Speak Out 5/29/08

Thanks to students

IN RESPONSE to the story "Third-graders present findings on old Cape cemetery": Thank you, students, for doing this. My grandparents, Louis and Mary Beaudean, are buried there, along with George and Catherine Stubenraugh (died in 1895).

Young entrepreneur

GOOD FOR Umar Brimah. Our town needs more people like him. There may be hope for Cape Girardeau yet.

Glorious concert

I AM always amazed at how people can say there is nothing to do in Cape Girardeau. A week ago, there were several choices, and I chose the handbell concert at Grace United Methodist Church because it was something I'd never heard before. What a glorious evening. From the adorable children with their little colored bells to the final, magnificent, patriotic tribute, every moment was sheer enjoyment. Thank you, Grace Church, for offering this to the public. I hope there will be more concerts in the future.

Inappropriate use

I AM disappointed by one member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. When I was going to Fruitland I saw flashing lights behind me, so I and about five other motorists made our way to side of the road. When I reached the first stop light at Fruitland, I noticed several highway patrol cars at Pizza Inn for lunch. I saw the car that had caused all of us to pull to the side. This is an inappropriate use of power.

Virtual message

SO SOUTHEAST Missouri State University is going to be focusing on the message. The late Marshall McCluhan correctly told us decades ago that the medium is the message. Thus, Southeast should focus on the medium and create the world's first worldwide, completely accessible, virtual university. The content of the course offering, quality of the virtual professors' teaching and other message-related material is of marginal importance. Just make it avant garde and cool and Southeast will someday be compared to Florence, Italy, when it comes to a revival of learning and culture.

Gas impact

THIS WAS one of the first Memorial Day weekends many people stayed home because of the high cost of fuel and food prices. I read that airlines must pay cash on delivery for jet fuel. Many gas stations are already required to do this, and several are shutting down. Trucking companies are starting to shut down. Many independents already have. This is not a good situation, and it appears it is not going to get any better anytime soon. Where will we be on the Fourth of July if gas is $5 a gallon?

Feeding pets

THERE IS no food crisis in this country. If you have money, you can get food. If you can afford cat and dog food, you can feed your cats and dogs. How silly to say we need to limit how many pets Americans have.

Spray for mosquitoes

WHY HASN'T the city started spraying for mosquitoes yet? We've had high water for a month or two. We know the mosquitoes are going to be bad this summer. So why is the city waiting for the mosquitoes to get so bad that everyone complains? Why don't we get an early start and spray now during the mosquito mating season?

Cracks in basement

I'VE GOT to my two cents' worth in on the quarry issue. I was raised in Wisconsin in a subdivision next to a huge quarry. We were at least 10 blocks away from it, but our basement had cracks, and it leaked. Our basement was unusable because of the explosions causing the cracks. Don't put in a quarry.

Can't afford housing

IT'S A shame you can't find a decent house you can afford. I've been looking for almost a month and can't find anything. There are houses for college students that rent for $600, $800 and $900. People who pay taxes can't find a house. Poor people can't buy houses.

County spending

THE GOOD old boys may have been doing something right to have Cape Girardeau County be at the top for fiscal stability, but perhaps it was because the county doesn't spend money on what's needed. Roads are terrible. It's time for the good old boys to go.

Blame the farmers

I'VE JUST about heard it all now: Trying to blame farmers for price increases at movie theaters. It's a good thing farmers have broad shoulders.

Entertaining column

DAVID LIMBAUGH is great. He's funny and entertaining, and I rate him right up there with Andy Rooney on "60 Minutes." Keep him in the paper. I enjoy him.

Less driving

I THINK employers should encourage their employees to work four 10-hour days so they could save money on gasoline by not having to drive to work on that fifth day.

Remains of flowers

THE "WEEDS" in Scott City are not weeds. They are the the foliage of daffodils that have bloomed.

Driving and calling

GAS PRICES are outrageous. People wring their hands and moan. Whatever are they going to do if they can't drive around to use their phones?

Walking in the street

JOGGERS AND walkers can be annoying sometimes they're in the street. Smart walkers get off the main roads.