Speak Out A 05/07/03

MILITARY TROOPS returning from their missions are the real Americans who lay their lives on the line for their country, not the politicians, celebrities or protesters who blame America for everything while being protected. These great young people preserve our freedom. I thank them and also the veterans who did more than their share for America. We owe them all so much, especially the ones who gave their lives.

Start cutting in Cape

I'M CALLING from the St. Louis airport. The puddle jumper to Cape Girardeau has been canceled again. I see where there's been a cutback in security inspectors. I think Cape's airport would be a good place to start. There's about one inspector for every passenger who gets on a plane.

No-excuse penalties

IF JUVENILES are old enough to do the crime, they're old enough to do the time. Age does not excuse them from whatever punishment fits the crime, including the death penalty if warranted.

Knew it was coming

Mark Bliss' article, "Down and out on Morgan Oak," was extremely biased against the River Campus, implying the businesses are being unfairly forced to vacate. They're simply renters. There's no relocation money necessary. They knew this was going to happen.

Scott City's trash

SCOTT CITY'S water bills say city hall doesn't want to take any calls about CWI and its trash collection. Since the city decided to go with CWI service, I don't know why it doesn't want to take those calls. Also, I was wondering why our Friday trash gets picked up on Saturday. If CWI can't make the pickups like it contracted to do, I hope our city officials are planning on getting another trash service and soon.

Cultural drinking

THIS IS in response to all the discussion about children and drinking. In Spain, there is no drinking age. Children as young as three and four might have a sip of wine with their parents' dinner. As it turns out, the alcoholism rate in Spain is only about one-fifth of that in the United States. It's a matter of culture.

Medical free market

YOU WOULD have to give up more than your refund in order to fund Dick Gephardt's health-care plan. The reliance on insurance and government programs, especially Medicare and Medicaid, have created the problems in medicine today: health care that operates free of the market forces. When was the last time you selected a doctor or medical service based on what was charged or what you could afford? Let the market dictate medical costs, and you will see prices plummet.

Responsible peanuts

ALCOHOL WAS compared to soup recently in Speak Out. Now let's try peanuts. Most people are willing and able to eat peanuts because they enjoy the taste. Some people have a bad allergic reaction to peanuts. This reaction could range from discomfort to death, perhaps even the death of others if a driver had an allergic reaction behind the wheel. Should we ban peanuts? No. We should continue to use them responsibly.

Pro-life smokers?

WHY DO I see so many cars with pro-life bumper stickers and the occupants smoking with children in the car? You can't be a smoker and claim to value life in the same breath.