Speak Out 2/9/14

Kerry, Israel

I can't believe what I'm hearing, that Kerry is talking about boycotting Israel until something about the plan with Iran is over. They're going to give up a good friend we've had for years for people who hate us over there? Goodness, this bunch we got in the White House, they'd do anything.

Obama's problems

Obama's presidency has been mired in scandal: the Benghazi situation, "Fast and Furious" with the guns, using the IRS to inhibit political enemies, his refusal to enforce laws and then use his executive power to do the laws Congress won't let him do. Obama told the American people they could keep their health-insurance policies and their doctors. The botched rollout of Obamacare is his signature achievement, because as more Americans see their premiums spike and their policies canceled, you can't pin it on the Republicans. Accept responsibility.

Tax story

I just read Sunday's headline about the hotel and restaurant taxes. It was a real good year for the city and the Convention and Visitors Bureau in that they collected over $2 million in taxes. And they say it like it's a good thing. That $2 million wasn't earned. It was just taken from people as a matter of costing them more for their hotel stays and their food. All it did was inflate the prices to the people who frequent these establishments, many of which are local citizens. So the city and the convention center can thank itself for taking $2 million out of the pockets of people to pay for really nothing that serves everybody.

Opinion cartoon

On the Opinion Page in the Southeast Missourian on Feb. 4, you have "We the President. The Obama Constitution." Well, it's about time he took control, because so far it's been "We the Republicans," thinking nobody, not even the people of the United States, the ones they're supposed to be serving. So get over yourself and quit putting these stupid cartoons in.

King and JFK

Every year we celebrate Martin Luther King Day. It's about time we celebrated JFK.

TBY story

The article in the little Best Years magazine part of the paper about the couples being married for so many years was such a neat article. The only thing lacking, I wish, along with their present pictures, you had inserted a small picture of their wedding or when they were younger. That would have been kind of neat and interesting. Also, I want to say, which ever one of my neighbors has been putting the paper under my carport for me on a morning like this, I sure think he or she is an angel.

High-five

Missouri takes the cake again! Some Missouri legislator has introduced a bill that the "high five" be our state's official greeting. Can you believe someone would make such a proposal when the obvious choice would be two thumbs down?