Speak Out 7/25/08

The profit factor

SO IF T. Boone Pickens' investments in alternate energy sources leads to cleaner, cheaper and more abundant energy for all of us, someone may not partake because he made his money in oil and might try to make a profit from his investments?

Home values

THANK YOU for reminding us that genuine and lasting change comes when we follow the values of loving parents, marriage, tough love, homes with pride, honesty and teaching respect. All the political talk of change, new leaders and proposals is not the answer. These values are. Let's make a difference in our country and begin within the walls of our own homes.

The 50th state

REGARDING A recent comment about the transportation of trash from Hawaii to the mainland United States: Hawaii is one of our 50 American states, no less than Ohio, Vermont or Missouri. There are thousands of Hawaiian troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pearl Harbor is in America. Don Ho is American. There are exactly 50 stars on our flag, and this is a terrific source of pride.

Thanks, firefighters

I WISH to thank Cape Girardeau's firefighters for all their hard work and dedication. I want to also thank the unpaid professionals of all of the volunteer fire department who provide the same services to all of the rural areas. This wonderful group of men and women take time to obtain training and provide the same fire protection and medical care to us but don't get the pay to offset their time. They are a great group of people. My heartfelt thanks goes out to all fire/EMS personnel who help us and our families, professional or volunteer.

Hawaii's trash

TO THE person complaining about trash being sent from Hawaii to "this country": Hawaii is part of this country. While I agree that Hawaii should take care of its own trash, its residents are not "foreigners." They are Americans, and they are trying to ship something from their state to a larger state.

Memory lane

I ENJOYED the articles on Jackson Homecomers. I lived in Jackson for a few years from 1959 to the mid-1960s. It was my first home away from my parents' home, and I shall always cherish the good old days while living in this small city. Reading the stories about the Homecomers and the courthouse brought back great memories of good times I had with my friends there. I had family members who lived nearby, and I've always enjoyed going home again to visit and see the magical town where I found my adulthood, met my true love only to lose much too soon, started my working career which fortunately turned successful as the years progressed. Jackson gave me a good start in the world of work. Jackson has many pleasant memories in my mind. Homecomers is the highlight of them all. Thanks for the experience. It was a nice journey down memory lane.

Food aid

SPECIAL FARM aid for struggling farmers? With enormous amounts of farm welfare and food prices going through the roof, it's not farmers who need the aid.

Needy taxpayers

SOME PEOPLE haven't received their first stimulus check, while most of us already need another one.

Spend away

WE HAVE 70 percent of our economy in the service industry. As long as Americans continue to spend money recklessly, we should be fine. At least until the money runs out, that is.