Speak Out 9/18/15

Developers' subsidies

Supporters can say all they want, but there is no denying that TIF (Taxpayer Increment Financing) is a taxpayer subsidy to private developers.

Ban OTC drug

It's great to read where the number of meth labs seized in Missouri is way down. It would drop even more precipitously if the bought-and-paid-for by Big Pharma Missouri General Assembly had the courage to impose a statewide ban on the sale of over-the-counter pseudoephedrine.

Mocking religion

I just wanted to thank Seth MacFarlane and Bill Maher. For too long, religion has received respect that it does not deserve. It deserves to be mocked and ridiculed.

Abomination, bigotry

To the Speak Out poster who said that same-sex marriage is an abomination. No, it is not. The only abomination is the bigotry of your kind.

Home-school defense

The Speak Out caller made the comment that it's disgraceful that so many states don't have regulations covering home-schoolers. They didn't bother to do their research before they called in with their comments. All these states that have standards for the public school systems are turning out student after student after student who's woefully unprepared. Just look at their test scores. So having standards isn't the answer. And what's interesting is home-school students, some of those states without the standards that you think are so necessary, actually perform better than their public school and private school educated peers at college and in the workplace. So before you criticize, perhaps you want to look at what our government involvement in everything has cost.

Gassed

I just came from Herculaneum, Missouri, where I paid $1.85 for gas. Now I'm in Cape Girardeau, and it's $2.19. I just don't get it. Are we all greedy down here or what?

Trump, looks

I like the way Donald Trump is stirring things up as far as politics go. But the way he attacks others for their physical appearance is appalling. The next time he feels like making fun, bullying someone because of their looks, he should only look in the mirror and make fun of himself.

Condemned property

I just saw on the news where the government offered some people around Area 51 $50 million for their property, 400 acres, and they didn't want to sell, so our government has condemned their property. I just find that appalling. If you don't sell us what we want at the price we say, then we're going to take your stuff and condemn it?

Still singing

I read with interest your recent article about a choir reunion of Central High School graduates under the direction of Judy Williams. A good choice. I am a 93-year-old graduate of Central, the class of '39, and sang in the choir for two years. At that time it was under the direction of Frieda Rigg. She was a strict but excellent teacher. She taught us how to breathe right as we sang and stressed having a smile or a pleasant expression on our faces. I still sing and read notes and would like to join the group, but am unable to. I'm sure it will be a fun and exciting time and bring back many memories.

Derby gentlemen

Yes, this is about manners. I worked at the demolition derby on Saturday, Sept. 12, and it was so nice to see that there are still gentlemen in this world that have manners and that say "please" and "thank you," and that are polite. Manners have seemed to be a thing of the past, but I worked at the demolition derby on Saturday, Sept. 12, and I was amazed at how many gentlemen there were that said "please" and "thank you." And nowadays, you don't find that. It is nice to know that there are gentlemen out there that say "please" and "thank you," and "yes, ma'am," and treat you with respect, because it seems like manners has become a thing of the past.

Hopkins praise

Yes, I agree with Mark Hopkins' column in the Sunday paper. I read his column every time he has one in the paper. He's about the only one I do read on the Opinion Page. Most of those guys, I just overlook their columns.