Speakout 2/1

In Wednesday's (Dec. 29) paper I was reading the article where "Resident is going to give railroad a fight." He says there is a state statute that trains cannot block a crossing longer than five minutes. They need to take a look at New Madrid when that coal train comes through, probably once every day. There is a minimum of 17 to 25 minutes wait on that train. I would like to know what statute he is referring to and who do you call - the state troopers or what? I'm a concerned (citizen) and just want to know if that is a fact about blocking the intersections.

Yes, it's true, although the statute does not apply to moving trains. Rod Massman, administrator of railroads for the Missouri Department of Transportation, directed us to Revised Missouri Statues Chapter 300.360 which reads: "It shall be unlawful for the directing officer or the operator of any railroad train to direct the operation of or to operate the same in such a manner as to prevent the use of any street for purposes of travel for a period of time longer than five minutes; provided that this section shall not apply to a moving train or to one stopped because of an emergency or for repairs necessary before it can proceed safely." Massman said if there is a problem with trains violating this statute, the main MoDOT office in Jefferson City should be contacted at 573-526-2169. Prosecuting this type of offense requires proof so MoDOT investigators must "look for patterns of recurrence and try to catch them when they reoccur," Massman said.

Here they are spending millions of dollars on the President's inauguration and security and all that. They don't need to spend that much money on that. They're not going to shoot Bush. They want Bush in there, he's easy. He starts stuff and quits it - he doesn't finish it. We threw away a lot of money there. This is no joke. This is the truth. Face it.

I received a chain letter today disguised as a blessing letter. The coward who sent it to me left no return address. What's the matter with this letter? It says if I send it to 20 people I could get money or something else good and also threatened me with possible death if I decide to do nothing. I don't know who this person is, but I would say they had better stop and think twice before sending junk mail to strangers offering blessings and threatening death. If I knew who sent me this, I would pay them a visit that they would never forget. I know how to be blessed - I am blessed. Get down on your knees and pray for God's blessings. That is how it happens. I will not send out the 20 copies. Let's just see what happens. Oh, something good has already happened. I just avoided making 20 other people angry.

And saved $7.40. By the way, some chain letters are still illegal in this country.