Speak Out A 02/12/03

I'M CURIOUS as to why the Jackson School District is going to extend the school year until after Memorial Day when it could still use Feb. 14 and Feb. 17 as make-up days. With the winter we are having this year in Southeast Missouri, the days we have missed could not be prevented. But why have two more short weeks of school when the children have already missed so much school?

They're irrelevant

WHY WOULD anybody pay any attention to what France or Germany say about world affairs? They are irrelevant and have been since World War II. They have about as much influence as countries in Africa. Neither could repulse any conflict in the world -- nor would they have the guts or inclination to do so.

Fool me twice

I SEE only one way that Cape Girardeau city officials will ever merit my trust again: put the city's part of the River Campus obligation to a once-and-for-all vote. Without this, the city will never regain my trust. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

German reluctance

CONSIDERING THEIR tragic 20th century history, for the Germans to be dragging their feet concerning a pre-emptive strike against a fascist state is unfathomable.

Clearing the streets

I DON'T live in Jackson. If I did, I would be very upset with the street department for the terrible job the crews do on the snow removal. Cape Girardeau's streets are all completely clear. Jackson still has ice on the main streets and especially the secondary streets. Try driving an ambulance or fire truck on these streets and see what the response times are. The next time you hear a siren, think about it.

Fear of reprisal

MANY MILITARY leaders (active and retired) are commenting unfavorably on President Bush's push for war. Most notably, they are warning that continued Bush threats are liable to promote a reaction from Saddam Hussein in which he unleashes whatever weapons he might have against the United States. They also warn that the Bush policy of military invasion will generate an immense rallying of Middle Easterners to al-Qaida and terrorism. We must ask ourselves, is a bellicose Bush combating terrorism, or naively promoting it?

Providing discipline

GIVEN THE abdication of parental responsibility, if a school did not extend its jurisdiction beyond the school day, the discipline and guidance needed by school-age children would be nonexistent outside of school.

Behind the slowpokes

I'M A 23-year-old and always leave early. Being late is something I can't stand. After living here a few years, I found that you have to leave early every time. You will either get behind a slowpoke on a two-lane street without an opportunity to pass, or you'll get behind two slowpokes in a drag-race on a four-lane road. This needs to be changed.

Travel schedule

I AM a pedestrian and walk almost everywhere I go. I prefer older drivers a lot more than these young and middle-aged drivers who think they own the road. I pay taxes too and have just as much right to the roads as them. If a person has to be somewhere at a certain time, he should consider getting slowed down for some unforeseen reason and leave ample time.

No books to bring

MY DAUGHTER who goes to Jackson Middle School has just struggled with math and language. I kept telling her to bring her book home. She told me it is against the rules. Is flunking against the rules? I would like to ask the principal that question.

Too many supervisors

I WOULD like to know as a Cape Girardeau taxpayer how many assistants the city manager and other department heads have. It seems like the higher up you go, the less work you do. Therefore, some of these people need to be eliminated. The city needs workers, not supervisors.

Adult responsibility

WHEN DID society decide it is the city's place to raise kids and provide a place to hang out? How about loving your family and finding fun things to do with those who raised you and love you most? Adult family members need to come up with things to do as a family and keep their kids off the streets. The kids are not ultimately someone else's responsibility. They are the family's responsibility.

Pampered prisoners

SCOTT COUNTY needed a new jail? Why not tents like our military have to live in while serving in Third World countries? It is sad when felons, rapist and murderers have more of life's amenities than our soldiers. The prisoners in the new jail have it made. I just shake my head in wonder at what prisoners have come to expect while being jailed.

Can't afford taxes

AS A senior citizen, I cannot afford these taxes. The city is not spending money on the existing departments that are in need of additional funding. If the aquatic center is such a good idea, why didn't a private investor already build it?

Business sense

HERE'S MY take on Missouri Chamber of Commerce CEO Daniel P. Mehan's harangue. Mehan doesn't like Gov. Bob Holden's suggestion to close corporate tax loopholes. On the other hand, he thinks President Bush's tax cut plan will stimulate the economy. Thus, Mehan must believe balancing a government's budget is a bad idea but taking steps to create unprecedented deficits is peachy keen. If that's good business sense, I'll eat this Speak Out comment.

Something stupid

I'D LIKE to say thank you to all those who have been there for us teens who were at the bonfire and haven't placed us in a bad category. It seems to me every time I turn around I still hear people talking about this. When people find out I was a victim, all they ask is, "Where you drinking?" Does drinking really have anything to do with it? I have gone to parties where alcohol was available since I was 15 years old (I am now 18 years old), and this was the first time anything this stupid has happened. So why don't people stop characterizing teens for one stupid mishap? Everyone does something stupid in his life.