SPEAKOUT

An argument for legal pot

LET'S LEGALIZE marijuana. Tobacco, alcohol and nicotine are legal. The Bible refers to marijuana as "the healing of the nation." It's a natural antibiotic and muscle relaxer. It's a cheap source for paper, fabric, heating oil and building material. When will the truth be told instead of this propaganda? If pot was decriminalized and/or legalized, we could concentrate on eliminating hard drugs and fight the real criminals, instead of the police running around hassling nonviolent pot smokers. But then, of course, that's easy -- they make the police sound like heroes. Why turn otherwise ordinary law-abiding citizens and label them as criminals?

Tired of concert whining

I'M SICK of people complaining about the turnout at the concerts at the Show-Me Center. Maybe if they'd have somebody good instead of these washed-up old has-beens, maybe somebody would come out. Maybe Kenny Rogers would bring them out here.

Glad they didn't go

IN RESPONSE to the caller who thinks we should all call Rush Limbaugh to ask about his draft status. My question is: Why? I think it's great that he didn't have to go to Vietnam and that his name didn't end up on the Memorial Wall. I also think it's great that Bill Clinton and a lot of others didn't have to go. My husband and brother both served in Vietnam, and it made all of our lives extremely difficult. I certainly wouldn't wish that experience on anyone else, not even Rush Limbaugh.

Here are the choices

IF YOU'RE voting for president, you can vote for Ross Perot, who will clean the Congress, or you can vote for Slick 50 Willie, who's 50,000 miles left, or you can vote for Pineapple Dole who crushes the Congress.

Fore! at Capaha Park

SINCE WHEN did Capaha Park become a driving range? It's very dangerous for people trying to walk when golf balls are flying all over the place.

Big Missouri tax increases

TO THE person who's addressing the high Carnahan taxes, saying that both Democrats and Republicans voted to pass the big tax raise: As a matter of fact, all the Republicans voted against it. You need to check your facts. Their voting record is out. This was the Democrats' fault. This is one of the few states where we have one-party rule, and this is what you get -- total corruption. Every one of the Republicans voted against these taxes raises in the House and the Senate, but the Democrats have the majority, and now we have the largest tax raise of the state in history.

Freedom of religion

MANY OF our early ancestors fled England and Europe for the right to practice their religion as they wished. Some of the progeny of the Puritans forget why their ancestors came here. You may believe what you wish, but you must allow me the same privilege. I believe that the Bible is not the law of this land.

Friendly auto advice

I WOULD like to advise people, when they're having car troubles, that the first thing to check or clean is their battery cables. Before you waste money on an auto mechanic, check the battery cables well and plant them in there solidly. It can be a very costly repair of you don't. With computers and things in cars now, the slightest little voltage change will not allow the car to operate properly.

Take this job -- oops!

IN SPITE of all our technology and sophistication, we are still human. I recently called my sister who works for a large company in the Denver area. While I waited for her to answer her extension, the company intercom was playing "Take this job and shove it, I ain't workin' here no more."