Speak Out 4/7/10

South-side concern

THAT'S a wonderful place the city is building for the children for swimming. It's a big, beautiful complex. I'm sure the children are going to enjoy it. But the children who won't enjoy it are the ones on the south side. They won't be able to afford it. They don't have anything nice down there. How come everybody gets it except the south side?

Slaughtering horses

I'M ashamed to be from Missouri. We're known as the puppy mill capital of the world. Now we may have the only U.S. slaughterhouse for horses in our own backyard. It's disgusting. I'm a horse owner, and I'm not comfortable with it. If this facility is built, I will move my horse to a training facility out of state. I'm not going to have any possibility that my horse could be stolen and taken to one of these facilities. This is a responsibility issue. People have to be taught that horses are going to cost owners between $200 and $500 a month per horse. People should know this when they buy a horse. They should be prepared for that.

Student respect

THERE are some teachers who should not be teaching, but most teachers really care. Students' behavior, attitudes, morals and lack of respect are a big problem in our schools. Teachers' hands are tied when it comes to discipline. Until education becomes important to students and parents, our schools will continue to fail. Until we see these changes, education will continue to fail.

Classroom changes

SHAME on you, Oak Ridge. I thought you cared about the students. I have a child starting kindergarten next year and just found out you tore up the beautiful kindergarten room with the reading loft and individual bathrooms to pamper the elementary teachers with a bigger work room. Why couldn't they have the smaller room? So much for putting the children first.

Tough legislation

I'VE heard it all. Some guy with a think tank has said the only way for the rise of extremism to be reversed and tempers to cool is for President Obama to quit bringing up controversial legislation. In other words, our duly elected president should stop suggesting the passage of legislation he was elected to try to get passed into law. How absurd.

School bullies

MY family is a part of the Cape Girardeau School District. My children are still at the age where they come home and tell me about their day. They worry about being bullied. Too many times they relate the bullying that is going on and the fact that nothing is done. I am hoping something is being done that isn't apparent to the students. I am aware of parents who have gone to the principal and complained, but the student is still bullying their child and the principal has one excuse after another why it can't be stopped. Do we have to wait until someone is physically hurt or kills themselves? School should not be so unsafe and my children should not have to worry that the next day the bullies will turn on them. I want the teachers and administrators to do more than just talk about it. Speaking for all parents, either stop this or get someone in there that can stop it before more hurt is done.

Selfish models

WHY are children so rude? It's the mentors they have. Too many adults have an "all about me" attitude and treat their children rudely. You can't expect children to do anything except emulate their parents. The Golden Rule has been forgotten or has little meaning to these selfish individuals.

Planning ahead

TALK about getting out in front. U.S. Senate Republicans are not too subtly threatening to filibuster an as-of-yet nonexistent appointment by President Obama for a U.S. Supreme Court justice who has not yet resigned.

Helpful Scout

I'M an 80-year-old woman. My car ran out of gas the other day on Independence Street. I would like to thank young Eagle Scout Travis Herbst for helping me push my car out of the road and get gas. The world needs more people like him. Thank you.

Retirement system

A state-run Missouri retirement system (MOSERS) is handing out huge bonuses to its executives. This is exactly why the Missouri Public School Retirement System must be kept away from the state. Once again, I appeal to state Sen. Jason Crowell to come to his senses, reverse course and oppose SB 1050, which would, if it passes, ultimately be doomsday for Missouri public school teachers and their heavily relied-on retirement system.

In training

COME on, everyone, let's give our president a chance. How good were you at your first job?