Speak Out 6/21/10

Private meetings

WHY are Gerald Jones, Cape Girardeau County presiding commissioner, and Paul Koeper, 1st District commissioner, meeting privately with the SB40 Board, as published in your article? This is so wrong on so many levels. I can't wait for Jones to be off the commission so this kind of garbage will finally stop.

Dread of big one

WHY, Fred, why? Haven't we got enough on our plate? Just when I'd marked it off my list of things to worry about, Fred Keller revived my daily dread of another big one precipitated by the New Madrid fault.

Jabbering experts

I listened to the experts who said Franklin Elementary School needs to be demolished. I now listen to the experts of BP in charge of the cleanup of the Gulf. Enough of the experts.

Handing out money

IT'S a joke to hear the government talking about spending money. We've got a good example right here in town with the Census Bureau renting offices when we've got an empty federal building on Broadway. The government is good at handing out money if it thinks the votes are there.

Teaching dreams

WHAT if a miracle occurred and MAP testing simply vanished in Missouri schools and we went back to teaching?

Vote again

THE casino was approved approximately 18 years ago. There have been a lot of changes in that time. You may not want the same politicians you had 18 years ago. Think how many governors and state legislators we've had. Things change, and the casino issue definitely should be revoted.

More help

I know everybody's trying to kill the Senate Bill 40 controversy, but I'd like to put in a couple of words. I'm glad the county commission is finally taking hold of this and trying to get some appointees to the SB40 Board who understand the needs of all the developmentally disabled, not just those served by VIP Industries. There are several organizations that work with the developmentally disabled that need equipment and funding for their activities. Any agency that works with the developmentally disabled should be entitled to the Senate Bill 40 money, not just VIP. There's a whole mess of other needs that are being shoved under the table. There are all kinds of ways to help the developmentally disabled.

Great train ride

I want to thank BNSF Railroad for the train ride Tuesday evening. We had a great time. Also, a special thanks to all the guys at the Chaffee yard who helped to make it great.

Honest assessment

MICHAEL Jensen is talking about the fact that it's impossible to get an honest assessment from talking heads on television. He should have added it's impossible to get an honest assessment from himself. I have yet to hear him admit that the president is at least making a big effort to re-establish our lines of communication with some of the people President Bush had cut off.

Police duties

THE highway patrol should be allowed to arrest drunk drivers or someone fighting in the street. But minor infractions should be left to the city police.

Credit and hiring

SOME employers are considering your credit before hiring you. Look how many people today are out of work. The first thing that's going to suffer is their credit rating. It doesn't mean they're bad workers. It means our government has us in one heck of a mess and people have lost their jobs, homes, benefits and health insurance.

Nashville bummer

PEOPLE work hard for their money. They ought to have better entertainment than what's coming out of Nashville.

It isn't working

I'M watching President Obama talking about the Gulf oil spill. If he has all the answers, how come his bailout program hasn't worked? How come nothing that he has sponsored has worked out the way we have been told it would? He needs to listen to people who have experience in the field that he is trying to tell them how to run.

Too many turtles

I'M a Cape Girardeau citizen who loves fishing. The North County Park has all kind of bluegill and perch, but there are a bunch of turtles too. Can somebody tell me if it legal for me to catch the turtles and put them somewhere else?

Understanding econ

REGARDING the op-ed article "Are you smarter than a fifth-grader?": This article makes a point that anyone who has not had courses in economics can't understand even the most basic actions necessary to make our country function properly. Given this, can anyone explain why none of our schools require their students to have completed courses in economics in order to graduate?

Downtown fears

SOMEONE commented, "If Cape Girardeau doesn't get a casino, those who gamble will take their money elsewhere." Please, don't let me stop you. Downtown Cape Girardeau has enough problems the way it is. What's going to happen to the city, especially downtown, if we get a casino?

Howdy, neighbor

I want to give a wave to Mr. Walt who lives on the corner here in Jackson. We miss your big wave and smile as we pass every day. Hello to you, Walt. We love you. The best to you.

Fathers, mothers

THE comment about Father's Day was nice. I hope everyone who had a good dad remembered to honor him on this day as well as every day of the year. Good dads deserve it. For all the people whose mother had to be father as well, let them know you realize that and appreciate it. Too many mothers are left to be fathers also. That is a sad fact. To all of you dads who have kicked your children to the curb and forgotten them, you are the one who created this lonely, sad day for yourself.

Better roads

I want to thank Cape Girardeau County for the continued improvements on our county roads.

Serious issues

I originally thought the newspaper's paid letters for political candidates were a bad idea. All it would be is attack after attack. But that's not the case. Serious issues are being discussed. I want to the thank the Southeast Missourian for making this happen.

Valuable information

I appreciate your paid letters section. The information that is being shared is valuable to me as a voter. I want to thank the candidates for taking the time to share their thoughts.