Speak Out 01/16/04

Full of flags

THE COLLECTION box for old flags at the corner of West End Boulevard and Broadway is so full that I couldn't open the door.

No common sense

NOW PRESIDENT Bush is going to let illegal workers into this country. Why are we spending all them thousands of dollars to keep them out? It doesn't even make common sense.

Cape's public works

I BELIEVE Cape Girardeau is overlooking public works employees who take care of streets, signs, traffic lights, downed trees, right of way, retention basins, sewer problems, storm cleanup, trash, recycling, mowing and services that keep the city clean. These employees haven't had a raise in two years. I was happy to hear the city manager say that if the proposed sales tax passes it would free up some money for raises. Police cars, fire trucks and other emergency equipment won't get very far on streets covered by snow, ice or storm debris. I will vote for this tax because I know how important all of our city employees are. I hope everyone will realize how good they have it here.

Take a look

BEFORE CRITICIZING the size of some of the church buildings in Cape Girardeau, take the time to visit some of the services. Look at the number of adults and children who are there. Listen to the messages delivered from the pulpit and in the classrooms. Probe to find out what the mission outreach is in this community and elsewhere. I agree with Dr. Norman Vincent Peale who said, "When you absent yourself from worship services, you are missing one of the greatest experiences of your life."

Presidential lying

AS TIME passes, the litany of Bush lies grows. Last year, President Bush made the case for war in Iraq by saying "the dynamics have shifted since 11 years ago because of what happened on September 11," adding, "No longer are we secure." Bush also assured the nation that use of force in Iraq was a last resort. However, former Treasury secretary Paul O'Neill now confirms that regime change in Iraq was the main topic at the very first meeting of Bush's National Security Council a full eight months before Sept. 11. This president is a major threat to this nation and the world.

Home repairs

I CAN only hope that the taxpayer-financed U.S. reconstruction of Afghanistan and Iraq will be preceded by the reconstruction of U.S. roadways specifically and the rest of our infrastructure generally.

Read our lips

WHAT PART of "no" does the Cape Girardeau City Council not understand? Cape residents have repeatedly voted down tax measure after tax measure. Read our lips, Mr. Mayor and council members. No new taxes. Cut the fat.

Running aground

THAT INTERVIEW with Paul O'Neill confirmed what many of us already knew: The president isn't exactly the brightest crayon in the box. Vice President Cheney is actually running the country -- into the ground.

Shocking morals

"I DON'T think people should move to our country without a good moral foundation," claimed a Speak Out caller. The vast majority of people who come to this country likely have such a higher moral foundation than those already living here that they are shocked at the degree to which we have sunk into a sewer of sleaze.

Support progress

THE CAPE Girardeau City Council makes the wisest use of financial resources of any community in the country. However, if we are going to continue to have a city we can all be proud of, we must support a local tax increase. Otherwise, we will begin to regress and eventually become a dying, instead of a progressive and vibrant, village.

Special kindness

TO A special woman who was so kind to me at the grocery store on Friday: It was indeed overwhelming. May God bless you. From a grateful senior citizen.