Speak Out 2/6/08

Giving blood

I WOULD like to address the comment that accused the American Red Cross of anti-fat bigotry. There is no anti-fat bigotry, but there is a weight limit of 350 pounds on the beds at all of the blood drives. If you weigh more than this, there is a good chance the bed could collapse and you could be injured. Anyone who weighs more than 350 pounds should go to the local office on Mount Auburn Road where there are seats that can accommodate you.

Costly profits

IT'S PRETTY bad when our politicians allow the major oil companies to make record profits. It adds to the price of everything. Diesel fuel is used by farms, truckers, railroads and river boats. They haul all of our products and pass on the expense of the fuel by raising freight charges. Stores pass the increase on to us by raising the price of products. Congress needs to regulate the oil companies.

Tattered flag

A FLAG on Howell Street is in tatters. Please do something about it. Let's be proud to be an American.

Leaves are gone

THIS IS great. The leaf plow just came down the street and took the snow with it. We're looking good now.

Chinese welfare

MOST OF my working life I have resented a part of my taxes going to support people on welfare who were fully capable of working for a living. Now I am going to receive an economic stimulus check -- a welfare check. And yes, I will cash it and spend it, even if it is borrowed from China. But since 32 percent of our national debt is owed to China, what's another $165 billion?

Help for S. Illinois

I WISH Congress would pass legislation to help fund the restoration project and rejuvenation of the ecosystem around Horseshoe Lake in Southern Illinois. Around Horseshoe Lake is the Cache River Wetland Basin and the city of Cairo. Businesses around Horseshoe Lake could use economic development. I know the federal government built the Tamms Supermax Prison, and that's helped with jobs for some. But the area is economically and physically depressed. It would be great if Congress would act and send some money to the U.S. Corps of Engineers to help with the project to restore the whole area in Southern Illinois. It's a beautiful area. There are beautiful antebellum mansions and buildings in Cairo that need to be restored and saved. Horseshoe Lake is a beautiful ecosystem teeming with life.