SPEAKOUT

Weather artist

I BELIEVE your Sunday edition had the best weather artist in Michelle Helter that you've had. She's in the fifth grade. I don't know how old she would be, but that is the best little drawing that you've ever had.

Education impact

FOR ALL area citizens to approve gambling to improve the economy and to build prisons to give jobs is against the principles on which the United States was built. And then to read the criticism of Peter Kinder's columns on education makes me wonder: Do our people like being dumb? Peter's right, you know. I saw the dumbing down start in 1965. IN 30 years the job has been successful enough to put trash in the White House. The Southeast Missourian has fine writers. Keep them, and keep us informed. Maybe some of our citizens will learn working with your hands is more honorable than holding them out for our tax dollars.

Sweet-gum danger

WE CLEAN up the branches and leaves from our trees when they blow in the street. Why don't the people who have sweet gum trees pick up the gum balls? It's dangerous to try to walk.