Speak Out 11/25/08

But we win

PREJUDICE AGAINST Christianity, started a long time ago, doesn't make it right. It is just a fact of life. Jesus said to turn the other cheek, so people assume that its OK to ridicule us. If you read the back of the book, you'll find that we win.

Assembly line

THE CAPE Girardeau School Board is looking at the dropout problem as if the teachers are an assembly line and the students are cars. We have some cars with the wheels falling off, but other cars have wheels that stay on. If we look back up the line, we think we're going to find fault with the workmanship on the car. The fault might lie in the nuts holding the wheels on.

Shrubs cut down

MY WIFE and I want to thank the persons who cut down our shrubs for their Christmas trees. If you had only stopped to ask, I would have let you chose from some nice trees that I don't need rather than have you cut down an expensive shrub that had taken a lot of effort to plant and grow.

Jackson station

MY HUSBAND and I live in Bent Creek subdivision in Jackson and would like to know what the city is doing about getting a new fire station on this end of the city. About two years ago the city leaders were promising us we would have one. I know you can't build a fire station overnight, but it's been two years. What's the holdup?

Diverse views

A CONSERVATIVE asks where liberals were for the last eight years with respect to the idea that we are one nation despite diverse political views. My experience over the past eight years in Southeast Missouri was that whenever I attempted to present a view that opposed President Bush, I was treated as a pariah. I was respectful and did not attack the president personally, but conservatives coldly ignored my comments or froze me out of conversations. I was told that it was un-Christian to disagree with the president. I was told that, by opposing the Iraq War, I was showing hatred of my country. Five years ago, my husband and I seriously considered moving out of this area because of this intolerance. When liberals say now that we want to unite the country, we mean it. Most of us respect conservatives who are able and willing to speak to the issues rather than using sarcasm and name-calling. If you would check liberal blogs and other writing, you will find liberals cautioning one another not to treat conservatives as they treated us. Let's work together to ignore all political idealogues who fail to show respect for Americans with differing views. Let's listen to those who speak intelligently to the issues, no matter what their political background.

High utilities

I AM concerned about the utility rates in Jackson. I have lives in a three-bedroom house about a year and a half. When we first moved in, the utility bill ran between $125 and $150 a month. Now, just a short 18 months later, my utility bill is $290 to $340 a month. When I ask about this hike when paying my bill, I get different excuses of "It was colder last month" or "There were more weeks on the bill that month." There are the same amount of days in the billing cycles and, according to the National Weather Service, the months that were supposedly colder were actually a couple of degrees warmer. What gives? Be honest and tell us the city is raising its rates. It is getting to the point that I am looking for a house outside of Jackson just to save some money.

Sanitary carts

GROCERY-CART sanitizing machines cost only $8,000. They're easily affordable by the big chain stores. I think their local managers thought we country folk were too dumb to know about the existence of such salmonella-preventing devices. They don't want to have to mess with them.

Aging GOP

AS THE intramural debate continues among different branches of conservatism about which philosophy should be predominant, the approval rating for the GOP is at an all-time low. In addition, columnist Kathleen Parker accurately pointed out that the Republican National Convention looked more like an all-white Depends National Convention. I don't want to be too skeptical, but many of these self-described conservatives are getting so long in the tooth that this may mean the debate between reformist and traditionalist conservatives may soon become a moot point as the remaining members of the GOP rest in peace.

Quality entertainment

I'M TIRED of the Wendy Rust bashing. She has a right to her opinion about any of the plays being produced at the River Campus or any place else, for that matter. The university also has the right to put on any play it chooses. One thing the theater department should keep in mind, though: In our world, some opinions are more influential than others. The Rusts are a major contributor to the theater department. If she doesn't like what's being produced in her namesake theater, she has the right to donate her money elsewhere. I don't believe she wants the final approval of what plays will be shown at the River Campus. I believe she wants quality entertainment that will not embarrass her or offend her. The theater department knows what it should or should not produce. If it's going to be offensive to someone or some group, maybe it's better to look for something else. The theater department must ask itself: Can we do what we do without the generosity people like the Rusts?