READERS TAKE STRONG STAND ON BIG ISSUE

Never underestimate newspaper readers who have strong opinions. In recent months, Speak Out comments and letters to the editor have been unflinching on a variety of topics. Gun control, global warming and the origins of religious holiday customs are just a few of the interesting areas that have been explored by callers and writers.

But the Big Issue for months, of course, has been the goings-on in our nation's capital. In pretty much a mirroring of the political polarization of our elected national leaders, readers here have chosen sides and then used Speak Out and the letters columns to blast the other side.

In the ruckus, several opinions have been expressed regarding two topics that have been thrust into the spotlight by events of the past year. One is the timing of military action in relation to President Clinton's personal problems, and the other is the status of opinion polls and their impact on the decision-making process in Washington.

In their Speak Out comments, callers have been particularly dubious about the president's decisions to launch military strikes. One caller noticed that the bombings of Baghdad and the Sudan aspirin factory and the latest missile attacks in Iraq coincided with Clinton's testimony in the Paula Jones case, Monica Lewinsky's grand jury appearances and the House vote on impeachment. "The statistical probability of this being due to random chance exceeds 4 million to one against it," the caller said.

Other callers put it this way: "Every time something drastic is about to happen to him, he bombs somebody. He puts anybody's life in jeopardy ... . He'll do anything to anybody who stands in the way of his career." Or this: "I believe in coincidence, but give me a break. ... People who would believe that Clinton's motives in the bombing were not politically motivated are probably the same people who unwittingly buy swampland in Florida ... ."

On the issue of opinion polling, letter writer W.E. (Bill) Engel of Jackson warned that Americans were about to be "bombarded with polls galore." But he found a bright side: Polling is less expensive than bombing Iraq when it comes to molding public opinion.

Speak Out callers were quick to point out other advantages of government-by-polls. "I think it's a good idea, if they'll listen to the polls and the people" on partial-birth abortion, the flag-burning amendment, prayers in school and gay rights, said one caller. Another caller suggested a poll on federal taxation. "If we governed by polls, that would mean taxes would have to be slashed."

A couple of letter writers summed up the frustrations of many Americans. Charles T. Lance of Scott City wondered how Democrats could admit the president's guilt and still oppose holding him accountable.

Letter writer Matthew R. Younghouse, a senior at Central High School in Cape Girardeau, may have said it best: "The bigger issue and the most important thing that we have to learn from this is how we live our lives as people of God's creation and citizens of this country."

Well said -- by everyone who calls Speak Out or writes a letter to the editor.