Speak Out 1/13/08

Comparing bans

TO BAN a smoker from smoking in public is like banning obese people from the drive-through. What about alcohol? If you follow the same logic of banning smoking in public places, shouldn't you also ban drinking alcohol in public places, thereby reducing the risk of drivers who are impaired? If they drink at home they won't be on the highways driving. These drivers can affect someone's life. Government intervention can be a two-edged sword.

Looking for answers

MY CHILD attends school in Jackson. I'm wondering how I should deal with a difficult teacher. My child's grades are not good, and no one seems to mind. Not one time has his teacher contacted me to see what we can do together to help my child. I have contacted the school many times, and no one seems to have any answers.

Reason to grit teeth

I APPLAUD the mayor of Sikeston for declaring a war on litterbugs. Every time I see someone throw trash from a car, I grit my teeth with anger.

Wasted signals

I'D LIKE to thank whoever was responsible for putting the stop signs back at the intersection of Bloomfield Road and Silver Springs Road. The temporary stoplights were a waste of electricity and everyone's time.

Name-calling

I WONDER how the person who chastised columnist Gene Lyons for showing disrespect as a result of Lyons calling President Bush a "crackpot" characterized President Bill Clinton.

Special gift

THE SPECIAL gift that was left at River City Medical Clinic was very much appreciated. It is so nice to know that there are so many kind people in Cape Girardeau. I thank you so much for the kindness.

Climate change

FINALLY. AN op-ed on climate by someone willing to point out some of the lunacy. Al Gore and his ilk act as if climate change is something new. Look at the extreme global warming that caused the Permian Extinction. Look at the ice ages in our planet's history, which were followed by warming periods lasting tens of thousands of years -- and all of these before mankind ever walked the planet, so we cannot be blamed. It's all there in the geological history of our planet. We are not causing it. Read a book on the geologic and climatic history of our planet. Realize that rabid environmentalists are after power over your lives, nothing more.

Get better paint

IN RESPONSE to your editorial "Safer driving": If the Missouri Department of Transportation could figure out where other states buy that neat paint they use for the highway striping. You know, the stuff that is actually reflective and does not disappear completely if there is a little rain. Then we could tell, on rainy nights, where we are on the roadway and reduce accidents even more.

Branding and torture

THE BRANDING you noticed on the athletes is usually part of the initiation process for various organizations -- fraternities and such. It is considered a rite of passage. You have to agree to be branded if you want to be in the organization. In our society, requiring such things as having a red-hot piece of steel applied to your arm and searing the flesh in order to be a member of an organization is acceptable. However, dunking the head of a terrorist under water for a minute or two in order to frighten him and get information that may save thousands of innocent lives is not. That is torture. Go figure.