Speak Out A 11/07/01

Location humor

HURRAH! SOMEBODY else noticed, too! Yes, it was Jim Drury who fought to have the Show Me Center built out along I-55 near his property. I about choked on my coffee when I read the part in his recent column where he stated, "I believe an expansion should take place on the existing campus for economic and student convenience." Then I just busted up laughing.

Pocketbook bully

I'D LIKE to thank the person who reminded us all that Jim Drury tried to put the Show Me Center on I-55. This is another building the Cape Girardeau citizens bought for SEMO University under the joint togetherness of city and university needs for which SEMO gets total control. I'm tired of paying for buildings for SEMO twice. I pay in city taxes and state taxes. If the university wants the cultural center, let it find the donors and leave the city out of it. The city has enough needs for the police and fire departments. SEMO needs to get it through its thick skull that sometimes you don't get your way. Quit trying to bully your way into my pocketbook.

Use flamethrowers

BRING BACK the flame-throwers. The fear of being burned alive by flamethrowers may lead some members of the Taliban to surrender and reveal the location of Osama bin Laden. Flamethrowers got a bad rap in Vietnam. Still, there would be nothing like Taliban-occupied caves being permeated with the pungent smell of napalm because it would likely be a sign of the nearness of unconditional surrender.

He defined values

WHAT IS really so wrong about drinking at SEMO and gay-lesbian shows? All these Republicans and far-right religious people keep complaining about things that much of voting America wants. If our Bill Clinton had been allowed to run again, he would have won by a landslide. He convinced many of our citizens that values are what you make them. He showed us that it is perfectly acceptable to have one set of values for the work place, another for your home life and another for that special activity we call the pursuit of pleasure. He would certainly support gay-lesbian shows at a public university, and what is wrong about young people having a few drinks at a sporting contest? Isn't that what it's all about? Many men and young people are very happy that President Clinton spoke convincingly about what is and is not sex. He was a really great man to have in the White House. I am sure Gore would have done even better.

Apply in Perryville

TO THOSE of you who are sick of being used at a local sheltered work shop, I have good news. They are hiring at VIP at Perryville and paying at least twice as much on the hour. It is a breath of fresh air and a lot better working conditions. Come out and see us.

Let outsiders pay

IF CAPE Girardeau needs to collect more taxes, why doesn't the city put another quarter of a cent on sales taxes and let everyone who comes in to Cape help pay for the street repairs or whatever we need?

Tear it down

THE MARQUETTE Hotel is a joke. It is about time it was razed. The city would look a whole lot better.

They're everywhere

ONE OF my nephews is a captain in the Air Force and told me he could not believe all the ignorant people in this country. I agreed with him, but I never would have believed I am living among these people. In Speak Out someone asked who he would rather have in the White House now, and he picked Bill Clinton over George Bush. This is unbelievable. Clinton is a coward and a draft dodger. We don't want him commanding troops. I am thrilled we have Bush and not Al Gore.

Use hotel-motel tax

IF CAPE has major needs, I suggest using the hotel-motel tax. They can't tax the taxpayers any more. Senior citizens can't afford it. Use the money they have for something that will benefit all.