OpinionJuly 26, 2001
SPEAK OUT
BECAUSE IT'S reaching love-in proportions, I almost hate to rain on this vicarious parade to the Capitol we're taking with Republican state Rep. Rod Jetton. However, I see the sojourn as little more than a cynical public-relations stunt designed to detract voter attention from the fact that it was Missouri's Republican pols who perfunctorily blocked the effort of the governor to allow Missourians to vote on a transportation package...
It's just a stunt
BECAUSE IT'S reaching love-in proportions, I almost hate to rain on this vicarious parade to the Capitol we're taking with Republican state Rep. Rod Jetton. However, I see the sojourn as little more than a cynical public-relations stunt designed to detract voter attention from the fact that it was Missouri's Republican pols who perfunctorily blocked the effort of the governor to allow Missourians to vote on a transportation package.
Quelling a firestorm
I HAVE to respond to the firestorm I touched off with my recent comments about misogyny in Cape Girardeau, and I need to clarify a couple of points. First off, I'm blissfully married to a generous, sensitive, intelligent man, and I love him so darn much I opted to take his name when we got hitched. No hyphens. Secondly, feminism is not about hating men, keeping one's own name or refusing to cook. It is about standing up for oneself and one's gender and demanding equal opportunity, equal treatment and respect in all aspects of life. That's not so complicated, is it?
Rats in a cage
IF UNIONS have no power as a Speak Out commentator suggested, why would the establishment be so dead set against collective bargaining for a smattering of state employees? Power is what it's all about, and collective bargaining is such a threat to the powers that be that it gets them all worked up in a rage, just like rats in a cage.
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Safe environment
TO THE person in charge of the new Freedom Rock center on Kingshighway, I would just like to say thank you. It is encouraging to me as a parent to be able to send my kids to a positive and safe environment on a Friday night.
Warning: Speed trap
YOUR STORY about the Cape police proves my argument: Cape is a speed trap. I spotted two cruisers stopping speeders on I-55. Why are city police patrolling the interstate? It helps fill their monthly quota of tickets. Over 1,200 speeding tickets in six months? And still traffic accidents increase? Instead of serving citizens, Cape police seem to be at war with the entire community. Speeding is not remotely the culprit in Cape's high rate of traffic mishaps. We cater to a larger rural region, and many of those rubes simply can't drive. It's time somebody posted billboards warning tourists and shoppers: Avoid Cape. It's a speed trap. City councilmen, are you aware?
A professional chief
AS A resident of Cape Girardeau, I feel you have done a tremendous disservice to our former police chief, Rick Hetzel. I don't know how to run a police department, but I know that most police officers don't either. Police officers have a tough job, but they are like any other employees. They always want more. There isn't an organization anywhere where you couldn't find the same problems, but not on the front page. I had the opportunity to know and work with Hetzel. He always took the high road and did what was best for our city. When Hetzel came here, I never thought he would stay, because he was so professional. He did stay, and he worked our city through one mess after another. He was one of a few who we knew would take a stand when necessary. It is always easy to blame the boss, especially after he is gone.
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