Speak Out 2/5/05

Let freedom flourish

THERE ARE 22 member nations in the Arab League. None has a government elected through free elections as has just taken place in Iraq. It was a delight to see free Iraqis dancing in the streets. America, at its birth, experienced the same joy. We should rejoice with the people of Iraq. Iraq's neighbors, for the most part, produce and harbor terrorists. These nations' leaders fear freedom because freedom will not tolerate oppressive governments. America has driven a stake of freedom into the Mideast. It the stake holds, the powerful forces of freedom will take root and spread. Every place freedom flourished, peace, prosperity, education and the good of the people flourishes exponentially.

More events, please

WE WERE driving by the Show Me Center and commenting on how nice a building it is and what a shame it isn't put it to use more. You would think the ones who do the scheduling could get more good activities. Then people would know their money wasn't wasted when the center was built.

Human adaptation

PEOPLE SAY evolution doesn't exist because they don't understand it. Evolution doesn't mean we came from apes or anything else. Evolution is the adaptation or change by something to advance itself. People have evolved. People are taller. Julius Caesar was tall in his day. He stood 5 feet, 3 inches tall. We don't know what Adam and Eve looked like. The Bible says they were created in God's image. How do we know what he or they look like? Religion is faith and beliefs, not hair and teeth.

Desperately poor

THE COMMENT about seniors living on Social Security and not eating dog food is a good illustration of how many in Cape Girardeau are out of touch with the realities of poverty. The research is there on this subject. There are many Americans who are desperately poor.

Robbing business

STATE SEN. Jason Crowell recently crowed that the legislature shouldn't rob Peter to pay Paul in an attempt to equalize state funding for public schools in Missouri. Crowell may have a point, but that is what government is in the business of doing.

Sad historical moment

GOV. MATT Blunt's decision to attempt to balance the state budget on the backs of the poorest among us may go down as the saddest moment in the Show Me State's history.

All about money

ONCE AGAIN, Eli Fishman hit the nail on the head with his accurate observation that China is an enemy of the United States. Sadly, Fishman's thesis will be superseded by what I deem the chamber of commerce mentality, which always has everything to do with money and nothing to do with political repression.

Still sore about poles

SINCE JACKSON is going to put lights up all the way to Center Junction, maybe it can take those hideous metal poles down on East Main Street. I still can't believe the city put industrial lighting and power lines in a residential neighborhood. The city claims it's zoned commercial, but all you can see on that street are homes.

Funding for the needy

I HAVE been conducting disability and medication evaluations for several years. I have probably assessed over 1,000 people for state and federal benefits. Over 95 percent of the individuals I have assessed needed those benefits and have a valid reason for receiving them. Most of them are not the do-nothing people the compassionate conservatives are labeling them. Just because a person can walk or talk doesn't mean he or she is not disabled or has the capacity to work. There are people abusing the system, but not to the exaggerated extent some people are making it out to be. If you take away money for Medicaid, then you need to take away tax money for the new Cardinals stadium.