SPEAKOUT

Morality and politics

WILLIAM J. Bennett, in his book, the bestselling "Book of Virtues," and Newt Gingrich, the speaker of U.S. House of Representatives, are giving Americans hope by urging them to act on their moral and religious convictions instead of relying on the government. It's true that the government can provide a public forum for the discussion of morality, and good laws can influence public and moral behavior. But government can't change people's hearts. Making America a moral nation requires more from individual Americans than simply casting a vote. People of faith must take responsibility for their neighbors and communities by meeting physical needs and filling spiritual voids. Only then can our nation experience healing, and only then can it be said that America is one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

What about south Cape?

NONE OF the school board candidates have addressed the south part of Cape. Are they also going to let a new Smelterville develop in south Cape? You can hear and see what the rich people think about south Cape.

Marquette is a blight

COME ON, Mayor Spradling. You were on the council when the council very much expressed that they were going to see about getting rid of the old St. Francis and the Marquette Hotel. Get on the ball. That's been years ago since you promised the taxpayers this.

IT WOULD be great for the older part of Cape to have the city council and the school board to obtain the old St. Francis Hospital and put a new elementary school there. This would help the city as a whole, and it would help the taxpayers immensely.

No check for Ritlan

I disagree with a Speakout caller a few weeks ago who said people with children on Ritlan are getting monthly checks from the government. My son has been on Ritlan since 1987 and I haven't received one government check. What are you talking about?

No quick profit

I HOPE the person who called in about the Lundstrom crusade read the article on page 6A of the March 29 paper. They were short $10,000, and members of Lundstrom crusade absorbed the deficit. Lundstrom, who did not take money from the budget, received payment from the independent seminar. Grand Ole Opry star Bill Walker gave back the check for the $1,500 he received for his appearance on Sunday. Doesn't sound like they were out to make money to me.

Cross is a marker

THAT MARKER North Kingshighway is a symbol of religion. It's a symbol of historical value. Yes, I believe in the separation of church and state, but that's not a church. That's a sign, that's a marker to let people know that something happened there. And furthermore, what business do they have coming into our town, into our state telling us what's wrong and what's right? If they don't believe in God, that's their problem.

IT IS a poor person who has such a strong conviction about removing a historical landmark from highway property and hides behind the curtain of anonymity. This is a coward who is using someone else, namely the Freedom From Religion Foundation, to help fight the battle. Make no mistake, you may not have a formal religion but you have one. Whatever is most important to you and first in your life is your god.

O.J. should testify

WHY DOESN'T the lawyer just ask O.J. Simpson, put him under oath, to relive his actions from a couple of days before the killings? This could clear up all the circus waste and the taxpayers' money being wasted. Sure sounds silly doesn't it.

TWO ARTICLES in Wednesday's Southeast Missourian make me wonder if people ever think before they allow their thoughts to be put into the paper. The first was an article about morning after pills. This describes exactly what those pills are and this is going to cause a rash of overdoses on birth control pills at hospitals. Just watch. The second article that I'm calling about is a quote from Coach Gross in Jackson. He truly lives up to his last name. I would love it if I had a son who was playing on Coach Gross' baseball team and I picked up the paper and read he looks like a stallion. What a ridiculous thing to say.