Speak Out A 03/24/03

Remove criminals

YOUR RECENT editorial regarding the three-strikes sentencing laws was just plain wrong. The men you claimed were punished unjustly are criminals. Not only that, they are repeat offenders. Prison is not a deterrent to crime for them. These men, and others like them, have shown that they cannot function in civilized society and should therefore be removed from it.

Waiting, not parking

SINCE WHEN is being in your car waiting to make a turn with your turn signal on considered parking? That's what Jackson police officers consider parking at West Lane Elementary School. If that's the case, then every time I get behind a car waiting to turn, I'll lay on the horn and make them move.

Support for president

I READ about the Dixie Chicks and the comment about being ashamed that President Bush came from Texas. Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing until you put your foot in your mouth. I really wonder how many times the Dixie Chicks have sat up at night worrying that their comment may have just cost them millions of dollars and loyal fans. I think it's quite funny. You get famous, and all of a sudden freedom of speech can become quite an enemy, possibly even your downfall. I love President Bush and admire his courage.

Blind eye on imports

A RECENT story said some of the meat coming from other countries is not being inspected. Last week, we had to sell a cow. There was a USDA inspector where we took the cow, plus we had to sign an affidavit saying we had not given the cow any antibiotics recently. Doesn't it make you feel good that our wonderful government gives millions to other countries and turns a blind eye to imports?

Unfair comments

IN VIEW of the Dixie Chicks making the comment about President Bush: Toby Keith came here and took cheap shots at Bill Clinton's extramarital affairs, and members of another country group called him a draft dodger. If the Dixie Chicks would have commented about Clinton, it wouldn't have been a big deal. Fair is fair.

Specifics on gambling

I KEEP reading in the paper about people who are questioning whether a person can be a Christian and gamble. I've been going to a church for the bigger part of my life, and I've never heard mention of a passage in the Bible that specifically condemns gambling. Don't give me a bunch of stuff that beats around the bush. I want specifics.

Street situation

LIVING IN Cape Girardeau in that area bounded by South West End Boulevard and William, College and Sprigg streets, I have an open message to the wannabe gangster trying to take over our streets. My wife and I are long since tired of running a gantlet in order to get our car in our driveway. You had best learn how to respect the rights of others. Pull your cars over to the curb if you want to visit. Don't block the street. Stop walking in the middle of the street. Unless the police do something to alleviate this situation, I predict someone will eventually get badly injured or worse before this summer is over.

Respecting differences

WHEN YOU teach your child about the different races and the various colors of people, you are not teaching your child to hate. You're teaching your child to be intelligent and to use his own brain.

Handling the crowd

I WAS disappointed that the police took so long to disperse the crowd in the 900 block of Bloomfield Street. They knew about the crowd, but they just drove by without stopping. It was a couple of hours later before they finally stopped. I hope we don't get a repeat. This has been a pretty good neighborhood for the past couple of years.

Cats on leashes

THE PERSON who said cats only kill mice doesn't know much about cats. Cats will kill anything that moves. If they aren't hungry, they will play with it until they kill it. Cats will climb trees at night and get roosting birds. I've seen them do it. I think there ought to be a leash law on cats in cities just like dogs. People who let their cats roam do not care much about their animals.

Going full circle

I SEE Thomas Eagleton has gone the full circle. When he was running to be a politician, he had all the answers. When he became a politician, he didn't have all the answers. Now that he has retired from the U.S. Senate, he has all the answers again. Isn't that amazing how smart they are before they get into office and after they get out of office?

Legal adults

THIS IS an answer to the person who says a lot of 21-year-olds are not responsible enough to drink. I've also seen 40- and 50-year-olds who don't drink responsibly. Eighteen-year-olds are legally adults. They should be treated like adults, and the drinking age should be lowered to 18.

Ashamed of column

I WAS ashamed of the guest column that Thomas Eagleton wrote. He ought to be ashamed of himself. I voted for this man. Now I find him a disgrace to this nation.

Disappearing memories

WHILE WE'RE straightening out the kink in Main Street and the curve in Snake Hill, let's go ahead and carve down Cape Rock so no one falls off. Let's plow down the stores in downtown in case the wall breaks during flood season. Let's fill up the lagoon in Capaha Park so there are no more unwanted geese. Does anyone remember the beautiful stretch of trees that once grew between Cape and Jackson? Are there any other memories and landmarks you would like to do away with?

Go to the top

I AGREE with the mother being upset about a teacher making personal calls on her cell phone. But it doesn't do any good to talk to the teacher. Talk to the principal.

BUSH AND his Republican buddies in Congress owe us one. Democrats in Congress went along with his war. He ought to give us a national health-care bill and prescription program for seniors. I pray that the troops will be safe and home soon.

A prayer

THIS IS my prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, bless our president of the United States, George W. Bush, and the entire administration. And God bless our troops as they prepare to do what they enlisted to do: defend our country. And God bless America again.

Shorter work day

I HAVE been a substitute teacher at elementary, junior high and high schools in the Jackson School District. The junior high teachers teach six hours a day. At the high school, teacher only teaches five hours a day. That's ridiculous waste of our money. I don't think the high school teachers need a new building, What I think they need to do is start earning their paychecks.

Tax-and-spend city

PEOPLE SAY the Democrats want to tax and spend. What about Cape Girardeau City Council? It wants to tax and spend too. The city wants four new taxes and fees. Officials are trying to tell the people it will only cost $100 a year. That's a crock of bull.

Factual information

THANK YOU so much for publishing the guest column from Thomas Eagleton. It was the most factual information that we have ever received. It gives a real picture on what we're doing in this world. President Bush seems to have feeling that he has a mandate from God and is pushing the United States into complete destruction.