Speak Out 01/21/04

Smoking server

I AM a smoker. A waitress served a meal at a restaurant and went behind the counter to the serving line and lit a cigarette. I understand her need to have a cigarette, but I think it's irresponsible and unprofessional to be smoking at the service line.

Distant experts

I AGREE that the city needs some new money for the fire and police equipment and employees, but I think the city also should quit spending money on things we don't need. Every time the city wants something analyzed, it goes to some out-of-county or out-of-state sources. Is there no one in Cape Girardeau who can analyze these things?

Safety concern

I'D LIKE to know what the problem is with the county commissioners. They don't want to give Sheriff Jordan his transportation man nor the dispatcher. They want federal funds or 911 funds to pay for it all. Why don't they quit their jobs and give up their paychecks, because they don't do anything? It's not safe transporting those prisoners.

Bleak future

I THINK it's time for the American working class to wake up. Has it truly gotten to the point where the hardworking taxpayers in this country have become totally powerless? Our jobs are going to other countries, and I don't think they'll ever be back. Our leaders in Washington are holding the doors open for them. I just wonder how much soft money China spends in our capital to get the one-sided trade agreements. Our leaders want us to think that everything is just fine. Mark my words. We are headed for disaster, and our children will be the ones to pay for our ignorance and arrogance.

Avoid the godless

THOSE WHO think their faith is important enough to send their children to a parochial school have no place in a godless institution. They shouldn't be teaching in our public schools.

Ill-informed Missourians

IS ANYONE really so ill-informed that he really believes cross burnings do not happen in Missouri?

Keep them separate

I AGREE with the recent Speak Out comment that governments can never create what marriage is really all about. Therefore, let's get the government out of the marriage business. If two people want to enter into legally binding property, inheritance and shared custody agreements, so be it. If they want to be married, let them find some church or restaurant which is willing to stage the ceremony.

How the rich work

PITY THE rich with all of their problems. If you were to believe politicians, mean-spirited radio hucksters and all of the blow-dried cable TV infobabes of both sexes, you would think the rich spend all their time sitting around trying to figure out how to create more jobs. It seems to me that the rich spend far more of their time consumed with fears and resentments and are always trying to find ways to get rid of their employees so they don't have to pay out so much. I guess that's what happens when your wealth depends upon your ability to make money off other people, rather than helping other people.

Worse off with cuts

IF TAX cuts are to benefit the economy in any way, they supposedly do it by increasing the dollars available for spending. Since wealthy folks already spend as much as they want, cutting their taxes will not increase the money circulating. Meanwhile, cutting taxes for the poor and middle class will increase the circulating dollars and thus boost the economy. However, Republican tax cuts also reduce our quality of life since Republicans then use decreased revenue as a reason to reduce critical government functions and services. We are really all worse off in the end.

It's a small prison

THE SHERIFF'S staffing and safety problems should not be a surprise to the Cape Girardeau County commissioners. With almost 200 inmates, they no longer have a jail but a small prison and need to staff it as such.

Substitute parents

I AGREE with the teacher who says parents must become more involved. Education does not stop when the student walks out the classroom. Teachers only have the students for a short period of time each day and must supervise and teach 20 to 30 other students. My parents were always checking my work and encouraging me. Too many parents want the school district to raise their child.

Ideas for city cuts

THE CITY should not do away with the taxi coupon service. Many seniors depend on that program to get around. Instead, the city should cut administration and unnecessary assistants.

Stimulus to leave

CAPE GIRARDEAU lost two great police officers this month. Now after the decision to not put the fire tax on the April ballot, I can assure you that you are going to lose many more.

Recess appointment

BRAVO TO the president for finally using the recess appointment to put Judge Pickering on the federal bench. My only question is why he waited so long -- and why only one judge?

Faster way to die

I CAN'T help but laugh when I hear people talk about the low-carb diets they are on. I always ask them if they think it is healthy consuming tons of saturated fat each day. If you want to lose weight, cut out the snacks and sodas. Substituting carbs with fatty foods will probably kill you faster.

Count your blessings

I FEEL so sorry for the people in Scott City with their loud trains and the people of Jackson with their loud mufflers. This is so much worse than our soldiers overseas who hear guns and explosions around the clock. I bet those soldiers would give anything to hear mufflers and trains. Why don't you count your blessings instead of whining all the time?

No justification

OUR FASCINATION with space exploration should take a back seat to other major issues in America. When multitudes of our own citizens are without essential health-care coverage, how can we justify spending money on things such as space-related ventures?

Right-wing conspiracy

HOW IS it that this president gets a pass from the media on his consistent pattern of outright lies about almost everything? Could it be a right-wing media conspiracy to keep him and the military-industrial complex in office?

Political posturing

THE PROPOSAL to ban nonexistent cross burning in Missouri was motivated by a sincere desire to give Missouri teachers an opportunity to share with their students a classic example of political posturing in its purest form. From that perspective it makes a lot of sense, and I'm glad those who proposed it wanted to help our often beleaguered educators.

Taking a pass

REPUBLICAN HOUSE Speaker Catherine Hanaway is quick to tout uniform achievement standards for virtually all Missouri students, regardless of their inherent capabilities and life circumstances. However, when it comes to putting her money where her mouth is and favoring uniform per-pupil spending, she takes a pass. Pitiful.

He didn't know

I'M STARTING to get the feeling that President Bush didn't know what he was getting us into with this Iraq thing.

Thanks for support

I WOULD like to take this time to thank all the people of Southeast Missouri for your support. As a soldier of the 1140th Engineer Battalion, it was good to see the support and the love that so many people have toward the troops. As we are getting ready to ship overseas, it's good to know that your thoughts and prayers are with us. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in 2005. Once again, thank you for your support.

Overreacting on pets

CAPE GIRARDEAU should deal with pets on an individual basis and not punish responsible pet owners. I can understand limiting the number of animals a person is allowed to keep outside, which may cause noise and disturb neighbors. It is none of the city's business how many indoor pets I have if those animals are not bothering anyone. If your neighbor had five indoor cats, would you even know? How would that harm anyone else? This is another example of the city overreacting to a few incidents at the expense of many innocent residents.