SPEAKOUT

No flag at the park

I'M VERY embarrassed by our city that when the national anthem was played there was not even a flag at Capaha Park.

Have to have a reason

BILL CLINTON says that he will not attack Bob Dole's or Jack Kemp's characters in his speech. Since they have been accused of nothing that would demean their character, how could he in the first place?

Letter was amusing

I THOUGHT the letter from a whining Republican who said your paper gave mover coverage to Democrats than Republicans was amusing. The Southeast Missourian is the most pro-Republican newspaper I have ever read.

Underlying messages

WHAT MESSAGE are TV commercials sending to us? Are they trying to sell you something other than a product? Watch closely and see how many try to tear down a standard family. How many show a woman and children as a family unit? When a man is present as a husband or father, is he portrayed as stupid, loudmouthed and a goof-up? Are most of the children loud, obnoxious and disrespectful? Again, I ask, what message are they trying to send to you? Surely it's not family values -- or is it? These are nationally run TV commercials. I think it's about time to let our local franchise stores and fast-food outlets know how you feel about this type of advertising. You're paying for it at both ends, at the counters and at home.

Insult to teachers

AS A retired teacher, I wonder if professional teachers currently at work realize what an insult has been hurled at them by the president. President Clinton has indicated he wants to spend $1.75 billion and have volunteers without the educational training of teachers to teach reading to children of grades 1 to 3 and accomplish what professionally trained people are not doing. This is at a time when voters are already investing billions of dollars in education and new bond issues to improve our schools. How does the NEA consider the president a supporter of teachers with this proposed policy?

Unclear about the deficit

THAT WORD deficit has been thrown around by every politician in the business. Nobody has yet told me what the deficit is. I don't want to know how much it is. I want to know where every cent is supposed to go. Is it possible that we could have a deficit if we don't pay for all of those federal programs? Somebody tell me just exactly what the deficit is and to whom we owe that money.

Compliments to Scott Moyers

I JUST wanted to call and say that I really enjoyed Scott Moyers' column. It's very good writing and a very sincere topic that he spoke about. I really think he's going to turn out to be a good journalist.

Support for Iraq mission

THIS GOES out to all those president bashers. Way to go, Mr. President. Although I do not condone war, I think you did a good job trying to set an example for our country and the world. The fact of life is that the United States is a peacekeeper, and we have to put Saddam Hussein in line. If the ex-president, ex-CIA man, George Bush, would have finished the job in the first place, he probably never would have had to do it again.

Backing for Clinton

BOB DOLE is doing it again: blaming President Clinton for what Bush started. They should have got rid of Hussein or stayed out of there in the first place. General Schwartzkopf wanted to do that. He wanted to finish him off. But no, Colin Powell talked out of both sides of his mouth with Bush, and they pulled out and here we go again. Well, don't turn back, people, on President Clinton. Who knows what this is all about.

Tips for job seekers

AS AN employer, I would like to give some tips to the young people who often complain about not being able to find a decent job that pays well. Tip No. 1, when applying for a job, clean yourself up. If you don't enough initiative to shave in the morning, how much initiative are you going to have on the job? Tip No. 2, finish high school. In the old days, kids often had to drop out of school to help support the family. That's not the case any more. Not having a high school diploma today doesn't necessarily mean a person is dumb, but it often means a person lacked ambition during their high school years, and many employers won't risk hiring such people. Last but not least, if you get hired, please, please, please be dependable. Most of the young employees we terminate are terminated for habitually being tardy or absent. When we find a young person who is dependable, we go to great lengths to keep that person through salary increases and advancements.

Go, Cowboys!

IT IS is a sad day in Mudville for the Dallas Cowboys, who took one on the chin. But fear not, little ones, the boys will be back, and we will be Super Bowl-bound.