Speak Out 6/19/06

Marriage amendment

THE REAL reason why the discriminatory federal marriage amendment failed is because Congress feels it should be left up to the states. I think the decision should be left up to the individual religious institutions. I don't agree with not allowing gay couples to marry -- heaven knows plenty of people abuse the privilege anyway -- but I also disagree with forcing clergy to perform the marriages if it is against the religion that person represents. Our government has more important things to do with its time than discriminate against people.

Hold accountable

IF YOU don't like what the government is doing, vote the people out of office! Instead of voting down party lines, vote for the person that has the best platform. I admit that I vote Democrat constantly, but they're the only ones that seem to get anything done when they're allowed to. Hold the government accountable! Fire them!

School lunches

SCHOOL LUNCHES have to follow nutritional guidelines set by the government and the state. Parents need to watch what their kids eat at home and not let them have sodas. I have four kids, and I watch what they eat at home. They are not overweight. So next time you start complaining about the schools, first look in your own refrigerator and cabinets at home.

Like it or not

POLITICS VS. congeniality. Our mayor surely showed his political leaning by his answer on local TV Wednesday morning when asked about this being the home of Rush Limbaugh. He barely acknowledged the question, and his answer was brief and with no flare. Cape is Rush's hometown, like it or not.

Sign violation

THERE'S A temporary sign at the corner of Abby Road and Lexington Avenue for a church that is located down the street. The sign is in violation of the city's new sign ordinance. I have called the city and police department and told them about the sign, and it's been over a week now. The sign's still standing. The sign needs to be taken down and religious organizations need to follow the same rules that everybody else follows.

No answer

I HAD a friend that was starting to complain to me about our involvement in Iraq. I asked him, What would you be saying if we did nothing and we had another 9/11? He was silent. He had no answer.

Cleaner advice

I DON'T mind telling everybody, the world, I have used both Lime-Away and CLR. Lime-Away doesn't work at all. CLR always works even in my coffeepots.

World in a mess

I'D JUST like to comment about our president and the job that he's been doing. I don't think the world can be in a bigger mess. The guy's got us in war that he can't get us out of even though he declared the war over three years ago in May, but we're still getting our young troops killed. Thanks to President Bush, we've got gas prices that are sky high. Our unemployment is high. Medicare's in a bad way. Just name one good thing the president has done to help the American people.

Coulter critic

WHEN I first saw Ann Coulter, I didn't like her. I thought she didn't reflect conservative values because I feel conservative values mean you also dress conservatively. I didn't like her but I kept my mouth shut. When you do that, it doesn't take someone like her long to hang themselves. She doesn't have the respect of normal people. Lashing out at the wives of 9-11 the way she did is extreme. I think nice does reflect conservative values because Laura Bush is nice. George Bush even appears to be somewhat nice. Ann Coulter's scary to anyone in the middle of the road.

Almost famous

I JUST wanted to say that I'm really glad that we have celebrities that come to Cape Girardeau. That says a lot for our town. I attended the early previewing of the CBS show and I wanted to say that I hope everyone had a good time. As far as I saw everyone conducted themselves well, although everyone was wanting their 15 seconds of fame. It was tight quarters, and everybody was pushing and shoving.

Add it up

THE CAPE public schools want to build a new football stadium for about $1.5 million. The interest on $1.5 million has to be at least $100,000 a year, and after you build the stadium you have to maintain it. Maintenance has got to cost you about $20,000 a year. So, let's see $100,000 in interest plus $20,000 in maintenance, plus you've got to come up with the first $1.5 million. And they think it's too expensive to rent Houck Stadium at the university for $10,000?

Advice to thieves

TO THE person or persons who took our new solar lights at 1338 Big Bend Road: I put all the stubs on the steps. You will need them. When it snows, be sure to clean off the snow. My handicapped family and friends will miss them at night when they come to visit. They help make them safe.

Something snaps

I DON'T think talking to yourself means you're crazy, as Dr. Michael Seabaugh suggests. Also, I prefer to think of the brain as a computer in a system, and sometimes I think something just snaps so that some people's minds don't work as well as others. It doesn't mean that they're crazy.

Power of porn

AS I travel from Missouri to Illinois, I often have people speed past me on Route 146. When I reach the Route 3 intersection, I often see those people that have sped past me turning into the porn shop. Does this mean that the porn shop is about to run out? Or is this sickness that these people have overpowering their thinking of right and wrong?

A long way

WE'VE COME a long way from the naive neoconservative assumption that the Iraqis would naturally embrace freedom and democracy with no problems. Apparently, the official position of the Bush administration is now that the Iraqis can have a democracy if they want one, but it will be up to them to defend and protect it. My view is that though most want a democracy, a committed and relatively small group will continue to terrorize the destablized country for decades to come.

Gambling trip

SO I cannot put up a yard sale sign, but the city of Cape Girardeau is organizing gambling trips. What's next? A city-sponsored outing to a local strip club?