Speak Out 6/27/07

Tax cut

Florida's Governor Crist just pushed through a large property tax decrease for Florida homeowners. That's right, I said tax decrease. Conversely, Cape Girardeau leaders continue to try and find new ways to increase our tax burden.

Playing politics

Obviously the person who complained about women voting on the basis of gender is misinformed and uneducated. I am a female with two master's degrees and a doctoral degree. My decision to vote for Hillary has nothing to do with gender and everything to do with her intelligence, experience, integrity and all of the other characteristics that our current male candidates lack. Of course she plays politics. If she didn't she wouldn't be as successful as she has been. I suppose it is acceptable for a man to play the political game but women are debaucherous if they do so. Talk about double standards.

Video addiction

According to professionals, video games have great potential for psychological addiction. As a result, I call upon Congress to make the punishment for possession, use and distribution of video games as serious as those classified as Schedule 1 narcotics.

Painting time

Thank you city of Cape Girardeau, your stupidity caused another wreck on Siemers Drive. Painting stripes midday on Friday during lunch hour traffic at Wal-Mart's entrance. Whose idea is this? This should be done at midmorning.

Dry spell coming

Water parks are a bad idea, here or anywhere else. Global warming will soon make it so that water will evaporate almost instantaneously.

Funeral humor

For all of you who think you're better than others, just remember that we're all cremated equally.

Living memorial

SHAME ON that Vietnam veteran from VietNow for threatening the city. I mean, realistically, how often does one look at one of those memorials? I tend to agree with the idea of a living memorial. There are so many poor downtown in Cape Girardeau yet we can stick up granite pieces honoring this person or that or build this and that but we can't manage to help the poor among us. It just seems like misplaced priorities.

Science of partying

FOR ALL of those who have called in support of the underage drinking parties, I suggest they reference the June 25 Newsweek. I quote, "if you are going to offer your children alcohol, I suggest you teach them to roll joints too, because the science is clear that alcohol is more dangerous than marijuana."

Without air

I WONDER if Dr. Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University, considered the fact that Southeast still has a dormitory that is not yet air-conditioned when he and the city spent thousands of dollars on a pretty fountain and a more "attractive" front door.

Gender equity

Why is it considered surprising if Americans elected a president on the basis of gender? It has been the norm for all of U.S. history.

Obey the law

Today I followed an unmarked Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department car from Cape Girardeau on Route K and on Highway 25 to Jackson. In the 55 mph zone on Route K his speed never dropped below 70. On Highway 25 he continued driving 70 until the speed limit dropped to 40. At that point and until he crossed the intersection at the police station, he drove 50 and 55. This is the third time I've seen this in recent months. If the law enforcers don't have to obey the law, it's discriminatory to say that I have to.

Selective enforcement?

Is there any difference between a government where laws are selectively enforced or ignored and a dictatorship?

A veteran's comments

Mr. Brown may be a veteran but not a voice for veterans, and I'm one who does not agree with his comments or his attitude toward the commissioners. There should be a citizen group appointed by the city and county to review the needs and make recommendations, not feed someone's ego. I can make these comments, because I earned it as a veteran. More serious thought should be given to this matter. Mr. Brown, stand down!

The moviegoer

Summer movie bomb: "My Big Fat Illegal Immigration Amnesty Bill," starring Kennedy, Bush and McCain.

Half a cent

I CAN'T understand why so many people are negative about a small half-cent tax proposal which will help so much.

Banner fan

AS I passed Kingshighway yesterday, I didn't feel that that sign "mattresses, mattresses, mattresses" looked bad at all between the two poles. In fact, I think it looks worse on the side of the building, which is, I understand, what the city condones. Any plastic banner's going to look more tacky on a building than hung between two poles. I think it is ridiculous this man is spending time in jail. Let's support our men who are trying to work and make an income for their families.

Right-wing radicals

Real conservatives should take heart from conservative Republican U.S. Sen. Trent Lott's recognition that there is a world of difference between conservatives and the right-wing radicals posing as conservatives (Hannity, Limbaugh, Savage, et. al.) who dominate radio talk shows. Reimplementation of the Fairness Doctrine, requiring that radio stations provide equal time to those with opposing political points of view, would be a wonderful idea.