Speak Out 10/9/08

Adding pork

OUR CONGRESS is the biggest bunch of crooks I have ever seen. Our legislators have taken the $700 billion and have added so much pork onto it that I am disgusted with the whole bunch.

Officers' schedules

WITH ALL the crime and violence in our society, we need to support our police officers not only with respect but also with understanding and cooperation. These men and women put their lives on the line for us each and every time they put their uniforms on. However, police departments need to consider the officers as well. Officers are expected to work all night and then be back for eight-hour meetings and training, only to have to turn around and work another eight hours after the training and then off another eight hours to work again. This is a job where officers need to be rested and alert, and these kind of hours are not providing this for our officers. Please stand behind our law enforcement during these trying times. Let's think about the schedules these officers are expected to work. Not enough rest is a danger not only to the community but also to our police officers.

Pick up the limbs

THIS IS about our limbs all over town. I hope the mayor and the city council will get out and help the city crew pick up the tree limbs since we can't afford to hire extra help. Are we going to have to rename our city "The City of Tree Limbs" or "New Orleans' Sister City"? It looks like it because my limbs are beginning to sprout.

Joe's menopause?

JOE SULLIVAN is so funny. He must be from my generation, pushing the TV remote to answer the phone. He sounds like a woman going through menopause except he's so funny. He's just so good, and I enjoy him so much. Thank you, Joe.

Money wise

I WORKED in the mortgage industry for quite some time, and debt is not age-defined. I saw many parents of young adults up to their ears in debt and trying to buy a house they could not afford because of one reason or another. I also know many young adults who were responsible with their money and did not get into trouble and still own their houses.

Register to vote

WE ARE approaching the deadline to register to vote. This is a historic election. We will have either the first black president or first woman vice president. Be a part of history and register to vote.

Praying in public

I PRAY before my meals. I don't do it for show. I pray in reverence to God. The Bible's comment on praying in public is addressed to those who are putting on a show and not praying in private.

Good for something

DID YOU ever notice that plants seem to grow better during an election year? I guess it is all the manure that being spread around.

What financial crisis?

THERE IS no financial crisis for those of us who live within our means. Those of us who pay our bills on time and manage our household with a restrained budget have no problem getting credit. The financial crisis applies to individuals and companies that have lived beyond their means and taken unnecessary risks. As a middle-class American, life has never been better for my family and friends.

Time to complain

IF MY obnoxious neighbors make so much noise they disturb my sleeping children at night and I have to close my windows and pay more for air conditioning because they are burning trash and filling my house with smoke, that is my business, and I will complain.

Untruthful cartoon

IN ORDER for an editorial cartoon to be humorous -- I'm referring to the cartoon that was in Sunday's paper -- it must have a basis in fact. I watch Fox News, MSNBC and CNN and have found that if you're looking for an unbiased report on an issue, Fox is where you find it. Why are you trying to demean Fox by attributing misinformation to it? Did you think that was clever? It doesn't have a feel of truth that we usually have in our area.

Uplifting paper

I HAVE been reading the paper with so much enthusiasm. The last few days have been wonderful. The paper is so uplifting. Thanks. Have a great day. God bless.

Part of government

I AM so sick of taxpayers' employees using the term "baby-sit your child." The government had to baby-sit the school system so teachers would be held accountable for students' grades. I am a single parent who's considered poverty level. I have an honor-roll student because he cares. I drive my child to school because he is scared of bullies at Central High School. And let's not forget the school bus incident where the school bus driver let the children out during the flood in March in waist-deep water. The government does not take care of me. I pay taxes on food, clothing, gas, my check stub, licenses and personal property. I am part of the government because I contribute daily.

Boyd is the best

"America's Got Talent" was the most exciting thing to happen to Sikeston and Southeast Missouri, and the best choice the voters made was to pick Neal E. Boyd the winner. My family thought he was the most talented of all the five finalists. The voting was close, but we knew he was the best one.

Awesome show

I ATTENDED the Rick Springfield concert. What an awesome show it was. I take my hat off to Shannon and Amy Aldridge, who are an amazing couple. Shannon and Amy, you rock.