OpinionMay 31, 2007
Speak Out 5/31/07
Dying healthy; Scott County taxes; Dangerous sale; Safe for grads; Big ramifications; Names not listed; Party on; Water issue; Walkway needs paint; Burning tires; Societal impact; Accident lawsuit; Booing in Mexico; Not a yard sale; No savings; Looking professional
Dying healthy
I TAKE heart in seeing so many people around here exercising in one form or another. I'm proud to include myself among that group. It undoubtedly means that those of us who do exercise will die healthier.
Scott County taxes
THE CURRENT Scott County sheriff is doing no different then our prior sheriff of 28 years did who also had a deputy on at night and who also had his deputies patrol the communities mentioned. The tax that was voted on recently in Scott County was the tax we passed years ago so we could build our jail. That was completed, the tax expired and the voters said no to the renewal of that tax. It should be left that way for now. We do not need any more taxes the way this economy is here in Scott County.
Dangerous sale
THE 100-MILE Yard Sale is a mess and has been for several years. It's a serious safety issue, and to hold it on a weekend that's is already notorious for car wrecks is nothing short of stupidly selfish.
Safe for grads
I had a graduation party, but a little different. I required all to sign in with ID. All car keys were handed over, and I locked them up. All parents were called, and if they agreed the kids got to stay. All parents were told they might have to come and pick up their kids. All parents were invited. I allowed no drugs and no sex. All kids had to provide their own drinking and eating and had to clean up. What I saw was social drinking and reminiscing about the past and what was to come. No fights, no sex and no drugs. My place looked like a used car lot in the morning. A lot of the parents came over bringing pastries and coffee in the morning. What did this accomplish? No accidents, deaths or sex. The grads showed discipline and respect for themselves and each other, the public and their parents.
Big ramifications
I CAN understand wanting to celebrate graduation, but providing alcohol to minors whose brains are still developing is unexceptable. If you provide a mind-altering drug, beer or alcohol to minors, the ramifications could be devastating and cost more than money.
Names not listed
I FIND it interesting that the names of the students arrested at the Illinois party for underage drinkers were listed, while the students who were arrested in Sikeston were not listed.
Party on
I AM a graduate of Notre Dame Regional High School. I can remember two families giving us keggers for graduation, not to mention the Senior Skip Day. I also know current family and faculty members who took part in these activities. Get off your holier-than-thou attitude. It is part of growing up. These activities will take place with or without your supervision or approval.
Water issue
IN REGARD to the proposed ethanol plants in Scott City and Sikeston, no one has mentioned potential water supply. Ethanol plants usually use approximately on average use six gallons of water to produce a gallon of ethanol. The Scott City 50 million-gallon plant will need about 300 million gallons of water, and the 100 million-gallon plant in Sikeston will need 600 million gallons of water. I recently saw an official report showing Missouri water tables are low and wells going dry. Someone should look into where they will get the water and what they will do with the runoff, which may be polluted.
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Walkway needs paint
REGARDING THE pedestrian crossway over Highway 74 near the bridge: Why would anybody put a steel walkway over a major road like this and never paint it? It is rusting so bad that the rust streaks are running down on the concrete and staining it. Rust is falling on the pavement.
Burning tires
WE LIVE in Wood Springs Heights Subdivision off U.S. 61 north of Fruitland. We have people who continue to burn trash. One neighbor is burning trash and tires, and you cannot open your windows because of the stench in this neighborhood.
Societal impact
I RECENTLY saw a movie about littering. The mom and daughter were throwing things out of the window. The film was R-rated because of other content. But would the movie have been R-rated if it had not had sex in it? I think movies should be rated as well on the type of effect they have on society.
Accident lawsuit
WE SEE in the news about frivolous lawsuits and how the government is trying to end those. I sympathize greatly with the family of Josh Hancock, the Cardinals pitcher, who was recently killed in an auto accident while driving while intoxicated, speeding and talking on the cell phone. But to sue the restaurant is ridiculous. It is vindictive to sue the restaurant, tow-truck driver and the people whose car was broken down. It was an accident.
Booing in Mexico
I WAS appalled while watching the Miss Universe pageant and heard the crowd in Mexico City booing Miss USA. I wonder what the illegal immigrants thought about that.
Not a yard sale
THE 100-MILE Yard Sale should be known as the 100-mile hazard or the 100-mile headache. It's not a yard sale any more. It's junk peddlers and food vendors making a quick buck.
No savings
SEN. HILLARY Clinton has said she would, among other things, "help people save more money by expanding and simplifying the earned income tax credit." Nice dream, but few, if any, EIC recipients "save" the extra money this brings them.
Looking professional
YOU MUST keep up with the times. Professionals go to great lengths to look professional these days. Unfortunately, it confuses some of those of generations gone by since "looking professional" in this day and time would be defined by prior generations as "looking unprofessional." It is considered heresy these days to look like a professional from decades gone by.
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