Speak Out 4/18/06

More roundabouts

WHAT IS so hard to figure out? I was in the military stationed in England for three years. Sixty percent of the intersections were roundabouts. They are meant to increase the flow of traffic. Some of them were four or more lanes wide. They are easy to use if you know what you're supposed to do. The traffic already in the roundabout has the right-of-way. The roundabout should not be treated like a four-way stop. If there is no traffic in the roundabout, you can keep on driving. You don't have to come to a complete stop. Our roundabout island is too big. The pavers around the outside should be removed. That should be plenty of room to maneuver any vehicle. I like the roundabout and would like to see more of them constructed by qualified engineers.

Fuel from beets

I HAVE been reading that Brazil has greatly reduced its reliance on foreign oil by making ethanol from sugar cane. This is a old process that has been around for many years, but we haven't adopted this in the United States. We have controlled the amount of sugar cane and sugar production by law. We could start producing sugar cane and sugar beets that could be made into ethanol rapidly. Sugar beets are raised everywhere from the Dakotas through central Illinois. Instead of using corn, we could use sugar beets. This would change the whole economic logistics of ethanol plants.

Freedom is not free

OUR FOREFATHERS fought and died for our freedom. Fifty-eight thousand young man were killed in Vietnam for our freedom. Today young Americans are still fighting for our freedom. When people cross our borders illegally, it is breaking the law. Politicians and lawmakers need to get their heads out of the sand hoping this problem will go away. America use to be strong and respected for our laws. I certainly hope American citizens realize that it is not just Mexican workers who would get guest-worker visas. Many other countries have people here illegally also. Who is going to monitor the jobs these people take? Freedom is not free, not even to Americans.

Finding yard sales

IT WOULD be nice, with all of the yard sales going on in Jackson and Cape Girardeau, if those having the sales would give us a hint where their streets might be, because there are so many new streets, and nobody knows where they are. What would be even nicer is for the Southeast Missourian to have a map showing all of them.

Account for proceeds

SCOTT CITY School District had a dinner auction for the school. As a taxpayer I would like to know how much money was made and how the money will be divided. I think everyone needs to know.

Get it right

SIX RETIRED generals have called for Donald Rumsfeld's resignation. President Bush refuses because it would look like his strategy has not worked in the last three years. What is more important: his strategy or getting it right?

Obey the law

THE ORAN police are doing a wonderful job. It's their job to enforce laws. The law is the law. Follow it or pay the consequences. Without laws this country would be in a lot of trouble. If the police stopped doing their jobs and something happened to you, you would complain because they weren't doing their jobs. Everyone has to follow the law.

Roosevelt conservatives

THE HISTORY Channel is wrapping up "Ten Days That Unexpectedly Changed America." One segment featured Teddy Roosevelt. What happened to conservatives like him? Roosevelt knew hardship. He understood that corporate control of government was bad and that we had to preserve America's beauty. And he could back up his "big stick" attitude with his own military service. These are foreign concepts to today's Republicans.

Veterans' viewpoints

USING THE comments of returning soldiers is not a good yardstick for measuring success in the war. I know one vet who praises the war, yet he never came close to combat. Two good friends of mine came home from Iraq and Cuba after having their own camp bombed and subsequently working as prison guards at Gitmo. They both feel the war was a huge mistake.

Saving mountain lions

ONCE AGAIN a state agency has stuck its head in the sand. Despite an increasing frequency of sightings, the conservation commission has decided there is not a viable population of mountain lions in the state, so they can be shot. If they should not be conserving mountain lions, what should they be conserving? Chickens? Where do they think the lions came from?

Putting on our masks

IT WAS heartwarming to read Ellen Shuck's article on the faces and masks people wear when entering the outside world or going back into their home and family territory. My theory has come to be this: If someone asks how I am and I tell them, it is because they asked. If I in return ask someone else, then I should, as Ellen is, be willing to listen and respond appropriately to whatever I hear. It was also wonderful to read such a good article about the young guitarist. Positive and uplifting articles sure help inspire and encourage. There are too few of these and too many of the dire, ugly, gory stories in all areas of the media. But, they tell me that is what sells.

East Cape concerns

THE MAYOR of East Cape Girardeau and the owner of the Purple Crackle (who is also a town trustee) said they did not know whom they were issuing a business license to. Give me a break. The people they leased the Crackle to own five strip joints. This deal was pushed through the board of trustees without letting the residents of East Cape Girardeau have anything to say about it. It should have been put on a ballot and voted on. As far as the revenue the gentlemen's club will create, we don't need that kind of money. If the Crackle was costing the owner thousands of dollars a month to stay open, common sense would tell them to close it up. Strip clubs breed all kinds of immoral problems. There are a lot of young children in East Cape. This is a poor example to set. The club may not last long when the Cape Girardeau police start pulling over the drunks and perverts on the Missouri side of the bridge.