Speak Out 9/16/06

Long overdue

IT IS up to a jury to decide whether a hate crime has been perpetrated. If convicted of a hate crime, the defendant could receive a tougher sentence than he would if their was no hate crime provision in the law. Hate-crime legislation was long overdue and should be used whenever circumstances dictate.

True colors

PRAISING PRINCIPLED conservatives has been a hallmark of David Limbaugh's harangues. Now he exposes his true colors by urging the same group to vote Republican, even though the GOP has in large part abandoned true conservatism. Sorry. The idea that it's better than the alternative won't fly with me and shouldn't with Limbaugh. I'm sitting this one out.

Not a private deal

IF THE Limbaughs and our U.S. senators, Kit Bond and Jim Talent, paid for the federal building, I'd say go for the Limbaugh name. Otherwise, use a different name. It's not a private building.

Showing God our best

THE COMMENTS on church dress have it all wrong. God expects us to do our best. If one is poor, his attire is appropriate for worship. The issues is not the poor, but that some people do not dress appropriately to honor God. They dress in any manner, sometimes vulgarly, and they show no respect for our creator. They wouldn't be caught at a government function looking so unkempt, yet they think because God loves us that anything is OK.

Black smoke

WHY IS the power plant at Southeast Missouri State University allowed to put out black smoke? Isn't that pollution?

Show support

READING THE "Soldier's lament" comment made me sad. I would like to challenge everyone to show our support for the men and women serving in all branches of the military by lining the streets and waving their flags as Jeremy Shank is laid in his final resting place after giving his life for the U.S. May God bless and comfort his family.

No capacity for sorrow

I WAS reading your wonderful article on reflections on America after Sept. 11. I was reading the one by Davis Dunavin from New York City and came to the paragraph where a girl had complained, "Why are we watching this? Who cares about some stupid people who died all the way over there?" At first I grew angry. Then I realized someone like that deserved nothing but pity. Someone like that does not have the capability to feel love or sorrow or any other human emotion.

Parade scene

IT WAS a nice fair parade until the end when the man on the horse that wouldn't go got off and proceeded to hit the horse in front of all our children. We really didn't enjoy seeing that.

Parade tidiness

IT WAS nice of the manager of Burger King at Broadway and Kingshighway to come out during the fair parade with a trash bag. He took care of everybody's trash and made sure his property was nicely kept up. That was fantastic of him.

Thanks for showing it

THANK YOU, KFVS12, for airing "9/11." I had never had the chance to see it before. I'm so grateful to have had the chance to see it. Thank you again.

Making a choice

STEVE IRWIN didn't have to die to show what nature and conservation are all about, but that was his choice. When we choose a behavior, we choose the consequences.

Too self-absorbed

PEOPLE WITH grossly overweight children should be required to complete programs on nutrition and cooking and how to prepare meals that are not fattening for themselves as well as their kids or be charged with child abuse. They should have a choice. But if they continue to fatten up their kids, they should be brought before the courts. It is ridiculous that people are so absorbed in their own lifestyles that they don't care about their kids or themselves.

We tried

WHAT IF after the Iraq war ends and the terrorists take over the country again? We can say we made a good try. Better luck next time.

Army training

THE GENERALS say the Iraq army needs more training. During World War II, I was given 13 weeks' training, a rifle and shipped overseas.