SPEAKOUT

Friendly Scott City church

I WOULD just like to mention that I had been in this area for seven areas and visited many churches. A few months ago, I went to little Wesleyan Methodist Church in Scott City. It was just full of love and kindness that I would tell anybody who feels like they aren't getting what they should out of church to come there to really know what Christianity is all about. And I would also like to remind everybody that the church is the people who go there.

Robertson spreads gloom and doom

WHEN PAT Robertson wasn't on "The 700 Club" recently, I figured either he was in Washington sticking his nose in politics again or overseas visiting heads of state which he does a lot. But I was wrong this time. He was in New Hampshire working the crowds of the Christian Coalition convention by preaching gloom and doom and telling how bad our country's being run and how they need to get three of their members appointed to the Supreme Court in the future. It sounds to me like the man is trying to run for president of the United States. He should stay out of politics or give up his tax exemption for the 700 Club. We do not need people like him in government. He is bad. He fleeces the poor people and elderly women, and he a good friend of Kenneth Starr. And speaking of Starr, I hope everybody saw "60 Minutes" on TV. When he was federal judge, he knew and deliberately let General Motors officials perjure themselves on a federal case. They had proof and witnesses on "60 Minutes" to substantiate what they said. He is in Washington. He should be removed and prosecuted.

Dangerous to let murderers go

TO THE person who said that we should turn the other cheek instead of an eye for an eye: How many times can we let murderers off with a slap on the wrist? These murderers will go kill others because we let them go instead of punishing them. According to Stanford Law Review January 1998, of roughly 52,000 inmates serving time for murder in 1984, 810 murderers were let go after serving an average of 10 years in prison. The 810 murderers killed a total of 821 people after they were let off. They were finally either put in jail for life or executed. I ask you, how would you have felt if one of those 821 innocent people was related to you? Mr. Carnahan, I believe that you were doing a great job until now, but don't expect my vote come election time.

Two-cheek limit

I READ where a caller said you were supposed to turn one cheek and then turn the other. Well, I might turn my right cheek, and I might turn my left cheek, but you can bet after they hit both of my cheeks, they're getting a fist in their cheek.

Oppose public-employee bargaining

I WOULD like to comment on the Missourian's editorial about collective bargaining. I agree that collective bargaining is not a good thing for Missouri's public employees. I would also like to add that if these bills get signed, the teachers would also be included in collective bargaining, and it would only take the emphasis away from educating our children and put it on the teachers paycheck. I urge everyone who reads the Southeast Missourian to write to their legislators and voice an opinion about collective bargaining for public employees, House Bill 166 and the two Senate bills that are in front of the Legislature.

It will all be gone

WHY SHOULD Congress debate over how to use the surplus? If Mr. Clinton takes many more trips loaded with taxpayers' money to give away, there won't be any surplus to fight over.

Get both sides

TO THE caller who made the tongue-in-cheek apology to God and Republicans. Yes, we Republicans pray for our president, not our ruler. And no, we Republicans have not worked at destroying the president's family. He has done a fairly good job of that himself without our help. You stated your didn't read the transcript. By that, I would assume you are not too well-informed as to what has actually taken place. And from the tone of your comments, I would guess you get all your information from network news. I know this suggestion will upset you, but here goes. Continue listening and watching CBS, ABC, NBC and CNN, but balance that by tuning into Rush Limbaugh. Then make up your own mind from the facts you have heard from both sides. No, there's no need to apologize to Republicans, but you may wish to pray for God's help in overcoming the animosity you feel toward us.