Speak Out 01/03/04

What our wives say

I AM constantly hearing about the problems that the University of Missouri president's wife has caused in Columbia. There are several things being overlooked here. She was not interviewed by the board of curators nor hired by the state. We all have spouses who have their own opinions and input on our jobs. If someone was fired for comments our spouses made, then most of us would be unemployed. Let's look at how the tapes came to life anyway. Just because they can be recorded should not infringe on a person's civil rights. That was a private conversation and did not include any information about a breakout attempt.

Getting good help

CAPE GIRARDEAU chose to spend more than $40,000 to have a consulting firm develop a slogan and symbol for marketing the city. Now the city council hands back to underpaid city employees the responsibility of developing a plan to bring a needed fire tax to the voters. Instead of paying for a slogan and symbol, our city council should be looking for some sound financial advice from someone who can help. I don't think we have the capability of solving our city's financial problems on board.

Loyal Americans

A LOT of senior citizens need health care and need prescription drug plans. Many of them are veterans or served their country by supporting the troops while they were away. They paid their taxes loyally, worked hard and supported the country in every way.

Their own choices

SOMEONE SAID it's Attorney General John Ashcroft's fault that federal inmates are subjected to smoke. Ashcroft didn't put them there. Their actions got them there. And I don't believe the attorney general caused them to start smoking. Inmates need to stop blaming other people for their choices.

County speeding

I JUST read the article about Cape Girardeau County's speed limit and the complaint from Ricky Ross that the ordinances are old and speed limits should be higher on county roads. We live on a county road that's used as a shortcut between two main highways. Speed limits any faster than 35 would be dangerous to the residents. County roads are family roads where children and families are on bicycles or walking. There's farm equipment traveling up and down these roads. It would be disastrous to raise the speed limit. It's a very good thing that the sheriff or highway patrol are patrolling these roads.

Appoint the judges

SINCE THE U.S. Senate has refused to do its elected duty to vote up or down on some of the president's judicial appointments, the president should have the right to use his executive privilege.