Speak Out A 11/21/02

A quality film

THERE ARE an awful lot of comments about movies like "Red Dragon" and how a movie is only good if it's G-rated with family values. A bad movie is a bad movie. "Red Dragon" may disturb some, and it may be realistic. But that's the point. It's an insight into a world we'll never know. It's escape from our reality. Anyone afraid of anything different from his own boring life shouldn't see it. Movies aren't reviewed based on the Ten Commandments. They're reviewed on quality,. "Red Dragon" is quality filmmaking.

Cape always says no

CAPE GIRARDEAU will never reach a higher level of tourism. The Southeast Missourian is nuts to think otherwise. Until the tightwad taxpayers in this town learn that you can't make money without spending it, nothing new will be built in this town. Towns half our size already have great water parks and cultural centers. But Cape Girardeau residents say no to anything that will put the town on the map because it will cost them a couple of cents more in tax.

The fear of Bill

THE REPUBLICAN Party controls all branches of the government, yet conservative pundits still can't let go of their Clinton bashing. Bill and Hillary are vindictive? It seems to me that so-called conservatives who can't be gracious in victory are the ones who really are vindictive. Perhaps their fear of Bill is caused by the knowledge deep down in their hearts that their man in the White House will never rise to the international acclaim that former President Clinton still enjoys.

Placed on hold

NOW THAT the election is over, whom will the Republicans blame for their historical ineffectiveness and inabilities after two years? It will be a heyday for the drug, insurance and oil companies. The rest of us will be placed on hold.

Neighborly soup

A REALLY nice young man in our apartment complex made homemade soup and delivered a bowl to each of his senior-citizen neighbors. What a great way to warm up on a cold day. He is a terrific neighbor and an even better cook.

Bring back the goats

I MISS seeing the goats playing on their jungle gym next to Pioneer Orchard. They sure were entertaining as you drove by. When will they return?

What's missing here?

I AM confused and humored. How can some of the help-wanted ads continue to advertise positions each week that are "fun" and require a "positive attitude?" If it's such a fun and upbeat place to work, why do employees keep leaving you?

Life in the country

I AM one of those St. Louis County transplants trying to decide what I like best about moving to Southeast Missouri. My personal property tax bill is $300 less here, and the smell of cow manure sure helps to take my mind off of allergies. Isn't life in the country grand?

Respect for funerals

EVERYONE'S ALWAYS in a rush. Life is busy. It's nice to know that in Jackson, when escorting a loved one from the funeral home to the cemetery, traffic pulls off to the side and police ensure an uninterrupted journey. Last week my family buried a very special lady. You may not have known her. But for those who took a moment for us to pass by, your respect was appreciated. I'll do the same for you when it's your turn.

Fashionable spending

JAMES NALL is correct. If we're going to cut taxes and balance the budget, we must cut spending. However, that won't happen since deficit spending is now very much in fashion.

A matter of survival

A COLORADO-based caller asked why we are so anti-Arab in these parts. Well, we don't stereotype, but it is because the Sept. 11 terrorists were residents of the Arab world, and we think the politically incorrect prohibition against racial profiling is silly, particularly when our national security and survival is at stake.

SINCE MONA Charen has chosen to occupy a perch far out on the right-wing fringe, it is small wonder that she cannot recognize balanced news reporting when she hears or sees it. Regrettably, those of us wanting to learn what is really happening must seek news from media outside the country. Of U.S. news sources, only National Public Radio begins to offer less-biased news of current events, and even that source too frequently exhibits the right-wing bias typical of commercial U.S. news media.

CALLING WAR protesters pro-Iraq may seem like the ultimate insult. But it's not. Folks who are opposed to war are not only pro-American, but they are also pro-Iraqi. They may be opposed to Saddam Hussein, but that does not mean they want Americans and Iraqis to die in military action against this dictator. Name-calling doesn't lead to understanding, but it is worth noting that everything this president has done in connection with his warmongering has served to promote recruitment to al-Qaida. Does that make him pro-terrorist? Surely not.

Can't have it both ways

ALL OF you people protesting against a war with Iraq are the same people who asked why our government didn't do anything to stop Sept. 11. If we don't stop them now, the protesters will get another chance to blame the government soon. If it is about oil, then they'll be the first to complain when there is a shortage.

No immediate threat

THE COMMENT about dictators in other nations was right on. How many people know about the ongoing genocide in Rwanda, Uganda or the former Zaire? Hardly anyone cares, because these countries are of no economic value to us, nor do they pose an immediate threat to our safety. I want to vomit thinking about men like President Bush and Vice President Cheney leading our country to victory over evil. I guess mass murder is only evil when it's in the Middle East and involves oil.

They just don't care

POLLS SHOWING the American people's approval of a dramatic increase in domestic surveillance prove the truth of previous poll results showing the American people don't give a rip about the Bill of Rights.

Open debate is good

I'D LIKE to also congratulate the Southeast Missourian for allowing an open debate on its Opinion pages. Of all the places I've lived and all the newspapers I've read, this is the most interesting editorial page. People who've never read another newspaper don't know how good it is that we have Speak Out.