Speak Out 8/17/10

Utility workers

THANK God for all our utility workers and their knowledge and expertise in this heat. It is commendable. I will never complain about my utility bill.

Not a fit place

IT would be interesting to know who would think it would be OK for anyone under 18 to be in a building where adult nonsense such as stripping is going on. Certainly, it would not be a place to take your child. Working in a place like that would make a mother unfit, and taking a child there would be child endangerment. Those places are not fit for people who are over 18 to be in.

Scarier words

A recent caller stated that the three scariest words that could possibly result from the 2012 general election would be "President Sarah Palin." I would disagree. The three scariest words would be more of "Yes We Can."

Where's the truth?

IN reference to the casino proposal: Doug Austin is quoted in an article as saying, "The one thing this committee will stand for is truth and fairness." However, he has also said in other articles that he does not care if the casino comes in and that he and his group are only concerned with giving citizens another chance to vote on the issue. He is now organizing a committee to fight against the new casino and the new job opportunities it will bring. Where is the truth and fairness in this?

This is unfair

WHILE at the Cape Girardeau Public Health Center to get a copy of my 4-month-old son's birth certificate, I noticed a sign for parenting classes. After I inquired about attending one of these classes I was informed that if I wasn't on assistance I could not attend. In a nutshell, because I waited until I was married, employed and tried to do things the right way, I am not entitled to the same benefits as someone on assistance. This is unfair. Are my tax dollars not paying for these classes? Why should my son and I be denied this opportunity? Learning how to be a better parent should be free to all who care enough to want it.

Dangerous practice

I am outraged that Jackson High School requires the band and football players to practice all day for a week in 90-to-100-degree weather. Not only is this bad for their health, but it can also kill. Why is this allowed when the temperatures are so high? Why can't they do their camp at the end of the school season when it is much cooler and then take a few days to review before school? Their young bodies are still developing, and heatstroke stays with you all of your life. Concerned parents have questioned this, and the answer from the faculty was it is the student's fault if he or she gets sick. It seems parents have no say in this kind of treatment of their children. What is it going to take for them to get better protection? This practice is not fair and must stop.

Helping Democrats

I would like to thank the tea party movement for doing what it can to divide the more traditional Republican establishment and increase the chances that, as a result of November's elections, Congress will still be controlled by the Democrats.

Great website

YOU have the coolest website. The website breaks news before anyone else. It's awesome. But what caused me to comment is that your ads are great, too. I thought you'd like to hear that. Others should check out semissourian.com.

Health inspections

SOMETIMES I can hardly tell that the health inspectors are out and about. What are our health inspectors doing?