OpinionJanuary 24, 2005
Speak Out 1/24/05
Fabulous show; Trashy state; Scott County cleanup; Disappointing show; Sensible island; Too optimistic; Acknowledge risk; Money correlation; Follow the money; Father knows best; Clean schools; Fired without warning; Far be it ...; Can't follow lane; Grade compression; Ask the students; Cafeteria pay; Adult rights
Fabulous show
I WENT to see "Broadway Tonight" at Central Junior High School. It was fabulous. Mike Dumey has done a wonderful job with his students. Those kids have a lot of talent. Everyone did a great job, but Cara Mueller, Sarah Goeke, Catherine Moreton, Blake Russell and Kyle Gilhaus stood out.
Trashy state
CAPE GIRARDEAU and Missouri should clean up their highways and byways. What person throws trash in his own yard or on his own road? People throw all sorts of stuff out of their windows and then landowners along the roads are faced with looking at the mess every day. Until people and businesses push a no-littering campaign and there is some follow through for offenders, Missouri will continue to be a trashy state.
Scott County cleanup
IN AN effort to clean up nearby Scott County, the newly elected sheriff, Rick Walter, campaigned on the issue of littering. I am behind him 100 percent. Once people get the message that littering isn't worth it (by being fined), everyone will be responsible for their actions. Maybe the same program will filter over into neighboring counties. Good luck to Scott County.
Disappointing show
I AM among those who were disappointed with the Monster Truck show at the Show Me Center. There were only four monster trucks there, and one broke before it even started. You might as well call it a four-wheeler show, because that is what the majority of the show was. Even my 4-year old son said, "Mommy, when are they going to have the monster trucks race." The lack of organization was a big problem for the Show Me Center. It needs more help for two sold-out shows.
Sensible island
CONGRATULATIONS TO Callie Clark for her well-deserved newspaper awards. With a few honorable exceptions, Clark is an island of common sense surrounded by a sea of sanity-challenged ideologues.
Too optimistic
LEAVE IT to the Southeast Missourian to sound an optimistic note about the state of area kids' health when the bottle is far less than half-full and bordering on empty.
Acknowledge risk
SPEAK OUT-calling stockbrokers should exercise a little responsibility and stop attempting to convince opponents of privatizing Social Security that market investments are not risky, even over the long haul and particularly in an age of terrorism.
Money correlation
MORE MONEY per student is spent each year because the public wrongly believes that there is a correlation between the amount of money spent on schools and academic achievement.
Follow the money
IF YOU'RE wondering why there are so many vigorous defenses of gimmicky PowerPoint presentations and the like, I suggest that you follow the money.
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Father knows best
JESUS MAY not have spoke about homosexuals, but his father did. Remember Sodom?
Clean schools
WHEN janitor makes more than the teacher, what does that say about priorities? It says that you-re going to have a very clean school.
Fired without warning
WHILE POSING as a compassionate family-values man, Gov. Matt Blunt summarily fired large numbers of state workers with no more than 24 hours' notice, many of whom had been there for 15 to 20 years.
Far be it ...
FAR BE IT from me to criticize David Limbaugh for beginning far too may columns with the phrase "Far be it from me," though it is obvious that Limbaugh believes he is just the one to deliver the latest firebrand fusillade from the right.
Can't follow lane
WHEN IS the city going to paint the stripes on William Street in front of the new Holiday Inn? The new stoplights and extra lanes are great, but I find it very hard to follow a lane through that intersection, because the lines are very faint. This is going to cause accidents if something is not done.
Grade compression
IN REGARD to Professor Michael Devaney's column on grade inflation, the toothpaste is out of the tube at Southeast Missouri State University. Between 15 and 20 percent of all SEMO students are on the dean's list. SEMO is essentially an open-admission university with grade compression similar to that of highly selective schools like Washington University or Vanderbilt.
Ask the students
AS A parent of Central Middle School student in Cape Girardeau, I want to commend the teachers and administration for creating a positive learning environment. The middle school has had several teacher cuts in the last couple of years and is in need of new supplies and equipment, but these were not choices made by the employees of the middle school. If you want to truly know how things are at the school, ask the students. There are so many people who are so quick to criticize, but my daughter loves the school. Don't always believe what you hear. Believe what you see. I see children learning and loving it at CMS.
Cafeteria pay
THE CAPE Girardeau School District is not known for good pay or benefits, and I agree with the statements that the substitute teachers are not paid enough. There also were comments on the fact that cafeteria workers are paid more than substitute teachers. Those comments are based on a lack of the facts. No cafeteria worker I know averages 40 hours per week. My wife has been a cafeteria worker for several years in the elementary system. She averages 30 hours per week in a job that is underpaid and unappreciated. Her monthly take-home pay averages $580 per month. We are lucky that we don't have just the one income. There are school workers who have that as their only income, and it is hard to see how they survive. School employees with the most education need the highest pay, but all school employees deserve better pay than they are receiving. They also need appreciation for their dedication from the citizens of Cape Girardeau.
Adult rights
SHELTERING YOUR child from watching "Desperate Housewives" is your parental right. However, a wife or husband who forbids a spouse to watch a certain television program has serious control issues and needs to find a hobby. How about getting a job as a book burner or head warden of the big plastic bubble that so many people are trying to make the rest of us live in. Adults should have the right to choose.
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