SPEAKOUT

Examples of local rudeness

I HAVE a message that's pretty long, but I think it's important. I have lived in this area most of my life. A few months ago I met a couple who had moved to Cape from a large city. They told me they had traveled a lot in this country and in many others. They also told me that, in their experiences with people in Cape, we were the most rude they had ever met in the world. I was very offended at that time. However, when I went to the Woman's Show this weekend, the things that I saw changed my mind. Time after time, I saw mature women who should have known better break into lines in the food sample line when others had been waiting in that same line for over an hour. Why did these people feel that they entitled to special treatment? They should have known better and should be ashamed for the example they set for the younger people there. And next year, some sort of system like used at the bank or post office should be installed to prevent this horrible situation in an otherwise wonderful event.

Don't forget gospel radio shows

I WAS reading with interest "Voices on the radio" in the Oct. 21 Southeast Missourian. It was interesting to see all the different radio stations trying to take top honors. The article failed to mention two gospel-music radio shows. One is on Sunday mornings from 6 a.m. to noon at 106.1 FM with our very favorite deejay, Rick Jones. I mean, he gets you going so good you don't even care to go to church on Sunday no more. And then the other radio station is Southern Gospitality. It comes out of Marble Hill, a fairly new radio station at 104.1 FM on your dial with a host of very talented deejays. We love you guys. We love you all.

Our children need their sleep

I'VE SEEN a lot in the paper in regards to children's difficulty in school and their behavior. I think a lot of parents try to do too much with their children, and children are not getting enough rest. Sleep deprivation is a major thing in today's society. It's been a proven thing that they need rest because it increases sugar levels and thyroid levels. There are overall health issues for not getting enough sleep. So a lot of parents in the Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois area need to think about setting an earlier bedtime and requiring children and adults to go to sleep a lot earlier.

Raise pay for the lower ranks

I AGREE that the military deserves a raise, but I believe that the lower ranks should get the raise, not the upper ranks. I was in the military myself, and I know how hard it is to make it on that little-bitty wage.

Spend turf money on other needs

ARTIFICIAL TURF for Houck Stadium. I and others really believe we are throwing money away. I think we should wait and see if the need really is there. The biggest reason being the injuries we get from it. The pros are going back to dirt and grass. The Houston Oilers just spent $40,000 putting dirt and grass on their artificial turf. We do not need this type of surface when the only thing it will do is cause injuries. If the colleges talking about this think it's so great, why are all the pros going to dirt? We have soccer fields all over Cape. The college just spent $2.5 million on a sports complex which has a lighted soccer field. The south end of town has at least four soccer fields. Wherever the money is coming from for this should be spent on a parking garage and dressing rooms.

Can't have it both ways

THE SAME people who cry out save the children, feed the children and protect the children support abortion, even late-term abortions. What hypocrites, and what a tragedy to allow this barbaric practice.

Other things more deadly than guns

I SAY let's get rid of all guns because they kill. Of course, automobiles kill thousands more. Public transportation kills more. Boating and swimming accidents kill more. Drugs and alcohol kill more. Abortion kills millions. But let's get rid of those guns.

Raising money also raises grades

I WOULD Like someone from the Missouri Board of Education tell me if what some schools are doing is legal. If you bring aluminum cans or tabs to school, you get grade points for them in some schools. It used to be students studied for their grades. Now you can bring cans, tabs and so forth and the not-so-smart kids can become head of the class if they bring enough. What has this got to do with getting an education? I can see students bringing cans and so forth to school to raise money for the school, but not to help their grades. This is another example of what's wrong with our schools today.

Act of kindness is appreciated

THIS PAST weekend, a neighbor of a shut-in widow living on North Sunset Boulevard scraped and painted her garage. Thanks, Jim. That was an act of kindness very much appreciated.

TV, movies contribute to delinquency

SID CAESAR said, "Television and movies set the culture for the United States and the world." He's right. That's why the United States and the world are so culturally degraded. The crime, sex and violence that they constantly swamp the youths with, which desensitizes them, should be considered a crime. They all should be convicted of contributing to the delinquency of the world's youths. They are criminals just like the sex predators that prey on the young and are convicted.

Republicans are master mudslingers

AS IF there was ever any doubt about which party practices in the politics of personal destruction, Republicans have laid this matter to rest with their unconscionable smear of Gov. Mel Carnahan. They have taken a picture from 40 years ago and distributed it to the news media in an attempt to offset charges of racism against U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft. The charges against Ashcroft are current. Republicans are certainly the master when it comes to slinging mud.

Dr. Spock's advice worked for this family

I'M CALLING about the person who blamed Dr. Spock for the state of our nation. When I was born in 1949, my mother's pediatrician told her to feed me every three hours. If a baby was hungry more often than that, the mother was told to let the infant cry. My mother thought this was cruel. She checked with Dr. Spock and started feeding me when I was hungry. After that, she relied on Dr. Spock, and I raised my two children by his book also. I'm a teacher, my daughter is a teacher and my son is a college honor student. My children are hard-working, responsible adults who care about other people. It seems to me maybe more people should follow Dr. Spock's advice.

Law-abiding motorists don't worry

TO THE person who objects to the traffic police hiding in inconspicuous places: This does not bother me. Let them hide. But then I drive the speed limit, observe stop signs and traffic lights and otherwise drive in a responsible manner. If the police, by hiding, can get evidence on irresponsible drivers and trap them in their irresponsibility, I say let the police hide. I don't think your excuses hide your true intent.