Speak Out A 06/09/02

More partisanship

DAVID LIMBAUGH writes that he is unhappy with the pathetic byproduct of rank partisanship. Is there anyone in the country who has contributed more to this partisanship that he complains about? Is there no limit to Republican hypocrisy?

Open road for cyclists

THIS IS In response to the caller complaining about the bicyclists on Route W. Some people prefer to ride their bikes other places besides the Cape bike trail. Just because there's been a trail provided for cyclists doesn't mean that they are restricted to that trail. Cycling is not only a great leisure activity, it's also a sport and fantastic exercise. If someone chooses to go out into the open countryside and ride where there are challenging hills, great air and scenery, you shouldn't ridicule them for it. Yes, cyclists should and most do obey the traffic laws. The Cape trail is narrow and at times has hidden vision areas and makes for a dangerous combination with people who prefer to walk on the trail. So was it really such a problem to go around the bicyclist?

We're letting them win

I THOUGHT I'd never hear myself saying this, but I think the terrorists are winning right now. They're not winning the war in Afghanistan, but they're winning the war right here in the United States. Everybody's blaming everybody else instead of taking responsibility. We need to stop this and think about what's important in America.

Great passion for life

TO THE caller who complained about his neighbor's grass in the street: If you really want to do something with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, consider volunteering or joining a church and offering your God-given talents in one or more ministries. Believe me, you would forget about the mundane matters and have great passion for your life.

Taxes will be needed

IF MATT Hopkins, in his letter, was hinting that the TIF program would be good for Cape Girardeau taxpayers, he is badly mistaken. The proposed Prestwick Plantation development has a very low tax base right now, because it is farmland and requires no services from the city. If it is developed with homes, taxes would go up. All of that tax money would be needed to provide city services. Hopkins should know better than anyone about the cost of city services after dealing with the city budget for the last three years. Don't give money from taxpayers to the wealthy developer of this project. This is a prime piece of land that will be developed someday without TIF involvement. Cape Girardeau is going to need a lot of money to improve Bloomfield Road and other services to that area.

Making room

AS I was reading that Sears may be moving into our mall because it needs more room, I thought about my former hometown where the Montgomery Ward moved from that mall. A new store was moving in and also needed more room, and it built up into a two-story building. I would love to see Sears in our mall.

Too much licking

SEEMS LIKE it would be child abuse to let dogs lick the child's face just to sell a product. That's awful, and there's more of that on television every day. People have no respect for their children. I wish the health department would put a stop to this.

Religious decorations

I WAS just reading the article about getting a head start on the holidays concerning the decorations for downtown Cape. There definitely needs to be new decorations. There's no questions about that. It should have been done a long time ago. I would definitely like to donate toward the decorations, and I'm not a business owner downtown. But I can guarantee you I will never give a dime as long as those on the decoration committee don't want anything to be too religious. What is Christmas all about?

Armadillos are here

ON I-55, I saw an armadillo. I saw one three years ago in the Ozarks down around Doniphan, but this is the first one I've seen up this far. So, fellow Cape Girardeans, we now have armadillos in our midst.