Speak Out A 10/24/02

Testing the heat

LET'S HEAR it for negative political ads. They work. They get our attention. And they test the mettle of the many who enter the political arena only to find out later that they can't handle the heat.

Against aquatic center

AFTER READING the notes from the Cape Girardeau City Council meeting, I realized that once again the city administration wants to waste the taxpayers' money. A few years ago the city built softball fields at Cherokee Park which were supposed to increase tourism, but they haven't. Even though the city is desperately in need of funds for other programs and departments, now it wants to build a $6 million dollar aquatic center. I hope the people of Cape Girardeau will not support a tax increase as long as they want to build that center.

Not a coincidence

IS IT a coincidence that from the president on down among incumbent and would-be elected federal representatives that so many of the mindless pro-war folks also stand squarely against both human and environmental health? I think not.

Sounds like Clinton

CONSERVATIVES are appalled at what they call President Clinton's appeasement of North Korea. However, President Bush, with his toned down "Let's make a deal" or "We can do business with these guys" approach to North Korea's nukes situation sounds downright Clintonian.

Mixed messages

AT THE very time the Bush administration seems on the verge of capitulating to allowing Saddam to stay in power if he's a good boy (fat chance), Bush supporters are being led to believe the president is unequivocally on board for a regime change.

Choosing judges

THE ATTEMPT to create the illusion that the selection of some judges has somehow distanced the choosing from the political process is a miserable failure. It has failed to convince the general public that justice is equally applied or that all are equal before the law.

Real campus is better

TEACHING CLASSES by computer and perhaps allowing students to circumvent a physical presence on a university campus may be appropriate in select circumstances. In general, this is the most regressive development in education since the decision to drop a core curriculum at many institutions of higher learning. Using computers (not proven to be effective) as teaching tools is of primary and perhaps exclusive benefit to those who make them. In fact, they seem to be counterproductive in the sense that they increase social isolation and contribute to obsessive compulsive behavior, an overall sense of anxiety and restlessness and continued craving for ever quicker techno-stimulation that characterizes our rapidly imploding society.

It's about time

EARLIER THIS year, a Cape Girardeau police officer had to resign. Two Jackson firefighters were forced out. Now the Jackson police chief is resigning amid allegations of sexual harassment. I am thrilled to see that these guys aren't getting away with this kind of misconduct anymore, and I hope the trend continues. This kind of weeding out is long overdue around here. It sends a clear message that harassment, abuse and other degrading behavior on the part of law enforcement won't be tolerated. It's about time.

Seniors aren't scared

WHEN ARE you going to start putting in Speak Out about us senior citizens not being scared by nobody -- Democrats, Republicans, the Green Party or any party,? Nobody can scare us. We're watching the election. We're quite confident. We're not all senile yet. We're not stupid people. I think you ought to let the candidates know that senior citizens are quite aware and not scared.

Off to the dunes ...

I'M A woman nearly 80, and I would like to go on a vacation with Joe Sullivan. Only kidding, Mrs. Sullivan.