Speak Out 11/9/05

A force for change

ADMONISHING PEOPLE not to gripe about leaf burning because there are bigger issues like world peace and hunger is like saying it's OK to pollute one stream because the whole ocean is becoming polluted, so what does it matter? Addressing so-called small issues that we can do something about is not petty, and people who get charged about a small issue may also become charged about larger issues. It's called participation in government and becoming a force for change, small and large.

Lower gas prices

I FILLED up my car with gasoline in Jackson, and it cost me $2 a gallon. Since it was evidently President Bush's fault that gas prices were so high just a month ago, it must be to his credit that they've fallen. Thank you, Mr. President.

Make them work

IT IS truly tragic that not all who receive help following a catastrophe want it for the right reason. I find it deplorable that some would use money for items that are non-essential to daily needs. It is all a mindset. When one thinks he needs the finer things in life and opportunity comes, he seizes it. As long as checks pour in without having to work, there will always be individuals abusing the goodness of others. Instead of complaining, we need more action such as prosecuting abusers of welfare. Instead of jail time, make them work. As much litter as there is around, I am sure that a daily dose of picking up litter might make one more conscience of the spectacle they have become. But in our politically correct society, we wouldn't want to embarrass someone by exposing him, would we?

Let them be kids

WE HAD a rule about trick -or-treating in our house when we were growing up. When you were old enough to drive, then you were too old to trick-or-treat. I hate seeing people complain about bigger kids trick-or-treating. Let them enjoy it and be kids a little bit longer while they can.

Stricter laws

THE SAME day the no-burn order was on TV and in the Missourian, there were two illegal-burning notices in the fire department report. Common sense should have told these people not to burn on such a dry, windy day. This reinforces the thought that some people will not obey any restricted burn laws. The only way to stop this is to ban all burning and impose heavy fines on those who think they are above the law.

Smart Moves funding

IN REFERENCE to the MAP testing article in Sunday's paper: Central Junior High School has grant funding for after-school tutoring and bus transportation home and has had this for two years. The district and principal have chosen not to use these funds in this way. The article makes it sound like the district is working on this problem, but it isn't. As teachers at CJHS, the only thing we know about the Smart Moves program is what we read in this paper.

Keep our focus

RECENTLY I heard an Army general state that the victor in any war is the side that stays committed to its cause. Do you think the extremists will lose their commitment to our defeat? I don't think so. We must keep our focus and will. Fight them there, or fight them here.

Hollywood's ruin

I'VE SEEN many stories recently about the slump in movie ticket sales. How long can Hollywood continue to make movies starring liberal zealots who regularly attack conservative values and love of country? Even Disney movies usually carry a feminist message that will sometime in the movie involve a man being kicked or punched in the groin. Now I see promotions for a homosexual cowboy movie. Going to movies in this day and time is like paying someone to insult you and your way of life. No thanks. I guess Hollywood doesn't need my money, and I know I don't need its movies.

Best band ever

I'M A Southeast Missouri State University student from St. Louis and thought the band, Bruce Zimmerman, was one of the best Cape Girardeau has ever had. I hope the owner of Buckner Brewing Co. brings the band back. It was a real party atmosphere on Thursday night, and the place was packed. The band rocked. We could have stayed and listened all night.

Lots of fencing

I SOMETIMES get a good laugh, and laughter is good for the soul. Today's laugh came from the suggestion that railroads should put up fences as homeowners with swimming pools are required to. Just picture that.

No downtown benefit

I WORKED at Laclede's Landing in St. Louis when the Admiral began operating as a casino. I can tell you with great certainty no one going to a Cape Girardeau riverboat casino would spend a dime downtown. All that would happen is available parking would be reduced. Riverboat gambling people are there for nickel slots and a cheap buffet and nothing more. The only benefit to the area would be increased tax receipts at the expense of downtown Cape.

Sharing a hobby

"HE SAID/She said" by Bob and Callie Miller is a breath of fresh air to an outdoorsman like myself. I'm a little jealous of being able to share such a hobby with your mate for life. Bless both of them in their life's endeavors.

Lopsided fight

CONSIDERING THE global war on terror: if it truly was a battle between the have and have-nots, then the haves would have no problem winning as the have-nots would not have anything to fight with.

No comparison

How pitifully parochial can we get? All we do is pout about leaf burning while Paris and practically all of France is on fire.

More and more fences

ARE YOU kidding me? Build a fence along the railroad tracks? Don't stop there. Think of all the highways, streets and rivers we need protection from. Don't forget about Capaha Park's lagoon and the trees we might climb. Chain-link fence everything.

Taxpayer will pay

RELATIVES IN Illinois inform me that the huge losses of income from shutting down the casinos is going to mean new and higher taxes for all, because Illinois like all governments, spends up to and beyond its income. But taxpayers, being viewed as animated money trees, will always be around with increasingly emptier pockets. The only way for a state or city to approve a casino is to set out the rules first, and it certainly has worked in many areas. Unfortunately, Illinois lawmakers did not do their homework, because the dollar signs blinded them.