Speak Out 8/7/06

Expensive water

LET'S KEEP things in perspective. A gallon of bottled drinking water costs much more than a gallon of gasoline.

For the rich

THE ONLY way to prevent Congress from linking the proposal to raise the minimum wage to a livable level -- which would benefit millions of Americans -- with a reduction in estate taxes -- which benefits less than 1 percent of Americans, and the richest at that -- is to clear the Republicans out of Congress. Had enough of this government of the rich, by the rich, for the rich? Then vote Democratic every chance you get.

School as usual

THE MISSOURI State School Board has decided against mandating the ACT for all public school students. This means we can continue business as usual, use smoke and mirrors, allow every parent to be proud because his student is on the honor roll, rest assured that all students in the system are above average and be certain that all other public school systems are terrible except for the one in which his child is enrolled. This ACT thing had me worried sick.

Forked tongue

I LOVE the press. What hypocrites they are. They are persecuting Mel Gibson for the drunken words he spoke, yet every day we read (which newspapers are printing while sober) about how Israel is responsible for the Palestinians plight and this war in Lebanon. I'm not excusing Gibson, but the press is a mockery. Methinks they speak with a forked tongue.

Being rehabilitated

JUSTIN ROACH'S apology from the Moberly Correctional Center gives us hope that the word "correction" means that some prisoners are, indeed, being rehabilitated, not merely punished. Thank you, Justin, for writing your apologies, and good luck for a brighter future.

Buying supplies

AS A parent in the Jackson School District, I find we are purchasing things like Ziploc bags, boxes of Kleenex, baby wipes and things such as that. However, we are not to label these items with our child's name on them. Why? The one possible conclusion I and other parents came to was that we were supplying other children with these supplies. I feel if parents know the class as a whole will share, they aren't going to purchase some of these for their own child. Honestly, with the cost of living going sky high and having three children myself, why in heaven's name can I not label my child's school supplies? I am sorry I feel like this, but in a year I will have two children in school. Does that mean I will be purchasing supplies for two classrooms?

Circling in Iraq

AFTER 1,200 days into World War II we had crossed the Rhine. And 200 days later the war would end. After 1,200 days into Iraq, we have turned another corner. I suspect that in 200 days we'll have circled the block another 10 times. It's time our military got some leaders worthy to lead it.

Construction speed

I WAS passing through Jackson on the part of Highway 72 that is under construction. The speed limit was 30 mph, but I think I was the only one going 30. All through Jackson I missed every light. I did notice that sometimes when I pass through there at midnight, there are policemen at Pioneer Orchard catching people. I wonder if the construction speed of 30 is valid when there is no construction going on.

Federal waste

I THINK it's ludicrous that so many, including our mayor, are complaining about the old post office when we have a total waste of taxpayer money two blocks away at the Taj Mahal federal courthouse. Why didn't the mayor object to the courthouse if he is concerned about wasting money at the post office?

Build it up

WITH ALL the fighting going on the Mideast, I can't help but wonder what the world would be like if everyone put as much energy into working to build up their homeland as they do tearing it apart. They envy the United States, but they always want our help to build back what they tear apart. In the end, they always come to us for help.

Study results

How interesting: "Thirty-three percent of Cape Girardeau County seniors never exercise." I am betting that is about the percentage (if not more) of under-60 citizens who never exercise. Did this study give any reason why seniors do not exercise? Is it because of their health conditions? Does this number mean 33 percent do not deliberately exercise, or does it take into consideration seniors who work in their yards and gardens and do their housework and shopping? As with all studies, sometimes the end results are not exactly what they seem to be.

Smoking reality

If Cape Girardeau or anywhere else thinks they will snuff out smokers, they are sadly mistaken. Smokers will go where they can light up. Smoking is like drinking, People are going to do it at any age. The only way to stop it is not to have companies that produce it. And that is not likely to happen. Those imposing smoking bans are spinning their wheels. This issue has been in the limelight for years, and the smokers still smoke and the non-smokers still go to bars and casinos where smoking is allowed.

Hide those tattoos

The article "Getting inked up" stated that one-third of Americans under 30 have at least one tattoo. My advice: If you are thinking about becoming a part of that crowd, don't get a tattoo where it cannot be covered by clothing. The Army won't take you. The highway patrol won't hire you. And neither will I and a host of other employers.