Speak Out 6/3/11

Nuclear problem

I read where the Callaway plant will run out of room to dispose of the uranium filled fuel rods after they've been sitting there in water for 27 years. Why didn't the brilliant people plan ahead for disposal of these rods? It just doesn't make sense to invent something for electric plants and not figure out how to dispose of the rods.

Dropout fix

I have been an educator for 32 years, and in my opinion, the solution to the dropout problem is simple. In America, we force all students to learn things in high school that are geared toward the possibility that some day they may go to college. The front page of the Southeast Missourian for May 27 and 28 is a perfect example of this. Mr. Brake is teaching about the ancient world of Mesopotamia, Egypt, etc. Now, do you really need to know this to be a manual laborer or skilled technician? No, you don't. My solution is to do what is done in the European school system. At the end of eighth grade, separate students who are positive that they are going to college from those who are positive that they are not. Then for two years, train those who are not going to college how to write a resume, to do interviews, to balance checkbooks and other basic life skills. Then help them get a job at age 16 and work part time and go to school part time. Then students, parents, educators, and the community can all be successful.

Palin fatigue

I'M getting so tired of the news coverage about who's going to run for president. Seems like we just got through one election and we're starting in on the next one wanting to know who's going to run. I'm not Republican or Democrat, but how can anybody in their right mind even think about voting for Sarah Palin? When she didn't win last time she said she didn't want that stuffy old office anyway and she went back to Alaska. It's funny that she wants to think about running now. So we don't need a president like that for sure who can't make up their mind and wants to play mind games about whether they're going to run for president. So, look at all the candidates folks. I, myself, am just tuning them out because as far as I'm concerned, they're all corrupt and we don't have a chance in heck of getting out of this economy we're into.

Disgusting politics

I'M calling in regard to an article off Yahoo that says "House majority leader, Eric Cantor, Republican of Virginia, will not OK aid money for Missouri tornado victims unless the Democrats agree to an equal amount of spending cuts." It just says good-bye to compassionate conservatism. What is wrong with Eric Cantor and the Republican party? Do you know how many people are suffering in Joplin, Mo., right now? This shows the hedonism and narcissism of the wealthy elite, of the white Republican Christian Republican party. They don't care about America. Everyone in Missouri should read this article. This is disgusting. Eric Cantor should step down. He is not an American anymore. This is disgusting. How dare the Republicans value money over life and the children that are dead in Joplin. I'm mad and you should be, too.

Insurance question

I'M confused about something and maybe your more conservative callers could explain it to me. The Republicans, in order to save the budget and help us out, they want to get rid of Medicare because it's going to be a strain on the budget and they're going to replace it with vouchers to help us get insurance. I can understand that, but what I don't understand is, which insurance company in their right mind is going to give insurance to an older person 65 years old with a history of a lot of medical problems at a decent rate at all? This is what I don't understand. Can somebody name one insurance company that will want to insure someone 65 years old with a long medical history and a lot of problems? Please let me know what the insurance company will be because I might have to get hold of them.

Gaga, talent?

WHAT is it about Lady Gaga? All she does is dance around half-naked and people think it's talent.

Disc praise

I love the Frisbee golf. It's great.

Just wait

EXCLUSIVELY man-made climate change will see the floods and tornadoes give way to the most brutally hot summer on record.

Chamber, government

THE taxpayers of Missouri could save a lot of money if members of the Missouri Legislature were simply all replaced with members of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce.