Speak Out 10/17/03

AMERICANS SHOULD have a right to privacy. No one should be bothered by calls they do not wish to receive. If this country is as great as it can be, we should be able to generate jobs without people intruding on other people's lives to make a buck.

Free to learn

I DO think some good has come out of invading Iraq. Schoolchildren would no longer be propagandized. One does not need Saddam on each page of the lesson book. Teachers and students should be free to learn.

City action on guns

IF THE Cape Girardeau City Council votes to ban firearms from city buildings, I will say goodbye to the mayor and council members who vote for the ban. Concealed-weapon laws don't just apply on the street, but also in city matters. Who do they think they are kidding with this outrage?

Signs are useful

ADVERTISING SIGNS on the street are not distracting. Some businesses need all the help they can get. It's more distracting when people put out small signs that you cannot read and clutter the roadway. The signs should be large enough that they can be read and not cause distraction.

Money isn't a solution

THE COMMENT taking President Bush to task for the lowest increase in the history of the education department was wrong. There was an increase this year. But this is typical of the National Education Association, which thinks the only solution to each problem in education is to throw more money at it, instead of having the teachers, administrators and even the parents do their jobs. Money is not always the answer.

Parental role models

IT'S NOT a biker's job to be a role model for your children. That is your job as parents.

More respect, please

I WOULD like to commend the Jackson student council for its tasteful T-shirt. On the other hand, whoever approved the Cape Girardeau shirt should be very ashamed. Jackson is a thriving community. We should commend farmers, because without them we would not have food on our table. A little more respect from Cape next time.

Save the albino deer

I KNOW deer season is coming soon. I was driving north on U.S. 61 by mile marker 98 and saw a snow-white albino deer. I was wondering if anybody else had seen it. I hope any hunters who see it won't shoot it.

Thanks for the purse

I WANT to thank the person who returned my purse to the office at the Jackson Country Mart on Oct. 2. If the opportunity ever arises, I will pass the same favor on to someone else. God bless you, and thank you.

Adding coaches

ONCE AGAIN SEMO is cutting programs. The paper says the university has hired an assistant coach for gymnastics. Isn't this a program that was nearly cut recently? Now the university is hiring another coach. Let's see. Let's cut academics and hire more coaches. That makes a lot of sense for a school.

Great band event

THIS IS in regard to the Jackson band parade. I thought it was wonderful. I took my two grandchildren. I wish there could have been more bands. It was just absolutely spectacular. It shows a lot of school spirit.

Teaching our children

I AM a liberal Democrat who believes in separation of church and state. I am aware of many religions other than Christianity in this great country. My children were taught about God at home. My children were taught by example. My children did not need a statue of the Ten Commandments in a public place to teach them right from wrong. My children were taught not to judge others and that the good Lord gave us choices. It's popular with some people to criticize others whose beliefs are different.

Cut computers, sports

IF CUTS are made in Cape Girardeau schools, I think computers should be the first to be cut out. In England, there was a study that found computers did not help in the school process that much. I think computers are something the kids can do without. Sports also should be cut. Studies are more important.

University's signs

I WAS just reading an article in the paper about the business signs being too close to roads and streets. When students report to the university each semester, there are signs up and down Broadway. I hope SEMO gets a letter too.