OpinionNovember 22, 1999
SPEAKOUT
TO THE person who said the Ten Commandments shouldn't be in public schools because it would offend Jews, Muslems, Hindus and atheists: Our country was founded by Christians. God is mentioned in our Constitution and on our coins and currency. I don't think reading "Thou shall not kill, steal, commit adultery" and the rest would destroy them...
Good for everyone
TO THE person who said the Ten Commandments shouldn't be in public schools because it would offend Jews, Muslems, Hindus and atheists: Our country was founded by Christians. God is mentioned in our Constitution and on our coins and currency. I don't think reading "Thou shall not kill, steal, commit adultery" and the rest would destroy them.
Ploy for another tax
HOW CONVENIENT that the leaf trucks are now 30 years old. That makes it easy to request a new tax, and in the end it will go to SEMO University. But if the vehicles are really only used for leaf pickup, they can be maintained.
The back-alley approach
I WOULD like to comment on how the liberals want the Republicans to change their view on abortions. Maybe us Republicans should. Maybe we should start carrying signs saying "We support back-alley abortions." That way the baby has a 50 percent chance of taking the mother out with it too.
Help the sick and dying
I DON'T know if I'm just plain stupid or what, but I thought this tobacco settlement money was to go to help with the medical expenses of those suffering and dying from tobacco-related illnesses. Apparently everybody wants a finger in the pie, and nobody says a word about the sick and dying. For those suffering, are their families still going to be in debt for the rest of their lives to take care of the one who's ill while various agencies take their pieces of the settlement.
Study history here too
I'M A parent of a Jackson school district fourth-grade student, and I'm appalled by a letter that was sent home. I think all the parents in this district need to be aware of it. It was sent Nov. 16. It's about the fourth-grade class is going to go to St. Louis to study the history of Missouri. One of the appalling factors is the class is going to St. Louis. Why not use the local Trail of Tears that Missouri taxpayers have put all this money into for the education of young people? Also, we have numerous historic sites in the area like Bollinger Mill. Second issue: in the letter, it says the children will need to bring extra money to purchase souvenirs. I can see that. I'm middle-class and can afford this, but what about all those kids who can't afford the souvenirs who have to watch while other kids shop.
What's the message.
I HAVE been keeping up with the situation at the Decatur High School. Seven students were expelled for fighting. Rev. Jackson says this was too harsh. If you have seen the videotape of this episode, it was more like a riot. People could have been seriously injured. Society has rules and punishments to protect all people. What message does it send if they are not punished just because Jackson came and protested? One must ask oneself, would the Jackson be in Decatur if the seven students were not black.
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Police are doing their jobs
I KEEP reading in Speak Out where people are complaining because the police are catching traffic violators. What do they want them to do? If these people violate the speed limits and run stop signs and hit one of these callers and aren't caught by the police, the callers would be complaining because the police weren't giving tickets. If the people weren't violating the law, there wouldn't be anything to get caught for. Why don't these people grow up and take responsibility for their actions and quit complaining about the police department? I wish the cops would catch every one of them in a traffic violation.
Keep the lines straight
WHAT'S WRONG with this picture? State troopers are in downtown Cape, obsessed with catching a drinker crossing the bridge, while Cape city police are out on the interstate. Apparently the thought is to add more revenue to the city's coffers. In addition to this, county deputies seem to spend more time in Cape and Jackson watching bars than out in the county where law enforcement is sorely needed. I know these agencies are legally within their jurisdictions when they do these things, but I also think the taxpayers expect state troopers to patrol our highways and interstates, county deputies to patrol rural areas of the county and city police to patrol the city.
Second in the nation
I'D LIKE to comment on another omission from the 20th century photos basketball presentation. The 1991 championship placement of the Otahkian women's basketball team was overlooked. The team placed second in the nation in the OVC. I think that was a huge omission, and I think they should have been honored with the other 20th century athletes.
What about Tom Upton.
I WAS wondering, in connection with your piece on the athletes of the 20th century, one that I didn't see was a baseball player from about 1950 named Tom Upton. He was called Tom Upton in St. Louis. I've heard him called Herb Upton. He played for the St. Louis Browns and the Washington Senators. I was wondering if any of your readers know anything about him.
Standing up for Democrats
TO THE Republican making fun of his Democratic friends: I'm a strong Democrat, but I can't say I care for the ACLU. I believe in a woman's right to choose. However, I think in the case of incest and rape it's the woman's business, between herself and her God. Yes, I'm a strong Democrat, but the fact is we may have different views in the Democratic Party. We're all one big united party. We're for increasing the minimum wage when needed. We're for stopping companies firing people at will. We're for union representation for all employees. We're for a strong welfare program where it's needed. Yes, we do believe in national health care. That's the difference between us and the Republicans. Call us socialists if you want, but I think there's decency in the Franklin Delano Roosevelt plan for the Democratic Party.
Survey caused tardiness
I'D LIKE to know who was responsible for the survey that's being done one recent morning on Highway 72 down by King Creek Bridge. It backed up traffic forever. Not only were both of my kids late for school, but I was also late for work, which can cause me to have a check mark. Once I get three of them, I'm out. The survey was not posted or advertised. No one knew or was prepared to leave earlier.
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