OpinionDecember 3, 2006
Speak Out 12/3/06
Beyond conservative; Following the leader; Retail frenzy; Housing and jobs; Real moms and dads; Great light show; Exceptional float; Losing Iraq; Hard-edged; Peace message; Great addition; Parking exercise; Cheaper drugs; Irrelevant report; Identify yourself; Proper procedure
Beyond conservative
DAVID LIMBAUGH almost dares President Bush to abandon the conservative base of the GOP, claiming it would have dire consequences. I think the opposite is true. Voters sent a clear message that has rendered the so-called conservative base of the Republican Party irrelevant.
Following the leader
THANK YOU for your editorial bemoaning credit-card debt. However, credit-card debtors are probably taking their cue from the Bush administration's unfathomable deficit and incalculable debt.
Retail frenzy
TO THE person who thinks retailers are playing bait-and-switch: How many people are at the store early along with you? How many people were in the store the day before? How many times does the retailer get trucks in? Try working retail and see what the holidays bring out in people.
Housing and jobs
THERE ARE now more homes for sale than ever before, but that's because homeownership is at it's highest rate ever. Until builders slow down new-home construction, we'll continue to see pundits calling this a housing slump. And why are we so concerned about the unemployment rate? I'm more concerned with the employment rate. If 90 to 96 percent of Americans are working, we should all be happy.
Real moms and dads
I WAS given up for adoption at birth. Not all adopted children wish to know their "real parents." As far as I'm concerned, I already have my "real parents." They are the ones who clothed, fed and loved me my entire life. Maybe there needs to be an organization to match people looking parents or children, but I certainly do not want someone to be able to call me 40 years later to tell me she is my mom. I thank God every day that I have the best mom and dad in the world, and I feel it would be a slap in their faces to wish for anything more.
Great light show
I WOULD like to thank the people on Kent Street for putting on a great light show with music. It was great to watch, and I encourage everyone to go take a look.
Exceptional float
I TRULY enjoyed the Christmas Parade of Lights. I especially thought the snow globe with the three adults standing inside was fantastic. The float was exceptional. Thanks to the all the people who put the float together.
Losing Iraq
THE U.S. will establish unattainable conditions for the Iraqi government to meet. When the Iraqis fail to meet them, we will begin a phased withdrawal. We will attempt to save face with a "we tried the best we could" argument. Iraq will descend into a anarchic bloodbath. Who lost Iraq will become an important issue in the 2008 presidential election.
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
Hard-edged
JAMES BOND had became a sad, gadget-laden, quip-spouting, skirt-chasing parody of himself over the past several decades. Daniel Craig has returned the character to the hard-edged and cold-blooded killer that he is supposed to be. The new Bond movie is an excellent film.
Peace message
I HAD to laugh when I read about the Colorado homeowners association that is trying to force one of its residents to remove her holiday wreath because it bears a peace symbol. The group claims that the peace symbol is "an anti-Iraq war protest or a symbol of Satan." Perhaps the message that the homeowner is attempting to send is simply, "And on earth, peace, goodwill toward men."
Great addition
I BELIEVE Jewell's fans must be upset by his accident and wish him a speedy recovery. Bucky Covington will be a great addition to this tour. He is a fantastic singer as well as one of the sweetest and most charming country gentleman. I have met Covington on several occasions and believe I am one of his oldest fans. I am planning to go to several of the concerts and look forward to hearing the others on the venue that I have not had the pleasure of hearing previously. Thank you for adding this delightful young man to the tour.
Parking exercise
THE DEBATE about parking at Southeast Missouri State University is for visitors, not students. I'll agree that the visitors parking lot across Henderson Street from the University Center is too small. But go to any other school, and you'll encounter the same situation. I attended SEMO and had my parking pass laminated and taped to my window so I could remove it. I received a ticket because the pass was not permanently affixed to my window. That's wrong. Needless to say, I started parking a half mile away from campus. It's good exercise.
Cheaper drugs
WE NEED to quit tinkering around the edges and allow Medicare to negotiate directly with drug companies to purchase cheaper prescription drugs in bulk. Most other proposals are political smoke and mirrors.
Irrelevant report
THOUGH MOST government commissions are rarely acted upon or ignored altogether, the Baker Commission on Iraq may, because events are moving so fast. be the first to be rendered irrelevant before release.
Identify yourself
WHEN CALLING a business, please identify yourself, giving first and last names. You may have been a customer for quite some time and assume the receptionist will automatically remember your voice, but this may not always be the case. New employees may not recognize you. Loud background noise, poor phone reception or other distractions make it difficult to distinguish some voices. I have found that most people do not introduce themselves. It would save a lot of guessing for those answering phones if we did not have to ask who we're speaking to in order to take messages.
Proper procedure
THE CAPE Girardeau School District administration proceeded deliberately and properly based upon MAP results graded, analyzed, and delivered by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The school transfer process required by NCLB Law was properly and legally set into motion. Later, when DESE re-evaluated the MAP data under a "safe harbor" loophole and changed the MAP results and their implications for the district, the administration responded to the changed results and stopped the school transfers. The administrators dealt with a dynamic and disruptive situation calmly and properly.
Story Tags
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.
Related
OpinionDec. 12
Advertisement
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
