Speak Out A 07/27/03

Analyzing Vietnam

A CALLER mentioned our defeat in Vietnam. That caller should bear in mind that the military never lost any major engagements in Vietnam. The North Vietnamese never believed they could defeat us on the battlefield. Those high up in the North Vietnamese command would tell you that we were winning when we finally got out. If we learned one thing from Vietnam, it should be that weak-kneed ideas don't work. There were 58,000 Americans and God only knows how many Asians who paid for this lesson.

Too many administrators

I APPRECIATE the list of administrative salaries and positions in the Cape Girardeau and Jackson school districts. As a Cape taxpayer, I found something very interesting. Jackson has 10 buildings, and Cape only has eight buildings. Jackson has more students. So Jackson has more students and more buildings, but that district gets by with four fewer administrators. Cape, on the other hand, added three administrative positions to the tune of over $160,000 while cutting ten teachers. Could you get the Cape board members to explain why they felt the need to remove positions that directly impacted students and add a curriculum director, special ed director and business manager? We have way too many administrative positions.

Can't be objective

I'VE JUST read the guest column by John Cook criticizing our state Rep. Jason Crowell. I believe Cook has a special interest also. I think it has to do with the amount a lawyer receives from a settlement. I don't think Cook has an objective opinion.

Growing seed for weeds

I'M SITTING at the intersection of Kenneth Drive and Route W. The Johnson grass here at the corner of this intersection, which blocks the view from the southbound traffic on Route W, is 4 or 5 feet tall. Is the city or the county growing this on purpose for seed? Everywhere else up and down Route W, the Johnson grass has been sprayed and killed. It's very hazardous.

Growth of salaries

THANK YOU for the school administrative salaries in Sunday's paper. The 1995-96 school records of the Jackson School District show there were 3,805 students. There were 11 administrative positions with 12 administrative salaries of $534,170. The director of operations in charge of maintenance was not listed. In January 2002, student enrollment was 4,603. In seven years, student enrollment had increased 20.9 percent. At the end of the 2001-2002 school year, there were 19 administrative positions, not including director of operations, an increase of eight positions and three new school buildings. Administrative salaries at the end of 2002 totaled $1,192,173, an 123 percent increase. It does cause one to ponder an increase of 20.9 percent in student enrollment compared to administrative salaries up to 123 percent.

A wonderful piece

I HAD the greatest respect and admiration for Jean Bell Mosley and the articles she wrote. Her son did a wonderful piece concerning her in Sunday's paper. I am clipping the article to save for the future.

Reality isn't truth

I'D LIKE to comment on reality shows and movies with sex and violence. Those reality shows aren't reality. That's not how we really live. But all those shows and violent movies are being sent over to Iraq and misleading the Iraqis about the way the American people really are. I think churches ought to find some way to show those people that living a democracy is not like it is in those movies and TV shows.

Respect for heritage

AS A person of American Indian heritage, I have never been offended by SEMO's use of Indians or any offshoot. As a matter of fact, I think SEMO has done an outstanding job of being respectful of this area's American Indian heritage. Please don't succumb to the pressures of political correctness.

Thanks for the check

I WOULD like to thank the father and son who found a check that belonged to me on Grandview. I forgot to ask their names. Thanks again so much.

Offensive things

I JUST read how SEMO wants to scrap the Indian name. This is just one instance in a whirlpool of thousands where someone whines about something offending them and entire organizations have to change the way they do something. I get offended by how America bows down to people like this. I also get offended by the number of people in this country who can't even speak the language.

Share the costs

I WONDER if SEMO would be willing to split the cost of the Convention and Visitors Bureau's research? We could kill two birds with one stone and cut the cost. Let's get organized, Cape Girardeau.

Testing drivers

I DON'T think anyone is discriminating against older drivers. I know a lot of older people who can drive just fine. I also see older people every day who drive half the speed limit with a death grip on the steering wheel. There is no way they could react if something were to happen in front of them. Then there are the ones who think everyone owes them the whole road just because they are old. I think driving tests should be given every other year or so once they hit a certain age. Younger drivers are facing more restrictions now on when they can drive. I think the same needs to be done with older drivers.

Water or food?

THOSE WHO complain about irrigation taking all the water from private wells should consider what would happen if farmers stopped irrigating. You would have all the water you need but no food to eat.

School philosophy

AS VAGUE as they are, the Cape Girardeau School District has articulated some goals. However, the board has adopted no meaningful philosophy of education applicable to all schools in the district. The board needs a philosophy that is concise, distinct, specific and steers away from the idea of trying to be all things to all people.