SPEAK OUT

This isn't principle

I DON'T understand all these high-falutin' columns praising John Ashcroft as a man of principle. Ashcroft is on record as saying he considers abortion murder. Yet, in his apparent zeal to become attorney general, he has testified he will enforce laws allowing murder (abortion). That kind of stance seems to make Ashcroft anything but a man of principle. How could a man of principle say he will enforce laws he believes to be murder, even if he doesn't agree with them?

Coercing lawmakers

IT IS wrong for the federal government to withhold highway funds if the Missouri legislature doesn't lower the legal blood-alcohol level. Whether this law is good or bad is irrelevant. The question is should the federal government coerce state lawmakers to pass laws by threatening to withhold funds that come from the state in the first place? Not only is this wrong, but it is in violation of the 10th Amendment.

Young readers

I JUST want to tell the parents of kindergarten children that for the sake of themselves and their kids, make sure they know how to read before the first grade. Oh, sure, the teachers tell you that the kids will learn how to read, but did you know that they have to know how to write full sentences before they can go to second grade? And if they can't read they are left behind. I'm speaking from experience.

Value of education

IF A young man goes to work when he is 20 years old, he can make a lot of money by the time he dies. But if you stay in school and get an education, when you get out you'll know how to spend your money. You'll save a lot of money. The more money you save, the less you have to work to earn money.

It's a necessity

I KNOW that some of my fellow conservatives find it a bit uncomfortable to see that the Democrats have become so concerned about finding an attorney general who would enforce the law despite his personal beliefs. However, I totally understand why the Democrats are so concerned with getting a good attorney general. After eight years of Janet Reno, who basically served as a rubber stamp for the Clinton administration, it's important that we find somebody who will enforce the laws. After eight years of a president who insisted that creating additional laws was paramount to enforcing the laws already in existence, I can certainly understand why getting someone to enforce the laws is important. After eight years of absolute neglect of the law, getting an attorney general who will enforce the laws despite his personal beliefs is absolutely a necessity.

Try compassion

I JUST read the Speak Out item "Sue everybody" about Jean Carnahan and her attorneys trying to sue because of the plane crash. This isn't a political issue. Two families lost three wonderful men in that accident. I think instead of lashing out at our new senator, try using a little more compassion and empathy and a little less venom.

Stop the speeders

JACKSON POLICE, why aren't you doing your job and catching these speeders? They drive 50 to 60 mph in a 30-mph zone. We have plenty of police officers, but we might as well have none. They don't do anything to stop this speeding. They could make 30 stops in 45 minutes. All the officers who aren't doing anything could make the city a lot of money. If they don't want to work, the city should fire them. No work, no pay.