Speak Out 10/19/10

Quarry vs. casino

I have been reading comments from those who oppose the proposed quarry near Saxony Lutheran High School. Opponents say the dust and traffic, among other issues, will be bad for people in the area, especially the children. What about the dirt, traffic and other problems that the casino will bring to our community? Won't that affect our children as well?

Casino not a bad thing

THE idea that a casino would bring no benefit to the area is far-fetched. The wages alone would boost the city's economy. A nice casino would be a big plus to the downtown, which has struggled for decades. The argument that Cape Girardeau will decline culturally and socially due to a casino is a stretch; modern casinos are safe and attractive places to visit.

Degree program needed

IN regard to the "low-producing" degrees highlighted in a recent Southeast Missourian article: using a cutoff of 10 graduates to evaluate the quality of a program is extremely shortsighted. Computer science, in particular, is a high-demand field that is predicted to continue to grow.

Prop. B

DOG breeders who don't have licenses are not going to be affected by Proposition B. It is the licensed dog breeders who are inspected regularly. The TV commercials only show the puppy mills. They never show the dog breeders who give loving and personal attention to the dogs. These breeders keep their kennels clean and their dogs are well fed and healthy.

Poor example

I was embarrassed by the actions of some parents at the Jackson Area Youth Football field recently. The bad language was a poor example for the children. Thankfully, one man calmly spoke to the irresponsible parents. I was able to use that man's actions to teach my children how to act.

Election importance

IT'S human nature to believe we live in the most important historical period. However, to say this upcoming election is the most important in U.S. history, I do not agree. 1788, 1860, 1916 and 1932 are a few examples of historically significant U.S. elections. The midterm elections of 2010 do not reach that level of importance.

No to Prop. B

SADLY, those of us that know the passage of Proposition B would be bad for dogs don't have the deep pockets of the Humane Society of the United States or the Humane Society of Missouri. Neither organization has a problem with the estimated half-million dogs that will be dumped into the shelter and rescue networks of Missouri.

Enhance your life

Religion should enhance a society, not control it. Government should enhance a society, not control it. Family, a job, wealth and children should enhance one's life, not control it. If God wanted you to be a machine, the supreme being would have made you a lawn mower.

Casino opportunities

THE land where the proposed casino would be built would see an increase in property tax of about $490,000. Of this money, most will go to our public schools, which desperately need the funding due to all of the state budget cuts. Don't forget the number of new jobs generated by the casino.

Chilean miners rescue

With the successful rescue of the miners by the Chileans, one wonders why they weren't put in charge of the post-Katrina and BP rescue efforts.

Bad comparison

COMPARING bingo to a casino is a bad comparison. A good charitable organization has 75 to 95 percent of its intake distributed directly to the cause it represents. A Missouri casino is a for-profit organization, which has less than 20 percent of its gross revenue going to education. Aren't we comparing apples (not-for-profit organizations) to huge pumpkins (casinos)?

Casinos and students

When you go to the voting booth, listen to your conscience and think of the college students who will be affected by a casino in Cape Girardeau. Many parents have saved to send their children to Southeast Missouri University. The proposed casino site is just blocks away from the university. Do you really think the college students aren't going to check out a flashy and forbidden casino that's nearby?

Traffic concern

TWO quarries want to set up business in Fruitland. The proposed location of these quarries already has enough traffic with 150 trucks per day from P&G, increased residential and commercial traffic and a high school with 200 daily drivers. Now two quarries want to bring in 150 trucks per day each and add to the existing traffic problem?

Casino poetry

I like to play poker

I love the slots;

I hope the Yes's

Outnumber the Nots.