Speak Out 10/25/04

Not made in U.S.

IT'S A sad day when one realizes that no American pharmaceutical company manufactures the flu vaccine. It shouldn't come as a surprise to any of us. After all, if just one person had a bad reaction to the vaccine, the trial lawyers in this country would come swooping down on the manufacturer like vultures.

View of the river

THE OLD ramp at the river should be removed and the archway with the emblem left there. The view of the new bridge would look much better from any angle. As far as the people who say it is not safe down here, they're wrong. I can see the river from my house and I am as safe as anyone else. We have a good police force that patrols our area just like the rest of the city.

Teens in nightclubs

RECENT COMMENTS have been made that if parents would do their job at home the teenagers of today would not get involved in smoking, drinking and drugs. There never have been any of the above in our house. But as long as 18-year-olds are allowed to enter nightclubs, there will be problems. Most teenagers cannot handle the temptation and peer pressure. Minors can get drinks easily once inside. Maybe someone can come up with a gathering spot for teenagers that does not promote alcoholic consumption.

To honor veterans

I WOULD like to point out that Freedom Corner is a memorial for veterans, not a gathering place to solicit votes or a forum to show support or opposition for the war. The veteran community considers this area hallowed ground. Its sole purpose is to honor and pay tribute to our fallen comrades. In the future, I suggest we show the proper respect to the heroes enshrined here and conduct any further political activities at an alternate site.

Teacher workshops

MY KIDS go to Jackson High School and Jackson Junior High School. One of my son's teachers has been gone almost as much as he's been there the last couple weeks. I called the school and was told he was at a lot of workshops. Why aren't those spread around between the teachers so that some classes are not being hurt by their teacher being out all the time? Teachers need to be in the classroom. That's what they're getting paid for. Let them go to those workshops in the summer.

Building in McClure

McCLURE, ILL., residents may think if they incorporate they will get out of the FEMA regulations for building or replacing structures. Ask East Cape Girardeau. The flood-plain maps are set and will not change, not in this lifetime. McClure will still have to replace or build according to FEMA regulations.

No toll roads

I'M CALLING in to say that I am opposed to widening I-70 from St. Louis to Kansas City and making I-70 a toll road. This is a theme that's going across the United States, converting some of our highways into toll roads and turning them over to private corporations. I am against this and will not support any politician who supports the widening of I-70 and turning it into a toll road.

Birth choices

PLEASE REMEMBER when voting pro-life that people already have choice. With all the birth control available today, there is no reason to have so many unwanted babies . And there is no reason for partial-birth abortion. There are many couples wanting to adopt a baby and can't find one. People need to be responsible for their own actions.

Offensive to some

SEMO IS having a ceremony retiring the Indian as their mascot. Use of the Indian as a mascot supposedly degraded the people of Indian descent and was offensive to these people. The article stated they were to have Indian music at the ceremony. Indian music? Why not just music? Isn't the term "Indian music" saying this music is different? People of Indian descent should be offended by this.