Speak Out 8/5/14

Dangerous driving

People of Cape, if you're trying to turn left on a very busy street and there's lots and lots of traffic coming, please don't stick the nose of your car or truck way out to the end of the line, almost into the line of oncoming traffic so that people trying to turn right can't even see what's coming until they're also out past you into the oncoming traffic. It's very dangerous, and it really doesn't get you to where you're going any sooner than you would have otherwise.

Nixon, teachers

Although I'm a Republican, I really believe that our governor is right when he does not want to put guns in the hands of teachers. That shouldn't happen. I hope that people will support him.

Veterans aid

For supporting and expediting the passage of the much needed bill to aid veterans, a big Speak Out shout out goes to Missouri's own Sen. Claire McCaskill and Vermont senator and chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Bernie Sanders.

Obama, insurance

It was just reported that a key White House adviser was a go-between with some large insurance company and Obamacare. It states that the insurance company threatened to raise premium rates considerably unless they were compensated by "funding" from Obamacare. They told the White House it wouldn't look good for Obamacare when these rates went up, and guess what: The White House gave them 80 percent of what they were asking for and now they want more. Blackmail? Obama is set on destroying everything he can while in office, and he is doing a wonderful job!

Kerry, Congress

John Kerry is not a good negotiator. I think if we would get a negotiator from some other country, like Japan or somewhere like that, I think they'd make more headway. Because of our president, nobody trusts us. And two, why are they all in Washington going on a five-week vacation with so many problems? They need to stay home and work.

Parents, dress code

In a recent article, assistant superintendent Copeland said that if an elementary school student violates the dress code it's the parent's fault. What an asinine thing to say. I know of a case last year where a fourth-grade girl sometimes slipped a different item of clothing into her backpack and would change in the bathroom at school. How is that the parent's fault? In many households, the parent has to leave for work or isn't home from work before the kids get on the bus. It's quite possible that an elementary-age child is getting ready for school without parent supervision. Still always the parent's fault? Sure, that may not be the best scenario, but it happens.

Watch your children

I'm calling in regard to today's paper. In regards Tuesday's 3A "Boy dies after running in front of a car in Sikeston." Your last paragraph says, "This is a tragic reminder of how important safety is when our children are near or crossing our streets," McMillan said. "Our sympathies go out to the family." It's also a tragic reminder of how you need to watch your children.