SPEAKOUT

Make tobacco illegal

THIS IS to the callers who have been calling in on smoking. Some of the callers say they want to smoke -- where they want to do it. I'll tell you what, the only way we're ever going to get rid of the tobacco problem is to make the tobacco plant illegal, just like marijuana. And while they're at it, I think they should make alcohol illegal too. Just think what a wonderful place it would be if both those things were out of the way.

Can't have it both ways

IT WAS ironic to see Congresswoman Emerson and Sen. Bond criticizing President Clinton for cutting funding to the Corps of Engineers when they were asking for money to do levee work. I thought I heard them say out of the other side of their mouths that they wanted to downsize the government, balance the budget and cut taxes. I don't claim to be an economist, but I don't think you can have it both ways. As far as paying taxes, I don't like paying them any better than anyone else, but we have to get the deficit down that President Reagan created with his tax cuts in 1980. Some of my Republican friends argue that a tax cut is need to grow the economy. But who is kidding who? The economy is growing so fast now that Mr. Greenspan has raised interest rates again to slow it down. I can't stand anymore Republican tax cuts where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

Dumb criticism

A RECENT caller said he didn't know that jumping from an airplane was an requirement for the presidency. It wasn't and isn't or the current president obviously wouldn't have been elected. George Bush is now an ex-president who had to bail out during World War II when his plane was shot down defending our country, which is more than you can say about our current White House resident's war record. Mr. Bush earned the right to jump for the sport of it. What a dumb criticism.

Now interested in golf

I'M A black male, 28 years old. I've never been interested in golf until Tiger Woods arrived. I happened to watch him in the Masters. I can't actually believe how exciting this thing is. Could someone out there please tell me how to get involved in golf here locally? I live in Cape. Again, I think this is a wonderful game. Congratulations to whoever came up with this game.

REPLY: Call the Parks and Recreation Department -- 335-5421 -- for information about beginning golf classes.

Thanks for landscaping

I'D LIKE to compliment Union Electric for landscaping in front of the chain link fence on Independence. Good job, guys.

Use the law to see kids

THIS IS a call concerning the gentleman who was talking about deadbeat moms who would not let the kids see their dad. I had the same problem. I went to the prosecuting attorney, and his office sent her a letter stating that it's against the law to keep the kids from seeing the other parent and if it didn't stop they would be taken to court. He may want to look into that. Also, you can get a record by the police department every time you go to pick up your kids and she won't let you have them. You can get them to write a police report saying you did not get your kids, and that will also be used against her in court. It does work. It worked for me, and it can work for you if you really want to see you kids.

Sad about line-item veto ruling

I SEE where they canceled the line item veto for the president. All because Sen. Byrd, the biggest pork barreler in our country's history, got some judge to end it. Pretty sad. I guess our country will go bankrupt before we could even begin to balance the budget.

Carry a scooper

WHY DOESN'T Cape require the people who walk their dogs to carry a scooper with them? Where I come from, the city furnishes plastic bags in the park for them to use. Do you know what it's like to have your children step in it while playing in the park? We have one man who walks his dog, and when the dog gets in your yard to do its business, he looks the other way and acts like it isn't his dog.

Scully is remembered

I AM a lifelong resident of Southeast Missouri. I think the inauguration this past week was a great event for the university. However, I failed to ever see the mention of Dr. Mark Scully. He is probably one of two of the greatest presidents that Southeast Missouri State University ever had.

Algebra and computers

IF YOU were to enroll in the college algebra course at Southeast for the coming fall semester, you may as well enroll in a computer literacy course instead. This course is required for all majors. Anyone who has the most expensive calculator and cashier-like typing skills would do far better than one with a keen mind.

Director not given a chance

I HAVE a concern with the dismissal of the public works director in Jackson. This is the second termination with this position in three years. This man wasn't given a chance, being here less than a year. I am also concerned with the high-paying salaries our three city administrators are receiving, and our departmental work forces are desperately short of help. I think the problem lies within our administration.

Slanderous remarks

WELL, YOU people down there at the Southeast Missourian think you're helping yourself by printing these slanderous remarks about President Clinton. You can't prove any of this. And why don't you talk more about the Reagan/Bush and the Ed Meese scandal? Meese played a big part as the attorney general in the Contra affair with Ollie North and the cover-up. So, let's be fair. There has not any of this gossip about Clinton proven. But the Reagan/Bush deal was proven by the special prosecutor of the Republicans Lawrence Walsh, but he dragged his feet until the statute of limitations went out.

Getting older -- and bitter?

TO THE person who thought we were as bad as Russia ever thought to be, why don't you move out of the country. I am proud to be an American and have President Clinton as our leader. Remember, President Truman was always put down, but he turned out to be one of our better presidents. I recall Korea and World War II, and I appreciate the people who served in those wars, in fact two of my brothers did. Getting older sometimes makes us bitter, so please try to have a nice day.

History teacher pouts

I FEEL a high school history teacher should not put down our government. My child and other students must agree with him or he pouts. Evaluate these teachers, principal, and do it fairly. They get tenure and think they can voice whatever their opinion is.

Forced benevolence

I AM tired of the federal government and their funding programs for this, that and the other thing and everybody else. I'd much rather give out of the goodness of my own heart than be forced to give any money. So I am at the point where it's every man for himself. I couldn't care less if anything ever gets funded. So in this respect, it appears the federal government's so-called funding programs have backfired. I feel rather confident that I'm not the only person in this country who feels the way I do. Let me do it out of the goodness of my heart. Don't force me to help somebody else.

Slow down on Belleridge Pike

YOU PEOPLE driving down Belleridge Pike has better slow down. We're tired of it. We have children playing in the driveways near the street. This is a dangerous street anyway because of the hills and the curves, and we're not going to put up with it anymore. So slow it down now.

Choosing to serve

TO THE veteran who fought in two world wars who wants to pat himself on the back. Hooray for you. You fought in two wars. You certainly are wanting to take good credit for it. I think you should be thankful you had this choice to serve, and you served the best country, the United States. I think for you to call the president of the United States a scum makes you one big disgrace. I would have given my right arm to go in service, but being disabled in one eye stopped me.

Offensive matters

I WAS just reading in the paper where someone stated that if you have a Confederate flag you should display in the privacy of your own home and not put it out in your own yard or on your automobile because it offends people. There's nothing that anyone can do that doesn't offend someone. The minister at church offended me the other day with his sermon. He wasn't necessarily pointing at me maybe, but it offended me. I went to the Bill Cosby show the other night. Cosby is great, but he offended me with his interpretation of the beginning of time. I will make this person a deal. When you get everyone who smokes to quit smoking so I won't have to smell their second-hand smoke, I will gladly destroy my Confederate flag, but as of this moment the Constitution gives me the right to display that flag, and I will do so proudly.