Speak Out 8/14/03

Evening meetings

GOV. BOB Holden recently signed into law a measure expanding the authority of Missouri's larger counties to enact local ordinances. The new law takes effect Aug. 28. Since Cape Girardeau is one of the 22 counties affected, will the county commission be publishing an agenda? Will the commissioners continue to meet at 9 a.m. on Monday and Thursday, or will there be a change to bi-weekly or monthly meetings in the evening? Since these expanded powers cover a variety of issues such as roads, storm-water control, parks and economic development, wouldn't it promote harmony within the county to hold evening meetings? Let's not forget that Cape Girardeau County residents need a voice in their government.

Hard to tell

I'M SURE glad the president told me the fighting in Iraq was over. Otherwise I wouldn't have known it.

Following blindly

CONCERNING THE Episcopal Church's acceptance of every judgment handed down by the policy makers or any church officials when it rejects biblical teaching is simply following false prophets as referred to numerous times in Scripture. When bishops and clergy practice and accept homosexuality, which the Bible plainly condemns as an abomination, true Christians should not accept this as the Gospel. Following blindly and going along with politically correctness wasn't what God's Word intended. You can't have it both ways.

Out to the ballgame

A RECENT opportunity to attend a Cardinals baseball game became available to a winning Little League baseball team. All the team members were excited about the trip, even the little boy without any transportation to the game. Surely, someone on the team would offer him a ride, he thought. But no one remembered to invite this little boy and his mom to ride along with them. In Bible study we are always encouraged to help those in need. What are friends for? No child should ever be left out.

Fireworks, now noise

IT'S SO refreshing to see that both the Jackson Board of Aldermen and Cape Girardeau City Council are looking at doing something about the nuisance and safety issues that fireworks have become. It's sad that a few people could for so long control our neighborhood with their noise and pollution. Now when are we going to do something about the noise coming from the vehicles with loud mufflers and loud stereos?

Embracing the worst

THE MOST important issue that America faces today isn't the deficit, the economy, terrorism, nuclear tension and so on. It's the disregard for and loss of family values in our culture. We now embrace abortion and homosexuality, even ordaining practicing homosexual bishops. We embrace pornography as freedom of speech. Our nation leads the world in filth -- and, it seems, with no hope of reversal.

Vacation criticism

THIS IS to the person who was so furious that George Bush was taking a vacation that he practically lunged out of his chair in outrage. This man has a job to do. Yes, there are people in Iraq risking their lives. That's the job they chose to do. They knew they were doing this when they signed up for the military. But to have the leader of the country never take a day off so he can get a break is ridiculous. It seems like some people just want to criticize everything Bush does.

Getting to church

THERE IS a crippled boy in Scott City who has to walk approximately six blocks to church, crossing a very busy intersection. I have witnessed several adult members of the church on the parking lot going in and out without helping him cross that street. My mother and I have helped him several times and will be doing so again. That boy wants to attend church. I hope someone from the church reads this and will help him.