SPEAKOUT

Concerns about Today's Prayer

I HAVE a comment regarding the daily prayer that is put on the Opinion page. Many people have been calling in praising this daily prayer and saying that they very much enjoy it. While I agree that we could all use an extra boost and that they are very nice prayers, there are many people in our area who are not Christian and who do not believe in the Bible. In a recent Speak Out comment, a caller said we should use quotes from the Bible in Speak Out. I think that's taking it a step too far unless you also intend to use certain Jewish prayers and non-Christian prayers. I think you're excluding a large portion of the public who don't believe that way. Also it would be very hard for me and many other people who are very good people but are not of the Christian persuasion thought to believe any of the news articles in your paper knowing that you go so far leaning in that one single direction. I think the Missourian is wonderful. I think the daily prayer is nice. It's uplifting. But I think to actually print from one particular book and exclude all others is strictly prejudiced.

REPLY: As the Southeast Missourian stated when it began publishing Today's Prayer, it is offered for those who in some way derive a benefit. Judging from the readers' reaction, most are. Thanks for your comments.

Get behind the proposed lake

REGARDING the lake on the Cape Girardeau and Bollinger county line: I think Cape Girardeau and Jackson better wake up and support the lake. I think it would be a great success to get water in the future for both cities from the lake. And as far as three- and four-generation farms that would be flooded, how many of these generations are farming this land? They may be living on it, but they're not farming on it. They're renting or letting it lie. And I think the lake would really be a success for both Cape Girardeau and Jackson if we get behind it and support. It would bring in a lot of employment for the people. That is my opinion on it.

Putting God first

WELL, SOUTHEAST Missourian, you've gone and done it now. I want to join the herd of the silent majority of God-loving Christians who are overwhelming you with thanks and congratulations. I'm referring, of course, to your brave decision to allow God back into your paper and even agree with the recent caller who suggested you print and reference Bible scriptures. Way to go, good people, I'm proud of you. Considering our massive social decay due to Godless and self-centered liberalism, it's refreshing to see a newspaper with the guts to recognize a higher power when our public schools and government refuse. Just look at the positive response you're getting. Now, if the silent moral majority can just drive the devils out of Washington, Jeff City and our school system, we might achieve a decent society again. Liberalism kills, spiritually and physically. Thanks, Missourian, for such a simple yet wonderful decision to put God first.

Flowers with meals

IN REGARD to the Random Acts of Kindness week, I read that a garden club is going to give a flower with each meal delivered by Meals on Wheels. How nice. Wouldn't it be nice if another garden club did the same for meals delivered to the homebound by the Cape Senior Center? If so, thanks.

Abortion is moral issue

MUCH HAS been said in Speak Out and on the Opinion page on partial-birth abortions. Congress said no on the subject, but President Clinton vetoed the measure. Decency seems to have gone AWOL. Let it be said that large contingent of non-Catholics fully share the view of our neighbors. It is not a political but a moral issue.

Floods may be message from above

THIS IS on the issue of flooding. This is in regard to the Red Star District becoming flooded for the third year in a row. Have you people who voted for the riverboat gambling stopped to think maybe God is trying to tell you something? Gambling is a sin. Read your Bible.

The dictionary definition

THIS IS referring to Bob Dole. Just think about his last name. In the dictionary, 1. to give out money. 2. grief, sorrow, from Latin, Dolare, to feel pain. Well, that about says that on Dole.

Appalled by TV reporting

I'M A student at Central High School, and I was just appalled by the news report KFVS-TV had about the students at the high school. If you went up to someone with a camera and asked them a question, sure you might get a little nervous and give the wrong answer, but we all make mistakes. To give an accurate poll on what people know, they should interview more than 20 or 30. Or why doesn't KFVS go out in the street and into businesses and ask adults if they know the answers to these questions? Well, now Cape public schools won't be able to get a bond issue passed for sure. The city already doesn't think we deserve it.

A travel/tax suggestion

TO THE person who suggested a two cent hike on the tax on food to pay for the fixing of the water system: Take a hike.

Kindly stop the littering

RANDOM ACTS of Kindness Week would be an absolutely wonderful time for littering high school students to be kind to residents in the neighborhood who get these daily doses of trash. Come on, young people, be kind to the neighborhood. Come on, high school staff, stop this littering once and for all.

Birth control is the answer

THERE IS only one way to do away with abortion, and that is to prevent the unwanted pregnancies to begin with through birth control. If there never was any control over births, this planet would be so overpopulated that it could never support itself and would collapse. Look at India and its starving millions due to overpopulation. Do you see any solution there? No. It continues on and on with continued starvation and death.

Where's the water savings?

WHERE DID all of the thousands of dollars savings per year for buying the city waterworks go to? The city council and staff sure did a good job of leading the taxpayers of Cape Girardeau astray.

Keep business commitments

THIS IS concerning the people who contract to work for you at your home. I don't know why if they say they're going to be here that it takes three or four weeks to come and estimate your work. And if they can't make it, have they forgotten we've got telephones? It would take the stress off us a whole lot and make us feel better. I don't know what to do about situation because we just get tired of calling and calling and calling.

REPLY: A suggestion: There are more businesspeople who understand the value of good customer service than those who miss appointments or don't notify customers when delays occur. Why not try to contact someone else?

Superstar in the making

I WANT to tell all the SEMO basketball season ticket holders and I don't understand how we got this kid from the Virgin Islands. He is going to be one superstar ballplayer, the best SEMO has ever had.