Speak Out 2/10/07

Riveting story

I WANT to congratulate TJ Greaney for the riveting story in Saturday's paper about the airplane that landed at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport after the mishaps it had. He's a good reporter.

Ice hazard

ON ROUTE A out from Dutchtown, there is a pond with a pipe that has a DH written on the end of him. Water runs from the pipe all the time, and after rain a lot of water runs across the road. Today, there was a large patch of ice on the road from the water. If someone hits the ice and has a wreck, who will be responsible? The longer it stays below freezing, the ice on the road will keep growing. Can't someone divert water into the side ditch instead of letting it run on the road causing a traffic hazard? I would like to see this fixed.

Why a consultant?

CAN ANYONE explain to me why the Cape Girardeau County Commission wants to hire a consultant? Can they not do their jobs?

Thanks, street crews

AT 6 o'clock on Sunday morning the Jackson street crews were out making our streets safe for us. Thank you, guys. God bless you.

Disability viewpoint

HERE IS my two cents worth on the Social Security disability issue, I had a career in the medical field for over 20 years. I was good at my job, I made decent money and paid into Social Security since I was 18 years old. I am 45, and my body is failing. I was hospitalized 11 times in 2006. I had four surgeries, and I'm looking at my fifth. I cannot sit, stand or lie down for any length of time without intense pain. I cannot walk any distance. For those who think we should get jobs, exactly what sort of job do they think I should get? I would prefer to have my career back. I do not like choosing between medication and food. I do not like choosing between buying bathroom tissue and paying my utility bill. I would far prefer to have my job back. I never thought I'd be in my shoes either. Thank your lucky stars that you're not.

Thanks for delivery

I WOULD like to thank whoever delivers the paper, because I know early in the morning it is probably pretty rough out there. To whoever delivers the paper on Terry Lane in Cape Girardeau, I would just like to say thank you and have a good day.

Losing our rights

I HOPE everyone read the article on the national driver's licenses. It's a way for the government to monitor us. I don't have anything to hide, but our rights are systematically being taken away. Wake up, America, before it's too late. Get out and vote. We need people to represent us, not do as they please while they're in office.

Postal complaint

AS A businessman, I have a complaint about U.S. Postal Service in Cape Girardeau. It's taking forever to get the mail out. We used to get our mail at 8:30 in the morning. Now that we're automated and the prices are up high, it's delivered by 10:30 a.m. maybe. Our government sure has things on the cutting edge.

Single mothers

YES, IT is a horrible thing to see birth announcements without fathers listed. But there are fathers who don't want to take responsibility. If the mother is the only one raising a child, she is the only one who should be listed. I am a single mother. I listed the father in the birth announcement when our child was born. Our child is almost 3 years old now and hasn't see him in almost three years.

Preventing cancer

I BELIEVE there is nothing wrong with vaccinating young girls to prevent cervical cancer. Why not prevent it?.

Cancer issue

JUST BECAUSE your family does not have a family history of cervical cancer does not mean your daughter is not going to get it. HPV, which can cause cervical cancer, is spread through sexual contact. HPV can lie dormant for years. Your daughter could get this from her spouse some day. To assume only girls that are promiscuous get HPV is wrong.

Support for Lipke

IT IS time to stand up and defend state Rep. Scott Lipke. His moral character is being attacked by Speaker Rod Jetton in the most public of ways. Lipke's expertise and exhaustive hard work led the crime prevention committee to introduce legislation that our own Missouri government overwhelmingly supported. Lipke was also named legislator of the year by the Missouri Sheriffs Association. Jetton is not acting in good faith and should answer questions honestly about why he removed Lipke as chairman. With no legitimacy in his clouded denials and botched explanations, Jetton has thrown his own integrity and judgment into question. Although a new chairman has been named for this committee, no one will match Lipke's dogged dedication in fighting for the people of Missouri.

Bad communication

I AM a friend of the coaches and a Jackson Junior High School cheerleader parent. I have been reading opinions regarding the squad and coaches at the tournament at the end of January. Before the tournament, the coaches were given the bracket, which only included the ninth-grade games. So the coaches planned for the games that were on the bracket, not knowing that there was an eighth-grade tournament going on. This is not the fault of the coaches, but whoever didn't get all of the information to the coaches.

Not to worry

I AM a single parent who is raising a healthy, happy and productive 6-year-old boy. For anyone to say we will be cursed needs to look in the mirror. Worry about your own issues.

Wrong choice

WHY ISN'T there more outrage over this? Speaker Rod Jetton did not make the right choice. State Rep. Scott Lipke was doing a great job by all accounts, but state Rep. John Bowman is under indictment and is staying on the budget committee. What is going on at the Capitol? The speaker needs to represent the people of Missouri, not his own personal agenda.

Judging mothers

HOW DARE someone judge someone they don't even know? Babies born to single mothers could be a result of rape, death of the father or other life circumstances unimaginable by others. It is not fair to condemn single mothers based on your own definition of a perfect life. Life takes many paths, and just because someone follows one that isn't the one you chose or believe in doesn't make them inferior.

Brave mothers

I AM a single mother, and I believe Jesus gave me a child as a blessing. There is a reason for everything. Things don't just happen. God has a plan for everyone. My child was an angel sent to me. For every poor mother who was left to be single: God bless your brave soul for giving that baby a chance.