Speak Out 10/28/05

Harsh winter?

WOW! I don't know where the brown woolly-worm person lives, but in my part of the woods (west part of Cape Girardeau County), I have been seeing all-black woolly worms, which means a harsh winter. So let's just see who is right and if this folklore weather prediction is true or false.

Not warmer yet

ANOTHER REASON not to be worried about using fuel-related heating appliances is the mild winter we will have due to global warming. Oh, wait, I forgot. People only talk about global warming in July and August. When we see a majority of our days breaking heat records, I will start thinking about global warming. Until then I see no trend telling me our world is getting any warmer.

Outdoor fires

MANY PEOPLE are needlessly worried about a ban on burning. The ban would be for leaves, which create a tremendous amount of smoke and odor. An outdoor fireplace, bonfire or meat smoker does not create that much smoke. I hope the city doesn't make people quit outdoor fireplace burning and all the fun families have around the campfire. That would be a shame. Outdoor fireplaces are a wonderful winter activity for families.

Disability assistance

A LOT of us know people on disability who could be working. I have a relative in another state on disability. Assistance certainly should be go to the disabled. People should be allowed to work while on disability, because minimum wage is nothing. People should be encouraged to have a work ethic. Good for Gov. Matt Blunt for trying to weed out those who don't need to be on disability as opposed to those who actually need to be on it.

Presidential respect

I DON'T think anyone should ever refer to our president as a clown. He's willing to give eight years of his life to this country. It only makes a person look bad for what party they claim to represent if they toss out a name like this. Our president should be esteemed and honored and not treated with such careless words.

Bigger worries

WE POLLUTE our air with factory and car exhaust causing extensive breathing problems. We foul our water so it's not fit to drink without being treated, and it kills the fish living in it. And we rape the earth and kill to extinction God's creatures who depend on it. And then we complain about a little leaf and trash burning and a few birds doing their thing on our world. As a wise writer once said, "What fools these mortals be."

Children suffer

A PROFESSIONAL and intelligent reporter should not be offended by Speak Out comments. What I'm offended at is when abused children's parents' names are advertised in the newspaper. The children are the ones who suffer. They are judged by the schoolteachers and principal. The classmates make fun of them. I should know, I have witnessed this.

Making a choice

PEOPLE ALONG the coast are told to leave because danger's coming. I don't see where FEMA and the taxpayers owe them any help when they elect to assume the responsibility of staying. They should shoulder their responsibility instead of hollering for somebody to come help them when they refuse to do anything for themselves.

Dealing with leaves

I AGREE that leaf burning should not be allowed. A law should be passed that trees should be kept trimmed so there not be as many leaves to take care of. Most of the people in our neighborhood are too lazy to put the leaves at the curb during pickup days. They let the leaves blow all over everybody else's yards. Come on, Cape Girar-deau. Let's ban burning in our yards. And get off your butts and put them at the curb on pickup day.

Satan in disguise

I'M NOT quite the theologian who could argue whether or not God exists nor why we worship him. But I do believe this: If Satan exists, all he would need to do is proclaim himself a born-again Christian, get up on a podium, bash gays and abortionists and he would surely be elected our next president.

Try mulching leaves

HERE'S A tip for people who burn leaves or expect the city to pick them up: Use a mulching mower with a grass catcher attached. When the grass catcher is full, empty it into flower beds and vegetable gardens or start a compost pile.

Dealing with meth

I LIVE between Cape Girar-deau and Gordonville and work in the county. Over the last eight months, I have found three containers that have been identified with traces of methamphetamine. I contacted the sheriff's department each time. The last time I called, the sheriff's department sent a gentleman from the drug task force, a really nice fellow. He was explaining to me the problem we have out here on these country roads with methamphetamine and drugs and that type of thing. He also explained to me that the task force is short-handed. There aren't many guys who can cover all this stuff. In fact, he told me, if you find something like that, just leave it and then call the authorities.

Wasted spraying

I'M CALLING to complain about government waste in Cape Girardeau. I just watched the weather forecast. It's supposed to freeze tonight . Right after that, the mosquito truck went by spraying. There's no reason the city needs to spray for mosquitoes when it's freezing at night. It's a waste of resources, energy, time and money. Everybody should be sad about that.

Awareness needed

TRY TELLING a teen that if you don't want to have a baby, don't have sex. The best thing we can do for our youths is make them aware of birth control. Where is the guy in this? There are two people involved.

Conviction fallout

COULD SOMEONE tell us why there have been almost daily articles regarding Greg Sparkman? Anytime a person is sentenced to a long prison term, friends and family mourn. Sparkman is no better than any other person who has been convicted. What does Scott Smith's being a convicted meth cook have to do with anything? The Bible says sin is sin. God knows if Greg Sparkman is guilty or not, and God is in control of all situations. The Bible also says, "Judge not lest ye be judged."