Speak Out 5/26/06

Boondoggle cover-up

I GOT a taxpayer-supported letter from U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's office about Medicare Part D, which anybody knows is a boondoggle. She's trying to smooth that over and has ignored Iraq or gasoline prices. In other words, what Emerson wants to do is cover up what that sloppy bunch in Washington is doing.

Intelligent readers

WE INTELLIGENT readers of Speak Out are tired of the Iraq war bashers who don't think the American people are intelligent to think about issues such as the Shakespeare controversy and Iraq. We only have to think about how soccer players in Iraq were mistreated if they didn't perform well on the field. And who knows what else Saddam Hussein was doing. President Bush made a decision, and the soldiers stuck with hi and performed bravely. Someone in an armchair at home doesn't need to bash our soldiers who are working so hard trying to bring democracy to that part of the world.

School policing

THERE HAVE been numerous comments lately about the Jackson police stopping speeders in the school zone near the junior high school and West Lane Elementary School. What the callers don't seem to realize is that the police are partly to blame for this situation, because they don't consistently control the speeders, and they don't support law-abiding citizens. Instead, they go out only when someone complains. The rest of the time they tell law-abiding citizens to go with the flow of traffic. I've even had officers rev up on my rear to get me to increase my speed. When a person has had experiences like this it's understandable that getting a ticket would be viewed as entrapment. I hope the police continue to be out there not only to catch speeders, but also those who tailgate and pass.

Birds in stores

I WOULD like to know why, with the danger of bird flu, that we have to put up with birds flying around in retail stores that sell food. It's been going on for years. I think the health department ought to get busy.

Crossing is smooth

THE GRAY Street railroad crossing that is being talked about in Speak Out is repaired and is smooth. Maybe if people were not so impatient, they could be a little bit more understanding.

Lack of jobs

THERE ARE no automobile manufacturers hiring in the St. Louis area or the Kansas City area. There are no defense contractors hiring the way they did years ago. The economy is lousy. Automobile manufacturers are closing down their plants right and left. There's plenty of work if you want to work for minimum wage. You can't raise a family on that unless you have two jobs.

Better ethanol

IF THE United States would have listened to what Tom Friedman said several years ago and launched a Manhattan Project-style effort for energy independence, we could be well on our way to telling the Arab world where to go in no uncertain terms. I've found information that I think everybody in the country ought to know. There's an enzyme called alpha amylase enzyme that can convert corn stalks or sawdust or wood chips to ethanol. The enzyme cost would be 10 to 18 cents per gallon of ethanol produced. This business is being moved ahead by such big companies as John Deere and DuPont. They have said you can produce cellulose ethanol at 60 percent less per gallon than you produce it from corn.

Fighting for rights

I THINK the Mexicans who was serving in the U.S. military show the level of commitment of Mexicans who came here. I commend them on their bravery. As far as I'm concerned, if they're willing to risk their lives for our country, I think they and their families should have amnesty.

Holiday handout

WHEN I had children in school, there was no sales-tax holiday. I can't believe people expect the city to hand them out a sales-tax holiday. Once you give something, it's hard to take it back from the public. I never had four kids because I didn't think I could afford them. I don't know why people expect to get special privileges because they choose to have more children. In this day of birth control, there's no excuse for having more children than you can afford.

Bit of chivalry

I HAD a doctor's appointment, and as I was coming out I had a little trouble with the doors. A young man held all three doors open for me and walked me to my car. I can drive, but my walking is a little unsteady for a 83-year-old. Chivalry is still alive and well. Thanks again for your help, young man.

Federal spending

HOW CAN the federal government finance rebuilding of levees and homes in New Orleans when the government disallowed any loans in the flood zones along the Mississippi River right here in Cape Girardeau County? The government should have one policy or the other.

Missing musketeers

I CAN remember when Three Musketeers candy bar was not just chocolate but was also strawberry and vanilla. That's why it was called Three Musketeers. It's still called Three Musketeers, but what happened to the strawberry and vanilla?

Skimpy landscaping

I'M SURPRISED at the amount of money spent on the work that was done at southbound exit at Route K and I-55 southbound. It's a waste. It would look like the City of Roses if more roses were planted in the whole landscape plan.

Iraq statistics

A RECENT comment said that since the 2003 invasion of Iraq America is responsible for more deaths than Saddam Hussein. Really? What is the source for this? Liberals would have us believe that Iraq is in total chaos when in reality 14 provinces are as safe as most Missouri counties and 79 percent of all polled Iraqis (source: Iraq Information Ministry) said that the U.S. should not leave until there is a stable government in place.

Musical editing

I RECENTLY had the pleasure of viewing Central Junior High School perform "Joseph, and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." I can't say enough about how great it was. However, I was disappointed to find the word Bible had been taken out in two spots. It is OK for the students to perform a Bible story, but can't say the word. How disappointing our schools are becoming.

Time for U.N. to go

MIGHT I suggest that instead of shutting down Guantanamo we should shut down the U.N.? Corruption and abuse of power have taken over, and it is no longer in the interest of the United States to allow such individuals to remain in our country. Let them return to their homelands or to a country with whom they share their values.

Hope after cancer

I AM a cancer survivor and am so grateful to all the wonderful people who put in their time, energy and donations to help us. The Relay for Life was wonderful, as is the Turning Point support group for breast-cancer patients. I cannot thank these people enough for helping us realize there is hope and life after cancer.

Saving seats

I'VE NOTICED over the last few years how rude younger people are to the elderly in Jackson. I don't mean teenagers. I'm talking about people in their 30s and 40s. What I witnessed at the Jackson High School graduation took the cake. There were a lot of elderly family members who came at least an hour early so they could get a seat. But people had rows of seats saved and didn't use all of area they were saving but told elderly grandparents, "You can't sit here." I couldn't believe it.

Loving pets

THE ABUSED-DOG story made me cry. A job well done to the pet groomer Stacie Foshee. Pets want to love and be loved. Dr. John Koch's compassion to assist does not surprise me either, if you know him.

Return the favor

WHILE WALKING, I found someone's cell phone. I searched through the phone list and found "Mom." I called the number, and the woman thanked me repeatedly and said her son was almost in tears over losing the phone. When she picked up her son's phone she thanked me again and even offered to give me a plant of my choice for my wife. The offer was proof enough to me that some people are thankful. I only ask that someday her son return the favor to someone else.