SPEAK OUT

Thatcher's tribute

I RECENTLY read a speech made by Lady Margaret Thatcher, former prime minister of Britain. I would like to share one paragraph: "It always fascinated me that people thought that Ronnie Reagan wasn't a detail man. When he was negotiating or going on a visit he would have everything at his fingertips. He was the most exact person in preparation that I've ever known, and those that he met with were always impressed. He knew all the answers and had many questions to ask himself. He's a very great man, and we are fortunate to have had him when we did. If it hadn't been for him, we would not have begun to start the breaking up of the Soviet Union." I think she's got something going there. Thatcher knew him personally, and I think that Reagan is the second greatest president after George Washington.

Safety concerns

AMAZINGLY, THERE has been no commentary regarding the proposed commercial traffic bypass in Jackson. To the untrained eye several problems arise with this route. Route D is narrow with no shoulders and no guardrail along the Jackson Park hiking trail. The route would pass three schools, one of which will soon enjoy a $6 million expansion. It would also go through a new subdivision and over a street that was probably built for residential traffic, finally ending in a narrow residential street area where increased traffic would probably prohibit on-street parking. I hope the Jackson Board of Aldermen will rethink this for the sake and safety of our children.

Trusting the voters

I READ state Rep. Rod Jetton's column telling us what we Missourians must do to improve our highways. However, I was disappointed not to discover Jetton's rationale for opposing a proposition which would have allowed Missourians to exercise their right to vote directly on the proposition. To me, this is the Achilles' heel that makes otherwise sensible Republican proposals seem very suspect. Surely Jetton trusts the wisdom of the electorate.

Biblical lesson

TO THE caller who doubted that we liberals will get into heaven: Jesus is quoted as telling a rich young ruler to sell everything he had and give it to the poor and follow him. The young conservative turned his back on Jesus because he had many possessions. He felt it was his money and no person, no government, no Son of God had the right to take it away from him and redistribute his wealth. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? By the way, the original question he asked Jesus was, "What must I do to be saved?" This young conservative walked away from Jesus and heaven because the most profane four-letter words a conservative can hear are give, free, and poor.

High school dress code

THIS IS a message for the new Central High School principal. I watched the kids go in the high school and come out. I think the school board should back up the principal. I hope he makes the students conform to a dress code. Some of the kids looked very nice, but several weren't dressed to come to school. And the smoking they did when they came out I hope they won't allow that in the school. Boys and girls would even share a cigarette. It was terrible to look at. Of course, many students didn't do that and were dressed nicely.

Name the old bridge

I READ about the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge and the suggestion to change it to honor Mel Carnahan. What's the name of the old bridge? Shouldn't we name it before it gets torn down?

Academics come first

IT'S GREAT that we've finally got a school board that puts the Three Rs ahead of sports. I think it's ridiculous that the teachers should be asked to use their own money to buy school supplies while the school board spends money on sports. Maybe some other school boards should take notes from Perryville's board.

They'll be there

A SPEAK Out caller apparently privy to the fate of liberals after their demise concluded they will not be happy in heaven. A liberal to whom I told this revelation responded, "At least they'll go there."

Top-heavy expenses

ONE OF the concerns of many taxpayers is the cost of administration. It seems like more and more people want to get into administration and don't want to teach anymore. They want to sit behind mahogany desks and theorize. My taxes are like this: roads, 4.6 percent; schools, 67.3 percent; City of Jackson, 21 percent; state, 0.6 percent; sheltered workshop, 1.7 percent; mental health, 1.7 percent; county health, 2.1 percent; and senior citizens, 1 percent; The city is way behind in percentages on the taxes, and they serve all of us, no matter our age. There is some deep concern about school administration costs. It seems like we're getting top-heavy. I know the state decrees that we should have certain positions. But that's also people in the field of education telling us where to put our taxes instead of handling it locally.

Sports is the heart

I CANNOT imagine anyone suggesting abandoning sports in Perryville or any other school. You can cut off a hand or foot, such as history or English, but don't even consider cutting out the heart.

Here's my beef

OF ALL

the places I've ever lived, I've never seen street crews operate the way they do in Cape. Here's my beef: The crews are making a repair in the middle of a block. Sometimes it's a long way from a cross street. But there are no signs at a convenient intersection to warn motorists they need to take another route. Instead, motorists are permitted to drive all the way to where the work is being done before being told they have to turn around and find another street. This doesn't sound like very good planning.