Speak Out 12/16/03

Simon's conscience

THIS IS in memory of former U.S. senator Paul Simon. May God bless him. I disagreed with almost everything he voted for, but he voted for things because that was the way his conscience dictated and he thought he was doing the right thing. May God bless you, Paul Simon.

Full-time commission

AS A first-class county, Cape Girardeau County's commissioners are required to be full-time officeholders. Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones spends many weeks each year at his vacation home in Colorado and other places. Commissioner Larry Bock spends his time on his farm. This commission has total disregard for open-meeting laws. Now they have no record of any motions to buy an expensive piece of equipment. If you have been to a commission meeting, you know why this is happening. This county is not being run in a businesslike manner. It's time we had full-time people getting full-time pay running this county. What we have now is laughable and sad. Come on, voters. Wake up.

Time for compassion

REGARDLESS OF your feelings about the financial situation at Cape Girardeau and Jackson schools, the bottom line is that teachers are being cut and families are being affected. Teachers and staff members are being told they don't have a job next year. This situation is very frightening. Some people don't know if they're going to have a job next year. These are people with families. Worst of all, it affects our kids. No one is at fault here. This is not the teachers' fault. It's not the district's fault. It's just a situation that the districts have been dealt, and now they have to handle it. Please keep them in your prayers. Be understanding of the situation and think of how you would want to be treated at a time like this. Show consideration, concern and caring for those staff members.

Bumper opinion

I WOULD like to know why someone would take a bumper sticker off my car that said "Choose life. Your mother did." That's the second sticker someone has taken off my car. Either someone is just plain mean, or they don't want me to express my opinion.

Blocking the view

I'M SO excited about the new bridge opening. I have enjoyed seeing the bridge as it has progressed during construction. But I'm most distressed to see that already a billboard has been constructed which obscures the view of our beautiful bridge. I urge the city council to please take some action on ordinances controlling billboard in front of our new, beautiful bridge.

Problems elsewhere too

SOME OF the people who are complaining about the cuts in the Cape Girardeau School District should check out some of the smaller schools in the area. Not only do they not have multiple band leaders and music teachers or a sport for every season, but the classroom teachers have to buy a lot of their supplies out of their own pockets. I know it will be hard for Cape Girardeau to cut back on sports and the arts, but at least let the smaller schools have enough of the pie to supply the teachers who teach the basics.

Won't change much

ONE THING is clear, as supporters of the war in Iraq such as Sen. Jay Rockefeller have suggested: "Given the location and circumstances of his capture, it makes clear that Saddam was not managing the insurgency. ... That is significant and disturbing because it means the insurgents are not fighting for Saddam. They're fighting against the United States." There seems little likelihood that the capture of Saddam will change much, except maybe open the country up for Osama bin Laden and his brand of religious fanaticism.

Give Bush the credit

NO LONGER can the Democrats ask where Saddam Hussein is. He's now in custody. It wasn't Howard Dean who got him, and it wasn't Wesley Clark or John Kerry or any other Democrat. It was our president, George W. Bush, and he did it in only six months.

Waiting for repercussions

THE CAPTURE of Saddam Hussein, one of the two significant symbols of international terrorism, is a seminal event in contemporary world history. The reactions to and repercussions of Saddam's capture from radical Islamists remains to be seen. I hope the answer will be an earlier-than-expected termination of the international reign of terror.

Plenty of tax support

THE PERSON who says it's time we started funding our schools must not pay any taxes. Seventy-five percent of my local taxes goes for schools. And a big part of my state and federal taxes support the schools. I think I support the schools enough.

Money isn't the answer

WHY SHOULD the Cape Girardeau City Council attempt to balance the budget on the backs of the people? They should follow the footsteps outlined by the school district and Southeast Missouri State University by making hard cuts in the existing budget. If the city can't live within its means, it shouldn't expect the citizens to pay for the lack of planning or foresight. The problems with the fire departments equipment and police salaries have always been a problem. I don't think increasing the budget of the two departments will help or solve the problem.

Great misunderstanding

NOW THAT Saddam Hussein has been captured, we will likely see an increase in the Iraqi resistance movement. Many people were previously afraid to oppose the United States for fear that it would support the return of Saddam Hussein. The great misunderstanding has always been that because the Iraqis hate Saddam they will love us. That's naive.

Breathtaking photos

I BOUGHT a bridge book after walking across the bridge, and I want to thank the Southeast Missourian for printing it. It is a beautiful tribute to our town and this bridge. I will cherish it for many years. The photos are breathtaking.

Wonderful ceremony

I THOUGHT everyone did a fantastic job at the bridge ceremonies. I wasn't going to go because of the weather forecast. But all the coverage in the newspaper piqued my interest, and now I'm happy I did. I thought Lloyd Smith did a fine job emceeing the event, and the mayor represents Cape Girardeau so well. Jo Ann Emerson really touched my heart, as did the man who sang the song about a handshake.

Gorgeous bridge

WHAT A great day! The new bridge is gorgeous. I'm so proud to be able to tell my grandchildren I walked across it the day it opened.

A great event

I WAS thrilled to be on the bridge for the dedication ceremonies. Congratulations to the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce for organizing such a great event.

Other city needs too

THE POLICE and firefighters will probably get the raises and equipment they want, but what about the rest of the city workers? I see them doing most of the work and not getting any of the recognition. They are the ones who clean up after big storms, pick up trash and keep the water and sewer lines repaired. I think we need to do more than just look at the police and fire departments. I think all the departments need more pay.