Speak Out B 08/04/03

Take notes, officials

OUR FAMILY just returned from Farmington to visit to the water park. There were many people there from Jackson and Cape Girardeau. Before we left Farmington, we also discovered that they now have a skateboard park, which is right behind the police station. Cape and Jackson city leaders need to make a road trip to Farmington and take some serious notes.

Chain reaction

I AM one-eighth American Indian and feel it is an honor for SEMO to have the Indian as a mascot. Should the Indian mascot be removed, what about removal of the Indian names of our parks? I see a chain reaction.

Watch out for thinkers

I AGREE with the caller who wants to shut down the gifted program. Smart people only cause trouble. I think we should put them in jail before their bad habits spread to our normal children. The last thing we want in Cape Girardeau is a bunch of smart people running around asking questions. Fight education before it is too late. Otherwise, the children who think could be your own.

Extreme reward

I WAS outraged when I heard that the person who tipped the United States off to the whereabouts of Saddam Hussein's sons was getting a check for $30 million. Our schools are hurting for money. Give me a break. Don't get me wrong, this individual deserves some recognition, but I think this is a little extreme.

Love and marriage

I RESPECT the president's opinion, but I do not agree with it. I believe if two people are in love they have a right to be married and share their lives with one another. True love is hard to come by these days, and the more people who find it the better. The government does not have the right to tell people their love for another person is wrong. I hope that someday soon all marriages will be legal in this country.

Gifted program a bargain

I WOULD like to comment on the gifted program and how much money the school district could save by ending it. I am part of a gifted program and also play on a couple of athletic teams. Sports cost a lot more than a gifted program. Instead of two teachers, you have 8 or more coaches to pay. Instead of a few students to give ice cream to, you have a whole team to feed on game day -- not to mention paying for new pads and other equipment each year. What is going to matter more in 10 years? Academics obviously will get you farther in life.

Frozen assets

THE BUSH administration went to court to prevent the use of frozen Iraqi assets to compensate U.S. soldiers tortured by the Iraqis during the first Gulf War. Their argument was that the money must be used to help rebuild Iraq. The judge agreed, though reluctantly. Must we destroy the United States in order to save Iraq?

Not a motivation

DOES SEMO president Ken Dobbins expect his employees to stay or be motivated for the upcoming academic year after reading about his new contract? His salary was increased 2 percent plus $500 just like other employees. He also got a $12,000-a-year housing allowance. Is $143,810 not enough for him to live on? On top of that he got $64,000 to help his retirement pay. And then he gets an additional annuity payment of $20,000 annually. I thought SEMO was struggling financially. At least that is what they told us employees. Did Don Dickerson really think Dobbins was going to another school before the River Campus was completed?

Too many bars

WHAT KIND of image do we want to give when travelers come across the bridge and on the riverboats? It seems the downtown area is overrun with bars. That's not the image of Cape Girardeau I want to give to travelers.

Helping the people

TO THE recent Speak Out caller who said we were not attacked: What about Sept. 11, 2001? And would you prefer the president wait until Iraq attacked us with chemical or biological weapons? Then all the liberals would be calling for Bush's head for not doing anything. My husband is one of those great men in Iraq, and he knows the reason we are over there. Most of the soldiers with him are glad to be helping the Iraqi people. And the Iraqi people are very grateful. Why don't we see these Iraqis on TV?

Dealing with evil

AS A Gulf War veteran, I am sick and tired of hearing stupid talk from you who think this war wasn't necessary or that we were not attacked. Have you already forgotten the numerous attacks our nation has had in the past 25 years, including 9-11? What about the mass graves we are unearthing and all the atrocities that occurred under this tyranny of evil? When there is evil, we have a responsibility to suppress it. If we do not, then it will only be a short time when we have to deal with it within our own borders.

Missing Clinton, Gore

COUNT ME among the increasing numbers who miss President Clinton and Al Gore.

What's the cost?

I WANT to know how many taxpayer dollars this Iraq mess is going to cost. They say it's costing $4 billion a month without any money for rebuilding Iraq. I'm tired of paying for it. On top of everything else, they say our military is stretched to the limit. What's next, the draft?

Pride and honor

TEAMS WEAR their logos with pride and honor, not as a sign to be degraded. Now the heritage of the Indians will be further lost due to ignorance of all involved with this decision. Good job, NCAA committee, on showing how well-educated you are to succumb to ignorance rather than fighting for the honor that the American Indian stood for.

Brave woman

U.S. REP. Jo Ann Emerson is a brave woman to stand up against the drug lobby. What a shame that all of Missouri's other Republican politicians are a bunch of bought-and-paid-for cowards. Emerson should watch out. No good deed goes unpunished. They'll be after her.