Speak Out A 08/04/03

Neat tribute

IF SEMO'S mascot must be changed in name, I too second River Eagles. I thought was very clever and really neat and a tribute to this area.

Lest we forget

IF I were an Indian, I would want a group to call themselves Indians just to keep my heritage in front of the American people so they will not forget.

Leave it alone

I HOPE they won't change the SEMO Indians and Otahkians mascot. I've been a SEMO follower for a long time. It wouldn't seem right without being the Indians and Otahkians. I hope SEMO and other teams that have Native American mascots just leave like that.

Time for challenger

U.S. REP. Jo Ann Emerson has always had Democrats tendencies, even though she is a Republican. She is against school vouchers. Now she seems to be more of a Democrat advocate. Now she is for prescription drug coverage for the elderly. I think Emerson needs a challenger, and I hope one of our young and upcoming GOP members in the legislature will challenge her.

It's a disgrace

WHAT IS wrong with the women today? They love to get on TV and show everything they've got wearing little bitty straps. Do they really think they are that pretty? God, please help them because that sure isn't pretty to me. It's a disgrace. That's what I was taught when I grew up.

No courtroom cameras

CAMERAS IN the courtroom? No. Many who go to trial are innocent, but once their face is seen on TV, they are presumed guilty solely because the media has played it up.

Cause of happiness

IF IGNORANCE is bliss, that explains why George W. Bush seems so happy.

Money at the top

THIS IS an observation concerning the recent renewal of Dr. Ken Dobbins' five-year contract as president at SEMO. There always seems to be money for the ones at the top regardless of how tight the budget is.

Thinking without value

HAVE YOU noticed that when some people are opposed to an idea but cannot discredit it on merit, logic or reason, they simply label it political correctness, hoping that will discredit it? Of course, they have every right to do this, but their thinking offers us little of value.

Railroad nostalgia

I'VE LIVED in many places that are beautiful and have many opportunities for people to enjoy, but I realize I miss the sound of trains in Scott City. I am from a third-generation family of railroad workers and am very proud of this small community. At one time in Scott City, I could hear the riverboats, watch the planes overhead and see the trains going down to Jonesboro or up to St. Louis. I owe so much to the railroad families and to the men who worked so hard. I and many other people have had a college education from our families being able to help us.

Not following the rules

NO ONE is saying he wants the railroad out of Scott City. The complaint is how the engineers are abusing the whistles and not following company guidelines.

Not snickering now

THERE WAS a young man who came to the city council meetings time after time and spoke of his neighbors using fireworks in the south part of town. Many of us snickered. The mayor and the council members would sit back in their chairs and roll their eyes up as if to say, "Here he goes again." I was one of those people watching the meetings on TV, knowing he was right but doing nothing about it. We aren't snickering now, are we? Fireworks are dangerous to our homes and to our neighbors' homes. When most people are in their homes at night, others are out shooting fireworks off with no care as to where the fireworks will land.