SPEAKOUT

Pet tax penalizes responsible owners

I WOULD like to comment about the pet tax that Cape voted in on Tuesday. I believe that the city and Humane Society are missing the boat entirely. They can increase the taxes all they want, but it doesn't put more money into the city's pocket if people don't pay up. The people who are a part of the overpopulation at the Humane Society's shelter are people who are not responsible pet owners, and they will not pay the tax. Pets are disposable to these people. So what the city really voted in is to tax the people who take their dogs and cats to the vet, who keep their dogs or cats in the house or yard at all times and are honest and pay the tax. I have noticed while watching the City Council meetings that a higher number of animals are brought in to our shelter are from other cities or counties, not just Cape. Shouldn't we charge the county or city of origin for each animal brought in whether it is a stray or from a puppy mill that has just been taken over by the authorities? This sounds a lot like the Hopper Road project. Have some pay for all others to use. Why doesn't the Humane Society and the city surprise us all and use this tax increase to pay for all animals being adopted from the shelter to be spayed, not just the purebreds.

All the players deserve credit

I'D LIKE to say that I just think Cape Central's baseball team is doing a very good job this year. They've got a great start, but all you hear about are a couple of certain players. What about the rest of the boys on the team? They work just as hard. Give the other boys credit too. They deserve. They work just as hard. Keep up the good work, Central.

Where was the story?

RUSH LIMBAUGH is Cape Girardeau's most famous citizen. Most people love or hate him. His name draws immediate attention. Wednesday's Missourian was very disappointing. He made the Broadcasters of Fame and the story -- 10 lines -- was printed on page 12A.

REPLY: The Southeast Missourian had a Page 1 story on Rush Limbaugh's broadcasting honor -- with a photo -- in the Jan. 24 edition.

Turn old bridge into walking park

I HAVE an idea regarding the river. Instead of tearing the old bridge down, do what Chattanooga, Tenn., did with theirs. They made a walking park out of it. High fences were placed outside the rails. Benches and flower urns were put along the sides. People used it for walking, jogging, eating their lunch so they could enjoy being over the river watching the boats and barges. It was a wonderful way to appreciate the river, and people were willing to pay for the privilege.

Development takes away the beauty

I AGREE with the person who said how beautiful Cape and the surrounding areas used to be and how it is now. You've got subdivisions, shopping malls and everything else. Everything's being torn up for the sake of the so-called almighty dollar. Just a few weeks ago, I saw out here on the west part of town on Sunday these bulldozers working. I guess they can't wait to get another subdivision up so they can make more money. It's a shame everything's got to be destroyed for the sake of greed. Where's the beauty of the woods and forests and meadows and everything for the kids in the future? I remember in Revelation it says, "God shall put to ruin those ruining the earth." And there is my consolation. Now whether that's war or people tearing up the earth, I'll leave that up to the Almighty. But there's consolation in that verse.

Misdirected Medicare sales pitches

I WILL be 65 years old next month, and I've received at least a dozen fliers wanting me to take out Medicare supplements. They all wish me a happy birthday. Well, I've been disabled for 10 years, and I've used Medicare for the last 10. I have two Medicare supplements.

Do a good deal instead of complaining

IN RESPONSE to the people who moved into the neighborhood and left their packing materials in the back yard until they had a special pickup and while they were out of town it scattered around: So instead of the neighbor doing a good deed and picking it up, he or she made a mean-spirited comment which probably took more time than it would to have picked it up. Well, especially at this time of the year, the Easter season, we should do good deeds for people.

A shameful message to send

TO THOSE people who think that the president's life is his own business, you are dead wrong. It is our business as U.S. citizens. The president is supposed to a role model for everybody. And I don't think any role model should send a message that says you can go to bed with anyone you want. That's just so shameful.

Enjoyed cartoon and pelican story

I JUST wanted to say I enjoyed the ultimate solution cartoon by Don Wright on the Opinion page. I also enjoyed the migrating pelican story on the front page.

Clean up after your pets

I AGREE with the person from Jackson. We need a pooper scooper law. If you're going to walk your dog, you should be responsible for the mess they leave behind. People, please quit letting your pets poop on the Cape Girardeau Federal Building lawn.

Some carbohydrates good, others bad

I'D LIKE to respond to the person who was calling about the Atkins diet. When the nutritionist was talking about carbohydrates, I don't think he or she meant flour or sugar at all. In fact, they referred to the good carbohydrates: vegetables, fruits and grains. I think we all know that flour and sugar aren't good for us, mostly because they are eaten in the form of cake, muffins, donuts and cookies. Those are the things that I call sponges for fat. And the point of the good carbohydrates such as vegetables and fruits and grains is that the Atkins' diet doesn't allow for any of them. And those are the carbohydrates that have all the great nutrients that fight disease.

Alcohol industry next cash cow?

I'D LIKE to say I applaud the tobacco companies' pulling out of the proposed tobacco deal. As our government changed it around, I thought it was nothing less than extortion by our government. How come the legal profession has yet to go after the alcohol industry? Is it because they have a little bit more money to pay their lobbyists in Washington? It seems to me that there are a lot of innocent people who are killed and hurt for life because of a direct result of alcohol. Yet the legal profession hasn't gone after this industry. I'm waiting to see if they're going to see that as the latest cash cow.

Soiled shoes could have been cleaned

I JUST read in Speak Out about the person complaining about the dogs running loose. I agree, pet owners should be responsible for keeping their dogs put up. But to throw away a pair of shoes just because they stepped in a little poop just makes me sick. To be so squeamish that you can't clean the shoes is one thing, but to throw them away is ridiculous. If anything, they could have donated them. There are plenty of needy people around that could have used a good pair of shoes.

Osage Centre a good, safe place to walk

I AM a consumer who walks at the Osage Centre, and I wanted to let people know what a nice place that is to go in and walk. A lot of times you don't want to walk in the park or walk in the city streets because you don't know how safe you are, particularly if you're older. But you can go in there in the morning and walk for free. It's a good place to exercise, and you're in a safe environment. I just wanted to say thank you to the Osage Centre for having that.

Saying nothing is often best

IN RESPONSE to Steve Mosley's request for public input and to paraphrase a great orator, Abraham Lincoln: It is said to be better to remain silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

Appalled by NCAA report

I AM appalled at the puny report given by the NCAA. They only gave the university a tap on the wrist in the form of losing a scholarship for the next two years. Had this been a big school like Michigan, Kentucky or North Carolina, the NCAA would not have even made a report but congratulated them on a good job. The NCAA is interested in large gifts to players such as cars, $20,000 signing bonuses, $25-an-hour jobs like on Kentucky horse farms, things like this. University administration got exactly what they wanted for now, and I hope it's over, but I doubt it.