Speak Out A 10/25/01

Abide by the law

I'M CALLING about the Speak Out comment about the police motto and the fact that they give tickets to people who run stop signs and stoplights. If you know what a stoplight means, then do what it says, and you'll have no reason to complain. The lights and signs are laws. The police are enforcing the laws. If you don't abide by them, then you should get a ticket and fine.

Pay the price

IN THE ongoing debate of whether the police department is being unfair for giving out tickets for various traffic offenses, maybe we're forgetting something important: They're enforcing the laws passed by our lawmakers who were elected by us. If you don't like it, go to court and get the law changed. But don't whine because you got a ticket that the police are harassing you. If you break the law, be prepared to pay the price.

Paying SEMO bills

I'VE SEEN all the comments about parking at SEMO. I felt it necessary to submit one of my parking problems there. As a full-time student who works full-time outside of class, I can tell you that the university does not want to do business with you. Just look at the parking behind Academic Hall. When I have a bill to pay, I have to go there. You can't pay it on-line. SEMO is not that technically advanced. When I drive up all of the metered spots are full, usually with employees who don't feed the meters. You have to drive over to the Show Me Center and go for a walk. I only get an hour lunch break, and if I need to go there that uses the whole period. Park in any other spot there except the meters and you'll get another bill to pay. SEMO: If you don't want to make it easy for me to pay my bills, I might not pay them and go elsewhere for an education.

We have rights too

DON'T GAYS and lesbians pay taxes? Are they not U.S. citizens? Do they not have the same rights as you or I? Just where do so many of you learn to hate? Is it from our parents? Our ministers? From other ignorant ones? Every night I pray that God will deliver me and our nation from those fundamentalist Christians. What foresight the Founding Fathers had as they fought for total separation of church and state.

Jeering Hillary

WERE YOU appalled when the New York firefighters and police booed and jeered Hillary Clinton off the stage? Neither was I. I laughed rather heartily. It's so nice to see some people can tell when someone is just nice when the camera is on and it's beneficial to her career. I hope they'll remember when the next election rolls around.

It's acceptable now

THIS IS in response to "Shocking drag show." Some people in this town need to grow up and realize it is not 1950 anymore. It is 2001, and things are acceptable whether you like it or not. If you disagree, then ignore it. Don't complain about it. Tell me how this harmed or affected you that SEMO put this on?

It's a big district

I WOULD like to comment that the main reason why Jackson School District is so large relative to the size of the town is because the Jackson district encompasses the entire county north of Cape Girardeau. Besides Oak Ridge, anyone not living inside Cape goes to Jackson, even if they live 10 feet from Cape's city limits. Some students endure an hour or more bus ride each day. This is why Jackson schools are large, not because they are any better than Cape Girardeau schools.

Positive feedback

I WOULD like to thank Detective J.L. Smith with the Cape Girardeau Police Department for taking the time and initiative in solving a particular criminal case. I am sure the police department does not hear enough positive feedback, so here is mine.

ID cards are cool

THE CALLER who opposed a national ID card would likely not meet the criteria to qualify for one. I think national ID cards would be cool.