Speak Out A 02/08/02

Keep to the right

TO THE person who called in about the reason for speeding: I don't agree with the excuses, but a person driving in the left lane slowly is driving illegally. There is a state law in Missouri that says you drive in the right lane unless you're passing. It's up to the police to enforce this law.

Unequal treatment

IS THE person who wants equal justice also for equal treatment? Does everyone who tries to get a phony prescription filled get put on national TV and in all the papers? They're not being treated equal, are they?

Taught by politicians

I'VE BEEN quick to blame Enron's top management and Arthur Andersen for the way they have cheated the employees out of their retirement fund. But after reading Jack Stapleton's article, I realize all Enron and Arthur Andersen have been doing is been copying what our government has been doing to the taxpayers. They've learned well, and our politicians have taught them well.

Watch the rug

READING SUNDAY'S Speak Out, President Bush was attacked on many issues. First, he was attacked as a warmonger, then oil prices will always manipulated by the two men we have in the White House, then he's not paying enough attention to the economy, only the war. He cares nothing for health care or the economy. Someone even says his niece will get off easy because she is the president's niece for prescription-drug violations. Are these the same Democrats who said get off Clinton's case, thou shalt not judge, don't throw stones? I sure hope President Bush's dog doesn't mess on the carpet. These liberal Democrats would want him impeached.

Anything can happen

I GUESS the Super Bowl proved you don't count your chickens before they've hatched. Congratulations to the Patriots on a hard-fought victory. It just proves that anything can happen in sports.

Follow the money

IN YOUR editorial about managing the flow of the Missouri River, you asked the question: Who profits most? Since this is the Southeast Missourian, it is assumed you mean money only. Wildlife and the health of the river are not considered. So following that line, the money breakdown is as follows: $6.9 million is brought by the barge and irrigation industry, and $85 million is brought by the recreation and tourism industry. Obviously the Corps of Engineers needs to implement its new plan to regulate the river's flow. That's where the profit is.

Stay off the road

I'M CALLING about the comment that said, "Don't ask what's wrong with me, ask what's wrong with you" regarding the speeding drivers on people's bumpers. People like that are what get people killed because they can't slow down to get where they're going. They've got to be in a hurry all the time. They probably need to stay off the road.

Taxes and death

YOU'RE TAXED when you earn, taxed when you spend and taxed when you save, taxed when you die. No wonder they say the only sure thing is death and taxes.

Cultural progress

I WANT to comment about an issue that's come up in Speak Out: the cultural advantage and disadvantage of living in Cape. Some people say we don't need a performing arts center. We do need it, and we're getting it here in Cape. Having the River Campus will bring people into Cape. It will give more us culture. Some people like wrestling, stock cars and rodeos. But there are people here who like other things like plays. We need to develop this. Plus, big companies want to know what cultural opportunities there are. That helps them decide where to locate. Cape will benefit from this. I hope we get not only this performing arts center, but many more cultural things.

I THINK all these people singing these patriotic songs are great. I love it. Where was that during the Vietnam War?

No room for speeders

I TOO cannot stand it when someone gets in the left lane and drives 5 mph under the speed limit. Slow driving, in my mind, can be as dangerous as speeding. Speed limits have been created to preserve the safety of all those on the road, not just the speeder. When someone speeds, he not only risks a ticket, he also risks the lives of passengers and pedestrians. Most people who speed drive fast for no reason other than habit and the five minutes they are saving is at all of our expense. Cape has buried too many people as the result of someone willing to risk a ticket.

A good lesson

I HOPE the column by Kathleen Parker was well-read. It was about how a great notion can even come from the Vatican. It is about how divorce is a plague in modern society. This was a very good article and a very good lesson for all of us.

Problem alleviated

Thank you, Southeast Missourian, for helping bring a terrible parking situation on Park Avenue to the attention of city officials.

Welcoming location

I DON'T live in Cape Girardeau, but I read the Speak Out all the time. What I am interested in talking about is the River Campus. I can't see a college there, but I can see a beautiful spot for a welcome center for visitors to look over the beautiful new bridge.

Something better

WELL, WHAT about those unstoppable St. Louis Rams? I guess they got stopped, didn't they? That's what happens when people brag too much about something they've got. They just don't realize that somebody else somewhere has something better.