Speak Out 8/4/10

Tax holiday?

Is it true that Cape Girardeau is once again not participating in the back-to-school sales tax holiday?

Street priority

LEXINGTON Avenue in Cape Girardeau should be a top priority for street improvements. A ton of money was wasted when it was milled. It is still caving in everywhere and is probably the roughest road in the city. It needs to be done right.

TV viewership

THE person who was so happy that Fox News has lost viewers is like many other liberals who take information out of context, either out of ignorance or with purposeful intent to mislead, and draw a faulty conclusion. Television news viewership has been declining across the board, according to statistics. You should look at how Fox News is doing as opposed to its competitors.

Homeless support

WHAT has happened to our support of Chaplain Terry Wildman's homeless center? It seems that everyone is sitting back and waiting for someone else to help. If every family in town would donate as little as $5 he could get the shelter in operation. He is just heartsick at seeing families with little children having no place to go. If we don't all pitch in and help, the federal building will be taken over by a man we certainly do not want in our town. I know this town is full of generous, caring people, so let's all pitch in and show how much we care.

Annoying fliers

I live in an apartment in Cape Girardeau. About every other week some church comes into our building and leaves fliers in our doors or on the floor. I understand they are trying to reach out for people to join their church, but stop trashing up my building. It is annoying to have to pick these fliers up all the time.

Dog cared for

AS a worker at the Missouri Veterans Home, I can tell you that the dog comes in often and goes to each of the units to visit with the residents. When it is too warm or cold, we bring him in more. When it storms, we bring him in. Rest assured that is he is well taken care of and well socialized.

Driving perspective

TO the person commenting about older drivers, I have a similar question with a different perspective. Why does America allow young people to drive? The youngest drivers don't have a lot of sense while driving. They speed and too often drink and drive. Too many text while they drive. Middle-aged folk nowadays can't seem to drive without a phone stuck to their ear, not paying attention to the traffic. My fellow older drives and I might drive slower at times, but we get there safely. Maybe if everyone turned off their technology and focused on the road, we'd all be better off. Or we could raise the driving age to 55.

Just be discreet

ALLOWING young children to urinate in a bush is not a big deal. Doing it in front of a department store is totally inappropriate. But sometimes children need to go, and there is nothing unnatural or inappropriate about it -- if it is done discreetly, that is.

Canine compassion

TO the gentleman who let me meet his boxer dog at Rhodes this past Saturday, thank you. You were so kind to listen. Thanks for your compassion and for letting me see Bella.