Speak Out 10/19/07

Devil's cake

UNTIL ANGEL Food Ministries starts giving away its food to the poor instead of charging for it and thus engaging in a commercial enterprise, I will continue to think of this angel food as devil's cake.

Head on his thumb?

I'VE NEVER seen Joe Sullivan up close and personal, and I'm not sure I want to after reading where he almost "decapitated" his thumb. I've seen some freaks in my time, but never one with a thumb for a head. Gross.

Smokers' complaints

READING THE story about Lacey Street I can already hear the smokers' complaints: "It's too far for us to walk to Capaha Park or Broadway because of my poor lung condition. As far as our smoking litter is concerned, our tax dollars pay for city workers to pick up after us." I say walk to the park to smoke your cigarettes, and on your return to the hospital, be sure to stop at the cancer center to make an appointment.

Helpful teacher

I THINK Mrs. Ptacek, the ALC instructor at Jackson Junior High School, does a great job. She is kind and caring to those students who are in trouble, and she truly helps them.

America's enemy

ISN'T AMERICA great? We'll not say a thing about multimillion-dollar missiles, but we'll turn our head to the thought of paying for medical care for children. We'll base our every thought on those who did everything possible to avoid military service but ignore or label those who vote on the opposing side of things and who did serve. We'll yell out our lungs against unions but then gripe in private about our jobs going overseas. We'll talk loud about patriotism while flying a Confederate flag on our truck. We love tax cuts, but since we love credit cards we pay no attention to where the money comes from to fight wars. Yes, America, we have an enemy. Unfortunately it is us.

Columbus lessons

COLUMBUS IS built up to be the great discoverer of America. In 1492, Columbus made the first contact with the "Indians." For Native Americans, the world after 1492 would change forever. This date marked the beginning of the long road of persecution and genocide of Native Americans, our indigenous people. In 1493, when Columbus returned to the Hispaniola, he quickly implemented policies of slavery and mass extermination of the Taino population of the Caribbean. Within three years, five million were dead. Las Casas, the primary historian of the Columbian era, writes of many accounts of the horrors that the Spanish colonists inflicted upon the indigenous population: hanging them en masse, hacking their children into pieces to be used as dog feed and other horrid cruelties. The works of Las Casas are often omitted from popular American history books and courses because Columbus is considered a hero by many, even today. Our children our taught about the Holocaust and Hitler, but not Columbus. Why?

Serious comic

I CAN'T believe anyone would complain about "Funky Winkerbean." Some people have serious things going on in their family. Others don't, and all they look for is amusement each day. How lucky and blessed they are. "Funky Winkerbean" touched me so much. This is a comic strip that touches people's hearts and lives. It's not sexist like "Beetle Bailey." "Funky Winkerbean" addresses a real issue. It was one of the best strips I've read in a long time. It certainly deserves an award, because it is getting people to talk.

Ethanol slowdown

THE ETHANOL bubble is showing signs of slowing down. No ethanol plants have been built in Southeast Missouri, and none is likely. Ethanol will become a slow-growth industry. Someday, somebody will invent a way to separate alcohol for fuel without distillation. Then it will be cheap and efficient.

Strong leader

I BELIEVE George Bush has kept us safe from terrorists, I don't care what any commission says. We would have had attack after attack if the terrorists thought they could get away with hurting our nation, bringing us to our knees. With the cooperation of other countries, terrorism is being staved off. When I go to the polls, I'm going to vote for a strong president, but I don't know which one it would be. My first choice would be John McCain. I think it would take something of a miracle now for him to rise in the polls or become a candidate for president. I want someone strong enough to stand up to terrorists.

Winning dreams

WINNING IS contagious. When Jackson wins in football, fourth- and fifth-graders watch the game and dream of the day when they will be a winner, playing for Jackson High School. In Cape Girardeau, we lose year after year, and players never have the dream of winning a game.

Homecoming schedule

I WOULD like to know why Central High School would schedule homecoming on a Thursday night and why it would schedule it on the same night as the Jackson-Central soccer game and a conference cross-country meet. If someone would reply, I would appreciate it.