Speak Out 1/15/12

Greenberg column

GREAT piece by Paul Greenberg on Cape Girardeau native Richard Kinder. In his column, Greenberg praised Kinder for saying exactly what's on his mind. Would it be fair to say that Mr. Kinder can afford to?

Casino signing

SOME were wondering why there wasn't more excitement on the day of the signing of your name at the Isle of Capri casino in Cape Girardeau. Would you be excited and proud of signing your name to something that is going to be the demise of your fine city, Cape Girardeau?

Jensen column

I consider columnist Michael Jensen virtually inerrant in the expression of his insightful opinions. On very rare occasions I disagree with him. For example, the jovial Jensen recently wrote that any of the Republican candidates for president are better than President Obama. I would tweak Jensen's view slightly on this serious matter only to the extent that I would say that none of them are.

School grant

SO the middle school got a $90,000 grant for an after-school program. The writer of the grant said in a posting on the newspaper website that the money comes from DESE. No, the money comes from the taxpayers. I sure hope this money doesn't go for snacks and games and videos and other fluff. Instead, that amount could last for years if spent only on paying teachers to provide tutoring in order to raise student achievement, which is what it's for. I hope the Southeast Missourian will follow this story up with some very in-depth reporting on what the money is spent on and what goes on in Cub Club.