Speak Out A 03/31/03

Lower drinking age

IN RESPONSE to 18-year-olds not being responsible enough to drink: I agree. No one is really responsible enough to drink alcohol, but it exists. Those of age as well as those who are underage make a decision to drink. In light of recent developments concerning our economy and this war, we should lower the drinking age.

A reason for rules

ALL IS not fair in war. The reason we have rules of war is that all the countries got together to decide how to wage war within their guidelines. It is referred to as the Geneva Convention. It covers, among other things, how to treat prisoners. These measure were adopted in an effort to minimize the loss of life and grant rights to prisoners.

It's like scholarships

I THINK bribing students with burgers or a day off is good. The schools are trying whatever they can to raise students' test scores and their morale about school. What is the difference between giving college scholarships for hard work in the classroom and bribing kids with treats?

This is no cure

CONGRATULATIONS TO the Senate for exhibiting some sense at last. Unlike the House, which seems to think a $700 billion-plus tax cut in wartime is OK, the Senate voted to slash the Bush tax-cut proposal in half. From 1992 through the rest of the decade under Bill Clinton, the federal deficit shrank until by the time George Bush was sworn in we had a budget surplus. Bush argued that the surplus should be returned to the taxpayers as a tax cut. Having now run the nation back into huge budget deficits, President Bush now argues we need a massive tax cut to spur economic growth. Everything he has done since coming into office has increased the budget deficit and promoted unemployment. Why would anyone now think the same solutions that have grown the deficit and destroyed the economy will cure them?

Futile quest for safety

TAKING A turn or twist out of Snake Hill is a tragedy of major proportions and illustrates our endless but ultimately futile quest for total safety.

Presenting the news

I DON'T know why so many people keep calling Speak Out dogging Dan Rather. All he's doing is presenting the news to you as it is presented to him.

Sinking to new lows

WHAT DOES it tell you about a newspaper that puts a photograph of someone praying in a bar on its front page? It tells you that paper is attempting to stir up controversy. It also tells you the low standards a newspaper will sink to in order to bring attention to the paper, which only denigrates its reputation and loses the respect of its readers.

Enjoying the beauty

The warm days and recent rains have produced lovely spring blossoms. Hooray! How welcome after this winter.

What to believe?

I'M WONDERING if everybody else in the world is as confused as I am. I want to know why we haven't heard a word from the Iraqi people that has not been edited. I also want to know whom to believe. One day they say Saddam Hussein killed his own people with chemical weapons, and next I hear Saddam's people were killed because the wind was blowing the wrong direction. I don't believe everything I hear or everything I see or anything of what I read.

Listen to God

GOD LISTENS to everyone, but does everyone listen to God? I know we'll never be perfect here on earth, but we should live with the desire to get to heaven.

Welcome support

IF I were risking my life fighting in a war, I would be glad to have someone like Michael Moore in my corner. I would appreciate him more than somebody who sits home in an easy chair and says, "Go to it, son. Shoot one for me."

No more sales tax

TELL OUR city leaders that we want no new taxes. We don't want to pay, and we don't want other people having to pay for more taxes. Every time we raise our sales tax, it makes it more likely the stores are going to move to Jackson. Or maybe people in Sikeston will decide to shop at home and keep their tax money. Please do not raise sales taxes.

Police harassment

JACKSON POLICE are stopping people to tell them their license plate needs to be there or not there, that a taillight is not as bright as it should be or that you're swerving on the road. This is harassment. Then they decide they want to search your car. I have just about had it. If it happens to me one more time, I am going to call the police chief and my attorney.

Trashy highways

IF YOU think the trash is bad on I-55 from Cape Girardeau to Sikeston, you ought to go from Exit 96 at Route K to Center Junction and look at the trash there. I've lived in this area for 30 years. I have never in my life seen it look as bad as it does right now. These groups that adopt stretches of highway have had some good days to pick up the trash. It looks awful. Please keep our highways clean.

Missed opportunity

ALL PREACHERS need to hit the bars and hold prayer services for those who like to drink and pray. Preachers have been missing a great opportunity to serve the needy and take up donations, because people in bars have plenty of money.

Meet the candidates

I ATTENDED the candidate forum in Jackson. We definitely need more turnout there. I saw five people in the community at the most who attended this meeting. If we don't get to know our potential school board members, how can we make an accurate decision? We have an election coming up in April to elect two school board members. People need to get to know these candidates and vote appropriately. Get out and vote in April, because a tax increase is headed our way. We all have to be convinced that this is a truly needed tax increase. The only way we're going to know that is get out and meet the candidates. Our kids are counting on us.

We need freedom too

I THINK it's time that people realize there's something more precious than peace. It is freedom -- from fear and tyranny. There are many people who have peace, but they do not have freedom. People in prisons have peace but not freedom. Remember, freedom without peace does not work.

Too much addition

I WAS inclined to vote for the tax increases the city's asking for. But after reading where we have to have another employee, it makes me wonder. It looks to me like this could be worked in with someone who's already there sharing the responsibility without adding another person, another office, another automobile and another computer to the expense.