SPEAKOUT

Channels good for kids

I'M CALLING in reply to all the people who have called about TCI cable company. I have children, and I happen to think that the two new channels that we have received on our cable network are very educational. And my children enjoy watching them. I am a Bulls fan, and I'm going to miss WGN. However, I just want you to think that our cable has 30 something channels. I don't think two more added for our kids is a problem.

Outraged over trickery

TO MR. Al Spradling: I did not get the message that the tax if passed would stop the water rate from being raised. The message I understood, was without the tax, it would be raised. The council was very deceptive. You already had it budgeted but did not let the citizens know until after the tax had passed. You knew you could only raise it 5 percent. This was your way of raising rates and getting the tax passed too. How very tricky. I am outraged.

Coal from Indonesia

THE WORLD'S cleanest-burning, low-sulfur coal occurs in two places. One of these places is in southern Utah which Bill Clinton declared a national preserve, thus making the mining of this Utah coal illegal. The users of this particular type of coal must now buy it from the only other place in the world where it occurs. Guess where that place is? If you guessed Indonesia, you are right. The same Indonesia where all the illegal campaign contributions came from.

Speak Out callers

JUST WANTED to call and encourage the Missourian, never, never, ever discontinue Speak Out. When you started, I really didn't appreciate it because a lot of people were calling in being real nasty. But now I'm really enjoying it. I've learned to read it for what it is. And, us moderates who don't trust either party and voted independent are having a ball watching the so-called conservative/liberal battle in your Speak Out. I can sit here and read what you liberals keep calling in because you've got a point, whatever it is. And you conservatives, I can sit here and just relax and enjoy. Your blood pressure's up about 30 points, your stomach's churning, you eat antacid tablets, you are just so mad, you just hate, hate, hate people who think differently so much. For heavens sake, Missourian, there are a lot of good people that call in with good commonsense statements that are for the benefit for all of us. I'm really enjoying thinking about these people who are just tearing up their systems because they just love to hate.

Overhaul justice system

I'M APPALLED at what I just heard. The Supreme Court has voted that even an offense for which someone was charged but later acquitted can still be used against them. I was under the impression, as were most of the people I know, that you are to be considered innocent until proven guilty beyond the reasonable doubt. I don't understand why when reasonable doubt results in an acquittal that could still be used against them. This is the reason why a lot of these people in the country today feel the government is becoming too powerful, and this also the reason a lot of people are turning into militia groups. I think someone needs to look at this with a clear head, and the justice system needs to be overhauled.

No concealed weapons

WITH SEN. Peter Kinder pushing the concealed weapons law and the Missourian with its editorials in favor of having concealed weapons, I would suggest that they read their own paper that was published Jan. 6 and see the decline in crime in the cities of St. Louis and Kansas City. That's the most asinine law that they're trying to get passed, just to put more guns on the street.

TCI, correct your mistakes

TCI, YOU really have a lot nerve to take away WGN. "Seventh Heaven" was my favorite show, so I suggest that you put it back on. I'm sure many people feel this way but are too shy to come right out and tell you how they feel about it. Also, they should leave Comedy Central on because if they want cable to be more family oriented, Comedy Central is much more so than Animal Planet. I recommend they review the channel choices more carefully and correct their mistakes.

Social Security scare

NOW I hear it's up to 30 years when Social Security will go broke. I'm 62. When I was 21, I was told don't be too surprised that Social Security is gone when you reach retirement age. They told my father when Social Security first came out that they didn't give it 15 years. Now I hear these fellows 50 years old say, well, I won't have Social Security when it comes my time. What it amounts to is a Wall Street and the capitalist scare. What they want to do is get into private insurance, and they would like to abolish a Democratic system brought out by the liberal Democrats. They want to destroy. They tried to save it. Sure, the fox wants to save the hen house.

Curbside service

WHO? I have no idea. But I want you to know that you have one good Samaritan in Cape Girardeau. He noticed an elderly lady trying to get her foot up over the curb at a local bank which seemed impossible. So he came and bodily picked her up, stood her on the sidewalk and saw that she got into the bank, an experience that will never be forgotten. Thank you.