Speak Out 03/19/04

Calorie watchdog

AS A person who is watching his calories, I think Tommy Thompson really has more to worry about besides obesity. The government worries about smoking and alcohol consumption. Now it's starting to worry about calories. Is it going to start dictating to us?

Make a change

I LIVE In Alexander County, Ill., and I hear a lot of people say they don't like the way the politics are being done in that county. If you don't like it, change politicians. That's all there is to it.

Costly drugs

HAVING BEEN plagued with migraine headaches for several years, I decided to try the new medications that have been talked about lately. To my surprise, the cost for 35 tablets was over $700. Am I that out of touch? Do people really pay that much? Do the drug companies expect people to pay that much?

Spending needs

THE PEOPLE who do not believe that the firemen and policemen need a raise should have witnessed the fire downtown when black smoke completely engulfed two firemen as flames shot out a window. Or the policemen who stopped a girl who came through a barricade. But we can spend $40,000 for a slogan that makes no sense.

The system can work

OUR SON went through two years of heartbreaking exclusion, rejection and finger pointing from his former wife and false claims and filings that she made. Finally family services removed the children from their mother's care. And here's the real shocker: A very caring Division of Child Support investigator started the legal ball rolling. Then after almost two years, the counselors and psychologists of Family Service worked with the children and finally it got them to open up and tell the truth about things that had really happened and to quit parroting the things that their mother had told them to say. At that time, the Division of Family Services and the children's advocates brought actions to the court that recommended sole custody be given to our son. Our grandchildren and our son again have a loving home together, and it's all thanks to the system. If you work with them to communicate, then the system will work.

It's his money

NO ONE would ask the guy who made "Lord of the Rings" what he did with his money. So I feel it's unfair to ask Mel Gibson what he's doing with his money from "The Passion of the Christ." At least Gibson made something with meaning that helps us to get us back to God without all these strange creatures and underworlds in "Lord of the Rings."

Brave generation

MY LIFE partner and I just returned from the opening-night production of "The Laramie Project" put on by St. Vincent's Catholic High School in Perryville. It was amazing to see that this was happening here in Southeast Missouri, and it was wonderful to see that at least one Southeast Missouri community has produced a wonderful, brave generation of people that are not afraid of hate calls and hate mail that are based on ignorance. They know what's true and they stood up for it and they went on stage. They're fabulous.

Bring back SEMO

I DON'T know who is responsible for the new Southeast Missouri State University logo, but it could stand for any state university like Southeast Louisiana. Getting rid of the diamond SE has jinxed us. The diamond SE was recognized all over the country after we played LSU. Let's bring back SEMO, not SMS. You can have the diamond without the arrow or spear. Thank you very much, SEMO.

Bigger productions

AS A Jackson High School alumnus with a child of my own who has aspirations of performing, I feel the caliber of the drama department's plays are in a downward spiral. The spring productions historically have allowed many students the opportunity to participate with interesting set designs and casting. The time should be taken to choose a full production in a developed atmosphere.

Congrats to dancers

CONGRATULATIONS TO Cape Central girls dance team. We are so proud of you for bringing home first and second place in state competition in Kansas City. Keep up the good work.

Good cleanup job

THANKS TO the people in Scott City for cleaning up the highway along the I-55 overpass. It looks great.

Or a Studebaker?

PERHAPS SOUTHEAST Missouri State University teams should be the Corvettes and have a mascot of a guy in a white turtleneck, red pants and flag in his hand like they use at races. Surely a Corvette wouldn't offend any group out there.

Going after little fish

THE CARTOON on the Opinion page spelled out the Martha Stewart deal 100 percent. I didn't much care for her shows, but federal prosecutors are using Martha Stewart as a scapegoat to try to prove something. Put the big fish in jail and leave the little fish alone.