Speak Out 10/12/08

Biofuel in crisis

BIOFUEL PLANTS are in a crisis just like every other new business. If a plant is not old enough to have paid the debt, it will not be able to make money with prices going up and down like a roller coaster. The good news is that interest rates and crop prices are way down. The bad news is that producers will not be able to grow crops in 2009 at today's prices.

Reality check

REGARDING BICYCLISTS running red lights: Each day I observe auto drivers running stop signs, accelerating through yellow signal lights, exceeding the posted speed limits by 10 to 15 miles per hour, ignoring the use of turn signals and driving with no license, registration or insurance. All this while operating a smoke-belching, loud, two-ton monstrosity that can kill or maim in an instant. And you complain about cyclists? It's time for a reality check, folks.

The Bush legacy

R.I.P., THE self-made man, 1776- \2001. Gone are the days when a man could go from nothing to building a lasting legacy. Where are the future Henry Fords and Thomas Edisons? They being forced to flip burgers for a living. Thank you, Mr. Bush. This is your legacy.

All-inclusive

COLUMNIST MICHAEL Jensen recently elaborated on his belief that if John McCain is to stand any chance of winning the presidency, he should start calling out the names of those responsible for this unprecedented financial meltdown. I would go further and say that in addition to being called out, these politicians and robber barons be made to do the perp walk. However, I'm not sure it's going to help in the way Jensen wants it to, unless he would go so far as to advocate skipping over the names of George W. Bush and his preferred presidential candidate, John McCain.

Private teachers

WHEN A private entity is hired to teach public school students, the perception is that the school district is throwing up its hands in surrender to outside sources. It is a sad day in Cape Girardeau that I read this news. Could vouchers be right around the corner?