Speak Out 09/10/04

Income is fixed

THIS IS to the person who made the comment about people on fixed incomes. How dare you try to dis these people. Some people have to be on a fixed income. It is the way our government is fixed up. Many of these people saved money and worked hard to support their country too, but they end up on a fixed income. You must think you are better than people on fixed incomes.

Get priorities straight

I AGREE that the city seems to worship roundabouts and sing their praises. I say that roundabouts are more of a devil. They cause nothing but trouble. The broken clock that hasn't worked in years should be moved. It's been in the way since day one. What we need is more decent police and fire equipment and better schools. We need these more than roundabouts and water parks.

Source of terrorism

WHEN YOU run a front-page story about Chechnyan rebels killing Russian schoolchildren, can you change the AP story just a little bit and tell us the truth -- that what we're really talking about are Muslim terrorists? These are Muslim terrorists just like they are in France. There are Muslim terrorists who are attacking people in Southeast Asia. There are Muslim terrorists who are attacking in the Sudan. There are Muslim terrorists who are attacking America and Israel. It's all the same group. Please put that in the newspaper so people understand.

Messy ducks, geese

THIS IS in regard to all the geese and ducks in and around the Capaha Park lagoon. There were 87 geese and ducks in the park the other day. I think it's time to get rid of them. Slaughter them and give them to the Salvation Army or something like that. They certainly are a mess.

Assault charges

I SEE where attacks on police officers are now a felony. That's a good thing. But what about when a police officer assaults a suspect? I'd like to know whom you can talk to about bringing charges against a police officer and what kind of penalty the officer would face. Is it the same as the average citizen, or do police officers get preferential treatment?

Bring back the barge

HAVING GONE to the City of Roses Music Festival, I can say the barge was not too far from the audience. Have you ever been to a Brooks & Dunn concert and bought tickets at the last minute? You need binoculars, and you're sitting on a platform and wonder if you move a little that you might just fall off and hit the concrete. The river barge was the best seat in the house anywhere on the Riverfront Park. I hope one day it comes back.

Officers bridge gap

I WAS glad to see the two Speak Out comments in support of the Cape Girardeau police and their new DARE car. It was disrespectful and unappreciative to suggest that an officer's salary should depend on a unreliable source such as donations. That's what taxes are for. To complain about a DARE car that is helping kids to form a good relationship with officers is ridiculous. Cape Girardeau has a police force to be proud of. The officers are professional, approachable and courteous. Their efforts to bridge the gap between themselves and the public is more than just lip service. It's genuine.

Learning skills

AS A teacher, I had to laugh at the Speak Out comment about teaching social skills at school. Somebody has to do it. Not all kids get this training at home. Basics like taking no for an answer, waiting to be recognized by raising your hand and following directions are essential to learning. Otherwise the classroom would be chaos.

Picture-phone warning

I KNOW nothing about these modern telephones. I don't know anything about a cell phone except that all my daughters and son have one. But it seems to me a waste of time, energy and money to buy a camera phone. There's going to be an awful lot of lawsuits. You can't make a picture of people without their knowledge or approval.