Speak Out 3/21/06

It's all perspective

THAT WAS a nice editorial about Islam. However, it's not what Islam is all about but what the people believe it to be about that's important. Unfortunately, more and more Americans are starting to believe Islam is a warlike religion similar to medieval Christianity.

Not if you sneeze

"THE BEAUTY of flowers is delicious." That's what a romantic Speak Out comment said. Try telling that to those affected by the flowers with debilitating allergies.

Getting an ID

ANYONE CAN go to a Missouri motor vehicle and driver's license bureau and get a photo ID. You have to prove who you are, but there is a photo ID available for anyone who is a non-driver. My mother's has no expiration date. It shouldn't be a problem for anyone. You have to prove who you are to go to school and to get federal aid and Social Security. So you should be able to show proof of who you are to get a photo ID.

Time to get out

I thought democracy ran on the majority-rules concept. A dictatorship is when one person calls all the shots. I think many Americans want us out of Iraq, and I think Iraq would be OK with that too. I think Americans want affordable housing, utilities, gas, food and medical care. How could our national debt b trillions of dollars when none of us has anything, except for those who will profit from Iraq's oil.

Using four-wheelers

I'M WONDERING how long the police are going to allow four-wheelers to be ridden on Bevin Drive and Adeline Street.

Fix the chugholes

On Lexington Avenue from Perryville Road west toward Kingshighway, there are big chugholes 6 to 10 inches deep. This is one of the busiest thoroughfares in the city. I wish the Missourian would take pictures of this and show how the city is letting this go. I don't understand it. Taxpayers deserve better than this.

End of the line

THE RECOMMENDATION that people tired of long lines at the license bureau renew them via the Internet was condescending. Not everyone owns a computer, has access to one or knows how to use one. I think that rather than our having to go to the license bureau, the license-bureau employees should have to make house calls. When it's time to renew, they could come to us.

Anarchy is working

CAIRO, ILL., is an experiment in anarchy (absence of government). Frankly, I think it's working.

Downtown memory

I LOVED the heartwarming editorial about downtown Cape Girardeau coming back to life. However, I will not consider the task complete until Woolworth's comes back so I can sit on one of those stools and have a ham-salad sandwich and large cherry Coke as I did so often when I was a kid.

It's not round

A PERHAPS self-proclaimed science expert recently claimed the earth to be round. That is incorrect. During the scientific revolution, German scientist Johannes Kepler correctly theorized the world to be spherical. Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo and the synthesizer Newton taught us much about the true nature of the universe. Though modified somewhat in the 20th century through the teachings of Einstein and others, the shape of the earth as taught by Kepler remains true.

Upholding Constitution

REGARDING THE bombardment of Bible verses used to defend anti-abortion legislation, I must bring up the classic line: In America, judges and lawmakers swear on the Bible to uphold the Constitution, not the other way around.

Transit competition

WHAT IS the real reason the Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority wants to buy Cape's taxi service? The transit authority already brings people in to Cape. In my opinion, the county wants to control all the public transportation. That could mean longer waiting. We need more privately owned services to have more competition so we would have more choices and to keep the prices down.

Well-taught students

I JUST returned from seeing the mini-drama series performed by the junior high school drama students. They were so talented, professional and respectful to the audience. I appreciated how they made themselves available to meet the audience in the foyer after the play. It is apparent even to a newcomer like myself that these kids have been taught, coached and cared about by a wonderful teacher. The air of respect for him is contagious. He obviously likes the students and enjoys his work. Thanks for a refreshing evening out and an opportunity to see the good in the youths today. Way to go.

Comfortable killing

FUNDAMENTALIST Christians are showing their true colors. It's OK to kill in certain instances because God tells us it's OK. Apparently, God feels some lives are less important than others. We should change our laws so we can kill people, but just people who Christians feel comfortable killing.

Fine sons

I'M 63 years old and never had an abortion. During the years when we still abided by the Roman Catholic Church's no-birth-control laws, I became pregnant when our youngest was 7 years old and again in two more years. We agonized over whether or not to abort these rather late babies. As I look at my fine two youngest sons who have brought so much joy into my life (their father died when the youngest was 3), I am so very happy that we made the choices we did.

Novel viewpoints

NOW WE'RE basing our views of religion on novels. What happened to common sense and education in this country?