SPEAKOUT

Lower the sales tax

I UNDERSTAND Scott County is wanting to raise the sales tax because they said their sales were flat since Wal-Mart had moved into New Madrid County. I just wanted to point out that raising the sales tax will not only not raise more money for them, it will probably make more money go to New Madrid County to shop in order to get a lower sales tax. My suggestion to Scott County is that it lower the sales tax, thus making them more attractive to the buying public and maybe try to attract a different kind of discount store besides Wal-Mart.

Hard work pays off

CONGRATULATIONS TO the girls Jackson Basketball program and the girls basketball program at Notre Dame. What a great job getting second place. That's terrific. I'd like to say that it's amazing when Jackson does so well and Notre Dame does so well. That really promotes our area for good girls sports. So thanks a lot, girls, for all your hard work.

Gore's trip to China

I WANT to comment about Al Gore going over to China. Seems to me like this is bad taste, or maybe it's good planning. These Chinese tried to actually take over. They bought the American election for the president in 1996. I think he's over there trying to get them to hush up the way they have the people here. The Chinese will say they can't remember. I just think this trip by Al Gore should be investigated, because it's obvious he's over there trying to get the Chinese to act like they don't remember. It's obvious they've absolutely sold this country out, and I think they ought to be punished for it.

Existing lake isn't used

I'VE BEEN following the lake controversy in the Southeast Missourian. I question what makes the lake proponents think anyone will use the lake if it's built. We've already got a lake in the area that receives very little use. Why do we need a second lake? My wife and I frequently drive out to Lake Girardeau with binoculars to observe birds and other wildlife. Virtually no one uses that lake. Very seldom do we see more than a handful of people on or around Lake Girardeau.

Newspaper's position

I JUST have a comment about the Southeast Missourian. You can tell it's for the school increase. Seems like all you see in the paper are things for the school bond issue. I don't see anything against it. And I have a comment about the black principal that was just appointed. A week ago, the NAACP was against the school bond issue. A week later, a black man gets promoted to principal at one of the schools. That seems a little strange. I'd call that perfect timing.

REPLY: The caller's comments indicate he learned about the NAACP's opposition to the bond issue by reading this newspaper. In addition, the Southeast Missourian has run many Speak Out comments (including this one) that are against the bond issue, as well as letters to the editor. The news coverage has been based on what happens in the community. As our editorial Friday clearly indicated, the newspaper's editorial position is for the school bond package.

Rebuttal to a smoker

I'D JUST like to respond the self-centered genius who is trying to justify his nicotine habit and smoking in public, particularly in restaurants, by saying his is not putting out anything that factories don't also put out. I would like to point out to this genius that the factories are not coming in and sitting down next to me to where I have to directly breathe the poison they breathe out. My not smoking is not bothering you. Every behavior that is dangerous is restricted in some form or another with the exception of this idiotic habit of smoking. No one can come in and shoot off a gun next to me at the table in the restaurant. They can't drugs or sell drugs at the table right next to me, and those are all harmful behaviors. So why does this genius think that he can sit here and pollute my breathing air? My behavior's not effecting him. He says non-smokers should be the ones who go to a different room. Wrong, the ones who are polluting and creating the poison should be the ones to have to go somewhere else. They are all aware of the poison with how they are killing themselves, but they are too much slave to a habit that they cannot control themselves.

Target alcohol too

I'M STILL waiting for the same outcry about alcohol as there is about tobacco. Nothing is ever said about all the beer commercials on television, mostly at sporting events which young people watch. I never hear of any state suing the beer and liquor companies for alcohol-related illnesses of which I'm sure there are many. I guess more politicians drink than smoke, and we all know they're afraid of the big breweries and liquor companies, especially here in Missouri, the home of Anheuser-Busch.

Appraisal oversight

THIS IS in regard to the article in Speak Out where the gentleman from Jackson wrote about having equal appraisal on the lake property. I have a approximately 140 acres I got in a government program which pays me $9,800 a year. In 10 years it will make $98,000. I can still walk on my ground. Do you think the appraiser will take this into account when he goes to appraise it? I think not.

Trying to manipulate

JUST A comment on the appointment of the first black principal. It is an atrocity, and it is just a way of trying to manipulate and undermine the black voters to believing that the school board and administration are looking for minority teachers and placing them in these roles. I believe that one of the biggest sticks any person in the community can hold over their heads is money, which is the bond vote, and why would a person be willing to pay more money for an administration that is not willing to aid and educate their children? I feel that is the best thing. This was a Clarence Thomas appointment.

Less money for businesses

IF I have $40 a month added to my mortgage payment for equity, it means there will be $40 less to spend at restaurants, $40 less at the hardware store, $40 less at the gas station. Business people, you'd better wake up. Every single household around here is going to have less money to spend at your business, so you better wake up and quit promoting the higher taxes.

NAACP has responsibility

I HAVE read all the negative comments in Speak Out and editorials in reference to the NAACP's stand on the Cape Girardeau school bond issue. The NAACP has the responsibility to actively address the issues and concerns of the black students in our school system. This organization is trying to help us to become politically aware of what is happening in this community. The black community should make sure the politicians or groups who want your votes have your best interests. For some people to imply that Mr. Sterling is hurting the advancement of educating our children is ridiculous. I'm sure you well-educated citizens of Cape Girardeau understand exactly what Mr. Sterling's concerns are. He is not against building a new school, but he is critical of the disparities inside the school building, old or new, in regard to the faculty. Is this going to improve? The NAACP is concerned about the presence of more black teachers in our schools. Blacks must insist that their children receive a quality education at every level as most of our kids attend public schools. We must involve ourselves with the decisionmakers who determine what happens on a daily basis. I am proud to be a supporting member of NAACP. It builds my self-esteem. I am somebody. I am not a person who goes along to get along. I am my own person.

Poor absentee policy

AS A concerned parent and property owner, I would like to say the last time I voted yes for the schools, but this time I will not because they have adopted an absentee policy which drives your older children out of school. If they miss a total of seven days, they do not get their grades, which in my opinion is a violation of the students' rights. They've taken parents' say out of the school. When you go before their hearings, all they're concerned about is the $7 a day that they get from the state while that child is attending. Basically, they're saying when a family can take a vacation and when they cannot take a vacation.