Speak Out 3/23/07

Embarrassing hecklers

REGARDING THE High Hill Hecklers: What a disgusting display of sportsmanship. Southeast Missouri State University should be embarrassed, as should all of Cape Girardeau.

Thanks, firefighters

HOORAY FOR the Fruitland firefighters. They saved two homes in the last month or so from burning down. Good job. Thanks.

Hefty pay

IF AMEREN executives are getting a $243,000 bonus at the end of the year, how much are they making for their annual salary? That's absolutely crazy, and it makes me to not want to pay my electric bill or gas bill.

Send it back

NOW THAT we are in the midst of tax season, I hope my liberal friends put their money where their mouths are. For instance, if you have children, don't claim the tax credit. If you owe a home mortgage, forget about the interest. If you made charitable contributions last year, don't mention them. By taking these three simple steps, you can substantially increase your tax burden and perhaps eliminate your refund. If you have already received your refund, send it back. Let President Bush and Republicans know what you think about their tax cuts. You have had enough and you are not going to take them anymore.

Government care

I REMEMBER a politician used to say, "Good business is good government, and good government is good business." The handling of the health-care system in the United States is neither. It is a terrible waste. We spend more percentagewise than any major countries in the world. Nineteen other countries have universal health care, which means a family doesn't have to go bankrupt before the government takes over, and residents of those countries live longer and pay a lot less. Maybe what we need a change of government more than a change in health-care systems.

Federal health

IT HAS come to the attention of the taxpayers that our federal building will include an exercise room for our federal employees to use at their convenience to help keep them healthy and strong so they can perform their duties as public servants. Due to this expectation of good health and long lives, it is hopeful we can eliminate their health insurance to pay for this project. I'll vote for this.

It's a theory

IF THE teaching of global warming is anything like that of the theory of evolution, then we have nothing to worry about. There may, however, be slightly more truth in the global-warming theory than in the evolutionary theory, even though the latter is still often presented as factual. Remember that scientists once thought that the earth was flat. Sooner or later, we'll also realize that our creation was true after all.

Start with parents

THIS RIVER Corridor Task Force is not going to change anything unless it gets parents in the mood to change. The problem starts with the family.

Religious motivation

I APPEARS that people can no longer go to the Current and Jacks Fork rivers and get on inner tubes and drink beer and socialize and have a good time like everybody is known to do. This reeks of more church and Christian involvement. I am a Christian, but I believe people should be allowed to live their own lives. I think a lot more of these church-goers need to live their lives and leave everybody else out of it. If you keep making everything that people want to do to have fun illegal, immoral or just plain wrong, all you're doing is creating hard feelings.

Market inflation

THE UNEMPLOYMENT rate in the United States is really 8 to 9 percent, according to George Stigles, who won the Nobel Prize for economics. Last year was the first year since the Great Depression that Americans spent more money than they earned. The bubble is going to burst. Mark Hanes is slobbering about how the stock market is over 12,000 and it's going up. He forgets that since the stock market the last time hit it high, there's been inflation of 19 percent. So you have to add the 19 percent to the price the market, which would put it above 14,000 before you come close to what the market would have to be to make up for the inflation.

In need of firing

REGARDING THE political and media uprising about Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' firing eight U.S. attorneys: Is there anybody in the United States or in the world who thinks there are only eight federal law enforcement people, judges or attorneys who need firing? Is what they think? Are they that far underneath the surface of the world?

Neglected goats

I REPORTED to the Humane Society about a couple of goats being neglected, and I contacted the sheriff's department. Nothing has been done about it. Maybe this will get somebody's attention.

Tornado safety

REGARDING SCHOOLS and their tornado procedures: If you're across the room from a window, doesn't that mean you'll be in the direct line for flying shards of glass?

Learning to read

MY CHILDREN learned to read before they started school because I bought books and read to them. My children and grandchildren all learned to read. They use computers, but they also know how to read, and they do well on their tests in school. Mothers need to start looking at home instead of blaming the teachers.

Southern creatures

I'D LIKE to comment on Mary Nall's global-warming myth. Hang on a second. I almost wrecked. I was trying to avoid an armadillo that was being chased by fire ants. Wait a minute. That couldn't be in Missouri. Those creatures live south of here. I guess she's right. I guess there's no global warming. I'm sorry. I'll call back later when I have more proof.

Reno's firings

HOW MANY federal lawyers and judges did Janet Reno fire when she was attorney general? How many Democrats criticized her for doing that?

Stagnant TV

TELEVISION PRODUCERS are in need of some important information. There's a number of us who desire a different entertainment program. One could stroll through a large library and discover a myriad of subjects to put on film. Today the channels are stagnant. Imagination is a rare skill to find in an employee, but it is desperately needed. There is way too much macho on television today. Comedy is no longer funny. The wit and magnetism of Redd Foxx or the brilliance and taste of Johnny Carson and Carol Burnett need to be cultivated in today's entertainment. I have watched television in a room with several other people viewing, and no one laughs.

What's out there?

I READ about the possible cougar sighting by Blanchard Elementary School. I live by the river in some apartments that overlook the river. Last Friday night, we heard screaming from the woods, and someone told me that a bobcat had been sighted down there. I have a small animal and am concerned the children in the area. I would like to know what's out there in the woods.

Thanks for protection

I WOULD like to thank the Cape Police Department and the Cape Girardeau Sheriff's Department for always watching over those of us who have to work at night and being there if we need them. Thanks. You do a great job.

Skeleton crew

I HOPE the government knows what it will do to our soldiers if it leaves a skeleton crew in Iraq or Afghanistan, and I hope the government can live with what will happen to those soldiers.

Getting even

I RESPECT Gary Rust's column in regard to the U.S. attorneys. I would only say that two wrongs don't make a right. Part of our problem is our leaders try to get even. That doesn't help. Ball teams can't win games by getting even or having two wrongs.