OpinionMay 28, 2009
Speak Out 5/28/09
Pragmatist in power; Psychic powers; Call it torture; Gitmo justice; Dogs in pickups; Better location; Teaching fluff; Picking up litter; Bikes in streets; Fine dining
Pragmatist in power
PRESIDENT Obama's seeming change of position on several issues since becoming president indicates that we have a pragmatist in power, one who seeks the opinion of others, is open to differing views and will change his mind if he is convinced it is in the national interest. This stands in stark contrast to the previous regime that consisted of rigid ideologues not only unreceptive to the ideas of others but also not averse to going to great to lengths to try to force the facts to fit preconceived notions. Thank God knowledge, wisdom and flexibility have been reinstated in the White House.
Psychic powers
I got so mad when I read David Limbaugh's column elaborating on President Obama's hidden agenda. It's not that I disagree with Mr. Limbaugh. It's just that I am so frustrated that I lack Limbaugh's psychic powers of presidential mind-reading.
Call it torture
CAN we please stop calling it "enhanced interrogation"? It's torture. We all know that it's torture. The Nazis weren't on a camping trip, either. I suppose it's possible to cloud weak minds quite handily when they want to be blind to the truth. God will comment on the issue when the time comes, I am sure. "Enhanced interrogation" would be getting a guy really drunk, taking him to a strip club and chatting him up. Convincing him that he will drown if he doesn't say what you want to hear is torture. I can proudly say that I am not that American. Am I a better man than the rest of you? I sure hope not.
Gitmo justice
JUSTICE in America has changed, and not for the better. It used to be that the principle was simple: "Innocent until proven guilty." Back then, we laughed at cultures that seemed to assume, if someone were arrested, "guilty until proven innocent." The individuals imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay are alleged terrorists. They have not been tried or convicted of anything. Do we trust our government enough to assume that these prisoners must be guilty just because they are there? The prisoners at Gitmo are no different in terms of their guilt or innocence than prisoners in our local jails accused of violent crimes. Should they also be assumed guilty? Are we concerned about justice or not?
Dogs in pickups
I can't believe all the pickup trucks I see with dogs in the back. Don't the drivers know this is dangerous for the dogs and might cause a wreck and injuries to others?
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Better location
I believe Cape needs a homeless shelter, but the old federal building on Broadway is not the right place for it. I think the hotel by the old bridge would be a perfect place.
Teaching fluff
REGARDING the issue of university classes not being rigorous enough: I agree. I am an elementary teacher who volunteers to take students from the Southeast Missouri State University elementary education department to assist in classrooms. Compared to when I went through Southeast's education program 15 years ago, these students are ill-prepared for what is ahead of them. The education program has been watered down and is full of fluff. I quit taking these students. It was hard enough to teach a class of 25 and one more.
Picking up litter
ATTENTION all local judges and enforcers of the law: I read the police reports daily, and there seems to be no shortage of arrests. What does appear to be in short supply are public trash cans, due to the overwhelming amount of garbage piling up around Southeast Missouri. We law-abiding citizens can only pick up so much. What are these criminals doing for community service? Imagine if every person in the police report, once convicted, were made to clean up litter as part of their community service. Southeast Missouri could become famous for its cleanliness.
Bikes in streets
ALONG with many cyclists in the area, I would love for there to be bike lanes on our streets. I'd also like a toilet made out of solid gold, but I don't believe either are in the near future. Sidewalks are not for biking. They are for walking. Please keep an eye out for us.
Fine dining
PERHAPS children are welcome at fast-food restaurants, but at a better restaurant where you pay to have wine, good food and a relaxing experience, children have no place.
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