Speak Out A 06/27/02

Bridge timetable

IT HAS appeared on TV and in the papers that the new bridge will be completed in the fall of 2003. If anyone would like to make a bet with me, I don't think the bridge will be completed in 2004, let alone 2003. At the rate it's going, I don't see it being finished anytime in the next year. If I'm wrong, then I'll be a monkey's uncle.

A book to read

IF YOU would like a better understanding of our enemy, read the book titled "Holy War Incorporated" by Peter L. Bergen.

Jackson's menagerie

SOME OF you people in Jackson really don't realize what goes on in your own town. You talk about using plastic trash bags for your garbage. You think dogs and cats are the only animals that are going to get into your garbage. Don't you understand that there are wild animals that roam through this town all hours of the night? Raccoons, possums, deer, birds and all kinds of wild animals run through this town.

Ray of sunshine

I WAS just calling to express my appreciation for the daily prayer printed by the Southeast Missourian. It's a ray of sunshine each day. Thank you very much.

Doesn't make sense

I'M WATCHING the news about the fire out West, and no one can say it isn't terrible. But many of the people out there think the trees and the grass are beautiful, so they're not going to destroy them and they're going to run away from fire. The fire will destroy the trees and grass, but they think building a fire break to protect their homes would be terrible. That makes me mad, because they won't protect their own property. How pretty is a burned out tree or a burned out house?

Unaffordable taxes

I JUST spent over a month and a half in the hospital, and I came home to hear that Cape Girardeau wants to come up with another tax increase. I'd like to know what they think people are made of. I can't afford any more taxes. God help us if we get any more taxes. If you big shots want taxes, you pay for them. I can't afford any more. Please, no more taxes.

Won't make it anyway

TO THE parent who is so concerned about the lottery being won by the two boys in Jackson and a son who withdrew money from his college account: Don't worry. With that type of intellect, he could never make it through college. Why would anyone give a 17-year-old direct access to such an account?

Big signs for candidates

IT SEEMS as though some candidates think their obnoxiously large signs will help them win an election. Just be careful when you go to the polls.

Grad students only

I WOULD like to comment on the lady who said there's an extra $250 charge for all nursing students at SEMO. Only the graduate programs are affected by this charge.

Library in Perryville

THE SPECIAL section on Perry Park Center was very interesting, but one thing was really missing: a feature on the Riverside Regional Library which is located in the center. Anyone interested in moving to Perryville would surely want to take advantage of this fine facility.

Happiness is ...

AFTER READING Speak out on the Internet, I was amazed -- but not surprised -- at the mentality of the callers. The subjects so important and in dire need of addressing: trash cans versus trash bags, weed control, mayor not qualified to run city, washed-up football players. Doesn't anyone have any progressive ideas to discuss about their city or some good comments to report about someone? I live in a progressive area. We do not have time to report frivolous happenings or have big discussions about the topics above. Now I realize that happiness is seeing Cape Girardeau in my rear-view mirror.

Senseless fireworks

AFTER SPENDING my first Fourth of July in Cape Girardeau, I have to say I was literally blown away by the fact that it is legal to shoot off fireworks within the city limits. I am a relatively young person. I am not trying to spoil anyone's fun. But I guess my age is catching up with me, because this just seems crazy. Last year I witnessed my neighbor shooting fireworks off of his porch aiming them over the neighbor's house. The fact that it was legal made the whole thing almost comical. What if some misguided firework hit my car or house causing damage and I did not witness where it came from? Who is responsible? You know the liberal in me hates the fact that I even hold this point of view, but come on. There is a major accident just waiting to happen. Fireworks make a huge mess, and they make my dog go crazy. I am completely open to the celebration of the Fourth. How does this makes sense?

Good insurance deal

MY NEIGHBORS and friends keep complaining about their homeowner's insurance premium going up and the insurance companies always raising rates. My home is insured for $178,000. I pay about $1,000 a year to insure it, up from about $800 in 2001. But the way I look at it, I can't give $1,000 to any of my neighbors or friends and get them to agree to rebuild my house completely if it's destroyed by fire or tornado. I have yet to find someone to take on that size of risk for so little money. One of my neighbors is a postal worker. How many times has the Postal Service raised rates in the last few years? Prices go up. Quit complaining. My homeowner's insurance is one of the best deals I get.

Lapse of attention

ODDLY, HANDS-ON neat freak Martha Stewart seems to say that when it comes to her stock portfolio, she knows nothing.

Editorial shock

I FELT the tremors the other day. I thought they were caused by the collective fear and trembling of those around me who had coincidentally and simultaneously completed reading a Southeast Missourian political editorial.