Speak Out 1/3/14

‘Duck Dynasty' fans

Well, as I live and breathe, never in a million years did I think David Limbaugh and President Obama would agree on anything, much less profess it publicly. However, it has happened and this may be a harbinger of good things to come, an end to perpetual confrontation and polarization in politics. Anyway, both Mr. Limbaugh and President Obama have publicly proclaimed that they are fans of "Duck Dynasty."

Positive comment

Happy New Year to everyone who reads and contributes to Speak Out. This year I wish you patience and generosity, health, good spirit and kindness. Wouldn't it be great if all of us looked more often for the good in the world than simply attacking or complaining about others? Maybe that's an attack in itself? I'm sorry. I challenge you to find something good about someone and to call Speak Out about it. I will start. Thank you to everyone who volunteers to make our city better. Thank you to our city council members. Thank you to our school board members. Thank you to the volunteers at our city sports leagues. Thank you for taking your own time to try and do what's best for those who live here. Happy New Year! I appreciate what you do. And this year, I will try to offer a positive comment to Speak Out five times for every criticism I make. Thanks.

Boeller, athletes

Your editorial tribute to teacher Kirk Boeller and his students' Athletes Give Back Project was tremendous. Coach Boeller deserves unqualified praise for helping his athletes and students recognize what is really important in life and in making sure more than lip service is paid to life's truly top priorities.

Quicksand

As I think back on 2013, one of the things I'm most thankful for is I did not fall into quicksand. When I was a kid, watching TV and movies, I really thought that quicksand was everywhere. So far in life, though, I've been able to avoid it. Here's hoping for another quicksand-free year in 2014! I send you the same good wish.

Yum, lasagna

Do you like lasagna? I ask because I just realized that lasagna is basically just spaghetti-flavored cake. Delicious!

Resolutions

My New Year's resolutions: Watch less TV, read more books, walk 10 miles a week, submit more positive Speak Out comments. I love life. Thanks Missourian for giving me an outlet for political commentary.

Great hire

Southeast athletic director Mark Alnutt is really impressive. I think he made a great hire as football coach. Good luck, coach.

Christmas tourney

I love the Southeast Missourian Christmas tournament. But I wish Sikeston were invited to play over some of the smaller schools. That would be awesome.

Crime concern

Have you noticed how much crime takes place in Cape Girardeau involving people who aren't from Cape Girardeau? This murder-suicide of a man from St. Louis and the 6-year-old boy from Jefferson City is a tragedy. Why did they come to Cape? This wasn't explained in the news story. I'm worried about our town. There are shootings every week now. I wish our new police chief well, but there is a sickness in our town that is getting worse, and it needs to be addressed.

Obamacare disaster

It is amazing how often the Southeast Missourian editorial page is critical of our president. What is more amazing, especially as a Democrat, is how I've started to agree with them. Obamacare is an unmitigated disaster.

County park lights

Thank you to everyone who put up Christmas displays at the county park. I took my family to see it on Christmas and it was a delight. We tried to read the names of every sponsor so we would know who was involved. Thanks again.