SPEAKOUT

New streets aren't smooth

I JUST finished traveling the new stretch of Lexington and also Sprigg Street. It is a shame the tax dollars that were spent on these streets and for them to be as a rough as they are. Lexington with all of the patches, and it's rough concrete, it's not smooth. The same way with the blacktop on Sprigg Street. It's just too rough. I hate to see the tax dollars wasted on streets like that.

Treatment is inhumane

I'M CALLING about an article on the front page of Thursday's paper about the Humane Society. I think it's kind of ironic to say that they have such big hearts, yet 75 percent of the animals, according to statistics, are murdered. The animals would stand a better chance being turned loose on the streets.

REPLY: Humane treatment of animals, it seems, would be euthanasia rather than allowing them to starve or die of disease. The fact is there are far too many animals for all of them to be adopted. If pet owners cared more about this situation, they would work with the Humane Society to reduce the number of kittens and puppies that are doomed from the time they are born. It is the unchecked birth rate among pets that creates the bulk of the problem.

Kind help at the mall

I WOULD just like to say thank you to the mall employee who gave me the trash bag when it was pouring down rain the other night. I had run off without my umbrella. And I just wanted to say thank you. We need more people like that in this world. Thanks again.

Not even this would help

WILD HORSES wouldn't make me vote for Bill Clinton.

Thanks for flowers in yard

TO THE residents of 2707 Independence St., your yard with the beautiful flowers are a most enjoyable sight.

Growth means higher taxes

CAPE Girardeau voters were duped into passing a half-cent sales tax for road improvements. We were told that these improvements were needed to help Cape grow. Tax abatements have been given to large businesses. They were necessary, we were told, to help Cape grow. And now we are being told that Cape has grown so much that we must pass another tax for a $26 million water system. It seems to me that the growth of Cape Girardeau has only meant higher taxes for the average citizens while lining the pockets of a few special-interest groups. It is time our tax-and-spend city government starts cutting some non-essential services in order to retire the new water system bonds. The average citizen has been taxed enough.

Talking to a machine

I HAVE caller ID, and I also have an answering machine. And anytime I find a number listed on my caller ID and the person didn't leave a message, I automatically call them back. You'd be surprised how many don't like to talk to a machine.

Down with phone solicitations

I HAVE been trying to rest since I came home from work sick two hours ago. So far, I have received three phone calls from charitable organizations soliciting funds. I have had it with these do-gooders and will never contribute to any organization that calls me on the phone. I hope others will join me in this.

Logic of legalization

THE LOGIC behind the legalization of marijuana is quite simple. Here are a few of the many reasons. It's less harmful than alcohol. No morning-after hangovers. It doesn't induce violent behavior as does alcohol. It is not physically addictive. Marijuana prohibition does not work. Legalization would take the profit out of the so-called black market. It would bring in billions of dollars of revenue, and it would create tens of thousands of jobs. Individuals could apply for a license to grow it. The government could subcontract out for processing and distributions to licensed outlets. In no way, shape or form do I condone its use by minors. Granted, minors would get it if they wanted it just like they do alcohol. Marijuana should be legalized for personal adult use in your own home or private property. If you would do your homework and learn the facts, maybe you would change your mind and see the positive side of legalization.

Some landscaping is needed

I WISH someone would do something with the divide in front of Houck Fieldhouse before we have homecoming this year. It always looks to bleak and unkempt. I sure wish they would plant some bushes or trees or flowers or something.

Schools need support

PERHAPS if the community would support the schools, the children wouldn't have to go around begging to try and raise money to put into the school system.

Loose dogs in Jackson

I LIVE in Jackson, and I'd like to know what in the world is going to happen to all the dogs that are running loose. I read in the paper where a guy shot a dog some time ago, and he got in a heap of trouble. But what do other people have to do to make Jackson understand that dogs are running loose over here, and they're not being tied up?