Speak Out 6/28/06

Advertising overkill

THE MONEY spent on advertising by the nursing homes and both hospitals in the newspaper, on television and billboards is overkill. We know that we might at one time need these institutions but we also know how expensive they are, too.

Questions of war

WHAT PERCENT of our servicemen and women would have gone to war if they hadn't had to do so since they signed up to be in the National Guard? What percent signed up not to go to war but for money from the government to get their education or other reasons? What percent of our servicemen and women would be fighting in the war because they believe in the war and that we should make Iraq a democratic country? What percent believe that the Iraqi people want their country changed to democracy?

Why in the world?

ONCE AGAIN it looks like Scott County Central is worried about everything except educating their students. Why in the world are we starting on this little deal with the school board member being a hair off the border line, pays taxes here, does this, does that? You people need to get down to the basics of educating these students and forget about who lives where and everything else.

Fifty-three miles

AT FIRST the half-cent sales tax seemed like a good idea. But then we read the article on how many miles of county roads there are and only 53 miles of the county roads done by 2012. Saturday's paper talked about the rise in the cost for asphalt. Fifty-three miles is not much road blacktop for the raise in the taxes that we'll be paying.

Saving on drugs

I GO to a local doctor, and he uses those samples the reps leave. I get most of my medicine from him, and he saves me a lot of money. So I can't see why anyone would complain about the reps going around to the doctors' offices. Look at the money he's saving us.

Humps in road

I CAN tell the city and the state where they can save a lot of money on asphalt. When they patch these holes in the highway, just make them even with the highway instead of making a hump that stays there forever. I don't know what the theory is for putting so much in there and making a hump out of it, but it's proven all over the state that it doesn't work.

Cutting down on reps

I AM a retired drug rep. When I worked, one drug rep covered all the products for one company. They worked all those whether it be at the doctor's office, hospital, drugstore or where. But the doctors started getting harder to see so the drug companies came up with the idea that they would put more drug reps out and let them only promote one or two drugs. If the doctors would say that they will see one drug company or one drug rep from one drug company each day or each week, it would make these drug reps more accountable.

Noise-makers

MURRAY, KY., enacted a noise ban a few days ago. Why can't we do that here? It's really bad having to listen to someone else's music at a stop light when your windows are rolled up and you can't even hear your own passenger because of the sound shaking the very ground you're sitting on.

Make a statement

I HOPE Mayor Knudtson and the city council members make a statement on the proposed county tax increase and urge the residents of Cape Girardeau to vote no. Surely the council's smart enough to realize this extra sales tax is going to cost the city of Cape Girardeau revenue. People are going to spend less, they're not going to come to this area to shop. They're not going to come to this area to spend the night in hotels, they're going to go to other areas to spend their funds because of the outrageous 7.425 percent sales tax that will be imposed if this tax passes on goods and services.

Dashboard confession

I'M CALLING to confess that I ran a red light this morning. I was taking a neighbor over to the emergency room at Southeast and that silly light at Caruthers and Independence was red on the Independence side at 6 this morning. There wasn't another car in sight and with my neighbor throwing up in the seat next to me I just kept going. I'm sure that light has been on a timer ever since that building on the corner was a high school and they had lots of drivers over there. It needs to be on a heat sensor on the cross street now.

Not tipping

I JUST wanted to thank the six "Christians" from the church in Charleston who came into a Cape restaurant Sunday and left my fellow server a "Get Out of Hell Free" card with Bible verses as opposed to any tip whatsoever on your $120 ticket. Not only did you steal from my friend (yes, not tipping is stealing; and yes, stealing is a sin) but you further degraded all "Christians" in the process.

Wasted newsprint

THE STORY on Vision House was a week's worth of wasted newsprint. It made me question if I wanted to continue subscribing. Of course, the addict was painted as born again and getting her life in order. I swear I could hear violins playing as I scanned over the articles. What amazed me is that she still feels she has a right to be the mother of a 3-year-old child after all she's done to hurt her family. If the unconditional love of a child isn't enough to snap anyone out of a drug stupor, there is no hope for anyone. Do the daughter a favor and keep out of her life.

Where are Democrats?

ARE THERE no Democrat callers in Cape? If Democrats were sitting in the White House with a majority in Congress doing what this administration is doing, the Republicans would be calling Speak Out to scream out.

DREAM money

I HOPE Cape Girardeau can get some of the DREAM money and build a rest room facility for the downtown. Old Town Cape doesn't have the funds, and it should be the responsibility of the city. How can we be trying to be an All-America City and have to use port-a-potties in our downtown area? It is difficult to walk around, look at the pictures on the floodwall, etc. and not have any place to go to the toilet or change a child's diaper.

Dropping the ball

TO THE person who wanted the Democrats to unite under phraseology similar to that used by the Republicans, please consider that "no amnesty" comes from the grassroots and does not belong to either party. But if the Democrats really represent our nation's blue-collar workers, the phrase "no amnesty" is resonating within our ranks just waiting for some true leadership. Only two Democratic Senators voted against S2611. Democrats have dropped the leadership ball.

Tour stop

CAPE'S DOWNTOWN golf tourney was so successful it should be added to the PGA tour.

'Fuzzy' hiring

IF THE state of Missouri does not investigate the Jackson School District on its "fuzzy" hiring practices of administrators it should give every dime of fine money back to the Bell City School District.

Appalled at comment

I JUST read the comment about the handicapped graduate and was appalled. One who is mentally handicapped learns to his/her ability as the other students do, then they move on. After they have achieved all they can, they graduate. Good for them.

Life is good

THE NATIONAL gas price average dropped 4 1/4 cents. Unemployment in Missouri sits at 4.7 percent, which is below the national rate. Iraq's oil production is up to 2.5 billion barrels per day, a record in the post-Saddam era. Missouri's nearly $5 billion debt incurred under Democratic leadership is now gone, and we're actually operating in a surplus. An estimated 45 terrorists whose only goal in life was to kill infidel Americans were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. That's your good news for the morning that you won't get from any left-wing controlled media sources.

Withdrawal's effect

MOST VETERANS of Vietnam realize quite well that though the Nixon-led withdrawal was embarrassing, the negative effect on our national security (the exclusive reason we should fight wars) has been nil.