Speak Out 8/8/07

Blogging Iraq

SPEAK OUT commentators and bloggers know more about what is going on in Iraq than soldiers on the ground in Baghdad. The latter are too busy carrying out their individual assignments to get a feel for the big picture as do commentators and bloggers who spend their days consulting the mainstream and alternative media, perspective from reporters embedded with many soldiers and so on. I do worry about alleged U.S. soldiers who claim to be in Iraq and find time to offer Speak Out comments to the Southeast Missourian while also responding to various and sundry bloggers.

Obesity problem

I GET tired of people harping about smoking. You will see these same people who are overweight. These same people consume large amounts of food that is not healthy for them. When this obesity health problem hits our medical system, the cost will far outweigh what cigarettes have caused.

Low ratings

THE DEMOCRATS in Congress have a 31 percent approval rating. The president has a 31 percent approval rate. It's time for the left wing in Southeast Missouri to realize that Democrats are doing a poor job of running Congress, and President Bush is in a no-win situation.

Return the surplus

THE SHAMELESS surplus in the Cape Girardeau School District's coffers came about as a result of no longer penalizing the system for declining enrollment and, in fact, rewarding the district at the expense of other districts. Since the surplus came about as a result of underhanded and unethical political dealings, it should be returned to the state and allotted among schools whose districts are financially strained because of ever increasing enrollment.

More concessions

A MOVIE theater worker said people come to the concession stand 10 to 15 minutes after the last movie has started when the employees have already cleaned things up for the night. The movie still has over an hour to go, so the concession stand should not be shutting down.

Relying on handouts

WITH LOCAL taxpayers as tightfisted as ever and public-school funding growing exponentially, what does that tell you? Basically we've learned to keep local taxes low while relying on the state and federal government to carry our water. Who would have ever thought Cape Girardeau would become noted as the home of welfare kings and queens?

Farm subsidies

BY GOLLY, our congressional district isn't doing too bad. Nineteen out of 435 congressional districts account for almost 50 percent of all farm subsidies received between 2003 and 2005. Our district ranks No. 20. I would like to thank the taxpayers from Hawaii to the East Coast, Alaska to New Mexico and all places in between. If it weren't for you, lots of these folks would barely be able to eke out a living.

Money lessons

I SEE commercials about banks that have special programs in place to cover you if you overdraw your account. Why can't people live within their means? I see people all the time who live paycheck to paycheck who have high-speed Internet, high-end cell-phone plans and cable or satellite dishes with all the channels. These are all luxuries. Luxuries should only be used if you have disposable funds to spend. Are all these plans that important? Could you not cut each of these plans in half and save money each month? I worry about what our children are learning about money management. No one ever got rich from spending all his money.

Always welcome

NOW I remember how much I loved reading Sam Blackwell's feature articles. Thanks for a great job, Sam, on the Leopold Picnic. We enjoyed your impressions and hope you'll come back next year. You're always welcome.

Gone to seed

SHAME ON Southeast Missouri State University for allowing the Rust Garden to turn into such an eyesore. It was always a favorite place to visit when the Rusts lived next door. Now the fountain is turned off and overgrown with weeds, and the beautiful flowers not longer exist. You would think the university would have staff members capable of maintaining its beauty. It will take years to bring it back to what it was.

Federal flop

THIS IS another example of how the taxpayers money is waisted right under our noses. The cost of the new federal courthouse is a massive 24 percent higher than what was budgeted, and the building might open up to a year after expected. yet Brad Scott from General Services Administration says the overages will be forgotten once the building opens. Where do I apply for a job where I can waste other people's money, be late on project dates and expect my boss to forget about it once I'm done?

No last call

I USED to work at a bar in the boondocks. Some good old boys would come in every night about five minutes before closing. We'd all get drunk as coots, carry on and have a big old time. If I would have complained about customers coming in with less than 30 minutes left before closing time, we would have had fewer customers, and I would have had no fun at all.

Part of growing up

I HAVE renewed faith in our teens. Kids who complain about life being boring with nothing to do are showing signs of maturing and realizing the nature of life.

Hiring teachers

IF THE Jackson School District were truly hiring the most qualified candidates for positions advertised in the newspaper and on the district's Web site, there wouldn't be an issue. But when a number of qualified individuals (professional educators who have fulfilled all parts of an education program, including 16 weeks of closely supervised student teaching) interview for a job and all are passed over in favor of someone with no education degree or teaching experience, I have to wonder how this practice is providing the "highly qualified" teachers that the No Child Left Behind Act mandates.

Take some lessons

I THINK Illinois officials should give Missouri some lessons. Missouri residents are paying for Ameren's mistakes. I can't believe our state officials aren't helping the residents out. Employees at Ameren's office are rude. Missouri, I used to be proud of you. Shame on you.