Speak Out

Easy targets

I AGREE that a crackdown on speeders is necessary on Mount Auburn Road. However, I think it's very unprofessional for police to sit in a church parking lot at the base of an extremely steep hill. In order to stay below the speed limit, a driver has to brake all the way down the hill. Police can write all the tickets they want on Mount Auburn without resorting to this cheap tactic. This is just taking advantage of people.

Spotlight on hypocrisy

THIS IS in response to the caller who thought it was plain hogwash to point out the differences in the treatment by the media regarding Gov. Jeb Bush's daughter and Chelsea Clinton. True, this has nothing to do with government policy, but the fact that conservatives use hate radio to attack an innocent girl and then have a problem with the same public spotlight being placed on the president's niece when she goes to jail over illegal drug use points out a glaring hypocrisy. It's the hypocrisy that is important to be pointed out.

Emphasis on speeders

I WOULD just like to say that I think Cape Girardeau's police officers are doing an awful job because they are just giving speeding ticket after speeding ticket after speeding ticket. It's really ridiculous. Police officers, go do a real job.

Positive campaigning

I AM calling to offer my praise to both U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan and candidate Jim Talent for their positive campaign commercials. As the election draws nearer, the temptation to go down in the gutter will become greater. As voters, we can control this process by retaliating against the first candidate who gives in to this degrading urge to start slinging mud. Let's not let either candidate off the hook by claiming some independent group ran the negative ad and they had no control over it. We all know that if a candidate really wanted to denounce a negative ad, he or she could do so. Let's reward the candidates who keep it positive.

Online information

I LIKE what you have done with the obituaries and putting the births online. This information is wonderful and great help to people like me who are doing family-history research.

State union dues

I HAVE just about had it with the state workers' union dues. My take-home pay is not substantial enough to pay for things that won't amount to anything. I am a young widow with a child to raise, and my income is precious to me. I don't throw my money away. I was raised under the benefits of unions, so I have a full understanding of their worth. Not in this case, though. State workers have not had a raise in two years, yet our health-care costs have risen. We are working for less than we were two years ago. Unfortunately, the cost of living continues to increase even though our salaries don't. Some of us don't have the luxury of tossing an additional $18 a month out the window. Why were we all not allowed to vote for this union? That is not the union way.

Big-city drivers

THIS IS in regard to the city slickers who think driving in Cape is the pits. I am from a big city and have driven in big cities all over. Why do complainers persist in living in Cape? Is it because they can't fly down a city street at 50 mph like you do in the big city? Or is it because you have to stop at stop signs or there isn't enough room to tailgate or pass when someone in front of you who isn't driving to suit you? Just remember that almost everyone in Cape probably respects the speed limit, and best of all they respect other drivers and take the time to stop and smell the roses now and then. I'll take driving in Cape over any big city.

Not a second time

IT'S THE same old song and dance. Proponents of Proposition B talk about how it will help with safety and will help the Missouri State Highway Patrol. We've heard it all before. Can you say "15-year plan"? I'm not going to get suckered again.

Plain propaganda

TO IMPLY that the millions of women and children in places like Africa contracted AIDS because of their "sinful lifestyle" is a big lie. Discerning readers of the Southeast Missourian will not fall prey to such preposterous propaganda.

Let students walk

SO WHAT if they don't finish the road to the new high school by the time school starts? I think it would be good for these students to walk 5 miles to school.