Speak Out 12/19/02

No alternative

I AGREE with and am very proud of the person in Speak Out who is in the military serving his country and protecting the nation. War is terrible. War is evil. But sadly there's no alternative. It's necessary. All people in this world aren't pacifists and want to hug you. Some detest you just because you're alive. There's no country in the world that would or could disarm rogue nations except America -- for peace, not to conquer or exploit.

Help the hungry

I WATCHED "20/20" about the president and all the beautiful things at the White House and all the money and the manpower spent to put up all those decorations -- and he's not even going to spend Christmas there. Why doesn't he take all that money and manpower and give it to the ones who are hungry? I think that would be a better deal.

Haiku foolishness

Your piece on Haiku

was an enjoyable read

on playing word games.

Comparing wars

I DON'T see a difference between a war with Iraq and war with Afghanistan. We went to war with Afghanistan to get rid of the Taliban who supported a terrorist organization. So if we're against war with Iraq, then we need to get out of Afghanistan and forget completely about Sept. 11.

Repairs needed

I'VE A great idea to make Cape Girardeau a little safer and to bring more tax dollars into the area. I think we should have Illinois shopping days where people from Illinois get a 10 percent discount. Granted they'd be getting their stuff for less, but they'd be buying more and also probably more of them would come. The police department could check the vehicles when they come over to make sure they have working signal lights. I've noticed a lot of the people who drive with Illinois plates don't seem to have signals that work. We could have a garage that could fix signal lights for them.

Apology accepted

I CAN'T imagine why the Democrats make such a big noise about Trent Lott. He only meant to make a 100-year-old man happy at a birthday salute. I believed him when he said he was sorry.

Interchange turf war

THE EDITORIAL staff is finally awaking to what will possibly become a turf war: the East Main Street interchange. Your editorial promises bigger and more controversial problems. Whoever controls the land will be the big winner. No doubt, the poor taxpayer will again be the biggest loser.

Effects of depression

IF YOU have never suffered depression, you don't know what it's like. You don't care about anything, not even living, especially if you are cooped up day after day and especially if you have to care for a disabled person. Christmas is supposed to be a joyful time, but it has very little meaning when you are always depressed to the point of caring for nothing. You would rather stay in bed, but you have to get up. All you know is work with no pleasure whatsoever.

Parade scheduling

AND THE church shall guide us. Christmas begins with the word Christ. If churches did not participate in a Sunday night parade and encouraged their members not to attend, perhaps the parade would be moved to another night.

Joint aquatic center

With the recent closure of Parker Pool at the university and the age factor of Capaha Pool, the city and university might consider discussing a joint venture for a new aquatic center similar to the rec-plex in St. Peters, Mo. That facility has an Olympic-size pool with diving platforms as well as fun slides, whirlpools and observation galleries. The rec-plex also offers an ice hockey-skating rink that is heavily utilized throughout the year by teams and individuals. A new aquatic center built near the SEMO student recreation center could benefit local families, students and the region.