Speak out 7/22/08

Slower is safer

IF YOU drive slower and have an accident, your chances of surviving are a lot greater.

Cracking the case

I WANT to commend the Jackson Police Department for cracking the case of the theft ring of the four boys. I think they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Granny car

MY LITTLE car is what I fondly call my granny car. Speed is not in our vocabulary. Fifty-five to 60 mph is our cruising style, and I always get where I'm going in a timely manner with the added benefit of great miles per gallon. Go, granny car.

I'll take Carter

Jimmy Carter was not a bad president. He was somewhat ineffective, but he started no wars, destroyed no economy and was not a deceitful nor dishonest man. Carter still, to this day, lives the values of peace that he tries to negotiate, often with success, between warring states. That dedication to the unity of mankind far surpasses the self-interested term of President Bush. Sticking with a wrong opinion when all evidence indicates that your ideas are wrong isn't strong, nor resolute. It is moronic. I'd take Carter back in a heartbeat.

Robots rule

I have long told people that we live in a technological dystopia. We have become slaves to computers, cell phones, iPods and other gadgets, devices and machines. However, not even I believed until I read your recent front-page headline that they had actually taken over: "Election robo-calls can't be stopped." It's all over.

Breathing problems

I THINK most smokers believe people complain only about the smell and do not understand many people have problems breathing in the same air space of their smoke. This is true also when neighbors burn leaves, limbs, yard trimmings and other trash.

Making a living

Since we don't pay state legislators diddly squat, they have no alternative than to turn to creative ways (political consulting) in order to make ends meet. State Rep. Rod Jetton is not a plutocrat (rule by the wealthy is what the establishment wants) and has mouths to feed. What are you going to do?

Stealing IDs

That's not too bad. The CEO of an identity-security company published his Social Security number a few months ago as a dare to identity thieves to swipe it. According to Harper's Index, it was stolen 13 times.

Give it back

MISSOURI'S surplus should go back to the people who were on Medicaid until it was taken away from them. But it won't. It will be wasted on things that could do without.

Great music in the park

WE HAD a relaxing Sunday evening listening to the group Just in Tyme playing at Dennis Scivally Park. It was great to see so many men and women, of all ages, bring their instruments and chime into the band playing gospel and bluegrass music. I hope they continue to play.

Government help

REGARDING THE comment about being a nation of whiners: I have gone through three floods. I have never received any help or money. No one knows how hopeless a person feels. Our government helps every foreign country with millions in aid. Why shouldn't it help its own citizens?

Negative robo-calling

I THINK robo-calling has a negative effect on candidates. I don't follow elections closely, but I do remember which candidate invades the privacy of my home for their political gain. They do not get my vote.