Speak Out 5/22/05

Cut pension plan

THIS IS regarding plans to cut Medicaid and all the talk about closing military bases. I think a better way to balance the budget would be to cut out the perks for former presidents and federal judges. Why should a president be paid for the rest of his life, plus expenses for an office and bodyguards for both him and his wife? Most people have to work at least 20 years to get retirement.

Children and alcohol

WAY TO go. We preach to our children about alcohol and then make it easy for them to buy it over the Internet. We're hypocrites who can't give up our alcohol. I feel sorry for kids who really do try. Shame on us.

Choose not to smoke

I DON'T smoke cigarettes. I watched both parents die from smoking-related diseases. I thought of them this morning while watching my son at field day. My parents are not here because they chose to smoke. Remember this the next time you pick up a cigarette. Also, how come I'm not allowed to let my grass clippings go on the street, but while I'm trimming weeds there are cigarette butts flying everywhere?

Great parents

I REALLY enjoyed the article by Matt Sanders in Tuesday's paper. What a great home Monica and Vince Dirnberger of New Hamburg have for their children. I wish we had more parents like them. There would be fewer young people in trouble if we took more interest in our children. All you young and old parents should read the article.

Unkempt performers

I USED to look forward to watching the CMA Awards. It was such a night that you could see so many pretty, glamorous, dressed-up people. Now the songs are not even country. The performers need some water to take a bath and a shower and get a shave and a haircut. Where did our good country music go and our glamorous night to watch?

Many thanks

TOO WEEKS ago, I had my first flat tire. I was going to pick up my great-granddaughter from school, and a woman honked her horn and said I had a flat tire. I panicked. She told me to go to Kidds on Kingshighway and get some air in it and they would help me from there. To the two policemen who were there, I cannot thank you enough for all the help and the patience and the consolation you gave me. Also, thanks to the Linda who works at the public works department, She drove me to pick up my great-granddaughter and then brought me back to my car so I could get some help. For these three people who went out of their way so much to console and help, I will always be grateful. May God bless each of you.

Save the bear

I know THERE AREN'T VERY MANY BEARS IN MISSOURI, SO IT SEEMS A SHAME TO KILL ONE. WHY COULDN'T THE MAN HAVE CALLED THE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT AT THE START INSTEAD OF WAITING UNTIL AFTER HE SHOT IT? HE COULD HAVE CALLED HIS DOG TO HIM WHEN THE BEAR APPEARED IF IT SEEMED THREATENING OR GAVE A WARNING SHOT. IS IT WORTH THE LIFE OF A BEAR FOR A LITTLE SEED? AFTER ALL, WE ARE CONTINUALLY ENCROACHING INTO THE BEAR'S TERRITORY, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

Gym landscaping

THE OUTSIDE of the gymnasium at Jackson High School recently got some new landscaping thanks to Tim Goodman, Marc Harris, Loy Schrum, Greg Zeller and Coach Scott. I appreciate the time and effort they spent on a Saturday morning to improve the look of the gym. It's this kind of dedication that helps instill pride in a program. Your hard work did not go unnoticed.

Ban it all

IF WE are going to pass laws against smoking in public, let's also push for burning bans and bans on charcoal-burning barbecue grills complete with the toxic fire-starting liquid chemicals. At the same time, do the research and find the admission of EPA when it falsified its second-hand smoke reports.

Just the facts, please

ABC NEWS President had an excellent column regarding the decline of newspaper readers. He has good suggestions for improving news reporting. What the media does not appear to realize is that the majority of Americans, regardless of financial status or political leanings, want the news. Just give us the unbiased, unslanted facts. We're realizing that most of the media have been insidiously presenting us with their own views. This is insulting to intelligent readers.

Dominated women

WHY IS it men think they can control their wives or girlfriends? Why do they think they can tell them where they can go, when they can go and whom they can be friends with? I refuse to let a man treat me that way. My best friend is in that situation. She gets beat when she doesn't do what he wants her to do. She won't do anything about it. How else can I help her?

Contradictory actions

IT'S COMMENDABLE the young man in the black pickup truck wears a Lance Armstrong bracelet but it's not commendable that you throw your cigarette in the street when you're done smoking.

Too fast on Kingshighway

A DRIVER on Kingshighway honked his horn at me. I was pulling out onto Kingshighway and had plenty of time. But I guess he thought I was in his way. If he had been doing the speed limit, there wouldn't have been a problem. The speed limit there is 35 mph. When other cars are going 60 mph, it's hard to judge. The police need to set up a speed trap in that area.

Dogs on leashes

WE ARE having an influx of dogs come to our area that are not on leashes. People who have dogs should obey the city ordinance and leave them on leashes. It offends those of us who don't have dogs to be in our yard and see neighbor's dogs doing their necessity in our yard.

Senate disgrace

WHEN A vote is not allowed due to obstruction and stalling in our U.S. Senate, that is not democracy. That's attempted dictatorship. Voting is the mainstay of democracy. Voters did not elect those senators to stall and obstruct justice. Those dissidents are a disgrace to the Senate.