SPEAKOUT

Editorial on target

THIS IS in reference to the editorial in the Southeast Missourian on March 30. I think it's one of the finest editorials that you've run in a couple of years. The editorial ought to run a couple of times a year just so people will know how lucky they are to have veterans. Thank you very much.

Board decision criticized

THE SCHOOL board's recent decision to extend Dr. Clark's contract is the single-most cynical and irresponsible decision I have ever seen an elected body make. In an apparent attempt to justify or vindicate their earlier wrong actions, four board members were willing to disregard both the will of the community and the best interest of the school system. When board members make decisions of this nature, the entire school district suffers. Haven't we suffered enough? In the interest of recovering some semblance of community support for the schools, Kathy Swan and Pat Ruopp should now have the decency to resign.

A lack of ethics?

LOOKING AT the Tuesday, April 4, Missourian newspaper, one would come to the conclusion that Superintendent Clark's saga is no less of a circus than O.J. Simpson's so-called trial. What a shame. What a lack of ethics.

Are your kids brats?

TO THE embittered, retired military officer: It is one thing to disagree with President Clinton and Mrs. Clinton as adults, but to call their child the first lady's brat is low. Do you have children? Are they brats?

Leave dogs at home

TO THE people who bring a herd of dogs to Jackson City Park for bathroom purposes, please bring a Pooper Scooper. It is disgusting when you bring your family out to stroll around the beautiful lake, and your kids have to go home barefooted because of stepping in dog mess. That trail was made for people to enjoy, not a public bathroom for dogs.

Needed article

I'D LIKE to thank the Southeast Missourian for printing how to block calls coming in to my caller ID box. I've been bothered with harassing phone calls for about a year now. I got the caller ID box to stop that. It wasn't common knowledge.

Laying it on the line

DR. WILLIAM J. Bennett, in his book "The Index of Leading Cultural Indicators," writing in the introduction, has really laid it on the line. He states that the last quarter century has taught politicians a hard and humbling lesson. There are real limits to what the state can do, particularly when it comes to a parting virtue and forming character. Never before has a breach of government been greater or it's purse larger. The social regression of the last 30 years is due in large part to the enfeebled state of our social institutions and their failure to carry out a critical and time-honored task: the moral education of the young. We desperately need to recover this sense of the fundamental purpose of education, which is to engage in the architecture of souls.

Christianity defined

FOR THOSE of you who misunderstand Christianity, Jesus Christ came into the world not to condemn you but to save you. Yes, he loves you, too.

Don't boo Newt

THIS IS going out to all those stupid Democrats who keep calling Speak Out boo-hooing Newt Gingrich for wanting to kill all the little kids and starve everybody. I've got something to tell you. No one's wanting to hear you complain. You've had control for 40 years-plus and you haven't been able to do a single thing about the whole situation. Now we have two years, probably more than that because we will gain Republican seats in 1996. You have not been able to do anything about the problems within the last 40 years. Now it's our turn. Give us a chance. No one's going to let anybody starve; that's not how this country works. So don't get all hyped up over nothing.