Speak Out 11/3/05

In agreement

REGARDING THE Opinion page column by Cliff Rudesill, "The other side of the story," the only thing I could add to that is "ditto."

Too many trains

I WOULD like to comment about this train situation as I am one of the many who live along the tracks. I agree 100 percent with the gentleman from Rockview about this problem. When we built our house several years ago, there weren't many trains on this track, maybe five or six a day. And they only pulled 10 to 12 cars. Now, there are 10 to 12 trains a day, and they pull 100 and more cars. They are heavy. Our house and windows rattle, and our walls have cracks from the vibration. Can you imagine what it will be like later with 10 more trains a day, then 20 more a day? Also, they blow their whistles so much at each crossing. We live fairly close to two or three, so we hear a lot of that. We like to have windows open in warm weather, so I'm wondering how much sleep we'll get with 20 or more trains day and night. This will cause the value of our property to drop as no one will want to buy a house close to a track with a lot of trains running by all the time. I'd like to ask officials to think about all of us who live near the railroad when they make this decision. Put yourselves in our places and think about it.

Donation address

YOU FAILED to give us the address for the bank for the "Dollar for Dawn" fund at Fredericktown. The address is "Dollar for Dawn," Sun Bank, 100 Pine Castle Estate Blvd., Fredericktown, Mo., 63645. The phone number is (573) 783-2265. Let's all help these little girls fulfill their dream of going to Disneyland. I know it's so hard to lose your mother at such a young age.

Neighbor shoots dogs

I HEARD something this morning that made me very sad. I have a neighbor who lives to the north of me. Some little beagle hounds went on his property, and he shot them. I think that is a cruel thing to do. I don't know whose dogs they are, but it's got to be somebody who lives in the neighborhood. If their dogs come up missing and they read this, you'll know what has happened to them.

Get the message

I READ the comments by Cliff Rudesill, Dr. Andy A. Tully and Michelle Malkin. They said so well what many of us agree with completely. I wish this message could be read and understood by all Americans. We are in World War III against worldwide terrorism, and it's time to stand up and face that fact.

Exceptional insight

THE CALLIE and Bob Miller columns in the newspaper are great. They're my first reading on the Lifestyle section. Their ability to relate their insightful thoughts are exceptional.

Get more information

TO THE person who asked if we ever noticed that Medicaid recipients smoke cigarettes, buy lottery tickets and display jewelry studs: no, and how on earth would we? The sick and disabled, at least so far, have not been forced to display any special markings such as the Star of David in the case of Jews at one time. I hope they never will. You seem to be confusing medicine and other medical needs provided by Medicaid with food stamps and welfare checks provided by other programs. That is understandable since our own governor seems to be equally ill-informed. I suggest you and the governor do a little research before condemning your fellow citizens in the future.

Public transportation

THE PRIORITY of our city government makes me ill. Our elderly and disabled need public transportation. I have always been fortunate to have a vehicle and have offered rides, but I can only do so much. Most of the elderly have paid taxes in this town for decades. If you're disabled, that means you don't pay enough in taxes, so the city government doesn't care. I have an idea: instead of building a new fire station, let's put that money to use for public transportation.

Missed the boat

I'M CALLING about the idea of a gambling boat. Cape Girardeau has missed out by not letting it come. Look at the people who go to Bingo World. What's the difference in gambling with bingo or going to a boat? When we go to the boat at Caruthersville, we see a lot of people from Cape and Jackson.

Expensive project

JACKSON CITY officials seem to think building walking trails all over town is a wonderful thing. Some of us remember all the destruction when the walking trail was built on Independence Street in Jackson. Can you imagine the destruction of property that's going to be seen on Oak Street if the city builds a 6-foot trail there? I can't help wondering where the state and federal governments are finding money for such unnecessary things when they are cutting help for the needy and disabled people of this state. Perhaps they should learn to live the way the rest of us do. When you can't afford something, you don't buy it. If the state and federal governments don't have the money for important things, where do they find it for unimportant projects for this walking trail?

Nice thing to do

I WANT to thank the young lady on the Broadway hill Saturday during the Homecoming parade who was so friendly and gave her chair for me to sit in. I am so thankful, because my back was really hurting. She was so nice.

Floating campus

DRY CAMPUS, wet campus? The only thing floating during Homecoming wasn't the new fountains on Broadway. Hundreds of students were drinking alcohol right next to them and on campus property. If Southeast Missouri State University is going to condone alcohol consumption during Homecoming and football games, why doesn't it forget about being a dry campus, period?