Speak Out 12/30/01

Try shopping

PATRICIA PARMER wrote a poignant piece stating she was frustrated because she couldn't get a job. She noted that she was patriotic and displayed a magnetic flag on her vehicle but was still failing to find gainful employment. I think I know why. Displaying a magnetic flag on a vehicle is not a sufficient show of patriotism to secure a job. There is one more thing you must do. If you do it, you will be deemed patriotic enough to be worthy of steady work. Take every last cent you have and spend it shopping.

Good definition

SOUTHEAST Missourian definition of a good government education proposal: Any proposal purporting to improve public schools that carries no price tag.

No consequences

SO "STUDENTS who score poorly on the Missouri Assessment Program test would be required to take it again until they show improvement," according to Gov. Bob Holden's proposal. Slackers need not worry. This simply means that if you miss all of the questions on the test, then you'll have to take it again until you get at least one right. Hey, no problem. Other than having to sit through taking it again until you get one right, the consequences are nil. Do I mean the test will have no bearing on anything really significant, like graduation? That's exactly what I mean. Hey, and if it did and folks started failing to graduate, we'd hurry up and dumb down the test. Now relax, enjoy your vacation and go back to your videogames.

Election jeopardy

IF GOV. Bob Holden has the Southeast Missourian editorial board fawning over his faux educational plan, then his re-election really is in serious jeopardy.

Keep it private

ABOUT THE homosexuals in the park: I have no opinion as to the choices someone makes about his sexual orientation. However, I tend to agree that a city or county park or a parked car in any public place is not where they need to practice their preferences, whether they be gay or straight. Get a room. Being gay or straight isn't a message or stand. It's a preference. I don't need to see it, OK?

A good series

I WOULD just like to take this opportunity to thank Laura Johnston and the Southeast Missourian for such a fine series about the Roman Catholic Church. I am a 35-year-old Catholic who is a product of the parochial school system in Cape Girardeau. I am very appreciative, now since I'm older, and can understand the sacrifice of my parents to send me to private school. Thank you for a story that well defines the proud heritage of the Catholic community in Southeast Missouri.

A real choice

IT'S NOT a matter of "having it both ways." I don't consider myself a Democrat or a Republican. However, right-to-life is to protect an unborn child. If a woman chooses to have sex which she knows can lead to pregnancy, then she should neither expect the right to kill an innocent life nor expect someone else to pick up the tab for the choice she made. If you don't want or can't afford a child, then abstain. Don't expect my tax dollars to support you.