Speak Out 2/27/06

Clever cartoons

I THINK Don Greenwood's editorial cartoons are clever. He is every bit as good as many syndicated artists.

Not baby sitters

THE SCOTT City Police Department is not responsible for the whereabouts of children. That is the parents' responsibility. The police department is not a baby-sitting service. Businesses close due to lack of customer support not because of the police department. If you compare prices with stores in Cape Girardeau, there is only a few cents difference on some items. Place responsibilty where it belongs.

Work creates pride

"WE GIVE the poor enough money and benefits to make remaining poor more rewarding then employment." This comment tells us a lot about the attitude of people who live on welfare. How can any person prefer having their living given to them versus having the satisfaction of eaning their own way? I take pride in supporting my family by working hard and being successful. The only way we will ever resolve this problem is to quit giving a free pass to people who prefer welfare to earning a living. I wonder what our ancestors did without welfare.

Stop sign means stop

DO DRIVERS know that a flashing red light means stop? I see cars go right through the intersection at Siemers Drive onto eastbound William Street without slowing down. If you are behind me, you will have to come to a complete stop.

Don't forget the staff

THE NEWS media have given the talking heads their moment regarding Southeast Missouri State University. Student fee increases, the River Campus, the aquatic center and a flat budget are frequent topics. The president, regents, legislators, concerned students and parents have voiced their opinions. Has anyone asked the university employees how they feel about all of this uproar? The staff is in the midst of a major implementation of an integrated database system and facing the third year of 2 percent raises due to the state budget crisis. While the media are leaving no stone unturned, let's not forget about the staff that takes care of these students on a daily basis.

Release the money

LOOKING BACK over House Speaker Rod Jetton's political career, it appears he's becoming more and more like former governor Bob Holden. Perhaps someone should yell from the House floor, "Release the money, Speaker."

Come to Cape

DEAR ORAN police chief: Keep up the good work. If you get enough of the small-minded people in your town who go so far as to say you will make all the business go away in Oran like Scott City's did, then come on up to Cape Girardeau. We have a south side of town that could use your style to clean up the crime and work with our wonderful police officers. We want you up here. Oran's loss would be our gain.

Hard promise to keep

I JUST finished reading David Limbaugh's column against my better judgment. I've always said that after the election, whoever wins is my president for four years. Limbaugh makes it hard to keep that point of view. Get over it. President Clinton has been out of office for a few years now. I'm voting Democrat next election regardless.

Responsible spending

OUR STATE government is asking Southeast Missouri State University to be responsible when spending money. When SEMO learns to show a little restraint, I'm sure the state will bail it out. It's sad that the student leadership is being used to solicit funds. It reminds me of when school districts make students beg the taxpayers for passage of a bond issue. It's a nasty tactic, but sometimes it works.

Not so popular

I DON'T know where the person wishing Missouri had a governor like Rod Blagojavich of Illinois gets his information. I am in Illinois every day in the course of my job, and I can tell you for a fact he is thoroughly despised over there, even by members of his own party. There is a good chance he won't get the Democratic nomination to run for re-election.

Marijuana bust

I WONDER if the good citizens of Oran were OK with the Scott County deputy catching the guy with 100 grams of marijuana in Oran. Or should the deputy have looked the other way like they expect their new police chief to do?

If it happens to you ...

SURE, LET'S take sex offenders off the register after 10 years. Statutory rape is still a sex crime. How will you feel when it is your child?

Let students pay

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI State University students should be paying for the River Campus. They will be the users of the campus and should be the financial backers. If SEMO students do not want to pay a small sum of $6 per credit hour, they must not want the campus bad enough.

Cute versus distinctive

IN REGARDS to the Westminster Kennel Club show, it's a matter of taste. A lot of people like bull terriers. They're cute, lovable and kind. Some people like cute dogs, and some people like dogs that are distinctive.

Problem dogs

I AM glad someone has said something about roaming dogs in rural areas. We live where there is a pack of dogs that multiply and terrorize the area. Three levels of animal-control authority have been contacted, and nothing has been done. People have stopped walking and running in the area because of the dogs' agressiveness.

Better drivers needed

I HAVE seen a lot of people complaining about Siemers Drive. I don't think there is anything wrong with it. But some drivers cross lanes without looking and don't stop at the stop sign. The road is fine. We need better drivers.

Blame the lawsuits

I AM here to tell you that doctors do not always prescribe medication because they want to. They prescribe drugs because they have to. If they do not prescribe a drug for you that a court thinks would have helped you, then here comes a lawsuit. Many doctors run their practice by trying to be safe to avoid a lawsuit rather than not prescribe or order a test because your condition does not require it at the time. Curb frivolous lawsuits and your medical and drug costs will go down.

Embarrassing antics

THANK YOU for your investigative reporting exposing the possibly unethical and illegal antics of state Sen. Jason Crowell and House Speaker Rod Jetton. It's embarrassing.