OpinionOctober 6, 2007
Speak Out 10/6/07
Parents are teachers; Not easy to serve; Rumble strips; Blackwater solution; Still counting; No time left; Dying isn't funny; Thanks for help; Politicians' lies; Real terrorists; Initial test only; Speeding patrolman; Personal use; Deadly illegals; Stoplight timing; Teachers absent
Parents are teachers
I READ the article about the need for quality day care, and I disagree with some of the thinking. If a child cannot name colors or count before he reaches kindergarten, it is the parents' fault. If you don't take the time to teach your child these simple things, you don't need to have children. What level of importance are parents placing on education?
Not easy to serve
IN RESPONSE to the story "Vacancies common on Missouri state boards": There are a large number of individuals who submit applications for positions on state boards and commissions only to be terminally delayed or ignored by the Governor's Boards and Commissions office. This has been true regardless of administration or political party. Plus the state makes it as tough as possible to participate. Take a look at the nine-page application form on the Governor's Boards and Commissions Web site. And persons in these positions must file financial disclosure forms each year or be fined.
Rumble strips
I WOULD like to know why the rumble strips along Interstate 55 south of mile marker 100 and along Route K are on the white fog line and, in some instances, as much as six to eight inches on the inside of the driving lane. If you are unfortunate to live close by these roads, you can certainly hear the roar from 18-wheelers all day and night. It is also dangerous for a motorcycle in the inside driving lane, especially on Route K. I have never in all my travels all over the country seen rumble strips, which are a great safety feature, so incorrectly installed. Where was the Missouri Department of Transportation when these strips were put down? Someone was asleep at the wheel.
Blackwater solution
I KNOW how we can bring the troops home from Iraq. All we need to do is bring them home and turn Blackwater loose. That way we would not lose any American GIs. Blackwater is just as bad as Saddam Hussein. They are mercenary killers.
Still counting
IF WE want to educate our students concerning our Constitution, we should first stop using inaccurate rhetoric concerning the 2000 presidential election. It was my understanding that the votes in Florida were counted many times, including by private entities, and each time there was a sufficient number of votes, even if the military votes were not counted. If the Supreme Court had not stepped in, we might still be counting votes. I wish the Bush haters would get over it.
No time left
WITH ALL the mandatory tests our children have to take, counting the preparation time and the testing time, when do our great teachers have time to teach and children to learn what they're expected to know?
Dying isn't funny
I'VE BEEN a medical worker for more than 25 years. I've seen death. I've been on this earth for more than 50 years and I know humor. The "Funky Winkerbean" comic is not funny. It is making a mockery of the pain of death by passing it off as a comic strip. The author writes as if it's first-hand experience or it's part of grief counseling. It reads true-to-life, but it's not funny, and your paper shouldn't include it as a comic. I kept thinking the woman in the comic who is dying of cancer would to into remission when her long-lost son showed up and things would lighten up. Nope. Sure looks like she's going to be killed off. I know this is just a comic and I should lighten up, but a lot of people can identify with this subject matter. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.
Thanks for help
I WOULD like to thank Lisa at Wal-Mart in Cape Girardeau. Customer service is not dead. She saw a problem and took care of it. Lisa, thank you for helping a sick, older man.
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Politicians' lies
ONE OF the big reasons people don't vote is because politicians lie so much about what they're going to do. They know they can't do it. They don't have authority. One person can't do it by himself. Each politician has to have people who go along.
Real terrorists
WHO ARE the real terrorists? I say it's the media. Every time they mention the word terrorists, the terrorists win. I'm sick of it. I'm not listening to it anymore. I'll turn on the news to find out what the current events are one time in the morning. The rest I do not listen to. I have been bombarded and blasted by the media. All we see is what they want us to see and hear, and that's their moneymaker.
Initial test only
THERE IS no federal law requiring a blood test before you give your dog heartworm medicine. I have a letter from the company that makes Heartgard heartworm medicine suggesting a test before you start giving the medicine to your dog, but after they have started, you don't have to repeat the test.
Speeding patrolman
I'M DRIVING through Jackson following a highway patrolman. It's pretty amazing. When the speed limit dropped down to 40 mph, he never hesitated. He's pulling into McDonald's to get something to eat. That must be why he's in such a big hurry. He went 50 mph all the way through town. It's ironic, because his car has a "Move over, it's the law" bumper sticker, but he consistently stayed in the left lane. I intend to call the highway patrol office, but I'm sure nothing will happen. In fact, I'll probably be given some excuse, because it happens routinely. Citizens are being expected to obey the law when law enforcement people are not.
Personal use
JAY NIXON, Missouri's attorney general, is targeted for using state cars for his personal use. But everybody else does it too. Cape Girardeau city employees do it. These employees take their cars home and use them for personal trips to the grocery store or hair salon.
Deadly illegals
CRIMINAL ILLEGAL aliens kill about 10 times as many Americans a day as the Iraq war. You say, "Oh, that's not possible." Think about it. Last month about two American soldiers per day were killed in Iraq and about 25 Americans were killed a day in traffic accidents, robberies and other things involving illegal aliens. It's a fact.
Stoplight timing
THE NEW stretch of Highway 72 seems to be working out pretty well. I'm traveling it right now. It is midday, and a group of probably 15 cars are on the highway. I have noticed that we are stopping at every stoplight because there is one person pulling up to come out of a side street. Those switches shouldn't be quite so fast and allow the traffic of 15 to 20 cars traveling by to pass before that one car can go out.
Teachers absent
IF I had a job and the first month and a half I had already missed three or four days for personal reasons, I'd lose my job. Why are teachers not held accountable? I have children in three public schools from kindergarten through eighth grade. All of my children have had three or four substitutes already. It's ridiculous. Some teachers miss way too much school. Where do I complain? Who holds the answer?
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