Speak Out 5/13/11

Arm twisting

I read your headline to the effect that gas prices are expected to drop 50 cents per gallon this summer. I would like to thank President Obama for somehow having the time to arm twist the oil companies to get the prices down while at the same time ridding the world of Osama bin Laden.

Probing policy

ON the surface, Southeast history professor Wayne Bowen's published piece about the terror threat seemed to be not particularly controversial. And yet Bowen's credentials also noted that he was a member of the military. Members of the military have historically refrained from publicly commenting on matters of military policy and strategy. Their role has been and should remain tactical as ultimate control of the military remains in civilian hands, one of the wisest decisions made by the Founding Fathers. It seems to me that these days, members of the military, Bowen included, are publicly probing policy matters constitutionally reserved for the civilian leadership.

Noisy infant

SOME of us have no sophistication. A Speak Out complaint about a noisy infant at a recent River Campus symphony reflected no understanding of a postmodernist symphony since the noisy infant was an integral part of the performance.

Foreign aid

DID I miss the news article on any of the aid the flood victims in our area have received from foreign countries?

Waning support

YOUR article about the waning legislative support for passing right-to-work legislation in Missouri didn't quite tell it like it is. The reason pro-right-to-work legislators have taken to the tall grass in Missouri is because they witnessed what happened in Wisconsin, and they would like to keep their jobs for as long as possible.

False connection

LEAVE it to a Speak Out caller to draw a connection between the blowing of the levee at Bird's Point and the passage of the Affordable Health Care Act.

Speech and debate

THIS should be a no-brainer. Every area board needs to offer students the opportunity to participate in a speech and debate club at the high school level. For those who take advantage of it, the experience is invaluable.

Deficit plan

THE Republicans can't forget that Reagan won big by cutting taxes. They have played the same tune ever since. Today's tax rate is the lowest in over 30 years. The U.S. has the lowest tax burden of all but one of the most developed G20 countries. To fight the deficit we must raise taxes as well as curb spending increases.