Mostly Cloudy and Breezy ~ 26°F   River stage: 23.46 Falling Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010

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Letters Advice for sticky accelerator (02/07/10) As a former naval aviation safety officer, I noted something in Speak Out worthy of immediate attention. The subject was how to deal with a sticky accelerator situation. The contributor's comments were certainly well-intended and the advice basically sound (shift to neutral and turn off the key), except he or she omitted one very important detail: know your car's ignition configuration to avoid compounding the problem with a stuck accelerator and locked up steering. ... Democrats overplayed their hand (02/05/10) On Nov. 5, 2008, the day after Barack Obama was elected president, I wrote that it would be a day that would live in infamy. I still believe it could be, but I hope the outcome will be much different than Obama and the Democratic Party had imagined... Debt: $45,000 per American (02/03/10) To our distinguished members of Congress: Please don't continue to tell us how opposed you are to increasing our spiraling public debt. You have just approved legislation to increase the debt ceiling by $1.9 trillion. Las year our debt increased $1.4 trillion. With the increase, we will be at a public debt of $14.3 trillion -- $45,000 for every American... Warming arguments are melting (01/31/10) The major quake that hit Massachusetts Jan. 19 has very likely buried government-owned health care reform beneath political rubble -- I hope for good. The Obama-ites never saw it coming until it was too late to stop senator-elect Scott Brown from splitting the eastern sky with a humiliating defeat of the Democratic candidate, Martha Coakley, who was a shoo-in for the empty seat left by the late Ted Kennedy... Court decision gives big megaphone to corporations (01/27/10) If you thought our elections were for sale before, buckle your seat belt. The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is a virtual "blue light special" with corporations gaining even more influence on local and national issues and votes. ... Turn on headlights in fog and rain, and save lives (01/27/10) I was driving in a slight fog. Most vehicles' headlights were piercing the haze. I was amazed when I met a car that was completely dark. I could see without headlights, but others might not see me. Why should anyone drive without lights? Are they saving the tiny increment of gasoline used to keep their battery charged? Do they think it might make the battery last longer? Do they consider the lives, passengers' lives and the lives of others with whom they might share a head-on collision to be worth so little?. ... Climate ostriches risk the future (01/26/10) Fifteen years ago I was diagnosed with cancer. I sought multiple opinions regarding the diagnosis plus the advice of a team of oncologists. I could have hacked everyone's personal e-mails and rejected their consensus because of negative comments about competing teams of oncologists. ... What is Kinder doing to help? (01/25/10) Open letter to Peter Kinder: You have been quite vocal lately, first critical of U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill and now of Gov. Jay Nixon. You use words like "federal health care takeover" and "social experiment" for the Democrats' health care reform. You are using the same wording as the mostly ill-informed tea party people. Is this the company you're courting as you prepare to run for governor in 2012?... America needs a health plan (01/25/10) I feel U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill didn't deserve the verbal beating up handed out by the letter from Joe and Jena Koch. I know I will be happy when people with pre-existing conditions can be treated. There is a need for a health care bill. Who's ears are closed? Do you not watch "60 Minutes" and "20/20" to know the current health care system has not worked for a long time now?... Democrats still aren't listening (01/24/10) Massachusetts sent a clear message to President Obama and the Democrat-controlled Congress. While some Democrats immediately scrambled to the center, others inexplicably ignored the significant vote. President Obama appeared unwilling to connect the special election result with the national mood of the people. In response to the loss of a Democratic seat that had been held for four decades, he could only encourage us to "look at the substance of this [health care] package."... Diamonds in your own backyard (01/20/10) My wife and I had the privilege of attending a recital at Old St. Vincent's Church in Cape Girardeau. The Rev. Milton Ryan of St. Vincent's in Perryville, Mo., was the guest pianist. Since he is local and not recently promoted in the media, many, including music lovers, were unaware of his capabilities. Father Milton, before becoming a priest, was a professional pianist. His faithful rendition of Bach, Haydn, Chopin and Rachmaninoff made for a delightful evening... Gone, but not forgotten (01/20/10) Friends come, friends go. But for some of us, those friends are never forgotten. When I was 13 my sister Betty and I started attending a church that had a great youth group led by Azalea Wise. Under Azalea's wise eyes and counsel, this youth group grew in number and spirit, gathering children in from Cape Girardeau and the surrounding area... More financial news, please (01/19/10) As a newcomer to the area, I am enjoying my subscription to the Southeast Missourian. I particularly like the daily events section at the top of Page 2. It informs me, in a timely manner, of activities I want to attend. However, there is one area in which I think the newspaper is weak, and that is in national financial news. ... Aging agency resolves issue (01/19/10) A recent attempt to fraudulently enroll me in a Medicare prescription plan was thwarted with the capable assistance of Ruth Dockins, public information director with Southeast Missouri Agency on Aging. As I attempted to investigate and resolve this situation on my own, I soon found myself in the midst of Medicare and two insurance companies each pointing the finger at the other. Using her unique contacts, Ruth solved the problem in just four days... Division III would save money (01/19/10) I read with interest the front-page article about the budget cuts at Southeast Missouri State University. The purpose of a university is to provide undergraduate and graduate levels of education. Therefore, it seems to me that consideration should be given to Southeast becoming a Division III NCAA school. It would appear that this action would save a fair amount of money since the schools that are members of Division III do not offer athletically related financial aid to their student-athletes... Why aren't you listening? (01/19/10) This is an open letter to U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill:We would like to express our deep concern for the health of our country, which is already near life support, and the devastation that your unwanted and unnecessary health care reform, as it is, will mean to our country. The final nail is about to be driven into this coffin... Thanks for MLK media coverage (01/17/10) I wanted to take the opportunity to thank the members of the Southeast Missourian staff and Carrie Bartholomew for the featured story in Wednesday's newspaper highlighting the slated events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and the civil rights era. Ms. Bartholomew did an outstanding job conveying the philosophy and reasons we celebrate and honor Dr. King and the civil rights era... Thanks for St. Ambrose support (01/15/10) On behalf of the St. Ambrose Home and School Dinner Auction Committee: Thank you. We gratefully reflect on the generosity and support of those who help make St. Ambrose School possible. With your help, our 2009 dinner auction was a great success. Proceeds from this auction will be used to supplement our annual budget and continue to help us maintain a quality education for our students. Many thanks again, and may God bless you... Jackson honors school board (01/13/10) The Jackson community benefits every day from the dedicated energies and countless hours devoted by the members of the Jackson School Board. Our school board members are elected by local constituents and do not receive compensation for their tireless efforts. Jackson School Board members work with school staff and community members to ensure that decisions bout Jackson's public schools are made as close to the needs of our children and community as possible... Warming action urgently needed (01/13/10) When science indicates trends, individuals and businesses often attack findings when they are unfavorable. This occurred when studies linked smoking to negative health effects. Now a similar situation has presented itself in the case of energy use and climate change. ... Signage grant benefits city; opportunities for your input (01/12/10) As Cape Girardeau's comprehensive wayfinding review and design process moves forward, some clarification is needed, since informed public input is vital to a successful process. Wayfinding is not just about signs, but about using all visual information -- signage, maps, landmarks and icons -- to steer pedestrians and vehicles through unfamiliar environments. ...

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