Speak Out 8/5/07

May be too late

I HAVE an eerie feeling that mankind will be extinct before the completion of Cape Girardeau's much ballyhooed federal courthouse.

Subsidizing the dead

I'VE THROWN in the towel on objecting to taxpayer subsidies for rich farmers. Can Washington at least consider stopping subsidies to deceased tillers of the soil? Over $1 billion in taxpayer money has been awarded to dead farmers in the last six years or so.

Fighting governor

TWO YEARS ago, Gov. Matt Blunt signed medical malpractice tort reform. This was supposed to reduce costs in the health-care industry. Since that time, medical malpractice insurance premiums have continued to skyrocket for doctors. Personal health-care insurance premiums have skyrocketed for patients too. The only ones that benefit are the insurance companies. I wonder if the governor has the will, courage or inclination to take on the insurance companies.

Computer learning

I THREW the Southeast Missourian on the floor the other morning and stomped on it\. My outrage was provoked by an article about a so-called expert saying that computers are essential for learning. I agree with the likely computer connected company spokesperson who said computers and the Internet can change student attitudes toward learning. They sure can. They can change attitudes in ways counterproductive to learning are incalculable.

Bad to worse

A GOOD case could be made that the U.S. made a bad situation in Iraq much worse with our invasion. Now comes pointy headed Hoover Institution think-tanker Vic Hanson to tell us it will get worse than ever if we leave. Hanson correctly holds presidents from both political parties responsible for the mess in which we find ourselves. At the same time, I would encourage Hanson not to hold his breath waiting for us to follow his advice as to what we should do now, since he doesn't have any.

Thanks for help

I WANT to thank every volunteer, individual, business and organization that supported, be it financially or physically, the Back-to-School Fair in Marble Hill July 27 at the United Methodist Church by East Missouri Action Agency. Your support was greatly appreciated. We served 93 students through your efforts and hope to make next year's fair even bigger.

Smoking issues

REGARDING THE new law in Illinois banning smoking in public places: I agree that smoking should be banned in public places because of the health risks to others. I am a former smoker, and I am proud to say that I haven't had a cigarette in over six years. Everyone should realize that smoking is a big risk and that it should not be exposed to children or older adults with health issues. Cigarette butts are an eyesore and should be disposed of properly.

Packing the court

THE COMING Democrat tsunami in 2008 will justifiably restore control of the executive and legislative branches of the federal government to Democrat hands for decades to come. Still, there's the problem of the U.S. Supreme Court. I fear it may consistently block the will of the people through the predominance of its majority right-wing activist justices. What to do? I think it's time to revive an idea that came and went decades ago. It's time to give serious reconsideration to FDR's failed attempt at packing the Supreme Court with justices who will consistently defer to the wishes of a Democrat-controlled executive and legislative branch.

High utility bill

THANK YOU, Jackson, for looking out for my best interests. I wish you had to pay my $300 electric bill. Thanks for looking out for me.

Safety warning

IF YOU have a cord on your blinds in your house or in your camper, cut the cord at the bottom so it won't be a loop where little ones can get their head in there and get strangled.

Deer not so cute

THIS IS to the people who love the deer in the bean field and said, "Eat up, it's free beans." Wrong, that farmer has invested much time and money in those beans, and the deer can quickly destroy a crop. The excess deer in the area cause cattle to die of deer fever frequently. Remember the farmers and the overpopulation of deer. Not everyone thinks they are cute.

Protect yourself

IF YOU are young or old and are being bullied or threatened by another person, do not tolerate it. And do not try to handle it yourself. Contact the police immediately. Take the proper steps that you must to protect yourself. If you're been watching the news lately, there have been stabbings and shootings, and they were uncalled for. Protect yourself first.

Wasting money

I'D LIKE to comment on the Cape Girardeau County paving of roads. County officials said they were going to chip and seal several miles of county roads and they were going to asphalt so many miles, I live in a subdivision with chip and seal down. The people who put it down told us it would not last over a year. I would like to see that the county doesn't put any chip and seal down, because it will not last over a year without getting all kinds of potholes in it. Chip and seal is a waste of money and I don't want to see the county waste our tax money.

A good thing

I GOT gas at Wal-Mart in Jackson and shopped in the store a little bit. When I came out there was a note on my windshield that said, "Your gas tank is not closed and you lost some gas." And it said, "God bless you." I want to thank that person. He or she has to be an angel to do something like that. I really appreciate that. God bless you.

Time assessment

I AM not in the restaurant business, but I think I can explain what designates closing time. The time that a restaurant closes is the time that service ends. If it closes at 9 p.m., then service is over at 9 p.m. When a customer plans to eat at a restaurant, consider whether you have time to think about what you want to eat, order your food, have it cooked, have it served, eat it and leave, all by closing time. If you can't, choose a different restaurant. People in the food industry work hard. Consider how you would feel if you were the server or the cook. We need to think about how others feel once in a while. It's not always about you.