Speak Out 4/12/04

Goodies for soldiers

I AM the mother of a 1140th soldier. I want to thank everyone for giving magazines, newspapers, books, food and other things.

Put a stop to it

I CANNOT imagine the thinking of the U.S. and allied forces in permitting Iraqis to walk around and wave with their guns. Coalition forces should warn these Iraqis and make it well known to all people in Iraq that this will not be tolerated and they are liable to be killed if this happens.

Need national health

TO THE person with the bright idea of saving money for retirement medical expenses: Get real. Do you realize how much money you'd have to save, considering the cost of intensive care or surgery or even emergency-room treatment? There's no way could you save enough in your lifetime. We need national health care.

War on Christianity

READING THE book "Persecution" by David Limbaugh makes me wonder. If I didn't know this book was about America, I would have thought it was written about Russia where religion was banished under the Soviets. Has America become a socialist country? It would seem so. No wonder President Bush is leading the war on terrorism. It's within our country as well as without. Limbaugh's book will open Americans' eyes even more to this war on Christianity in our country.

Calling and driving

I THINK Cape Girardeau ought to pass an ordinance where if you're talking on a cell phone while driving the police could pull you over and issue a citation and a fine of $150. Look at how many wrecks are caused right here. A person talking on a cell phone has no business driving.

Big loss for families

THE CLOSING of the Early Head Start program is going to be a great loss to the community. There are many families that cannot and will not be able to provide decent child care. It's a shame that East Missouri Action Agency would not take the time to further this program when funding is there.

Wishful thinking

WHEN I read a guest column that began, "Many people still do not understand ... ," I'm fairly sure the columnist was certain that after the masses read her column they would indeed understand and agree with its thesis. Since most people peruse opinion pieces with already well-entrenched, intransigent and preconceived notions in mind, I find that notion somewhat naive and reflective of little more than wishful thinking.

Right here in River City

NOW I know all you folks are the right kind of parents and worried about the right things, so I'm going to be perfectly frank. I'm thinking of kids in jeans, shirt-tailed young'uns peeking after school at soaps and MTV. You got trouble, folks. Right here in River City. Trouble with a capital T. and that rhymes with V, and that stands for TV. Would you like to know what kind of conversation goes on when they're loafing around in your basements watching evil TV and listening to MP3's? Well it's about shameless music that will drive your son, your daughter to the arms of the jungle, animal instinct, mass hysteria. Friends, the idle brain is the devil's own playground. Trouble! Mothers of River City, heed warning before it's too late. Watch for telltale signs of corruption. The minute your son leaves the house, does he pull his jeans down like a plumber's? Is she putting on pantyhose and eyeliner? Is he memorizin' SNL jokes? Certain words creepin' into conversation? Words like "whazzzup?" Aha! If so my friends, ya got trouble.

Save the Indian

I AGREE with Don Dickerson, president of the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents. Changing the mascot is unnecessary and will be a huge expense. Will this mean even higher tuition? If we stop acting ashamed of the Indian and return to using the name with pride and respect, we will once again have a great image to promote. Save the Indian.