Speak Out A 01/16/03

Dr. King's words

WHEN DR. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke the following words, he was speaking about racial violence. His words are just as powerful today when applied to our neighbors, our nation and the world. "I speak as an American to the leaders of my own nation. The great initiative in this war is ours. The initiative to stop it must be ours."

Choked up over DARE

THOUGH NO data indicates that DARE has had any statistically significant impact in reducing drug use, it's one of those warm, fuzzy programs the populace loves to believe is proven and effective. Thus, the Southeast Missourian, normally very skeptical about the usefulness of government programs, seems starry-eyed, even choked up, about the coming cuts to and perhaps the elimination of DARE.

Basic management

THE OTHER day I witnessed a manager reprimanding an employee not only in front of other co-workers, but customers. It was all I could do not to speak my mind that this should have been done in private. Those who don't know the basics to management shouldn't be in a position of authority.

Question the leaders

AMERICAN government was established to be for the people and governed by the people. If Americans blindly follow our national leaders, then we are not participating in democracy. Our government has already become corrupt with corporate influences. The first step toward true freedom is to question the government.

Drive-in movies

IF I won the lottery, I would open up a drive-in movie theater. Wouldn't that be a great investment for everyone? I would put it between Cape Girardeau and Jackson. It would be decked out with a 1950s and 1960s look.

More cuts needed

IN ALL of the Bush tax-cut plan, I didn't see anything about cutting taxes on Social Security benefits. All he did was help people who invest in the stock market, but nothing for the Social Security benefits or the savings accounts that old people have.

Griping for more

I OVERHEARD four elderly women at a local restaurant griping that they need more Social Security benefits, more Medicare and free drugs and how it's a shame the way the government treats old people. They were all dressed extremely well with sparkling diamonds, and they drove away in a new Lincoln. How ungrateful can you get? They have no appreciation for those who provide them with what they have today. "I want more" seems to be the only thing on their minds. I work six days a week trying to provide for my family.

Old-fashioned eyeballs

OH, GOODNESS gracious. Now we can't mail square envelopes through the post office. If they can't fit them in their machine, why don't they just read them with their own eyes like they used to do for years and years and years? This is ridiculous.