SPEAKOUT

Interchange suggestion

I WAS wondering why the southbound Interstate-55 exit and entry ramps couldn't be put on the south end of the airport along Ramsey Branch. That would make for lots more room. It wouldn't all be crowded together with the school and the Benton interchange. They could expand it and have four lanes so the people could turn to get onto the interstate. Cars wouldn't be backed up all the way to the interstate because there's plenty of room there. So I think the best solution for the Scott City interchange problem would be to put the on and off ramps for the southbound side of I-55 on the other side of Ramsey Branch.

Scott City's holiday lights

I'D JUST like to make a comment on the Scott City Christmas lighting all through Main Street and up through the park. It's really beautiful. They have done a lot of hard work. I'd like to thank you.

Something worth watching

IT WAS truly a pleasure to enjoy "Holiday Romance" starring Gerald McCray. It was just like coming home to really see something that you just love, the actors that you just love. I just wish they would be on more and more.

It's a natural cycle

THIS IS in response to Alan Journet's continued bantering about global warming. Global warming is a natural cycle that occurs however many years on the earth. It is not caused by man. I challenge him to actually prove this.

Don't waste the money

IT APPEARS that the regents at SEMO are about to approve the installation of artificial turf at Houck Stadium. Good grief. Don't all these intellectuals realize that all the professional teams are removing artificial turf and replacing it with sod due to too many injuries? Let's use some common sense and not waste the taxpayers' money.

The liberal dream

SOMEONE TO think for the masses. Isn't that the dream of communism? The state knows best. Wasn't that the dream of the Nazis? That's also the dream of the liberals. To think for the people, tell them what they need, have them all dependent on the government, no individualism, just a state government, rules, laws, programs, policy, all share in the wonderful state of no responsibility. It's hard to believe a country that has paid for its freedom with deeds and lives giving it up for the envy of others for their work, their talent, their ambitions. Decency and God's values aren't important to liberalism, just a fairness of an all federal control. Our ancestors would have tried these people for treason. Now they almost control our lives.

Try the board of education

I WAS pleased to hear on the news about the kid who was arrested for disrupting school, for jumping in the mud hole and wouldn't get out. I think we need some of that in the Cape schools as well. What we really need, I think, is more board meetings on all this disobedience, the kind where the board meets the seat of their pants.

Proud to be a native

IT'S ALMOST time for the U.S. census, and I want you to think about what you're going to write down on it. I always put down that I'm a native American because I was born in the United States and my parents were born in the United States. We must be Native Americans. I think you should do the same.

Don't tax the Internet

THIS IS concerning Mr. Macke and the Internet tax that he proposes. I have a number of points, the first being that I don't like this dictatorial and quite frankly arrogant quotes here. One of them being, "It is pay now or pay later." My second point is, he's mistaken evidently on what the county does tax. He says it taxes merchandise and services. It does not tax services. My third point is that it's something that he does not evidently understand yet that it is "a global thing." I can in a matter of minutes purchase anything all over the world, pay for it and have it at my home. Who is going to police those things? And my last point being that people who buy over the Internet do pay shipping and handling charges; whereas, those charges are passed up to the consumer in a store at the time of purchase. Now, I don't know what our beloved officials are going to do about this, but they're not going to be able to tax the Internet. They may tax the Internet service providers. I wouldn't put it past them to try it. But that's all I have to say.

Made a good point

I HAVE taken the picture of "Whose birthday is it anyway?" that First Presbyterian Church had in the paper and hung it on my refrigerator. I think everyone in my family and yours should look at this every day and find out what Christmas is really about.

Thanks for the jump start

I WOULD Like to sincerely thank the two men who helped two senior citizens get their car started with a jumper cable a few weeks ago on Independence Street. I did not get their names, but I want them to know how their help got us on our way again. Also, they were so caring.

Sue other weapons makers too

AS A former law-enforcement official as well as experienced martial-law artist and avid hunter, I would like to give my opinion. People use weapons to injure or kill. It doesn't have to be a handgun or rifle. It can be a knife, brick, baseball bat or even a sharpened pencil placed in the right area. So the next time your son or daughter comes home with a scratch from a pair of scissors or piece of pencil lead in his or her leg, find out who manufactured that product and sue them because misuse caused violence. My ancestors and parents raised me to respect well and count it as a blessing when you took game. Why? Because it was food. In closing, I hope my children can have the same fond memories I had in using a firearm. To any bleeding-heart liberals, you need not respond. I've dealt with people like you in the past. That's why this country is in the shape it's in.

Thanks for Jackson event

A BIG thanks to the National Honor Society and the Student Council of Jackson High School for a wonderful evening Dec. 7. Also, thanks to Mrs. Nussbaum and other adults for helping. Everything was so nice and helpful to the senior citizens. Merry Christmas to all.