Speak Out A 02/10/03

Dog assistance

TO THE thoughtful lady who picked up my dog on West Cape Rock Drive and took her to Dogwood Veterinarian Hospital, thank you from the bottom of my heart. My dogs are my companions. Bless you.

Trust isn't there

COUNCILMAN JAY Purcell was quoted in the Southeast Missourian as saying, "The water park and stormwater projects are keys to winning the approval of the tax measures." I couldn't disagree more regarding the water park. Missouri taxpayers were told a gasoline tax would go for better roads and bridges and the casino and lottery income would be to enhance education. The mayor and city council have told us the water park would be a very low-priority item. But when the money is in hand, what's to keep them from moving the water park to the top of the list? Stop trying to peddle the water park so the tax increases will have a chance for approval.

Risky business

THERE ARE a lot of volunteers working at the senior citizens center helping people prepare their income-tax returns. That's fine. Some of the preparers have been asking information like Social Security numbers of third parties. That's risky business. I don't see why they need that information. This information could be used for bad results.

Better entertainment

ANOTHER TRACTOR pull and another ear-splitting rock band at the Show Me Center. Can't they do something different? How about getting a TV game show to come to Cape Girardeau like "Wheel of Fortune"? That's pretty good entertainment. We could get contestants from the college to appear on the show. Please, no more dirty floors like tractor pulls at SEMO.

First-strike advantage

AFTER HEARING Secretary of State Colin Powell and his revelations of the danger Saddam Hussein of Iraq presents to the world and how he could wipe out all our troops there, there seems to be no alternative but to wipe him out first to save our thousands of troops' lives from this terrorist country. Saddam has said if attacked he would level huge devastation. So that proves he has weapons of mass destruction. That also proves that drastic means must be used in the first strike to prevent Iraq's threat of utter devastation.

Another chance

I'M WATCHED as Colin Powell told the U.N. Security Council that Iraq still poses a threat to the world. Someone else said Saddam Hussein has a choice now. I just wonder how long the United Nations is going to give him this last chance? Is it going to last another year?

Bombing schedule

A RECENT caller posed the question, "Who would Jesus bomb?" If I understood his comments correctly, he was implying the United States should not go half-cocked and bomb Iraq. I completely agree. Jesus would not bomb Iraq first. He would bomb France first, then Iraq, North Korea and Iran.

Paying for mistakes

IN REGARD to the president's State of the Union message, I believe he made a statement about some poor doctor who was in tears because of malpractice suits. Just what did this poor doctor do? Whether it be negligence or pure accident, the person who filed the suit may be in a living hell every day.

Cost of licenses

THOSE PEOPLE who complain about older drivers should know that people over 70 pay twice as much for the privilege to drive, $10 for a three-year driver's license while younger drivers pay $10 for a six-year driver's license. Younger drivers should thank us older drivers for keeping the cost of their driver's licenses down.

Scattered troops

U.S. ARMED forces are scattered all over the world. Our troops are everywhere except in this country.

New column style

SAM BLACKWELL, I like your new style. You last two columns have been wonderful. It's a great change for you. I love it.