OpinionApril 29, 2005
Speak Out 4/29/05
Good lesson; Liberal rally; Money for sidewalks; Help the fish; Attract more business; Sharing the street; Breeding mosquitoes; Raising money
Good lesson
ABOUT LITTERING: A little child shall lead them. Several years ago, I was walking down Ellis Street with my 5-year-old grandson, now 23. I unwrapped some chewing gum and dropped the wrapper on the ground. He saw what I did, ran back, picked it up and said, "Grandma, that's littering." He put the gum wrapper in my pocket. I've never littered since. His mom taught him well, and he taught his grandma.
Liberal rally
THE SOUTHEAST Missourian had a story about the liberal rally at Arena Park. A group of 30 people heard the usual bashing of conservatives. The weather was brisk, and the liberals blamed the cold for such a embarrassing turnout. It couldn't have been because of the hate-filled speeches by the Southeast Missouri State university liberal professors, Alan Journet and Bob Pollack, who seem to resent almost everything America stands for.
Money for sidewalks
IT SEEMS like just months ago we were told how bad Cape Girardeau's financial shape was and how we had to pass a tax increase. Now I see we're pouring concrete all over the city to make sidewalks. I just went out Silver Springs Road to watch a Central High School baseball game, and there are sidewalks on Silver Springs Road where there aren't even any houses. What's the point of that? Who will be walking on that sidewalk? And why do we all of a sudden have all this money?
Help the fish
PERHAPS BY the approval of the appropriate authorities, an improvement could be made to the Capaha Park pond. In particular, if used automobile tires were placed in an horseshoe-shaped array, much like a checkerboard around the north island, outward halfway to the bank, this would provide a great home for perch and minnows and consequently more food for the larger fish. This would make the pond vigorous with life.
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Attract more business
I'D LIKE to say thank you to the Mexican restaurant in Jackson that just went smoke-free. I'd like to see more restaurants go smoke-free in the Cape Girardeau-Jackson area. We had a group of eight going out for dinner one night last week. We spent nearly $200 as a group. One of our favorite restaurants downtown has a cuisine you can't get anywhere else, but nobody wanted to go there because of the smoke. In California, you can't smoke in restaurants or bars. Every time I've ever been out there, all the bars and restaurants have been full. I think the more restaurants that go smoke-free, the more business those restaurants are going to get.
Sharing the street
MAYBE IF the motorists who drive 50 to 60 mph in the morning on Ridge Road because they're late for work would get their butts out of bed on time, the walkers wouldn't have to jump out of the way. We have just as much right to be on that road. Slow down.
Breeding mosquitoes
WHY ALL the fuss over raising rice? Leave rice raising to China. If there were no rice fields in Southeast Missouri, we wouldn't have a mosquito problem, especially since the West Nile virus is such a threat to humans and animals. Why is it OK to flood thousands of acres to raise rice, but we can't put a flower pot with water in it in our graveyards because it will provide a breeding place for mosquitoes?
Raising money
THE OTHER day the cancer people were out with their buckets in Jackson. I drove out of my way to make sure I gave them $2. I don't see collecting for charity at a busy intersection as a safety issue. You need to be going slow at that intersection anyway. I think once a quarter would be plenty to be hit up. I don't want someone soliciting me every time I come to Jackson. I think it sends a better message to kids to raise their own money instead of accepting handouts.
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