Speak Out 6/21/13

Bugs, dogs, ATMs

I'm glad everything is so well in the area, and the world for that matter, that people's biggest complaints are about bugs, pooping dogs, and people using the ATM on foot. You people have it made!

The job at hand

Last year we elected a representative who decided she wanted another job and left us without representation for months. The two front-runners to take her place spent weeks away from the Legislature and left their folks without representation while they looked for the next job. When can we elect someone who will actually stay and do the job?

Neighborhood pride

It's such a shame how one family on the block can make the whole neighborhood look bad because they simply don't care how their yard looks. Take some pride in your neighborhood and clean up your junk.

Will column

Conservative, growlingly cranky columnist George Will recently wrote a column on what he considers excessive federal government rules and regulations. What he did not tell you was that President Obama followed the tradition of Ronald Reagan, who required that all federal rules and regulations be subjected to a rigorous cost-benefit analysis. In addition, and I realize this will shock most of the readership served by the Southeast Missourian, in his first four years in office, the Obama administration issued far fewer regulations than did Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton and George W. Bush during their first four years in office.

Default setting

It sure would make it easier for a lot of folks. When accessing the Southeast Missourian online, the default setting should be on Speak Out.

Common Core

Common Core is a federal mandate. States that don't adopt it are denied funding.

Data mining

The states did not "come up" with Common Core. Common Core was developed by the NGA and CCSSO. Many large corporations are delighted to financially back the creation and implementation of Common Core, as they get to data mine in a way that will help them make money.

Student iPads

Why do I worry that just for the sake of being different, Cape's Public Schools will not follow the excellent lead of Sikeston and adopt an Apple iPad for every student? There is no shame in allowing Sikeston to lead the way, and it would be a disservice to Cape's public school students to choose any other device.

Limbaugh's claims

Although it will be at least as long as Marcel Proust's seven volume "Remembrance of Things Past," I am going to try and write a multivolume tome refuting every allegation made against President Obama by David Limbaugh.

Health care

It's good to learn that thanks to the Affordable Care Act, would-be entrepreneurs can leave their jobs and still have access to affordable health care. This should really stimulate small business startups.

ATM comment

To the person complaining about pedestrians at the ATM: Not everyone has a car. Not everyone can get to the bank during business hours. Some of the most affordable bank accounts require use of their ATMs instead of lobby/teller transactions. Have some compassion and understanding.

For the birds

This is to the bird lovers. I love birds, too, but putting bird feeders close to a child's play area or close to a swimming pool is not healthy. Come on, use your head and think about the people around you. Bird droppings are nasty and unhealthy.

What's in a name?

I wish new parents would consider what they name their child. This is the second year in a row that some children had to go to school early and say their name into a tape recorder because the principal couldn't pronounce their names. The parents are setting their children up for a big letdown, because if an employer can't pronounce their name, do they think they'll get hired?

Grand ole flags

On a trip to town, the most beautiful, heartful thing I've ever seen was the American flags flying at the Isle of Capri for Flag Day.

It's a gas

I was just wanting to know why gasoline prices are progressively lower as you head south on Interstate 55, and they haven't come down any here in Cape?

Up in smoke

In regard to the casino changing its hours, it also needs to ban smoking. That would create more revenue.

Opposed to abortion

Does a baby in any stage of pregnancy really have no value unless the mother wills it? What does God say? After all, he is the creator of all mankind. Abortion is definitely wrong; it's the taking of human life. Life does begin at conception. Children in the womb have spiritual identity from the moment of conception that continues through adulthood. Abortion is the height of pagan barbarity.

Foreign policy

Our community-organizer president wants to arm the rebels over there in Syria. These are the same rebels that cut the hearts and livers out of Syrian soldiers and ate them. We're going to give these depraved people guns and ammunition? Sooner or later, they're going to turn them on our American soldiers. I wish he would reconsider if he had any brains at all.

Mandatory reading?

In praising David Limbaugh's lament on alleged loss of liberty, a Speak Out caller ironically came too close to demanding that the reading of Limbaugh's column be made mandatory.