SPEAKOUT

Ex-smoker: Voice of experience

I'D LIKE to speak to some of the young people, especially students, who are complaining about the ordinance that the city of Cape Girardeau is trying to pass on teen-age smoking. All these people are doing is trying to help you and give you good advice. I would be glad to talk with anyone and tell them and show them what cigarette smoking did to me. I exchanged my cigarette pack for an inhaler to carry in my pocket. I also have to live off a machine in my home with medication. I would also be interested in showing you my medical bills per year for the medications and doctor's calls I have to make because of smoking. I would like to show you that I can't walk half of a city block without stopping to rest to get my breath. I would also like to tell you that I would and wish that I had never put a cigarette to my mouth. Now, I'm over 60 years old, but I have enough experience on lung disease after it's too late. So take heed, young people. If you don't smoke, don't start, because you will be denied benefits in your later years such as walking, playing ball, playing tennis, bowling. You won't be able to do any of that if these cigarettes strike you like they did me. I'm only trying to help.

CHS broke Jackson's 1936 streak

I GUESS you loyal Jackson Indian fans know who broke your 17-game winning streak for 1936. It was Central High School's mighty Tigers.

Celebrate one holiday at a time

WE FEEL it absolutely ridiculous to light to Christmas displays at Cape County Park the night before Thanksgiving. We would like to celebrate and enjoy one holiday before beginning the next one. After all, we should all give thanks for what we have before we receive more.

Don't make the children suffer

DON'T AIR condition the schools? Are you crazy? Have you ever been inside of a place that is incredibly hot? If you want to save money, don't make little children suffer. I went to a school that wasn't air conditioned school and almost became physically ill every day because it was so hot in there.

Smoker agrees nicotine is a drug

I'M A smoker. Have been for 44 years. The gentleman who called in and said that smokers are addicted to drugs because nicotine is a drug just as cocaine and heroin is absolutely correct. I agree with him 100 percent. Nicotine is nothing more than addictive drug, and something should have been done years ago.

Plan to protest tax overpayments

IN PROTEST of the extremely high property taxes, I'm thinking of selling my home and moving into a government-subsidized apartment and in every election vote no on everything the state and city governments want to pass. They need to reimburse us for the overpaid taxes now.

Keep up the attack on meth labs

WELL, I'M glad to say I'm in an area where they do have a paper that comes out on Thanksgiving. The last town I lived in, larger than Cape, had no paper on Thanksgiving. Also, I would like to voice our opinion. We are a group of about 20 to 25 men and women who are in a group called CAM. What that stands for is Citizens Against Meth. I know a couple of the members have called in comments to Speak Out. I don't know how you choose what's going to be printed. We just basically feel that maybe we can get a hold of this dangerous drug and maybe we won't be noted for being the No. 1 or No. 2 state for methamphetamine labs and everything if we can show people we mean business. We have read some nice articles that have been written by your news staff on the dangers of meth, and we do appreciate all that. Sometimes we don't quite understand the people that get light sentences. That's the justice system, and we can live with that. Anyway, we thank you for a great paper and great comments in Speak Out. Hope to see more follow-ups on the dangers of methamphetamine and people's opinions in Speak Out.

Feature on stars of yesteryear

I'D JUST like to say that I like the new addition to your newspaper, the "Where are they now?" feature. I'd like to know where can we write in a request about any stars that we'd like to know where they are now.

REPLY: Write to the Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701 and we'll pass along your request.

Experiencing how others are treated

I WOULD just like to Speak Out about how handicapped people must feel. I was in a bad car accident. I was released from the hospital three days later. I had staples in my head, stitches in my face, staples in my leg. My husband took me to a restaurant to have breakfast because I cannot stand up to cook. We're sitting there having breakfast and the waitress would not even offer my husband a second cup of coffee, and we sat there for half an hour. I guess I was stared at constantly. I'm not sure if it was because I looked so bad or if they were afraid to get close. But that is not how a waitress or waiter should treat the customers.

Rock is alive and well in Cape

I READ a comment that said rock is dead in Cape Girardeau. That's because they're talking to the wrong people. Cape Girardeau is a college town. You need to start talking to the college kids and not the old folks who like country music. Rock is not dead in Cape Girardeau.

Teachers need raises, not criticism

THIS IS for the person who says teachers' salaries are the problem. My wife is a teacher, and she works hard. All day long she has to put up with the kids and teachers and parents and then come home and do homework all night and extra activities and think of things and always think of the kids. She works hard, and she deserves her $20,000 a year that she went to four years of school for and has to go back to school for her master's because it's mandatory. I think the teachers should have raises. They don't make near enough.

No proof Clinton is a crook

TO THE person that wants to compare Nixon's corruption with the alleged Clinton corruption. There's no proof against Clinton in anyway, shape or form. All it is allegations. So this person wants to say that since Nixon was a crook, it's OK for Clinton to be a crook. Well, there's no proof against Clinton, and I don't think there ever will be. It sounds like to me these Republicans are desperate. They want one to make it even with Nixon because they goofed on Nixon, but it's not working. We have a good president. The economy is good, and he's doing a good job. Why don't you just wait until he does his job and finishes out the term, and then maybe you can get your Republican in.

Recycle because it's right thing to do

A CALLER recently called Speak Out and ranted and raved about the recycling program in Cape Girardeau and how he should see some benefit if he's willing to recycle. The fact is that there is no financial benefit to the city by recycling. They don't get any money. In fact, it costs the city money to offer recycling. In other words, the money that's generated from the material which people recycle does not cover the cost of the program, I believe. What you get out of it is a cleaner environment and a better place for your children to live. That's what you get out of it. It's ridiculous for you to expect to get something out of every little thing that you do in this world. Sometimes you should do something just because it's right.