Speak Out 11/12/06

Saddam's execution

THE DECISION to execute Saddam Hussein was not made by the United States. It was made solely by the government of Iraq. They have public executions in the Middle East. They chop your head off for stealing or having an affair. Let Saddam get what he deserves. He is responsible for thousands of deaths.

Good schools

WE MOVED from a big city to Scott City. My children went from failing in the big-city schools to A's and B's here. I am pleased with the school system here. My children come home and tell me what they learned that day. They are excited about it. In the big city they got beat up, and the teachers just didn't care about the students. Don't knock our school system.

You were duped

I CAN'T believe how many Missourians were deceived by the false representations of Amendment 2. The authors of the amendment changed the wording so it didn't say cloning, but cloning is exactly what they were talking about. I am sorry for those who have horrible diseases, but this is not the answer. This will only make it easier for the killing of human lives (embryos). Our only hope is that Christ returns before too much killing of innocent lives occur. Wake up, Missourians. You who voted for this amendment were duped.

Political help

CHINA WAS unhappy that the Republicans lost big in the election: "The Democratic Party ... will protect the interests of small and medium American enterprises and labor, and that could produce an impact on China-U.S. trade relations," Zhang Guoqing of the state-run Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said in a report. What a crazy idea: a U.S. political party that helps the middle class and the working man.

Wrong agenda

I HAVE been telling folks for six years now that President Bush and company, and the Congress that supported him, are the worst administration in the last 50 years. Now most everyone in America agrees. Unfortunately, the harm caused by the Bush administration (war in Iraq, loss of moral high ground for the U.S. in world affairs, huge budget deficits caused by reckless tax cuts for the ultra-rich, huge increases in the size of government) will hurt America for a generation. Darn you, Republicans. Why couldn't you put the needs of America above your own agenda of greed, payback and Texas bravado?

Raise property taxes

STEP UP to the plate, Mayor Jay Knudston. You've soaked the regressive sales tax for all it's worth. Have the courage to take on the entrenched and established aristocratic elite. Do the right thing. Raise property taxes.

Future of the GOP

LOCAL REPUBLICAN officeholders are lucky they could disassociate themselves from the national Republicans, or they would have been goners too. It is something to keep in mind, since they are the future of the Republican Party.

Get rid of DST

NOW THAT the elections are out of the way, maybe we can get rid of daylight-saving time. It is time to quit messing around with the clock.

Use change for good

CONGRATS TO all who wanted change. You have it. Now use it for good of all mankind.

Amendment lies

I HOPE all of the people who voted for Amendment 2 are prepared for the fallout. You have all been lied to. This amendment does nothing more than legalize the killing of innocent lives who cannot speak for themselves. May God have mercy on this state.

Military or jail

I KNOW two men who are Marines serving in Iraq. I can still look up their criminal history on the Internet involving drug use, underage drinking and speeding tickets. My point is that because you're serving our country doesn't make you perfect. These two individuals chose to serve our country because it was either serve or do jail time.

Misplaced outrage

I'VE BEEN reading TJ Greaney's columns and trying to be fair and give him the benefit of the doubt. But he's so far off the mark that it's not funny. He lambasted David Eckstein and used his mom as an example, quoting her outrage and her expletives. He chooses to lambaste Eckstein because Eckstein came out against stem-cell research. Greaney says it's shocking because he and his family has benefited from transplants. Anybody with any sense knows that those are two completely different concepts with different kinds of moral and legal implications. To bring the donor issue up makes no sense at all. Eckstein cares about the citizens of Missouri because he's created a bond with him. Where's Greaney's criticism of people like Michael J. Fox, who lives in Connecticut and sticks his nose into our campaigns?

Moral beliefs

THIS IS in response to TJ Greaney's column regarding his disappointment with David Eckstein's opposition to Amendment 2. I now have even more admiration for Eckstein. The celebrities who have supported Amendment 2 have done so for selfish reasons. Would Michael J. Fox have supported Amendment 2 if he did not have Parkinson's disease? Would Sheryl Crow if she were not a cancer survivor? They threw their fame and support behind an issue for purely selfish reasons. Eckstein, on the other hand, looked beyond his own situation and stood behind his moral beliefs. He knows that this research is questionable and not worth the cost of human life. Eckstein had the courage to stand up for his moral beliefs, and for that I'm appreciative.

Thanks for glasses

THE LIONS club would like to thank all the people who put their used eyeglasses and hearing aids in their mailboxes for the carriers to pick up. Thank you also to the postal service for helping us in this effort each year. Everything that was collected will be put to good use. Thanks again.

Precinct workers

I WOULD like to thank the men and women that worked at the precincts on Election Day. I realize that is a long day for them. I appreciate their working and giving me the opportunity to vote. Thank you very much.