Speak Out 4/15/08

Help with license

I WAS in the license bureau the other day. I am handicapped and have to use a walker. When I got inside, I had to sit down to rest. One of the women working there saw me and asked me if she could help me. I told her I had to rest because it was hard for me to walk that far. She was nice enough to come out and ask me what she could do for me. She did all the work and brought me the papers to sign. I didn't have to stand in line. That was nice of her. Thank God she was there. I appreciate the help she gave me.

Lingering question

I READ Gary Rust's glowing report of the things going on in Iraq, but he's failed to answer this question: If things are so wonderful, why are we there? And why did we go there in the first place?

Hummingbirds here

I WANT to tell the hummingbird enthusiasts that the hummingbirds have returned. Put your feeders out. They're here. We got out first pair, and we're located halfway between Egypt Mills and Oriole. Put your feeders up and enjoy.

Levee protects access

THIS IS in answer to the people who don't think the levee along the Diversion Channel is worth the cost to protect the houses in Dutchtown. Do they have any idea how many people west and south of Dutchtown use Highway 74 and Highway 25 to get into Cape Girardeau and Jackson to go to work, to see doctors and so forth? I think the water gets closer to Highway 74 before it ever gets into Dutchtown. It's not just the people in Dutchtown are going to be helped by the levee. Take it from people who drive from Advance, Bloomfield and Whitewater.

Keep your word

THE HALF-CENT sales tax passed in Cape Girardeau for the water park and storm-water drainage, which is good. I hope it doesn't turn out like the blacktop the county passed money for and then the commissioners decided to go to chip and seal after it passed. I hope the city sticks with what it said it was going to do with the money.

Baby congrats

I WANT to congratulate Bob and Callie Miller on their new baby. In his picture, he really looks precious. I'm sure they're proud of him. I enjoy reading their column in the paper every week. Keep up the good work. Again, congratulations.

Foreign policy

IN A recent column by Mona Charen, the headline asks, "Do they really care what they think of America?" referring to other countries in the world. Well, here's a reason why we should care: Sept. 11. Events like that are what can happen when we're not careful enough with our foreign policies.