Speak Out 12/01/08

Predicted the collapse

I HAVE been writing letters and e-mails since 1998 stating our economy was a house of cards based on a Ponzi scheme. I stated there was no way of knowing just when the house of cards would come tumbling down but that it surely would come tumbling down sometime in the near future.

Loving experience

I HAD an unexpected heartwarming experience while shopping at Schnucks. When the woman in the checkout lane in front of me paid for her groceries, she turned to me and handed me a $20 bill with a greeting to have a nice Thanksgiving. I have no idea who she is, but I thank her. God bless you. If only we could all be more loving and generous.

Admit the complicity

ALWAYS CANDID, always controversial, not always credulous columnist Michael Jensen feigned ignorance of the reasons for the U.S. financial meltdown. There is no way Jensen doesn't know the reason. He just can't or won't face the truth and join the likes of Alan Greenspan by apologizing for the mistakes made as a result of a rigid ideological belief that free markets are self-regulating and simply cannot lead to the wretched mess we are in. Jensen should come clean with the American people and admit his complicity in causing this calamity.

Christian rights

WHEN PUBLIC schools were founded, part of the reason was to educate children in the Christian faith. Now, as Christianity is publicly frowned upon, the indoctrination of a godless world has been thrust upon the rest of us. It always amazes me how the rights of Christians in America continue to get trampled in the name of rights for others.

School audit

WHAT FOLLOWS is a brief but accurate audit of the Cape Girardeau School District curriculum. The curriculum is A-OK, coordinated, grade-level appropriate and in perfect line with MAP objectives. There are no recommendations for improvement. However, when it comes to the board of education, it's a different story. In essence, school board, here you go again with your meddling. When will you ever learn that it is your job to be an advocate for the system, set broad policy, hire a good superintendent and let him do his job? Posturing for the media or regurgitating the petty gripes of your constituents is not your role. We have a wonderful superintendent on board. We don't want to lose him. Be boosters for the school.

Ruined holiday

PUBLISHING A piece by a Southern libertarian Ron Hart on Thanksgiving made it impossible for me to eat or in any way enjoy the day. A libertarian philosophy in Washington (let the free market alone and things will take care of themselves) led to the financial calamity affecting everything from Wall Street to Main Street. Predictably, Hart tried to make light of the situation by writing that we'll appreciate Thanksgiving more because we're poorer. If Hart had any courage at all, he would have debunked the philosophy he has helped perpetuate and apologized to the American people for helping to ruin so many Thanksgivings.

No thanks

LEAVE IT to the mopes at the Southeast Missourian to publish an ideological screed on Thanksgiving Day. Said screed emanated from WorldNetDaily's ultra-cultural conservative Joseph Farah, who took it upon himself to instruct us as to what Thanksgiving should and should not be. Because it's Thanksgiving Day, I will at least say thanks to Joseph Farah but quickly add: no thanks.