Speak Out 6/13/08

Feeding the kids

I WAS just curious how those officials in Texas fed hundreds of children. I have three and can't find a job, I have a degree and can't get food stamps. But the Texas officials can feed hundreds of children. We've had bologna and ramen noodles for two months. Maybe Missouri isn't what it's cracked up to be. Maybe I should move to Texas and join a cult.

Modern invasion

FOR THOUSANDS of years man has made and used weapons to defend himself and to conquer. We've gone from sticks and stones to nuclear and now laser weapons, spending trillions of dollars. Who would ever imagine that the most militarily powerful country in history could be invaded by millions of people armed with only wire cutters, a pocketknife, and a jug of water -- with startling success.

Gasoline roadblocks

"DRILL HERE, drill now, pay less" is the mantra from the American Solutions Web site. It is more important to average Americans to put food on the table than it is to protect some remote wilderness that they will never get to see. Environmentalists and their accomplices in Congress have been blocking drilling and the building of refineries in the country for years. Environmentalists are trying to block a major new refinery in South Dakota that would help increase the supply of gasoline and force prices lower. If you are serious about lower gas prices, tell your congressman that we need to quit putting up roadblocks to drilling and building of refineries in this country.

Enforcing the law

KUDOS TO the police officers enforcing the law. Have you ever been driving the speed limit and felt guilty because a police officer is riding on your tail?

Transit questions

I AM puzzled by the recent article stating that the Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority is in the red with seemingly no solution in sight. The plan of adding another route seems strange. If you have two routes running and are going in the red, how can putting on a third route do anything but expand the problem? The equipment is largely paid for by the Missouri Department of Transportation, and several organizations contribute regularly. It appears those organizations need to contribute more. Or passengers need to pay more. Or the efficiency of the operation should be examined. If those are the problems, we need to see if we have built an organization that is too big for our community to maintain.

Support the police

I AM not a police officer, but I agree with the one who commented in Speak Out. We need to put an end to the constant complaining about police officers. I'm sure there are some police officers who may abuse their power, just as every profession will always have some people performing at a subpar level. The fact of the matter is, however, that police officers and other law enforcement officials sacrifice and risk quite a bit to protect us and keep our town safe. I could never willingly put my life on the line for complete strangers. I feel that we should honor our police officers and thank them for the job they do, not criticize their every action and nitpick about silly things. Be thankful you have officers willing to put their lives on the line for you.

Horse and buggy

INSTEAD OF blaming Big Oil for high gasoline prices, how about throwing some blame where it is due. Radical environmentalists want oil to be so costly that it forces the world back into those preindustrial revolution days when the roads were full of horse manure. Won't that be fun?

Remembering fathers

I'M SURE Father's Day is sad for people who've lost their fathers, just like Mother's Day is sad for people who've lost their mothers, Grandparents' Day for people who've lost their grandparents and Veterans Day for those who have lost someone in the military. These days also, however, are days to honor the special and important people in our lives. Remember the good times you had with your father. Remember those people who have been or are like a father to you.

Considerable doubt

AFTER READING Kenny Hulshof's comment that he remained convinced that Josh Kezer killed Angela Mischelle Lawless, one can only assume that he was less than truthful when he said that he had read all of the newspaper accounts about the possible reopening of the case. Either that, or he's beyond stubborn in the sense that anyone with an open mind can at least concede that considerable doubt has been cast on Kezer's conviction and that the case needs a second look. Hulshof is running for governor and may not want to have to mess with an old case that condemns a prisoner to prison for 45 more years.