Speak Out 7/15/11

University motel

SO Southeast president Ken Dobbins thinks the university needs to be in the motel business. There are buildings on and off campus that are not being properly maintained or painted now. How are they going to manage a successful motel operation? It will be a party place and another black hole of tax money.

Rich Dems?

I am sick and tired of hearing how the Republicans are for the rich and aren't in touch with the average person. I am not rich. I am average, and I can think for myself, work and make money and support my family. I don't rely on the government for any handouts, so the president can't buy my vote with increased government programs like he's trying to do with so many people. If you want to talk rich, take a look at who's donating toward what some say will be a $1 billion war chest for Obama's re-election attempt. The people making these kinds of donations are not your average worker. Could there actually be rich Democrats? Tell me it isn't so.

Jury IQ

IT is truly amazing to me that in my lifetime the judicial system has been able to gather two groups of 12 people, out of the eligible millions, that are not able to convict two obviously guilty people. I just wonder if IQ tests should be administered to potential jurors.

Saxony enrollment

PERHAPS those opposed to the future Fruitland quarry should look into the future enrollment projected by the current principal at Saxony Lutheran High School. The latest editorial claims that this newly formed committee believes that the quarry will cause decreased enrollment and will affect the teachers. The projected enrollment for 2009 was anticipated to be more than 200. That projection was the driving force behind the building committee to expand the school. Look at the current enrollment for 2011-2012. Projected enrollment is what? The sluggish economy is the driving force behind declining enrollment. As for the faculty currently in place, research the staff and you will find that the staff is made up of 95 percent Lutheran teachers who are committed to teaching regardless of what is being developed around the school land.

MoDOT, Jackson

IT'S good to see that MoDOT personnel are working with Jackson. Perhaps they'll also consider working with Morehouse.

Bachmann statement

IT disturbed me a lot when I read that Republican candidate for president Michelle Bachmann said God told her to become a tax lawyer and work for the IRS.

Patriotic duty

SOCIETY does not covet the wealth of millionaires, billionaires and those who fly around in taxpayer-subsidized corporate jets. We just ask that they do their patriotic duty as Americans and pay Clinton-level marginal tax rates so that, along with cuts in government spending, the budget can be balanced.

Mayan piercings

IT was the ancient Mayans who may have predicted the end of the world in 2012, and that is why some prescient people are wearing Mayan-like piercings.

Hate crimes

FOUR of my friends went to a local restaurant and were victims of a hate crime. Other patrons began verbally abusing them because they are gay. The management of the restaurant refused to do anything about it. When the police were called, they did not want to do anything either. They stated that they may send a car around to talk to them. When are hate crimes going to stop? I will tell you when. It is when everyone takes a stand against people such as this. It is when businesses defend their customers. It is when law enforcement protects the rights of every individual. We need to speak out on this every time we witness it. Everyone deserves equal rights. Everyone deserves the right to go out into public without fear of persecution. This has got to stop.

Infrastructure quality

WHEN it comes to the quality of a nation's infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc.), the U.S. is no longer No. 1 among developed nations. In fact, we're an embarrassing, if not humiliating, No. 23.

Obesity rate

MISSOURI is No. 11 right now, but I'm confident that if we take in just a little bit more sustenance the Show Me State can break into the top 10 in the obesity rate.

Dems fault

I graciously accept the latest point inferred by right-wing blunderbuss Byron York that if Mitt Romney doesn't get elected president it will be the fault of Democrats.

Food stamps

HEY, coupon complainer, these couponers are working folk trying to save money. I agree they need to share, but put your complaining to better use and focus on the thousands of food stamp people who buy top-notch foods without coupons. They are the real problem.

Sad county commentary

DORY Johnson is right in requiring transparency and avoiding conflict of interest problems to continue. I believe that because SADI went to the regional center to provide case management services the board hurried up and hired Bob Dale to do it, knowing good and well they never intended to keep him. Now that paves the way for Hillary's cronies to open the doors for VIP. Removing Dory as president of the disabilities board helps pave the way. Sad commentary for the county.

Couponing

QUIT judging all of us couponers as being ridiculous or hoarders. I don't buy things I won't use unless it's free and I can donate it. I get two papers a week, so I'm not clearing the shelves. Yes, I stockpile up to approximate a year's worth of some items, but if we will use it and I get it dirt cheap, why is that a bad thing? I don't spend 20 hours a week doing this either. I spend about a maximum of six, and less than that if I get my husband to help.

Vacations

SOMEBODY wrote in a while back complaining about Michelle Obama taking her children along with her to Africa on a "vacation" claiming it was for business. This same person claimed that you don't take your children on "business" trips. I beg to differ. I would not have gotten to go on vacation to Disney World as a child if my father hadn't had a business trip in Orlando held at a Disney hotel. I wouldn't have gotten to experience the beauty of the Colorado Rockies if my mother hadn't had a business trip held at a Keystone Resort. I wouldn't have gotten to go to Hawaii if I hadn't tagged along with my husband on a business trip there. Just because you have never done it, don't get on your soapbox and say it can't be so.

Super superintendent

I am a teacher in Cape Girardeau. I don't have any negative feelings toward Dr. Welker for his decision to come back from retirement. He has done wonderful things for this district, and I think that it would be terrible to lose him. He followed the correct procedures to come back in order to help us make this district continue to improve. Dr. Welker, thank you for all of your dedication and support so far, and I am happy to have you back again next year.