Editorial

DEBATES ON COURTHOUSE LAWN ARE A GRAND IDEA

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We're excited at the prospect of a debate on the courthouse lawn, a tradition that went by the wayside with the advent of radio talk shows, political television ads, candidate Web sites and the like.

The Jackson Chamber of Commerce is bringing the idea back to Southeast Missouri with a set of Saturday-afternoon debates at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse on Oct. 14. Participants -- if enough can be found to argue both sides -- will debate four November ballot issues: county planning and zoning; a construction bond issue for Jackson School District; Proposition A, which would prevent most new billboards in the state; and Proposition B, which would provide for elections financed by corporate taxes.

The chamber is looking for volunteer debaters.

Jackson High School's debate team already is signed up, along with two other individuals.

No interested party should miss this opportunity to make his opinions known the old-fashioned way.