SPEAK OUT

Takes time, research

I'D LIKE to comment on the person who said he would not vote for Peter Kinder. I'm sure he probably didn't vote for him the last time either. Why did he vote for Bob Holden? Anyone who understands and reads the facts and voting records would see that Kinder supports lower taxes and the working man. From what I read in this last Speak Out article, I'm sure this caller didn't put in much time or research last election.

Police perspective

I JUST read the article on the study of the Cape Girardeau Police Department. It said morale and high turnover were two major issues with that department. I also read the article about Steve Wilson. One thing that coincides with both of these articles that is not mentioned is that the Jackson Police Department has had a higher turnover rate percentage wise than the Cape department. Morale issues are very similar, and the pay in Jackson is much more under the average.

It's not logical

I ENJOY the vanity columns at the top of Page 2. Even staffers have a right to express their own feelings and outlooks on life. Writers of the editorials should be held to a tougher standard. The first paragraph of the July 20 editorial says 1,000 more traffic tickets were written with a sight increase in vehicular accidents. Then the writer wanders on like a Speak Out caller and concludes that police efforts to keep us all safe are on the right track. That is akin to saying, "We have poured more money into Kansas City and St. Louis schools than the GNP of many Third-World countries. The children are failing, but everything is going great."

Stolen illustrations

IN A recent Limbaugh Letter, I saw a small article on Saddam Hussein's book "Zabibah and the King." Not only is Saddam a dictator, he is also a thief. The illustrations that appear on the cover and inside the book are paintings done by Jonathon Earl Bowser, a wonderful artist. Bowser has written on his Web site to tell his fans that he has never been in contact with the Iraqi government and cannot believe that his art has been stolen. He knows that there is nothing he can do, but I figured his plight should be made known. So rack up another point against Saddam, and I hope people will not think Bowser willingly gave up his fabulous artwork.

Fuel-cell waiting period

I KEEP up with car news, and the fuel-cell Mercedes, along with a prototype BMW fuel-cell car, will not be production-ready until 2011, according to various news reports. They will start in the $45,000-$50,000 range.

Modern times

GASP! TALK of lap dancing and bikinis in a movie? How inappropriate for teen-agers? Seriously, could someone please remind me what century it is again?

Selective grading

HEY, MISSOURIAN, great job on grading Gov. Bob Holden on only the issues you wanted to grade him on. If my college professors only wanted to grade my worst work, then I'd fail out of school pretty quick. Fortunately for me, I'm graded on everything I do. Too bad our governor isn't allowed that same fairness.

Laudable achievement

SEMO PROFESSOR Alan Gathman's implicit argument in favor of federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research easily refuted David Limbaugh's oft-repeated assertion that life begins at conception. However, in accurately pointing out that sperm and egg are alive prior to conception, Gathman's thesis could just as easily be used to argue against contraception, a view probably not favored by the professor. Still, to discover a logical inconsistency in the thought of Limbaugh is a laudable achievement.

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Warming indicator

I BELIEVE that global warming must be true, because I have notice that it hasn't snowed in my yard in the past six weeks.

What more could he do?

I DIDN'T understand the grades you gave Gov. Bob Holden. For example, you gave him a D, F and F respectively on the use of the state airplane, advancing the cause of collective bargaining and the cost of his inauguration. How much more could he have used the airplane? Do you really believe he could have gone any further than he did in advancing the cause of working people to organize and bargain? And, in order for guests to have a great time, he spent a lot of money on his inauguration. But, do you really think he should have spent more? In all three of these areas he deserved an A.

Too much knowledge

I READ Dr. Russell Felker's column promoting federal funding for stem-cell research using embryos. There is a long and honorable tradition in this country that too much knowledge is a bad thing, and Felker is flying in the face of that tradition.

No federal mandate

I GENERALLY agree with Dr. Russell Felker's eloquent endorsement of embryonic stem-cell research. However, his assertion that "it is not the right of our government" to disallow or limit federal taxpayer funding for said research is inaccurate. Though many think it's a good idea, there is nothing in the U.S. Constitution mandating taxpayer support for stem-cell research specifically or science generally. In ways, Felker's fervor is such that he seems a supporter of scientism, elevating science to virtual religious status.

Avoid the cure

I HAVE a solution to the stem-cell controversy. All those who oppose using blastocysts in medical research should sign an affidavit promising that neither they nor members of their families will ever take advantage of cures found with this research.

Pipeline to God

DR. RUSSELL Felker's column endorsing embryonic stem-cell research was a very thoughtful piece. However, it will likely have little effect since so many Southeast Missouri residents are blinded by the light of reason and motivated by a medieval mind-set based on a passionate belief that they have a direct pipeline to God.

Heavy traffic area

THIS IS regarding MoDOT's five-year plan. They say Bollinger County will have Highway 72 resurfaced with paved shoulders from the Madison County line to the Cape Girardeau County line. But the bulk of the traffic on Highway 72 is from about Patton to Jackson. Why would they not resurface all the way to Jackson?

Don't be foolish

I'LL NEVER understand why people leave children in a hot car in the summertime. I never will understand why they drive that into water just because the car in front of them drove out there. It's foolish, and it is hard on their cars. Water gets in the bearings and brake linings. It's foolish and dangerous. When will we learn to watch the news and read the newspaper on these things?

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