Speak Out 07/08/04

Never forget

NEVER HAS the world at any given time owed so much to one generation as the free Western world today owes to the Greatest Generation of the Great Depression years and World War II. But so many today are forgetting the sacrifices they made to save the world from despots, tyranny and totalitarianism.

Buck stops at the top

EXCUSES FOR failure, blaming and endlessly searching for scapegoats for high dropout rates and students' failure to get into college doesn't solve the problem. Failure is failure. Research shows success emanates from leadership, and so does failure. Failure to educate is not our parents' fault, not our childrens' fault, because they're not in charge. And it's not our teachers' fault. Teachers must teach what they're told. Curriculum is set by administrators. Organizations fail from the head, not the tail. Put the buck where it belongs.

Making right choice

THANK YOU, Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents. The decision to retire the Indian mascot was a difficult one. You chose to do the right thing. Doing what's correct is not always easy. Thank you for having the personal character to choose correctly in the face of bigoted opposition.

Still an Indian

AFTER ALL the ballyhoo about the Southeast Missouri State University Indian as a mascot, what name did the regents come up with?? A very Indian name: Redhawk. Just to list a few tribes who had a Chief Redhawk: Shawnee, Cherokee, Choctaw, Delaware, Blackfeet. Way to go, regents. We get to have an Indian after all.

A great party

I WOULD like to thank the McSwains for a good Fourth of July party. The band was great. They kept a lot of people off the street and safe from harm so everyone could have a great holiday. Thank you all again.

Thanks for fireworks

MY FIANCE and I would like to say thanks to all those who donated time and money to help arrange the Jackson City Park Fourth of July celebration. We really enjoyed the car show as well as the fireworks display. This year the fireworks were the best ever, especially the grand finale. It really means a lot to us. Our thanks and appreciation go to the hard work and the good show.

Great celebration

OUR FAMILY attended Libertyfest, which we enjoyed more than Riverfest. We liked hearing the municipal band and Kevin Danzig and his group. The young man who sang "The Star-spangled Banner" sent chills through your body and put a proud smile on our faces. He was wonderful. And I can't forget the fireworks display. It was the best I've ever seen. We appreciate the city getting back to the family-oriented gatherings. You don't need beer to have a good time. It only keeps you from remembering the good time you had.

Noisy fireworks

STARTING THE week before the Fourth of July, we had firecrackers until midnight. Those of us who work had a difficult sleep week. On the holiday, we had fireworks and the yelling that goes along with the activity until after midnight. There appears to be a total disregard for neighbors. We called the police, but the noise continued anyway. City council, please help us take back our homes and our peace. We vote for no fireworks except the city displays.

Spectacular display

WE WANT to thank the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau for the spectacular fireworks display. It was well organized, and the river is a perfect place to shoot the fireworks. The quality and beauty of the fireworks was the best we have ever seen in Cape Girardeau. The spontaneity of shooting them kept the audience in awe. We also appreciate the Cape Girardeau Police Department for the great job it did in handling the large crowd and traffic. Many people from out of town came to the Libertyfest, and more can be expected next year, because the word is out. Our hats are off to those who made this great Fourth of July celebration possible.