Speak Out 10/16/09

JJHS winners

I want to give the eighth-grade football team at Jackson Junior High School congrats on a job well done. Each and every one of you has done a great job. These boys do not get any recognition for doing a great job. So far they are undefeated. Everyone should give these young men support for doing such a great job.

Stop the burning

IF the city council can limit the use of fireworks and do away with free-standing banner signage, surely in the name of health and safety it can stop all burning of yard and home trash.

Low-life neighbors

I live in an apartment building. The apartment building next to mine contains some rowdy people. In five years I have had to call the police twice. The other day one of the tenants next door threatened me with violence if I ever called the police again. I never thought I would see the day this would happen in Cape Girardeau. To the landlord who rents to people of this caliber: Thanks for bringing Cape Girardeau low with this type of person. The police tell me they can do nothing unless this tenant does something. No wonder people do not call the police. So much for Neighborhood Watch and CrimeStoppers. Any suggestions?

Proud of prize

I am so proud of the U.S. and President Obama for his winning the Nobel Peace Prize. It shows us that the world is behind him and the U.S. It's about time. I am pleased with President Obama and so glad he is our president.

Dining disruptions

A restaurant is not a romper room, so control your child. It's great you want to have mommie time with your friends, but do it at home where your children can play. I don't want to hear your child scream while I'm eating breakfast.

Restoration expense

TO those who are upset over tearing down historical buildings: Have you put your money where your mouth is? Unless you have invested in an old building and paid for the restoration, it is time for you to back down. Some of you have no trouble expecting others to fork over thousands or millions of dollars for restoration as long as it doesn't affect your pocketbook. Unlike you, I do believe people are more aware of the need to keep historical buildings when possible, so the decision to tear them down is done with all information available to them.

Unruly children

I detest the lame excuse "Children will be children." It is used by lazy parents who will not accept the responsibility to teach their children respect, manners and obedience. Their children are the ones who won't stay seated on the bus or in the classroom, who prevent teachers from doing their jobs of teaching because they have to spend class time disciplining their unruly children. Their children are the ones who bully the good children who obey the teacher and the bus driver, the good children who want to learn but can't because the "children will be children" are jumping up and down out of their seats, talking and yelling and never listening to the teacher or driver. I wish we could put cameras in every classroom, bus, hallway, bathroom and playground. Then the parents who don't teach their children manners could see how unruly and undisciplined their problem children are. And maybe the parents would change.