Speak Out 2/11/04

Lesson about life

I CAN'T believe the big commotion that requiring students to pay for sports is causing. I think it's a good idea. We can show these kids early on that life's not fair and that you've got to work hard and pay for what you want.

Try reading instead

WHY SHOULD anyone have expected the Super Bowl to be wholesome family entertainment? Professional football has never been anything more than the celebration of violence, the sexual suggestiveness of the cheerleaders, the repressed homosexuality of players patting each other on their tight buns, and an excuse to get drunk. If you want some family friendly entertainment, turn off the TV and read to your children.

Vietnam all over again

DURING VIETNAM, Bob Dylan asked, "How many deaths will it take 'til they know that too many people have died?" It's Vietnam all over again. Watch out for the draft, kids.

Please explain

I JUST listened to President Bush's interview with Tim Russert. Bush still claims Saddam Hussein was a threat. He needs to tell us exactly what the threat was. The inspectors were back in the country. Saddam was contained. None of Iraq's neighbors except Israel felt threatened. Obviously the inspections during the 1990s worked. The president must tell us what the threat was or admit that the war was a mistake. I'm tired of the vague talk.

Teacher equity

MANY ARE aware that music instruction is shown to increase children's ability in other subjects. However, when there are too many students in a classroom for one teacher to effectively teach, they are going to lose quality instruction. The purpose of keeping the band director in Cape Girardeau was to keep quality of instruction and the program. I guess reading, writing and math will have to suffer so the band will be better. Not every child takes band, but the state mandates that every child has reading, language and math instruction.

Government success

IN AN era of cynicism about government services of virtually any kind, Jon Rust's column about the success of Missouri's Division of Family Services was refreshing. Good job, Jon.

The high road

IT'S GOOD to see that by referring to Sen. John Edwards as "smiling little silver-tongued Johnny Edwards" and Vietnam war hero John Kerry as a virtual ally of Jane Fonda, David Limbaugh has set an early example of taking the high road and refusing to engage in name calling and gutter politics.

News sources

GET REAL, America. The reality is that the war protesters were right all along. How is it that they knew more than the Bush administration? Maybe it's because they were paying attention to world news rather than just U.S. news.

Heidi makes us proud

I JUST read Heidi Hall's columns since the first of the year. Heidi's new surroundings have inspired her to write even more masterpieces. Please keep it up, and thank you, Southeast Missourian. Thanks for mentioning Southeast Missouri, Heidi. You make us proud.

A family choice

COTTONWOOD IS like anything else in life. If you can afford it, you can drive your kids if they need treatment to Farmington, Mo. If you can't, you move and get a job there to get the treatment for your child. Many families have sacrificed in this manner.

It's been paid for

THIS IS about proposed budget cuts in Cape Girardeau. A recent story says city officials are thinking about implementing a fee for escorting funerals. Get a grip. People in Cape Girardeau pay taxes for police service. The escort service has already been paid for.

Airport funding

IT IS not fair for the Cape Girardeau City Council to decrease funding at the airport while forcing those who use the services to pay more for less.