebody, whether it's the Red Hots or the Red Wolves or the Cardinals. The student body supports this and is excited about a new mascot.

Fathers are nurturing

THIS IS regarding the person who said mothers were better at nurturing children than fathers and should get custody of children over the father. That's not true in this day and age. It's not 1950. Men are just as good at nurturing now as women are, and it's unfair to generalize like that. There are some men who are far better than the mothers. To make a blatant statement like that is inexcusable. Women have wanted equality with men for years, so they cannot have their cake and eat it too.

Loud mufflers

WHY HAVEN'T Cape Girardeau and Jackson cracked down on these ridiculously loud mufflers on pickup trucks and cars? It's maddening noise pollution with no positive purpose. The cities have let it get way out of hand.

Pontificating promoters

DON'T BE misled by uninformed Speak Out comments to the effect that judges can't throw out frivolous lawsuits. They can and they do, making plaintiffs pay for court costs and legal fees. Pontificating promoters of tort reform are against the best interest of the Average Joe.

The poor doctors

DEAR "I'M surprised anyone wants to be a doctor": You may be right to think your doctor friend's estate on the hill is worse to live in than a big retail department store, but most of us see the truth. We feel his pain having to fill out all those deposit slips for our medical fees, and we hope he gets therapy for his weary hand. So do please leave our access to the courts unhindered whenever he disregards our urgent medical needs.

Bouncing off walls

IF PEOPLE really wanted to do something to support the public schools, they would keep their kids from watching television. How much money would we save if kids didn't come to school all wired up? How much better could teachers teach if they didn't have to always deal with half of their classroom bouncing off the walls? For all of you who keep blaming teachers and the public schools for not doing a good job, read the story on the front page of the Missourian about the negative impact of kids watching TVs. Kids are different today. And TV is to blame.