Speak Out 9/22/05

Longer school days

THERE IS not enough time in the day in our schools to do what is required plus lunch and recess. The simple solution is to extend the school day. It's about time that we put a priority on education. This would allow teachers more time to teach, kids extra time for lunch and extra study halls with teacher monitors helping students in problem areas. Sometime in the future it's going to change because of the lifestyle of today's family with both mom and dad working or kids having a single parent. Longer school days are needed now, and school boards need to start planning how this can be accomplished.

Working hard

A SPEAK Out comment that the city has no compassion for the poor is ridiculous. There are many organizations and churches that have helped lower-income citizens, some without fanfare. Everyone who lives in north Cape Girardeau isn't a millionaire. I know a lot of people who work long hours. Some have two jobs because they don't want their children to live in unsafe neighborhoods. Most probably would be in poor neighborhoods if they sat around and griped about the rich.

Cemetery grass

WHAT A shame that Allenville cannot mow the grass in the cemetery so we can see who is buried there. We did find some family members, but there may be more. I am too old to mow the grass, or I would do it myself.

Get a new critic

I THOUGHT the Tracy Byrd show as wonderful. You need to get another critic.

What was he watching?

I WAS at the Tracy Byrd concert and thought it was wonderful. I don't know what Matt Sanders was watching.

Changing some minds

I TEACH special education at a high school and have found that, unfortunately, we cannot force people without disabilities to consider somebody with a disability as normal. All we can do is try to get the community and the people immediately surrounding the person with the disability to help change minds.

They need handouts

MOST OF the people on the Gulf Coast had no one to depend on except FEMA and state officials. Without handouts, they wouldn't be alive today. Some had no resources or money to leave the city. If the people in our country can go out of their way for people affected by a tsunami, they should help those affected by the crisis on the Gulf Coast.

No free beer

REGARDING GIVING free beer to college students: I think college students should be studying, not becoming alcoholics. There's too many of those out there.

Dancing in the aisles

THE RENEGADES of Southern Rock at the fair Saturday night was one of the best entertainment groups I have seen at the fair. I saw Randy Travis on Thursday night and enjoyed his concert a great deal, but the one on Saturday night had all the energy in the world and had the crowd dancing in the aisles. I hope the fair brings the Renegades back next year.

Best float of all

THE FLOATS in the SEMO District Fair parade were all wonderful, but the greatest of all in my opinion was the float with the men from Teen Challenge. There are approximately 150 men in the program, and the float was a true picture of their life from the jail through the cross to Jesus Christ to the church. If you're not acquainted with Teen Challenge, pay them a visit. They'd be happy to have you, and it's one of the greatest programs for drug rehabilitation and how God can change lives.

Bring back Renegades

I ENJOYED the Renegades of Southern Rock in concert at the SEMO District Fair. Thank you to all who made it possible. I would love to see them in Cape Girardeau again.

Better carnival

CONGRATULATIONS TO the SEMO District Fair board. The new carnival company is fantastic. Not only are the employees more friendly and helpful, but the amount and variety of rides available for the different age groups are awesome. It is a much nicer carnival, with sheltered seating available for weary parents and grandparents. Bring this company back next year. You've raised the bar.

Cigarette tax

IT'S TIME again for smokers to stand up and fight discriminatory taxation. It's also time for the news media to be fair and honest when reporting about Missouri's cigarette tax being one of the lowest in the nation. Be honest enough to add that Missouri is one of few states which also adds sales taxes to the cost of cigarettes.

Great acts at fair

I WOULD like to thank the promoter who brought the great acts to the SEMO District Fair this year. We especially enjoyed the Renegades of Southern Rock. Great job.