SpeakOut 9/7 (09/07/08)
I say boo to the new traffic checkpoints in Sikeston checking for drivers' licenses, seat belts, etc. This comes on the heels of the new drug testing of students at the high school. If you're really serious about "protecting" the kids, then test them for alcohol on Saturday and Sunday mornings, before it has cleared their systems and while the tests can still detect it. ...

SpeakOut 9-05 (09/05/08)
Mike, this is for all the ones that are griping about everything that is wrong within our state and our federal government. I just returned from a trip to New Hampshire, the live free or die free state. It's a pretty neat thing. People should check into it and so should our local leaders and state leaders. ...

SpeakOut 9-04 (09/04/08)
I'd like to speakout about school bullying, people bullying the other children. I have a grandchild that goes over to a sixth grade center. My grandson has been in trouble at school, but he has been taught not to hit back. He was on the bus and this one kid came up and hit him in the side of the head and hurt him. ...

Speak up, not Speakout (09/03/08)
If I had a dollar every time I heard somebody say, "the only reason I get the paper is to read Speakout," I would be a rich man. Not only would I be a rich man, but I probably would have enough money to buy all the newspapers in the Midwest...

SpeakOut 9-03 (09/03/08)
Hey stupid, if you can't pay your rent or buy your groceries, cut out purchasing cigarettes and beer. Duh! - - - This is an answer to Hard times. If you would leave off the beer and the cigarettes, you might notice a difference. - - - Responding to Hard times. ...

Hurricane's hype may prove harmful (09/03/08)
As a youngster, I most certainly don't remember any abundant news concerning hurricanes. I'm sure we had our share of hurricanes and I'm sure they brought ample damage and destruction. Seems I recall a whopper that hit Houston way back when and in the late '60s I recall another hurricane that hit Mississippi, though the name of that storm now escapes me...

SpeakOut 9-02 (09/02/08)
Who is C.M. McClellan? His view in the Aug. 14th paper has really made me think. He is right and we enjoyed reading what he said, it has really opened our eyes to what is actually going on. I think differently now. I agree with him that that would make life safer. I am against drugs, like he is, but it shouldn't be the government's business to tell people how to live their lives when it comes to that. I hope he writes more articles - we would love to read them...

SpeakOut 8-31 (08/31/08)
Jo Ann Emerson, I just read your article in the newspaper about the Social Security situation, and it was the biggest bunch of baloney that's come from you yet. The finger of blame that you're pointing at others should be directed back at you. You claim to have railed against increases in entitlement programs, but all I remember you doing is railing for increases in food stamp payments. ...

Your View: Time of pride (08/31/08)
I have read many editorials concerning Sen. Obama's run for President of the United States and I have heard many Blacks criticize your paper as not being fair. But when asked, none of them have submitted their voice. I am submitting mine to prove them wrong...

Drunk drivers pose danger to everyone (08/31/08)
Labor Day marks the end of the summer season. It's the way we celebrate the carefree days of summer one last time and head into the busy fall season. But Labor Day, unfortunately, provides one last opportunity to worry about drunk drivers on the roadways...

SpeakOut 8/31 (08/29/08)
Dear Mollie and Michael Jensen, Thank you for publishing the article. I think Mollie did an excellent job writing about the classroom piano lab. If I can ever be of help to you re: students' piano performance, just let me know. Sincerely yours, Carolyn Clinton Klein...

Neal has talent (08/29/08)
"America has Talent" I just watched Neal Boyd as he made the finals on "America's Got Talent". I knew Neal from Carol's Kiddie College as he spent his young years with us. Neal was talented in many areas, including his likability by all the kids and teachers...

Health care (08/29/08)
Health Insurance Company CEOs had an average income of $8.7 million in 2006, while 8.7 million children went without health care. This Labor Day, 771,682 people in Missouri will be celebrating without health care (2006 U. S. Census Bureau numbers; 13.3% of the State's population), worrying that something will happen to them or their loved ones...

Dearly missed (08/29/08)
Anyone that knew Tim Jaynes knew that he was one of greatest men that this town of Sikeston has ever had the privilege of knowing. He was a comedian and an excellent photographer. Most importantly he was a friend and role model to all that knew him. ...

SpeakOut 8-28 (08/28/08)
To whom it may concern about the Fed Ex trucks being parked in my front yard, I spend 12-14 hours a day in those trucks. Not only did you try to call Fed Ex to complain about that, it was also childish and cowardly. If you have further complaints about my Fed Ex trucks parked in my front yard, feel free to contact me. ...

Your View: An explanation (08/28/08)
I would like your help in contacting a person who appears to be quite upset with something that she believes that I said in a visit with the Scott County Commission in July. I am especially concerned because it appears that caller may have contacted SpeakOut twice about these comments and may have also written an anonymous letter to at least one other entity, a state association (MACA) to which I personally belong and to which my employer has an organizational membership. ...

Going for the gold - my way (08/27/08)
I am tired. As a matter of fact, I'm worn out, not to mention in a little bit of withdrawal. Who wouldn't be though? After two weeks of the Olympics, I'm ready for a four-year rest. It was hard not to get hooked on the Olympics with the 3,600 hours of television coverage. I think the only channel I didn't see the Olympics on was Lifetime. Then again, that channel is blocked from my TV since all they want to show is movies about men beating women. Some woman's channel...

SpeakOut 8-27 (08/27/08)
I had a Mountain Ash in my yard that was about 10 years old. In the spring of 2006, it died and upon inspecting it, the tree was covered with perfectly round holes where some sort of beetle had bored into it. All of the branches that I could see were covered with the holes. We had to cut the tree and burn it. I wonder if this could be the same beetle that was found in that trap?...

Candidate doesn't reflect our values (08/27/08)
As I have said before, you have to credit Missouri's junior Senator Claire McCaskill. There she was Monday night in front of millions touting the accomplishments and life struggles of Sen. Barack Obama on his road to the Democratic nomination for president. Not bad for a relatively new political force from a blue state...