Speak Out 2/8/07

Audit concerns

THE SOUTHEAST Missourian archives show that every year since 2002 the school board has approved an audit from a local firm, sometimes with a representative from that firm present, until 2006. If there was a problem with the audit being accepted by a state agency, why was that not reported at the normal reporting time of September or October? A routine procedure changed. Why? There may not be a problem, but keeping it out of the public eye casts a shadow on the statements by the school board president. She denies a problem for which there is no allegation of wrongdoing. Apparently she has seen something that the rest of the board has not. In the past it appeared oversight and approval took place by the entire board, not in private by the board president, who apparently has seen the audit and approves of it.

Renewable energy

ALMOST EVERY politician in America wants to promote renewable energy made in the United States. For security, economic and environmental reasons it is the best thing to do. We can buy ethanol cheaper than gas, and it will get better in the future. Maybe someday we will invent microbes that can turn municipal waste into liquid fuel for cars. Renewable energy will get better as we learn to make it more efficiently.

Keep the ban

I AM glad House Speaker Rod Jetton got rid of state Rep. Scott Lipke as committee chairman if he didn't want to ban gay marriage. We don't need that kind of trash going on in our state.

Future paradise

IF THERE were in the world today a large number of people who desired their own happiness more than they desired the unhappiness of others, we could have paradise in a few years.

Republican tears

IT IS hard to imagine the audacity of Republicans. Now they want bipartisanship. I have heard nothing but how they are being kept out of the process. Well, guess what? You lost. You played that game, and the American public said it didn't like your game, so there is a new team is in town. Either come around to where the American public is, or cry a river on your way out of town.

Drive on the right

IN REFERENCE to driving in Jackson along the main drag through town: I drive the 40 mph speed limit. What is annoying is people who do not drive in the right lane when they are moving slowly. Traffic is always so congested through this area. It would help if people who are driving under the speed limit would drive in the right lane so that those who need to can pass.

Erosion skepticism

I LOOKED at the pictures of the Hubble Creek erosion with a little skepticism. It would appear, based on my observation of the irregular pattern of the erosion, that the problem is rooted more in the original construction than in water running down Hubble Creek. Why not build a concrete retaining wall along the creek bank?

Selecting passages

I'M ALWAYS amused by people who propose using the Old Testament as a guide to raising children. It always involves some cherry-picking of Bible verses. How about this one: If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or mother, all the men of the city shall stone him with stones, that he die (Deuteronomy 21:18-21).

Snow helper

THE WORLD is a better place because of Steve Lukens on Rose Street. Long before any of us even knew it had snowed, he was shoveling the sidewalks and sweeping off our porches.

Far-Left spewing

I THOUGHT it was humorous that Bill Burlison would look back fondly on the days when things in this area were far less partisan and then spew the far-left garbage typical of the liberals of today.

Proper staffing

IF BUSINESSES want to maintain their excellence, it would be wise to start with the staff. In order to maintain an excellent rating it is crucial to have enough staff to complete the task at hand. To ensure the most satisfaction or the best possible outcome, how about providing enough staff to maintain excellence?

Blame drainage district

THE EROSION of Hubble Creek is another reason why the Little River Drainage District should have never been formed. Not only did we lose one of the most diverse habitats on this planet, but we are also going to lose money fixing Hubble Creek and others. I hope that this issue will wake up both Cape Girardeau and Jackson on the destructive force of water if it is not managed properly. The Little River Drainage District should pay for a complete overhaul of Hubble Creek south of Jackson.

Teacher standards

THE IDEA that teachers are overworked and underpaid is a joke. It's time everyone faces facts and does something about it before any more generations are dumbed down to the point of no return. Teachers need to stop pretending to be the martyrs. Perhaps the standards should be raised for those going into the teaching profession instead of for the testing of the students being churned out from our public schools.

Touring Stanley

I SAW where Flat Stanley has been touring Oak Ridge. Flat Stanley has also toured Cape Girardeau. This is a great project for our children in school. There is no one who has seen the world any better then Flat Stanley, and he is on tour right here.

Single-parent choice

GOD IS a forgiving God, and the Bible tells us that God knows every thing we will do in our life. I made the choice to be a single parent and raised my child on my own with out financial help of anyone. My child was a blessing. She is the reason I am the person I am today. I thank God for her every day.