Speak Out 5/9/11

Bin Laden damper

THE only thing that throws a damper on the celebration of the death of Osama bin Laden is that a small minority of Americans who simply cannot stand the fact that the killing of bin Laden by American Navy SEALs took place under the watch of President Barack Obama, our commander in chief.

The cost of lawmakers

DESPITE which political party you are part of, you should know how much a senator or representative costs the taxpayers each year. With all the offices, hired staff, rent, etc., it is in the millions. Multiply this times all of the senators and representatives, it is an astounding cost. Lawmakers talk budget cuts while they themselves are a major cost.

Relay for Life

I would like to thank everyone who came out to the Relay for Life event on April 30. The event was amazing with great entertainment and fun booths. The community raised a lot of money for a great cause. The American Cancer Society, committee members and teams did such a great job. From a survivor, thanks!

Flag neglect

I would like to know who is responsible for the upkeep of Cape Rock Park. Lately the flags that fly out there have been neglected. They have been left up at night without a light on them, two are missing, and there is now a pair of underwear in place of the state flag. Whoever is supposed to be taking care of this place should be ashamed, and to the person who decided to hang their laundry up there, you obviously are not very proud of what that flag represents.

Flood plains

BEFORE any levees were built, all that land used to flood. There has been one levee after another put up along the Mississippi and other rivers. It has to give someplace. I don't believe that Cairo, Ill., was the only thing that may have been saved by breaching the levee. I am sure it is giving relief to others along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Instead of complaining so much about the breaching of the levee, they should be giving thanks for all the years they have been able to use this land.

Standardized tests

THE Southeast Missourian's wonderful editorial tribute to Cape Girardeau Central Middle School teacher Scott McMullen who said he was once an "at-risk" student saved in part by a good teacher is tempered by the truism that McMullen's testament could never be measured by a standardized achievement test.

Irrational talk

The Southeast Missourian's token rational columnist, Gene Lyons, recently wrote about the birthers and others he deemed crazies. I overheard a person the other day claiming the killing of Osama bin Laden was intentionally planned to coincide with what he called the illegal invasion of Mississippi County and the blowing up of the Birds Point Levee.