Speak Out 2/4/05

Try smiling

RACISM EXISTS because there are groups of people who think they are better than others. I don't see any black groups hanging people or dragging their bodies behind trucks. Racism exists because there are various races in this country. People are afraid of those who do not resemble them. Here is a challenge for everyone: Greet the next person you see who is not of your race with a smile.

Looking for witnesses

I WOULD gladly accept the creation story in the Bible as soon as someone can justify to me how man forming from dirt and God's breath is more believable than man evolving (not descending) from early primates. I'm also curious to know who was there to witness all of creation and was thoughtful enough to document it in such detail for us.

A free country

IF YOU are offended by a particular TV show, all you have to do is turn it off. America is a free country, and everyone is entitled to his own religion or self-expression. It was founded on the basis that everyone is entitled to practice his own religion as he sees fit.

Follow the money

AT ONE time I was on the Scott City Youth League, and I really don't see a need to spend a ton of money on a computer. It seems like a waste of our kids' money. If the youth league can afford a computer, maybe it could have mercy on parents and not charge such an outrageous fee for the kids to play ball. The kids only get a T-shirt and a cap for their registration fee. Where does the rest of that money go? We've been told it's for insurance, umpires and other needed things, but the little kids don't use umpires.

Support for First Steps

YOUR EDITORIAL "Blunt's bold agenda" states, "So far, just about everything Blunt has proposed makes good sense for Missouri and for its taxpayers." I hope you're not including cutting out the Missouri First Steps program, which services delayed and disabled children aged birth to 3, in the "good sense" column. A look at the proposed budget reveals that zero dollars have been budgeted by the governor to support this worthwhile program. Please contact the governor and all of our legislators requesting that this program be fully funded. It is essential to the good health and welfare of our most valuable resource: children.

The real victims

WHY IS it that some minorities find it necessary to yell racism at every turn when not everything happening to them is because of their skin color? The rich claim they are targets because of money. Other vocal groups claim they are targeted because of their sexual preferences. Yet let a male non-minority heterosexual complain about being mistreated, and it is laughed off. Stop hiding behind excuses and being the professional victim you have learned to be. That will make it easier to get help for those who really are victims.

Say it ain't so

SURELY I misunderstood a news item saying Medicare would be paying for Viagra. It doesn't pay for life-saving medications like drugs to keep a heart beating properly. Would Medicare really pay for old coots to be able to have sex?

Poor rationalization

I AM mystified that the Southeast Missouri State University professor who is an Iraqi and was profiled in the Southeast Missourian came up with a poor rationalization for not voting in the recent election while Iraqi nationals risked their lives to participate in an act that could change history.

Medicaid assistance

I'M A single mom of three children. I'm divorced, and my ex-husband cannot be found. If not for Medicaid, I don't know how my children would have lived all of these years. I work and pay taxes. We're not all muggers and bag people and druggies.

Inconsiderate trashers

THOSE WHO say people should stop complaining and pick up their own trash miss the point. The problem is with the inconsiderate people who can't bear to drive a few blocks more with a Styrofoam cup in their car or who have not figured out how to use an ashtray. The sheer number of people in this town who regularly throw trash out their car windows into our yards is mind-boggling.

A matter of faith

IN RESPONSE to the person who believes the Bible proves creationism: the Bible and religion in general are faith-based. I've been a Catholic for going on 20 years and have been taught in Catholic schools that the Bible doesn't prove anything. There is a reason they tell you to have faith. The greatest thinkers in the world have never been able to prove there is a God. To say the Bible proves something is absurd.

The little things

SO MANY times you hear the little things in life and how they make a difference. So often we forget about the little things, because there are always big things staring us in the face. Little things start accumulating until they are big. What is it about little things that most people don't get? I'm not talking about being a little bit pregnant. I'm talking about throwing a little bit of trash out of your car or tossing that cigarette butt. It's not a few people doing this. Stay focused, get organized, do your job and keep America clean and beautiful.

Heed the consequences

DON'T TELL me a teenage girl chooses to get pregnant. Unfortunately for some, it's consequence of an act that they see as love. Then they have nine months of burden following it.

It's not a speedway

TO THE driver of the Mustang who seems to think Greensferry Road is a race track, I have news for you. There are children catching a bus in the morning and coming home in the afternoon.

Homework or spirit?

I KNOW that the reason my kids are in school is for academics, and I support that. My husband and I stress studying. But we also think it is important for students to have opportunities to show school spirit at sporting events, music activities and so on. I don't understand why the teachers at Central High School cannot be more supportive of such activities. Central played Notre Dame Regional High School, but both of my kids has large amounts of homework, tests the next day and major projects due. That's ridiculous. One of my kids has more than 30 long math problems. What's the point? You're telling the kids that all that matters is academics. This was the biggest rivalry in basketball. Show some consideration and support for the athletes and the coaches by cutting back on homework on nights when big games are scheduled and allow these kids to have some fun.

Proud of heritage

I AM proud of my heritage. I'm proud to be a Southerner. Why is it OK for blacks to be proud of their heritage, but if I hang my flag, I'm a racist. Everybody has a God-given right to his own opinion.

Support the farmer

THE AMERICAN farmer deserves any help we give him. His biggest enemy is the middle man. The farmer does not get good prices for his food. He has to work hard. If anybody deserves any of our help, it's the American farmer.