Speak Out 08/10/03

Move a little closerTO ALL these Speak Out contributors who are so critical of President Bush and what he's done in Iraq: I'm sure he would be more than pleased if you would move to Washington, D.C., so you could be close enough so he could confer with you and get your advice frequently, because your seem to have all the answers.

More than a placeI ABSOLUTELY must say this. Just because one sits in the hen house every day, that doesn't make him a chicken any more than sitting in the church every day makes one a Christian.

No-smoking restaurantsI'D LIKE to comment on an article in the newspaper today about Springfield, Mo.'s non-smoking restaurants. I wish Cape Girardeau would do that. We eat out a lot. If anyone smokes, he can still smoke after dinner or supper. He wouldn't have to smoke during dinner. I think Springfield is taking the lead in this, and I'm glad of it.

Pray for themKNOWING WHAT the Bible says about homosexuals, how can anyone vote to let them get married? The Bible plainly states in I Corinthians that homosexuals shall not inherit the kingdom of Heaven. Is this not plain enough? I can pray for them, but I won't condone their activity. How anyone could go to a church with a gay bishop, I'll never know. Please pray for them.

Beautiful yardI WANT to express my appreciation for the beautifully landscaped yard in the 1500 block of Independence Street, the white house with blue trim. That yard is an absolute pleasure to drive by. I thank whoever does that gardening. It's a delight. If you haven't been by there, you might want to drive by and see it. It will surely make your day.

We started itI'm getting sick and tired of being told that we have to feel we're not a patriot if we're against this war. This was an unprovoked war. We did the attacking. We invaded a nation that did not attack us. Like it or not, I love America, God bless America. I love our troops. I'm on their side 100 percent. But we started this war with Iraq.

Indian prideINDIANS ARE honored to have things named after them. I am part Indian, and I'm greatly disappointed that the new bridge was not named Trail of Tears Bridge. I think we need to test these people who claim they're Indians. Maybe they ought to have a DNA test. I don't think they're true Indians. We need to get help our American Indians.

Wasted road workONCE AGAIN, the road grader is on County Road 244 tearing it up and making it dangerous to travel. The recent picture of the grader on the front page of the Southeast Missourian told it all. Yes, they actually cut that deep, pushing the gravel to the side where it stays until they move it to the other side two weeks later. What a waste of money.

Another sloganI THINK a fitting slogan for Cape Girardeau would be "Holier Than Thou."

Once upon a timeI WAS lucky enough to have lived in a time here in Cape Girardeau when all the folks I knew were two-parent families. Living together wasn't done. It was a time when no one could imagine of aborting your own flesh and blood. It wasn't a choice. You could walk down any street at night safely. Your neighbor wasn't cooking meth or selling dope. It was a time when a spanking in school wasn't child abuse and you could sing a Christmas carol or mention God without being accused of forcing religion on anyone. Believe it not, there was a time like this, even in Cape.

No wimp mascotIF THE SEMO officials don't have the guts to fight for the honor of its mascots' names, it should cancel all sports. A wimp school doesn't need a mascot or a sports program.

Inequitable situationsLAST MONTH, our president vacationed with his parents in Kennebunkport. Shortly after that, he and his wife took an African safari. While he was there, he gave away $16 billion tax dollars while so many in this country have serious needs. Now he has gone to spend August at his Texas ranch. It isn't that he's being missed that much in Washington. I'm just concerned that our troops who are in harm's way around the world will find out what a great time the commander in chief is having while they risk their lives in such miserable conditions.

Mixed-up prioritiesWHILE DRIVING back to Cape Girardeau from St. Louis, I noticed another MoDOT oddity. There is no lighting at the Perryville interchange, which is a rather dangerous situation. When I got to the Oak Ridge interchange, it was lit up so well that I could see every blade of grass in the expansion joints of the exit ramp. That tells me someone again has gotten his priorities mixed up.

What next, seniors?WELL, SENIOR citizens, what do you all want next? What is on your list? Free funerals? You're going to get your free or taxpayer-subsidized drugs, which you've been pushing for years. What do you want your grandchildren to pay for next?

Christian road mapTHE DEMOCRATS are trying to destroy President Bush and are trying everything they can think of. They won't confirm nominees for judges because they are Christians and conservatives. This, I believe, is much worse than the 16 words Bush had in his speech about Iraq. We need God back in our homes, schools and government. There is so much malice and hatred everywhere today. It is time to anchor our souls in Jesus Christ, our only safety net, because there is no peace anywhere else. The road map to peace is a road map to Armageddon.

Street prioritiesI REALLY appreciate the city resurfacing a number of our streets. But why is the city resurfacing the streets least traveled? I have a street that would be a higher priority: the section of Broadway that was never resurfaced. Also Independence and Morgan Oak streets. Even if Morgan Oak is a state highway, steps should be taken to get it resurfaced. After the old bridge is gone, it will still be a city street.

Lights for LindenCOULD WE senior citizens on Linden Street have some lights? There are no street lights on Linden from West End Boulevard to Bodian Lane. If the East Missouri Action Agency doesn't leave its lights on at night, it's pitch black when you're coming in from church or other places.

Thanks for the helpI WOULD like to thank the church people who helped me when my vehicle broke down. I think they said the church was on Mount Auburn Road. I really do think that God sent them my way, and I really do appreciate it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Don't changeTHIS IS In response to the Speak Out caller who seems skeptical about the people who say they are of Indian heritage. I don't put down on any census form or anything that I'm Indian. I am almost half Indian. I know a lot of other people in that same situation. As for my opinion on the mascot for SEMO, I think it should stay the Indians. It's not what you call them. It's how you treat them. I think Southeast Missouri State University has not been disrespectful or discourteous to any Indian heritage. To change the name would be wrong.

Looking to leave

I WOULD love to leave Scott City and take our livelihood to a different town just because of the train noise. If the noise were under control, we might change our minds. But at this point, the rudeness of the horns has gone beyond our limit.