SPEAKOUT

Good memories of ice cream treats

I JUST read in the 75-years-ago column about a band being given ice cream from I. Ben Miller's drug store. That brought back memories about going to Cape about once a year in our secondhand red Maxwell and getting a special treat of an ice cream cone at I. Ben Miller's. We felt we were on top of the world.

Teen killings are more complex

I WOULD like to comment on the people calling in saying that the media is the reason that teens are killing other teens. First of all, I am tired of reading about people's idiotic accusations about the media. They are always blamed for every wrong in this world. The fact is the reason for teens killing other teens is not that simple. Nothing is ever that simple. It's not just the media's fault. If that were the case, we would just fix the problem tomorrow. The problem is much more complex than that. And I think anyone who thinks they have the problem solved hasn't even scratched the surface.

City needs to clean up area

COULD THE city of Cape Girardeau look at the area just south of Ponderosa, right next to Williams Street, and possibly clean it up or have it cleaned up? It is just something to have a city like Cape Girardeau, as pretty as it is, to have an area like that right in the center of town.

Construction site raises questions

I WISH you would give me an answer to this. What in the world is that going to be out at the corner of Sprigg and Bertling? I have never seen anything take so long and what in the world are those buildings going up there? Please answer me, somebody.

REPLY: If you are referring to the southwest corner of Sprigg and Bertling, Southeast Missouri State University is constructing intramural fields as part of a overall sports complex in that area.

Flowers stolen at cemetery

I FIND it very distressing at St. Mary's Cemetery that I have had two beautiful flower arrangements stolen and now recently a flower arrangement stolen from the grave of grandparents. I think this a very sick person who is doing this, and I think it's sad when they have to go around robbing graves. I think the police need to patrol the cemetery at night and pick up these stealers.

Quayle would set better moral example

THIS IS in response to "Running against Clinton in 2000." The caller is correct: Clinton is like Roosevelt. If you'll remember his history, Roosevelt died in Warm Springs with his lover at his side, not his wife. Too bad Dan Quayle isn't our president. At least our country would be seeing a better moral example for our younger generation.

How can we not judge in this case?

I AM calling in regard to the comment made in reference to the article about the people who cut up their baby and fried it. The comment was, don't interfere in their private lives, who are we to judge. Who are we not to judge when these people take a life, an innocent young life, cut it up, soak it in acid and let animals eat on it so they won't be caught? These people should be soaked in battery acid themselves.

Flag amendment is needed

THE FLAG is needed. There have been flag burnings and worse than that. It has been desecrated, and it is terrible. The only way to make this against the law is to have a flag amendment.

Money seems to sway values

WHEN THE tobacco companies start flashing their dollars, I see that the Republicans forget their family values. Isn't that typical?

City flags are a bunch of nothing

I THINK the idea of having a city flag is a bunch of nothing. I think the money they would give to have city flags should be given to any other worthwhile charity.