Speak Out A 07/02/03

A blessed wife

HOORAY FOR the wife who puts out food for the creatures. God will bless her.

Surprise comment

I WAS surprised, even stunned, to read where Cape Girardeau School District superintendent Mark Bowles said he was glad the governor, with great reluctance, signed the Republican-sponsored bill gutting a much needed increase in public education spending.

Still dangerous

I WOULD like to comment on the recent construction done on Shawnee Boulevard in Jackson. I work at a business at Old Cape Road and Shawnee. I sat in my office watching the people drive trough there after it was open and almost witnessed the first wreck only 30 minutes after it was opened on Friday. I do not see where the city thinks this is going to be a better solution to the problem they had at hand. I think there are going to be a lot of accidents. Motorists do not realize what has been done here and are still treating it like a four-way stop. Traffic on Shawnee does not have to stop, but traffic on Old Cape Road does.

Marriage claptrap

WITH THE recent Supreme Court decision, I hear a lot of claptrap about "undermining the institution of marriage." Homosexuals wouldn't undermine it. Heterosexuals are doing that already with spousal abuse, infidelity and all sorts of other things that mock the institution of marriage. The divorce rate continues to rocket. A wedding ring is no more valued these days than a promise ring. People don't view marriage as anything more serious than having a steady boyfriend or girlfriend. Gay marriages wouldn't damage the institution of marriage any more than heterosexuals have already done.

Imposing morality

IN RESPONSE to the person who was whining about "the whiners who can't have booze": They can have fun without booze, but it's a little hard to do when your freedom of choice is taken away without your opinion. It's a bit upsetting that the self-righteous can make decisions for everyone else. And it's even more upsetting when the self-righteous inflict their morals on others. Save the preaching for church. I choose not to drink, but I certainly don't feel I have the right to tell others they can't.

Blinked too fast

MISSOURI VOTERS were not yet educated enough to figure out that public education was being shortchanged by miserly Missouri Republicans. In signing the education bills, Gov. Bob Holden blinked too fast. Thus, the Republican-controlled Missouri General Assembly had its way. As a result, a Republican will capture the executive mansion next year, Missouri will become a one-party Republican state and Democrats will disappear.

Danger of squandering

GEORGE BUSH'S belief that the United States has the right to use force against nations that he believes may threaten American security is based on the assumption that Washington can make accurate judgments about how serious such a danger is. If the intelligence is wrong or the government distorts it, the United States will squander its credibility. Even worse, it will lose the ability to rally the world and the American people to the defense of the country when real threats materialize.

Strong-arm tactics

I HOPE Republican state legislators will reconsider their actions regarding education when they meet again in September. If not, just remember who you have to thank when your child is in an overcrowded classroom because there wasn't enough money for more teachers. The Republicans may feel they have beaten the governor into submission over the budget, but we will remember their childish strong-arm tactics when election time rolls around again.

Extreme radicals

IF YOU look up the definition of conservative, there is nothing in that definition that resembles the current administration. Let's be clear here. The Bush administration is not conservative. It is made up of extreme radicals.

Trash problems

I WONDER if I'm the only one already sick of Scott City's choice to go with CWI for trash pickup. I have had to call long distance to the company three times in the last two months because CWI has missed my trash or didn't come on the regular day. Every time you call CWI, its excuse is a problem with its truck.

Bullies in the House

THE STRONG-ARM techniques used by the republican leadership on the floor of the U.S. House in the wee hours of Friday morning are unacceptable. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson should have been allowed to vote her conscience against a Republican prescription drug plan that favors the corporations and does little for the seniors of her district. Instead, she was coerced unmercifully by bullies into casting the deciding vote. I think Emerson should become an independent. Is this how the Republicans treat women?

Give docs a break

IN RESPONSE to the comments about physicians' hours and work week. Doctors set aside certain days for surgeries and for working at other offices in neighboring cities. Many work six and seven days a week when on call. Let's give the doctors a break. They work for years to become doctors. Most are dedicated and professional.

Road needs repairs

SOMETHING NEEDS to be done about the part of Farmington Street that leads to County Road 439. The county has done a good job of making County Road 439 a pleasure to drive on. But the city's part is ridiculous. I encourage you all to take a drive down our road. Then you would understand why I'm complaining.

Messy geese

THE GEESE in Jackson City Park are awful. I hate to walk on the same trail as they are on. Something needs to be done as soon as possible.

Park pond is a mess

THE CITY should have someone designated to take care of the pond at Capaha Park. Not only do you have to stare at trash, but the scum and muck that float on the water is disgusting. That helps attract mosquitoes and smells up the park. Nobody seems to take care of the water. One would think the city would be ashamed to have it look that way. Many people who are visitors to the city go there for recreation.