Speak Out 8/4/04

Great entertainment

"SING, AMERICA, Sing" is wonderful. Thanks, Mike Dumey, for putting this together. These eight young people are all so very talented. I've seen lots of entertainment in Branson, and this ranked right at the top. Also the food was delicious. It was just an awesome evening.

Sell bridge pieces

I'M CALLING regarding the removal of the old bridge. I find it hard to believe the city isn't doing something to cut up the bridge into souvenir pieces. They did it with the Berlin wall. People wanted pieces of that. It looks like there would be a lot of people who would want a souvenir piece of the bridge and would probably pay for it. That would be a good way to get additional revenue.

Taking responsibility

YES, I am angry. The failure of the heating and cooling system at Central High School should be corrected by the installer. If that company fails to honor its responsibility, perhaps a lawsuit is in order. Common sense tells us that a winning bid provides adequate equipment and expectations. Cape taxpayers are fed up.

Writing analysis

PLEASE DON'T stop David Limbaugh's columns. As a teacher, I use them to help my students learn about logical fallacies, incorrect reasoning and unjustified conclusions. The students learn from taking his writings apart that what is in print isn't necessarily true.

Utterly ridiculous

I WOULD like very much to know what type of contract our school board signed with the air- conditioning firm that does not have air conditioning working properly in our high school. We were in business for over 40 years. If we installed something and it didn't work, we went back and you fixed it. I think it is utterly ridiculous that we're going to pay another firm that type of money to make it work, and the firm that did not put this in correctly is walking away free.

Progressive methods

THE PROPOSED pet limitation ordinance is not only unconstitutional but grossly unmerited. If the city council would take the time to research the negative side of pet limitation laws and use more progressive methods of enforcement such as mandating microchip IDs, Cape Girardeau would be moving in a positive direction. The city is choosing to restrict the responsible pet owners rather than enforcing the city laws against irresponsible ones.

Wrong message

THE TEACHERS are not to blame for students' lacking in reading skills. Too many parents are making excuses for their kids. Education is about learning how to be successful. Behavior and attention disorders are two of the many excuses parents are using. The reason most kids are not learning is because they don't want to, and they are resourceful enough to figure out how they don't have to. Good job, parents, for teaching them that much.

Cape needs water park

MY FAMILY recently went to Poplar Bluff to the water park. What a great experience. The park was clean. The staff was courteous. And it was a very enjoyable day. Why can't Cape Girardeau build something like this? Think of all the summer jobs this would generate for the youths in this area. Everyone complains that kids are getting into too much trouble. Maybe it is because there is nothing good for them to do.