SPEAKOUT

The final coming of Jesus

I WANT to commend KFVS-TV for the fine interview it did with one of our local pastors and a couple of members of that church on the topic of the last coming of Jesus Christ to judge the living and the dead. The Bible reminds us that God gives us many different signs to remind us of Christ's final coming -- signs that we see in nature and in the people of the world around us. The brutality of people to one another like happened in the killing of that couple in Florida that was supposedly committed by five teen-agers of a Kentucky vampire cult is only one such sign. May we read these signs and be prepared by repenting of our sins and trusting in Christ as our savior. Thanks, KFVS, and thanks, Southeast Missourian.

Respect for the office

THERE SEEM to be a few people calling Speak Out requesting everyone to respect the president and his wife and leave them alone. Do these callers respect the president but are just those die-hard Democrats that would vote for Mickey Mouse as long as he was on the Democratic ticket for a government office? I can respect the office of the president, but the holder has to earn my respect. Bill Clinton hasn't.

Planning and zoning

THE VOTERS voted against county planning and zoning. Now it seems that the county commission has decided we're going to have it whether the voters want it or not. All three commissioners said creation of a new planning and zoning panel while the county retains it's second-class status is not an attempt to bypass voters. Of course it is. We're not idiots. If they try to make me do anything on my property or say I can't do it, I'm taking them to court. I don't believe they can just decide the laws or make them up themselves.

Military is voluntary

A CALLER was very upset about American troops being sent to Bosnia. This caller felt President Clinton should not send troops to Bosnia unless he would be willing to send his own daughter. The caller said that it isn't fair to send other people's troops when you're not willing to send your own. Well, the point is no one has to go to Bosnia. There is no draft. People who go to Bosnia are people who have volunteered. These people have volunteered for the military. What kind of work did they think they were getting into? Think about it, you have volunteered for the military. I don't think people should expect to go into the military unless they are willing to take the chance of being sent somewhere where they might have to engage in military combat.

Thanks for the lights

I WOULD like to make a comment about a gentleman on Ricardo Street who does such a wonderful job of decorating his house for Christmas each year. A lot of people put out a lot of lights, but this man does a spectacularly accurate and beautiful job. I'd like to say thank you to him for brightening our neighborhood again.

Cable-TV's strategy

THERE'S ONE thing that people need to understand about TCI and the cable TV industry in general. Due to advances in fiber optics technology, homes will soon be able to receive hundreds of television signals through their telephone lines. In other words, cable TV will soon be obsolete and out of business. Knowing this, the cable industry is attempting to squeeze every last dime it can out of their subscribers in the short time that they will remain in existence.

Charities should join hands

I HAVE heard of people going to as many as five agencies at Christmas to pick up toys and food. I would like to see all charity givers come together to distribute toys and food. It would be more equitable, and the results would be more even distribution of food and toys. It can be done. It is being done in some cities.

Mother Teresa's health

WELL, IT'S amazing this day and age how much the doctors are trying to keep us living forever, and we know why it is: for that almighty dollar. I read about Mother Teresa, and my heart cries for her. At 86 years old, they're giving electric shock treatment, and all this for a regular heartbeat. I believe she even had a pacemaker installed. And then, what takes the cake, in the Southeast Missourian they quoted this treatment is a major step in the improvement of Mother Teresa's health to lead a normal life. Oh, please. Mother Teresa has led an exceptional life, and it has nothing to do with the doctors. No, and not the media either.

Deciding for us?

I JUST read in the paper that be are having county planning and zoning again. Am I wrong or did we vote no to county planning & zoning? I guess the powers that be decide what is best for us.

REPLY: There is a difference between naming a commission and having planning and zoning. The commission's task will be to decide if the a plan is needed. If so, voters would then vote on that plan.