Speak out 9/18/08

Change your tune

AS A mother, I am fiercely protective of my children because I realize that they are not prepared to defend themselves. David Limbaugh's assertion that Sarah Palin is being mistreated by liberals is insulting and absurd. I have no doubt that Sarah Palin has faced public criticism and hard questions about her policies when she served as mayor and governor. Please, Mr. Limbaugh, with all due respect, step aside and let this woman showcase her leadership skills and savvy. You are doing her no favors by painting her as ill-prepared to shoulder the scrutiny that comes when a leader chooses to step into the white, hot spotlight of political office. If you wish to promote Mrs. Palin's candidacy, I would suggest you tell us why you feel she is prepared to serve, not waste your space complaining about her mistreatment by the media and liberals. That is a broken and tired line, and I have faith that the American people are more interested in candidate's plans for improving the economy, defending our country and educating our children. I'm certain the editorial pages could be better used debating these concerns rather dissecting whether those running for political office are being mistreated by the democratic process in which they chose to participate.

Plenty of corn

WE HAVE a surplus of corn in this country and cannot give the corn to the poor countries in the world because they say it ruins their agricultural economy. In the United States last year, we used three billion bushels of corn from the 2007 corn crop to make ethanol, and we still had more corn in storage or reserved at the end of the year than we had the year before.

The white line

I DRIVE an 18-wheeler, and I hope the four-wheelers understand what the white line at highway intersections means. The worst spot is on Route K and Highway 25 going into Jackson. Many motorists don't know what the white line is. It's hard to turn a 53-foot trailer when a car is a whole car length or two past the white line. That line means stay behind it, and it's there for a reason. It's for 18-wheelers and school buses to be able to complete their turns. When you cross the white line, you make it hard for a school bus or 18-wheeler driven by me to make the turn.

No trash can

I HAVE lived for 21 years on the south side. Why doesn't anyone use a trash can? Residents throw their trash in the middle of the street or in their yards. They throw it everywhere but a trash can. I do not understand this. I thought it was against the law to litter.

Great show

I'D LIKE to say thank you to the SEMO District Fair board and anyone else connected with bringing the Elvis tribute show to Cape Girardeau. Michael Jefferies has a wonderful voice and put on a great show. He has us old fogies rocking in our seats.

Mind the trash

I CANNOT believe someone would suggest that the SEMO District Fair board should distribute trash cans at the parade location for next year. Why can't people be responsible for their own trash? Why can't they leave the parade route like they found it? There's no need to add trash cans. There are plenty of trash cans already, or you can bring your own trash bag. Parade-goes need to be responsible and take care of the community themselves.

Biblical end times

WITH THE way people live these days deep in debt and losing their houses, I challenge anyone to look it up in the Bible. We are in the end times. We're having catastrophe after catastrophe. It's a multitude of catastrophes.

ERA consensus

I'M SO happy to see that Jon Rust and the Republican Party are embracing women, women's rights and feminism. Now when the Equal Rights Amendment is proposed again, everybody will be on board.

Power outage

PUT ALL utility lines underground. Then we wouldn't have to worry about being without power. Put the lines deep enough to make the lines earthquake proof. People who plant trees underneath utility lines ought to be fined every time one of their trees knocks out service.

School problem

MY SON is in second grade and attends a Jackson school. The other day he came home in clothes that he had to get from the nurse. When I asked him what happened, he told me that he had raised his hand to use the bathroom and the teacher would not let him go. My son ended up peeing in his pants. If it is a class disruption issue the teachers are concerned about, what do you think happened when my son peed his pants? That was more of a disruption than anything, not to mention how embarrassed my son was. An accident is one thing, but not letting a child use the bathroom is uncalled for.

Proper channels

TO THOSE who live near Arena Park and complain about the no-parking signs in front of their own homes during the SEMO District Fair: One of you asked if the city has ever thought of issuing temporary parking permits to the residents. Have the affected residents ever thought of contacting the appropriate city official and suggesting this?

School driving

OUR CHILD used to ride the bus to and from school until she was let off at the wrong stop three miles from home. She tried to tell the bus driver that it was not her stop, but she was made to get off. Our neighbor's child was also let off at the wrong place more than once. Has anyone followed a bus through town? They drive over the posted speed limit and run over curbs, and I have even seen them run red lights at least three times. I'm not putting down all bus drivers, but my child is more valuable than the time I have to spend waiting in line to pick her up. If your looking for a solution to the traffic at school, raise the driving age to 18. Gas gets saved, teen accident rates go down and there is less traffic at schools.

Big difference

AT ONE station in Delta, gas was $4.29 a gallon while at Chaffee (four miles away) it was $3.69. How can such a big difference occur so close together?