Speak Out 07/02/04

Painted lines

I'M CALLING to thank the city for getting the yellow lines painted on Mount Auburn Road from Route K to the new Independence intersection. It's taken quite some time to get it done, but they've done a real good job.

Wonderful program

I HAD the pleasure of going to Lynwood Baptist Church to watch "America, We Must Not Forget." It was absolutely brilliant and heartwarming, and it was to honor our servicemen, our police, our firefighters and the ambulance personnel. Gary Belcher, the minister of music, did a magnificent job with the choir and the orchestra. They were superb. The whole evening was so uplifting. I want to thank everyone at Lynwood Baptist Church -- even for the ice cream and cookies. God bless.

Huge traffic jam

I'M REALLY dreading the start of school in Jackson because of the traffic situation. I live across from the middle school. I just read Route D will be closed in August. I'd previously read to avoid Highway 72 because of construction starting there in August. So everyone who lives across from the middle school or on Route D will have to go through downtown Jackson to get to work or school. Then Homecomers will block off Main Street. Help. I see a huge traffic jam coming.

More info, please

THERE ARE political signs everywhere, but I would like more details. What party do they belong to? When is the election?

Great date movie

IF I had kids who were dating, I would suggest to them to see "Two Brothers." Ads for "The Terminal" say it's a great date movie. What's so great about a woman who can't wait to make a commitment? Here we are in society where many youths are trying to keep a vow of celibacy, and here's an airline stewardess who has loose morals. Somehow this is Hollywood's idea of a great date movie. I don't think so. "Raising Helen" is a much better date movie than "The Terminal." "Two Brothers" is even better for 16-year-olds.

Where's the outcry?

OUR VICE president used a four-letter word in the U.S. Senate. Why isn't the Rev. Jerry Falwell blasting him like he did President Clinton? Where's the Christian Right? And where are you self-righteous right-wingers who preach about bringing morals back to the family? If President Bush had any guts, he would denounce what Vice President Cheney did and tell him to either apologize or get off the ticket.

Involved candidates

CANDIDATES in both the August primary and November general election need to realize that voters are not watching just what they do in their public lives, but what they do in their private lives as well. So when someone says he's dependable and has integrity, I take that to mean he stands up for what he believes in and backs it up with action. Ask yourself if these people complain and, when there's an opportunity to take action, are they part of the solution or do they say they don't want to get involved. That's not integrity, and that person does not deserve anybody's vote.

Discrimination is wrong

I HAVE a friend who is an incredibly large person. He likes to go to a karaoke restaurant, but he was asked not to bring in his wheelchair because it took too much room. He had to sit in chairs, sometimes two chairs. Now he has been asked to never come into the establishment because he broke too many chairs. I think it's wrong for a restaurant to discriminate against a handicapped person.

Illegal fireworks

IF FIREWORKS that have sticks like bottle rockets are banned in Cape Girardeau, how come they're shooting them off on the south side of Cape?

Welfare gamblers

ALL WELFARE recipients should be on a national master computer list. All gamblers at casinos, bingo or any other gambling enterprise should be checked upon entry to see if they are on welfare, If they are, they should be denied entry. Working men and women should not have to subsidize welfare recipients' gambling.