Speak Out 5/13/09

Teachers know best

I'M a teacher close to retirement. Over the years I've felt less and less appreciated by parents. My students, however, make up for this. They love me no matter what, and I love them. They know that I have their best interests in heart. I enjoy my days with my students. I love them like a mother and want the very best for them. If teachers could make all the decisions regarding student learning, I could guarantee academic success for all. So many people who have absolutely no idea what teachers deal with during the day and night make all the decisions. Much learning is lost. Please, start realizing that teachers know what is best in the classroom.

Support for shelter

WHAT a miracle: the old federal building becoming a homeless shelter. What a great idea the New Life Evangelistic Center has come up with. Larry Rice is well-qualified to such a thing. He is 100 percent right when he says this city is opposed to a homeless shelter. I tried to open one, but I still have not received approval from city inspectors for the electrical system. I have prayed about the problems I'm having, but so far such prayers have not been answered. Some people may say God must be against a homeless shelter, but I believe God loves all of us, even the down and out. I fully support the venture that Rice is working on here. God bless Rice for attempting once more to start a homeless shelter in Cape Girardeau.

Courthouse access

I was recently called to serve on jury duty at the courthouse in Cape Girardeau. I was surprised when I got there to discover that the jury rooms are on the second floor, the restrooms on the first floor and there is no elevator. A couple of the older women really struggled with the stairs. I don't know how the county gets away with this considering the Americans with Disabilities Act. Even my poor, old country church had to practically go broke installing a ramp and handicapped-accessible restrooms.

Crime is crime

I do not support the anti-hate bill now heading to the U.S. Senate. It is not necessary. A crime is a crime regardless of who it's perpetrated upon. Also, our military men and women coming back from war are not protected by the hate crime, but pedophiles are because of so-called sexual orientation. It's sick. A crime is a crime.

Prison is too easy

THIS is what's wrong with our penal system today? I have a son who has been in jail most of his life. We have state-of-the-art prisons. The prisoners can have practically anything they want. They have nice cells. They have doctors. They have lawyers. They can order meals. Whatever happened to punishing the prisoner? To heck with his medicine. To heck with his comfort. Good grief. My son feels secure in his prison now. And why not? Somebody is goofing somewhere.