OpinionFebruary 13, 2007
Speak Out 2/13/07
Take responsibility; Library commentary; Need control; Archaic law; Cancer protection; Uplifting music; Changed minds; Government in charge; Elected leadership; End the feuding; Staying in power; Spending our money; Character assassination; Advertise the opening; Open deliberations; Matter of character; Political power; Dropout rate; Better traffic; Making friends
Take responsibility
I WOULD like to know when we parents became so dependent on others for doing our parenting for us. When did we become completely helpless in educating our own children on life's lessons? Why do we blame others for our own shortcomings and miscommunications? Become active. Participate in your child's school. Ask your child what he did today. Play with your child. Above all, take responsibility for yourself and your child and quit blaming others.
Library commentary
GOOD COMMENTARY on the library expansion, TJ Greaney.
Need control
MSHSAA MEMBERS can only play other MSHSAA members. So while the organization is voluntary, what other choice do schools like Scott City, Kelly and Cape Central have if they don't join? MSHSAA is funded through school dues. Its executive staff make salaries that dwarf those of our local teachers and administrators. Every organization, no matter how noble its intentions, is subject to corruption and abuse of power if left unregulated. It is insane to say that nobody can tell MSHSAA what to do when they have so much control over our public school programs.
Archaic law
I APPLAUD state Rep. Scott Lipke for doing the right thing. The sodomy law was not only unenforceable, but was archaic, blatantly discriminatory and outright hateful. The same thing that House Speaker Rod Jetton said about the removal of the sodomy law and homosexuals was said about the removal of the "three-fifths" law and the African-American community. And it is just as wrong. We need to start looking past archaic laws and work for equality for all no matter what our personal beliefs. To make the statement, as Jetton did, that children will be at risk by "deviant people" gives the impression that homosexuals are child molesters. That is not true.
Cancer protection
IT HURTS me to hear parents are upset over the shot to prevent cervical cancer. How could any parent deny a daughter the protection against a horrible disease? HPV is a widespread infection. It doesn't just happen to dirty people or easy people. It is the main reason women of all ages get a Pap smear every year. It is such a common thing. Parents, please protect your daughters from the horrible effects of cervical cancer.
Uplifting music
I WAS impressed and grateful that Cape First Church was discerning and innovative in welcoming the Christian rock group, Circle Slide, to perform and minister. The band's music was filled with extraordinary talent coupled with heartfelt values. How refreshing to hear uplifting, modern music with a message of faith, hope and love.
Changed minds
WHY DID the Democrats support the war in Iraq? Because the president was spewing half-truths, unfounded opinions and lies. Many of the Republicans who supported it have now changed their minds, too. Were I a Republican, I would never accuse anyone of hypocrisy.
Government in charge
THE PROBLEMS with public education have nothing to do with money. Education is well-funded. It wouldn't matter if we tripled or even quadrupled the money spent, results would not get any better as long as the federal government is in charge. All the government is worried about is political correctness and socialist indoctrination of our children.
Elected leadership
ELECTED LAWMAKERS should decide important issues for each state such as homosexual rights and marriage or whether mothers should be allowed to abort their children. That's how a republic should work. Why should unelected judges overrule our elected government and decide our country's course?
End the feuding
WITH ALL of the problems our state has like funding for schools, roads and health-care issues, the last thing we need is for our state politicians to be at each other's throats. Come on, guys, I have known you both since you began your first year as politicians. Suck it up and move on. The decision made by House Speaker Rod Jetton may not be a popular one, but it was his right to make. Do what you were sent to do, which is to represent the people from your areas by doing the best you can for them. You were not sent there to carry out your own agenda. If the fighting keeps up, you are going to hurt the local Republican party, and neither of you will get re-elected for any position.
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Staying in power
THE JETTON-Lipke dispute only highlights how far Republicans in power will go to stay in power.
Spending our money
THE POLITICAL wranglings of the state legislators in our area proves that the business of our state is secondary to personal power grabs. It is no wonder that Missouri is one of the most inefficient states in the country. Perhaps the $75 a day lunch money and thousands of dollars in health benefits that these public servants receive from taxpayers could be better spent elsewhere.
Character assassination
THANK YOU for your editorial taking House Speaker Rod Jetton to the woodshed for his completely unjustified attack on state Rep. Scott Lipke. The only quarrel I have would be with characterizing Jetton's actions as a misstep. To me, it was a despicable attempt at character assassination.
Advertise the opening
IT'S INTERESTING that the Cape Girardeau County Commission is interviewing for an assistant. I didn't see any published help-wanted ads for this position. Shouldn't the county have to comply with the same rules regarding publishing help-wanted ads just like any other tax-funded entity?
Open deliberations
STATE REP. Scott Lipke should have been open when making changes in a bill that ultimately deleted a provision of Missouri law. If there are discrepancies in interpretation between U.S. and Missouri law, that needs to be addressed by serious discussion on whatever the issue may be.
Matter of character
WANT TO talk about Daniel Ayers' character? How about the two characters who are accusing him?
Political power
THANK YOU for the "Jetton missteps" editorial. House Speaker Rod Jetton certainly needs to rethink a few things, including his assumption that his political position makes him all-powerful. Jetton appears to be a spoiled brat who believes he can get away with anything.
Dropout rate
TO THE people complaining about too much homework: It's better than the children having too much free time. If anyone looks at the percent of dropouts in the last 10 years, they would see that it has drastically gone up. We need to teach our children at an early age that life is tough and you have to work hard.
Better traffic
PEOPLE CAN complain all they want about Jackson traffic, but it's still better than Cape Girardeau's.
Making friends
IF THIS is how House Speaker Rod Jetton treats his friends, I shudder to think how he treats his real enemies. As much as I'd love to see another governor come from our area, I'm convinced now that it won't be Jetton.
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