Speak Out A 09/24/02

Emergency plan

THE JACKSON School District promised an emergency action plan so parents would know how to react, where to go and what to do if an emergency occurs at school. I've not heard anything more about the plan. I'm wondering if the school can make this information available to the public. We are very concerned, and we'd like to receive the information.

Promises cost money

I KEEP listening to all the political garbage on television. Each candidate is going to do more for the people than the other candidates or have the government do more for the people, which means they're going to take more money from the people so the government can do these things.

Thanks for transportation

I WOULD just like to express a word of thanks to Cape County Transit. Their dispatchers and their drivers are all extremely courteous and helpful, and it's a marvelous service to those of us who are no longer able to drive. I just want them to know we appreciate it.

Focus on economy first

I HOPE President Bush isn't thinking about going to war with Iraq because he wants to divert our attention from the falling economy. If we go to war with Iraq, it's not going to change the economy much. As soon as the war is over or even if we don't go to war with Iraq, the problem's still going to be there. I think Bush should completely change his perspective and focus on the economy instead of war with Iraq, because we can kick Iraq's butt anytime.

Left lane for passing

ACCORDING TO the law, the left lane is for passing. When you have to pass on the right, it is much harder to be seen and you have a greater chance of an accident. This is a dangerous situation. I don't care how fast you drive as long as you're not breaking the speed limit. The law states that on a four-lane highway you're supposed to be in the right lane unless you're passing. The left lane is for passing only.

More rock 'n' roll, please

THIS IS to the fair organizers. Thank you so much for having a rock 'n' roll night at the SEMO District Fair. We have lived in Cape Girardeau for seven years and attended the fair annually. We don't attend many concerts because it's all country, but .38 Special was a real treat. Please bring in more rock 'n' roll bands.

TV going downhill

I THINK CBS is ruining the whole TV schedule for this year. It's just a shame. The network is leaving out "Touched by an Angel" and so many good things. There's nothing good on anymore, especially for young people and children.

Pay for the essentials

IN RESPONSE to the comment, "Potential gold mine": Yes, a water park would be a good recreational medium as long as it is paid for by a private developer. No funds of the city's taxpayers should be used. Cape Girardeau cannot spend large amount of taxpayers' funds for such a venture. The funds of the city are critical. The funds should be used for what is essential, not what we want.

Parents and good grades

I HAVE been through the education system and believe that it's not the teachers' fault for their students' poor grades. It's the students' and the parents' fault. I went through high school not caring about grades and wasn't really pushed to make good grades. My parents did the blame game like every other parent and pointed fingers at the teachers. The parents and the child need to look at themselves in the mirror and figure out a way to care more often when it comes to school. Parents these days are busier with their jobs and lifestyles than they were 20 years ago. They are quick to blame others when it is really their responsibility to make sure their kids are focusing on what is really important. I went through that process and was unable to go to a good school, but I ended up with a good-paying job only after two years of junior college and some hard work in the classroom.

Sharing tomatoes

WE DON'T need to wait on a special day for a Make a Difference Day. We've had one all summer long. A friend has shared his tomato crop with many friends and asked nothing in return. His hard work has made many meals more palatable for us and others. Way to go, Bob.

Stars for the generals

IT IS great to see the repainting of the outside river floodwall. In my opinion, these murals are a great tourist attraction. We always make sure to show the inside wall to all our friends who visit us. However, I suggest that when and if the inside mural is redone that you get the number of stars right on the collars of Gen. Omar Bradley and Gen. John Pershing. The collars show only three stars. Bradley was given five stars in 1950. I think Pershing was a full general with four stars.

Our money, private gain

ANY WAY you slice or spin it, tax increment financing is using public money for private gain.

Parochial viewpoints

PRESIDENT BUSH'S desire to make pre-emptive strikes against potential enemies is the most revolutionary change in U.S. foreign policy in our nation's proud history. That this issue is little discussed and debated on the Opinion page of the Southeast Missourian is an embarrassing reflection of the parochial nature of this part of the Heartland.

Speeding in work zone

I DRIVE on I-55 twice every day and have to drive through the construction zone over the Diversion Channel. My concern is the speed of most vehicles going through this construction zone. Since the highway department started the construction, I have only seen one police officer. I think this zone should get more attention regarding speeders. The southbound lane is too narrow for vehicles to pass one another, yet while I drive the 50-mph posted speed limit, many pass me by going 10 to 20 mph faster. Can't someone police the area more frequently before someone gets seriously hurt or killed?

DEBATES BETWEEN candidates for public office do nothing but give partisans who already have their minds made up an opportunity to convince the uninterested that their candidate won.

Drawing the line

TAX SCHEME after tax scheme has been slipped by the ordinary taxpayer in the past. These schemes have had the effect of lining the pockets of the wealthy. Finally, we are drawing a line in the dirt of the proposed Prestwick Plantation project.

No dialogue is good

BECAUSE USING TIF for developing the upscale Prestwick Plantation is a terrible idea, the arrogance of the developers and school board in refusing to communicate on this matter is beneficial to battered and beleaguered taxpayers.

TWO MISCONCEPTIONS: Professors and other educators enjoy huge salaries and great benefits that they don't work for or deserve, and universities are centers for left-wing thought. The facts reveal that educators (especially in Southeast Missouri) are not rewarded well for their work and that universities are, in fact, some of the most conservative institutions in America.

WHERE IS the pro-life crowd? President Bush is marching toward a war in which many innocent lives, born and unborn, will be lost. Where are your tears, your prayers, your signs and your gun-toting radicals? Are you justifying the taking of human life? Does your silence indicate that it's OK to kill in certain circumstances? And who decides what those circumstances are?