LETTERS: CITY AT CROSSROADS OF CHOICES

To the editor:

I salute your Jan. 21 edition for bringing into focus the activities in our community which are a microcosm of our nation.

On the one hand, there was an article about strip acts with supporters and participants declaring that these things are "fun and innovative" Many would argue that none of this is innovative but has been around for centuries.

On a much more positive note, there was an article with a picture about Hip Hop Heaven, a video arcade next door to the House of Prayer Outreach Center. This seems to be a proactive effort to offer positive support to children in the community -- to get them off the street and offer them the loving concern of adults. Projects like this should be supported by the community as a way to deal with he problem of crime by helping children develop values.

Another article on the church page said the Cape Girardeau Church of Christ is offering a series of films from "Focus on the Family" free to the public. The purpose of this offering is a continuing effort of the church to build healthy, stable families.

Our country and our city are at a crossroads of choices. Cape Girardeau's city council, in my opinion, has made a terrible mistake in not taking a stand against a morally destructive force in our community. Only time will tell the influences and effect that the decision will have. On the other hand, we have some very positive steps being taken by the citizens of our community. Thank God for them and the effects their efforts will have.

JOAN D. STEHR

Cape Girardeau