Speak Out B 02/22/03

The real complaint

BE SKEPTICAL about Speak Out callers who complain closing school detracts from a child's education. If the truth be known, the reason for the complaint is likely that the parent doesn't know what to do with the little rugrat.

Free baby sitting

THESE PEOPLE complaining about calling off school because of the snow and ice are the same ones who would want to sue the schools if their children fell on the ice while going to school. They don't care that much about their kids education. They just want a free baby sitter.

Easy but wrong

COMPARING SADDAM Hussein to Hitler and war-protesters to appeasers of the 1930s is easy but wrong. Hussein is contained in his own country and does not have troops attacking neighbors. Indeed, the neighbors of Iraq are among those nations calling for further inspections and diplomacy. The pro-war forces will need a more persuasive argument than this to convince a skeptical world.

Late entry into war

THE ONLY reason that the United States entered World War II was because Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. In Europe, it was the 1939-1945 war. Only in the United States is it thought of as the 1941-1945 war. It took the United States two full years to realize that Hitler posed a threat to the entire civilized world.

Get into the system

I HAVE read all the negative comments about President Bush for weeks and have decided to quit my job, sign up for welfare, get my part of the big government programs and, in my free time, protest against the very system that is paying my way. I would suggest that all of you who are still working do the same.

No simple solutions

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS to complex problems might feel good at the time, but they usually end up causing more problems. The answer to every foreign-policy issue is not "drop more bombs," just as the answer to every domestic problem isn't "cut taxes."

Jackson Raceway

JACKSON POLICE should come on over to the Jackson Raceway off of North Shawnee Street. Every night the kids are out racing up and down the streets. They will race in any weather. Do their parents know where their kids are? Of course they do. Please take care of this.

News sources

WE USED to laugh at folks in other countries for believing news agencies such as Pravda when they trotted out the party line as though it were news rather than politics. We should stop laughing. This is exactly what is happening in the output of almost all media sources in the United States now. We are simply not hearing what the rest of the world is hearing through free and democratic news sources.

Weather closings

I WOULD like to thank Cape Girardeau School District superintendent Mark Bowles. He proves my point that education is not a priority in Southeast Missouri. I can understand not having school on Monday. Road crews hadn't had much of a chance to clean the roads. But calling off school again on Tuesday? The main roads, and secondary roads were clear. If it is so dangerous for kids to be out, explain the hundreds of kids at the mall and the Osage Centre Tuesday afternoon. I really wish people would wake up around here and realize that education is important.

If they can do it ...

JUST TO inform all those opposed to city-supported parks -- be it a skate park or water park -- the small town of Marshall, Mo., is building a city-funded skate park and aquatic center. Marshall? How many of you could even find Marshall on a map? Meanwhile, Cape Girardeau citizens can celebrate the grand opening of ... . Well, I can't think of anything.

No water park

TO THE Cape Girardeau mayor and city council concerning the new taxes: I will vote for a tax increase for new equipment and police and fire department pay raises, but I will not vote for a water park. I see no use for it. In this time of a recession, isn't it about time we take care of what we need and let the things go that we can do without. I suggest if you want us to vote in favor of these taxes, you should drop the water park from the ballot. Otherwise I believe it will fail.

Defending freedom

FREEDOM IS the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it.

Bigger tips in order

PEOPLE WHO order food to be delivered on snowy days, particularly since gas prices are going up so much, should think twice to tip those young people a little bit more. They need it for their gas.

Time for cleanup

I WOULD just like to thank U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and U.S. Sen. Kit Bond for helping us all out here in Southeast Missouri. Seems like they raised $13 million for agriculture, $47.8 million for transportation, $76.5 million for energy and water, $29.6 million for housing, $73.9 million for law enforcement and courts and $49.3 million for construction of a new federal courthouse. Of all these millions of dollars, not one dime is for senior citizens' health care. They're going to give millions of dollars to clean up the ditch down in New Madrid County. Looks to me like we need to clean out the White House before we clean the ditch.

Cutting essentials

TO THE persons who suggest that the city and state should trim fat instead of increasing taxes: If they think that when the city cuts expenses it will be cutting fat, they haven't been around very long. It is well-known that any time they have to cut expenditures because lack of money, they will always cut things people need and want and let the fat stay. Cutting the fat won't get them any votes for increases in taxes, while cutting essentials or very needed services will.

Dilemma of prosperity

YES, AS you wrote in your editorial, Jackson is an example of financial stability. However, perhaps as a result, it is a community that occasionally explodes, sociologically speaking. Ironically, if there were financial instability in Jackson, life would be less boring, teens and others would settle down and get to work and social problems would virtually disappear. Thus, the ongoing dilemma of prosperity.

Not much chance

GARY RUST'S economic arguments in favor of taking certain steps in order to balance Missouri's budget were beyond dispute. Theoretically speaking, slashing public education spending and adopting what is called zero-based budgeting would be the answer to our fiscal woes. However, in the real world of rough-and-tumble redistributionist politics, the chance that the Republican-controlled Missouri Legislature will adopt Rust's suggestion is less than the chance that people will stop making Speak Out comments.

Dressing for success

MY SISTER and I have been noticing a recent trend among teenage girls. It seems we can never go to the mall without seeing some lovely young girl scantily dressed as if she had a evening job. To all of you young girls: By presenting yourself in more appropriate attire, you'll be sure to attract a nicer breed of gentleman. Think about that next time you're shopping.

Against any attack

I AM against attacking Iraq. This does not make me a Saddam supporter. I have never supported or aided Saddam Hussein. But I do know that he is no ally of Osama bin Laden. Duct tape, plastic sheeting and carpet bombing Baghdad won't get us any closer in our goal of destroying al-Qaida.