Speak Out 5/9/08

My way, or else

WE FINALLY have a great county commissioner in Jay Purcell, and what happens? Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones decides to silence him and strip him of power. If you don't do it his way, you are out.

Speeding in Jackson

I WOULD like to ask the Jackson Police Department to set up a speed trap on South Shawnee Boulevard. Motorists race down that road from East Jackson Boulevard. I live on the road and have almost been rear-ended so many times. I drive looking more in my rearview mirror than in front because of the speed demons behind me. My neighbor has been rear-ended twice in the last six months. I want people to obey the 30-mph speed limit and the police to enforce it. Most of us have small children in the car, and I'd hate to have my child hurt by someone who has no regard for the law.

OPEC's influence

AMERICANS are being raped by OPEC. The conspiracy runs deep, involving politicians, oil companies and OPEC -- which, incidentally, helps sponsor terrorists. If we are fighting a war on terrorism, why do we support these oil-rich nations? Because Americans are like cattle being led to slaughter. We are charged more. We pay more. We gripe and complain. But we don't take action. It costs us more to drive to the grocery store and our groceries are more expensive because of the cost for delivery. Heating and cooling costs are higher. The minimum wage is still at the slave-labor rate. Food stamps are not increased. Social Security is pitiful. When will we wake up and say enough? Let OPEC give another $100 billion to terrorist to wage war on us, send let's send another 25,000 American troops overseas to protect the people who want to see us dead. Let the major oil companies reap another $100 billion profit this year. We are cattle afraid to move to action. We make sure foreign countries can feed their poor and neglect our own. I'm not sure what to do, but I know I have to do it at home, because I can't afford to drive anywhere.

You must be kidding

You're kidding, right? Putting Cape County's presiding commissioner, Gerald Jones, in charge of a computer-technology committee is like putting Homer Simpson in charge of editing the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Too many questions

IT SEEMS to me that Gerald Jones, Cape Girardeau County presiding commissioner, does not like the fact that Jay Purcell, 2nd District commissioner, asks questions. He doesn't want Mr. Purcell asking questions or telling anyone about the sale of county park land, and now Mr. Jones wants to take away the park board assignment that belongs to Mr. Purcell. It seems that Mr. Purcell is asking too many questions, so Mr. Jones will take over so he can do what he wants. The county commissioners meet at 9 a.m. on Mondays when hardly anyone can attend. How convenient for Mr. Jones. I think it is time to start paying attention to what Mr. Jones is doing.

Something stinks

I JUST read the article about the Cape Girardeau County Commission, specifically Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones, having a private meeting with Drury Development for a sale of land in Cape County Park North. What is Mr. Jones hiding? Why didn't the park commissioners not have any say in this? Why do Mr. Jones and Larry Bock, 1st District commissioner, not want to talk about it? I thank Jay Purcell, 2nd District commissioner, for talking about this and letting the rest of us know what is going on. Something stinks here.

Slap in the face

THE RECENT fires in Cape Girardeau have been in the central area of town. Statistically speaking, that is where most of the city's fires happen, because it's an older part of town. That is why, in 1980, the fire station was built where it is. To make a reference about the fires being suspiciously close to the fire station is absurd. That sounds like a slap in the face to the men and women who dedicate their lives to the well-being of this town.

Driving too fast

BY THE way people are driving and the speeds they are going, you'd think gasoline was free.

Ridiculous idea

I CAN'T imagine anybody with common sense wanting to suspend the fuel tax when people don't care enough about the cost of gasoline and their mileage on their vehicle to slow down. If that's not ridiculous, tell me something that is. These motorists don't care enough to slow down and drive conservatively, yet the politicians and some people want to suspend the gas tax.

Airline subsidies

I HOPE many people saw the report about the federal government giving airlines subsidies for hauling passengers even when they are hauling only a few. This should be stopped.

Crowded stage

WE JUST saw a pop concert at Academic Hall. Our family spent two hours hoping to see our grandchildren sing and dance. Unfortunately, we only saw their heads peek through the crowded stage two or three times. I would have rather the concert had been at the high school so every student could have been seen and heard. That's what we came for.

Closed on Sundays

DOES ANYONE remember the Blue Laws? If gas stations and retailers were closed on Sunday, it would cut operating costs, and gasoline prices could be lowered. And stores could bring back customer service on the other six days.

Too much shade

COUNTY GOVERNMENT officials continue to ignore the Sunshine Law. They plead ignorance when caught, but how many times should citizens accept this excuse? Are we too lazy as citizens to move for change? The time has come to break the power of the political machine that has ruled over Cape Girardeau County for almost two decades. We should demand adherence to the Sunshine Law by all county government entities.

Lawless case

THANK YOU, Southeast Missourian, for another editorial on the Michelle Lawless murder case. Please keep it up. We need to appreciate Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter for trying to find justice. It's amazing how complicated it's become. What a bureaucracy we have.

Needy habits

BEFORE I would help anyone in need, I'd have to know something about their personal life. Are they spending money at bars? Are they smoking cigarettes? When they go to the store, do they buy food that's of no value to their body? I'd be glad to help people who are trying their best and doing things that should be done and still need help.