Speak Out 11/6/07

Gambling devices

SUCH A travesty in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties that all these gambling devices and video gaming machines are everywhere. Yet the police do nothing about it, and the gambling devices pay out cash money. Is that legal in Missouri?

Off by themselves

I THINK that joining a group, especially for young males, may be a bad idea. Native Americans used to send their young men off into the woods for some time to be by themselves so they would find themselves. It's a good idea.

Economic vision

SO NOW all the people with money are worried about the economy. Somebody's finally saying that the economy is going bad. Those of us down at the bottom -- on disability and Social Security -- have known for a long time that the economy was going down. Don't be so surprised.

Hotel cleaning

I AM a housekeeper at a big hotel in Cape Girardeau. People think just because we're housekeepers that we're your maids. We're there to keep your rooms clean for you. A little tip would go a long way for us. Please be considerate of us. We're there to help you keep your rooms clean but also for you to have a nice stay. We're not there to clean up after you. We're not your mothers.

More to be said

ALTHOUGH I read Speak Out daily and hope I will continue to do so until the day I die, I must admit that the forum reinforces the maxim that, after all is said and done, much more is said than done.

Stale comics

WHY DO we have to live with 40-year-old worn-out comic strips in the Southeast Missourian? "Blondie," "Family Circus," "Peanuts" and "Beatle Bailey" maybe were funny in the 1960s but are in a time warp they can't overcome. How about something new and fresh? "Pearls Before Swine" is a prime example. Come on, Missourian, get with the times.

A big problem

I LIVE in the neighborhood near the church that wants to serve as a food distributor. I have absolutely no problem with the alleged traffic and noise it would create. However, if the city caves in to the threat of a lawsuit and is intimidated into endorsing the idea without issuing a special-use (commercial) permit, then I have a big problem with that.

Government offices

I AGREE with the editorial about how our federal and state governments are renting all of these buildings around Cape Girardeau when we have a new federal building that will have somewhere around 40 employees whenever it is occupied. Why aren't Social Security and the IRS moving into the new building? There is plenty of room. The state and federal government need to stop renting all of these buildings and have all of the offices in one central location. The buildings should be owned by the taxpayers. Our government needs to stop throwing away the taxpayers' money on monthly rent. The state offices are scattered all over town, and people are so confused because they never know when they go if that office has moved across town.

Gas and cell phones

I WAS in Indianapolis and needed gas. I was pumping gas into my car when my cell phone rang. I answered it, and the attendant immediately shut my pump off. When I complained, she advised me that the phones could cause the pumps to ignite. The station does not allow cell phones and gas at the same time. I was unaware of this but have began to notice all the people around here pumping gas while talking on cell phones.

Proud of team

THE OAK Ridge community is proud of the cross-country team for accomplishing its goal at state. Congratulations to the hardworking kids and their coach, Jason Niswonger.

Great production

KUDOS TO Notre Dame Regional High School and the fall production of "God's Favorite." It was a terrific show and could not have been cast more perfectly. Overall, it was one impressive production.

Defining human nature

SOMEONE SAID you cannot be to any degree pro-life and favor the death penalty. Well, yes you can. Most people are. Pure consistency and logic will and should never define human nature. Among other things, it would make life much more boring.

Confusing plans

REGARDING THE Medicare Part D drug program: "Everybody needs to shop around every year," said Patricia Nemore, senior policy attorney at the Center for Medicare Advocacy. "Just because you like your plan this year doesn't mean that plan will work the same next year." With around 1,800 different companies, that's a nightmare seniors already went through when they signed up. It's nice of our government to throw these complications at seniors and then tell them to go through it every year. If the plan was so great in the first place, it's odd that it would need to keep changing.

Thanks, Coach

I WOULD like to thank Marc Harris, the coach of the JAYF second- and third-grade Cowboys. He has done a great job of teaching this team that good sportsmanship and teamwork, whether winning or losing, are what makes a successful team. It's been a great first football season for our son. Thanks again, Marc.

Beautiful leaves

Who said we wouldn't have a pretty fall? It's gorgeous.