Speak Out 9/10/05

Thanks for response

WE WOULD like to thank the police department. Sunday morning we found a dead cat on our steps by the sidewalk. We called the police department. Less than an hour later, the cat was picked it up. We appreciate it very much.

We'll pull through

WE HAVE a tragedy of immense proportions, and we have a bunch of media types and politicians trying to place blame on the opposing party. This is a disgrace, almost as bad as looting and hindering those who are at the scene. The important thing is to save as many folks as we can. A few victims will gripe. Most will thank God they're alive. This is a huge area of destruction. Some will wait longer than others for relief. It's the largest disaster in our history. It will be not forgotten. But with compassion we will pull through together.

Rescue roadblocks

EVERYONE SHOULD be relieved. If we lived in a Third World country, the victims of Hurricane Katrina would still be without food and water. We need to be thankful we're in the United States. No one understands how difficult it is to rescue these people.

Ashamed of response

I WAS born in 1940. I've always been a proud American patriot. My deceased father fought in World War II and was permanently disabled fighting for our country. I never thought I would be ashamed of our country. Our government's response to Hurricane Katrina makes me ashamed to be an American for the first time in almost 65 years.

Pull together

IN THE midst of a national disaster, how is it that our citizens manage to turn against each other and point fingers in every direction? This is not a race issue or a presidential issue. This is an American issue. People need to put away their differences and help each other. I've watched the news and have seen strangers risking their own lives to save others. Let's stop trying to find someone to blame. Let's pull together as a nation. I think it's horrible that famous people go on television to bad-mouth our president. I hope everyone else does what he can instead of using this time to complain about rights and wrongs or should've and could've.

Thanks for help

A BIG thank you to the men at Sears in Cape Girardeau. After our stove delivery accident, they were helpful and are much appreciated. Thank you.

Awesome people

MY HUSBAND and I visited Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Long Beach and Biloxi, Miss., in July. If you've never been there you have no idea of the beauty. The people are awesome. My heart goes out to all the people from these places who have never been anything but wonderful to me and my family. May God bless you all.

It's not racial

IF JESSE Jackson objects to the term "refugee" as racially biased, what does he suggest? By injecting racial inferences into an already bad situation, Jackson and others do a great disservice to all of the suffering individuals who were displaced by Katrina, no matter what their skin color.

Blame the media

COMPLAINTS ARE rampant about how long it took to get help to the hurricane area. But what other country has lost an entire city to a natural disaster and evacuated so many people in such a short period of time? It's a disaster of enormous proportions and a devastating time for the people involved. But the media do not help the situation by making the support services in this country look bad.

Dancing at God's feet

GOD HAS a loyal follower dancing at his feet today. Hal Greene, longtime pastor of Cape Bible Chapel, died Tuesday night. Our town, and the Christians in it, mourn this great loss.

Poverty's impact

I'VE BEEN pretty well blessed at times, but I've also been poor. Of course, I complained a lot less when I was well off than when I was poor. I think most people consider good health the most important thing. But based on my 70 years of living, there's one worse thing than poor health: poverty. There's nothing worse than poverty. Most people do not envy the rich and have no desire for their money, but they want a fair share in this life. They to make a living, and they don't want to get ripped off when they go to the gas station or the supermarket. I have compassion for poor hurricane victims who are complaining. We need to try to understand why people complain instead of criticizing them.

Tie wages to gas prices

THE AMERICAN people want a livable wage. When gasoline prices go up, the average wage should go up too. When you're poor, you still have to look for work, and you need gasoline. We still need gas for transportation.

Dressing for school

I FEEL sorry for the Southeast Missouri State University students having to walk so far and carry all those books in the heat. I can understand why they dress with the least amount of clothing they can get by with. Scott City High School students dress the same way, but they don't have to walk, and they're in air conditioning all the time.

The place to be

THE BIBLE says, "Judge not lest you be judged." At least the skimpily dressed young woman is in church where she's supposed to be. For heaven's sake, help her. Don't complain about her.

Bless the giver

PEOPLE ARE complaining about a couple of panhandlers. Don't they know that the giver is the one who is blessed? It doesn't matter where the money goes. The giver is giving, like God wants. Wake up, America.

Give your shirt too

DON'T TELL me how to spend my money. The Bible SAYS that if a man asks for your cloak, give him your shirt too. The Bible didn't say to ask, "Are you a professional panhandler?"

Let parents do it

WHY DO cities have to have a water park to furnish enjoyment for the kids? What is the matter with the parents furnishing enjoyment for their children? It's getting so everyone expects a government entity should provide enjoyment for their kids and they should have cradle-to-grave protection.

Living the creed

OUT OF 1,225 Catholic secondary schools nationwide, Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau was recently chosen as one of the top 50. That is an outstanding achievement and a real tribute to the students, parents, staff and surrounding communities. A growing number of students, Catholic and non-Catholic have chosen Notre Dame because they want a religious-based education. This is not surprising, since the school consistently lives up to its creed that all are welcome. Congratulations.