OpinionMarch 17, 2007
Speak Out 3/17/07
Boundless hypocrisy; Mars is melting; Paint drying; Necessary resources; Crazy pills; Drugs over TV; No monopoly; Long rate wait; Thanks for debit card; Battle locale; Hate-hate relationship; Rock trivia; Phone manners; Look for beauty; Positive change; Energy analogy; Libby and Liddy; Nighttime jogging; Wasting time; Think twice; She touched lives; Shoddy work
Boundless hypocrisy
I WANT to get this straight. Former national security and Clinton aide Sandy Berger admits that he stole national security documents, and there's no outrage by the liberal media or Democrats. Yet when Scooter Libby leaks the name of a CIA employee who had not worked undercover since 2001, he is lambasted by the media and the Democrats. Hypocrisy has no bounds in the Democratic Party.
Mars is melting
THERE IS one thing to think about before you make your mind up on global warming: It is a fact that some of the 1,000-year-old ice on Mars is melting because of a solar flare or storm. Where are the humans on Mars causing the planet to warm?
Paint drying
BETWEEN THIS "unpublished poem" going to Kent Library and recently applied paint drying in my bedroom, I honestly don't see a large difference.
Necessary resources
THE SURGE is working. Attacks in Baghdad are down 80 percent in the last three weeks. As much as Democrats and liberals hate it, the president gave our military commanders the resources they requested, and the mission is being accomplished.
Crazy pills
CONSERVATIVE radio commentators who indulge in illegal drugs. Defenders of virtue like Bill Bennett who wager millions in casino gambling. Now "conservatives" who call for the pardon of a White House operative convicted of perjury. Is everyone taking crazy pills, or am I the only one who is ashamed to call himself a conservative?
Drugs over TV
PERHAPS WE have too much government when it feels the need to be involved in services that are not essential, such as cable-TV. Prices for cable and satellite are outrageously high. However, when one weighs that entertainment against the cost of medications, perhaps we should be more concerned about the latter. One can live without cable but not without life-saving drugs.
No monopoly
AS A senior citizen struggling to pay utility bills and medication costs, I find it offensive that anyone would consider cable-television rates a senior issue. Cable-TV rates are too high, and there should be no monopoly for such a service. I cannot help being envious of the seniors who are able to pay more than $1,200 a year for cable service.
Long rate wait
THE RECENT Ameren rate increase is a problem the government created. Instead of seeing a gradual increase, there hasn't been one in 20 years. What government leader thought of that? He obviously didn't think into the future.
Thanks for debit card
I LOST my debit card Sunday at Kmart. I was in a panic, because I dropped it in the parking lot. To my pleasant surprise when I went to the bank today someone had turned it in. I would like to thank you.
Battle locale
I HAVE no problem with Haliburton moving its corporate headquarters to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. When our military decides it's time to take out Haliburton, better over there than Houston.
Hate-hate relationship
PEOPLE ARE of two minds about passing a sunshine law which would make it easier for the press to gain access to public information. On the one hand, many people are for such a law because they hate the government. On the other hand, many people are against such a law because they hate the press.
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Rock trivia
MATT SANDERS should be beating the drums for Cape Girardeau native Billy Swan's induction into the rock 'n' roll hall of fame. If Sanders doesn't know of Billy Swan or the name of his long-running No. 1 single (John Lennon said it was the greatest rock 'n' roll song ever recorded), then Sanders is not as knowledgeable about such matters. Does Sanders know (without looking it up) what Cape native wrote and first recorded "Lover Please," later made into a No. 1 classic by Clyde McPhatter?
Phone manners
I ATTENDED the band concert in Jackson. What a wonderful performance. My applause was for the teachers as well as the students. However, the people who forgot to silence the ringers on their cell phones need to learn some manners. And the man who answered two phone calls and talked during the concert needs to be tarred and feathered.
Look for beauty
GOD GIVES us things to endure all through our lives. We do the best we can. We pray that we will do what he wants from us. I told someone the other day that my niece, a senior in high school, gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, and this person said, "Oh, how sad," I said, "What is sad about that? The person said, "That has ruined her life." I said, "God put a beautiful boy here that she and everyone around them loves. There is nothing sad about that."
Positive change
INTERESTING HOW many readers have submitted negative comments regarding the change in airport hubs to Cincinnati. Why not try it first? We now have two airport options: You can drive to St Louis or fly to Cincinnati. It is a bold and positive change for the area.
Energy analogy
IF AMERENUE produced an energy drink, it would cost $50 per eight-ounce can and only work 75 percent of the time.
Libby and Liddy
TJ GREANEY correctly identified "Scooter" Libby as President Bush's counterpart to G. Gordon Liddy.
Nighttime jogging
PLEASE DON'T jog in the dark. Most likely people cannot see you. I have seen many joggers running in the street at night with dark clothing on.
Wasting time
I HAVE never owned a slave. My parents never owned a slave. My grandparents never owned a slave. Yet the Missouri Legislature wants to use my tax money to apologize for slavery. Seems to me they could find something more constructive to do with their time and our money.
Think twice
THERE ARE those who feel that as long as there are enough volunteers in the armed services we don't need the draft. They fail to realize that statistics show that a disproportionate percentage of soldiers are from rural, low-income communities. The draft would cause a lot of these elitist chicken hawks to think twice before rushing into war, if they knew their sons and daughters would have to serve.
She touched lives
THE JACKSON School District Parents as Teachers program and the entire district will miss the knowledge, heart and wonderful flare that Danna Lape brought to her job. Danna was a wonderful educator and was a role model to all educators. Danna's memory will live on in all the families and lives she touched and made a difference in for the past 15 years.
Shoddy work
REGARDING THE new federal courthouse: Tens of millions of dollars have been earmarked for this project, and yet the finish work on the concrete retaining walls is awful. Is this the way it will remain, or is it on a punch list? I cannot believe the project manager would approve this substandard workmanship. Remember, curb appeal is everything.
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