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OpinionSeptember 10, 2006

Keeping streets neat; Voters misinformed; Part of decisions; Devil's religion; Much safer now; Sign made me smile; Saving our children; What went wrong?; Erratic lights; Stooping too low; Thanks for celebration; Good start?; Right decision; Dangerous crossings

Incredible job

I HAVE two children at Blanchard Elementary School, and I would never consider pulling them out because of test scores. Dr. Barbara Kohlfeld and the teachers do an incredible job. They should be praised instead of criticized because of test scores. No one can tell me what they all mean anyway. The kids who didn't test highly are loved and taught to the best of everyone's capabilities. There's nothing that says if they move to another school that they're going to do any better.

Keeping streets neat

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Jackson and other communities should take notice on what Scott City is doing with their weeds and grass. The police department in Scott City is using jail inmates to keep everything looking great along the main arteries.

Voters misinformed

I FIND it disturbing that none of our well-paid county commissioners gave any thought to telling those who supported the sales-tax increase that the taxpayers would have to bear the burden of double taxation for a year before the property taxes would be reduced by the promised amount.

Part of decisions

THE SUNSHINE Law has been ignored in Cape Girardeau County and in Jackson. I was told when I requested a meeting with Jackson officials that any time there was a large attendance it was "silly season." These people are elected to represent the citizens. Who are they to think we are not entitled to be part of their decisions?

Devil's religion

I AGREE that the problems in the Middle East are caused by religious differences. With all the different religions out there, someone is wrong in his religious beliefs, and people are being killed over it. What if there were no God? We would be killing people over something that does not exist. If there is more hatred over religion than anything else, maybe the devil created religion.

Much safer now

THE WORLD is much safer now than during the Cold War, but we love to give drama and meaning to our lives by wrongly convincing ourselves that it isn't. The pols can score points by aggravating and exaggerating threats. In essence, according to the Wilson Quarterly, the "You never know what's out there" theme is used over and over to try to scare us into believing that we're not what we Americans really are: probably the most secure people in the history of the world.

Sign made me smile

WHEN I left Cape Girardeau recently for a weekend trip to St. Louis, I'd had a bad day and was grumbling as I drove up the interstate. Right around the Fruitland exit I saw a sign in someone's yard that said, "Had Enough? Vote Democrat." Much thanks to the family who put this in their yard. It's nice to be reminded sometimes that I'm not alone in my frustration with the current standard. I drove on to St. Louis with a smile on my face.

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Saving our children

IT IS foolish that a law is needed to convince parents to secure their children in booster seats. Taking a couple extra steps in order to save a child's life is foolish? I beg to differ.

What went wrong?

WHAT HAS happened to American schools? When I went to school, we said the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. We were taught that God exists. Most of us turned out to be decent citizens with great lives.

Erratic lights

I'D LIKE to thank this newspaper and reporter TJ Greaney for identifying traffic lights in Cape Girardeau that are just plain annoying. However, I'm afraid off-peak traffic will not see any benefits. How long have we been complaining about stopping on Broadway for ghost cars to travel on Caruthers Avenue? What about all of the ghost cars that are apparently crossing Kingshighway at Bloomfield Road and Independence Street? During off-peak times, the main road must have priority, and the traffic light must stay green unless cross-traffic dictates otherwise. With the instability in gas prices, one would think the powers that be would be on our side for once.

Stooping too low

THE ABUSE of a handicapped man with his own prosthetic leg is beyond reason. The assailants should be punished severely. Such disrespect and dishonor for another human being proves just how low some people in our country have stooped.

Thanks for celebration

I ATTENDED Benton Neighbor Days this past weekend. I want to thank all those who worked so hard to make it what it is. While talking to some friends we kept thinking something was missing. And we realized the person who usually talked on the microphone wasn't there. It didn't sound the same. Also the parachuters and pig chase were missed.

Good start?

KATIE COURIC did well in her debut as the "CBS Evening News" anchor. She excerpted a speech from the president and then allowed the New York Times' Tom Friedman to, in essence, rip it to shreds.

Right decision

REGARDING teacher-led prayers: I am glad the judge ruled against it. What if the teacher was Islamic or Jewish or Buddhist and your child was a Christian? Would you want your child forced to participate in that? Pay attention to what the ruling said: "The judge wrote that his ruling doesn't limit the right of any student to voluntarily pray in a non-disruptive way during non-instructional time." That means children have every right to pray before meals, and a silent prayer before a test would be allowed as well. I also believe that some day the ruling barring teacher-led prayer in school will be hailed as a bulwark for all of us.

Dangerous crossings

I LIVE at the corner of North Street and Frederick Street. This corner and the one down the street at Bellvue Street and Frederick are dangerous. Now that the post office on Frederick is open again, you can't see cars turning the corners on Bellvue because of the parking. Why hasn't something been done to make these corners four-way stops? These are dangerous intersections.

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