SPEAK OUT

Variety of opinions

A SPEAK Out caller suggested I give up my subscription to the Southeast Missourian because I often vehemently disagree with many of the opinions expressed on the Opinion page. I consider some of them to be anathema. However, I strongly believe it's important to be exposed to ideas which may be contrary to one's own. It challenges and stretches the mind and allows one to grow intellectually. Only reading opinions with which one knows in advance he is likely to agree is narrow-minded and stunts one's intellectual growth. I'm ashamed that a Speak Out caller has admitted to reading only those opinions which he supports. This is beneath the dignity of a Speak Out caller and reveals a caller whose blinders don't allow him to consider other views. Of course, there are many ideas expressed in the Southeast Missourian with which I agree and suggestions which I strongly support. Offhand, the best example I can think of is the ongoing call for the creation of a downtown Cape golf course.

Ashcroft is extremist

GARY RUST'S eclectic column is educational, entertaining, thought-provoking and, at times, quite controversial. In his enthusiastic endorsement of John Ashcroft, Rust seemed to be trying to convince readers that Ashcroft is in the mainstream of American public opinion because he opposes abortion and affirmative action. Alas, the devil is in the details, and the details of Ashcroft's positions seem to reinforce the views of his critics that he is far outside the parameters of commonsense American views, and to put someone of his apparent radicalism in the position of U.S. attorney general is playing with fire. Most Americans oppose abortion, except when it comes to cases of rape, where they believe the decision on whether or not to terminate the pregnancy should not be dictated by the state. Ashcroft would make no exceptions. In addition, most Americans favor affirmative action, defined as, all other things being equal, giving minorities preference in hiring. President Bush's Cabinet nominees mirror affirmative action in practice. Ashcroft's apparent opposition to affirmative action further exposes him as an extremist. His opposition to racial quotas (not the same thing as affirmative action) is a non-issue. Racial quotas are and should be illegal. Ashcroft may or may not be approved. If he is, he should be watched very closely. A radical extremist of any stripe as U.S. attorney general is alarming, especially when one considers the conventional wisdom that being attorney general might be temporary for Ashcroft, if there is soon a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Become Americans

WHEN ARE black Americans going to quit calling themselves African Americans? We quit calling ourselves German-Americans and English-Americans and Italian-Americans immediately after we became -- are you ready for this? -- Americans. I keep hearing from Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and the other race warmongers about how everyone should have equal billing. Then drop the term African American. Martin Luther King Jr. would be embarrassed at the black leadership (very loosely defined) of today.

Not a good image

I READ a lot of Speak Out comments from individuals who trash-talk supporters of political parties with views different than their own. To those who submit these comments, I ask you: Is this how you wish for visitors to our community to think of us here in Southeast Missouri? If so, by all means continue.