SPEAKOUT

Thieves ruin spirit of decorating

WELL, THIS is my last year for putting out any Christmas decorations. I just don't think the beauty of it is appreciated that much. After all the hard work you put in, these two-bit thieves come around and steal. I made a report, and the police officers said there were three cars of juveniles who were stealing. I'd like to know what they're doing about it. I have two knee replacements, and it took me over 30 days to put this stuff up. I started on Halloween. A large Santa I've had for about 10 years was stolen. All the lights and decorations out of the trees were stolen and torn up. I just don't think it's worth the time, and I don't think it's appreciated that much. You do it because you enjoy it, but it's just not worth it. I commend people who keep on trying but believe you me, it's very disheartening. They don't care about you. They don't care what you did. You have hoodlums running loose, and they don't care about anybody.

Punish the crooked politicians

I CERTAINLY hope you were kidding in your recent editorial when you said that you thought the politicians should maintain their pensions after they are thrown from office. I think that is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. The politician must be as clean as Caesar's wife. This old garbage of these lawyers and politicians being up for sale is completely against the American way. We must punish them, and we must punish them severely. I worked in Chicago for several years, and I always remember the old joke: They have some of the best politicians money can buy.

El Nino provided a short winter

YOU KNOW, I didn't give much thought to the catch phrase of today, El Nino, but now I know it's true and capable of wonderful deeds. Spring came recently because I saw two robins in my back yard. Can summer be but a few weeks away? So don't worry about snow shovels and coats. True, it was a short winter, but I'm thankful. Thank you, El Nino.

We need old-fashioned family docs

THE HOSPITALS are talking about merging, but what we really need in Cape are some good, caring doctors. Most of those have retired. The younger ones all want to be specialists for just one thing, so you have go from doctor to doctor, each one giving you a pill, not caring what the others have done. No wonder people are going to Memphis and St. Louis. So get some good family doctors in Cape, and you won't have to worry. We need them very much.

Gambling for education is wrong

IT IS ironic that the Missourian is now using the term gambling instead of the sanitized gaming that was used in your earlier support of riverboat gambling. How is it that cruising on the river cleanses gambling of its negative impact? Also, funding the education of our children with revenue from gambling has always been a bad idea. We are now reaping what has been sown and are surprised by the betrayal of the evil that too many have put their trust in. James Russell Lowell wrote, "We enslave our children's children when we compromise with sin."

Farm Bureau should support opportunities

IN LIGHT of the article that was in the Southeast Missourian where the Farm Bureau alters it's hemp stand, it seems as though the people who use the product have another hurdle to go over. It seems that the Farm Bureau and the State Highway Patrol and our Legislature are going to have to figure out how they are going to do the testing of field-grade hemp to make products that are viable for our economic vitality of Missouri. By local farmers being able to produce hemp, it's going to increase job opportunities in Missouri. What they've done is just thrown another hurdle in our job opportunities in Missouri. So, Farm Bureau members, please note that when somebody comes by asking you for a job. You could have already offered one by letting this legislation pass.

U.S. give aid, cuts vet benefits

WELL, HERE we go again. Another foreign country wanting to get on the gravy train, and the good old U.S. of A. says, "Come on, all you countries over there that's been spitting in our face. Come forward, make friends with the good old U.S. of A., and we in turn will feed you, give you money, any amount, doesn't matter." Oh, how our politicians have stumbled in office. They have forgotten Pearl Harbor, Korea, Vietnam. And now they are forgetting their veterans by cutting their benefits. What in the world is happening to our country? This is all Iran wants: to get the money from the U.S. Lord help us. God help the U.S. of A.