Speak Out 10/07/04

Helping needy countries

TO THE people who think that we are sending too much money to other countries in their time of need: We are sending money to very poor countries. The United States is the wealthiest country in the world, but most of the people are too greedy to even care about others in the world.

Unsanitary money

MOST PEOPLE, and especially the health department, are very concerned about food-service employees washing their hands after using the restroom. So why is it that no one is concerned that the employees who take money at the cash registers are the same ones who hand out the cups? There is nothing more unsanitary than money, and I don't want someone who has just been wrist deep in it to have those same hands in my drinking cup.

Riverside asset

CAPE GIRARDEAU'S new Mississippi River walk is a great addition to one of our greatest attractions. However, to keep it appealing and scenic, trash receptacles need to be more available. Perhaps a sign asking pet owners to pick up their messes and plastic disposable glove dispensers would also help preserve this community asset.

A place to hang out

THE CAPE Girardeau Police Department should be worrying about other stuff going on rather than coming down to the park and looking at everyone's ID to see how old they are. There is no law saying you cannot drive through the park after it closes, just that you cannot hang out there after closing time. So while the police are baby-sitting us, there are other people out drinking and driving, selling drugs and so on. Why not leave the teens and adults alone or give them a place to hang out?

Recruiting goals

IN RESPONSE to "Enlistment goals met": The caller was correct in stating that the Army and Army Reserve met their 2004 recruiting goals. But the caller failed to mention that they only met their goals because of delayed-entry enlistment soldiers who were enlisted during 2003, but who could not attend training in 2003 were counted in the 2004 numbers. If this wasn't the case, the Army and Army Reserve would have fallen short of their respective goals by nearly 8,000 enlistments.

Keeping the peace

TO THE person who complained of too many police at the festival. Are you aware of how many drunk drivers were taken off the road that night? Or persuaded not to commit crimes because of the police presence?

Stronger punishment

I WOULD like to respond to "Get tough on meth." I believe the main way to stop meth in its tracks is not to crack down on the sale of the ingredients, which punishes people who truly need these items, but to crack down on the meth users. Taking drugs is a choice -- a bad choice. But when these users go before the judge they get a slap on the wrist. I've seen people, especially women with young children, arrested time and again. They get a year probation or they're sent to rehab Wake up, judges. Get a backbone. Put these people away long enough to make a difference in their lives.

No boundaries

THE JAPANESE attacked Pearl Harbor, and we counterattacked Japan. Then we attacked Germany all throughout Europe and in Africa. Al-Qaida attacked us on 9-11, and we attacked their training grounds in Afghan- istan. Then we attacked their financial interests and supporters. Saddam was using "oil for food" U.N. money to support al-Qaida. Terror does not have geographical borders. Shortly, we'll be dealing with North Korea and Iran. Will you be intelligent enough to know that terrorists are terrorists whether or not they were involved in 9-11?

Prefer chocolate

HOW SAD for the Marquette that someone is going to put in a martini bar. Years ago, the American public voiced their opinions about the businessman's three-martini lunch. I think it's a shame that an upscale chocolate shop would not be put in or a bakery. That would be nice for the Marquette.