Speak Out

Make wall into The Wall

I HAVE another idea for reviving downtown Cape. It would attract lots of people, particularly teens and young adults. Extend the height of the wall by the river and turn it into a rock-climbing wall. It could have a simple name like "The Wall" and use a sound system to play the classic of the same name in the background.

Word of warning

THE CLARION call for President Bush to get all the corporate crooks may lead to incalculable vacancies in his own administration, including some at the highest levels. Let's don't go hog wild on this thing.

Motorcycle caution

I JUST wanted to tell all motorists out there to please be more aware of motorcycle traffic. And motorcyclists, please, please be careful. I have been to two funerals this year for two very amazing young men who died on motorcycles. I would hate to see another family lose a son, brother, cousin or friend.

Which is it?

I AGREE wholeheartedly that Republican hypocrisy is out of hand. Before the election and before the market tanked, the Republicans were taking all the credit for our economy, claiming Ronald Reagan and the first President Bush set it all up, and Bill Clinton had nothing to do with it. All of a sudden, though, it's Clinton's fault that he didn't do more to prevent these corporate scandals. The Republicans want to wash their hands of the 1990s economy. Come on, conservatives, which is it? You can't change your tune when the going gets rough.

Outrageous claim

DOES PHILLIP Orscheln think we live in a vacuum? Does he think we are country hicks with no knowledge of what's happening on Wall Street? For Orscheln to write a propagandistic oration praising corrupted money-changer Merrill Lynch and trying to portray it as a voluntary leader in corporate reform is outrageous.

Invasion plan

REPUBLICAN, STAY calm. The coming invasion of Iraq, probably before the primary and certainly prior to the general election, will boost the economy through increased government spending and lead to less significant GOP losses in the fall.

Thanks for the help

RECENTLY I had a problem with my car. I was stopped close to the No. 2 fire station. It seemed as if every car stopped to help me. The men from the fire station couldn't have been kinder. I thank them and the others who stopped and offered help.

Being a new Christian

NEW CHRISTIANS can be so hard on other family members. They act like they're the only ones who have ever been saved. Their fanaticism and beating everybody over the head with the Bible does nothing to further their cause. If they would just humble themselves and lead a Godly example, that would speak volumes.

Passing it along

RECEIVING A great act of kindness saved the day for me. Since the kind person was not allowed by an employer to accept monetary thanks, I can offer my thanks for the honesty and integrity of that person and pass on an act of kindness to someone else. Thank you, Mary, and the two individuals who validated her.

Doing what's right

IN OUR travels this summer, the bumper sticker I remember is "God bless America. What have we done that we should?" This is not about works to get to heaven but has to do with this: Is what we have done pleasing to God? We have allowed people to be murdered by choice. Abortion is still murder. We've allowed for alternative lifestyles. There are no alternatives with God. There are only absolutes. We have wavered from the truth and wondered why our big businesses cannot be honest. God has blessed America and will continue to do so if we will rethink where we're going.

Remember to vote

I WOULD like to encourage all to vote Tuesday. Remember, you must select a party ballot, either Republican or Democratic. However, the Republican ballot is the only one which has contested races. Please consider each of the candidates' experience.

Community respect

I'M CALLING to give a very good reason why people should choose Cape Girardeau to live in. A couple of weeks ago, I attended a funeral for my 100-year-old grandmother in St. Louis. There were about 60 cars in the funeral procession. It was a miserable ride from the funeral home to the cemetery. I made a comment to my wife that I thought there should be an escort service or at least some consideration from other motorists. Today we attended another funeral for a young man here in Cape Girardeau. I noticed that as we left the church, most of the motorists we passed were kind enough and respectable enough to pull over to the side of the road and wait for the procession to pass. I think this respect was a gesture that any small community would make. I thought it was wonderful. It was a very good reason why we chose this community: because the people are respectful of each other.

Appalling incident

I'M APPALLED by the letter from the woman who said a utility tree trimmer stepped on a small bird that fell from a tree. I'm personally offended by this. I believe the conservation department should get involved in this and talk to Jackson officials so this doesn't happen again.

REGARDING DR. Jay White's letter: Having been reared in the Southern Baptist Church, it is refreshing to find that at least one pastor is in favor of religious tolerance.

Make trucks pay

TRACTOR-TRAILERS are tearing up the highways. I think we need to make the tractor-trailer companies that use the highways pay for the highways. They're the ones that tore them up, not the cars.

Serving greed

DESPITE ALL the huffing and puffing, it's clear from the record that, from the top down, the Bush administration is composed of corporate leaders. These administration officials represent the moral bankruptcy and corporate greed that has destroyed the lives of millions. While these folks and their supporters remain in power, U.S. domestic and foreign policy will continue to serve corporate greed rather than serve the people. Readers should beware the propaganda of gullible Speak Out callers.

Time for rain dance

First too much rain. Now not enough. Rain dance, anyone?