Letters to the Editor

The recent passing of Sen. McCain got me to thinking about who we call our heroes. I was drafted during the Vietnam War, but luckily spent most of my time in Germany. However, I know several who served in Vietnam and some were called “baby killers” when they came home. Unfortunately, during that period many soldiers were treated poorly because the war became unpopular...

How very proud I am of the leadership from principal Julia Unnerstall, Rebecca Gentry and the entire staff at Alma Schrader Elementary School! It is easy to see why they were selected as a National School of Character, one of 80 three schools in the entire nation! They always seek out new methods to involve their students in ways that will develop these young lives into responsible, contributing adults in our great city on the Cape...

A recent letter to the editor was very critical of President Trump's behavior and even attempted a remote psychological diagnosis. President Trump's performance trumps most, if not all, perceived decorum shortcomings. Granted, his "verbal whackings" of opponents and those in his own party who are weak kneed is unprecedented by Republican presidents. ...

Some teachers have a master's degree, years of experience, but need to work an extra job and donate plasma blood to pay their bills. It's a national outrage when teachers don't get the same pay or respect that other professions receive. The federal government Department of Education is a total waste of taxpayers' time and money, too. ...

The recently published anonymous Op-Ed letter in New York Times, and Bob Woodward’s book, “Fear,” subtitled “Trump in the White House,” further add to the “Red lights are blinking” warning issued by Dan Coats, director of National Intelligence. As Woodward noted, the real threat to America’s security comes not just from Russia, but also from the president himself...

Once again the City of Cape Girardeau is asking its tax payers to believe in a fairy tale: $26.5 million for another trip to the wonderful world Oz. The cast is the same. Playing the part of the Wizard of Oz is the Cape Girardeau City Council associated with Cape Girardeau city schools. ...

Recently a picture appeared of two individuals attending a Trump rally wearing t-shirts which said, "I'd rather be a Russian than Democrat." While this may be meant as a joke, I still find it troubling. Russia under Vladimir Putin has done the following:...

Thursday, Aug. 16, a coordinated editorial effort from 350 newspapers around the country defended the freedom of the press. More specifically the editorials protested the label by some government officials that the press is the "enemy of the people"...

To all the well-meaning citizens demanding stricter gun-control laws, suggest holding a convention and try to improve on the Ten Commandments (not suggestions) that God gave to Moses sometime between 1440 and 1441 BC. Emphasis should be placed on number six: Thou shall not kill. They have been assured the completed legislation will become the law of the land immediately...

On Aug. 17, I visited my son who is a student at SEMO. He has recently moved into a house he is renting off-campus on Whitener. He and several neighbors had two full trash bins at the curb. The neighborhood stank of garbage. It was disgusting! My son said that the trash was not picked up last week because the bins had been placed too close together at the curb. ...

Last month, President Trump nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh to be the next U.S. Supreme Court justice. Judge Kavanaugh is an exceptionally qualified jurist, but when Sen. Claire McCaskill was asked where she stands on this nominee, she had absolutely nothing to say. ...

In the Aug. 7 election, Missourians, by a two-thirds majority, voted down Prop A. Since then, I have heard rumor that some state legislators are considering enacting such legislation anyway. Such action would be in direct opposition to the vote of the people...

There are many things that divide us in this country. I believe the top three are abortion, guns, and immigration. Abortion is probably the most emotional of our differences. I’ve never met anyone who is comfortable with abortions, but how do we deal with unwanted pregnancies? In an ideal world there would be no unwanted pregnancies, but in our world they will continue to occur, and we will continue to be divided on what to do about them...

I have followed the David Robinson exoneration story closely. One of the many details of the case that has come from David's story, but has gotten little attention, is the fate of my uncle, Russell Montjoy. Russell was a confidential informant for former Det. John Blakely with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety...

Congratulations to Cape Girardeau Public Schools for securing a USDA grant to provide free breakfast and lunch to all school children for the next four years. Using federal government dollars to feed children who would not receive nourishing meals is a win for everyone. ...

My two favorite words are visible and measurable; and I just described County Clerk Kara Summers! Kara always goes above and beyond in her desire to serve the citizens of Cape Girardeau County County in a timely, effective and ethical manner. Our recent primary election was an outstanding example of her servant leadership. ...

Is it possible CBS includes clips of late night comedians David Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel's snarky anti-Trump remarks in their newscast to express their partisan viewpoint and at the same time advertise and promote the two without direct involvement of the big-name anchor?...

I attended Monday's city council study session where the issue of flooding was discussed -- specifically the issue of the flooding on Copperfield where water has been 4 feet deep. The issue was brought up to see if there was anything the city could do to alleviate that much water on one of its streets. I was impressed by the resistance...

Southeast Missouri is unique in that a person can travel in a 100-hundred-mile radius and visit four neighboring states. In my 40-plus years in the construction industry, I have worked as a carpenter, estimator, and project manager in Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee and my home state of Missouri...

One way Missourians can make a good living is through the construction industry. My father raised our family through working construction in the Southeast Missouri area and now I'm doing the same for my family. We support other industries, too. We build the structure other businesses use to operate and we try to support local small business...

I have worked in Law Enforcement in Cape Girardeau County for the past 45 years. I have worked with numerous Attorneys. Some were Prosecuting Attorneys and some were Criminal Defense Attorneys. I have found that the best Attorneys are the ones that work hard, prepare well, are fair, and honest. ...

A previous letter to the editor supporting Proposition A contained some statements which need to be addressed. I support Proposition A. I am no fan of unions and have always opposed compulsory union membership or dues. But in fairness, it was stated that labor unions contribute “billions and billions of dollars” to the Democrats. ...

My fellow Americans, I started with those words to get your attention. Do you remember who spoke those words to us? He was brave! Just listen to words on Jimmy Dean’s (the Sausage Guy) song “P.T. 109.” President Kennedy took on Russia, because of their actions in Cuba. He showed bravery in war and peace time...

I"m asking for your vote on Aug. 7, 2018, in the Republican primary, to be the next Prosecuting Attorney of Cape Girardeau County. I may not be the hometown boy, but I've chosen to raise my family in our community for the last six years. I also look at my experiences elsewhere as a positive; I bring fresh ideas to improve the office. ...

Americans welcome our uniformed soldiers home with parades and great honors. Yet we have soldiers, some facing death or torture protecting us who receive no parades, no welcome home, no recognition. They don't expect it, and in fact, we never know who they are. ...

On Tuesday, Aug. 7, Missouri voters will render a decision on what is labeled a Right to Work law. It would eliminate union shops in favor of open shops or non-union work places. A union shop is a workplace where all bargaining unit employees are members of the labor union representing them...

The last time Right to Work was on the ballot I voted no. Considering all that has happened, I now regret that vote. Why? Labor unions used union dues to support the National and State Democratic Party (NSDP) (billions and billions of dollars) who supported the abortion industry and selling baby body parts, etc. and now some of them openly want socialism...

I'm asking for your vote on Aug. 7, 2018, in the Republican primary, to be the next prosecuting attorney of Cape Girardeau County. My opponent, Mark Welker, tries to impress you with endorsements from his friends and attempts to overwhelm you with big, blue signs. ...

Prop A — that is to say, Proposition A, will be coming up on Election Day, Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the polls for everyone to vote on. If you vote “yes” on Prop A, you will be voting for the freedom to work without interference from labor unions and their contractors. ...

To Whom It May Concern: I am proud to write this letter of support for Mark Welker. Some of you may not be familiar with me so I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I was born in Cape Girardeau to Dr. David Crowe and Sarah Blankenship. ...

I'm asking for your vote on Aug. 7, 2018, in the Republican primary, to be the next prosecuting attorney of Cape Girardeau County. My opponent, Mark Welker, claims he's tough and experienced on Facebook, but offers no evident of either. I'm publicly challenging Mr. Welker to tell our community how he is qualified to be the chief prosecutor of a first-class county...

Let's break the ice right now. I cannot and will not support Mark Welker for the Office of Prosecuting Attorney. Some may see my reasons as being personal. I see them as objective. I have known Mr. Welker for several years when he was working on someone else's campaign. ...

On Aug. 7, voters will have the chance to support worker freedom and a stronger economy for all Missourians by voting "yes" on Proposition A. Prop A prohibits workers from being forced to join a union and have fees automatically withdrawn from their paychecks. When workers have a choice to join, it makes union executives more accountable to workers who choose union membership...

Thank you to Marybeth Niederkorn and the Southeast Missourian for providing the public with helpful information about the Affordable Care Act (Aka: Obamacare) and East Missouri Action Agency's continued efforts to help individuals and families learn the facts...

After careful consideration of the direction and focus the city of Cape Girardeau has for the downtown area, I have come to the following conclusions. For the past few years, we have had limited festivals or celebrations that have drawn visitors to our riverfront area. This past Fourth of July, nothing was planned for any downtown celebration, resulting in only a handful of businesses that were open...

I'm pretty upset. I've complained to the ACLU, the White House, and the Hague in hopes of getting some attention to this matter. So far nobody gives a rip. I'm talking about the fact that more girls are valedictorians of their graduating class than boys. Recent newspaper articles show most local valedictorians are girls. It's not fair...

I had assumed the political party comes before country had ended with the "Make America Great Again" -- but it hasn't. There is no "America" to be made great again. There are political parties, "Republicans" and "Democrats," trying to be made great again but not for all Americans. That mindless "MAGA" chant wasn't about anything other than more dividing the people and cold civil war...

In his letter to the editor, "Out of touch commission", Mr. Gaines makes claims that require a response. While I don't speak for the commission, I'm happy to share my thoughts on why this rezoning makes sense. As Veteran's Memorial Drive is extended south, a portion of the property, along I-55, will likely be rezoned to Commercial, a sensible use of this interstate-front property. ...