Speak Out A 11/08/01

Be careful

SOMEONE CALLED Speak Out and said the reason Saddam Hussein is still living is because President Bush was in the office at the time. That is not true. Bush had limits on what he could do, and when he reached the limit he had to stop. I think people should be careful what they say whether they think something they know is true or not.

Better location

I STILL believe the Show Me Center should have been near I-55. It would have benefited more of the public at that location. Also, the students at SEMO get where they want to go whether it is across the river or to the mall. They will find a way to get there. I appreciate Jim Drury's efforts regarding the River Campus and appreciate everything he has done for Cape Girardeau.

Just be patient

I JUST want to say that I really appreciate the effort of the Cape Girardeau Street Department. I do not live in Cape, but I drive there almost every day. It is really a pleasure to drive down Broadway now. I also appreciate the improvements in the residential areas. We should just be patient and realize it takes a little inconvenience to get the work done. No pain, no gain. So let's be patient while the highway department and street department are doing their jobs.

In favor of stadium

I USED to be against the new Cardinal stadium until I checked out the club's Web site and found out it won't cost us anymore taxes unless I visit the stadium or the Ballpark Village. Now I think it is a great investment in Missouri, and I would like to encourage everyone to contact your state representative or senator in order to get this passed.

Too late now

I'D LIKE to ask the addict who was on methamphetamine for six years and faces 10 to 12 years in prison why does he want to look for a better solution now? Why didn't he look for a better solution back when he started using drugs? No one forced him to get on meth. He chose to use drugs.

Different message

AS AN area Southern Baptist pastor who attended the Missouri Baptist Convention this week, I must strongly disagree with the statement attributed to outgoing president Bob Collins in Saturday's paper. He said we gave the secular media a chance to see that Baptists can disagree but don't have to be disagreeable when it happens. Quite the contrary. I think what we saw were Baptists who preached the word but don't want to live it in their lives. We love you if you support us and believe the same way we do.

Helpful neighbors

IT WAS refreshing to read in Friday's paper about the threshing bee and good friends and neighbors harvesting Bob Nitche's soybeans. Way to go. My daddy would be proud. Neighbor helping neighbor, the way it used to be long ago, and the way it should remain.

Detox in prison

IN REGARD to the Speak Out item "Addict seeks solution": I understand addicts need rehab, but six years of being an addict and then manufacturing methamphetamine is not somebody wanting help. I think the caller is saying this because he is facing a prison term. He needs to be in prison for a while. From my understanding, it takes at least a year to get the chemicals out of an addict's system to get rid of the craving.

Hit with tax bill

I JUST received my tax bill, and I was shocked beyond belief. I wonder how the tax people figure these taxes. My home is worth nothing when I go to sell it. But when it comes time to raise the taxes, they don't know where to stop. I'm in the position right now that I'm paying all I can pay. I guess the tax collector will wind up with my home. But who are they going to sell it to? No one's going to have the money to buy it. I don't mind paying my taxes, but I believe in being fair about it.

Lost the gamble

IF CAPE hadn't turned down the gambling boat, it would have all kinds of money for all its needs.