SPEAKOUT

What happened to carding?

I'M CONFUSED about something. I just saw a report about "Kick Butt Day" to help keep children from smoking. Didn't Mr. Clinton do something about this not too long ago by having people purchasing cigarettes carded? You can't buy cigarettes if you're under 21. This was really supposed to stop teen-agers from smoking. What happened here? Can somebody explain to me what's happened? If they're such big honchos in Washington and know it all and can cure all ills, I thought that was going to be the end of it, carding everybody so that underage people can't buy cigarettes.

Alternative energy on the way

AS USUAL, Peter Kinder is ignoring the facts and trying to justify the wasting of petroleum products. Oil is being formed at a very much slower rate than it is being used. Therefore, we must quit wasting oil as we don't have enough to last indefinitely. Don't deride the development of alternative energy sources and methods. There are fuel cells in development that will produce electricity to run cars directly from methanol. And they will have only water as an exhaust. Methanol can be made from many things, including garbage. General Motors, Ford and Daimler Chrysler have in development automobiles that will get 80 miles per gallon in full-sized cars. They're due on the market by 2004.

Adults set examples

IT SEEMS in our liberal, no-values world, at a certain age it's all right to smoke, to drink, to indulge in X-rated entertainment. It seems if these things are harmful to a youth, it would be avoided by an adult with character. If you think it's harmful to your children, why isn't it harmful to you? Do as I say, not as I do. I'm the adult here. Sounds kind of sick, doesn't it?

File those charges

NOW THAT a federal judge has found Microsoft guilty of abuse, when is someone going to charge Clinton with his abuse of power of the presidency? And conviction for perjury in a federal court? Doesn't the law apply to everyone in this democracy?

It serves their purposes

THIS IS going to be a bruising national campaign this fall, because all the Democratic cadres, like feminists, the race hustlers, the union bosses, gay activists, Hollywood celebs, baby-killing abortionists, environmental whackos, socialists and other left-wingers will all go to the wall to assure four more years of Clinton/Gore -- the most despicable, crooked, anti-American administration in our history. Why? Because the Clinton/Gore administration has been very good to them on everything from illegal executive orders to the immoral code of "if it feels good, just do it," appointment of ACLU activist judges to court, even to the Supreme Court, and finally, to the redistribution of income taken from those who produce and have it given to those who won't, and don't, have it.

Chivalry isn't dead

THIS IS for the gentleman who paid for the lady's computer copies at the Jackson Public Library April 3 in the afternoon. You are a true gentleman, and it was a very sweet gesture. She appreciated it very much, and so did I. I work there. Chivalry is not dead. Thank you again.

More medical woes

I TOO would like to know what's wrong with the doctors in Cape. I've had some unbelievable experiences here and have felt it necessary to go to St. Louis for care, where one is treated with courtesy and respect. One doctor did minor surgery and did not put it in the report. Scar shows that it was done. Another told me to sit in a chair till midnight and I'd be able to sleep. Insomnia. Some help. Another one did a procedure under anesthesia and the office said I couldn't see the doctor about the results for one month and one day. Another one told me I'd had a bunch of strokes. Second opinion at Barnes: I'd never had a stroke in my life. Another one changed my appointment twice by mailing tiny scraps of paper to me instead of calling to work the date out with me. The office help is horribly rude and inefficient. I could go on. Doctors in St. Louis want to know what's wrong with the Cape doctors and assistants.