Teaching is an art

TEACHING credentials are superfluous to success in the classroom. Teaching is an art. Rent the movie "Teachers." You'll see. You either have it or you don't.

Best writing

WHILE BROWSING your Web site I came across Robert Hamblin's op-ed column about his experiences surrounding the events at Ole Miss during 1962 and the subsequent performance by Hal Holbrook in which he portrays Mark Twain. Hamblin's writing is, without a doubt, the best I've seen in your paper in quite a long time. Thank you, Dr. Hamblin, for sharing your thoughts. I would love to see more of your writing on the pages of our newspaper.

Violent behavior

A RECENT comment claimed some people are born violent. That's a theory that has never been proven, despite numerous efforts by defense teams and the best psychologists they can buy. Violent television alone isn't the cause of violence. There is no one single cause, according to most reputable experts. However, violent television and video games have repeatedly been proven to be a factor in causing violent behavior.

Spinning corn syrup

IF YOU ever doubt that high-fructose corn syrup causes obesity, just look around. It's just as obvious as the link between cigarettes and lung cancer -- even more so, because you see the result in the devastation it causes to people's bodies. Unfortunately, like the tobacco industry, the corn industry will try to spin corn syrup as a good thing, no matter how much illness it causes.

Driving on the grass

SINCE WHEN is it legal to drive a four-wheeler through the grass at Capaha Park? I walk my dog there, and the grass is being destroyed along Parkview Drive. The police need to put a stop to this.

More efficiency

FOLKS, WE must put a stop to our runaway taxes. Vote no on any new tax increases. We need to force our government officials to manage Cape Girardeau like most prosperous businesses. Cape needs to be producing more product with less material. Instead of always taking the easy way out by raising taxes, the city needs to better use what it already has by being more efficient.

Lonely goodbye

I WANT to thank Sam Blackwell for his well-written article, "The long goodbye," about Alzheimer's. Having lived with a family member with Alzheimer's for several years, the article was accurate but stopped short of telling of the loneliness for the Alzheimer's victim as well as the spouse or caregiver. Most of us are uncomfortable around someone with dementia, so we keep our distance from them, leaving them to fend for themselves. The victim needs companionship even though he or she may be moody or cannot communicate verbally. The spouse or caregiver still has errands to run and groceries to purchase and may need an hour or so of respite. Not only is Alzheimer's the long goodbye, it is also the lonely goodbye. Thanks, Sam. Keep up the good work.

Thanks for help

THE RESIDENTS of Caney Creek and surrounding areas would like to extend our thanks to everyone who helped fill, haul and lay sandbags on the levees and around buildings, for the use of all the equipment and for the food and drinks brought in by friends, neighbors, Red Cross and Salvation Army during the recent flooding. A special thanks to Jamie Burger, Scott County officials, Oran fire and rescue, Brenda Kay for the sand and to the Scott County Highway Department. Your prayers and help were greatly appreciated.