Speak Out 2/3/11

School uniforms

SCHOOL uniforms are not a good idea unless you choose to send your kid to a private school. But in the public school, no. Last I checked, we're not a socialist country. We're not communists, and therefore as a country of free ideas, clothing allows us to express ourselves somewhat.

Noise ordinance

I was wondering about the noise ordinance that the city council is putting in place. Is this going to include the municipal band and the SEMO District Fair? The demolition derby gets quite loud and can be heard from way far away. There are a lot of things that go on in this town that are loud and not just in downtown.

Global warming?

I'M wondering if people have stopped to think that maybe all the cold we're having, the snow and everything, is a message from God to people like Al Gore who talk about global warming.

Drug testing

WHO has been screaming, "tight budget, no wasteful spending" the loudest? Republicans. Who is advancing a bill that would drug test welfare recipients? Republicans. This bill, while perhaps well intentioned, would only punish children, and it's too costly.

Response to letter

THE letter to the editor by Mr. Journet insinuates that anyone who doesn't go along with the belief that people are causing global changes is wrong. This fellow is in great denial of the history of the world. There's undeniable evidence of the ice age, and if the ice age didn't disappear because of global warming, I would like to know what did cause it to disappear. Back then there wasn't the human influence that he's blaming today for all the atmospheric changes. So he's in denial that God is in charge of our weather.

Littering

I was at a local gas station waiting in line for the drive-thru and looking at a driver of a big truck who threw his cigarette butt on the ground outside his window. I'm wondering what kind of guy would do that, litter in a company vehicle or any other vehicle.

Drug testing a positive

THERE are many out there who indeed need food stamps. If that's so, one would think that if not on drugs, they would want to be tested. These programs only have so much money to allocate. Weeding out the abusers will leave more for those truly in need.

Parents on drugs

IF a single mother or her live-in are on drugs, the last thing on their mind is food for their children.

Name change

MR. Journet reappeared in the paper recently telling us that consensus is in fact good science, and it's not global warming now, it's global climate change. Sure, anything can be blamed on it now.

Broadway's buildings

I'D like to comment on the city and their enthusiasm about wanting to get a gambling boat in Cape Girardeau. If somebody wants to gamble, if they've got the money and it's not putting their family in a bind, then that's their business. But what concerns me is as I travel down Broadway and the streets of Cape Girardeau is why the city of Cape Girardeau is so worried about getting a gambling casino when we've got buildings that are about to fall down on Broadway. Broadway looks ugly, and it used to be a pretty section of Cape Girardeau with thriving businesses.

Skate park

IF Capaha pool is closed, then why not make that area a new skate park? There will already be a hole in the ground, just pour some new concrete and make a skate bowl and a nice street park out of it. The skate park that Cape has now is a bad joke. I have seen a lot better ones in much smaller towns.

Palin's message

I've been a moderate in every respect for most of my 30 years of adult life, and I love what Palin is saying. The message that big government and the "old boy network" is out of touch with the rest of us is so true. The message that government is supposed to be "of" the people and "by" the people, not just the elite few, is so true. The message that elected officials should be accountable to their constituents for truly representing them, instead of special interest groups, is so true. Any movement toward greater accountability on the part of our elected officials and those making decisions that directly affect our lives and our pocketbooks is fantastic in my book.

Restaurant idea

I think it would be a great idea if there were a Golden Corral put in where the old Ponderosa building is located now. We need a place with nice salad and such.