Speak Out 6/5/07

Learn from French

FRENCH PRESIDENT Sarcozy plans to adhere to the French policy of deporting 25,000 illegal immigrants from France this year. Apparently our officials haven't told him that's impossible to do. I never thought I would say this, but maybe our politicians can learn from the French. A little effort goes a long way.

Be a parent

A parent said he or she had a party where kids were allowed to drink, but sex and drugs were out. Why does the logic of "they're going to do it anyway, we just want to provide a safe environment" stop with alcohol? Why not extend that same caring attitude to sex and drugs? Logic is universal. It's either a universally logical thing to do for all situations, or it's a logically stupid thing to do for all situations. Teach the kids to respect authority and the law and you won't have to provide a safe environment for them to be irresponsible and break the law. Be a parent, not a cool friend.

Respect for law

As the parent of a student at Notre Dame Regional High School, I was dismayed to read a Speak Out item that said faculty members were involved in the Sikeston party in which alcohol was provided to minors. If this is the case, these faculty members must be fired. They are guilty of child endangerment, which is a serious offense. I do not want my son to be taught by adults who flagrantly defy the law and who show such poor judgment. Brother David, the principal, needs to handle this matter appropriately and fire these teachers. The kids all know who was involved. Not dismissing them will send the wrong message to students, undermining respect for the law.

Explosion factor

I would like to see someone get involved in the ethanol discussion who can speak with expertise regarding the potential explosion and fire hazards of ethanol plants. We do not have the equipment or infrastructure to fight these types of fires. The three purposed plants along Nash Road and at the Southeast Missouri Port Authority certainly have not insured the public's safety regarding fire and explosion hazards that go along with these plants.

Public pay

Much patronized firefighters, police officers and others will test the sincerity of the citizenry. By winning the right to bargain collectively in Missouri, we'll see if the public will back up its characterization of many public employees with salaries equivalent to what the public claims is their heroic status. My guess would be that the salaries of public employees will slowly rise at the cost of their heretofore heroic status.

Piling on

If you do not have children attending Notre Dame Regional High School, you did not receive the letter from the principal that was sent after the incident in Sikeston. My son was not involved, but, believe me, Brother David, the principal, was not happy. I was disappointed in the grads but more so in the parents, as were many other parents I have spoken to since. A bad example was set. There is no way to justify the incident. We at Notre Dame are willing to admit this. And it's nice to see all the rest of you piling on everything and everyone involved in the incident. Thank you for caring. It's good to know that all of you are perfect parents with perfect children who haven't been caught.

Ready to fight

With the obvious troop deficit in the military, I think it's time to reinstate the draft. The draft board can start in Cape Girardeau and take anyone who supports the war in Iraq or anyone who thinks Fox News is fair and balanced. Of course, if you really support the war you shouldn't need to be drafted. You already know it's the right thing to do. Sign up.

Pay issues

It's great that Missouri now has collective bargaining for public employees. Teachers have been in need of better pay and benefits for years. I think it's ironic that one teacher said she didn't get into the profession for the money, and the superintendent agreed. Compare the two salaries. He certainly wouldn't have taken his job in Cape Girardeau for less than $100,000 a year.

Close to alcohol

Minors in possession: I used to think this meant an underage person who had been drinking or holding alcohol. Many probably still believe this. However, I now know the truth. These days all you need to get an MIP is to be within a certain distance of alcohol. I was at the party in Sikeston that is the subject of so many front-page articles. I was there with no alcohol in hand or in my system, yet I still received a yellow slip of paper stating I must go to court for possessing alcohol. Something needs to be done to let people know that many innocent people were ticketed that night. Many were there to give their friend a ride rather than have to hug their parents at their funeral. Something needs to be done before friends are too scared to show up to drive their friends in fear that they too might go down with them.