Speak Out 7/10/06

Bottom five

FUTURE HISTORIANS may not rank the Bush administration as the worst in history, but it will certainly be among the bottom five. Keynesianism in economics. Wilsonian idealism abroad. Conservatism abandoned. How sad.

Musical memories

A BELATED thanks to the Linda Redeffer and Southeast Missourian photographers for the June TBY piece on Fred Horrell and the Flames. Along with the likes of Lee and the Lyrics, Dennis Turner, Billy Swan and others, the feature made me yearn for the days of the Airline Club and Tiny's Dance Land.

Ice cream dipping

JACKSON SCHOOL District should understand that double-dipping is for ice cream cones.

Spanking policy

AS I understand it, the policy of the Cape Girardeau School District is that it has the right to spank students. However, before the principal can paddle your child, first the parent has to be contacted, and the parent also has to agree to it. It's not unilateral decision by the principal. There's no way I would ever let anyone spank my child.

Not listening

I READ that 70 percent of Americans approve of federal spending on stem-cell research, yet President Bush threatens to veto any such bill that lands on his desk. This is another example of this administration's blatant unwillingness to listen to the people.

Overgrown vines

WHILE TRYING to clean up the weeds in Cape Girardeau, try Lexington Avenue from Perryville Road on east. The vines and trees are so overgrown it's pathetic.

Recovering addicts

I'M TIRED of reading about people calling drug addicts names such as reformed dopeheads. Drug addicts are human beings. Nobody in this world is above becoming a drug addict. There are no words to describe the pain that addiction afflicts on the addict and the people who love the addict. When someone makes the decision to recover from addiction, it's a long, hard fight back to reality and a battle that will continue for the rest of their lives. Please, give those in recovery some respect. We worked hard to once again earn trust and to try to make a difference in this world.

Thanks, Chief

A BIG thank you to the chief of police in Oran for doing a spectacular job and for hanging in there. We appreciate it.

Too many restrictions

ON SATURDAY none of the horrible, dangerous yard sale signs were posted around town. Nobody could find where the yard sales were, but that's OK because it looked really nice. I wonder if the people of Cape Girardeau ever stopped to think about our freedoms that we're losing right before Independence Day. This would be a good time to think about those rights. We are told how many dogs we can have, what to do with our leaves, what to do with our lawn, what do to with our cars, what to do with so many different things. I don't know where this is all going to end. Maybe it looks a little nicer without the yard sale signs, but it's certainly taking away from the feel of the city, which a small town. I'm not really sure if the sign ordinance has improved things. I'm sure there's going to be a lot more restrictions place on us as we go along.

Enough taxes

I WOULD like to know in what period of time Sheriff John Jordan lost 14 deputies to other law enforcement agencies. My guess is some of these people used the sheriff's department as a stepping stone to move to other agencies. All we taxpayers keep hearing is "Give us more money." Most of our paycheck goes for taxes now. We can't afford to give anymore.

Branson shows

WE'RE GLAD to see the Hughes Brothers from Branson will be coming to Cape Girardeau. Many years ago, we used to get the Plummer Family, the Foggy River Boys and other groups from Branson every year, which was wonderful. It would be so nice if we could get different shows from Branson to come in every three or four months. As many country music fans as there are in this area, it would be no problem getting a large audience for these shows. How about a little more notice on these shows than just under two weeks? Two months' notice would be more like it, as many of us make our plans months in advance. As it is now, we have other plans for July 15 and will not be able to attend the Hughes Brothers concert. Those of you who previously had no plans for July 15, you do now. Be sure to support this great country music show from Branson. We guarantee you'll enjoy yourself.

Willing to pay

REGARDING THE half-cent sales tax increase for law enforcement and road-paving projects in Cape Girardeau County: Anyone who spends money in Cape Girardeau County will pay this tax. Cape Girardeau is the hub. It makes sense that I help pay these taxes since I drive on county roads to get to Cape Girardeau.

Neighborly parking

I'VE ALWAYS tried to make myself available to any of my neighbors, especially if they are in need of help of any kind. However, when one family parks from four to seven cars on the street, using not only their parking space, but also my allotted space on the street causing difficulty backing vehicles in and out of my driveway, isn't this being inconsiderate? Please be a good neighbor and correct this problem. We do like you as a neighbor.

Mowing the weeds

THIS MESSAGE goes out to the crew that came out and mowed along Route W at Kenneth Drive. We appreciate your mowing the weeds that were 4 to 5 feet tall, especially the Johnson grass. The next time you mow, you might want to consider sharpening the blades on your bush hog. You left half of the stalks of the Johnson grass.