SPEAKOUT

This is going too far

IN YOUR Sunday paper you had an article about changing traditional hymns to politically correct themes. This was an article by the Associated Press. This has got to be the most stupid article I have ever read about one of the most stupid topics that ever could be devised. If people are doing this, they must have far too much time on their hands and should think about going out and getting a real job.

Column on mothers was offensive

AS A mother, I was very offended and shocked when I read the article by Marc Powers concerning his opinion on celebrating Mother's Day. It must have really hurt his mother reading this. How could he have such a low opinion of mothers? I'm sure most mothers who read this felt the same way. I'm sure this won't be printed, but I had to let you know how upset I was when I read it.

North end has street needs

OUR NATIONAL Guardsmen, at the order of their superiors, can go to Panama and Honduras and places like this and build roads for these people, but they cannot build roads in our own country. Something is wrong. When is the party responsible going to raise Highway 177 so it can be out of the flood? This is getting to be an every-year thing, it seems like. And I just wonder what the city plans to do about Chestnut Street. It is falling apart at the levee, and this street and bridge need to be raised up out of the high water. We have been lucky so far this year. It hasn't flooded that much, but this section of street is busting up and sinking, and the rest of the road needs to be raised up two to three-four feet. I think some of the half-cent sales tax should be used for this purpose, because we people in the north end of town pay taxes too.

Two doctors practice kindness

DEAR SPEAK Out, your Random Acts of Kindness Week was great. My family and I have been blessed with two wonderful doctors who practice not only medicine, but acts of kindness every day. Thank God for Dr. C. John Ritter and Dr. Frank Braxton.

Daycare help was very special

I HOPE it's not too late to put something about random acts of kindness in your paper. I just wanted to let everyone know that Sherry Thurman, owner of the Gingerbread House Daycare, did a random act of kindness for me. I dropped my daughter off there when I was looking for a job. We're new to the area. Not only did she watch and take care of my daughter very wonderfully, she helped me and gave me tips on places she thought I could get employment, because I was new to the area and needed directions. Also, last Thursday and Friday she had cookies and milk out for the parents both mornings. I just wanted to say what a wonderful owner she is. I thought that was very sweet. She went beyond the normal just taking care of my child and helping me find employment. I got a job because of her.

Change of heart on politics

AFTER WATCHING C-SPAN and the Sunday news TV shows, I have come to the conclusion who's really the mean-spirited party. For the past year and a half, I have never heard such lies and double talk come from elected officials. Harry Truman must have turned over in his grave many times hearing those who inherited the leadership in his Democratic Party. Name calling and filibusters have guaranteed my vote for less federal government, not more. All liars, from the top to bottom of the elected ladder should be voted out of office. The free lunch is over.

Litter left over from games

I'M A resident of the Franklin School area, and I was very pleased to see that the youth soccer teams of Cape Girardeau were utilizing our fields for soccer games. However, much to my dismay following the Saturday and Sunday games, I noticed even with provided trash receptacles, the parents, spectators and players themselves had left a tremendous amount of trash around the soccer field, under the shade trees and in the school yard. That was really inappropriate, and I felt someone should bring that to the public's attention. We should try to teach our young people, and our parents should have an amount of respect for public areas to not litter.

No tenure is right direction

HATS OFF to Dr. Atchley for trying to revamp tenure for teachers. This won't make him popular, but it's the thing to do for education. It's not the students aren't learning. It's the bad and mediocre teachers who have tenure and can't teach. No one should have a lifetime job who can't do the work. That goes for judges too. I hope the Cape Girardeau School Board members get on the bandwagon too.

Labels for politicians

I THINK it's shameful that Rick Althaus had to identify himself as a Baptist to express his desire for separation of church and state. I only hope that he continues to identify himself as a Democrat to let people know that he's interested in the separation of the taxpayers from their tax dollars.