Speak Out A 11/02/02

Not a utopia yet

EVERY DAY in Speak Out people promote their religion or their church. I find it ironic that Cape Girardeau seems to be so religious. If Cape Girardeau were truly as religious as it appears, it would be a utopia. And while there are places in the world worse than Cape Girardeau, it is nowhere near a utopia. The sad thing is it could be. Practice what you preach, Cape.

Wrong about liberals

RUSS KULLBERG is wrong about liberals. If he goes back and selectively decides who was a liberal and what they accomplished, liberals look good. In today's world, liberals are willing to give away our national security for illegal campaign money. The honest and respectable politicians of today are compassionate conservatives like John Ashcroft and George Bush. Conservatives actually help people instead of talking about it.

They all entertain

IF YOU are looking for a church in Cape Girardeau that isn't about entertainment and self-promotion, you are in for a long, painful search. I think it's safe to say that every church is about self-promotion. That's how they get people in the pews and money in the coffers. It's not about saving souls. It's about filling checking accounts. As for entertainment, when the vast majority of the population of Cape Girardeau -- and America, for that matter -- has the attention span of a 3-year old, then church has to be entertaining. No one can stay awake through actual theology.

Reaping the harvest

THANKS TO the Southeast Missourian for continually pointing out how much revenue loss the Cape Girardeau School District has suffered because of this and that tax break given to various concerns. However, part of the blame rests with the district. Several years ago, many area school superintendents and their sycophants made an unholy alliance with the business community, chambers of commerce and so forth, falling for false proposition that schools would ultimately benefit from tax breaks for business concerns that would locate in this area if we gave them everything and the kitchen sink. The schools are now reaping what they sowed.

Doing a great job

I WOULD like to commend the people at Central High School. They are doing a tremendous job in dealing with us. The caller who said that the phone system was difficult couldn't be more incorrect. The message plainly gives categories to select from. I think those ladies are doing great and deserve our appreciation. Keep up the good work. Some of us could use a little more patience.

Sad day for growth

THIS IS a sad day for Southeast Missouri. Losing the Kinder Morgan power plant will mean a loss in jobs and tax revenue. Power plants are needed. Other companies will look at all the opposition and problems that Kinder Morgan had trying to locate in our area and decide it is not even worth trying to start a business here. Other areas of the country welcome new jobs and growth.

Blamed for everything

WE LIBERALS have been blamed for every bad thing. Now it is our fault that sexually transmitted diseases are rampant. I really do not remember advocating that. I have noticed that the conservative households have had their share of moral misfortunes and a great setback in the family-value department. I guess that is our fault too.

Brainwashing schoolkids

BUSLOADS OF schoolkids were whisked out to the airport to participate in the Republican Party political rally featuring Vice President Cheney. Were those who wished not to participate in an event with virtually no educational value allowed to join the protesters if they wished? I don't think so. If this isn't clear evidence of political brainwashing in our educational system, I cannot imagine what could be. Where are the opponents of political bias in our classrooms today?

Visit was an honor

IT WAS an honor having the vice president in Cape Girardeau. He did a good job with his speech. I wish more politicians were like him. He speaks seriously and with a purpose. He is a good man.