SPEAKOUT

Olympics and real life

OUR FAMILY is really enjoying the coverage of the Olympics, and our hearts go out to Janet Evans. Unfortunately, she has learned a lesson that many young athletes in the Cape area are learning -- life isn't fair. So to Miss Evans and all those young athletes that do play by the rules but still don't make the select or all-star teams. Don't give up. Hold your heads high and remember that this is just one setback in life. After all, sports are not everything. It's how you live your life and how and why you qualify for these teams that counts. Good luck, Janet, and all those young athletes out there in the Cape Girardeau area who do deserve a better chance.

Time to enjoy life

I CAN'T believe that Bob Dole is going to run for president. Stop to think how old he is. When is he going to enjoy life? I think anybody who's as old as he is should get out and have enjoyment out of life instead of waiting until it's too late. Seventy-three? I'm 76, and I know my mind doesn't work right. Now you tell me how his can after all he's been through.

Big green sewer

WE WERE up at Southeast Missouri Hospital today, and the view from the hospital lobby was really magnificent except for the Capaha lagoon. It looks like a big green sewer. The city of Cape Girardeau should be ashamed of the way it looks.

Jobs for teen moms

THERE WAS a Speak Out comment called "Jobs can replace welfare," I believe in welfare reform too, but I don't think that teen-age mothers should get jobs that pay $6 or $7 an hour. I disagree with the person who said this, because I think they should have the same job as everyone else. I've been trying to get a job, and I don't see that it's fair because somebody else made a mistake and can't take responsibility for themselves that they should get a higher-paying job than I should.

What about a maximum?

IF WE have a minimum on wages, why not have a maximum on wages? I am 85 years old and live alone on Social Security, and I can't pay 8 to 9 dollars an hour for some kid to mow my lawn. I hope the person who says that the minimum wage should be $8 to $9 an hour notices the closing of the hat factory that put folks out of work lately.