Speak Out A 04/22/03

Skateboard liability

WHAT ABOUT the liability on the city's part if someone gets hurt at the skateboard park? Are children going to be required to wear helmets? If one of them falls and breaks his leg, is there going to be a phone nearby where someone can call for help? And who is responsible for paying for the damages?

Roundabout therapy

JOE SULLIVAN'S column about inconsiderate drivers was right on. But here's the thing that bothers me: people who think I should stop and make room for them in the roundabout. Allow me to offer this helpful piece of driving advice: There is not stopping in the roundabout. Once you're in, you're in. No need to stop and wait for others to enter. And if you're trying to enter the roundabout, you do not have the right of way. Wait your turn until it's safe to enter. There. I feel better.

Thanks for ribbons

TO THE two young women and supporters who had the idea of putting up yellow ribbons in Jackson and Cape Girardeau: God bless you. As a sister of a Navy officer stationed in Iraq, I am very touched to see that people are supporting our troops, including my brother. It was a very touching sight driving from Cape to Jackson and seeing all the ribbons. Thank you.

Battle for control

CONTRARY TO what David Limbaugh wrote, there are not profound differences between liberals and conservatives on many issues. In fact, when it comes to foreign policy, the ultra-liberal left and what might be called the Buchanan right wing of conservatism were in agreement in their opposition to the war in Iraq. In truth, there is a real cat fight among internationalist and isolationist conservatives for the control of the GOP.

Demonic experience

THE SPEAK Out caller who said the roundabout was a pain in the neck was telling the literal truth. In order to watch out for other traffic when I drive through it, I had to turn my head in so many unnatural directions it sent me to a chiropractor. I'm OK now, except that I look strange driving through the roundabout with my head spinning like the young girl in "The Exorcist."

Chained-up dog

EVERY DAY I pass a residence with a dog chained to his house. I've never seen anyone walking or playing with him. Even during our bitter winter weather, he was there. Why do people gets pets only to ignore them? He's a beautiful dog, but all I can feel is sad every time I see him.

Church relations

DURING A recent time of personal crisis, my family and I were unable to attend the church we'd joined shortly after moving to Cape Girar-deau. During our months of active membership, we were faithful congregants, participated in some church social activities and financially supported the church as generously as we could. Church members lobbied actively for us to join, and there was never any shortage of activities in which we were asked to participate or assist. When we stopped attending for several weeks, however, no one asked why. No one called to see if we were all right or to say we were missed. If one person had inquired about us, we would have gone back. We're now looking for another church.

Not a good bill

HB 679 is not the end all to the problems of an overworked system of foster care. The private-contract system is not the answer. As a state employee, I feel betrayed. I feel most employees are proud to work for the state. I now work for a governor who has no respect for his people. We have not received a raise since he took office. He has not heard what we need to do a job. All we have received is cuts. Most of the people in my office have not worked a 40-hour week in several years. We care about our kids and often go out of our way to help them. I would ask legislators not to vote for any such bill.

Saving money

I AGREE with a previous comment about SEMO joining the University of Missouri. Southeast should at least consider a merger. The state should take the initiative here. If the state expanded its system of higher education with its public colleges and universities, a significant amount of money and effort could be saved.

Real-life issues

TO CIRCUMVENT the male to female contact in Afghanistan and Iraq, female MPs check females in villages and cities. Times change. And so do jobs within the military. I would rather our military men break a taboo and live than die because someone has either set the women up as human bombs or are willing volunteers to destroy our soldiers at all costs.

Unique opportunity

I AGREE with The Wall Street Journal that elements of the political left and right are little but neo-isolationists in their foreign policy stance. However, I am not yet convinced that the Bush administration is really ready to take advantage of this unique opportunity in world history and truly make the world safe for democracy.