SPEAKOUT

They 'stole' it too

THIS IS to all the landowners who are opposed to the lake in Bollinger and Cape counties. I know you say that you don't "want your ground stolen" because it has been in your family for years and years. Who do you think your ancestors "stole it from?" The Indians.

800 help lines aren't very helpful

I WOULD just like to make a comment about the federal and state governments having a 800 numbers to check on your tax return. When you can't find anything by dialing these 800 numbers, the state 800 number tells everyone right now that their status that they put in the phone system doesn't match their computer so they have no information and then they give you a number that's not a 800 number and you have to dial that. I got told today, and it's telling everybody, that the computer is messed up and has been for a while. As far as the federal, they never know anything. They don't have any information. Our taxes were filed about seven weeks ago. I just wanted to make a comment on that. I don't know why they bother to give anyone a 800 number where you can call and check on your tax return, because it's a waste of time and you have to go through all the voice mail and do all the numbers and everything. That's all I have to say. Thanks.

Courage to speak out

AFTER READING Mike Royko's column about the lies admittedly told by the National Coalition of Abortion Providers about partial-birth abortions, I say bravo to state Sen. Peter Kinder for being one of the few who did not fall for the lies and for consistently showing the courage to speak out about this particular barbaric practice.

Officials have higher standards

I'M CALLING in regards to the article "Gore made fund-raising calls from office." It says that he felt that he was exempt as vice president from laws that generally prohibit people from fund raising in public buildings. I was just wondering when any person becomes exempt from the law. I didn't realize that becoming a public official made you exempt to any law. In fact, it makes you more liable to own up to them.

Small churches, big spirit

I'M CALLING in regard to the article about the rural Cape County churches, the little country churches. I have attended Barks Chapel Church and find it quite a wonderful little place to worship the Lord. If you all are wondering why the little country churches have been overtaken by the modern-day church, then come out and visit our church in Bollinger County. Bollinger County is full of little rural country churches. We attended one in Scopus called Mount Zion General Baptist Church, and we would welcome anyone to come out and visit with us as it is filled with the spirit of the Lord.

The effect of threats

WELL BY now, I'm sure the persons who threatened Stan Crader and his family are congratulating themselves. However, before they become too confident, they might do well to consider the effect threatening life and lives of a community leader and his family will have on the law-abiding citizens of Bollinger County. Regardless of how you feel about the lake, this act of lawlessness cannot and should not be tolerated, and the person or persons responsible should be prosecuted to the limit of the law.

A Bob Dole Republican

THE MORE I listen to Peter Kinder, the more I'm sure that he is a Bob Dole Republican. You probably know that Bob Dole's aide says that Bob Dole's credo was concern for the greedy, contempt for the needy. The more I hear Peter Kinder, the more I'm sure of that. The lake thing is exactly in that manner.

Deplorable mess

THIS ENTIRE Clinton-Gore mess is appalling. What need do we have of a vice president if all he's going to do is sit in our White House and campaign for his election at our expense? Doesn't the vice president have any other duties to perform or any duties at all? The whole thing is deplorable, and I cannot understand why we have two people in our White House who don't even know what our laws are or who are so carelessly break our laws.

An illusory proposal

GARY RUST quotes the Washington Post as saying that President Clinton's budget is "an illusory budget." That is exactly the type of proposition that the Cape school district is trying to pass on April 1 with its master plan. The district wants $14 million and another $14 million in two years. Doesn't that add up to more than the previous school board asked for? How can Perryville and Jackson pass school bonds for schools? It's because they ask for one needed building at a time. Cape Girardeau is largely a middle-class community of average salaried people who are already heavily taxed. Some of them live on a Social Security check, most of which must be spent on food and medicine. How can they afford more taxes? We don't need this new heavy tax burden for computers and fancy buildings. We need good, dedicated teachers who will teach basic grammar and math. People are not going to carry a computer with them to the grocery store, but they do need to know how to add and multiply when purchasing food. They also need to know how to spell and write a correct sentence when applying for a job. I urge you to vote no on April 1.

The lake and commandments

I WOULD like to talk about the lake committee and some of God's commandments. You shalt not steal, Exodus 20:15. It sounds like the lake committee is trying to steal a lot of farms, homes and businesses. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor, Exodus 20:16. Lying to get what you want in Jefferson City by the lake committee is bearing false witness against all the farmers, homeowners and landowners that will be effected and getting lied about. You shall not covet your neighbor's house, Exodus 20:17. The lake committee wants our land so bad they can profit from it. That my friend is covetous and plain greed and this too, is against God's will. These commandments can also be found in the New Testament as well. I know we landowners here in the lake area are probably going to lose the battle, but vengeance is mine says the Lord. The lake committee will have to answer for their actions of the day of judgment, and may God have mercy on their souls.

Laws are always broken

WITH OR without a law, when a woman wants an abortion, she will get one or have one. When a person wants alcohol, he will get it. When a person wants drugs, he will find them and he will get them. There will always be someone willing to break the law. So why make more laws for people to break? We don't have enough prisons.