SPEAKOUT

Dictatorial power in a democracy

JESSE HELMS is the best living proof of what's wrong in Washington. It's all about power, always has been. The Republicans have Jesse. Democrats have Sen. Byrd of Virginia. Two perfect example of dictatorial power in our democratic form of government. Men with power because they've been in too long. What happened to a person's right to have a hearing? One man's opinion is not democracy.

Teen seeks accident witnesses

ON WEDNESDAY, Sept. 10, at the stoplight at the intersection of Donna and Highway 61 East, a car accident involving a 1990 white Dodge Shadow took place. Any witnesses to this accident, please call the police station in Jackson and tell them what you saw. I'm only 16, and I'm getting blamed for this accident wrongfully. I feel many that teen-agers get blamed for accident because they are being discriminated against for being younger. Please help all teen-agers who have been faulted because of their age.

Making amends the best you can

THIS IS in regards to a column I read by Peggy O'Farrell about forgiving and forgetting a past friend who had a drinking problem. Being a member of Al Anon for years and my husband in AA, I think she missed the point. It doesn't matter if she forgives him or forgets it, what he was doing was making amends by saying he was sorry, and whether she forgives or forgets it is her problem. He's done what he should do to make amends. In the program, that's what you're supposed to do. Whether the people forgive you is up to them. That's what life's all about: just making amends the best you can.

Example of good paving project

I WOULD like to invite the city of Cape Girardeau road crew out to Enterprise Street so they can see what a road that has been paved really should look like. They might learn something.

Words of caution to would-be robbers

THIS IS to all the people who are robbing convenience stores or homes. You think you're slick now, but sooner or later you will be caught. Just think about the people you're going to hurt -- your family, your children -- and all the years you're going to be put away. Why don't you use your head for once instead of using guns and scaring people? Not only do you affect the people you rob, you affect yourself. In the long run, you will be caught. So think twice before doing it.

Bring the street cleaner here

I JUST noticed a comment in Speak Out saying bring out the street sweepers. I live out in this area on the corner of Sonnet and Parkmor. They need to come and clean up the street. I have lived out in this area probably for 12 years. I have never seen such a cruddy mess.

Printing the list is appreciated

THANK YOU, Southeast Missourian, for printing the sex offenders list. I really appreciate seeing that.

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Good service from revenue department

I'D LIKE to make a positive comment about the Missouri Department of Revenue. More often than not whenever public employees are commented upon, it's in a negative way. I had a question about my 1996 Missouri tax return. I called the Cape office of the Missouri Department of Revenue. They couldn't get the information I needed immediately because they were having trouble with their computers that morning. However, a department employee named Mark said as soon as the computer glitch got straightened out, he'd get the info I needed and even offered to call me back. The very same day I called I got the information I wanted concerning a small $22 tax adjustment of which I had been notified. For a tax collection agency, this is almost unbelievable behavior. If anyone has ever dealt with the IRS, the service provided by the Missouri Department of Revenue ranks right up with parting the Red Sea, the virgin birth, turning water into wine and other similar miraculous events.

Pastor should teach you better

AS I sit here and read the letter on rock music from the young 17-year-old man from Scott City, I am appalled at a couple of things. First of all, if you're a Christian, you should know that you should not be listening to that kind of music whether it's violent or not. Secondly, if you don't know it's wrong to listen to that music, God help your pastor for not teaching you any better.

Seniors should speak up about transit

AN ARTICLE was written about the transportation services for Cape County, specifically mentioning the Delta people having trouble getting to their doctor's appointments. For some reason, whoever wrote that article must be several years behind on their information. As far as Delta people are concerned, they have been taken care by the transit. The study that they are doing is supposed to cost the taxpayers $34,000. Let's hear from the seniors who need rides to doctors, drug stores, grocery stores and the like, and let's see if they can afford a private taxi and see how they appreciate the transit.

Need to raise math, science scores

I DON'T think we've got the smart teachers that you were implying that we have in the United States, so we are going to have to do something about the math and science scores here in this country. If you have Third World countries like Bulgaria that have higher math scores than the United States, there's something wrong. Don't cover it up. Come on, get out and get something done. This country's got to be ready for the 21st century.

Doctor's comments are well received

I WISH to thank Dr. John R. Schoenberger of Cape Girardeau for his very well-educated and very well-put-together stand for the ban on partial-birth abortion. It was a very well written Speak Out, and I really did appreciate what he had to say. I think it's wonderful that a doctor would stand up in this way against the politicians of our state.

Doctors get support for courage

THANK YOU Dr. Fletcher and Dr. Schoenberger for having the courage to stand up for what's right when you know it's right from your expert opinion.

Kinder's efforts applauded

THIS IS a thank you to Peter Kinder for the extensive work he did with the partial-birth abortion legislation and the veto. Thank you, Peter, for you attempts. I don't know what it says about us as citizens that this was able to still not be vetoed. But there are many of us out here who appreciate your efforts and look forward to your continued work in the Legislature. Keep up the great work.

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