SPEAK OUT

Watch out for taxes

TO THOSE who keep talking about alcohol and charging the alcohol industry for accidents that unresponsible people cause: Whom do you think is going to pay the taxes that the government collects from the alcohol and tobacco industry when people quit drinking and smoking? You will every time you go to the store. You can shrug it off like it won't matter, but when you are paying $10 a gallon for milk and $5 for a loaf of bread, don't come crying. Most of the cost on alcohol and tobacco is from taxes. Besides, you will put a lot of hard working, honest people in the unemployment line.

Contact Carnahan too

IN HER letter to the editor, Christine Stephens admonished us to contact U.S. Sen. Christopher Bond and request him to support the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. I agree with her stand on this issue and will contact Bond. I will also contact U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan. We do have two senators in Congress. Stephens' omission of Carnahan speaks volumes. She no doubt feels it would be an exercise in futility to contact Carnahan who is vehemently pro-choice. In addition, she may also know that Carnahan would not even acknowledge her request. It seems that Carnahan is busy putting her re-election team together and has no time to acknowledge she has concerned constituents back home.

Warming and melting

ANYONE WHO thinks global warming is not a reality is living in a fantasy world. Yes, the earth's climate does change naturally, but since the industrial revolution those temperature rates and carbon dioxide levels have multiplied by the thousands. And polar caps melting most definitely would flood coastal areas. Mass doesn't just disappear.

Ain't it the truth?

IT WAS interesting to read state Sen. Peter Kinder's rant about the governor's recent comments concerning transportation and the tax increase. It seems Kinder so quickly forgets his own flowery rhetoric and angry jibes at Democratic politicians. He has certainly been known to write some pretty inflammatory stuff himself. But, of course, his writings are all absolutely the truth because he says so.

Reason to stockpile

IT'S INCREDIBLE that so many people still think the United States is in the middle of a Cold War. Believe it or not, we consider Russia to be a friend of ours these days. To think that Iraq or China have the same weapon capabilities today as that of the former Soviet Union is a stretch. Both countries lack the funding, technology and motives to start an arms race, and they are aware that any attack on their part would assure their total destruction. President Bush, however, is giving them reasons to stockpile with his defense plan.

Attendance policy

I'M CALLING again about the Cape Girardeau School District's attendance policy. I was told it is "absolutely imperative" that a student be in class in order for learning to be done. The district has an incentive program. If students don't miss a certain number of days, they don't have to take finals. My son is in a school-sponsored activity. He has missed the last couple hours of the day nine times. But since it's a school-sponsored event, he won't have to take finals in those classes. However, he missed two days to go out of town for a funeral, and he's going to have take finals in those classes. I see a real mixed standard here. I'm beginning to think this community needs to stand up to the school board and tell it to get rid of the attendance policy and attendance incentive program. If the point is to have the kids in school, then they shouldn't plan any athletic events that take them out of school.

Stadium envy

AFTER DRIVING around downtown St. Louis the past weekend, I can understand why the Cardinals want a new stadium. The Rams have the new TWA dome. I feel like it's a matter of keeping up with the Joneses. Or maybe it's a matter of making the downtown vibrant. It's always exciting to go to St. Louis to see the buildings. I think that's why the Cardinals want a new stadium. The Rams have one, and they would like one too.

Staff isn't helping

I DON'T know if Bush's energy secretary is bragging or complaining since gas prices may go even higher this summer. What are they going to do about it? It reminds me of a doctor who says "I'm going to lose more patients because of my staff" but does nothing about it. Evidently he doesn't want to get his boss, the oil man, re-elected.

Good work, Notre Dame

CONGRATULATIONS TO everybody at Notre Dame Regional High School for a great job. Within the last couple of weeks, I've had three chances to see students in "Oklahoma," at their sports banquet and at their pop concert. All of these activities showed the student spirit. I just want to say I am proud to send my children there. I think everyone out there is doing a good job with these kids. Keep up the good work.