SPEAK OUT

Do the math

SEMO REGENTS president Don Dickerson recently declared, "I'd like to hire six more" in reference to Cincinnati resident and university dollar raiser Dale Nitzschke. I've put a pencil to it, and I think they can afford to hire six more Nitzschke clones. Assuming they pay them the same as they pay Nitzschke, they could come up with the money by, if my calculations are correct, terminating 67 SEMO staff members.

Funeral processions

I WISH people would use more common sense when it comes to funeral processions. I cannot tell you how many times I've had to stop during the lunch hour or rush hour. I understand we are to be respectful to the dead, but perhaps a little respect from the dead might be in order. I even have witnessed police officers blocking intersections for 20 minutes before the procession and not directing anyone through. This new law that makes it illegal to pass a procession on a four-lane highway -- where did that come from? Processions are one of the most dangerous traffic impediments ever known.

Teens are nice too

HAVE YOU noticed that many of the people who talk about how teens react by what they hear in music and see on TV are at least middle-aged individuals? As a teen, I have trouble seeing how these people can be connected to the teen way of thinking. I can tell you that some teens take the messages a little too seriously, but it is only a very small minority. Many teens I am around would never race in their cars or shoot people just because some actor or musician tells them to. People seem to forget that most modern teens may look a little extreme but are very nice people.

Power play

WHEN EAST County Fire District built the station in Oriole, it was because it wanted to get district residents within a five-mile radius of a station. Now it is the Fruitland Fire District's turn to build a station to place residents within five miles of a station. Fruitland is trying to help residents by placing a station on a main road with easier access to a side of the district that is difficult to reach quickly from other stations. The taxpayers again are footing the bill for yet another power play that costs us money that could be used for equipment. Do you like your fire tax money spent on political battles and power plays?

It's my money

THIS IS directed to the individual who isn't going to allow George W. Bush to buy his vote. He doesn't have to. Send the check back or donate it to charity. Bush didn't buy my vote. That is my money that the government has taken from me.

Cardinals support

I STRONGLY support state Sen. Peter Kinder's efforts to save the St. Louis Cardinals. Kinder recognizes that a hallmark of conservatism is the preservation of history and tradition. Nothing characterizes Missouri's proud history and tradition more than the St. Louis Cardinals. I thank Kinder for recognizing that and for having the courage and integrity to act on his deepest held conservative convictions.

Plenty of obstacles

TO CLARIFY a matter of some Speak Out discussion, the movie, "The Fast and the Furious," is not about drag racing. It is about street racing. That is why the Cape City Council is to be applauded for its amazing foresight in reducing the risk by establishing an ongoing excess of street obstacles.

Bargaining needed

CONGRATULATIONS TO Gov. Bob Holden for taking a huge stride forward on behalf of workers' rights in this state. As a former Illinois and current Missouri educator, I look forward to the professional empowerment that his decision may lead to. It's about time that good, hard-working people not live in fear of their jobs because they voice their opinion.

Protesting taxes

BRAVO TO the Cape citizen contesting his property tax bill. The county assessor speaks of fairness in judging each property individually. However, the competency of the assessor and his staff should be questioned since they previously did not correctly value the property. If they are fair as they say they are, a staggered approach to the increase should be calculated instead of hitting tax payers with surprise bills.

Turned to Democrats

I WAS reared a Republican, but when I became old enough to work it didn't take me too long to learn which party was on the side of the working men and women in America. I turned Democrat and never looked back. I work, pay my taxes, consider myself to be a law-abiding citizen, go to church, expect nothing from the government and am rearing my children to be Democrats.

He's a Republican

OF COURSE some of you think George W. Bush is doing a wonderful job. He's a Republican, isn't he? Regardless of what he does or does not do, you will still be crazy about him. He's a Republican, isn't he?

Recycling concern

I HAVE a problem with Scott City's recycling plan. They told us we should start recycling glass, metal and paper and we would be given receptacles to do this. On trash day they didn't pick up anyone's trash on my street as it is recyclables-only day. But when I called and told them we didn't have our containers yet I was told: "You might get the containers sometime in August. Until then you have to go buy your own containers or buy special clear bags to put them in." Is the city going to reimburse me for the extra expense I have to do in order for my trash to be picked up? It seems we are paying twice for a service that isn't being provided.

Fiction factor

ONE NOVEL by John Grisham or Scott Turow can give more insight into the practice of law than 900 nonfiction books. That's why I was taken aback when colorful Cape Girardeau resident and barrister Al Lowes was quoted in an excellent profile piece as saying he doesn't "waste time" on fiction. I would think Lowes would be more appreciative of novels, particularly since some would say he has built his reputation on cleverly and legally leading juries to believe in fiction.

Letter said it well

RICK BOHN'S letter to the editor was great and said exactly my thoughts on the new stadium. Since I'm not any good at putting my words down on paper, he did it for me. The Cardinals are a bunch of overpaid players and greedy owners who are lining their pockets. I am totally against this new stadium.

Way things are done

I HAVE to agree with the man who had his property assessment increased 17 percent. Mine went up 12 percent. I had no improvements and the place has not changed in five years, but my taxes are going up. That's one of the things they fail to mention when they want to pass a tax increase and say it won't cost you that much. People need to wake up to the way things are done around here.