Speak Out 4/10/06

More correction

IT'S CALLED a correctional system, not a vengeance system. Not everyone sitting in a cell robbed or raped someone. Some are just people who made mistakes. Many are the poor and had to watch the rich, who could afford a high-priced lawyer, find a loophole to get off with a slap on the wrist. I speak from experience. When I was younger, I caught a DWI. I blew 0.078 and was made to sit for 20 minutes until I blew 0.081. I was too ignorant of the law to know I had a decent case and too poor to afford a decent lawyer. Instead of taking probation for two years and paying a probation fee each month, I chose to do my time. I agree offenders should not be treated like kings, but decent food is hardly a luxury. If you treat a man like a dog while he is locked up, how do you expect that man to act when he gets out? We should correct the problems, not perpetuate the cycle. According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice, America incarcerates more of its population than any other country. Ever wonder why that is? I consider anyone who says that they never made a mistake a liar, because a man who makes no mistakes never learns anything.

Buses in the way

I DO not want bus service. Buses take up space and impede traffic. Large cities have dedicated bus lanes which help but don't eliminate the added agony of dealing with buses. As it has been stated numerous times, bus service, even using short buses, would be provided at a loss. Cape Girardeau city officials can't even align a road correctly. Can you image what headaches bus service will cause?

Doors are closing

A HEARTFELT confession will move mountains. A phony one will close doors. I see a lot of doors closing for those who have planted themselves in positions of power without caring for those they represent.

Best musical ever

I GO to Notre Dame Regional High School's musicals every year because they are always so wonderful. "Damn Yankees" is by far one of the best I've seen. The singing was absolutely spectacular. Hats off to Cindy King and all the performers.

Parrot's plight

I AM eternally grateful to Jen Kiesling for helping my beloved pet parrot, Stuart, when he choked on a Gummi bear. She was able to think so quickly and administer the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the gummi bear and then did CPR -- and he started breathing again and was fine. Not only is she a talented teacher for the Cape Girardeau School District, but she also saved my little Stuart. Thank you, Jen.

Show was fantastic

I WANT to congratulate the Notre Dame Regional High School cast and crew of "Damn Yankees." The show was absolutely fantastic and completely entertaining the entire time. I am always amazed by the talent level at Notre Dame, and this year was no exception. Bravo to everyone involved for another successful performance. I can't wait until next year.

Dispatcher recognition

IN RECOGNITION of National Telecommunicator Week April 9 to 15, I'd like to thank every emergency-services dispatcher who has helped the public. Your job is truly one of the most stressful on the planet, and rarely do you get the credit you deserve. Thank you for your skills and dedication, and I hope you know how valued your contribution is to our country.

Ethanol and coal

HOW MANY of you knew, before you read the article, that the so-called green gas from ethanol is produced by a black-soot coal-burning procedure? Doesn't seem so environmentally friendly now, does it?

Poor defense

DOUGLAS COPELAND, president of the Missouri Bar, complained in a recent op-ed column that lawyers who defend the poor (public defenders paid for by taxpayers) are pathetically underpaid. I agree. Copeland said a number of public defenders had to take second jobs to make ends meet. Some of the jobs Copeland listed were "refereeing, tutoring, teaching and proofreading, bowling alley attendants, bar tending, baby-sitting, waitressing, delivering pizzas, working as a salesperson in a retail store, answering service operator, doing laundry in a nursing home." That made no sense to me. If Copeland wants to convince taxpayers to fork over more money for public defenders, why would he provide a laundry list of underpaid jobs that have more prestige, status and higher approval rating than lawyers? I just don't get it.

Old control freaks

IS THE Southeast Missourian editorial board so old or stodgy or both that it has forgotten what it's like to be young? Maybe it's because the board is jealous of today's teens. Who knows? Of course teens need guidance, but they're being forced in some instances to suffer virtual involuntary servitude imposed by an older generation of control freaks.

Round and round

How many times will the roundabout at Gordonville Road and Silver Springs Road have to be rebuilt before it turns out right? We were told the first version and the subsequent versions were designed by engineers. What kind of engineers? Surely not any who deal with the real world of traffic configurations and the space requirements for vehicles of all shapes and sizes and motorists of all levels of competence. This roundabout, unfortunately, gives the concept a bad name.