Speak Out 12/16/01

Great decorations

We were out looking at the many Christmas decorations and were pleasantly surprised. We would like to welcome back Meadow Lane and its colorful whimsy. The decorations bring us many smiles, and we can use them. Thank you.

Proud of schools

I WAS invited to the Jackson Middle School seventh grade by a student. I am an 85-year-old World War II vet and have lived in Cape Girardeau County since 1945. I have never voted against a school bond issue, and now I know why. I was really impressed with the school and glad to have talked to the schoolchildren. The children want to know about the Depression and World War II. I was born in 1916 and went through both. I think our children are in good hands and are being taught the right things. Thank you, Alissa, for inviting me to your school.

Pretty rainbow

THIS IS in regard to the comment, "Out of uniform": The last time I checked, a rainbow was something that came after a beautiful April shower with all of the colors that God has given us and our children to see. That is what a rainbow is. It has nothing to do with sexual preference.

Not these standards

NOW THAT is scary. A Southeast Missourian editorial said a pending U.S. Supreme Court decision could have the effect of imposing the standards of the most conservative community in the country on all locations when it comes to regulating the Internet for the sake of children. Can you imagine all children in our nation being required to adhere to the community standards of Cape Girardeau? Though it might be good for them, I just think most kids would get very angry and bored if the only Internet sites they could legally access would be online children's versions of National Review and The Wall Street Journal.

Poor discipline

I RECENTLY attended a Christmas program at one of elementary schools. My wife and I were appalled at the terrible discipline of our students, teachers and parents. While the program was in progress you could barely hear from all the noise from the audience. It's been 10 years since my children attended Cape Girardeau schools but I can surely say things have changed for the worse. I was especially upset when I witnessed several of the teachers talking while their students were singing. It seems to me if this is the kind of behavior our teachers and parents are displaying, how can people complain about discipline problems in our schools? One highlight of the performance was the little kindergarten girl who sang our national anthem.

Union generosity

GENEROUS DEMOCRATS? Your labor unions that a Speak Out caller claims are so advantageous to the working man have caused the working man to pay $30,000 for a new vehicle because of the unions' outrageous demands of the automakers. Yep, you're generous all right -- to your union fat cats, to the homosexual lobby and to all those who do not want to work for a living. Please spare the working man your misguided generosity.

Taking responsibility

ALLOW ME to give some clarity to the caller confused by the "Uncle Sam's babies" comment indicating children born out of wedlock to mothers or fathers on welfare are a burden to society. You give the choice of having babies with no welfare benefits or abortion. One huge piece of that puzzle is missing. You failed to mention personal responsibility and not having children you cannot afford. It's not a matter of welfare vs. abortion. It's a matter of being responsible for your own actions.

Bank ownership

THIS IS in response to "Don't remind me." Please check your facts. In 1993 I worked for the First National Bank of Chicago. We were told that the major holder of banks in the United States are the English. If this has changed, I do not know.

Just not practical

THIS IS in reply to the person who suggested we keep firefighters at home and they could just be on call. OK, if that's what you want. But if I ever see a Speak Out comment from somebody complaining that their house burned down before the dispatcher could call all the firefighters back to the station, I'm really not going to feel to sorry for you.