Speak Out 2/19/06

Media smell test

THE NEWS media raised heck about Dick Cheney wounding his hunting partner. Things happen. If the news media had their way, they would hang him. People wonder why we can't get decent people to run for office. Can anyone pass the media smell test?

Losing liberty

I'M TIRED of hearing, "If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about." Wouldn't your life change if you knew that all your conversations were monitored, your mail was sifted through or all your purchases recorded? Just knowing someone could be checking into private details of your life would change at least some habits. This is denial of free speech at worst and denial of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness at best.

Here's the benefit

TO THE person wanting to know the difference between Medicaid and horse manure, it's simple: Horse manure can be used to your benefit for at least six months out of the year.

Leave a number

HERE'S A helpful hint for leaving messages on an answering machine. If you want someone to call you back, please leave a phone number. I got a message on my machine, but it isn't for me. I would love to call the man back and tell him he got the wrong number, but he didn't leave a phone number.

Time for action

SPRING IS coming, and summer's not far behind. Also not far behind will be letters of people wanting a water park. I suggest those who want a water park to get a committee together, get a leader, get some public sponsors and start a process to get a water park. Either make it public funded or private funded. I don't think private funded would be that hard if everyone wants one. An investor could make a lot of money by running one. So let's get our meetings started instead of calling Speak Out. Use action instead of words.

Ask for permission

I JUST read the piece in the paper about Lyle Merritt and his collection of American Indian artifacts. He mentioned walking over fields look for arrowheads. We farm for a living, and I want to remind everyone to ask permission first. I enjoy looking on our land also for arrowheads after we have worked it up. Unfortunately, when I do have the time I find shoe tracks all over the field and know someone has trespassed again and stolen some artifacts. We have this problem all the time. I only hope the article doesn't encourage others to do this. It is not your land.

Will dogs be next?

I JUST read the comment from the person who thinks it's great to slaughter horses and sell them to foreigners to eat. People in foreign countries eat all kinds of things. One delicacy is dog. Maybe we should close down the Humane Society's shelter and send the dogs to other countries for people to eat. This is not a ridiculous analogy. The horses in this country are treasured by people. I think it's disgusting to slaughter horses.

Reasons for short sleeves

I'M CALLING about the person who was worrying about those of us who wear shorts and short-sleeved shirts in this weather. A lot of us have medical conditions that make us feel hot all the time, so we wear what's comfortable. Others should take care of their business, and we'll take care of ours.

Save the country

I'M READING George Will's column about Tom Coburn, senator from Oklahoma. I would like everyone to read this column and back this senator and Sen. John McCain, since it appears he's on the same track as Coburn. They need to be supported to save this country. It shows where budget problems arise. It's not only things that are necessary like protecting the United States. It's things that the senators get to pop their suspenders about and make themselves feel like they're important.

Becoming a bag lady

AFTER READING about the 64-year-old picking up trash on Tuesdays, I've decided to follow suit. I walk every day anyway. I might as well start out with two empty trash bags and end with two full ones. I'll just call myself the 50-year-old bag lady.

Memories of Flo

HAVING LIVED my whole life in Cape Girardeau, I have fond memories of Flo Edwards. She had the only cab in Cape when I was a child. I think it would be a good thing to add her to the Wall of Fame downtown. I am sure many people have fond memories of Flo. She would take my family to the farm of my grandparents on Friday evening and return to bring us home on Sunday afternoon. Since we didn't have a car, it was a treat for us to get out of town for a visit.

No comparison

SOMEONE WITH little knowledge of true Christianity is comparing us with terrorists. Thank you for being so open-minded and liberal. I do not believe that protesting by burning flags, burning buildings and killing innocent people is the way to change situations. I believe in the power of prayer and the power of the ballot box, as do many true Christians. Comparing me and others like me to terrorists is nothing short of stupid.

Close-minded

"I HAVE not seen the film, nor will I due to the homosexual theme." I think this statement sums up how extremist Christians view anything they fear or don't understand: exaggerate the controversial parts of the work, but never actually see, read or hear it for themselves. This is the definition of close-minded, and it is not intolerant of me to point out the obvious.

Tough decision

REGARDING THE Christian conference: I don't understand how homosexuality can still be considered a choice that can be changed. That suggests that everyone at some point in life had to make a conscious decision of what their sexuality would be. I don't recall ever doing that, and I doubt the speakers at this convention ever did either.

Can't turn left

SOMEONE IN Cape Girardeau has it out for drivers who make left-hand turns at stoplights. If you are about the fifth car to turn left, you'll have to wait. All of the stoplights by the mall are horribly timed. I don't know who is in charge of this kind of thing, but I would like to know the reasoning. I hope this wasn't the same genius who designed the intersection of Route K and Siemers Drive with the two right-turn lanes.