Speak Out 2/14/07

Country of whiners

TO THE individual who commented "If I ever saw someone in public who mistreated his children, I would report him." It is people like this who cause problems that are not needed. A parent has every right to discipline a child, including spanking. Spanking is far different from abusing a child. Our country has turned into a country of whiners.

Adult role models

MARTIN LUTHER King Jr. hoped his children would not be "judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Children need successful, ambitious adults of any race to look up to. Why should their vision of success be restricted to black leaders and role models? How can we hope for a generation of children blind to skin color when on a national level successful blacks like Clarence Thomas, Colin Powell and Condi Rice are insulted and ridiculed by black leadership because they threw off the bonds of victimhood? They succeeded because they earned success not because they used their skin color to generate guilt and special treatment.

Focus on tests

THERE HAVE been comments stating that normal school work has been stopped so teachers and students could get ready for MAP tests. What's wrong with that? If a MAP test measures how much a student knows about important subjects, isn't it a good thing to prepare for that? If students took these tests quarterly, teachers would be forced to focus on what's important for the children's future instead of wellness programs, self-esteem and DARE.

Impeding progress

BILL BURLISON is proud that he impeded progress of charter schools. Any attempt to improve government schools other than the old favorite of giving them more money has been stopped by Democrats due to their alliance with teachers unions. Programs that will increase teacher or school accountability have been routinely denied by Democrats. All Democrats want is more money for the teachers unions. Will that help our children? No. Money spent has little to do with a schools success.

Downtown trash

I WAS in downtown Cape early this morning, and there were glass beer bottles all over Main Street and in the parking lot in front of Hutson's. I saw one of the business owners picking up the trash. The people who left these beer bottles lying around are irresponsible. How about having some pride for your city? Throw your trash in a trash can so someone else does not have to clean up after you.

Reasons to be thankful

HURRAY FOR Joe Sullivan. His descriptive, memory-evoking comments about winter's cold blast remind us of so very much to be thankful for today.

Flow of information

I HAVE noticed that every time the news media request an interview with the Chaffee police chief he is never available for comment. I thought having good media relations was part of being a department head. Chaffee has experienced some problems within the police department, and the chief would find the road would be a lot easier if he would at least learn how to talk to the media so the public can be properly informed. The people of Chaffee deserve to hear at least a minimum from their police chief.

No on preschool

I HEAR the Cape Girardeau school board is close to a decision about providing a preschool at NARS. Please, school board members, vote no on this proposal. We do not need to provide a preschool for a local business and use our taxes to pay for the service.

Paying for the war

HOW MUCH of the taxpayers' money do you think has gone to the terrorists in Iraq? With all the money missing, who would know? Are taxpayers paying for both sides of the war? When I ask that question, no one can give a straight answer, but then really I didn't expect one.

Right-wing morals

MORALS ARE the cornerstone of the right-wing administration. But where are the morals of a budget that cuts day care, cuts back on Head Start and tells veterans they need to pay more for their health care? This is the budget that gives families with over $1 million in income a tax cut. The Republicans who back this president should never speak of morals again.

Border numbers

WE STILL have only about a quarter as many agents guarding our 2,000 miles of border with Mexico as the 40,000 cops that patrol New York City. It obviously is not a serious effort.

White House exposure

DOES ANYONE in Southeast Missouri care that the White House exposed a covert CIA agent and the president publicly stated that anyone in the administration who did it would be held accountable? It is pretty clear that it not only came from the White House but from the vice president himself. How can anyone not find this deplorable?

Loving mother

I AM proud to be a single mother. My children will at least know from me what a loving, caring parent is and will pass that on to their children.

Not much difference

ALL THIS airing of area GOP dirty laundry in public is a fascinating battle of big egos, but that's about it. In the end, would Scott Lipke vote any differently than Jason Crowell on the issues? Sadly, no.

Fireman's funeral

THE CAPE Girardeau Fire Department was present at the funeral for one of its retired captains. The department did an outstanding job, and it was deeply appreciated. Having never been to a funeral for a fireman, I was impressed by the firefighters vigilance and bearing. Thank you, one and all.

Where they live

I READ your story about Naylor School District filing a complaint against the Bell City School District in reference to student athletes. I know for a fact that some Bell City student athletes live in Morley and just outside of Morley. I know this because I live here and see them every day at their houses.

Don't judge

I APPLAUD single parents. I know it would be hard to raise a child independently. No one has the right to judge.

Early mail

THIS IS to the businessman who would like to get his mail delivered at 8:30 a.m. instead of the usual 10:30 a.m. I am sure the people who receive their mail later in the day would like to receive their mail at 10:30 a.m. Here's the deal: With 400 deliveries a day, a carrier starts out in the morning and cannot complete his deliveries until late afternoon. Where he starts will be early, and where he ends up will be later delivery. For those who need to get their mail earlier, the post office offers boxes that can be accessed 24 hours a day in most larger offices.

Teflon Crowell

IT APPEARS that Bill Clinton is not the only politician nothing sticks to. State Sen. Jason Crowell and House Speaker Rod Jetton are joined at the hip. They even have a financial relationship through a questionable lobbying arrangement. The thing I find most troubling is the River Campus nearly lost its funding, the resignation of members of the board of regents was requested, personal attacks made on one of this areas finest state representatives, and Crowell again remains untainted and untarnished. That's a Teflon politician.

Will of the people

SCOTT LIPKE should worry about the will of the people, not what Supreme Court judges think the United States should become.

Misdirected effort

IF REPUBLICANS in Congress would have worked as hard in the past 12 years for the American people as they are working to keep Nancy Pelosi from getting an airplane, they might still be in power.

Read the bills

IF A judge convicted an innocent defendant and used the excuse that he did not have time to read all the briefs, or a physician allowed a patient to die because he did not have time to read all the medical reports, would we be satisfied with the explanation? Would House Speaker Rod Jetton be satisfied? It seems so.

Teaching respect

I AM insulted by the person who feels teachers should be paid based on students' performance. I am a veteran teacher and have 28 students in my class. A huge part of my day consists of classroom management, getting student to follow directions, stop talking while I am teaching and show respect. The latter should not be my job, but because parents do not teach their children to respect authority, unfortunately I have to do this with some students daily. I teach and work with my students the entire time I am with them. What should I do with the five students who are performing below grade level but do not qualify for any special services? Those students must take the same MAP test as everyone else.