OpinionMarch 16, 2007
Speak Out 3/16/07
Novel idea; Baseball litter; Great photo; Weeknight music; Stand on morality; Good economy; No evidence; Defeat for choice; Drop it, and move on; Kids will be kids; Great idea; Careful with cash; United Way funding; Take a firm stand; Pay for fitness; We're paying; Ethanol helps; Basketball pride
Novel idea
A SIMPLE sock solution for Sam Blackwell would be for him to do his own laundry. A novel idea for many men, I'm sure.
Baseball litter
WHY DON'T the police ticket the people littering in our parks? The stuff blows everywhere. I live on West End Boulevard and have to pick up trash after every ballgame. This week I had to pick up two plastic ice bags. Who in their right mind would throw a big plastic bag on the ground?
Great photo
I LOVED the picture of the prom dress and Army boots.
Weeknight music
I WISH Matt Sanders could convince more bands to perform during the week downtown. Some of us have to work on the weekends, and the only time we can hear live music is during the week. Nothing's happening. It's dead.
Stand on morality
ACCORDING TO an article in Sunday's paper, Americans consider character and morals more important than policy in evaluating a leader, in this case the president. Where were these Americans during the last administration when the president played fast and loose with the definitions of sex, lying and obstruction as well as with his sworn vows to his wife? Americans kept saying then that they didn't care what the president's morals were as long as the economy was doing OK. It's a shame Americans can't stand firm on what they feel about morals, much less than on morals themselves. The sad thing is many Americans don't know what they believe and, if they do, they don't take a firm stand. Polls such as this prove that.
Good economy
TALK ABOUT burying you head in the sand. Less than 1 percent of the work force makes minimum wage. Personal income and wealth are at the highest levels in our history, and taxes are down. Unemployment has dropped under 5 percent. Wake up from your class envy and hatred of one man to see how things really are.
No evidence
POOR DAVID Limbaugh seems unable to get anything right. He has no shred of evidence on his side, but he still calls the thousands of scientists on the cutting edge of climate science "pagan zealots." He also misunderstands the Luddite concept. Technological advances have made autos throughout the rest of the world more energy efficient. Detroit, however, decided to ignore the technology and continue marketing gas-guzzlers. The Luddites are in Detroit. They are standing against advanced technology that could reduce climate changing greenhouse gas production. And Limbaugh proudly stands with them.
Defeat for choice
THE EGG on face award for March goes to Missouri Republican leaders for forcing a vote on a school-choice proposal and then defeating it themselves.
Drop it, and move on
I READ Matt Sanders' article on the new Oran chief. All I saw was the blasting of the former chief. I wish the Southeast Missourian could let this drop and move on. You make Marc Tragresser look like a criminal for enforcing laws of a town that thinks it is above the law.
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
Kids will be kids
I LIVE in a small village by the Mississippi River, and I wonder why there are certain people who criticize everything the kids do. They skateboard and play in the park, and now and again they do things they shouldn't, but nothing major yet. They are kids. If you're going to lay blame, blame everyone.
Great idea
I THINK the new Cincinnati air plan is a great idea. I am originally from Southeast Missouri and moved to the Cincinnati area three years ago. I drive 12 hours to visit family at least once a month. This new commuter flight will not only shorten my travel time, but it will allow me to spend more quality time with my friends and family without the strain of the drive.
Careful with cash
KFVS12 DID a news story about a man in Illinois who was upset about his high utility bill. In protest, he sent over $300 in pennies to the utility company in payment of his bill. I think the story may backfire on viewers that think this is an excellent way to protest. There is no federal law that requires private business or organizations to accept coins or, for that matter, paper currency in payment of obligations. There are companies that legally accept only credit cards, checks or money orders in payment. The source is the Coinage Act of 1965, Section 31, USC 5103. I found this information on the U.S. Treasury Web site and typed in "coins to pay bills" in their search engine.
United Way funding
I'M A contributor to United Way. For some time the allocations have bothered me. Is United Way keeping money to start services and programs? Is it making local agencies compete against United Way for funding? This must make it difficult for those agencies. I thought United Way was a funding source and an outlet for those agencies to reach out for financial support. When you have so many agencies providing worthwhile services, why not tap into what they are doing and enhance their services? It looks like that United Way is becoming a service provider, and it would be in the interest of all contributors to donate directly to the agency of their choice.
Take a firm stand
I'M CALLING about the subdivision challenge in Jackson, where the city has been asked to abandon the street. I live in a subdivision with only one way out because the city agreed to abandon the other three possibilities for right of way out of the subdivision. It's been a real problem for us. I hope the mayor stands firm on this. It's not fair, and it's going to create problems down the road.
Pay for fitness
I THINK it's outrageous my tax dollars are going to put not one, but two exercise rooms in the new federal courthouse. Private businesses may include workout rooms, but my taxes aren't paying for it. I belong to a gym and pay dues for the privilege. I'm sure the federal employees make enough to do the same.
We're paying
THE FEDERAL government is like a job. The more we give it, the more it expects and wants. Our tax dollars shouldn't be going for workout areas for federal employees. Does the public get to use these gyms since we're paying for it? It's time to write your federal legislators and complain. If they don't do anything to curtail this spending, show your dissatisfaction at the polls in the next election.
Ethanol helps
AS A farmer, I am proud that with ethanol we will not be so dependent on foreign oil. That is what it is all about. Farmers' expenses go up every time fuel prices rise. I am thankful God has given man ability to develop new fuel alternatives.
Basketball pride
HOLD YOUR heads up high, Notre Dame basketball team. You have a fantastic team and played great all year. You make Cape Girardeau proud.
Story Tags
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.
Related
OpinionDec. 12
Advertisement
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
