Speak Out 9/22/11

Good representation

I read in the newspaper the other day where John Jordan was elected president of the sheriffs association for Missouri, and I also read a couple months ago where John Clifton was named chairman of the Missouri Coroners Association. I think our county can be proud of both of these men. It's good representation for us.

Stimulus worked

I am looking at the editorial cartoon for Sept. 15 about the stimulus, the first stimulus. I guess it's implying about the second one coming up that they'll be voting on. I've always heard the old saying if you tell a lie often enough, people will begin to believe it's true. I'm beginning to wonder if that's what the conservatives are up to, because the first stimulus did work. All the economists will say so, and the only ones that say it didn't work are on Fox News and conservatives.

Mascot fussing

I get so tired listening to people fuss about wanting to change the name of the Indians as a school mascot. I hardly go to Southeast athletics because it's not the same as a Redhawk. Gone is the pregame Indian bonfires and the Indian pony riders. All because I understand a couple of Indian students a few years ago complained. They should have been proud.

Urban bow hunting

URBAN bow hunting, what a disaster. If people would use common sense, it would be OK. I, for one, don't want an arrow through my window. If they miss the deer, something or someone has to stop the arrow.

Indian strength

MY children go to Cape Girardeau public schools but my friends are having problems in Jackson about someone wanting to change their mascot from the Indian to something else. They're looking at it in the wrong way. They're looking at it in a negative way. They need to look at it in a positive way. Having an Indian as a mascot shows the pride and the strength of the Native Americans, how they never quit and they persevered.

Lagoon cleanup

THAT was the most stupid thing that I've ever heard about, the $100,000 to clean out that lagoon at Capaha Park. They've got the equipment to do it, so why don't they drain the thing and use the equipment and save the money instead? If that mayor thinks it would cost $100,000 fix it, well let me try to clean it out with a shovel.

TV programs

I agree with the person who said there isn't anything on television. Everything is sex and violence. I wish they would have something on there that families could watch.

Social Security

WE seniors who depend on Social Security and Medicare and those younger folks who know they will need it someday because they don't make enough to save for retirement had better listen closely to those we vote for. Social Security has been defined as a Ponzi scheme. It will be a Ponzi scheme if they deny us Social Security and use it for something else.

Share the road

ACCORDING to chapter 304 of Missouri's state law, bicycles may ride on any street except the interstate. Bicycles may ride on the shoulder of the road but are not required by law to do so. Lastly, passing unsafely is a traffic offense punishable by driver's license points, fines and even jail if a collision results. Perhaps the Missouri Department of Transportation should erect a few "share the road" signs on state routes such as Route W near Cape Girardeau.

Historic preservation

I read where the historic Huhn-Harrison House by the River Campus is up for sale. This presents a perfect opportunity for the Historic Preservation Commission to step forward and show us all how to properly and economically restore a dilapidated building. It would be a case study worth a good chuckle.

Public health savings

FOR every $1 spent on pollution control, the savings to public health is $30.

Dust issue

LET me get this straight: Our government is going to crack down on farmers making dust while harvesting their crop if they allow them to burn the wheat stubble after harvest. What about that dust created by driving down a gravel road going to their fields? What a complex issue we have here.

Business as usual

THE savings in tax credits being considered by the Missouri Legislature has the effect of increasing the tax burden on the poor and most vulnerable in the state. In other words, business as usual.