SPEAKOUT

Explaining your position

MANY CHRISTIANS say they don't believe in abortion but everyone should have the right to choose. I'm sure God is pleased to know you don't object to someone else taking a child's life. I'm sure he'll say you're right, this is none of your business, and you shouldn't care about another human life. I'm sure he'll praise you for not getting involved and suggesting an alternative. I'm sure you'll be able to explain your position, because, after all, he created life.

Remember the aunts

I'D LIKE to say to the crafters who are coming out for the big craft show that I hope this year you won't forget the aunts when you're making crafts and maybe make a few items that are aunt related, because we aunts are important too.

Well-behaved students

I WOULD like to speak out about the children at Clippard Elementary School in Cape Girardeau on how behaved the children are when they're going to school and when they're leaving school. Keep up the good work at Clippard School.

Big-money contributions

CAMPAIGN FINANCE reform: How does Jo Ann Emerson vote in Congress? Judging from the newspaper article listing her PAC contributions, the role of money in modern-day politics evidently does count toward buying votes. That's politics. But is that the way to go? Thanks to Speak Out for letting us little people get our opinions on record.

Slamming problems

THIS IS to anyone who's been slammed before by the telephone companies and especially if you're a small business like I am. I put a freeze on my account after I was slammed the last time, and my understanding from Southwestern Bell was that I would never be able to slammed again. But, surprise. That isn't the way that it works. Now I find that I've been slammed again by a company that can't bill me for the long-distance calls, but they set up an account for me and charge me a minimum amount every month. Yes, that's right. They can charge you a $5 minimum amount whether or not you use the service. It's another form of slamming, and it should be illegal. I plan on calling the attorney general, Jo Ann Emerson and Southwestern Bell to complain. And if anyone else has been slammed out there, especially you small businesses, find out who you're with. I suggest that you call too.

No Halloween party

I JUST wanted the people to know that I am very unhappy with all of the elementary schools in Jackson being able to have a Halloween party while Orchard Elementary is not allowed to have a Halloween party. This is the second year in a row this has happened, and I'm not very happy about it.

Atheists and money

THIS ATHEIST in Nixa who can't sign a personal property tax form saying it would be dishonest because it has the word "so help me God" on it. What about the money we use every day? It has the words "In God we trust." Next thing you know, he will want to change that.

Thanks for battery help

I WOULD like to thank the good Samaritans who were looking for their car at Southeast Missouri Hospital and gave my car battery a jump. P.S. My husband thanks you too.

Vote to ban cockfighting

WE LIVE in a so-called civilized country, yet we allow steel claws to be attached to an animal and watch while the two animals are forced to bludgeon each other to death with these steel claws. Look at what we are teaching our children if cockfighting is still allowed to happen. If a child thinks it is OK to torture and abuse animals for pleasure, what will he grow up thinking about the sanctity of life? If a person cannot be kind and compassionate to defenseless, helpless creatures, how would he treat human beings? If you all had any heart and care about the future of our world, please vote for banning cockfighting through Proposition A. We have to start somewhere, and it absolutely sickens me to think that people get enjoyment out of seeing two animals that are trained to kill each other

Keep government separated

WHEN PEOPLE graduate from law school, they take the state bar exam and become members of the state bar. Members of the state bar are automatically part of the judicial system for that state. In the United States, we have a separation of the three different branches of government. There's the separation of the judicial, the legislative and the executive branches. Because lawyers are part of the judicial branch, we should not elect lawyers to either of the other branches. It is a conflict of interest. Every chance you get, vote for somebody who is not a lawyer.

Agrees with MoDOT

CONCERNING Glen Birk's letter in support of MoDOT's planned improvement through Jackson, I am with him 100 percent and am rudely disappointed in the city of Jackson's stand.

God and politics

TRYING TO twist religion to fit you political view is hypocritical. People claim to be Christians by going to church every Sunday, then support politicians and their views that are in direct violation of God's word with excuses like God shouldn't be in politics, we have faults, my right to choose. You shall be judged by your political views as well as your Christian views. You can't hide your real priorities from God.

Can't expect perfection

THE AMERICAN people have made it abundantly clear that we don't consider a sexual act between two consenting adults a federal offense. We may find it objectionable, might even find it disgusting, but it's not a federal offense. It is a violation of God's law, but our forefathers did not put that in the Constitution -- that one had to be perfect or walk on water. If so, we have no one to qualify. Nobody.