SPEAKOUT

Don't give up

IN CONSIDERING the budget confrontation between President Clinton and Congress, I'm reminded of President Ronald Reagan's statement that "the future does not belong to the faint-hearted, it belongs to the brave" and also the Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher of Great Britain, who when confronted with a poll that showed plummeting popularity results said, "I don't read public opinion polls. I change public opinion polls." Both of these great leaders' comments have bearing on the present situation. I hope the GOP Congress does not get faint-hearted and run for cover and back track on what they promised to do, which was limit the size of government, balance the budget and restrict the bureaucracy. They shouldn't worry about the poll results. The only poll that is going to count is this fall in the election. I'm sure that the GOP, if they stick to their guns, will strengthen its position in Congress and even the White House.

Ignition advice

I HEAR of many people having trouble starting their car on cold mornings. I suggest the following. Engage the ignition key for 10 seconds to activate the battery, then turn the key to the starter position and immediately back it off. Repeat for two or three more times and start your car. For years it has worked 100 percent of the time for everyone in my family.

Works both ways

THIS IS in response to the person who wrote in about the waitresses wanting the customers to have manners and stop sneezing and stop leaving tissues. That works two ways. I've to places where the waitresses have been seen wrapping the silverware with ungloved hands, wiping their nose or scratching their mouth and continuing to wrap the silverware. So think about that, waitresses.

Embarrassing coach

THIS IS in response to Marty Mishow's column about the lack of enthusiasm at the SEMO basketball game. Marty, you're right. It's like the crowd didn't even show up. The reason could be because the coach goes on TV and puts a sack over his head. The guy totally embarrassed everybody who is a student or a faculty member of Southeast Missouri State University and all the area people who used to support his program.

Commuted sentence

THE GOVERNOR of Illinois commuted the sentence of the woman die. They're going to give her life in prison because she was sexually and physically abused all her life. Does that justify her killing other people? That's not right. What's wrong with the people in the United States? It gets worse and worse every year.

Welfare thoughts

FORTUNATELY, I'm not a welfare recipient, and I hope I never do need government help. But if I should, God forbid, I'm glad it's there if I'm disabled and things of that order. One never knows. I hate to live in a glass house and throw stones. I think we're all citizens of this country. I think most of us are sincere. Welfare recipients, I have to think, would work if they really could. Let's stop this hatred.

Military parents

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY disagree with General Schwartzkopf when he said that the mothers and fathers of this country gave their children to the armed forces of this country. That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in my life. Those kids were of age. They had to make their own decisions. If it were left to the mothers and fathers of this country, they would have said, "No, you may not go."