SPEAKOUT

Go to school or be expelled

I'VE BEEN reading with interest about all the children bringing handguns to school, and they're either suspended or expelled from school. What does the law say about a child having to go to school? I thought the law mandates that a child must go to school. So if the one hand mandates a child go to school, what does the law say if a child is suspended?

REPLY: While Missouri law require children under the age of 16 to attend school, the law also recognizes that in some instances schools may need to suspend or expel some students. In addition, there are some alternatives for students who are unable to attend regular classes, such as the Alternative School.

Explaining Darwin's theory

I HATE to debate the theory of evolution in your newspaper, but a recent caller seemed to have no understanding. Darwin's theory was not that man evolved from apes. Darwin's theory was that man evolved from an ape-like creature. In other words, through natural selection and through generations and generations an animal adapts. An animal which adapts best reproduces best. Darwin did not say anywhere that man evolved from apes as we know them or apes on this earth. His theory is that at one point, man was more of an ape-like creature and now has become less of one.

Candy throwing is dangerous for kids

THE CHRISTMAS parade was great except for the kids and their candy throwing. Somebody's going to get killed one of these days unless that candy business is stopped.

Jackson mayor's thinking is influenced

IT IS amusing that Mayor Sander of Jackson is against Holigan Homes selling homes from a building in the city. Mayor Sander is a Realtor. That cuts directly into his business, I'm sure he is against it. I think some of his other decisions with the city have been affected because he is a Realtor. I think he needs to look closer at things before he makes a decision.

Family history taken from car

WOULD THE person who took the plastic bag with papers out of my car, would you please take them to the Cape Library. They were 20 years of research on family history. I don't think it's very nice that you took things that didn't belong to you.

Wonderful Christmas parade

THANK YOU, Cape Girardeau, for a great Christmas parade. It was wonderful.

Pearl Harbor remembers in prayers

PEARL HARBOR day, Sunday, Dec. 7, 1997 was most highly recognized by the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pastor David V. Dissen. In all three church services this past Sunday. His prayer of Christian message and thoughts of Pearl Harbor days of Dec. 7, 1941, will be on the minds of the American people now. Lest we forget.

Comment on lights from Scrooge?

TO THE person who objected to the Christmas lights being on at the Vet's Home after 10 p.m. because no one sees them and it's a waste of money. If no one sees them, how did you know they were on? And don't tell me. You're name has to be Ebenezer Scrooge.

Veterans deserve to have lights on

I JUST read the comment complaining about the Veteran's Home lights being on. I'd just like to ask: Has the caller ever thought about what those veterans paid for to preserve freedom? Leave the lights on at the Veteran's Home because it probably gets kind of gloomy around there sometimes, and it's probably a little bit of a joy to them to see the lights on and let people see them and everything.

Thanks for remembering

I WANTED to call in and tell the Cape Girardeau city workers for Parks and Recreation what a good idea it was for them to dedicate their truck in the parade of lights to Wally Barr. It really meant a lot me and my boyfriend and it probably meant a lot to his family also. We were good friends of Wally's and it's good to know that people out there still care and I just wanted to tell them what a good job they done and to keep up the good work.