SPEAKOUT

Ozone facts lacking

I'M RESPONDING to the comment called "Lot's of pollutants." The caller is very ignorant on the whole ozone fact.

Judging mothers

I THINK it's pretty self-serving to call Speak Out and brag about being a stay-at-home mom. No one's judging you if you can stay at home. More power to you if you can make on your husband's income. But if you go judging mothers just because their kids are wearing name-brand shoes, I don't think it's right to judge a person on a snapshot picture like that. My sister's husband only makes $15,000 a year and no benefits, and they have four children. I don't think you can support a family of six on that kind of income, at least not in this country. So just lighten up on the working mothers. They're doing the best they can. And if they're not, what business is it of yours? I think we should all just mind our own business and do the best we can with what we have.

Developer's barn

DOESN'T the developer who has the old log barn want to use it in his housing development rather than tearing it down? Couldn't he build a small park or recreation area around that barn and keep it on his property? It really does seem a shame to destroy such an interesting piece of our heritage.

Looking the part

NOW I wonder what the dependent children are going to do to look like they need government assistance. They are dressing worse than hoboes now, and they look as if they don't have money to have their hair cut. Maybe they will thin down or pick up the trash they throw out on the highway. On second thought, maybe there won't be any trash is they start thinning down.

Standing up for right

I WATCHED the recent city council meeting at which the proposed subdivision in the area of Bertling and Sprigg was given preliminary approval. Mayor Spradling would only comment on the limitations of the council. Councilman Gateley fell all over himself to excuse his support of the proposed subdivision. But I'd sure like to compliment Councilman Eggimann on his comments. Only Councilman Eggimann stood up to the members of Cape Girardeau's privileged elite who attended the council meeting to oppose the subdivision's approval. I literally stood in my living room and applauded his remarks. He was the only person who had the guts to address the moral aspect of the issue. I was thrilled the see the wealthy homeowners' defense of their privileged sanctuary dismissed by the council. Of course, I'm somewhat biased since I'm a member of the socially undesirable scum that has infiltrated Cape Girardeau. Years ago, I had the gall to purchase a slum dwelling here in Cape worth a mere $80,000. Worse yet, I even rented a home at one time. My youngest child has yet to save enough to purchase his first home. However, the other two own homes worth far more than mine. One of the two owns a home in the Sylvan Lane category -- proof that slum dwellers can rise above their humble beginnings. One day a slum lord from the new subdivision may gain sufficient status to buy a home on Sylvan Lane. It's the American way.

Donate the barn

I THINK it would be nice if Mr. Strom would dismantle the old barn he has on his property and have it put up in one of the parks as a donation, since he wants it preserved. It is a fitting gesture since he has benefited in the continuing development area. It could be named Strom Shelter or Strom Barn.

Gun-shy dog

I'M THE party who called in about the tin cans on the dog. The dog may be a good friend of part of the family, but I'm speaking about the noise from the cans. It's just like a firecracker or a gunshot. In days to come, the noise will affect the dog and make him gun shy.