Speak Out 11/5/08

Offended by officers

CAPE GIRARDEAU police officers were not prepared for Sarah Palin's visit. Two officers on bikes leading Palin from the Show Me Center down Lexington Avenue were yelling at motorists who had done nothing wrong. Vehicles pulled over, and they were still yelling. The leader nearly lost control of his bike in the process. If the police wanted everyone off the road, the smart thing to do would've been to block off where Perryville Road and Lexington meet.

Ticket mishap

I ARRIVED with tickets at 6:45 a.m. Thursday at the Show Me Center. We waited in the cold for 2 1/2 hours, not to mention how long we waited to get the tickets. Why was it that shortly after Sarah Palin's arrival people who didn't have tickets were let in the door before those of us who had tickets? It was just a waste of time standing two hours in line to get the tickets.

Better preparation

I HOPE the next time a vice presidential candidate comes to town the facility will be better prepared than the Show Me Center was for Sarah Palin's visit. There was a single door for every spectator to go through and not enough security to monitor lines. Why did I stand in line to get tickets when no one was collecting tickets at the door? If we are going to get big names in Cape Girardeau, a little more preparation and organization would be beneficial.

Excessive publishing

SOUTHEAST MISSOURIAN mavens apparently think Sarah Palin's speech so significant it has made the entire transcript available online. Though there will no doubt be a demand, this kind of journalistic excess reminds me of the time the paper published in its entirety Kenneth Starr's prurient report on President Clinton's antics.

Serving policy

I AM a server at a local restaurant. We do not charge gratuity, though I wish we did at times. Servers make $3.33 an hour by law. Tips are our income. As for the change issue, the server was in the wrong for not giving you the amount you deserved. My policy is if I am going to give you over cents in change I will round up to the next dollar and take my chances.

We'll be stronger

THE END to the Bush presidency will be the best thing to happen to our great nation. Times will be tough in the near future, but we will come out of it stronger, united and realize that a restoration of the common good supersedes the divisiveness that the Republicans have foisted upon our nation to the point that they have nearly torn it asunder, all in the name of a failed attempt to justify a greed-based Christianity.

It's not our sins

TO THE person who thinks our sins are the reason for America's problems: That's ridiculous. We are responsible for the trouble we are in because the officials we elected messed up, not because of abortions or taking prayer out of school. This is a secular nation. Not everyone believes in your God. Instead of praying, we should do something useful and find solutions for our troubles.

Great performances

BRAVO TO the Department of Theater and Dance at Southeast Missouri State University for yet another wonderful production. "The Actor's Nightmare" and "Sister Mary" were wonderful. We've seen every play and musical in the Rose Theater and now the River Campus since we moved here six years ago, and this department gets better with every show. As for "Sister Mary," we appreciate the fact that the play takes on provocative and powerful material. It is well-written and well-done, professional in every way. Thank you.

Jackson recycling

I JUST left the recycling center in Jackson. I can't believe everything the center takes, from cardboard, plastic and glass bottles to foam containers. The place was clean and everyone was friendly. We all need to do more to help the Earth.

Golf course closed

AGAIN, AS happened last month, I cannot enjoy a round of golf on the Jaycees Municipal Golf Course, a course which my taxes support and one for which I purchase a yearlong permit, because Southeast Missouri State University has the course closed in order to hold a cross-country track meet there. Today is perhaps the most beautiful day of the fall season with temperatures above 75 degrees and lots of sun, and I can't enjoy the game I love because the park board made an incomprehensible decision to dedicate a public golf course to the university. What's wrong with County Park North or South? Would using these areas disrupt other activities? What's wrong with the land the university already owns? I am disappointed the park board would cast aside the people who support the city in favor of the university. Shame on you all.

Emergency rooms

OVER THE past several weeks I have read countless comments on the emergency-room situation from various points of views. The ER situation is a perfect example of the health care crisis in America. Yes, people should have primary physicians and should only use the ER for emergencies, but what about those people who are on Medicaid and can't find a primary physician, those who are uninsured who can't afford to pay the $100-plus a physician would charge before they would even see you, never mind the lab tests and X-rays? There is a huge problem. Besides, isn't that why the local hospitals developed ER express? Perhaps the hospitals should rethink their strategy in order to serve their public better. Fortunately my family has insurance. We have had to go the ER for emergencies twice recently. My bill -- not the total, my portion to pay -- was almost $1,000. My toddler needed a cut glued from a fall and a CT scan to make sure he was OK, two visits to the ER for the same injury. We waited a total of 15 hours for all of this. I don't think efficiency is too much to ask for. I'd say I paid for it.

Plenty of jobs

I HAVE a good job, and I'm thankful. Many of my friends are out of work, some even turning to food banks and calling churches for help. Everywhere I go and everywhere I shop I see "Now hiring" signs in the windows. When I tell my friends, they complain how it's only minimum wage for menial work. In my mind, minimum wage is better than nothing. I think if someone really wanted to work, there are plenty of jobs out there.

Dangerous actions

I HAVE only one comment regarding the death of the 10-year-old girl riding the minibike. People can condemn and criticize and Monday-quarterback all they want, but there's not a person alive who hasn't performed at least one action, at some point in his or her life, that was life-threatening and that others might deem foolish.

Halloween fun

I WANT to thank Crosswoods Fellowship in Jackson for the wonderful Halloween festivities on Oct. 31. They went above and beyond anything my husband and I had expected. The folks were friendly and wonderful to my 5-year old son. Not only did the children have a wonderful time, but the parents seemed to be enjoying themselves as well. Thanks again.