SPEAKOUT

Don't force others to believe

THIS IS in response to the person who stated that she thinks that the posting of the Ten Commandments in school is great. How would she feel if the Jews, the Hindus, the Moslems, and yes, the atheists, were to publish their religious views and beliefs in our schools? She emphasized one of the Ten Commandments: Thou shall not kill. Not one specific life is mentioned. Does that mean human life, animal life? Fish or insects? We believe what we want to believe. So please, do not force me to believe as you do.

Drury welcome to invest in Jackson

IF MR. Jim Drury is tired of the nonsense going on over in Cape, I wish he'd come into Jackson and put in some businesses. We'd appreciate his interest over here. We could use a nice sit-down restaurant and men's and women's clothing stores and so forth. Grocery-store worker is a jewel

I'M CALLING in regard to an employee of Sav-A-Lot in Cape Girardeau. This man comes to work every day in good spirits. He's kind to everyone. His job is to retrieve carts, but this man goes that extra mile and asks every customer who checks out if they need help taking their groceries out to their car. I usually don't need help with mine, but for those who do, it's a great service especially the elderly. I wish more people were like this man. He's greatly appreciated, and I thank him for his hospitality.

New signs help in school zones

COMPLIMENTS TO the street department of Cape on the new lime-green children-crossing signs at the schools. I would also like to see white angled lines on the street in the entire 20-mph school zone areas. This would be a very helpful reminder to drivers of the 20-mph speed limit. Naturally, anything that can assist us in remembering to slow down will help ensure the safety of our children.

Don't spend money on Center Junction

WE DO not, repeat, we do not, need to spend any more money on a new junction at I-55 and U.S. 61. I travel that road every day. A nice park and trees were demolished to make the road that is there now. This junction would only benefit Drury so he could build his complex. Our city and state departments need to stand up to him.

Fire danger too high for hunting

I'D LIKE to ask the Conservation Department to please put a ban on deer hunting in Southeast Missouri this year. We who live in wooded areas and have woods all around us are terrified to think what could happen by a careless flick of a cigarette butt by a hunter or a hunter riding through the woods on a three-wheeler. A spark could start a fire. Our homes and our lives are in danger. Please, don't allow hunting this year with conditions the way they are. There's always another year when it may be better. But not this year.

Cut off the branches to cut down on leaves

I WISH the city would make it a law when people pile their leaves on the curb and gutters two months before they're picked up, that they have to cover the leaves with a cover. Every time the wind blows we get these people's leaves, and we're getting tired of cleaning it up. If people wouldn't be so stingy and would get their trees trimmed, they wouldn't have so many leaves.

We should elect municipal judges

LET'S NOT allow practicing lawyers to become judges in the municipal court of Cape Girardeau, hired by the city council. It's a very bad situation. The judge's office should be an elected office, and he should have no other practice. Also, public defenders should be available in traffic court, and let's have jury trials in the municipal court. Take that power away from the judges, because they are 100 percent for the police officer most of the time unless the defendant has clout.

Teachers need to teach respect

I WAS calling in regards to one of the elementary schools where some of the teachers aren't making the children say the pledge of allegiance. Some of us parents think it's a really big deal, because that's where kids start to learn respect, as well as at home. We think the teachers should be monitored better, so that they're enforcing the children saying the pledge and the school motto and listening to the principal in the morning, in order just to help teach the children respect.

Thank you for picking up leaves

HERE'S A special thank you to the city crews who are picking up the leaves residents have raked to the curb. This is a fantastic service provided by the city, and I just wanted the workers to know how much they are appreciated. And I appreciate all those other city workers who are out in all kinds of weather to make our city clean and safe. Thank you.