OpinionAugust 17, 1998
SPEAKOUT
A WHILE back I called Speak Out to voice my opinion about people who dump their unwanted animals out in the country. Since then, there was a letter to the editor from someone connected with the Humane Society. I agree with what she had to say about people taking responsibility for their animals and finding them a good home. ...
People who dump dogs aren't responsible
A WHILE back I called Speak Out to voice my opinion about people who dump their unwanted animals out in the country. Since then, there was a letter to the editor from someone connected with the Humane Society. I agree with what she had to say about people taking responsibility for their animals and finding them a good home. But let's get real here. People who dump their animals are not responsible. They dump them off hoping someone will take them in. One day I returned from work to find a large half-chow puppy at my residence. I have tried to find a good home for this dog to no avail. Meanwhile, this dog is destroying mine as well as the neighbor's property by dragging up anything he can get hold of (newspapers, clothing, shoes, toys, lawn furniture) and chewing on everything. And then there is the cost of feeding this animal and buying flea-tick collars. I'm not sure if this dog has even been vaccinated (probably not). I cannot afford this, and it is not my responsibility. I know nothing about this animal's temperament, and I have a small child to consider. Animal control will not pick up stray animals out of the city limits. In the past there have been problems with these dogs running in packs killing livestock and wildlife, not to mention being dangerous to humans. This leaves people no choice but to hunt them down and kill them. These animals starve to death as well as get hit by vehicles and killed on the road. I chased another starving dog away the other day, because I already have one stray dog I do not want to care for. Under the circumstances, I stand by what I said about taking unwanted animals to the shelter. At least they have a chance of finding a good home. Even if they are put to sleep, this is more humane than starving, being hit by vehicles or being shot. Please do not knock me until you have walked a mile in my shoes.
Let someone else run the country
I WOULD like to make a comment on these people calling in TV shows and radio shows and Speak Out saying let's leave President Clinton alone so he can run the country. If memory serves me right, before the Monica Lewinsky deal blew up didn't Clinton and our Democratic leaders up there in the House and Senate sell secrets to the Chinese for these missiles? And you people want to defend and let him run the country. I'd rather have him stop now, because our country's already in danger.
Where are the Cardinal baseball games?
AM I missing something here? I thought Cape had a St. Louis Cardinal television station. Sunday we were treated to 60-year-old cowboy movie, a tennis match between two players who retired 10 years ago and a tennis match between two almost unknown players. I watched WGN and had to listen to the radio. Monday night we are treated to old reruns that I'll bet only 50 people are watching.
He's still our president, and a good one too
I VOTE. I vote for presidential elections because I believe there are certain presidents who do a lot of good for the country. The one we have now has done a lot for employment. He has brought the economy back into shape. A lot of people don't think he has, but he has. If you think about it, we had an unemployment rate of 3.2 percent when he came into office. We now have 1.5 percent. So no matter what he does personally, that's neither here nor there to us. It might not look so good to the uppity-ups or the goodie-goodies, but he's still our president, and he's still doing a good job. All I can say is, if you think you're better than he is, run for office.
Let state pay for state university
DO THE elected officials of Cape Girardeau work for the taxpayers and the people who put them in, or do they work for Southeast Missouri State University? It seems that they work for the university if they pass the additional motel tax that has been proposed. I say they better forget having an additional tax for the motels and take care of the people who put them in office, not the university. The university is a state university and should be paid for by the state, not by the city of Cape Girardeau taxpayers.
Al, this is global cooling
AL GORE must be right. You know it's been cool and rainy all of August. Last year it never got to 100 degrees all summer long. This summer, it might get to 100, but it might not. It's just been a cool summer. I think Al Gore's right. There is global cooling.
Don't park in front of mailboxes
PARKING IN front of mailboxes and blocking mail pickup and delivery is really inconsiderate, especially during garage-sale season.
Where are the respect and dignity?
FIRST A for-rent sign goes up in the Lincoln bedroom, then we hear of a sexual encounter in the oval office. Will gambling in the rotunda come next? What has become of the respect and dignity incumbent on the office of the president of the United States? Even though the majority of the people in our country believe this is happening in the people's White House and the people's Capitol, polls indicate they would not punish the offender. Are they then not as guilty of contributing to the moral and political decline of our country as President Clinton? Do we want to leave such a tarnished and shameful inheritance to our children?
Cats are a nuisance in Jackson
I LIVE in Jackson, and I never saw so many cats getting on your car like they do over here. I live right off of Woodlawn, and I want you to know that there are two dozen cats in our neighborhood. I don't know why they can't be put on a leash like a dog. What's the difference? They do as much damage as a dog does. Why? I'd like to know, because you can't have anything nice anymore. Between the squirrels and the cats, they just mess up your yard and stink on top of it. I am so sick of it, I don't know what to do.
No show of favoritism
I THINK the officer who arrested the deputy for DWI should be commended for not showing any favoritism. That sounds like a real honest policeman.
Officer deserves second chance
I WAS just wondering why the news media is blowing this incident with the Cape Girardeau County deputy so out of proportion. I know he isn't the first law enforcement officer to get a DWI. They weren't fired. Yes, he was wrong, but he's only human like all of us. The Bible says, "He that is without sin cast the first stone." No one is without sin but God. Stop throwing stones unless you are perfect. He should be reprimanded, but I don't believe we should ruin his career by firing him. We all deserve a second chance.
Something to top the Constitution?
I CONCUR with columnist Jack Stapleton's conclusion that the U.S. Constitution is our country's most important document. Having said that, I think the day will come when it will be replaced in the top slot by other words of wisdom about government and related matters. I expect the document may be in book form and possibly titled "The Best of Speak Out."
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We need national health care
A CALLER spoke out about the national health care they have in Canada. All they've got is a bunch of malarkey. All these right-wing Republican followers have is hearsay about socialized medicine. Hogwash. $300 to $500 a year is not too much pay to pay for insurance, and you're fully covered and every one is covered. If anyone cannot afford it, then it's furnished. And there is no waiting list in Canada if it's anything life-threatening. A waiting list is better than no list. You go over to the Veterans Administration Hospital, and you have to wait in a long line, but it's free. Thank God these veterans have it. The Republicans are out to cut their funds. I think prescription drugs should be covered under Medicare too. People are losing every day. Most jobs are not covered by benefits, like these convenient stores. We need a national health-care system.
Try to solve problems in community
I JUST recently moved to Cape Girardeau, and I've never quite seen a newspaper column like Speak Out. What amazes me the most about it is the hatefulness of the callers, especially toward previous callers whose opinions they don't share. I can give a recent example. The squirrel debate strikes me as the most as directionless and mean. As members of a community of people, we can't just settle into the role of problem identifiers. Of course, it's the easy way. Just sit back and point fingers and expect someone else to jump. But to be effective members of this community, we need to research community problems we encounter and then come up with several solutions and present the entire package to the powers that be. If we show our community leaders that we're serious enough to do just a fraction of the work rather just giving lip service, then they are much more likely to take us seriously and work to help us resolve our concerns. We then become problem solvers and a valuable asset to any community. The last thing I want to say is this: People of Cape Girardeau, have respect for one another. Just because someone views a subject differently from you doesn't give you the right to belittle them. For every position there is an opposition and all the ideas in between. We can't or won't ever totally agree on anything. That's what makes us a free country and us individuals.
Messy neighbor is a disgrace
I VISITED my friend in Cape last week, and I was appalled at what her neighbor gets by with. He keeps his trash cans in front of the house running over. He can't get his car in the garage, which is piled up with junk. He did mow while I was there but blew all the grass clippings in the street. My friend says she doesn't say anything because she doesn't want any trouble. Are there no laws in Cape for this behavior?
Maybe this is why street isn't cleaned
A SPEAK Out caller recently asked why the city of Cape Girardeau doesn't clean Lombardo Street after a shower, since it becomes, in the caller's words, "nothing but mud." I have thought about this for three hours. My best guess is the city wants to wait until an extended drought is predicted lest they spend an inordinate amount of time cleaning Lombardo Street, or it could be that there are plans for a mud wrestling tournament there.
Complete milking instructions
IN REGARD to the milking contest, here is the correct and fastest way to hand milk a cow. With milking stool and milking pail in hand, approach the milk cow on her right side. Place your hand on her right hip bone and nudge lightly. The milk cow, in turn, will move her right foot backward a bit so the milk bag is easier to access. Sit down on your milk stool and place your milking pail firmly between your knees. Grasp one hanger down with the left hand and another hanger down with the right hand. Rest your forehead in the cow's flank and start squeezing with both hands. When the first two hanger downs are empty, move on to the next hanger downs. In no time that milking pail will be filled with warm milk, fresh from the source.
As usual, God knows best
I'M GETTING tired of hearing which side of the cow is right to milk on, either the left side or the right side. So I am personally going to settle this dispute by myself. The good Lord put teats on the udder of the cow on both sides. Therefore, it doesn't make a doggone bit of difference whether you milk it on the right side or the left side. So by default, God has decided it doesn't make any difference. God 1, sniveling humans 0.
Get an independent counsel
YOU CAN go ahead and write tongue in cheek articles about Melvin Gateley and MilkGate if you want, but I think it's the most serious issue with which this area has had to deal with in a long time. In fact, I don't think it would be going too far to suggest that an independent counsel be appointed to look into it. I don't know who would be a good one. I wouldn't want one of those inside-the-Beltway types. Does that guy on the radio who seems to know a lot about farming have a law degree? His first name fits right in with the alleged scandal. Yeah, I say they should hire Dairy Brownfield.
GOP needs to take care of debt
IF THE Republican Party wants to be honest, it should stop every Republican candidate who's talking about a big tax cut. After what they did to the national debt during the Reagan and Bush administrations, they should keep their mouths shut and bring the debt down to where it was before Reagan and Bush were in office. Once it gets below a trillion dollars, then they can open their mouths. Other than that, they sound like a bunch of jerks. They're insulting to everybody. I hate to be insulted by somebody who's lying to me.
Was this just a snow job?
TWENTY-FOUR INCHES of snow fell in Cape Girardeau. Garner got what he wanted. He wanted a raise. Do you really think he had a job offer from the Chicago Bulls?
Politicians set poor example
NO WONDER we have rage in our children. That's what they are being taught by our politicians. You hear every evening on the news. They have tried to destroy the presidential office for their own self gain. It is really a shame.
Store shelves could be dangerous
IN REGARD to the earthquake study: You're overlooking something. If you walk in very many stores, you will see it. It is people in the stores stacking heavy items above head level that can come tumbling off and kill a bunch of people. They're also using glass shelves and stacking them very high. I think you need to go in the stores and tell these owners they really have a serious potential weapon.
Would we get Phil Jackson?
I GUESS it's a moot point now, but I guess I'll go ahead and ask it anyway. If SEMO Coach Gary Garner would have taken a position with the Chicago Bulls, do you think SEMO would have been able to lure Phil Jackson?
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