OpinionApril 23, 2000
SPEAKOUT
THANK YOU to Ward Connerly for coming to Cape Girardeau. It is so refreshing to have somebody state the obvious. We need a colorblind society and government. In order to be colorblind, we have to quit asking each other what race are you. We have to just treat people as people. Give everybody a fair chance...
Treat people as people
THANK YOU to Ward Connerly for coming to Cape Girardeau. It is so refreshing to have somebody state the obvious. We need a colorblind society and government. In order to be colorblind, we have to quit asking each other what race are you. We have to just treat people as people. Give everybody a fair chance.
No funds for Jackson library
I JUST read about the special Missouri state tax which is helping libraries buy more books. This is wonderful. Every place except Jackson. Riverside Regional Library is not Jackson's library. Riverside can pack up and move outside Jackson anytime. Jackson Public Library gets not one dollar of this state money because it does not meet the minimum levy requirement for any form of state aid. No grants, no nothing. Why? Because the leaders of this city that the mayor always calls a "progressive and proactive city" decided to cut city taxes. To make themselves for popular? They cut the city's support of its library so much that in the eyes of the state, the library disappeared. This poor little library didn't even get a dollar of local YELL funds this year. What is going on over there? In this information age, when everyone else is moving forward, Jackson is moving back into the Dark Ages. I've seen this library, and it needs help. Jackson needs help.
They're all traitors
CASTRO is a committed communist, but what do you call this glorification of Elian Gonzalez, the Cuban communist, by the mainstream table TV and Clinton and Reno and the so-called religious cohorts? They're all Marxists in sheep's clothing, supporting communist Cuba. Traitors, all, to America.
Be a responsible parent
I WORK in a local library, and I support the American Library Association's stand against censoring books. I also oppose filtering the Internet. I'd rather not go into those issues right now. The caller whose item was titled "Common sense in the library" is concerned about children standing around watching while a grownup looks at unfiltered Internet pornography. This should not happen for two reasons. First, the library Internet rules are posted near the computers. They cannot be missed. Patrons know they are not to access pornography. Of course, we all know that given the opportunity some misguided so-called adults will do it anyway. This is the point at which my second reason comes into play. That second reason is parental responsibility. The caller seems to be complaining that he needs to be with his child in the library. While I do not see the library as a terribly dangerous place for children, I do quite often see children dropped at the library, sometimes for hours, by irresponsible parents. This could become hazardous. Most librarians sincerely like children, as I do. However, we are also busy. Yes, we do more than check out books and chat with patrons. We cannot be expected to protect your children from the physical dangers nor from the emotional or mental dangers that exist. You are the parent. It is your responsibility to explain to your child that climbing library shelves is dangerous. That talking with strangers is dangerous. And that looking over someone's shoulder while he is on the Internet could be dangerous and is definitely an invasion of privacy. If you are mature enough to be a parent, then please take that maturity one step further and be a responsible parent. Your child needs you.
Not as moral as before
THE CLINTON/Gore administration is just as corrupt as the Nixon/Agnew administration. The only thing is that Richard Nixon did the country a favor and stepped down. Perhaps our parents' generation was more moral than we are today. Corruption reeks through our system. Clinton was not the man that Nixon was or he would have done the right thing and stepped down. Our generation is not as strong as the ones before us. We should have demanded that Clinton step down at once. We don't need a president we can't trust in the White House.
They didn't listen before
REGARDING THE street plans, may I ask why I should attend a meeting when five years ago we complained about the offset in Main Street at the foot of Mill Street Hill? We were promised that something would be done. And it's still the same old 76.
Change past to fit needs
A SPEAK Out dreamer claimed the character and respect of Truman and Roosevelt was on the same level as the pervert we have in the White House. Well, he can dream on. I voted for both these presidents. I know better. In these presidents' times, God was a big influence in policy. They weren't standard bearers for gays, abortion and socialism. No one worshipped a president as these weak-minded groupie public does today, wanting a handout and someone else to take care of them. Being somehow owed this, and having no values or character, but lies and half-truths have been the tool of socialism and communism for all of history. If you don't like or agree with the past, just change it to fit your beliefs and purpose.
Another satisfied patient
HERE'S ANOTHER call to agree with callers going to St. Louis for medical care. How right you are. I love my doctor in St. Louis. Never have I waited more than 20 minutes. And guess what: I don't have to have my checkbook in my hand to get through the doctor's door. As a senior, I've never received a billing in seven years from up there. They take whatever Medicare and your supplement pays. That's the end of it. The charge has never been as overpriced as I've had in Cape. Try it. You'll like it. And I'm sure that Medicare and the insurance companies do too.
Mistake on Siemers Drive
IT APPEARS our city council is going to come at us with another tax increase on fixing the city streets in Cape Girardeau. If my memory serves me right, I believe the City Council approved Siemers Drive when it was built. Apparently they don't look any further in front of their face than their nose. They allowed this street to be built at a narrow width, and now they want to keep our sales tax on and let everyone pay for having this street widened. I will not vote for this tax to be extended just because of the case of Siemers Drive.
Congrats to FBLA team
CONGRATULATIONS TO the 11 Jackson FBLA students who are going to national competition in California. We are very proud of you and your coaches. Good luck in California.
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Some neighborly advice
IN REGARD to the "Good people, good neighbors" comment that was in Speak Out, here are some commonsense suggestions for Kelso neighbors to learn: Stop being so loud and obnoxious whenever you are outside. Anyone with ears can hear every little disgusting word that comes out of your foul mouths. Secondly, clean up your junkyard. It causes rats, mice and snakes, and whatever else that is lurking around in your mess. It looks really bad on your part. It makes you look lazy, trashy and inconsiderate. Anyone with eyes can see it displayed around your home. Treat your neighbors the way you would like to be treated yourself.
Too much of a good time
I ATTENDED bingo at the Arena Building, something I enjoy maybe four or five times a year. I experienced an unfortunate night of extreme rudeness from five ladies who decided they deserved a better time than anyone else in the Arena Building. They talked and laughed until it was impossible to even concentrate on the game at hand. I'm not talking noise that could be only heard by one or two tables. People halfway across the room were turning to see where the noisy group was seated. Then, to add insult to injury, these ladies were handed favors that everyone else paid to receive. I understand that people are there to have a good time. However, when your good time disrupts everybody around you, it isn't fair to the rest of the group. You should know better.
More laws needed
OH, MY God. Senior citizens are shooting each other. Quick, somebody call the president and tell him to propose legislation to keep guns out of the hands of senior citizens now. That way we'll all feel safe.
Time to put a stop to it
I'M VERY pleased to see that the state auditor is looking into some of the frivolous spending that goes on at SEMO University. It's time somebody stopped them and their little clique. Time to get rid of Mr. Nitzschke.
Rules on flying the flag
HAVE WE become less respectful of the flag or just lazy? I see our flag flying at our schools and other public buildings, day and night, through all kinds of weather. Section 2A of the flag law and regulations says that it is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flag staffs in the open. Section 2C says the flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement.
Help the Cubs fans
WHY DOESN'T the Southeast Missourian put in any Chicago Cubs schedules and stuff, like you do the Cardinals and other teams? Do you think there's no Cubs fans who live around here? The sports schedule never lists the Cubs. That's like a slap in the face to us Illinois people who buy the paper. Don't act like the Cubs don't exist.
Thanks for a fine pageant
MANY THANKS to the members of the First Baptist Church of Jackson for presenting a very professional Easter pageant. It was great. So happy to be among those in attendance.
Thanks for finding sweater
A HEARTY thank you to the kind and thoughtful person or persons who placed a precious sweater of mine, a Christmas gift from a daughter and her husband, on a fire hydrant on Independence Street where I can see it on retracing my route. In a hurry, I had placed it atop the trunk of our car. I never thought I'd see it again. Thank you so much.
Need to look for caves
HAS IT occurred to anyone to examine the new federal building property for caves? Cape old-timers remember Happy Hollow cave. Perhaps we can avoid a fiasco like the bridge.
Get your eyes checked
EVERYBODY'S TALKING about highway safety and how we need a new road between Piedmont and Cape. I drove down U.S. 60 between Poplar Bluff and Sikeston, and I think there should be a test on reading. There was a driver going about 60 mph down the wrong side of the road. I started to pass this truck and was scared to see this car heading toward me. I think there should be more stress on vision testing. That's what causes accidents.
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