Preparing for war

THINGS THE president has to do before we can expect this war: Start the draft. Maybe then people will realize we're at war. Ration gasoline and use for work and business only. Lower the speed limit to 60 mph to conserve fuel and save lives. Buy war bonds to help out our country and stop giving money to gambling boats. Stop making gas-guzzling SUVs. They cost twice as much and use twice the amount of fuel than cars do. Have all semi-trailers hauled on railroad flat cars on all distance over 1,000 miles to save fuel and reduce road wear. I am a disabled veteran of World War II and served two years in the European theater, so I know these things have to be done to win this war.

Thanks for the keys

I WOULD like to thank the person who found my keys at Country Mart and turned them in. Again, thank you, and may God bless you.

Traditional churches

WE HAVE a beautiful church with a beautiful traditional service. It's Centenary United Methodist Church at 300 N. Ellis in Cape Girardeau. We have a gorgeous, wonderful, traditional choir and a pipe organ with a complete traditional service. We welcome all people, and we would be thrilled to have you visit us.

Stop junk e-mails

THE MISSOURI secretary of state wants to set up a don't e-mail list, very similar to the no-call phone list. I think it's a great idea. Nobody likes getting all that junk e-mail. Not only that, he would raise money for the state by fining all these companies who send out all the junk e-mail. Now that's an idea: raise money for the state without taxing the citizens. Way to go.

Congrats to Miss Teen

I AM from Oran, Mo. I just wanted to call and say congratulations to Amber Seier who won the Miss Teen Missouri pageant and will be competing in Miss Teen USA.

Old-time religion

TO THE person who is looking for a traditional church: I want to go with you. I'm tired of skits, the stage looking like a jungle gym and the choir director acting like he's got the itch.

Blocking justice

BY THIS time in his first term as president, Bill Clinton saw 93 percent of his judicial nominees get a vote on the floor of the U.S. Senate. In contrast, President Bush has only seen 44 percent of his nominees get a floor vote in the Democratically controlled U.S. Senate. It is clear that Tom Daschle and his allies are obstructing justice in the United States.

Government snooping

I'D LIKE to know just how stupid the city of Cape Girardeau thinks the people are. Do they honestly think we're so stupid that when we see something that looks like a camera and acts like a camera we will think it's a duck? A sensor doesn't need be in a big camera box. That's like those big gray boxes on the phone poles. Nobody wants to tell anyone what they are, but yet I saw one open. It had optical and audio equipment in it. There's no reason to have optical and audio equipment on telephone poles all over town. Somebody needs to explain. People are getting tired of government interference.

Following the rules

BICYCLISTS SHOULD obey the same rules as cars when it comes to a school bus with it's stop sign out and the school lights flashing. They should stop instead of zooming past like one did this morning.

Traditional church

FOR THE person who was looking for the traditional church, try the Episcopal church at the corner of Fountain and Themis.

Doesn't make sense

I NOTICED someone called and seemed to focus the blame on the Democratic Congress for the stock market going down. Well, that makes as much sense as blaming a Republican president. It's like Sept. 11. They tried to blame Bill Clinton for that. That makes about as much sense to me to as saying that President Bush knew about it before it happened.

THIS IS in response to the comment expressing opposition to the city discussing the opportunity to build an aquatic center. Do you really think the softball fields in Cherokee Park were meant to bring in tourism? Softball fields are not meant to bring in tourism. They are meant to provide other alternatives for our children and help entice people to use our city's parks. The reason this area struggles economically is because of narrow-minded people. I am a SEMO grad. I can tell you that more people are ready to leave Cape Girardeau than are willing to stay after completing their education. Why? It's because people are always quick to deny any type of development in this city. They say, "If it costs me any money, I don't want any part of it." You have to give a little to get anything back. Don't be selfish by denying opportunity for your children or grandchildren to live and raise their families in this city. The only way this can happen is if we continue to grow and develop into the city that we have the potential to be. Providing jobs and economic stability within this community is what will keep this city from losing potential leaders and, more importantly, consumers.

Traffic congestion

TRAFFIC congestion on William Street near the interstate is getting worse. Something that might help is to extend Independence Street west over I-55 to connect with William Street near Siemers Drive. A long-term traffic plan is desperately needed.

Approval strategy

THERE IS little to no chance of a Cape Girardeau tax increase passing if it includes $6 million for an aquatic center. Let's remove this item and give the other proposed items a chance of passing.

Gambling problem

I CAN'T believe some of the old folks in our area who have financial difficulties and can't pay their bills still take their money and go gambling every week at casinos. I don't know if they're addicted or irresponsible or both. The family, the state and some organizations eventually will have to bail them out. What a shame and what a waste.