MAP tests are a sham

NO EDITORIAL headline in newspaper history was as wrong as your "MAP scores gauge teaching performance." That the Southeast Missourian has bought into this sham exam and asserts that the scores students make on it have anything to do with quality teaching has led me to lose all faith in mankind.

Positively speaking

LIKE MANY of us who read Speak Out on a regular basis, I try to look for the positive in others' opinions. Unfortunately, they are far and few between. There are a couple of situations I would like to mention: 1. Our waste and recycling pickup service is superior in Cape Girardeau. I have lived in other cities that are a far cry from what we have here, and I think we should take a moment to appreciate it. The fall and spring pickup service is going above and beyond the call of duty. 2. I went to the SEMO District Fair parade, and I wanted to comment on the overwhelming support that the Central High School band showed for all other school bands that passed them. I am affiliated with a competitor of the Central Tigers, and I was astonished as members of the band cheered on the other high school bands as they waited for their turn. These young adults showed what it means to show true citizenship in the spirit of Sept. 11.

Make arts available

A MAGAZINE ranked "arts and cultural events" in the bottom portion of a list of things people like to do. Don't you think this ranking is indicative of the lack of these events in the area? People go to rodeos because it's all we have. Bring us culture, and that 7.5 percent is sure to rise.

An independent McCain

THE TIME was never more ripe for a third political party to take the White House in 2004. It is crystal clear that both Democrat and Republican presidents are guilty of not shooting straight with the American people about what they knew and when they knew it concerning the events leading up to Sept. 11. If there was ever a time, it is now. In that vein I ask Sen. John McCain to step forth and declare his presidential candidacy as an independent.

Paying attention

I FIND it ironic that here in the Bible Belt there are so many folks who deride pacifists for wanting us to turn the other cheek instead of seeking an eye for an eye. Why do so many self-proclaimed good Christians ridicule those who apparently take Christ's teachings in the New Testament seriously? Doesn't being Christian entail paying attention to the teachings of Christ?

Entitled to opinions

AS A student of Adam's Cox at Notre Dame Regional High School, I will be one to stand out and willingly say that I do not believe in the approach he is taking regarding the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. I feel the only way to handle the situation is to stand up and protect what is ours. However, I will say that all are entitled to their own opinions. That includes myself, Mr. Cox and those who wrote in disagreement with him. I will say that Mr. Cox does warp our minds, as do all the other teachers in this world. That's what they are paid to do. He just has a unique way of teaching that all don't agree with. That goes back to all being entitled to their own opinions.

Potential fender benders

A STOPLIGHT in front of Notre Dame Regional High School is not needed. It would only cause havoc in the mornings and after school. Imagine all the backups in front of the school and out onto Route K around 3 p.m. every single day. A stoplight in front of the school would cause many more minor wrecks than we want. Kids will be kids . Stoplights or no stoplights, the occasional high schooler will not be paying attention and will cause a fender bender day in and day out, only causing more of a backup. I think it would be much better to take the chance of having one major wreck a year than to put in a stoplight. Wrecks are no more common at Notre Dame than any other busy site in town.

Dangerous adults

THE DANGEROUS drivers on Route K are the road-raged adults who are so impatient with the law-abiding youths that they pass on the right-hand side, scream unprintable epithets, make obscene gestures and engage in other acts the schools teach students to avoid.

Financial comparisons

CAPE OFFICIALS keep us well-informed of the need for more revenue with all kinds of studies and committees. When are they going to give us the details of their hard work in getting expenses in line with existing revenue? Our city had almost zero population growth in the last 10 years, so also inform us of what the bureaucracy and budget growth was in that same time period.