SPEAK OUT

Setting policies

NOW, IF the trend of environmental issues is toward decay, should government policy be balanced regarding public policy and environmental issues, or should it be more weighted toward the environmental issues in order to counteract the decay of the environment?

White House damage

I WONDER who the Bush White House staff members think they are. Those folks don't want to create a rift about the damage done to the White House? The Bush folks don't own it. The people own it, and federal marshals should investigate the damage. Washington prosecutors should pursue remuneration for the damages. The Clinton people again showed the class of the aristocracy, didn't they? At least Tipper Gore was citizen enough to apologize for the embarrassing vandalism. If you or I spray painted the walls of a post office, do you think it would be OK?

Give us guidance

DAVID LIMBAUGH recently opined that he feels an obligation to speak out concerning the moral decay of our society. I concur and generally think he does an excellent job of it. However, I would appreciate it if he could be a little more specific in his delineation of what he considers right and wrong and good and bad in our country. Frankly, a few of his moral pronouncements seem little more than glittering generalities. Many of us lack a good moral compass and are in need of specific recommendations as to what to do or not do, see or not see, think or not think. Therefore, I suggest that Limbaugh offer weekly lists of movies, books, magazines, television programs and other cultural and societal phenomena he knows are good or bad for us. I could sure use his guidance, and I think many others could as well, except, perhaps, those he refers to as conservatives, who are, in his view, already well educated in these matters.

We need bus service

REGARDING PUBLIC transportation, or the lack thereof: I'm sure the majority of Cape residents without vehicles want and need bus service. I can't understand why business people cannot get together and form some sort of conglomerate to offer hourly transportation. I'm sure their businesses would benefit. People are tired of higher taxi fares, prolonged waiting and surly attitudes. Come on, Cape, speak out.

Judge was right

I WAS reading the paper where the judge has refused to reduce the bond on this man who molested a young child. I think this judge ought to be commended. I think it was very, very smart of this judge not to let this man back out among our children. We very proud of what that judge did. He should know how much we appreciate him.

Double-fine option

TO BE further informed about the Cairo police and the court, you should know that if you go to the courthouse and ask for an enhanced fine and pay double -- $150 instead of $75 -- it is not reported to your state. It does not show on reports from Jefferson City on your driver's license.

Good SEMO coverage

I WANT to thank and congratulate Marty Mishow for the excellent Southeast Missouri State University basketball coverage he provides. I watch every minute of every home game, and when I read Marty's account of the game in the next morning's paper, Marty always manages to provide an insight or an angle I wasn't able to catch. Having Gary Garner's column as a regular feature of the newspaper is something I appreciate a great deal as well.