OpinionJanuary 25, 2000
SPEAKOUT
I WOULD like you to take an interest in a dangerous problem in the city. I'm not sure what to call them, but the concrete dividers and directionals on our highways are a real hazard. I have seen pieces of cars on them. I have seen tire marks on them everywhere. ...
Let's start cleaning up
I WOULD like you to take an interest in a dangerous problem in the city. I'm not sure what to call them, but the concrete dividers and directionals on our highways are a real hazard. I have seen pieces of cars on them. I have seen tire marks on them everywhere. It could not cost a great deal to paint the sides in order for drivers to see them. There are places where these dividers confuse more than help. We are a great city, a wonderful place to raise a family, the churches, the shopping, the people. But whoever is in charge of making it not looking run down is not doing his job. Even the stop signs and street names are old and in bad repair. Let's fix it, clean it up and paint what needs painting so we can be proud of Cape Girardeau.
Time to find another doctor
I TOO am upset with the wait in the medical offices in Cape. I recall driving up to the office with a yacht in the parking lot. I got into the waiting room at 8:30 a.m. with 21 other people for a 9 a.m. appointment at a solo practice. At 11:30 a.m. the girl comes to get me for the doctor. That's when I decided to leave and find a new doctor. If that's the way this guy treats his patients, I don't need any part of it, and I don't need to pay the extravagant fee either. You'll start to get the picture and speak your mind shortly.
Flag issue is hypocritical
PEOPLE HAVE the right to honor a flag their ancestors fought and died under for many reasons other than slavery. It's hypocritical that these black congressmen call for the removal of a Confederate flag from a state Capitol. If you ask me, they all voted against a bill that would make it a crime to desecrate an American flag. It seems hate and racism are remembered. But truth and compassion are forgotten by those who were suppressed.
Let them be kids first
I'M READING in the paper where the education commissioner Robert Bartman wants to spend some tobacco money on the schools. The article mentions "two years of preschool, kindergarten and grades 1 through 12." Two years of preschool? When does a kid get to be a little kid? They start putting children in school before they're even old enough to know what it's about. Then when they get older, they don't want to do anything but play around after they get out of high school. A kid should be 6 or 7 years old before they even think about starting him in school. The kids are better off, they're older and more developed and can be a better student. If children don't get a chance to be a kid and play, it isn't fair to them.
Put on a coat
THESE PEOPLE gripe about it being cold at the Show Me Center basketball game. Maybe the players like it cold instead of sweating. If you go to a football game, it sure isn't warm. Same way with some of the baseball games. The best thing for you to do is dress warmly or stay at home instead of griping.
You liked it when it was free
THIS IS about the Millersville water system. Hey, Millersville, you were all for the water system when it was free money from a grant. Now that you have to pay for your water system, you're all complaining. Didn't you help vote it in? Quit whining.
Need respect for the workers
THIS IS in response to "Jackson raises are questioned." I too feel the raises were unfair, and I pray every night that the city of Jackson does not have a major disaster. The way we employees are treated, there will be no loyalty from us. I suggest anyone who has a problem call city administrator Steve Wilson or mayor Paul Sanders or the public works director Jim Roach. Maybe if they get out and do manual labor, they will have a different perspective and respect for the working man.
Trickle-down is defunct
IT MUST be really tough for the Southeast Missourian to swallow the front-page story, "Income gap widens for American families, new report suggests." It can't be any better news to totally condemn the Republican trickle-down Reaganomics theory than the data on the widening economic gap between rich and poor. How can you possibly stick with that defunct theory now?
Compliment for officer
I AM calling to compliment a police officer. On my way to work I came through Arena Park, and there was a young lady whose car was stalled on Kingshighway at the turn signal going into Arena Park. She couldn't go anywhere. This young police officer was dressed for work but was in his own car and had his child with him. He stopped and got out and pushed her car out of the way so everyone else could go on. I just want to compliment him. Not many people do that anymore. To see someone who is not even on duty go out of their way to help someone else really makes my day. The people who always bash the police need to think about these things. The police are always there for us.
Story has been overdone
THE NEWS media is running the story of the young boy from Cuba into the ground. Enough is enough. But I do have one comment. If it was a mugger who was in Cuba, these women's rights groups would already have him there. It seems that parental rights of a man are somehow different.
Thanks for the help
THIS IS the lady who fell at the store on Old Cape Road. I don't know the two ladies, but I want to thank them for their help, and the one who called the ambulance for me. I broke my hip and my arm, and I cut a gash in my head, but I just want them to know how much I appreciated their kindness. May God bless you.
But they want Gore
HAS ANYBODY else noticed that John McCain's biggest supporters in the media all clearly want Al Gore to be president?
Thanks for Millennium Notebook
I'VE CALLED and complained about your paper before, so I think it's only right that I call and give you my thanks. I love that Millennium Notebook. I look forward to it every day. Thanks for putting it in the paper.
A vote against Christians
I'D LIKE to make a comment and a prediction. I think the presidential candidates are already there. Bush is going to be the Republican candidate, and Bradley is going to be the Democratic candidate. The prediction I'd like to make is this: If you vote for Bradley and he becomes president, churches and religious people should be forewarned. We can see what's happening. Homosexual rights will be passed nationwide. They have won. They have virtual veto on how they're viewed in the news media. And if you don't think the Democrats affect you, consider their arguments. In Washington, they say if church and state are separate, why should the trash companies pick up the trash from the churches since they don't pay taxes? If you think this is crazy, it isn't over. If you have a cross on your church, it may offend some homosexual who thinks this church is preaching that homosexuality is a sin. Will they force the churches to take the crosses down? A vote for the Democrats is a vote against a Christian society.
Vote for the country
I'M RESPONDING to the person who replied to my Speak Out item about Forbes and Bush. I'm neither a Democrat nor a Republican. I'm a patriot. I believe in what's good for the country. What's good for the country is good for the people. Big Daddy Bush embraced the Chinese, so don't tell me that wasn't a freebie. I don't think George would do anything without it being a freebie either. I think people should vote for what's good for the country and to heck with what party they belong to. People need to begin using their heads.
Just another freebie
ISN'T IT amazing how the people who scream the loudest and protest the most about their rights have done very little or nothing at all to earn those rights. It was the blood, sweat and guts of others who earned those rights, but for them, it's another freebie.
Just glad they contribute
ABOUT THE campaign money the Republican candidates receive: Even with the Chinese allegedly donating to Clinton's campaign, there's no way Clinton can compete with the insurance companies, the big manufacturers and the millionaires throughout the world who contribute to the Republican Party, the rich man's party. I don't care who it is, if anyone wants to contribute to the party that believes in national health care and is opposed to the right-to-work law and opposed to busting up unions, I don't care who contributes to the Democratic Party, I'm just glad they do. We need someone in office who's for the working poor. Someone who will see that we have health insurance the way the congressmen and the senators do, who vote against the rest of us having it.
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Leaves wrong impression
THIS EVENING on my way to the store I saw a Cape Girardeau police car that had a license plate light burned out. I came back around to the officer who was sitting there and told him about the light being burned out. He got out, looked at the light and gave me this Look From Hell, turned and walked away with no verbal response. I just drove away. I personally paid a $50 fine and court costs for exactly the same thing. It goes to show you that the Cape Girardeau police continue to be above the law. When I was ticketed by the officer, had he told me about the problem and not written a ticket, I would have gladly said thank you, I'll take care of that. But it didn't happen that way with me. "Thank you" was not the first phrase that actually came to my mind. The Cape police department seems to forget that the people who were on your side are the same people who fork over the money to pay your salaries. Cape Girardeau is on a revenue kick with a bunch of bad-attitude officers who think they're even bigger than Barney Fife himself. You're going to lose the respect of the motoring public, comrades, if you don't watch what you're doing.
Proud of our school kids
I DECIDED to go to the parade and watch the opening ceremony at that new Barbara Blanchard Elementary School. It was a great idea. I think it's a shame more people didn't come out for it. After I watched all the kids and saw how excited they were at the parade, it really made me feel proud. There must have been 600 of the kids all lined up talking to the teachers, hiking up and down the hills. The air was pretty cold, and the kids must have hiked a mile, but they were all smiling and waving at everyone and each one was carrying an American flag. I just couldn't believe how excited and well-behaved and quiet they were. They kept their hands over their hearts and were so well mannered. Their eyes were glued on the veterans while the veterans were raising the flag for the VFW. It made me so happy to live in a city like Cape Girardeau. It's a wonderful town, and more people should appreciate it. A lot of adults wouldn't have been as well-behaved as those kids. So many times we only hear about the bad stuff school kids do. I think we should be proud that we have some of the best kids anywhere. These Blanchard students are really terrific, and the principal, Dr. Kohlfeld, and all the teachers did a really good job. They've taught those kids how to be respectful. The whole thing made me happy and excited to be in Cape Girardeau. Keep up the good work, Dr. Kohlfeld, staff and students of Blanchard school.
No prevention program?
I JUST went to a local treatment center and asked for information on a dangerous drug, crack cocaine. They basically told me that they could not help me. This is my second inquiry with them. They handed me one little piece of paper and said they couldn't help me because they deal in treatment, not prevention. Does anyone else see anything wrong with this picture?
Abortion's pot of gold
TO THE person who called in about Planned Parenthood and said those people against abortion should applaud these people: First of all, murder of a baby should never be applauded. Second, Planned Parenthood is one of the top abortion providers in the country. Obviously they are failing when it comes to teaching responsibility. Third, investigate how much money Planned Parenthood makes off of abortions. I guarantee, they will not discourage someone from contributing to their pot of gold.
Replace county road signs
HOW LONG does it take the county to replace a sign? County Road 432 sign at Highway D and 432 has been missing since Halloween. How do emergency vehicles find 432? Don't we pay our taxes too?
Clinton's propaganda machine
SYRIA REFUSES further talks because of the Golan Heights problem, and The Associated Press puts out the story that Clinton calls off talks between Israel and Syria. Anything to save face for Clinton. What a lot of hogwash. Does this propaganda machine actually thing they can fool the American people with their tripe? It makes you sick to your stomach.
Message for teens
I RAN across this yesterday. I thought it was great. The title is "A judge's advice to teens." A judge in Colorado passed along this advice that's worth passing along to teens everywhere. He gave it out in answer to teens who say, "Where we can go, what can we do?" "Go home," replied the judge. "Rake the leaves. Repair the sink. Wash the car. Hang the windows. Mow the lawn. Build a boat. Help the pastor. Visit the sick. Learn to cook. Help the poor. Study your lessons. When you are through, read a good book. Your city doesn't owe you recreational facilities. The world doesn't owe you entertainment. Your city doesn't owe you a living. You owe the world. Something you owe is your time and energy and talent so you can change the world. In plain words, grow up and quit being crybabies. Get out of your dream world and develop a backbone, not a wishbone. Start acting like a man or a woman. You have no right to have your parents buy your every whim and fancy because of selfish ego. In heaven's name, grow up and go home." Great message not just for teens, but for us adults too.
Teachers' job it to teach
I'M RESPONDING to the school teacher who just retired and commented in Speak Out that the main reason she retired was because she was tired of being a surrogate parent, or if you will, a baby sitter. What that has to do with the school lunches and sandwiches being served, I have no idea. Sounds like to me she needed to retire because being a surrogate parent or a baby sitter is not why she was there. She was there to teach her students.
Street sweeper misses trash
I'D LIKE to know who is supposed to oversee the driver who runs the street sweeper in Jackson. He drives up and down the street, but half the time the brushes are not even touching the street. He leaves half the stuff and goes on. He drives so fast he isn't paying attention to what he's doing. The guy who used to have this job did a real good job.
Scott City gets a cleanup
I'VE BEEN a Scott City resident for about 15 years now. I was wondering who lit the fire under the Public Works Department? I've noticed they're cleaning ditches, culverts, picking up roadside trash. I'd sure like to tell those guys and whoever is responsible for lighting the fire thank you for caring about our city. And once again, thanks to the Public Works Department and whoever is running it.
They made their money
DEMOCRATS ARE constantly berating the tax cuts supposedly helping the rich, and they are constantly beating to death the wealthy class of people as being the rich. You know, liberals love to portray productive Americans as greedy inheritors of wealth. Pure rubbish. The simple truth is, the average American millionaire owns a small business, a few neighborhood stores or a service company and lives in a middle-class neighborhood. And get this: 80 percent of all millionaires are first-generation wealthy. They worked for their money, and it is their money. Of course, there are still a few rich Democrats, such as Sen. Ted Kennedy, who inherited their money.
It started with the band
ISN'T IT amazing how success builds on success? The SEMO University band is a wonderful program that had a successful trip to Scotland last summer. Now the basketball program is winning, and soon the football program will be winning. And it all started with the band as a catalyst. Whoever the SEMO band director is, the university ought to give him a raise.
Too loud at the games
I AM a big SEMO basketball fan and have been for years, but one thing I don't understand is why they have to have the music and the microphones so loud. You can hardly stand to sit in there.
This doesn't sound right
ACCORDING TO the paper and Morley Swingle, if you want to go out kick a policeman in the face, all you have to worry about is spending 15 weekends in jail. In the meantime you can go out and sell dope.
Freedom of speech
I ALMOST fell out of my chair when I read the Speak Out item "It's his free speech too." The caller had it exactly right. Why do all the minorities have free speech and poor John Rocker doesn't? I thought it didn't matter what race, gender or economic background you came from, we all had freedom of speech. So why should John Rocker's name even be brought up for trying? This is freedom of speech.
CBS is politicking again
WHEN BUSH ran against Clinton in 1992, CBS ran a nightly feature called "America in Crisis" featuring people down on their luck, supposedly because of the Bush economy. The day after Clinton was elected, CBS quit running this feature. It had accomplished its mission. Clinton's campaign gimmick was the economy. Gore's gimmick is the environment. Guess what. CBS is now running a nightly doom and gloom feature that deals with global warming. They treat the issue as if global warming is a fact, not a theory. Just like in 1992, this is simply an attempt to influence the election. Goodbye, CBS news. You can add me to your growing list of nonviewers.
A flag alternative
IF THE Confederate flag above the South Carolina statehouse were removed and replaced with a flag with a picture of the Virgin Mary splattered with dung, do you think that would make the Democrats and the left happy?
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