SPEAKOUT

Jackson schools great

I'M CALLING to say that I have children in the Jackson school district, and I support the Jackson school district and the Jackson school board. I think Jackson is a fantastic school district. That's one of the reasons that I brought my family to the area, and we reside in Jackson now. As I read the Sunday paper, I'm preparing to go to church and my children are getting ready, too. And I read an item "Forced to tell" about the Jackson school district in Speak Out. I continue to see these items in Speak Out and it concerns me. I'm not concerned so much about the district, because I feel the district is outstanding and is strong, and will continue to be strong. I'm more concerned for the individuals who seem to be exhibiting so much hatred and anger. I will pray for them this morning when I go to church. And I will also pray for our community and our school district, that we would not be divided, but that finally, we could turn all negatives into positives and stand strong together.

A kind suggestion

I HAVE an idea for Random Acts of Kindness. If you notice that your school grounds needs to be weeded, then weed it. If you're at a fast food place and see a weed in their landscaping, pull it up. If you see something that needs doing, do it. Don't complain.

Respect, not color

I read in Speak Out where somebody suggested that we have the statue at Capaha Park on what is known as Freedom Corner to be painted green. That would be in conformity with the statue in New York that is made out of copper, and copper naturally turns green. I don't think it's the color that matters so much as how you respect the old lady. I understand that the statue is going to be painted sometime after Memorial Day, so why not go all out and fix up the whole corner? The eagles on top of their columns do not represent the national emblem, the bald eagle. Bald eagles are not a gold color. Paint them too, and the whole Freedom Corner will be up to par.

Chips fall

THE REPUBLICANS don't hate the poor or want to rough on the elderly or the unemployed. But every time the Republicans come into power, the chips just fall that way. Like George Bush vetoed the unemployment insurance act. The family leave act was opposed by the Republicans, as was the veterans' bonus. Unfortunately, many veterans are conservative Republicans. Their fellow Republican, Hoover, didn't want them to get that bonus. No, the Republicans don't say they hate the poor and elderly, but the way they legislate, the chips just happen to fall that way.

What about the tax?

I READ the article in the paper about six Democratic senators backing Carnahan, and they talk about things he has done. But I didn't see one thing mentioned about him lying to the people about raising the $380 million tax that he promised to have voted on and then reneged on. I can't imagine how they could have missed that. It's not much of a secret.

What about drugs

WHY DOESN'T Clinton and Gore zero in on hard drugs, as strong as they have on tobacco companies, computer companies like Microsoft, and gun manufacturers? Are they afraid their supply will be dried up? Drug dopers don't vote.

Pink flamingos?

WHO IN the world has spread those plastic pink flamingos around? Surely that was not an act of kindness. Looks more like a Halloween trick to me.

Baccalaureate important

I ATTENDED Central High School's baccalaureate service and was aghast at seeing so many empty graduate seats. Why did they opt to skip the religious part of graduation? We spout "get prayer back in school" but where were the parents and advisors when it came to urging the students to attend the religious part of their graduation? We have a long way to go before getting prayer back in the schools, if we can't strongly advise the students to attend this important part of the graduation process.

Thanks to JCPenney

SPEAKING OF kindness, I was in JCPenney's store over the weekend, shopping. I became ill and two of the employees came to my rescue with towels and then a young couple from Kelso came by. The employees and the couple insisted they drive me home. I surely won't forget their kindness. There are so many kind people in this world. I thank them so much, and may God bless them.

More thanks

THIS IS a thank you note to Shivelbine's and National Guard for supplying props for the Chateau Girardeau's choral group program that they presented recently to the Chateau residents. We wanted to thank them for their help.

County parks A-plus

I'M CALLING about Cape County Park. In my lifetime I've traveled to a lot of areas and been in a lot of public entities such as parks, etc. Never have I seen one as beautiful as Cape County Park, nor as serviceable, considering all the clean restrooms, clean tables, everything. So my compliments to employees and administrative staff, whoever has anything to do with it, and I want to say how wonderful it is. I do wish on the nature paths there would be perhaps an area 5-ft. wide that would be void of poison ivy. That would be an improvement. But overall, you get an A-plus.

A real gentleman

BRANDON AT K-mart: thank you for bringing my husband and me sodas while we sold Buddy Poppies. You are more than a teen-ager, you are a gentleman. Also, thanks to everyone for their donation to the veterans. You are appreciated.

Thanks for medical help

THIS IS to the fireman and paramedics who came and treated me and brought me to the hospital on Wednesday morning. Thank you very much. If it hadn't been for you, and the nurses here at Southeast, I wouldn't be here. So keep going, guys. Thanks again.

Armory is OK

HERE WE go again, bad mouthing the national guard armory. It is not an eyesore. There may be congestion there, I don't know about that, but as far as the way it looks, they can move it next door to me any day.

Clinton prospects

IF BILL Clinton, "William the Impeached", that is, is barred in the state of Arkansas from practicing law, does that mean he can go to any other state in the union and practice law there? After all, he doesn't live in Arkansas anymore. They bought a home in New York. So if he does practice in the state of New York, he can't be a prosecutor because everybody knows he's a liar. And if he's a defense attorney, anybody who's a criminal will know Clinton won't mind if they lie, because he does. Clinton can no longer win for losing.

Tax cuts spur surplus

I'VE JUST read something in the current issue of Human Events that I think is interesting. The chances are good that this year's surplus will be even higher than $210 billion, perhaps even $235 billion or more. The reason is the boom in the American economy and a tidal wave of capital gains earnings from last year's stock market rise. Ronald Reagan's firm belief that tax cuts would spur strong long-term economic growth and boost tax revenues enough to raise the deficits has proven true. The surpluses are a direct result of his tax cuts in the 80s. It launched many of the fast-growing businesses that have been the driving force behind our present growth rates. These fatter than expected revenue numbers are good news for George W. Bush, who wants to give about one-fourth of the estimated $4 trillion in total government surpluses back to taxpayers over the next 10 years. It is now going to be very difficult for his critics to argue that the Feds cannot afford to give some of the surpluses back when they continue to grow at unprecedented rates.

Wonderful neighbors

ON THE act of kindness, we live at Jackson. My husband, Roger, has become disabled, and our neighbors Kenny and Kay Gibbar have shown more than kindness to us. They have bought food every week, gave us money, paid our bills, when they go out to eat they take us along and pay for everything. They ask for nothing in return. Roger has a bad time breathing, and has to be on oxygen at all times. This past Saturday, Kenny and Kay bought us a brand new air conditioner for our bedroom so Roger can breathe easier. I was so overwhelmed when I saw the air conditioner. Kenny even installed it himself. Thank you Kenny and Kay. You are the sweetest neighbors there are.