Speak Out A 05/08/03

Loving kindness

IN MATTHEW 25: 33-46, Jesus tells pastors and church members how to minister to others. As Christians, the attitude of patient, loving kindness and mercy shown to those who can not or do not attend a church service would be a small sacrifice for any to do, considering the awesome sacrifice Christ paid for all of us

Not fair, balanced

WOULD THE common Cape Girardeau citizen be fortunate enough to turn himself in and receive a measly $10,000 bond from a local judge after being accused of seven felonies and four misdemeanor charges? I think not. If a city employee, let alone a police officer, is supposed to be held to a higher standard, then apparently this standard doesn't apply when it comes to judicial proceedings. I would like to think that the justice system is fair and balanced to all, but the perception in this case is something far from that.

Skateboarding is popular

EXTREME SPORTS such as skateboarding are very popular. If that were not the case, major networks such as ESPN would not devote weeks out of their summer programming to the sport. We build baseball fields because it is popular and kids need a safe place. Besides, we may have the next Mark McGwire in town. The skateboard park may produce the next Tony Hawk. As far as injuries go, that is part of growing up. Name one physical sport that does not involve the occasional injury.

All about love

IT'S SAD that on Sunday morning I will not be taking my family to church. What's really sad is the reason why. It seems that pastors have forgotten that Jesus is all about love. There is a huge difference between wanting to be stroked and needing to be loved. When someone is hurting and is perceived by a pastor as a crybaby, it does irreversible damage. I know. I've been there.

Personal experience

I GO to church to worship God, not to socialize. I want a quiet, respectful atmosphere where I can pray and reflect. All that handshaking, back slapping and chattering before and during the service is not for me. It is not important to me that I know another soul there or that anyone knows me.

The answer: Yield

AFTER READING the comments regarding roundabouts and the claims that they are easy to figure out, I thought I'd state the obvious. See those five little letters that spell "yield"? If those letters are pointing at you, you're the one who waits. The problem with the Cape Girardeau roundabout seems to be an issue of people who decide the road signs don't apply to them.

Questionable tactic

ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS want to restrict the driving rights of its citizens based on statistics that "suggest new drivers are five times more likely to get into accidents when they have carloads of young passengers" and "accidents dropped 43 percent when nighttime driving restrictions were added." Of course there are more accidents under these conditions, because these conditions happen more often. Legislators are trying to grab votes by suggesting, with questionable statistics, that they can save your kids. They are restricting liberty, trying to dig revenue from teenagers' parents and, worst of all, suggesting they can do a better job of parenting your children. Help keep these ideals out of Missouri.

Unfriendly rates

PAST PERFORMANCE predicts future performance. Want to see how accessible the River Campus will be to the Cape Girardeau public? Just call the Show Me Center or Houck Field House and see how much it costs to use either of these facilities for one evening.

Sign a complaint

IN RESPONSE to the person complaining about barking dogs and the police not doing anything about it: Try signing a complaint. Then you will see police doing something about the barking dogs.

Can't see the benefit

SO THE River Campus project will continue as scheduled despite financial concerns. Please remind me again how this will benefit the citizens of Cape Girardeau. As a SEMO student, I do not see how this development will better my education. It seems like those who have graduated before me have done just fine without it. It reminds me of a popular hotel commercial: "Are you an art student?" "No, but my university has a River Campus and I feel smarter."

Ignoring the people

THE PEOPLE of Missouri spoke by saying no to concealed weapons. In passing a concealed weapon's bill anyway, the General Assembly's retort has been, "Phooey on the people."

More park patrols

CONGRATULATIONS TO Jackson's new police chief. Maybe he can get something done about all the loud vehicles, music and speeding in residential neighborhoods (especially the park areas). We need more patrol in the park areas.

Disguised as a park

I HAVE lived in and near Chaffee for 50 years. To be honest, most of us didn't know we had a roundabout. We called it Circle Park. It is much bigger than the structure at Cape Girardeau. Our Circle Park was constructed as a public-works project in the Depression.

Tired of the threats

THANK HEAVEN for educational, health and senior programs. Otherwise, our politicians would have to cut funding for things like highway beautification, parks and recreation, excess personnel or even their own travel expenses or perks. Isn't it time we showed the politicians we really are not so dumb that they can use their favorite spending-cut threats on us over and over, year after year?

Pull together, Cairo

I BELIEVE the Cairo City Council members should take the opportunity given them to work tirelessly and cooperatively with the new mayor to improve their town and the lives of the residents. A whole lot of time does not exist to get this situation under control. Everyone's energy must be channeled toward finding solutions and making improvements for everyone's benefit.

Starting too early

CAN SOMEONE please tell me why schools in the Cape Girardeau School District are starting Aug. 13? This is ridiculous. The kids barely get a summer. Aug. 13 is way to early. It interferes with trying to take a vacation after the kids' baseball season. Put the start of school back to the end of August.

Visitors' views

I RECENTLY had visitors from out of state. I hate to say they were not impressed. They said we have the longest red lights they have ever seen and the worst roads. One of them made a statement that every road they were on was like a patch quilt and some of them should even be condemned. I'm sorry, but I had to agree with them.