Speak Out 9/11/08

Rallying around

THE AREA establishment is rallying so readily and radically around Rock Finch for Cape Girardeau County commissioner, one can only conclude that incumbent Jay Purcell must really be doing something right.

Hick politics

I AM tired of hearing the ongoing arguments between Jay Purcell and Gerald Jones. The mayor needs to step in and stop this. There are always good old boys in politics, and Purcell may have been making a point. But to secretly record someone is highly unethical and downright dirty. This whole mess makes Cape Girardeau look like a hick town.

Smoking at the fair

I HAVE been looking forward to the annual tractor pull at the SEMO District Fair all year long. In fact, I took two of the four days I get off work a year to attend this event. Like everyone else who purchased a ticket, my ticket stated that the tractor pull was a "nonsmoking venue." As a smoker I honored the request printed on the ticket. I was apparently the only smoker who noticed this mysterious print on the ticket, because at any given time the smell of smoke was both consistent and annoying. Not that I am against smoking at the fair. I think that you shouldn't be smoking at a nonsmoking venue, especially around small children. Please show courtesy to others.

Glorifying gluttony

WHY IS the SEMO District Fair having a hot dog eating contest? Is gluttony to be celebrated? Shame on the fair's board who bragged about "brainstorming" for new events. What a waste of food that could've been used for the truly needy. Even though the dollar amount of the food might be small, it's the principle of glorifying gluttony that is despicable.

A reminder

AFTER THE extensive and rather snide belittling of Barack Obama at the Republican convention, Sarah Palin and friends need to be reminded that Jesus was a community organizer and Pontius Pilate was a governor.

Ready to lead?

THE PRIMARY reason for a vice presidential selection should be whether or not the person chosen is ready to assume the presidency. All of the hoopla aside, at this point most Americans don't believe Sarah Palin is ready to assume the presidency. In his heart of hearts, I am confident John McCain knows this and was more or less made to pick Palin by unidentified power brokers.

A colony again?

I NOTICED that you printed a piece by a correspondent from the London Telegraph telling us Sarah Palin is just what we need. I thought that the Southeast Missourian editorial board would have seen through this rather transparent attempt on the part of a foreign correspondent to lull us into voting for Palin for the purpose of weakening us to the point that we would once again be primed for a British takeover and reversion to British colonial status.

Keeping in touch

I'VE LEARNED something. Iraqi veterans, small-business people, blue- and white-collar workers, stay-at-home and working mothers and on and on must not be middle-class Americans. I say that because some Speak Out callers said they are convinced John McCain (seven houses, against increased veteran benefits, opposed to Barack Obama's proposed middle-class tax cut) is in touch with the middle class.

Blinding light

JACKSON ADDED a lovely sign on the north side of town along U.S. 61. It's too bad that the light that illuminates the sign shines directly into motorists' eyes as they head north out of town.