SPEAKOUT

Village system really works

THIS IS a rebuttal to "Dream on, HIllary" from someone who actually read the book. As a child growing up in Illmo, I was the product of the concepts espoused in "It Takes a Village." We all played up and down the block, and if we misbehaved, the nearest mom, mine included, took responsibility and told us to stop. If we scraped a knee, cut a finger or had a runny nose, the nearest mom would clean the wound, bandage the finger or wipe the nose and dry the tears. We felt protected because no matter where we played we were always under someone's watchful eye. When I was a teen I was forbidden to drive around with a boy who'd gotten in trouble for a minor burglary. I did it anyway, and one of mom's friends saw me. She called my mother, who tracked me down and took me home. Mom was afraid he might leave me in the car and without my knowledge do something that would make me an accessory after the fact to a crime. Maybe the most disturbing comment from "Dream on" was that "children from the poorer segment of our society" were neglected. And "Dream on" calls Mrs. Clinton an elitist. We were far from rich, but it seems to me that we had higher moral values than "Dream on" must have to have made such a statement. Thank you very much, and have a great new year.

Glad that bill didn't pass

I WAS glad to read where the Illinois Senate overrode Gov. Ryan's bid to make gun possession by anybody a crime when it's illegal. I'd like to say that he sounds to me more like a bleeding liberal Democrat than any governor I've ever seen, and he's supposed to be a Republican. But I'm glad they didn't vote to make gun possession a felony and make a criminal out of law-abiding citizens and hunters a crime. I'm glad it didn't pass. I think in the future this governor had better reconsider the laws he's trying to get on the books.

You can beat alcoholism

I'M CALLING In response to the Speak Out item about our favorite alcoholic, referring to George Bush and the fact that he had a drinking problem. They say this is a sign of a dry drunk, and that alcoholism is an incurable disease. Alcoholism is an incurable disease, to a degree, but it is not uncontrollable. When I was in the service, I was reading The Reader's Digest and found that I had the first symptoms of being an alcoholic. I was determined not to be an alcoholic, and I did not become one. I may be one deep down somewhere, but I have refrained from drinking any alcohol since then. So if you have a will not to do it, what they say isn't true. It depends on how strong a person is, how strong their will power is. This was 50 years ago that this happened to me, and I am living proof that what this caller said may be book stuff, but it is not true stuff. It depends on how badly a person wants to stay sober and their strength of will.

Hate to hear the truth

I WAS reading in an article where a liberal was raving how these so-called Christians spew hate when they criticize abortion, homosexual lifestyles and our president's shameless character. Hating the sin is the objective of most Christians, not the sinner. As for hate, some hate to hear the truth, which reveals the loss of moral and Christian values absent in their own lives.

Don't give up on God

THIS IS in response to "Christmas depression." I urge you not to give up on God. He's the only person who will always be there for you, and I can understand how you feel. I've been there. I've had the same problem. But I never gave up on God because he wouldn't let me. If you have a problem with your church, if you're not happy, and I realize that you're Catholic, but that doesn't mean that you can't go to another church. Come to our church. I go to Grace United Methodist Church. We would love to have you. We would welcome you. I hear you crying out for friendship, fellowship, communion with God. And you will find all of that at Grace United. When I first started, I was terrified. It was such a huge church, but my husband and me were welcomed into the middle of it. We're an integral part of it now. My husband was a Catholic before this. We have an early worship service at 8 a.m. We have Sunday School at 9:15, and we have a late worship service at 10:30 on Sunday morning. Please come visit us.

There are friendly churches

THIS IS to the depressed lady who had the bad experience on Christmas Eve at church. Please don't give up. Keep trying. There are friendly churches out there. Ten years ago I was out looking for a church, and I did find a friendly church in Jackson. I just want you to know not to give up.

Clean them all out

I KEEP reading rampant negative Republican tirades about Clinton's morals in Speak Out. Newt Gingrich is a rotten apple too. Newt is now in the process of his second messy divorce, having paired off with 33-year-old employee of the House. It all began as an office romance some years ago, and Gingrich was her boss. But Gingrich is still the most pompously pious order on the Republicans' fixation on the moral decay of the left. Nowadays he gives speeches to right-wing groups for $50,000 a clip. A recent example: We have had a 35-year experiment in a unionized, bureaucratic, credentialed, secular assault on the core values of this country, and we should not be surprised that eventually they yield bad fruit because they are bad seeds. Good night! Newt is a bad seed himself. You say he resigned? So what? Bob Barr is still there. Dan Burton is still there. And the top one, Henry Hyde, the very man who led the assault on Clinton's morals. They're all bad seeds, people. Let's clean out all of them. Don't just pick on one side and hide the faults of the other.

Thanks for paying for meal

I want to thank a man who was at Western Sizzlin' the night of Dec. 27. This man paid for my meal along with his own. I don't know who he was, but I want to thank this man very much for what he did for me. I remember him sitting there, but I don't know who he was. I appreciated what he did very much, and God bless him.

Another dangerous addiction

MY WIFE just read a Speak Out item about alcoholism and George Bush and about him being a potential time bomb because he has had a drinking problem. She says, what about Clinton? He's a sex pervert, and he's never quit. Bush has quit his problem for several years, which shows he does have some control of himself. But Clinton hasn't shown he has any control. He's still lying, and he knows about his sex life. That probably hasn't changed either. What gives? If you're talking about addiction, you better get busy and kick Clinton out by Valentine's Day. He's dangerous.

How would Christ be treated?

MY HEART and prayers goes out to the fine lady who called and said she would never go back to church because of the hostile treatment she received at Mass on Christmas Eve. You must remember, the devil is the prince of the world and still has powers. He wants people to be religious, but he does not want them to be Christians. He wants them to belong to the church, he wants them to be leaders, but not compassionate or loving of one another. Go to church and pray. If you find one or two who are caring and friendly, you have achieved something. Try to do as Christ would want you to do. I wonder, if Christ came back today, if some church leaders would have him arrested for vagrancy. Makes you wonder.

Those devastating effects

I'D LIKE to thank a recent Speak Out caller who spoke about George W. Bush's drinking problem and expressed concerns that George had an addictive personality. The caller explained the hazards and symptoms of addictive personalities and its devastating affects. I really appreciate that caller's comments. If other Speak Out readers don't believe in the devastating effects of addictive personalities, they need only look as far as the nation's president to see the results. Look what sexual addiction has done to Mr. Clinton.

No doctor, no apology

THIS IS in regard to the comment from the person who had problems with the doctor, waiting two hours when he was sick, and became sicker as he sat there in the waiting room. I also had an appointment with the doctor. I live out of town, drove several miles. When I got to the office they told me the doctor would not see me that day. They hadn't called to tell me the doctor would not be in the office. I got no apology whatsoever. This is one of the several reasons why people are going to St. Louis. We'd rather go up there, and the doctor takes care of us.

A liberal diagnosis

IT AMAZES me, the arrogance and condescension the liberals often use. On Dec. 30, an armchair expert on alcoholism called in and spouted off all manner of claims about George W. Bush in regard to an alcohol problem he had 15 -- count 'em -- 15 years ago, and has had no problem with since. Yet this person still acts as though George just got back on the wagon after a six-month bender. Who does this person think he is? He can diagnose a person he's never met and make such accusations about him. I bet this caller would have no such qualms about President Clinton, who has demonstrated he still has a problem with sex and has made no attempt to get any help.

Thanks for sports coverage

WELL, I whined when I wasn't happy with what your reporters were doing, so now I humbly apologize and thank them very much for their coverage of the University High winning team in today's paper. It was very appropriate and well-written, and I appreciate it.

Christmas wish was granted

THERE REALLY is a Santa Claus, and his name is Derrick McCord. I've been wishing for Scott City to win the Christmas tournament ever since I was a little kid, and it finally happened, thanks to Coach McCord and all the Scott City Rams. It was great.

No news was good news

THANKS BE to God, Y2K became the biggest non-event of the century.

Cape is a dirty town

CAPE GIRARDEAU is a dirty town. Broadway, Kingshighway, Themis it's all just cruddy and dirty. You've got trash all over the place. It's just a dirty town. People don't have any pride around here.

Stop putting George W. down

I WISH people would stop trying to put George W. down. I think he did a lot by stopping drinking, if in fact he had a problem to begin with. I have no problem with voting for an ex-alcoholic, but I do have a problem with the present president who is a liar and a cheat.

Do something about imports

POLITICIANS, WHERE are thou? Aren't you going to do something about the foreign imports coming into this country and taking our factory workers' jobs. Everything you pick up in the store now is made in China. Come on, get off your duff and quit giving yourselves raises. Get this trade deficit straightened out once and for all and give these jobless people their jobs back. They don't need retraining. They need for you politicians to save their jobs. Do not let these foreign countries flood our markets with their junk.

Another warm welcome

I'M CALLING In response to the lady who said she went to midnight Mass and said she was mistreated. I'd like to invite her to worship with us at the Church of God on Farmington Street in Jackson. She would get a very warm welcome.

Really nice decorations

I REALLY enjoyed the decorated homes and lawns this Christmas. Especially the one on Old Street here in Jackson. I thought it was just beautiful. I hope they continue decorate every year, because it's very nice.