SPEAKOUT

Lights at the interchange

IT SURE is nice to have lights out by the interchange of Highway 61 at Fruitland and the interstate.

Thanks, Bill Emerson

I JUST wanted to say: Bill Emerson, I'm going to miss you. You were my hero, and I'm going to miss your representation for Missouri. Thank you for all you did.

Flags at half-staff

I'M CALLING in response to the headline on the June 27 paper. It says "Governor orders flags at half-mast." The correct term should be half-staff. It flies at half-mast if it's on a ship.

REPLY. A good point. Thanks for making it.

Rebuttal to a rebuttal

I'M CALLING in response to Kelle Lane's letter of rebuttal of an earlier Speak Out call. The original caller criticized school administrative salaries. Lane spent two paragraphs on that issue, but the rest of her argument dealt with teaching and facilities. Some of Lane's comments were valid, but I would contend that the administrative salaries in the Jackson School District are indeed high. One last point, as a former traveling teacher, moving from room to room and from building to building throughout the day, I can attest my educational skills were not taxed by the exercise I got. I stored my materials that I used most in the individual rooms that I used. That comment was insulting to me as well as the workers in any job requiring that they carry extremely heavy equipment in the summertime heat for no more than minimum wage.

Smith a good choice

MY CONDOLENCES to the Emerson family. I think that Bill Emerson was a wonderful congressman. I wonder what Lloyd Smith's plans are after this. I think he would be the excellent choice to replace Bill Emerson in Congress.

Plenty of smokers

I JUST got finished watching the funeral of Bill Emerson. I was wondering if anyone else noticed the men who, as soon as they got out of the church, were scrambling to get a cigarette lit and start smoking. Did his death not mean anything about lung cancer? Please, those of you who smoke, try to make an effort to stop and save having to go through another funeral and hurting family members.

Longtime congressman

I JUST want the paper to know and the people of Southeast Missouri to know that Congressman Emerson, with all due respect to the congressman, is not the longest-serving congressman that this district has had. Congressman Paul Johns from Kennett served 20 years, and he was from Southeast Missouri. He served our district well, and I think the people of Southeast Missouri should know that.

Single-sex schools

IF I had hundred zillion million dollars, I would give it to VMI and the Citadel so the Supreme Court couldn't run those institutions. I don't think it's right that they make them have people come in who are physically unable to participate in the program. Not fair at all.

Concentrate on values

IF THIS country would return to true, old-fashioned, Christian values instead of concentrating on the civil rights of gays, lesbians, perverts, rapists, pedophiles and murderers, there would be fewer thefts, abductions, riots and murders.

He got the job done

WE LOST a great man in Bill Emerson. He did more for Southeast Missouri than any other congressman I can remember, and I'm 88. He not only helped the Republicans, he helped Democrats as well. It didn't make any difference what party, if it was a worthy cause and needed to be done, he got the job done. I fought in two wars, and I think the biggest enemy we have today sits in the White House. Wake up, America, before it's too late.

Money for fireworks

IT'S AMAZING to me that we still allow the sale of explosives to the general public during what's called a legal season in Missouri. Surely our money could be better spent. I've watched buyers spend hundreds of dollars on fireworks when their kids looked like they were hungry and needed new clothes.

Special representation

THANKS FOR printing the picture of Mr. Tom Dohogne standing at attention during the funeral procession on Broadway. Tom, I don't know you personally, but I feel like that you represented hundreds of us who could not be there at that time and who would have liked to done the same thing. Thanks again.

Uninsured motorists

I WAS reading in the paper about some guys wanting to push the uninsured motorists law. I think everybody should have insurance, but what are you going to do about the people who can't afford it on a fixed income? Heck, you can barely pay rent. Then you have to buy this kind of insurance and that kind of insurance. Every time you turn around, if you're late with your utility bill, the first thing they want to do is shut it off. You know, you have priorities.

REPLY: Some readers might wonder if a person with such restricted finances can really afford to own an automobile. And don't forget the cost to everyone when an uninsured motorist is involved in an accident.

Effects of abortions

I PRAY that before you open your checkbook to purchase an abortion for your wife or daughter, you open and read and the book "I'll Cry Tomorrow" by Dr. Susan Stanford Rue. This is about a woman who underwent an abortion while in college. She suffered physical, mental and spiritual scars that lasted not weeks or months, but years. We are told abortion is not an easy decision, but it is also not an easy answer. Pro-life organizations are not trying to save babies for monetary, political or selfish rewards but out of love for our neighbor. We are also the ones counseling and getting counseling for women who have been traumatized by abortion. So Americans, read all you can about facts on abortion and get involved. And rather than opening your checkbook, try opening your heart and arms to embrace your wife, daughter and unborn child or grandchild, for a checkbook may not be able to heal the physical, mental, emotional or spiritual scars your loved one may endure. May God bless you.

Hold fast on filings

WE WANT to know why the Republicans want Bekki Cook to break the law for the Republicans on the filing when they know it's too late under the state election laws to open the filing period. Bekki, don't break the law.

Criticism is unwarranted

I'M REALLY surprised at the Republicans complaining about the state law closing the filing for Congressman Emerson's seat. These guys are so law-and-order, and now here they have the law and they don't want to obey it. They should be consistent. The other thing is about Secretary of State Cook, who went out of her way to help Congressman Emerson to re-file for the primary. And now she's being criticized for enforcing the law. Just like the old Russian proverb, "No good deed ever goes unpunished."

Trash-rate incentives

THE CITY council and the mayor just can't get it right. Instead of having two bags at $1 for the cost of an extra bag for solid trash, it should be $1 for one bag and $2 for any extra. Otherwise, we're never going to get enough recycling to reach our quota for 1996.

Another opinion

HAD THE Speak Out caller who claimed morality could not be legislated had opportunity to read Mona Charen's column, which appeared just above his comment, he might have reconsidered expressing an erroneous opinion.

Advice about birds

REGARDING feeding birds in summers: It isn't necessary. The pretty birds -- cardinals, chickadees, finches, both red and gold -- are seed eaters. They will make do in the summer months. Who wants blackbirds, starlings and grackles. That's exactly what you'll get. For 10 blackbirds you will be lucky to get one cardinal. Forget the bird bath. The blackbirds dump dog food and garbage to soften it up to suit their needs. I've seen a steady increase in blackbirds, starlings and grackles and a decrease in cardinals, chickadees and finches in the last four years. Let's go with the desirable birds and forget the pests. We love birds so please put out your egg shells and peanut hulls for the purple martins. We are not bluejay lovers.

The ultimate low

THERE IS no punishment too severe for a mother who will put her 12 year old daughter out for prostitution. This has to be the ultimate low.

The chigger-bite cure

I SAW in the paper that there is nothing that will stop the itch from chigger bites. My husband and I always painted our bites with clear fingernail polish. Just don't scratch them so they're not infected after you're bit. It has worked every time for over 40 years for us.

Confusing lake groups

FOR THE landowners who got a letter from the Bollinger and Cape Girardeau County Lake Landowners Association, a group that supports the lake, it should be pointed out that this is a new organization, and it should be in no way confused with the Cape Girardeau and Bollinger County Landowners' Association which has been incorporated since 1990 and adamantly opposes the lake project.

Gambling commissioners

THANKS, Southeast Missourian, for the editorial on gaming casinos on June 29. The gaming commission was picked by Gov. Mel Carnahan. To my knowledge, one commissioner lives in Kansas City where there are three gaming boats. One commissioner's from St. Louis, also with three gaming boats and two more waiting for licenses. One commissioner is from Hannibal, where there is one boat. One commissioner is from Columbia, which has no river. One is from western Missouri where there is no river. The only places that are really saturated are St. Louis and Kansas City. How can the commission rule on what Missouri needs after it has been voted in by the people? We had better call the commission, 314-526-4080. You will talk to a Mr. Harris, but you can't get a commissioner. Thanks again, Southeast Missourian.