SPEAK OUT

Do you get this?

TODAY, Limbaughism -- or Limbaughosophy, if you will (the political philosophy of the brothers Limbaugh) -- seems to be little more than mainstream, moderate Bushism masking as blustering hard-core conservatism. One of Limbaughisms tenets was anti-Clintonism, but this seems no longer relevant or particularly interesting to the American people. The principled conservative ideology thought to be an integral, even inherent, part of Limbaughosophy suddenly seems absent.

Listen to administrators

GREAT JOB, Bob Miller and Marty Mishow, on letting everyone know about the unjust firing of Randy White as the girls basketball coach in Scott City. Why does our school board not listen to the recommendations of our principal and superintendent?

Plenty of examples

THE THIRD Commandment says, "You shall not use the name of ... God irreverently, nor use it to swear." I wonder if God gave the commandments in order of importance or ability to keep. The Third Commandment seems like such a small commandment, yet it is so easy to break. I feel the entertainment media have heightened the use of phrases using God's name. Sit down for an evening of TV and count. Then listen to your children, friends and co-workers.

Short-term memory

WHAT GALL a Republican caller has to criticize the Democrats for a lack of cooperation in Congress. Does he not remember the last eight years and the partisan gridlock that was ever-present?

Mississippi's pride

THE PEOPLE in Mississippi may have the lowest per-capita income in the country, as the Speak Out contributor from Massachusetts points out. However, unlike the people of Massachusetts, they still have their guns and are allowed to hunt. And they still have their state flag intact because the majority of both blacks and whites voted to keep it. Mississippians can also be proud of the fact that Teddy Kennedy and his ilk do not reside there.

Focus on the students

THIS IS regarding the article Sunday about the graduation ceremony at Southeast. The article focused entirely on the speaker, former ambassador Edward Perkins. While the ambassador has great credentials, the majority of the people I spoke to thought his speech was horrible. I was terribly disappointed the article did not recognize the students more than the speaker. Recognize the students who, for the last four or more years of their lives have spent countless hours in the classroom to obtain their degrees.

Destructive policies

PRESIDENT BUSH is taking steps to ensure his actions in office affect citizens for years to come. His outrageous tax cut, renewing Star Wars and the Cold War, his environmental policy and tampering with Social Security are actions that will not just go away after four years. This shows extreme arrogance on his part, considering the majority of America voted against him and his policies. Why does he refuse to stick to less destructive short-term and centrist policy?

Narrow-minded ID

I THOUGHT the comment about people proudly displaying their Confederate flags was hilarious. It's nice to know they'll come right out and show everyone their narrow-minded identification card.

Thanks, Coach White

I WOULD just like to say that Coach White has been a great coach. He has taught me so much about the game of basketball. I'm sorry that he is leaving, but I'm thankful to have had him as a coach.

Needed one more word

IF YOU had added one more word, I would have agreed with your editorial headline, "Bush is leading the nation in the right direction." Before the word "right" you should have added either "extreme" or "far."

It starts at home

IF THERE were more prayers in the home, there wouldn't be such an outcry for prayer in our schools.

He's not accountable

WHY AREN'T there outcries from you wonderful Republicans about all the broken campaign promises from George W. Bush? Since he is a Republican, I guess he isn't going to be held accountable.

Free education

KUDOS TO columnist David Limbaugh for pointing to research confirming there is no correlation between the amount of money spent on education and the quality of education received. Indeed, the opposite may be true. Though the modest Limbaugh didn't mention it, millions would testify that the best education one can receive is the free-of-charge degree in advanced conservative studies one can get via the Rush Limbaugh Institute.