Trim along railroad

IT WOULD be nice if the railroad would cut down all the brush along its right-of-way by the new bridge. The bridge is really starting to take shape. If the railroad would trim its right-of-way, it would be more welcoming to Cape Girardeau.

County road speeding

THIS IS to the people who live on the County Road 620. The speed limit is 35 mph and clearly marked. Some vehicles pass me like I'm sitting still on curves and everything else. In the morning, when I'm returning home from my night shift, there are kids out there waiting for the school bus. They have no where else to go and there speeding vehicles go flying around. Follow the speed limit. Stop the speeding. Someone's going to get hurt.

An American hero

I JUST read the article about the truck turned over on Route OO Wednesday. I just wanted to let everyone know that Floyd Yarbrough was responsible for pulling those two women out of that truck. I think it's a blessing that he took the time to stop and help. That's what being an American is all about: helping each other. Thank you, Floyd Yarbrough, for caring about others.

Sincere praying

I THOUGHT the picture of the woman praying at the bar was a little unusual, but I have no doubt of this woman's sincerity. I don't think one should criticize someone for praying, no matter where they are.

Bluebird boxes

THANK YOU to whoever put up the bluebird boxes along a county road. They are absolutely beautiful. We now have baby bluebirds. Thanks to whoever did this.

What's in the river?

I'M CALLING to see if anyone knows what the Styrofoam-looking material is that's floating down the river. I remember seeing it last year. I'm wondering if somebody knows what it is.

Fairness in war

I ALWAYS thought all is fair in love and war. It seems like Saddam Hussein is the only one who knows that anymore. Rules of war are ridiculous. You can do this but you can't do that. You can hit me above the belt, but don't you dare hit me below the belt.

Trash along roads

AM I the only one seeing the trash and garbage on our county roads and on I-55 from Cape Girardeau to Sikeston?

Thanks to firefighters

I'M CALLING to thank the volunteer fire departments of Delta and Advance. We had a flue fire this winter on a night of 2-degree temperatures. Both departments arrived around 1 a.m. and stayed until 5 a.m. They were very mindful of our home. They were careful not to pour too much water inside our house. They even worried about tracking in the snow. Thanks to both departments, our home was saved. We suffered smoke damage. Now that everything is clean and beautiful again, I wanted to say thank you to all the men of Advance and Delta fire departments. You guys saved our home and made the cleanup so much easier. Keep up the great work.

City has real needs

I AM a city employee, and I don't care if we get a Christmas party or not. I am more concerned about our need for equipment and an adequate operating budget. For those of you who think the city has an over abundance of administrative staff, you are sadly mistaken. City employees are underpaid, but we are also grateful for the jobs we have.

Bombing logic

DAN RATHER suggested that President Bush's motives for the war included raising the literacy rate and income level of Iraqi citizens. This hardly qualifies as negative propaganda. Maybe CBS is suggesting that we should bomb the United States because our domestic policy isn't getting the job done.

Look to the future

IT SEEMS like everyone these days is waxing nostalgic about the good old days. Well, you can have them. And you can keep them. Why on earth would anyone really want to go back 50, 75 or 100 years? It's beyond me. I have done some research on my ancestors. They died of influenza, lockjaw, childbirth and things that would be easily cured today. I would not like to give up my computer, car or TV. My mother was over 90 years old when she died. Never once did I ever hear her say she wished things were the way they used to be. She talked about good times, but for sure she didn't want to go back there. Look to the future. Don't look back.

God listens to everyone

RECENTLY THERE was a picture of a woman praying in a bar. Here's a news flash: People who drink sometimes also pray. Guess what. So do full-blown alcoholics and drug addicts. Just because we're not perfect doesn't mean we are animals. We are all human beings. God hears all our prayers. He listens to all of us regardless of our circumstances.

National interest

JACK STAPLETON has lapsed into illogic and irrationality of almost incomprehensible proportions. Because the United States footed the bill for the Marshall Plan and will in large part pay for the war in and rebuilding of Iraq in no way implies that it wasn't in our national interest to do so.

Conforming viewpoints

THOMAS EAGLETON'S degree of intelligence seems to wax and wane with some Speak Out callers based on whether or not his view conforms with theirs.

No pedestrian bridge

I FEEL the highway department is making a critical error in constructing a pedestrian bridge over Highway 74 in Cape Girardeau. The money used for this project will undermine other interests that could be improved. I will never use that bridge until I feel safe enough to walk from side to side and not be harassed by the surrounding residents. How about some economic development around that area first before spending money that will be wasted. People should obey the posted signs and refrain from jumping the fences, or the police should issue summonses.

WHY MUST God only bless America? Why do we pray only for our troops? Why do we pray for our government alone? God does not see nations, boundaries, races or ethnicities. Please, if you must say "God bless," say "God bless everyone."

Form of genocide?

IN THE decades following World War I, many states performed forced abortions on women deemed unfit to reproduce. Recently several governors have apologized for these forced programs. Still today a group called Children Requiring a Caring Kommunity is paying $200 in exchange for sterilization of drug addicts and alcoholics. Although the group denies that it is racist, nearly half of the women agreeing to sterilization are African Americans. This program should be investigated and stopped. There is always hope for recovery from addiction. Is this another method of genocide?

City needs revenue

I WILL vote for Cape Girardeau's proposed tax increases. I think we need the improvements that will result from the revenue generated.

Bribing students

POLITICIANS HAVE put public schools in the pitiful position of bribing some students with burgers to try to buy improvement on MAP scores. Sadly, this is a most miserable commentary on the dire state of public education.

More important issues

IN TIME of budget crunches, many businesses have had to cut just as the city of Cape Girardeau needs to look where the fat can be cut. There are more important issues than the employee Christmas party. Many businesses have cut their Christmas parties.

Benefit for the wealthy

YOU DESCRIBED the opposing sides in the TIF rift as the "pro-development contingency" on one side versus the "anti-tax break contingent on the other side." That's a good description. However, I think pro-development forces could better be described as advocates of tax breaks for the wealthy.

Enforce speed limit

WHAT IS the purpose of a 50-mph speed limit sign in the work zone between Scott City and Cape Girardeau if the Missouri State Highway Patrol is not going to enforce it? Nobody pays any attention to it anyway. So waste my tax money on something other than a sign nobody sees.