Speak Out 5/6/06

Responsible educators

I am writing in response to the comments concerning "Romeo and Juliet" and the area schools deciding not to send their students to see the production. This is a prime example of "darned if you do, darned if you don't" for the educators. In our area, we have had teachers reprimanded for showing movies that have questionable content, but now we see teachers and administrators being reprimanded by society for not showing questionable content. There have been responses comparing this particular production of "Romeo and Juliet" with what the students themselves are watching on TV or at movies. As a teacher, I do not dispute this, but I do not believe that type of material should not be exposed to students at school. They are going to watch questionable material, but not at school, and not on my watch. If the parents allow their children to watch age-inappropriate material, so be it. For all the people who have been mad that the schools did not take their students to see "Romeo and Juliet," please attack the parents for not taking them to see it, not responsible educators.

Historic treasures

It is wonderful that Cape Girardeau is finally waking up to its historical treasures. It really is Cape's great asset. However, Cape has too many people who let these treasures sit empty and deteriorate while the rest do the work to repair and keep things up. Most of these people are speculating the price will go up because of the work of others, showing up to collect a profit after the work is done. The city should not allow so many people to let our hometown treasures fall apart so these blisters can make a few dollars off the work of others.

Double the bang

If the marchers really want public opinion on their side, they should protest gasoline prices while they're protesting enforcement of immigration laws.

Rewards of hard work

I drive a 1999 Suburban, which is paid for and has more than 120,000 miles. It costs nearly $100 each time I fill it up. I often car pool kids. I can carry eight kids at a time including their sports gear. I also like the fact that I can travel with my family of four and be comfortable and also carry luggage, camping equipment and dive gear. I am well-educated and spent years paying back my student loans. I have a good job. Because I have worked my butt off over the last 20 years and spent years in school becoming educated, someone thinks I should be taxed because he only has a job that pays minimum wage and can't afford gasoline. And somehow that's my fault.

Feet to the fire

Quit practicing the politics of cell phone company greed in editorial polemics. Put Missouri politicians' feet to the fire by demanding passage of legislation making illegal driver usage of cell phones.

Road repair done

I WANT to thank whoever repaired the road at the entrance to the new subdivision on West Cape Rock Drive. It was a job well done.

More roundabouts

I'M GETTING so tired of waiting on a red light on William Street between the mall and Siemers Drive. There are stoplights all over the place. Why doesn't Cape Girardeau just get rid of all those lights and put in traffic circles? We could have one roundabout after another and go about our merry way without ever stopping.

Deal with sewers

I WISH Scott City would address the problem of the sewer systems before worrying about eyesores and trash. The sewer system is more important than tall grass.