Speak Out 11/4/07

Faith beliefs

THE DIFFERENCES between theist David Limbaugh and atheist Christopher Hitchens are many. One is that Limbaugh thinks his faith (theism) can be, contradictorily, proven scientifically (creationism). Hitchens, correctly, makes no such claim when it comes to his atheistic faith.

Clinging to life

ABORTION ANGERS me no end. I am pregnant with a baby who is not expected to live more than a few hours after birth. To think that people make the choice to kill an innocent and most likely healthy baby while I cling to every moment I have left with my daughter breaks my heart. If you get pregnant and its not your fault or you're told that the baby will have problems, accept that as the hand you have been dealt and deal with it. Abortion is murder. A life is a life no matter how small.

He's not dead

I READ where Elvis Presley is the wealthiest dead American celebrity. First of all, Elvis is not dead. Second, I used to think wealth would bring me power and happiness. You know what? I was right.

Better teams

I HAD to laugh when I read that Don Kaverman, Southeast Missouri State University athletic director, thinks a new football facility would help make a better team. Maybe he is right. Look what it did for the basketball team's success getting to play in the Show Me Center. It isn't the building or the fields. It is the leadership.

Great performance

MY COMPLIMENTS go to Southeast Missouri State University for the tremendous performance at the new River Campus. The parking at the parking lot in front of Hutson's Furniture was great, and the shuttle drivers were very courteous and professional in both going and coming from the performance. Thanks to all involved.

Glued-on cell phone

I WORK at a gas station, and I find it rude of customers to come in the store talking on their cell phones. I believe these people have their cell phones glued to their ears. There is a time to talk and a time not to talk.

Caring for us first

I WAS watching the evening news and wondering if President Bush ever watches the evening news. Surely he knows the trouble that he's helped get the American people into and the hard times that we're going through in the United States. I'm curious if he ever watches the news and wonders about the people who elected him. We're the people he needs to take care of before we take care of any foreign countries.

Non-smoker's promises

AS A non-smoker I promise to not go to bars downtown where smoking is allowed. As a non-smoker I promise to sit in the non-smoking section of restaurants, even if that imaginary line does very little. As a non-smoker I promise to not say anything when smokers are gathered around a store entrance and I have to walk past them to go inside. As a non-smoker I promise not to preach to my friends not to smoke until they ask for support. As a non-smoker I promise to be thankful for the courteous smokers who understand that the imaginary line at restaurants does very little. As a smoker, what do you promise?

A woman's tears

SHAME ON the AP writer to say that a woman's tears are insincere. Perhaps it was wrong of Ellen DeGeneres to use her TV show for something so personal. But on the whole women's tears should be taken very seriously. Women are probably more sensitive than the average man. They will cry at a movie, a song that's sweet on the radio and just anything that touches their hearts. I don't think a man's tears are ever more serious than a woman's. She is the more sensitive creature that God made.

Wrong choice

I WAS sorry to read U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson will support Rudy Giuliani since Giuliani has liberal beliefs on abortion and gay rights. Emerson should have decided to support Fred Thompson.

Museum history

WE SAW "Big River" at the new River Campus. I want to say how excellent it was. The only disappointment I had was in the museum's Civil War section. It shows the Civil War and has slavery beside it. It would make you think that slavery was the only issue in the Civil War. I think this might be politically correctness. Somebody at the university has a biased way of looking at that part of our history.