Speak Out 11/7/05

Dusty problem

THANKS, JACKSON, for graveling Old Orchard Road. We appreciate that. It was one big muddy washboard. Now it is so dusty you cannot see one foot in front of you. The dust is even going over onto the interstate. There's going to be a horrible accident on this road. I can't believe the city has a gravel road in the city limits that isn't maintained any better than Old Orchard Road.

Not what they seem

I'VE BEEN hearing a lot said about Greg Sparkman's character and all the things he has been involved in for the community. No one is disputing he's done good things, But remember, there are always two sides to every story. Who can say what kind of person Scott Smith is without knowing him. Getting involved with drugs is a terrible thing, I'm not condoning that. But even the best families have been touched with drug abuse, and we must remember that the BTK killer was a well-respected citizen and Boy Scout leader as well as a deacon of his church. He was hiding his true self. Things are not always what they seem.

Casinos' down side

THE SPEAK Out writers constantly demanding a casino in Cape Girardeau should take a short drive to Metropolis, Ill. The casino there has been in business for over 10 years, and the town is just as rundown and depressed as it ever was. The casino operators said they would limit losses and only allow gambling when the boat is cruising to get their foot in the door. Now they play with the numbers to limit the amount of money they give to the community. This problem is not just in Metropolis. Just last week the Illinois House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to revoke all casino licenses in the state and close them, citing the same problems statewide. The Senate votes on this early next year. Add to this the fact that the Corps of Engineers has told us there is no safe place to permanently place a riverboat here, and you see why we will thankfully never have a casino in Cape Girardeau.

Fine band musicians

I'D LIKE to commend the Central High School Tigers Marching Band for an awesome job this season. Two first places, a second, and a third really shows the dedication of the students. As the band represented with their soloists, there are many fine musicians at Central. Best of luck for years to come.

Need bus service

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. and Johnson City, Tenn., are just a few places that offer bus systems for their residents. Johnson City just had a free week of riding due to high gasoline prices. In St. Petersburg, you pay a fee and ride all day or week, whichever you paid for. I have known of elderly people who had to walk to work and people were laughing at them for not having a ride. Use some money for a bus system.

Seeking truth

HOW IS it that lies spread faster then fire and incite individuals to speak out as if it were truth, while truth is slow in coming and often is hidden from view?

Dedicated columnist

AS AN avid reader of the Southeast Missourian, I would like to thank food columnist Tom Harte for undertaking the arduous task of traveling to Vienna, Austria, on behalf of all us to find the perfect chocolate cake. There are few columnists so dedicated to their readers. Thank you, Tom, for your delightful writing and delicious recipes.

Economic warfare

THE GLOBAL war on terror is, in part, an economic war. Please take the time to read and understand the global economy and realize that this is a battle between the haves and the have-nots.

Differences of opinion

THOUGH THERE are many different viewpoints expressed in Speak Out, we need to keep one thing in mind that all humanity shares in common: we are all different.

Railroad precautions

IF A railroad is serious about keeping trespassers off its property, it would do what other businesses and factories do: construct a six-foot chain-link fence with three strands of barbed wire at the top along with large "No Trespassing" signs at regular intervals. If someone drowned in my backyard swimming pool because I didn't have a fence and take other precautions, I would be liable. Why is the railroad not held to the same standard as homeowners? This comment should not be construed in any way to lessen the responsibility of the adults involved in the recent Scott City tragedy. The woman and her boyfriend had the primary responsibility in this incident. However, I am tired of hearing railroad officials shirking their responsibility to properly ward off trespassers, especially the young, who find the trains an attractive nuisance.

Not political

DAVID LIMBAUGH wrote that the indictment of "Scooter" Libby will not benefit the Democrats politically. So what? Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald is not interested in a political fallout. He is interested in justice. Not everything is political. I wish Limbaugh would stop trying to make it so. He is driving me even more insane.

Street lights are dark

IN REGARD to the Old Lorimier Cemetery vandalism. I am a neighbor who lives in the neighborhood. I agree that there needs to be working lights, because that whole two-block area is pitch black at night. All of the street lights are out on that block.

God's beauty

I AM so lucky to live in Egypt Mills right now where I have gorgeous scenery to look at every day on my way to work. It makes me wish my drive to work was longer. Thank you, Lord, for giving us your beautiful creation and the magnificence of the scenery right now. It's awesome. I encourage everyone to get out this weekend and drive around and just take in the scenery that God gives to us. It's truly breathtaking.

Military deaths

THE U.S. military men and women who have died in Germany or stateside are counted in the 2,000 Iraq War deaths. Also counted in the 2,000 deaths are people who have died in car accidents and other non-combat injuries as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Railroad noise

MY HUSBAND has worked for the railroad for almost 20 years. We don't remember when we only had 10 trains a day and they only pulled 10 to 12 cars. We have fewer trains today. We will have more trains in the future. Does anyone think we shouldn't blow a whistle because it's an inconvenience for someone who built a house near the railroad?

Handwriting on wall

CAPE GIRARDEAU didn't miss the boat. It saw the handwriting on the wall in recognizing the many and varied problems that would be caused by riverboat or any other type of legalized gambling.

Future success

TO THE caller who believes graduates from the River Campus will have no job prospects: I graduated from the Department of Theater and Dance several years ago and have been employed ever since. I also had my choice of internships from several well-known theater companies immediately following graduation. The River Campus will provide better facilities and training for students of the arts and give them even more opportunities than many of us had while in school. Those of us working in the industry know our skills are needed and valued. Those who are pushing for the River Campus see our successes and strive for an even better experience for future student.

Border control

A DOUBLE border fence (to replace rusted barbed wire) with a Border Patrol road between makes good sense. If Mexico falls even more under control of violent drug lords, the fence will look even better. Illegal crossers now sneer at immigration laws, and some politicos sing the praises of cheap workers.

Time for reality

I AGREE Cape Girardeau needs an alternative form of public transportation and has for years. What has to be done to make this a reality?