Speak Out 10/21/01

Smarter means richer

I'D LIKE to follow up on the modest proposal I made which the Missourian so cleverly titled "Going to extremes." I have been remiss. I failed to mention the illustrious Jim Drury. Were it not for him, SEMO might be sucking our hard-earned tax dollars away. He is obviously the smartest man alive. I know he has to be smart because he's rich. As we all know, rich people are smarter than the rest of us. You don't get to be rich if you aren't smarter than everyone else. Perhaps one day I'll be as smart as Drury, and then I'll get to be rich too. I guess that means that everyone at the Southeast Missourian is rich too, because they came up with a clever title for my last comment.

Don't cut parking

I WANT to comment on the article about the parking on New Madrid Street. I think it is absolutely ridiculous the city would even consider taking this parking away from Southeast students who pay too much money as it is to attend the university. You pay close to $100 for a parking pass, but spots are still hard to find. Then the city wants to take the closest and most accommodating street parking away from the students. Older people in town like to complain about the small things in life but don't realize this town wouldn't be near what it is if it weren't for the college students. Find something else to worry about.

Donated salary

THIS IS to the person criticizing Matt Blunt for not donating his civilian pay instead of his military pay. I have a feeling that person wouldn't be happy if Blunt decided to donate both his civilian and military pay. Then he would probably not be happy with the Internet provider Blunt chooses to keep in touch with Missouri while he is gone. Then the way Blunt signs his name wouldn't be right either. I hate to sound so oblivious to the caller's pain, but I don't care! Blunt did not have to donate either one of his salaries. He is not doing anything that is against the Missouri Constitution. I feel proud that America has somebody of such high caliber serving in our reserves.

Extra greeting cards

I HAVE a question I was hoping somebody could answer for me. I receive numerous Christmas cards in the mail from not-for-profit organizations that send 10 to 20 blank cards and then just ask for a donation. I hate to just throw the cards away. Do any schools or organizations have any need for these cards?

Jackson's pride

IN RESPONSE to the caller who states Jackson places more emphasis on football than academics, answer this question: Why do you think Cape Girardeau's enrollment has dropped steadily over the past few years and Jackson's has increased? Parents enroll their children in Jackson because the district provides the best teachers who teach challenging curriculums. Along with excellent athletic programs, Jackson also provides great academic extracurricular activities. Still skeptical? Ask any graduate, teacher, student or parent of Jackson. We are proud of our school and all that it offers for our community.

Closing up shop

IN LIGHT of the climate of panic and hysteria permeating parts of America, a situation not helped by the U.S. House's hurried decision to close shop, perhaps we should take more seriously Donn Miller's recently expressed point of view that patriotism has little to do with what we display on the outside and everything to do with whether or not our insides are made of the right stuff.

Skeptical about offer

ABOUT THOSE guys with the "Will work for food" signs: I certainly sympathize with a person being out of work, so I offered one of those "bums" a job raking my leaves. I even offered to buy him a meal. Strangely enough it didn't seem to make him very happy. I'm becoming somewhat skeptical of the offer to trade work for food.

Denounce Falwell

I WOULD be telling an untruth if I said I wasn't devastated because David Limbaugh chose this time to defend Jerry Falwell. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, Falwell made statements implying Americans were in some way responsible for the heinous happenings on Sept. 11. Realizing his comments were wildly unpopular with the American people, the self-righteous Falwell retracted his rhetorical broadside. I will not dishonor Speak Out by repeating what Fallwell said, but I do call upon Limbaugh to do an about-face and denounce the dastardly Falwell, a fanatic with a friendly face.

Cover the NBA

PERHAPS SURPRISING to a Speak Out caller, I and a lot of others do give a hang about professional basketball. I hang on every play, offensive and defensive, and can, even though middle-aged, hang on the rim. Thus, I appreciate the Southeast Missourian's extensive coverage of the NBA. It has inspired me to consider what, if I made it, could only be described as a beyond-Michael-Jordan comeback.

New police motto

TO THE person who says "Just pay the fine": Perhaps you need to look at what our police do. They have nothing better to do than harass people. I feel sorry for you if you believe the police are protecting us when they run radar and monitor stoplights. They're only protecting the city's pocketbook. It's no longer "Serve and Protect." It's "Ticket and Collect."

Look at test scores

WHERE HAS the caller been who indicated that Cape Girardeau schools have a distinct advantage on Jackson's school district? Not too long ago in the Southeast Missourian, average test scores of area school districts were posted, and Jackson had better average scores in almost every category than Cape. So not only have they built a better athletic program which, contrary to the brainiacs, is the flagship by which a community measures the schools, but Jackson also is doing an excellent job of educating the children. This from the mouth of a Central High School graduate and supporter who stills bleeds orange and black.

Republican newspaper

I WOULD like to finally thank the Southeast Missourian for being just a Republican newspaper.