Speak Out A 11/14/02

Build a water park

I AM formerly from Cape Girardeau but now work in Poplar Bluff, Mo., where there is a new water park being built as we speak. The water park will be similar to the one in Farmington, Mo., with a wave pool and other rides. This project is being solely funded by two local men with deep pockets. Where are all the fortunate people of Cape Girardeau? With everything that Cape Girardeau has given them, why don't they reach into their pockets and build a water park?

Still just flashing

IF THIS stoplight was so important on Sprigg Street, why is it still flashing yellow?

Pick best candidate

SO HEIDI Hall is a Democrat. Big deal. Some of my best friends are Democrats or of a different faith, and we're still friends. I'm a Republican when the better candidate happens to be a Republican. If the Democrat is the better candidate, I'm a Democrat. If people would vote along the line of candidate qualifications and not party lines, the best person would be in office, not just a Democrat or Republican.

Invasion survey

HAS ANYONE done a survey to see how many of the Iraqi people want us to liberate them with military force? I'll bet that would be interesting.

War of domination

THE WAR in Iraq cannot be about stopping Saddam Hussein from killing his own people. He killed his own people all through the 1980s with our help and even with our tacit approval. Many ruthless dictators oppress their own people, often using arms provided by us. Consider Indonesia from 1976 into the 1990s. Does anyone really believe that if Iraq were a country in central Africa with no oil that any of this would be happening? You either believe that Iraq is a greater threat to the United States than al-Qaida, or you can only come to the conclusion that this is a war for oil and geopolitical domination.

At least we tried

AS ONE of the anti-war protesters at the Cheney rally, I take pride in remembering the busloads of high school students who passed us as they entered the parking lot. Many of them looked confused, but many flashed us peace signs. When they or their classmates are dying -- or becoming physically or psychologically disabled -- in this war for oil, at least they will remember that there were a few people who had the courage to stand up and speak the truth for them. Although it's not enough, that helps.

Let them be kids

IT'S AMAZING to me that people still complain that the races aren't evenly divided at school. The story said schools with a higher enrollment of minorities score lower on tests. You more or less are saying that minorities can't learn unless they are in a class with white kids. Leave the kids alone and let them be kids.

Draft changes minds

I WONDER if we bring back the draft how many of you pro-war people are going to change your mind about going to war.

Recruiters are waiting

FOR THOSE who think war is such a good idea, the military recruiting office is located on Broadway in Cape Girardeau. It's funny how the ones who most want war don't go.

Chickenhawks at work

THE TERM "chickenhawk" was coined by Mike Royko many years ago. It is for politicians who are eager to take the United States to war but who did everything in their power to evade military service when they had an opportunity or responsibility to serve. Chickenhawks in the Bush administration and Congress want to send American youth to do what they managed to avoid doing: risk death in military service. They ought to be as ashamed, as should be the voters who encouraged them in the last election.

No gamesmanship

THE REAL reason Kinder Morgan Power Co. backed off locating in Cape Girardeau County is that the concern does not cotton to political gamesmanship.

Control your destiny

REGARDING qualifying income guidelines for MC+: I am in my late 40s. I work, go to school and support my family on my own. I get no child support. That's my reality, and I live with it. I look at what I have done and see others who do the same to make ends meet and to advance their learning potential. I'm proud. The government doesn't owe me any handouts. Be in control of your own destiny and seek your own solutions. It's a source of pride and builds character. People rise above poverty if they have the drive and planning to succeed.

Right to disagree

TO THE person who believes Sept. 11 happened because we refused to back our government: That's wrong. Sept. 11 didn't have anything to do with our government. It had to do with the terrorist activity against our nation, not our government. As a citizen of this nation and a person who did not vote for our current president, I have the right to disagree with the political stance the administration is taking.

Improper plot

THANK YOU for reviewing the university play "Don't Dress for Dinner." Why are we teaching our theater students to put on plays where the main plot is taking your clothes off on stage? Why don't we teach our students how to have good dialogue and how to work with each other, interact with each other and put on something that is thoughtful and meaningful to society? It seems against our culture and against the principles of the university to put on a play whose main plot is taking your clothes off.

Not connected

I'M READING the paper and can't imagine Gov. Bob Holden making the comment that he did. The headline "Holden says shaky economy to blame for Republican election-day victories." I thought that's what the Democrats had run against the Republicans on: the economy. If I had been Holden, I wouldn't have said that, because that shows the voters are really afraid of him. If the strong part of the Republican Party is what the Democrats are stressing as their weak point, it shows somebody's not connected.