Speak Out 4/30/06

Revolting play

I RECENTLY attended the "Romeo and Juliet" at Southeast Missouri State University. I was appalled by how raunchy the actors interpreted all of Shakespeare's innuendoes. At some points in the play, I believe they turned innocent lines into innuendoes. I was repulsed to see a man place a woman's hand on his genitalia. All in all, the play was revolting and a waste of $15.

Pales in comparison

I CANNOT help but wonder why on earth parents who let their teenagers listen to music with explicit content, see R-rated movies and curse like sailors are so uptight about them seeing the classic Shakespeare play "Romeo and Juliet." which is read by every high school freshman. In truth, Shakespeare's version was much racier than the marvelous production that Southeast Missouri State University is putting on. Parents need to wake up and realize what their kids are really doing that is much more harmful than seeing a literary masterpiece.

Wonderful play

REGARDING THE administrators from Woodland, Scott City and Bloomfield high schools who are refusing to let their students attend Southeast Missouri State University's production of "Romeo and Juliet" because it may bankrupt their morality, I'll bet these are the same people who can only see Michaelangelo's statue of David as a disgusting nude. Students and the real teachers who are passionate about opening minds from these schools should rise above these nearsighted and fanatical Puritans. Go see "Romeo and Juliet." It is absolutely wonderful.

Well done

WOW! I saw Southeast Missouri State University's production of "Romeo and Juliet" last weekend and was blown away. Congrats to the cast and crew of this terrific show. Well done.

Incredible show

CONGRATULATIONS TO Southeast Missouri State University's Department of Theatre and Dance. This was my first experience with Shakespeare, and "Romeo and Juliet" was incredible.

Fantastic performance

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI State University's production of "Romeo and Juliet" is nothing short of brilliant. While other colleges put on contemporary, controversial dramas, SEMO has taken historical literature and related it to modern life. I am outraged by the number of high schools that have pulled their tickets because of lewd content and inappropriate behavior that was said to be in the play. The "lewd content" that I saw was nothing that high schoolers haven't seen on TV or heard on the bus. Not allowing these young adults to see "Romeo and Juliet" is keeping them from experiencing a fantastic live performance of Shakespeare, who, in their minds, is boring. The bawdiness of the characters wasn't thrown in for controversy. Human behavior hasn't changed. We didn't used to be proper and polite. This representation of reality isn't meant to shock conservative audiences. If anything, it helps young people relate to the characters and feel more involved in the story. That is the purpose of live theater. It's a shame that certain high schools are being allowed only to read the texts and not see it being brought to life. When I was in high school, I thought that Shakespeare was over my head and boring. In actuality Shakespeare's characters are no different than you and me. Dr. Kenn Stilson, director of "Romeo and Juliet," illustrates this by his directing choices. I feel sorry for the students who aren't being allowed to see this amazing show.

A great show

I HAVE been attending plays at Rose Theatre for a very long time, and I just wanted to say that Southeast Missouri State University's production of "Romeo and Juliet" that I saw this past weekend was outstanding. The costumes, set and acting were all exquisite. Keep it up.

Supporting illegals

I'M SORRY legal immigrants are taking such a big hit right now. I want to thank them for being responsible and honest in coming to our country. They deserve a pat on the back. The problem becomes when they support illegal aliens. Having viewed pictures supporting illegals, I can't help but become angry at those who have stooped to lows including calling us thieves and saying we stole their country. If their country is so great, they are more then welcome to cross that border and stay there. This gives a whole new meaning to the old phrase, "America, love it or leave it."

Looking for directions

IF YOU are going to have a yard sale, please put a sign at the end of the road to tell us where it is. Oh. Wait. The Cape Girardeau Police Department will take it down.

Soft on meth

THE SPRINGFIELD News-Leader has practically thrown in the towel when it comes to trying to catch meth's big suppliers. The paper's editorial published in the Southeast Missourian suggests going after the users. How terrible. The News-Leader should change its name to the Springfield News-Losers.

Drug war failure

IT'S IRONIC that on the same day that the guest editorial ran on decreasing the demand for drugs the History Channel ran a special on the failure of the drug war. Since President Nixon started the war on drugs, the DEA has increased its budget to $18 billion, and it's not made a dent. Do you realize that child molesters and murderers are being released from prisons to make room for non-violent first-time drug offenders? We cannot arrest our way out of this problem. People say they're willing to pay taxes to build prisons, but when the tax bill comes due they are no longer willing to follow through on this pledge.

Riding school buses

ONCE AGAIN gasoline prices have gone up, and once again bus drivers for the Cape Girardeau School District have started asking kids on their bus route about which days they are going to ride, claiming if a child isn't going to ride that he needs a note in advance so the drivers know and won't stop there. I don't know in advance what days my child will ride. Either run a bus service or don't, but leave the kids alone.

Oil companies' profits

SKYROCKETING gasoline prices are very serious. What happens when working-class Americans can no longer afford to drive to work? One thing we can be sure of is that the price of gas will continue to climb. This is the result of planning by the oil people who control the politicians of this nation. The main excuse given for high gas prices is that demand is exceeding supply. Recently the chief executive of Exxon Mobil retired. His severance pay was $398 million. The major oil companies have all merged and are making unprecedented profits in billions of dollars, and our government is currently paying these same oil companies millions of dollars in federal subsidies. If there is only so much gas to be bought, how is it that the oil companies are making record profits? By oil companies merging, limiting supply and fixing prices is how.