Speak Out 11/23/06

Thanks, postmaster

I WOULD like to compliment the postmaster at the Scott City post office on what a fine job he's doing. He is always so friendly and helpful. Good job, postmaster. Keep up the good work.

Nice to see prayer

AS I was reading the Southeast Missourian Opinion page today, it struck me how nice it was to see a prayer. Thank you, Southeast Missourian, for continuing to do this.

Gang problem

FACE IT, Cape Girardeau, you have a gang problem. These are not rival groups. You finally caught some and you're turning them loose. Wake up.

Manipulated market

EIGHTEEN YEARS ago it was Cabbage Patch Dolls, then Furbys and it was Tickle Me Elmo. Now it's a new PlayStation game. We've got people beating other people up and shooting them to get a game. People are camping out in tents so they can be the first people to have this coveted item. This is absolutely ridiculous. The company deliberately held back on production and only released 400,000 of these machines nationwide on purpose to create this frenzy and drive the price up. Instead of consumers saying "I'm not going to fall prey to this kind of manipulation," they participate in it. We're so busy buying in this culture that we don't spend quality time with each other. This is another example of how we have become a culture of people who are more impressed by what we can buy with our money than what we do with ourselves.

Success in Iraq

PRESIDENT BUSH is absolutely right. We will succeed in Iraq if we don't quit as all Democrats want us to do.

Program question

I RECENTLY visited an area high school as a guest speaker, and I witnessed something that concerns me. The school shows a program every day called Channel 1. It's billed as a news program, but the advertisements are provocative. Every parent needs to check this out. Don't take my word for it. Ask your children if their school shows Channel 1. If it is shown at the elementary level, it's totally inappropriate. Visit your child's school and observe it for yourself. Or ask your building principal to provide copies. I think you would be surprised at the content of what is being shown to our kids under the guise of a news program.

Auto emissions

BECAUSE THERE is a problem with global warming, the police need to stop motorists whose cars are letting out too much exhaust. People with asthma are complaining about the burning of leaves, but some cars smell so bad that you gag inside your own car. That's worse than any leaf burning. Who's inspecting these cars?

Attendance rules

THIS IS regard to changing the attendance requirements for the Planning and Zoning Commission members. Surely there is someone who would appreciate appointment to such a committee and would be at all the meetings, not only when it is convenient.

Good cause

WE HAD a great time attending the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri's Runaway reunion and "Gone to the Dogs" dance. The Runaways haven't missed a beat over the years, and the music was a thrill to dance to again. These guys put in many hours preparing for this special event along with many others. All the proceeds went to the Humane Society. I want to thank everybody involved for making this such a special evening for all of us. I hope we can look forward to another Runaway reunion in the future. These are good men giving their time and effort to a charity they believe in, the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri.

Menacing handguns

CAPE GIRARDEAU has become a dangerous place to live. There are shootings all over the place. Is there any way Cape Girardeau can pass a law saying no handguns are allowed in the city?

Future opportunities

THE LAW does not give youngsters of this community chances to clear their names after being in trouble. I am 18 years old and will always have a felony following me wherever I go. It's really hard to get a job. I have to try four times harder than the average person with a clean record. My future doesn't look so bright because I messed up once.

Bundled wires

THE "DETOURS for Broadway" picture on the front page of Tuesday's Southeast Missourian proves that Cape Girardeau needs to modify its city ordinances. Just take a look at how the utilities are bundled. They're all bunched and tangled together. A real inspector would never let that happen. Utilities need to be spaced and referenced for further access. To the person who said leaves are causing street flooding: The streets flood in all parts of the year. The degree of flooding depends on the intensity and the amount of rainfall. The city needs a good green space ordinance also.

More sunlight

I'M GLAD to see sunlight finally making its way into the county road-paving process. But the problem of backroom deals hasn't only been about roads. The way the commission has worked with about any issue has been cloaked by shadows. Maybe this road committee is the first step by the county toward taking rules and open government seriously. I sure hope so.

Get an education

I HEAR college students complaining that there aren't enough bars and clubs that play good music during the week and how the students work so hard and need a break. What happened to going to college to get an education? Now it's "Let's get drunk and party." Come on, people. Get your education and stop the nonsense. You don't need a bar.

Blanchard's example

IF YOU want to see a miracle every day, go to Blanchard Elementary School. The children are the best behaved in the district. I am a substitute teacher. There are some schools I refuse to sub in. Those schools have smart-mouthed kids who don't want to learn. There is no discipline, and the teachers are negative. They sit in the lounge and complain. At Blanchard, everyone smiles, and the children are kind and respectful. Keep up the great work you do, Dr. Kohlfeld. There are a lot of people who could learn from what you have accomplished with your school.