Speak Out 5/20/09

Pool memories

REGARDING the possible closing of the Capaha Park Pool: It breaks my heart to hear that a piece of my childhood might be slowly fading into oblivion. I am 45 now and living in Texas, but I learned to swim in the Capaha Park Pool and enjoyed many a hot summer day there just relaxing and cooling off with friends. It's been roughly 35 years since I last dipped a toe in it, but remember it like it was yesterday..

Effective tactics

THE headline on Jon Rust's most recent rant about the Rev. Larry Rice read, "Same old tactics from Larry Rice." Readers should not conclude that, just because the tactics are old they are ineffective. If it comes to it, our ongoing stereotyping of the homeless should mean that we have a lot of ground to make up in letting them know they are not unwelcome in Cape if and when they start to arrive.

Homeless impact

WHY the ongoing demonization of the Rev. Larry Rice? In my view, the effect will be either nil or will have the unintended consequence of expediting the decision to open the doors of Cape Girardeau's old federal building to those who have, through no fault of their own, fallen on hard times and who are, like every one of us, one of God's creatures.

Good for America

THE federal car czar is forcing American car companies to close independently owned car dealerships. If this makes it harder to buy a Chrysler in Cape Girardeau, then more consumers will buy foreign cars. It is good for America when we buy American cars, and the American government is making that harder to do. Does this make any since? Let's make laws and programs that are good for America.

Playing politics

NANCY Pelosi should stop waffling and admit that she knew enhanced interrogation techniques were being use and didn't say anything. Both parties deserve credit for endorsing these techniques that helped save us from more attacks. Now that Democrats have been able to manipulate public opinion and label it torture, they must somehow undo the reality of their past and pretend outrage at it's use. Pelosi should stop playing politics with our national security and tell the truth.