OpinionJune 28, 2007
Speak Out 6/28/07
Video addiction; Adding it up; Amnesty is immunity; More on immigration; Government subsidies; Cherokee Nation; No chance; See-through floodwall; Post-modern bridge; Columnist's ears; Nothing to hide; War memorials; Pool fan; No to water park; Turnover in Chaffee; Plaudits from plutocracyVideo 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.
Adding it up
Here's some new math for us to ponder. If a local public school kindergarten teacher gets a 5 to 7 percent pay raise and a local university professor gets a 3 percent pay raise, which teacher has really learned the most?
Amnesty is immunity
THE PRESIDENT doesn't like the word amnesty. OK, how's this: The Senate's bill is also an immunity from the law. Is that better?
More on immigration
Write/call/e-mail your congressman and congresswoman about the ill-conceived immigration bill. Guest laborers is a "nice" name for illegal aliens or legal aliens who come and stay in the United States but don't become citizens or support the Unityed States. They just send their money back to Mexico and help draw the lifeblood out of America. We sure couldn't go to Mexico and do what they are doing. I would like to see my taxes go to support those Americans who truly need help and not those who are using the ADC, welfare and disability systems.
Government subsidies
I canNOT believe the people of this great country can sit back and let political corruption continue on the ethanol subsidy issue. Do people understand the producers of this ethanol get a 51-cent-per-gallon subsidy from our tax dollars before they even sell the ethanol? This is just wrong. We need to send a message to our legislators ASAP. Enough is enough. If ethanol is so great why can't they make it without the subsidy?
Cherokee Nation
I was motivated by your photo of some members of Cherokee Nation to paraphrase part of the lyrics of a once popular song: Maybe some day when we truly learn, Cherokee Nation will return.
No chance
Cape officiAls should not be concerned about the sales-tax proposal at all. Why be concerned about something whose defeat is inevitable? There's nothing you can do about it. Quit trying to control something that's out of your hands. Accept it and go on.
See-through floodwall
I'm glad the downtown golf tourney has become a reality in Cape. Now it's time to seriously pursue the possibility of a transparent and retractable floodwall.
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Post-modern bridge
The pedestrian bridge over Highway 74 is a perfect example of post-modern art and points in the direction we are headed. The fact that the Girardeau Cape City Council doesn't get it is no reason for it being razed.
Columnist's ears
Your photo of columnist Cal Thomas makes it appear as though he has had so many facelifts his ears are touching.
Nothing to hide
Many people are rightfully been upset with Mike Nifong, the prosecutor in the Duke lacrosse case. One of the main pieces of evidence used against him at his disbarment hearing was a comment where he said the suspects would not need lawyers if they didn't do anything wrong. Our national security policies operate from the same belief that you should not worry about government surveillance if you have nothing to hide.
War memorials
There are lots of other places for war memorials to be placed other than the Common Pleas grounds: North County Park, Capaha Park, Murtaugh Park (very visible). Please don't clutter the grounds of our most historic structure.
Pool fan
I would just like to say what a great job the staff of both Central and Capaha pools are doing this summer. The staff has been great in addressing problems and solving them. The pool has never looked better or been maintained better than it has this year. The managers have been helpful and seem to address any issue with great solutions. The lifeguards have never been better.
No to water park
I am not old (in my 30s), rich, or Republican. I will admit to being white. However, I am 100 percent against a water park paid for by our tax dollars. Having several children who participate in sports and recreation here in Cape, I have seen that the city does a horrible job in maintaining what they already have. If this is such a great business venture, I'm sure some intelligent entrepreneurs will prepare a reasonable business proposal, get a loan from the bank, and make a ton of money. But I see it hasn't happened yet despite years of people saying we need a water park.
Turnover in Chaffee
I see where more police officers have resigned from the Chaffee Police Department. We continue to have turnover problems in this department. That should tell the city officials something is wrong somewhere. What can be done to fix this problem? At least make some attempt to lower this high turnover rate we have experienced the past eight months.
Plaudits from plutocracy
They get no respect. Those who travel from near and far to hear the likes of Tool, see WWF-sanctioned matches, monster truck competition, extreme fighting events and the like pump no telling how much money into the local economy. Ticket costs aside, big bucks are spent at downtown bars, eateries, motels and so forth. Yet, they get virtually no media coverage from the newspaper. However, when Dalhousie hosts a golf tourney, the paper goes gaga and Cape businesses are said to be busy servicing the hundreds who came to town. Tool attracted thousands, as do WWF matches, extreme fighting events, redneck comedian performances and so on, and collectively spend much more money locally, yet the proportionate media coverage they receive is pitiful and the thanks they get from elected officials for boosting the economy is nonexistent. The reason is sociological in nature. The Dalhousie tourney is considered highbrow, worthy of coverage and gushing thanks. The other events are looked upon as lowbrow and lacking in the status required to receive plaudits from the plutocracy.
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