Speak Out 1/27/04

Childlike behavior

AS A resident of Bollinger County and a long-time supporter of state Rep. Rod Jetton, I'm greatly disturbed by his outburst during the State of the State address. I feel that was not only childlike, but embarrassing to Bollinger County and Marble Hill.

Right to speak up

I HAD the opportunity to listen to the governor's State of the State address. I applaud state Rep. Rod Jetton and his response to the governor's assault upon the Republican Party. Gov. Bob Holden was rude, in my estimation, and while Jetton should not have spoken out during the speech, I suppose it was all right for some of the Democratic legislators to say "That's right" every time the governor made a statement. I think Jetton represents the constituents of his community. He should be applauded for the example he set for the people of his community.

Speaking the truth

WAY TO go, state Rep. Rod Jetton. I am thankful someone spoke up during the governor's nauseating speech loaded with untruths. The truth will prevail.

Prefer the lions

ALL THIS talk about mountain lions tickles me. They have been here for years, people. I saw one during deer season last year and reported it to the conservation agent. I had no desire to shoot it, and it had no desire to eat me. What you should be worrying about are pit bulls and other vicious dogs. I would much rather come face to face with a mountain lion than a pit bull. At least the lion has the instinct to run.

Unrealistic soliciting

I JUST received an unsolicited, tape-recorded phone message from U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson complaining about the bad-mouthing by Democrats of our president and asking for money to help him defend himself. Is Emerson aware that the president has a bankroll that would be the envy of most kings? Is she aware that most people in her district make no more than $5 to $10 an hour? Has she forgotten the cost of prescription drugs and medical care, particularly for those whose meager employment does not provide medical insurance? Please, get real and leave us alone.

Fed up with decisions

I AM so glad to see Cape Girardeau taxpaying residents speaking out on the decisions that the Cape Girardeau City Council members are making for us. They want more taxes. They are trying to take Fourth of July away from us by telling us what fireworks we can have. They hired a judge from out of town that took a job away from a taxpaying Cape Girardeau resident. Now they are telling us how many pets we can have in our own homes, and they tell you what business you can have and how to run it. Why are we putting up with this?

Tough on corruption

I WOULD like to commend Attorney John General Ashcroft for his recommendations that corruption be vigorously opposed. If this takes new laws by our federal politicians, they should do it. Of course, it's going to be hard to get them to do this, because they are the beneficiaries of much of this corruption. Corporate executives who get these ridiculously high loans forgiven and also bonuses should have to pay them back.

Keep Guard at home

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with the comment in about keeping the Guard at home. They are the National Guard, not the International Guard. Has anyone notified our federal legislators of their feelings? It's great to put it in Speak Out, but sometimes you need to get that message to the people who can actually make the decisions. Let's get a petition going on this thing.

Blaming everyone else

I HAVE had it with everybody blaming others for what they do. Republicans blame Democrats, and Democrats blame Republicans. Criminals blame everything and everyone else for being trash. It makes me sick to hear this. It's time that people take responsibility for their own actions. I had to get that off my chest.

Painting of Christ

I AM a Mormon who recently went to a Christian bookstore and asked if the store had any paintings of Christ by a specific Mormon artist. I was told that the store does not carry those types of Mormon items because it would be too controversial. Paintings of Christ in a Christian bookstore are too controversial? I think not.

Always a toll

OUR STATE does not need toll roads. Toll roads are developed to raise funds to pay for highways. Then the toll roads, once paid for, are supposed to revert back to free highways. Oklahoma has had its toll roads paid for years, but there are still tolls and toll booths. Missouri would do the same thing.

Bigger worries

TO THE caller who is complaining about the two teachers who took their students to see "Bad Santa": A teacher cannot take a field trip without getting it approved by the administrators and by the kids' parents. Let the kids enjoy high school. I think we have bigger things to worry about than a silly movie.

Don't limit pets

MAYBE PEOPLE who are over the limit on pets should shoot their extras and dump them on the lawn of city hall. How dare someone tell me how many pets I can have.

Coyotes here first

COYOTES HAVE been here a lot longer than people have. I think they have just as much right to be here as people do.

Guns and arguments

I'M ALMOST 50, and never have I needed a handgun to protect what I have. The courts rule most of the time that unreasonable force over material goods is unwarranted. Human life is much more valuable. I fear for people who might carry concealed weapons and want to make an issue out of a small thing and shoot somebody over it. It just doesn't seem worth it.

Turning our backs

LOCAL COMMUNITIES do not have the services some children need. That's why they're sent to Cottonwood. It's a shame that our families in the Bootheel will have to drive extra hours to see their children. Parents should call the governor and their legislators and support Cottonwood. These are some of Missouri's most needy children, and we're turning our backs on them.

Costly alternatives

COTTONWOOD TREATMENT Center serves children of Missouri at no cost to the parents. The nonprofit group Citizens for Missouri's Children of St. Louis estimates 500 children are in the custody of DFS because their parents cannot afford mental health services and they've had to surrender their children to DFS to get them placed. Placements at Boys and Girls Town, which is one of the places the Department of Mental Health says it's going to send the kids if Cottonwood closes, costs over $5,000 a month. Most parents in this area can't afford that. Medicaid won't cover those children. Southeast Missouri needs Cottonwood.

Mountain lion threat

COYOTES PRESENT only a small problem to small pets. However, mountain lions are a very definite threat to humans. Perhaps mountain lions are not a problem in Cape Girardeau, but residents in the Gordonville and Tilsit areas certainly think differently. We have coyotes as well. Let's keep the coyotes and get rid of the mountain lions for our safety.

Thanks for the ring

TO THE nice person who found and turned in my ring to the bowling alley, I want to say thank you. How it got there is still a mystery to me. All I know is that over a year ago it was missing. I wish I knew who you were so I could thank you in person. The best I can do is say God bless you for your kindness. Thank you again.

Leadership example

CITY MANAGER Doug Leslie showed leadership by example when the Cape Girardeau City Council offered him a raise. He declined because the tight budget meant his people would get no raise. That's a real leader. But it is pure leadership by avarice when Mark Bowles and Rob Huff raise all administrator costs 16.5 percent in 2002 and another 5 percent in 2003. Now that they have theirs, these two freeze all teachers' salaries and start recommending staff reductions. That increases all teacher workloads. You don't see those two giving up their administrative assistants. After this slap in the face, how they can ever deserve any respect from the teachers again?