Speak Out 03/13/04

Money talks

THE REASON there is no two-year college in the Cape Girardeau area is economics. Can you imagine the amount of money Southeast Missouri State University would lose if it could only charge freshmen and sophomores community college fees? We could surely use a community college here. But money talks, and money is power.

Same loophole

THE RE-ELECTION Campaign for Bush has sent a letter to television broadcasters suggesting that broadcast of anti-Bush ads by MoveOn may be violation of campaign laws. Did it also inform broadcasters that running ads by such organizations as the NRA may be in violation of campaign laws? I'll bet not. However, the same loophole that allows MoveOn to broadcast ads also allows the NRA to do the same.

Need new post office

CAPE GIRARDEAU needs a new post office. I can remember when the one we have now was built. Many people could not understand why that location was chosen. It's a terrible place. Now that Cape is going to the west, the post office needs to be more centrally located.

Inspirational teacher

I SAW in the paper earlier this week that Mrs. Smith, a former teacher at Central High School, had passed away. I had her for two classes when I was in high school over 20 years ago, and she was a true inspiration. She is one of the reasons I became a teacher, and she was truly a lady in every sense of the word. She loved what she did. She loved us. She had high expectations and wasn't afraid to let us know about them. In every way, shape and form she was one of the most outstanding teachers I have ever had the privilege of learning from.

Remove the tax cap

I ENCOURAGE all Americans to contact their senators and representatives and request they remove the tax cap on Social Security contributions. We could do a lot toward saving Social Security and evening out the distribution of taxes moving this from the poor to the wealthy. It would go a long way toward saving the system and providing equity. Please get on the bandwagon, folks.

Why summer school?

I AM the parent of two elementary-age children at Scott City school. I would like to know how we cannot afford to keep teachers' assistants that we've had in past years, but we can afford to have summer school this year. Summer school seems to have little educational value and serves mostly as a baby sitter and fun for the kids.

Saving on gas

IT LOOKS like we better go back to carpooling if we're going to break this cycle of rising gas prices. I know what we're going to do at our house. We're going to go to town less. We're going to park the cars for a while.

Obstructing learning

TO THOSE who blame the teacher in the duct-tape episode, you are right. That is not the right solution. I am a teacher. Please tell me what alternatives you suggest? The teachers' hands are all but tied concerning discipline. If one-half of the time is used to discipline, no wonder there is not as much learning in the classroom as is expected. The children who are there to learn deserve better than part-time because of the discipline problems of others.

Special concert

IF THEY perform here, we will come. And we did. Eleven hundred fans of big band music turned out at the junior high auditorium for a performance by the U.S. Air Force Band of MidAmerica, billed as the Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble. What a great way to spend an evening, listening to music played by some of the best musicians in our great land. Thanks, Southeast Missourian, for sponsoring this special concert.

One of the good girls

I HOPE Martha Stewart will not lose her TV show. I would still buy her line of products at Kmart. If she's done something wrong, let her do her time, but I don't think it should affect her livelihood, especially once she's out of prison. When stars like Bill Cosby show up to support you, you must be one of the good girls.