Speak Out 5/24/16

One's beliefs

In his column last week, Mike Jensen lamented that when confronted with "facts" and "logic" the left reverts to name calling, following that assertion by giving some examples of what he meant, examples that need to be delved into. Such as, if you disagree with the 97 percent of scientists who believe in man-made climate change, you are by definition of the word someone who is a denier about a truth. If you want to take rights away from transgender people because they do not live their lives as you do, what are you to be called? Should you question the immigration of folks who are not of European descent like your ancestors, are you not some form of an isolationist? Also, it has been proven by many respected studies that voter ID laws primarily affect the voting rights of African-Americans and Latinos. If someone wholeheartedly supports laws that purposely target certain races, how are they to be seen? In the end, one is as one believes.

Out of touch

The undoing of the public-school funding formula, greatly reducing school support over time, no increase for home health-care workers, a lukewarm ethics bill and a voter suppression bill that would make Vladimir Putin blush, are just a few pieces of the most unctuous legislation passed by a Republican dominated state legislature more in tune with their billionaire and millionaire buddies than with ordinary Americans. Rather than boasting to chambers of commerce how great these accomplishments are, area legislators should beg the public for forgiveness and move to Russia.

Sowell column

Tell it like it is, Thomas! Great line from preeminent, principled conservative, Thomas Sowell, published Wednesday in the Southeast Missourian. In reference to Donald Trump, he wrote, "If a man in his 60s has not yet matured, he is unlikely to grow up in his seventies." He also wrote that the "lesser of two evils" argument in favor of Trump pales in comparison to his view that Trump would be "... the most dangerous man to (ever) have in the White House."

After the fair

Since the funding for the Independence Street/Gordonville Road roundabout has been delayed, I hope some common sense is used and the construction of this is not started until after the SEMO District Fair ends. This only make sense as this alternate entrance/exit into the fair is traveled quite heavy.

Marginalized

Let the wake begin. Since the pure form of ideological conservatism (the Ted Cruz variety) has been marginalized to the point of irrelevancy, I respectfully request that the Southeast Missourian refrain from publishing any of the views of those once powerful but now powerless political pundits.

Drug offenses

Since the happy weed is becoming legal in some states, does that mean those serving time for selling it will be set free?

Great tribute

The obituary for Martha Jean Stewart in Sunday's newspaper was the very best I have ever seen. What a wonderful tribute to her and her family. In case you missed it, my favorite part was "her hands were the very hands of God at work among us."