Speak Out A 06/18/03

ID at hospital

I WENT to one of the hospitals to see my wife who was in labor. I was unable to see her because I didn't have a photo ID. I think this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

Truckers aren't rude

TRUCKERS ARE not mostly rude. There is a minority who might be, but most truckers are not rude. In fact, it is the truckers who kindly get over so cars can merge onto the interstate, while some dimwit in a car stays right in the lane, making it hard to merge onto the roadway. Truckers are skilled drivers.

Attempt to deceive

AS WE'VE said all along, the enemy within America has infiltrated our nation's universities. It is becoming more apparent every day. Their current scheme is to discredit our president. That, they think, will advance their leftist, radical cause. But alert citizens immediately see a red flag and are not deceived.

Fear of death

WHY HASN'T one Iraqi official blown the whistle on Saddam Hussein's WMDs? Because there are enough Hussein Ba'ath Party members left to kill the whistle blower at once.

A rare treat

I WANT to thank the Southeast Missourian for a rare treat. Thanks for the column by Chris Morrill next to David Limbaugh's column. Morrill said more right than Limbaugh. I am talking about facing the fact that we are being threatened. Republicans and Democrats try to deceive us by writing about each other's mistakes.

Thanks for the help

I WOULD like to thank the employee of the Broadview Street Recycling Center for helping me empty my grass clippings. Your help and kindness is appreciated. It is nice to know we still have caring and friendly folks in our community who go out of their way to give others a hand. Thanks again.

Tactics are different

AS IN any war to liberate people from a tyrant, there will be civilian casualties. On Sept. 11, 2001, there was a deliberate attack on U.S. civilians. The Air Force used precision bombing to minimize civilian loss in Iraq. That is in direct contrast to the terrorists.

Need more patrol

I JUST drove past an accident on the interstate in the construction area. I hold the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Cape Girardeau County and Scott County sheriff's departments and the Cape Girardeau and Scott City police departments responsible for the wrecks that are happening. It is a wonder there haven't been more serious accidents. People drive through that area like maniacs. The speed limit is 50 mph. There are people in semis that do 70 and 75. If they would patrol that area, a lot of that could be avoided and there would be a lot fewer accidents.

Wet blanket

ALLEN GREENSPAN never loses an opportunity to discourage Wall Street, as when he warned that natural gas prices would be higher for an extended period. But a late wave of momentum buying put Wall Street back on an upward path. Greenspan is a wet blanket to progress.

Eye on the diploma

I AGREE that some students never use study hall for what it is intended, but there are some who do. I agree with the SEMO student as well. There is no study hall in college. There are homework assignments in each class, some bigger than others. It all comes down to time management and limiting extracurricular activities. The goal is a diploma, not being the star athlete.

Killing in the Congo

IF MURDERING people in mass numbers is equivalent to weapons of mass destruction, then it's time to start sending U.S. troops to the Congo where millions have been killed, many by gun-toting kids.

Excess revenue

I'M SORRY, guys, but it's tough for me to keep a straight face and shake my head in sobering acknowledgment when you tell me that local schools are facing hard times while reporting they have 7 percent to 10 percent excess revenue on hand.

Live within means

TAXPAYERS NOT only want Missouri to live within its means, they wants Cape Girardeau to live within its means. No more taxes.

Discriminatory taxes

QUIT GRIPING about sin taxes. All taxes are discriminatory. Income taxes are progressive. Sales taxes are regressive. Property taxes discriminate against those who own property. However, all of these taxes are legal and reasonable, as are sin taxes.

Shooting straight

DANIEL HENNINGER of The Wall Street Journal took a heck of a long time to make the point that the decision to fight Iraq was based more on the need for a preventive war rather than any imminent threat Iraq posed to the United States. That's good enough for me, but I still wish the Bush administration had shot straight with the American people.

It's about lying

WHEN CLINTON was impeached, his detractors said, "It isn't about sex. It is about lying." The same logic works now. It isn't about weapons of mass destruction. It is about lying.

A command of English

I HAVE just finished reading Hillary Clinton's new book. How refreshing it is to hear a politician who has intellect and a command of the English language. What a rarity just now.