Speak Out 7/15/04

Sounds like fraud

I WENT to the Division of Family Services office with information that someone was receiving benefits for a person who wasn't in that person's home. They said it really doesn't matter. I asked them if that wasn't illegal, and a woman said not really. Until someone else files a claim, you can use that person. I still believe that should be illegal. My tax dollars are benefiting people like that.

Permits for signs

I KNOW some businesspeople who had to take their signs down because they didn't have a permit. I would like to know how many of these people who have political signs in their yards have a permit, and the people who put up the garage sale signs.

Card for cigarettes

I THINK it's a shame that the convenience stores in this area do not card 17- and 16-year-olds for buying cigarettes. I find cigarettes in my daughter's purse. Convenience stores need to do their job just a little bit better. They have a sign that states the age limit for buying cigarettes, but evidently they're not doing their job.

Well-dressed perp walk

I WATCHED on the news as Ken Lay, in handcuffs and wearing his cashmere black jacket and gray flannel custom-made slacks, went to jail. What happened to the prison orange suits that other prisoners wear? I understand he's only worth $20 million instead of $200 million. He keeps saying he didn't know about that. What was he being paid for as a CEO? I hope he gets what he should.

Bar trip is OK

AS LONG as the bar is closed and kids are innocently dancing and having smoothies, I don't see what that hurts. I have donated money to the Boys and Girls Club before, and this sort of field trip does not bother me.

Fence off the lagoon

I SAW the piece about children's' wading pools required to have fences around them. I was wondering about the city's plans to fence off the Capaha Park lagoon. That would seem reasonable.

Teaching our children

WE AS Christians do not teach our children to be sarcastic, selfish or smart aleck as the TV commercials try to do.

Fireworks review

I WANT to comment on the fireworks display in Jackson. It was wonderful, but the city really needs to work on Fourth of July activities in the park.

They have to hear it

TO THE person on South Henderson Street complaining about people booming their car stereos: The police have to see it or hear it themselves. You can't just call in and say a red car keeps coming by thumping music and expect the cops to issue tickets.

Political stereotypes

DAVID LIMBAUGH implied that Republicans weren't racists. To a large extent, I agree. However, I was taken aback by Limbaugh's stereotypical comment to the effect that blacks were subject to manipulation as a voting bloc by Democrats. Limbaugh would scream foul if one charged that Bible Belt Christians are easily manipulated as a voting block by the Republican Party.

Defining the academy

THE SOUTHEAST Missourian's in-depth editorial about spending on sports reminded me of two definitions of an academy by cynic Ambrose Bierce. He defined an academy in ancient times as a school where morality and philosophy were taught. He defined an academy in modern times as a place where football is taught.

Airport operations

NOW THAT pretty much all of us have gone somewhere on the airlines, do we still need the thrill of an air show with all its smoke to get us excited about riding in an airplane? Is that really going to get the passenger count up, or would efficient airport operation better do the trick? And does anyone think those annoying orange cones ringing the front entrance of the terminal are really going to stop a terrorist from bombing the terminal?