SPEAKOUT

I HAPPENED TO be home today with a slight touch of flu and I noticed my wife watching television. So I sat down to watch a little bit of it with her. A program called "Guiding Light" was on television. I think it is disgusting that the only thing these daytime television shows can show is people jumping in and out of bed all the time. I think they should be taken off the air. This is really disgusting. Thank you.

YOU KNOW, IF you take the people who demonstrate at some of these functions out of the news or away from the TV, you won't have this. I have never seen people get into everyone's business like they do now. This case of Cruzan; no one should get into this. They should respect the parents' wishes. I'm sure they loved her very much, and they don't want to see her this way. I think the bunch of demonstrators got what they were there for: to be on television.

I HAVE NEVER heard such foolish talk in regards to war with Iraq. They tell us, Oh yes, we can win. Then we hear, We're not ready yet. They're telling Iraq we will have to wait a while, but we will let you know; just stand by and listen to the news. George Bush does not know how to run this country. He never did and he never will., But he's in charge, and don't be surprised by what he says and does.

THIS IS IN response to the caller about the cars driving around Cape Girardeau with only one headlight. I thought it was against the law to just have one headlight, but it doesn't seem like anybody stops them and gives them tickets or issues warnings to them. You sure see a lot of them. Thank you.

I HAVE A hard time understanding why these TV stations persist year after year in having their employees wish us a Merry Christmas. This goes on every day and we hear this from these people eight or nine times before Christmas gets here. Even my mother doesn't send me a Christmas card every other day. Once around ought to be enough. And the same thing goes for these guys in Saudi Arabia. I don't care to hear from them every day, and that's what we're doing. If they can't do any better than that, why don't they just quit all together? Thank you.

AM I TO understand that you refused to print John Martin's letter because he referred to an able-bodied person who parked in a handicapped zone as slime? He really shouldn't have called them that; he should have called them something much worse.

I JUST DROVE by this new weight-lifting shop, and I saw a guy in the window. I was just wondering: How much is that guy in the window? The one with the waggly tail. How much is that guy in the window? Please tell me that guy is for sale.

I'D LIKE TO complain about Christmas decorations. It really bugs me when stores put up Christmas decorations early. Before Christmas it's okay, but not before Halloween. Get real, people.

THIS IS TO the men and women of Cape Girardeau and surrounding areas. This Christmas when you're opening your Christmas presents and eating your food please remember the firefighters who are trying to save your lives and your properties. They cannot open presents nor eat any turkey. Thank you.

IS THERE ANY organization that would like to take the cards that we receive? Would you please post in Speak Out if there are any organizations that would like to have them? Thank you.

IT WOULD BE very enlightening if the people of Cape Girardeau would have griped when the city almost doubled our sewer fees. Maybe we could be done like the golf course. This is the second time they have attempted to raise the golf fees. If you play golf you should pay. Thank you.

THIS IS IN reply to the individual who called in with the idea that the Mafia has a monopoly on marijuana. How wrongfully uninformed you are, good person. While I do not favor legalizing marijuana, anyone with a half a lick of sense knows that if you want fast money you can grow marijuana. It'll grow literally anywhere: in your backyard, in the countryside, on a hillside; anywhere where you can plant seeds and cultivate. Even your federal government knows that if marijuana was legalized they would have one of the largest cash crops on their hands ever to exist in this country. No, good person, marijuana is not monopolized by the Mafia. It can be grown by the person next door, the person down the street, or even your local farmer. Why do they grow this? They're not stupid. They know big bucks are to be had by the illegal cultivation and selling of marijuana. Thank you.

ONE OF THE MOST important locations in Cape is our Federal Building at Broadway and Fountain streets. At the southeast corner of this intersection, on Fountain, there is a parking spot reserved for people who require the help of a wheelchair. Also, the sidewalk has the proper slope and incline for added convenience, plus the building itself has a lengthy ramp. Who could ask for anything better? The three other corners have drains, but the corner for people to enter the Federal Building doesn't have a drain, and rain water stands four to six inches deeps for days on end, until it dries up. A pedestrian can walk from 10 to 20 feet around this accumulation of water, but for one in a wheelchair this is a disaster. Even if someone pushes the occupant of a wheelchair, they too have to go around and hop a curb with the wheelchair. Recently I saw some city employees from the street department sweeping the water away with push brooms. I feel this should be a top priority to alleviate this problem so all people will have access to our Federal Building.