Speak Out 1/31/05

Bring back simulators

WHATEVER HAPPENED to the driver's education simulators? Pilots use them. Astronauts use them. Why not use these simulators to help teach our kids to drive defensively? I am a better driver today because I had a simulator when I took driver's ed. Why don't Cape Girardeau schools have the simulators like Jackson schools?

Wonderful lifesaver

IT JUST shows we're in a mean-spirited generation. Someone said Social Security should have been scrapped years ago. Had that person called in 30 or 40 years ago, the response would have been tremendous. Apparently most of the supporters of Social Security must be all dying off. We've become a carefree, every-man-for-himself country. That's sad. It's going to take another 1929 crash to get people straightened out, to get us all together again and to really never want to return to the days when we didn't have Social Security. I am 70 years old. My father used to say Social Security was a wonderful life saver for the people who needed help in their old age.

Hidden assets

WHAT ARE weeds good for? Flowers are beautiful, but weeds are displeasing. Perhaps some very useful medicines could be derived from substances found in weeds. The Native Americans said plants help us. Some should be avoided, but many weeds and even mosses aid us during illness. Mosquitoes are pesky bugs, but their larva feed small fish which feed larger fish which we eat. Fish may be the best product we can consume. It contains little fat and is very good for the brain.

Regular teachers

IF A teacher has been gone from the classroom a lot due to illness or family emergency, I feel that teacher should not be required to attend meetings. This is requiring too many days where our children have a substitute teacher. Our children need their regular classroom teachers.

Telling the truth

I'M READING several criticisms of Walter E. Williams. These people need to get their head out of the sand. Williams is a logical, level-headed person. He tells the truth. People don't like to hear the truth if it affects them.

Hurry-up lunch

I WAS reading the article about the Scott County Courthouse office hours. I don't understand the reasoning. You can't get a hamburger and eat it and be back in 30 minutes or go over to the restaurant and order a plate lunch. Are they going to have food delivered right to the courthouse? That's awful. They can't even eat a meal without having to rush. That's just not right.

Time to leave

WHO IS naive enough to believe that an election held in a militarily occupied country is valid? If we were the occupied nation having an election, how would we feel? What will an election in Iraq prove? That we can force democracy on them? "Forcing democracy" is an oxymoron. Enough Americans have died in Iraq. It is time for the United States to depart and let the Iraqis learn democracy the same way we did.

Better use for money

WE ALL know our kids in Scott City have played baseball and softball year after year with old, torn up equipment. We've been told there aren't enough funds to purchase new equipment for our kids. So a lot of parents have purchased equipment. Until now, I've not had a problem with that. But now our youth league is going to purchase a laptop computer. Why does a not-for-profit organization that only does business a few months out of the year need a laptop computer? Doesn't it make sense that the youth league use the money to purchase some new ball equipment or use it to make improvements to the ball park?

Who's at fault?

I READ that the lawsuit against McDonald's is being reinstated that claims fast food makes adults overweight or obese. Some parents are complaining because their kids are fat. Did McDonald's force anyone to eat a Big Mac? If it's anybody's fault that you or your children are overweight, it's yours. Look at what you're eating, and look at what you're making your kids eat. Stop blaming everybody else. Look in the mirror and point your finger.

Motivation shot down

AS A teacher, I used to give what were called "early leave questions" to students who were the first to raise their hand and answer correctly a subject-related question. Winning students were allowed to leave class a minute or two early. Talk about a motivation. Needless to say, this ingenious technique was looked upon with disfavor and was, due to administrative fiat, terminated -- almost along with me.

Force, not ballots

AN OBVIOUS liberal writes Speak Out accusing the Southeast Missourian of, among other things, ignoring history. He then tries to de-legitimize the recent election by stating that the German voters once elected Adolph Hitler. Hitler never won an election. In the only campaign he ever ran, he got 30 percent of the vote to Paul Von Hindenberg's 49 percent. German law called for a runoff between the top three candidates, because no-one got a majority. In that race Hitler got 38 percent of the vote to Hindenberg's 53 percent. Hitler came into power by merging with Hindenberg's party to gain enough votes to dissolve the Reichstag. After that, Hitler had Hindenberg killed and took power by force.

Down to lowest level

AS ANOTHER 35-year teaching veteran, I applaud Evelyn Sewing's commentary, "The naked emperor." I believe each student should have every chance to achieve the best education his or her abilities will allow. Tests are needed to assure accountability, but uniform expectations do nothing but lower standards to the lowest level, even for those who are capable of much more.

Tunnel under river

FORGET HOLLYWOOD. We could bring in more tourists if we built a glass tunnel under the Mississippi River.

Separate and racist

THE LONGER we have black groups, the longer racism will exist. Why is it OK to have the Black Panthers, but white groups are considered racist?

Small-mind hobgoblin

THE LIBERTARIAN Party in general and Walter Williams specifically are consistent in their political views and reinforce the maxim that consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds.