Letters to the Editor

I am writing with regard to medical marijuana dispensaries in the City of Cape Girardeau. With the experience I have living just off Broadway in the city, I would welcome the dispensary to be within 200 feet of my home verses a restaurant. Does having dispensaries close to churches and schools really matter? Would you not allow a CVS or Walgreens in those areas? Medical marijuana dispensaries are exactly the same thing except they are selling THC in another form. ...

As summer approaches many families will be visiting one of America's great national parks. The writer and historian Wallace Stegner famously penned, "National parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst."...

Please help us save Shady Grove Cemetery in Cape Girardeau County. It was established around 1850 and it's said to hold more than 200 graves. Several headstones and crosses have recently been removed from our ancestors' gravesites and stacked along side near the front of the cemetery. Shady Grove is the resting place of at least two of our direct descendants who fought for our nation during the civil war. Please help prevent the destruction of this vital piece of Missouri's history...

Almost 20 years ago, shortly after welcoming my sister Mia into the world, my family and I learned that she had a genetic disorder known as Neurofibromatosis (NF for short). Our family was pitted against a disorder with relatively few treatments and no cure, and Mia was facing a lifelong battle against her own body. ...

Excellent column by Lucas Presson on the Perryville veteran's memorial! On Memorial Day I went to see the memorial and found it a very moving experience. There were several veterans telling family members war stories, and I got the impression it may have been the first time they had talked about it...

Friday, June 7 marks the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Griswold v. Connecticut, granting the right of privacy to married couples to use contraception. For over 50 years, birth control's impact has been felt in nearly every sociological sector, from the economy to education...

Thank you for covering our #StoptheBans rally on Monday, May 20 in Cape Girardeau at Capaha Park. It is my firmly held belief that true journalism is reporting on issues that affect all of us, and reporting on these issues factually. It was wonderful to see you report on both sides of the issue by inviting us into your space to speak on the topic. The rally was an event held by the people, for the people and all were welcomed who wanted to demonstrate with us peacefully...

The state legislature recently passed a bill which makes abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy illegal. A law such as this one is unfair. It makes the person performing the abortion a felon, but does not punish the individual who contracts for and/or pays for this operation...

I just finished standing on Freedom Corner in Cape Girardeau in a rally suggesting that President Trump is not so good for our nation. I was one of the people holding the large IMPEACH sign. We got a lot of positive feedback and some negative, probably more positive than negative...

How many people like being lied to for over two years? The Mueller report proved this is what mainstream media and the Democrat leaders have done. Now they do not apologize to the American people. It is very sad that there are people who still watch the mainstream media and believe their biased reporting. ...

Benjamin Franklin, one of the fathers of American democracy, once wrote, "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." This wisdom is eminently applicable to what is happening in America today...

I like Kathryn Swan and plan to vote for her for state senator; however, I don't agree with her when it comes to giving tax breaks to wealthy movie companies. I know she is looking at the big picture of creating jobs and stimulating the economy by attracting movie companies to Missouri, but subsidizing big, rich corporations just rubs me the wrong way...

And then there were four. I grew up in a family of five children. We lived, laughed and loved. I was the youngest of five. I had a sister just a bit older, twin sisters, and our brother the oldest. We always had someone to play with, cry with, talk to and love...

The majority of Leftist Democrats believe in unlimited access to the wanton killing of the country’s most vulnerable and unrepresented citizens, the pre-born and survivors of botched abortions. The infanticide phenomenon went viral when a Leftist Democrat sponsored a bill in the Virginia House of Delegates that allowed for an abortion while the child is being born. ...

Mr. Piepho, You must work for the IRS to even have a thought like this in that head of yours. They take lifelong savings away from the elderly and whomever they can. They seize people's property in the name of the law. Nobody's financial security is safe with the people they have now. ...

Gene Lyons is so silly. It is Trump who wants everyone to love him. And he doesn't get it when people do not. There are pictures of Biden nose to nose with John Kerry. So to try to paint Biden as sexist, hardly. But we do know Trump is and has been that...

ABORTION in America has recently taken on an even more menacing tone with several states adopting "Late Term Abortions." Whether a human life begins at conception, at its first heartbeat or at any stage of a pregnancy the bottom line is it is a child, not garbage to be taken out...

Approximately 85% of Americans try to pay their federal taxes correctly. However, as a result of the 15% who are not so conscientious or honest, it is estimated that one out of every six tax dollars owed to the federal government is not paid. The tax gap is defined as the amount of taxes that are owed but are not paid in a timely or voluntary manner. ...

Have you heard of the Glenn House? Until 2014, when my family discovered a portrait of my great, great grandfather, David Glenn, I hadn't, even though I share my name with one of its first inhabitants, the Glenns' youngest daughter. The Glenn House was my family's home, but now it belongs to the citizens of Cape. ...

Regarding the April 10 Speak Out post, Jackson vote: Buying from a local business is a personal decision and donating to a local group is purely a business or personal decision. How does voting against a regressive tax show a lack of support for local businesses? There are thousands of reasons for refusing to donate to local groups. ...

An article in the Southeast Missourian on Friday, March 29, stated, “The Missouri House advanced a plan to abolish open primary elections. ... People not affiliated with a party could not vote for candidates in a primary election. ...” I urge every registered voter to join me and contact their representatives and senators and express outrage at this attempt to disenfranchise thousands of voters...

Mr. Rick Feiner’s response to my letter over a month ago twisted my words. He said I used a red-herring letter to support abortion. He was wrong. What I said was, yes, we have the resources to care for more babies when abortions cease, but we should start planning now. I don’t know why Mr. Feiner responded as he did...

The euphoria of success in the recent midterm election for Democrats appears to have befuddled and poisoned their minds as beautifully highlighted by Mr. Marc Thiessen in his recent syndicated column in Southeast Missourian on March 3. The President of the U.S. ...

To the voters of Cape Girardeau, I want to extend a sincere thank you for supporting Proposition Y. We are so very grateful for all the support we received throughout the campaign. In addition, I want to thank everyone who devoted their time, efforts and resources to ensure we had the right messaging, which reached and resonated with our audience. They played a huge part in the success of this measure. We are forever grateful for their commitment and dedication...

I read in the Southeast Missourian Tuesday, April 2, that state Sen. Wallingford thinks it is a good idea to increase the fuel tax by 2 cents a year. In that way lawmakers can avoid having to put the issue before voters again. Excuse me, but the Missouri voters last year rejected a plan to raise taxes to pay for road and bridge repairs. I find his comment most disturbing...

Serving the citizens of Cape Girardeau County in a timely, effective and ethical manner is Cape County Clerk Kara Summers. My two favorite words are visible and measurable; and I just described Kara Summers. Kara always goes above and beyond in her desire to serve the citizens of Cape Girardeau County in a timely, effective and ethical manner. ...

In these contentious times as the strident voices of individuals and groups, especially those in the media, use religious beliefs, political affiliation, racial heritage, social and economic status, and sexual and gender identification to separate us one from another, I offer the following considerations:...

A 2017 Federation for American Immigration Reform report, "The Fiscal Burden of Illegal Aliens on US Taxpayers" written by Matthew O'Brien, Spencer Raley and Jack Martin, lays out the total financial impact of illegal immigration on the United States as follows:...

This is Charlie Glueck from Jackson Tire Center. I felt it important to share a local retailer's point of view as it relates to the use tax issue. It is common knowledge among local retailers that we have a new fierce competitor: online purchasing. At my business, we have customers who purchase tires and aftermarket wheels online, then bring them to our store for installation. Part of what initiates the online purchase is the savings they receive by not paying out of state sales tax...

The proposed Missouri House Bill 258 (aka "Guns Everywhere") would allow hidden, loaded guns in schools, colleges, daycare centers, bars and even on private property against owners' wishes. I have no problem with responsible gun ownership, and I own a firearm myself; however, allowing guns to be carried in bars and schools is beyond comprehension. ...

This is an open letter to the good folks of the Scott City area who have been so supportive of my last 50 years of St. Jude fundraisers with the Scott City schools and the businesses who have contributed to our efforts for many years also: Amick-Burnett, Interior Plus, Simpson Excavating, Dakota Heating and Plumbing, Medicap Pharmacy, InterRail Services, Monty Keesee Construction, Sally Noon State Farm Insurance, Bohannon Cleaners, Trax Edge Motors, Bank of Missouri in Scott City, Scott City Fitness.. ...

As Robert Mueller is winding down his investigation of alleged collusion between Russians and (President Donald) Trump’s presidential campaign staff, Democratic Congress has launched several investigations against Trump. In addition, New York State Southern District has started investigating his business dealings in New York...

Recently, a comment in Speak Out stated that there was no emergency at the U.S. border. This is just a Democrat talking point to shut down debate on border security. The truth, there are emergencies at the borders. Sixty-seven illegal immigrants were found crammed into a 20-by-20-foot shed with a sign in Spanish advising them not to use the bathroom. ...

Cheryl and I wanted to share our appreciation for the wonderful coverage the Southeast Missourian has provided for our new Fresh Healthy Cafe at Saint Francis. We always wanted to bring a healthy lifestyle restaurant to Cape Girardeau, but we knew it was a risk. As we talked with people in our community and learned of the interest and support, we decided to take the plunge...

In your March 16 article, "Trump vetoes rebuke of border order," we read that our president continues to focus on building a U.S.-Mexico border wall rather than addressing the reasons why migrants come in the first place. Violence from gangs and family members, entrenched poverty and rampant hunger are forcing many -- mostly families -- to flee Central America. This includes many women and girls forced to leave their homes in search of what we all seek: safety and a chance at a meaningful life...

You have done a great job of promoting Prop Y in your paper with letters from mayors, pastors and general bias support overall. I would like to offer a glimpse of concern from the other side, aka the "pool people." My husband and I have managed the Scott City Dolphins swim team for approximately ten years now. ...

Roy Blunt sided with 11 other Republicans in a Senate resolution denying President Donald Trump’s emergency declaration to secure the border. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch quoted Blunt as saying: “There are several existing authorities that could be used to support what President Trump wants to do at the border without creating a court case or declaring an emergency. I have encouraged him to use those authorities.”...

On Dec. 22, 2017 President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Although it has only been in effect for a little over a year, it is now possible to ascertain the direction of its impact. One of the major provisions in this law was reducing the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. ...