Speak Out 10/20/05

Progressive agenda

GARY RUST, a member of the Missouri Government Review Commission, is right on target with the creation of interdepartmental coordinating councils to provide efficiency and effective delivery of vital services to Missourians. This follows through with President Bush's accountability, particularly in his education program. More success will be forthcoming with the progressive agenda of the review commission. Keep up the excellent recommendations, Gary Rust, and we'll all count our blessings that you were a member of this wonderful commission for our farsighted governor, Matt Blunt. Gov. Blunt will use your recommendations for more efficiently planned government and relieve a lot of bureaucratic red tape and require accountability. That's a good government agenda and thank you.

Investing in a water park

IF A water park would be such a good investment for the city of Cape, don't you think some individuals, entrepreneurs like Drurys or somebody else, would have already built one? It must not be that much of a moneymaker if nobody has built one in Cape yet. All of these people calling into Speak Out who want a water park should get together, mortgage their homes and build one. That way if it's the moneymaker they think it is they'll become rich.

How about it MoDOT?

I'M JUST leaving Scott City here, northbound on I-55 and I'm looking here at Johnson grass that's 5 feet tall again at the intersection. You can hardly see the northbound traffic coming up on 55 where you're getting on here at the on-ramp. MoDOT's let the Johnson grass get extremely high. The intersection gutters are full of trash. How about it MoDOT? How about getting a street cleaner out here and clean these gutters out and mow these weeds before someone gets hurt?

Clinton did it

I'M SURPRISED that with the Bush administration being in such upheaval right now that David Limbaugh hasn't figured out a way to blame all this on President Clinton.

A woman's right

THE WOMAN in jail who wants an abortion is justified to have one. I would rather pay for her abortion now than pay and keep up her unwanted child later in jail or a junkie or murderer when he or she grows up. The politicians want to take the rights away from women who have fought and died for the right to choose what we can and cannot do with our bodies. Please don't let the Catholics, politicians or do-gooders take away from us and force women to have babies they do not want.

A plan for burning

I agree with the mother who is trying to ban burning leaves. My husband has asthma as well, and when the air is full of smoke we all suffer sinus infections in our family. The mayor and the city council need to get a backbone and do something about it. The council should allow only one day a week for burning if people have to do this, perhaps each Saturday until the end of November. Then people would know what day to expect it and take the necessary precautions for their health.

Seeking attention

Children sometimes struggle finding their place in the world. Many tie their self worth to the attention they get from the people around them. Some get attention from academic or athletic achievement which requires hard work and effort. Others choose to gain attention from activities or lifestyles that require no studying or effort. These children, if they have parents who allow it, might choose to wear black clothes with safety pins, purposely cut themselves or starve themselves because these are easy ways to get attention. By putting the young lady who cuts herself in the paper you gave her and her friends just what they were looking for. How about rewarding the students who take the high road and work hard and study with stories in the paper and leave the others for Oprah or Jerry Springer?

Growing dismay

As a Jackson resident of over 25 years, I've watched with growing dismay the direction our schools have taken under the current administration. For example, we were told that there are two problems: we need a new high school and the district is broke. All unnecessary spending seemed to have stopped, but now that the administration got the votes for the new high school frivolous spending in other areas is back again. I guess the money has suddenly appeared? Where was it last year when we were told there wasn't even money for necessities and we as taxpayers could trust that the district was tightening their belt?

Major media fell down

Judith Miller and the New York Times can smirk and grin all the way to and from the grand jury but it doesn't change the fact that they fell down on the job. Where were the editors who should have been asking the question, Why? Why are we revealing Valerie Plame's name? Is it in the national interest to do so? Is there any reason for us to do so? The major media can demand shield laws all they want, but if they don't use their power wisely, what's the point?

Fair question

Has the SEMO Fair Board arranged the entertainment schedule for next year already? The fair ended over a month ago and the amusement company still has pieces of equipment at Arena Park. I guess either they left it for us or they're getting ready for next year. Which is it?

TSO fan

Just sitting here listening to the new Trans Siberian Orchestra CD and I can't wait until next month for the concert. Thanks to the Southeast Missourian and the Show Me Center for bringing back this awesome concert. If you missed it last year, I highly recommend you go this year. It's a show that shouldn't be missed. Thanks again.

Marching feats

Hats off to the Cape Central Marching Tigers. You have done a great job this year and you all should be very proud of your accomplishments. Thanks to the Southeast Missourian for finally recognizing the band's achievements this year and publishing a few stories on them. They have worked very hard as have the directors and parents. Good luck in St. Louis later this month. Keep playing well and you should do just fine.

Trash in the street

I live on the 1900 block of Good Hope, and I wish the police would patrol it better. There's not a day that goes by that I don't have to go outside and pick up trash in the street. I don't understand the adults or children who throw trash in the street. I have also seen a lady who walks around and discreetly picks up the trash that people throw on the ground. I think this lady should be given a good citizen award. As for the people throwing trash on the ground instead of in a waste basket, I hope they are caught, fined and arrested.

Sham of a trial

THIS SADDAM Hussein trial does not sit right with me. I think it's a sham of a trial. I think it's kind of sad we're not doing it in our own country instead of pretending like justice is going to be done in Iraq. Of course, that would mean danger to our country, probably terrorist attacks.

Band should march

Why doesn't the Jackson Band go to any Marching competitions? I think a trophy or two would justify a tax increase and the reason why there are four directors.