Speak Out 10/9/09

Finding happiness

I am a big woman, and I know that. You don't need to hint for me to lose weight. I grew up skinny, and I was not happy, I was starving myself. But as life goes on I am finding out what's really important in life, and it's being happy. I'm happy, and I've removed a lot of sin and bad habits from my life. But I enjoy food, and I will eat until Jesus comes again. In the Bible it says don't try to remove the splinter in your brother's eye until you first remove the plank in yours.

Beautiful bees

I live in Senior Gardens II. As I was sitting out on my porch this afternoon, I saw such a beautiful sight. I've got a hummingbird feeder by my door, and honeybees covered the feeder. It was beautiful.

40/60 rule

I started working with the public shortly before my 13th birthday and continued to do so for six decades. I came to the conclusion that the 40/60 percent rule pretty well applies when dealing with the public at large: 40 percent of the people with whom one comes in contact are intelligent, honest, moral and trustworthy and make decisions based on their intellect rather than on their emotions. The problem is that it is difficult when dealing with an individual to determine if he or she is one of the 40 percent or the 60 percent.

Using math

STUDENTS should be told that mathematics teaches you to think logically. It trains you to know all the possibilities of a given situation, and it is a language to communicate ideas.

Great facilities

THE new public restroom facility and parking in downtown Cape is terrific. Thank you to all involved in completing this project.

Bothersome light

IF my neighbor wants her bright security light to shine all night, she needs to adjust it to shine in her yard, not her neighbor's yard.

Funny funnies

COMICS should be lighthearted, The word "funnies" means they should be lighthearted. Not enough comics are lighthearted.

God's Word

I have started to wonder as I pass churches with marquees: Why do they no longer put God's Word, but man's word, as the message? I pass three churches every day as I go to work and have not seen Scripture on them for quite some time.

Thanks to military

I traveled to Fort Sill, Okla., to see my fiance graduate from basic training for the Army National Guard. It was the best trip I could have ever taken. I am so proud of him in the decision he made to serve his country. I want to say thank you to all the other young men and women who in the past and even now are giving their lives and their time to serve this great nation. What you are doing is truly good and honorable, and you deserve everyone's appreciation. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. Thank you for your service.

Learning to spell

SOMEONE in Jackson wants the students to be given vocabulary lists so they can learn to spell. "Vocabulary" means learning meanings and the usage of words. Every credible study has proved that spelling must be mastered at the elementary school level. After that time, it is better learned by motivated individuals working in an intensive self-study program. If you want Jackson students to learn how to spell, look at what is going on in the elementary schools.

Little influence

DAVID Brooks, one of the few common-sense conservatives left, recently published a history lesson demonstrating that there is no evidence demonstrating that all of the radio and TV blowhards like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck have any effect whatsoever in translating their high ratings into votes for the candidates and causes they support. Of course, these guys don't care. They're raking in the dough. However, I think this is one of the reasons their die-hard disciples are so surprised when the causes and candidates these entertainers support consistently fail. The irony is that most Republicans (Lindsay Graham is an honorable exception) are scared to death to denounce them, apparently believing that their ability to influence elections is significant.

Trash trumps

ACCORDING to an unscientific survey, the issue that has received the most Speak Out attention in recent weeks: The economy? No. Afghanistan? No. Iran's nuclear program? No. Cape Girardeau's proposed new system of trash collection? Yes.

Smooth streets

BUMPY streets in Cape Girardeau? There has been a lot of paving this year, and the streets are much smoother as a result. Thanks.