SPEAKOUT

Dressing up the dogs

I WOULD like to comment about people who dress their dogs in clothing. It's a sickness and perversity to get enjoyment out of seeing little Fido in a biker outfit. Their masters must be akin somehow to transvestites who themselves don't have the courage to come out of the closet so they live their sickness through their dogs. It should be against the law to put an animal through that, and the Humane Society ought to be called on them.

Light poaching sentences

I WAS shocked and appalled by the light sentences given by the federal district judge to the father and son, John and Andy Partney from Van Buren, for their arrogance and illegal slaughter and poaching of animals. It's typical of judges in these poaching cases, just a slap on the wrist and that's really all the punishment such lawbreakers receive. The son should have received a jail or prison sentence too. A message needs to be sent that this kind of thing won't be tolerated. Instead all such wildlife lawbreakers know they will receive light sentences. Do you think the small fines mean anything to these people? Obviously, they have plenty of money. The young Partney's life pattern is set following his father's example, and he knows he won't receive much punishment. His guns were sold in Carter County. Friends will be returning those weapons to them within a few years. That's a tight-knit group over there who sees nothing wrong with taking deer and other animals out of season. Until the judge gives stiff penalties for such irresponsible people, their abuses and excesses of such blatant acts will continue.

Education and banned books

THIS IS concerning the attempt to ban the book "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller. The purpose of schools is to educate, and to do this, every point of view must be presented to the student. From this information, the student, with good strong moral instructions from the parents, can sort out what is acceptable and what is unacceptable for them. Through the school education and their parental upbringing they have this choice. It seems that in this "Death of a Salesman" incident the parents are so insecure that they do not trust their child to make an intelligent decision. Also, do they allow their child to use a dictionary? The same words can be found there. Three cheers for the Egyptian school principal and school board. Education is for all students, not just one if parents have a problem. Scott Moyers said it much better than I can in his column.

The Wichita team crash

JUST WANTED to comment on Gary Rust's column. He mentioned sports teams that had been involved in airline crashes. He forgot the Wichita State football team that was killed in a airplane crash about 15 years ago.

Rep. Kasten and pay raises

MRS. KASTEN, where were you when the House voted on legislative pay raises? That should be the big thing. Where was Mary? You were so vehemently opposed to getting a raise. When it came to a head, you stayed away. You were one of the loudest foes against it but when it comes to the battle you retreat. Mary, Mary, quite contrary, I wonder how your garden does grow.

REPLY: First, get the facts. State Rep. Mary Kasten is on record opposing the pay increases. She voted against them when the House acted prior to the Senate's vote. Last week the House voted again, on Tuesday, on the language adopted by the Senate. Kasten was unable to get to Jefferson City because of the ice storm that passed through Missouri. She attempted the drive but turned back because of dangerous road conditions.

Jury should be sequestered

THAT JUDGE in Santa Monica who's hearing the O.J. Simpson civil case is either mighty stupid or might naive. Even Perry Mason sequesters a jury when it's in deliberation.

Other towns have channels

THIS IS to let the citizens of Cape know that Jefferson City, which is smaller than Cape Girardeau, has 47 cable channels, and Mt. Vernon, Ill., has 58, and they have half the size of Cape in population. If they can have quality service in those two small towns, Jefferson City having the same terrain as that they have here in Cape, there's no excuse. I'm kind of tired of it, and I'm going to let the cable service headquarters know about it. They're taking off Animal Planet. You get used to one channel and then they take it off again. I'm getting tired of it, and this is the only city that does that.

Watch out on water control

IF THE city gets hold of the water plant, you'd better watch out. Look at the shape the schools are in and look at that airport fiasco. If they hold of the plant, gasoline will be cheaper than the water we're getting.

Who wants VH-1?

YOU KNOW, after reading in the paper and seeing the TV, the city representatives and TCI must think that the people of Cape Girardeau are really stupid. We didn't say we wanted VH-1, we said WGN. Anyway, they think, oh give the dummies a little and they'll be happy.

Bridge lights or seminary

I CANNOT believe that they are trying to make us think that spending scads of zillions of dollars to light the new bridge for beautification is more important than saving the seminary. If you want beauty when you cross that bridge, you just remember it when you look where the seminary used to be and you see a motel or trailer park or a dump and nobody is to blame but the city of Cape.