Speak Out 6/24/10

Better system?

SINCE China is moving ahead of us on switching to alternative fuels and the dominance of America is being called into question in a number of other ways, the jury may be out as to whether, in the end, a slow-working government of three branches, with endless checks and balances, is better, more effective and superior to enlightened authoritarianism.

Massive loss

SOMEONE foolishly called a casino a win-win for Cape Girardeau because of the jobs it would create. Since the vast majority of the jobs a casino would create are minimum wage, you will be hard-pressed to convince anyone that those are economically beneficial jobs with regard to the community. Most people who live on minimum-wage are also on public assistance. Sure, it's a big win for the investors and executives, but a massive loss for the workers and community in general.

Sad time

IT is a desperately sad time to be associated with Southeast Missouri State University. As a result of tough financial times, the university is facing serious budget woes. In response, regrettably, the administration seems bent on gutting its educational mission. Instead of aborting its absurd excursion into Division I athletics, which has cost and continues to cost the university hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, there is pressure to increase class size and increase the student-instructor ratio, all with the pretense of not destroying educational quality. Someone, somewhere at Southeast absolutely has to stand up to this onslaught. Someone has to stand in defense of the quality of the educational programs. It could be the students, but all they seem to care about is getting the easiest A they can. It could be the faculty, but they seem long ago to have been cowed into submission.

Highway distraction

WHILE I am a firm supporter of the air show and our local veterans, I truly believe the air show should not be continued. I cannot tell you how many times in the past few days I have witnessed near accidents on I-55 because the drivers were watching the planes instead of keeping their eyes on the road. I passed a woman going 35 mph past the airport because she was concentrating on the planes.

Moving forward

A Speak Out caller who must pine to return to the pre-industrial era -- perhaps yearns for a structured medieval society of barons, knights, lords and serfs -- lambasted President Obama for alleged lack of leadership because the president is (in my view) trying to look forward and lead us kicking and screaming into the 21st century rather than back to, say, the seventh century.

No plan

THE air festival was great. The shuttle service was a good idea, but it fell apart in a bad way. To get back to your car you had to wait on a black tarmac. There was no plan on where the buses stopped. They would stop at one end of the area one time then the other end the next time. It took the police and organizers about an hour to figure this out and another half-hour to get the buses stopped in the same area each time. There was no control for the lines, so people cut in and out all the time. We saw older people about to pass out and kids crying from the heat because there was no planning. This is unacceptable and should not be allowed to happen. The organizers and police owe everyone at the air show an apology at the very least.

Smell test

THE illuminating insights provided by your editorial on the relationship between the SB40 Board and VIP Industries raises a number of issues in need of being addressed immediately. In a very general sense, it seems beyond dispute that the relationship between SB40 and VIP Industries has not for a long time and still comes nowhere near passing the smell test.

GOP greenscam

THERE is no component of the air that is more dangerous than the excessive amounts of greenhouse gases. These are currently contributing to a climate change that will likely result in a vast increase in respiratory-related illnesses and deaths within this century. It is perfectly legitimate for the EPA to assume responsibility for regulating such a dangerous atmospheric component. The EPA was specifically authorized to take action by a 5-4 Supreme Court vote in 2007. The court ruled that carbon dioxide is a pollutant under the Clean Air Act and that the EPA has the authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles and other vehicles. The Republican proposal to strip the EPA of this authority is equivalent to stripping EPA of the authority to regulate particulates and other gases that are hazardous to human and environmental health. It is a typically Republican greenscam to pretend that this is a different issue.

Slanted article

I could not be more disappointed by the editors of the Southeast Missourian. The June 20 article about the county commissioners' feud is so biased it is pathetic. What is the point of raising these issues? Most of the incidents raised are, by the writer's own admission, five years old, and all of them are in the past, not recent events. Secondly, it reads like an editorial and is extremely one-sided. Why was all of this brought up now? Why is the article so slanted? This is the poorest piece of writing I've ever seen in this paper, and that's saying a lot.

Great air show

THE air show was fantastic. Not only the Blue Angels, but the other performers were great. It's amazing what they can do with their planes. The only suggestion I have for the next show would be to have more tents for the shade or else have the show at a cooler time of year. Thanks to all those responsible for bringing it all together.

SB 40 funds

I was happy to be able to sit in on the Senate Bill 40 Board appointments at the Cape Girardeau County Commission meeting. The commission filled the five seats that were being vacated. I think everyone is happy with the outcome. We had a full house, and I was so happy to see everyone turn out for our children. Our handicapped and our mentally and physically challenged young adults of Cape Girardeau County -- they are what is important. I pray that we and the SB40 Board can come together and distribute funding for our children. Let's get on with our work -- and play.

Free at last

SOME years ago I put my family on notice of my disappointment in them. I forgave them and decided to try just as long as they tried. Today I see the truth. They're narcissistic and incapable of loving and supporting others. They are only out for themselves. I have thrown down this baggage they've heaped onto me. I surround myself with positive, uplifting, loving, supportive and nurturing relatives and friends. It's a new day. It's a new life. I have found that the truth will set you free.

Air show accounting

JUST how much did the air show cost? I believe the city owes the taxpayers a complete breakdown of expenses.