Speakout 11/2

Sunday, November 2, 2003

On Oct. 25 at about 3 p.m., I was at a stoplight, making a left turn into Wal-Mart, when I realized a funeral procession was going by. Of course, out of respect for this person, family and friends, I did not go. I waited until the procession was finished. I was really shocked at the way other motorists were behaving. They were honking their horns, cutting into the procession, as if Wal-Mart would not be there in the next 20 minutes. I was given a lot of verbal abuse, hand gestures, horn-blowing, but I did not move because my parents have always instilled in me respect. So shame on you, Sikeston, that you could not wait 20 minutes. I am so ashamed that I even live here. SpeakOut, I hope you will print this because if you don't, I am even more ashamed. I am a resident of Miner.

According to Missouri Senate Bill 270 (passed in 1999 by the 90th General Assembly): Pedestrians and operators of vehicles are required to yield to a funeral procession, with exceptions for emergency vehicles and law enforcement. Other drivers are prohibited from driving between, joining or passing a funeral procession. Anyone violating these provisions shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $100. Municipalities may adopt ordinances similar to this act.

I have a question for the city of Sikeston. Why hasn't the city cemetery been mowed in the last month or two? The rains have stopped, so why hasn't it been mowed?

Politics has been described as the second oldest profession. Bush has made Americans believe it has a close resemblance to the oldest profession. When the government has lost confidence in the people, it's time to change the people. The Americans are getting it right. The people are losing confidence in the government. It's time to change the government. Did you notice that on Oct. 25 that in the big march in Washington protesting the War in Iraq, it's beginning to sound a lot like the Vietnam War protests. I'm sure you will see more protests in the near future.

Why don't the Democrats wake up and tell the truth once in awhile? They're always hollering that President Bush is giving the big tax break to the rich people. He's not giving it to the rich people and the working people. He's giving it to the ones who are on welfare, on Medicare and Medicaid and all those who have cards, and to all these women who are having these babies and are not married. If he's giving it to the rich people and the working people, it would be different. But who's getting the $400 for the children and all this and that? It's people who don't work.

I'm sure that whoever opened the business on West Malone Avenue meant well, the Fo' Yo' Soul restaurant, that is taking us back to the cotton picking and masters' days. We're not in those days anymore, and now you have taken us back to those days. We're not oppressed anymore. That's why the policeman and the white man treat us the way they do, because some of you won't come back from those days. This is not "Fo' Yo' Soul," it's "For Your Soul." Let's get with the real world. Get with everybody trying to get along and going back to those days is not trying to get along. The restaurant is a good idea. There was a good business there before. We went there and got good food and would like to do it again. But we won't participate in this Negro-days and "Massa" days. Those were cotton-picking days when you said, "Yes, Sir" and "No, Sir." Get with today and then we will come to your restaurant.

I'd like to comment about the movie "Runaway Jury" without giving away the story. Initially, it appears to be an entertaining brain-twister. Then it turns into liberal Hollywood's attempt to manipulate the American public. A gun industry representative is presented as a hot-tempered decadent old man shouting about the second amendment, until you think the second amendment is a bad thing. The prosecution lawyer (Dustin Hoffman) is portrayed as a bumbling and angelic type lawyer, while the defense attorney (Gene Hackman) is portrayed as the devil incarnate. All that was missing was Charleton Heston machine gunning puppies.

This is in reply to the person who is recycling old cards. I would like to use them in my classroom. My number is 471-5592.