OpinionApril 30, 2009
Speak Out 4/30/09
Jetton's trip; Monitoring citizens; Two-party globalism; Torture penalties; Reason for piracy; Drug task force; Erratic driving; No riverboat
Jetton's trip
SO Rod Jetton appointed himself to the Missouri State Employees Retirement System, flew to London and didn't attend one meeting, all on the taxpayers' dime. On balance, I think this is a good thing. Though I do believe Jetton should reimburse the taxpayers, I also think that if he had attended any of the meetings he might also have come away with ideas that would help make an already jeopardized retirement system even worse.
Monitoring citizens
DAVID Limbaugh seems outraged that the Department of Homeland Security is monitoring ordinary conservatives, which it isn't. On the other hand, there was not a peep of protest from Limbaugh when the Bush administration was accused of monitoring Americans of all political stripes, which it was.
Two-party globalism
SOME recent comments concerning the tea party suggested that both the Republican and Democratic parties are no different. I don't believe this is true. However, I do believe that both parties are forcing the nation down a one-way road using different rhetoric to reach the same conclusion. For example, Republicans preach nationalism without the socialism. Democrats preach socialism without the nationalism. Put both parties together and what do you get? Nationalist socialism. But never fear, because globalism is the inevitable agenda that both parties cater to. They just need us all to toe the line first.
Torture penalties
WE should investigate and impose criminal penalties on those responsible for torturing enemy prisoners. The soldiers torturing knew what they were doing was wrong, as did their superiors. Are all those ideals we spout off all the time just lip service or do we really believe in what we claim to stand for? Those responsible should be tried as any other war criminal would be. What other standard should we set? Is it wrong only when we aren't doing it? Even the SS didn't try that excuse.
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Reason for piracy
IN response to the columnist who suggests shooting more pirates will lessen the problem of piracy: It needs to be understood that the pirates are doing their kidnappings for money. Why do they need this money? They can't fish in their oceans like they used to for a living because of waste in their waters, which has been dumped from ships from western governments.
Drug task force
ALLERGY sufferers, beware. I recently had the misfortune of having sinus problems. I went to a store with a pharmacy, made my selection, signed my name for the pills, paid and left. As I drove out of the parking lot, my car was surrounded by trucks and people with guns. These people with guns accused me of being a meth head. It turns out that these people with guns were with the drug task force and were stopping people who purchased sinus pills, no matter the reason. I found out they are watching the pharmacies and stores that sell these items and hope to make a case. My family and I were terrorized and threatened by these officers. We had done nothing wrong or illegal. My complaint about these actions was laughed at.
Erratic driving
I was on my way from my house in Cape Girardeau County to Jackson and then Cape Girardeau. I just don't understand motorists who think they can stop on the side of the road without pulling their cars off and make you go around. Then there are people who think you'll stop on a dime when you're doing 55 mph. You can't do it. Something needs to change.
No riverboat
CAPE Girardeau's downtown does not need a riverboat. It's wonderful to be able to see the river. If a riverboat is ever docked there, all you will see is this large boat that blocks the view of the river. That' won't help the downtown. Downtown doesn't need to be scrapped. Gambling doesn't help anyone except the few who own the riverboat. They get rich, and everybody else suffers. That's money that could be poured into our economy.
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