Speak Out 10/10/08

Weathering the storm

REGARDING THE economic downturn: We have children and grandchildren we are concerned about. Not all of us are so selfish that we see no farther then our own nose. We've seen and experienced much, so we aren't always shaken by every breeze that blows, every storm that comes or every person who cries wolf.

Respectful discussion

I SAW a disturbing bumper sticker that said "Republican Family Values: Fear, Greed, Discrimination." This sort of thinking is exactly what is ruining this country. Everything has turned into a schoolyard name-calling match. Republicans are gun-toting religious nuts, and Democrats are immoral hedonists. It's time to get past this. There are good ideas on both sides, and there are crazy extremists on both sides. It's time that both sides get together and have respectful discussion on how to fix the problems that face our country.

Sharing photos

I APPRECIATE the Your Photos section of the newspaper. It is a nice idea and refreshing counterbalance to all the not-so-nice news we are bombarded with each day. The readers' photos show us a side of Southeast Missouri reality and beauty that often is overlooked. For many of us, the natural beauty of this part of the world is a major reason we remain here. And the Mingo Swamp Photo Contest is a great idea too. I saw the Mingo exhibit at the Conservation Campus Nature Center in Cape Girardeau. Thank you to whoever came up with the idea. What a great way to promote good and give children and adults alike another good thing to do. Autumn is upon us. Get your camera and enjoy Southeast Missouri.

Springfield's help

I READ Peg McNichol's blog about Rick Springfield's visit to Cape Girardeau. He is a wonderful person. We should be proud he is helping Southeast Missouri.

Call the police

REGARDING NEIGHBORS who party all night and mow at night: There are laws. Some people think they can do what they want whenever they want. Wrong. Their rights end where yours begin. You have to draw the line. Call the police. It won't be high on their priority list, and it may take them awhile to get there, but they do just fine once they are there. I have called them for people letting their dogs mess on the lawn, noise, illegal parking and blocking my roadside mailbox. I was pleased that the police responded every time and took care of the problem so I can live in peace and quiet. Thank you, Cape Girardeau Police Department.

Caving in

WHAT HAVE we done with this bailout bill orchestrated by conniving Democrats and supported by intimidated Republicans? Something that the proper learning from history and adherence to its lessons would have avoided. Instead, our Congress caved in under socialism's pressure.

Jackson's action

"GENTLEMEN, I have had men watching you for a long time and I am convinced that you have used the funds of the bank to speculate in the breadstuffs of the country. When you won, you divided the profits amongst you, and when you lost, you charged it to the bank. You tell me that if I take the deposits from the bank and annul its charter, I shall ruin ten thousand families. That may be true, gentlemen, but that is your sin! Should I let you go on, you will ruin fifty thousand families, and that would be my sin! You are a den of vipers and thieves." -- Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), seventh U.S. president, in 1836. President Jackson forced the closing of the Second Bank of the U.S. by revoking its charter. God bless our present-day statesmen who voted against the trillion-dollar bailout bill.