speak out 6/30

Get cats spayed

I HAVE just read the "free for the taking" classifieds in the paper. There are 16 offerings for kittens. When will people learn to get female cats spayed?

Time to limit fireworks

WE HAVE lost one home in Jackson because of fireworks. I think it's time to ban all fireworks unless a group shoots them off at the park or riverfront. And if you're going to shoot them off at your home, step across the street and shoot them back at your house so you can clean up the mess.

Get an education

IT'S OBVIOUS that every teenager should get a high school education, even those who already think they know everything.

Low-flying fireworks

I WOULD like to see Cape Girardeau and Jackson ban all fireworks that go higher than 10 feet in the air. One home is one home too many to lose to this type of display. School grounds and parks can be supervised if shooting off fireworks, but not neighborhoods.

One-third commercials

WHEN I look at the TV schedule and see a movie listed to run for three hours, I automatically ignore it. One hour of that will be for commercials.

Costly histrionics

GOV. BOB Holden's bluff has caused this state a lot of extra money for a special session, and then he capitulated at the very end anyway. He could have done this weeks ago. Once again, his posturing and histrionics have cost this state a lot of money it could ill afford to spend.

Outlaw bottle rockets

NOW THAT Jackson has lost a house to bottle rockets, I hope the leaders in Jackson will do the same as in Cape Girardeau and outlaw bottle rockets. They are very dangerous. They are on my roof and in the yard and in the gutters. Bottle rockets need to be outlawed.

Need a better plan

THE MEDICARE drug package isn't worth the paper it's written on. This will not help senior citizens with their drugs. It's going to be two years before it takes effect. I want to ask the senators and representatives: How come when they vote themselves a pay increase it's effective immediately? Our country is always ready to help some foreign country, but Congress is unable and unwilling to help our own people who have worked and paid taxes all their lives. It is time these politicians get their priorities straight and give senior citizens a prescription drug plan that is feasible and not too expensive.

Dignified graduation

I'M CALLING in rebuttal to the person who said Central High School's graduation didn't have dignity. That graduation was very dignified. We had excellent speakers. Our principal is doing a good job.

Great patriotic service

THANK YOU, Shawnee Hills Baptist Church in Jackson, for presenting the patriotic program Sunday. Thanks to Christy Guilliams and the Rev. Raymond Epps. Everyone was impressed, and Christy did a great job. Thanks and God bless.

Throwing fireworks

IF THE police and the city council of Cape Girardeau were truly interested in making the streets safer for the residents, they would do something about the young men throwing fireworks at passing cars.

Corporate subsidies

I HOPE that our victorious champion of fiscal restraint, state Sen. Peter Kinder, remembers his own lesson the next time billionaire ballclub owners and other CEOs look to the state for a handout. Unfortunately, Kinder never met a corporate subsidy he didn't like.

It's a grand slam

THE SOUTHEAST Missourian has hit a grand slam by picking Doc Yallaly for its first Spirit of America Award. Congratulations, Doc.

Breath of fresh air

CONGRATULATIONS TO Heidi Hall for writing a sensible commentary on the Supreme Court decision on gay rights. It is like a breath of fresh air in the Missourian.

Trail etiquette

PLEASE REMEMBER that there are hearing-impaired people who use Cape's hiking-biking trail. There are also children who use the trail. Please be as considerate as you want other people to be.

Wrong assumption

HEIDI HALL is naive to think those opposed to the Supreme Court's ruling on gay rights do not have homosexual friends.