SPEAKOUT

Band was outstanding

A BIG thank you to the Southeast Missourian and the Cape Central Band department for bringing the Air Force Mobility Command Band to Cape on Tuesday. They had an outstanding concert which I really enjoyed. Thanks again, and I hope they bring the band back to Cape again next year.

Band concert was great

THANK YOU, indeed, Southeast Missourian and Cape Central Band for the appealing United States Air Force Band concert. It was indeed a shot in the arm for all who attended, plus an added cultural presentation. Let's have more of this. Thanks.

Who is elite?

JON RUST recently used the term "elite" when referring to some media. I find it interesting that he would be able to point fingers at anybody, particularly using that term, when here is a kid who has traveled the world and is employed by his millionaire daddy's newspaper.

Tour is pointless

I REALLY don't see what the point of the Rush Limbaugh tour is here in Cape. He's off in New York, and he's not even here in Cape paying attention to us only here to visit people that he knows. So I really don't think we would even need a Rush Limbaugh tour here. I think he should have that tour somewhere else.

Thanks for smoking ban

THANK YOU very much, West Park Mall, for banning all smoking. We all really appreciate this especially we non-smokers. Everybody knows that smoking is very unhealthy and deadly. Now, for all the bingo places, let's all get together and ban smoking.

Assaults unwarranted

AS SOMEONE who was born and raised here and recently moved back to the area within the last few years, I have watched with interest some of the things that have happened in our area in the last few months, and I have to say that I am really disappointed with our hillbilly sense of mentality. What I am referring to is during deer season the assaults against the game wardens, especially out in the Ripley County area, plus the recent protest for support of a man who assaulted a federal employee out in Wayne County and, most recently, what I saw on the television about the veterinarian. It seems that the people hadn't paid their bill, and their dog bit the veterinarian, and because they didn't have proof that the dog had a rabies shot the veterinarian had to destroy the animal. To me I think a human life is more important than an animal's. I have to say that I'm saddened by the things I have seen going on in our community, and I am seriously thinking about moving away again.

Day late, dollar short

REGARDING the article on the front page of Friday's Missourian where Melvin Gately is trying to get a ban on the strippers and the strip bars coming into Cape Girardeau: I would say that Mr. Gately is about a day late and a dollar short. It seems that once the plans are put into place and the people pass the test for the liquor license, it should be too late for them to make a decision that would hamper their business, but I guess when somebody's out to deprive someone else of their enjoyment in life or ruin someone's good time, that some people just won't stop until they get the job done.

Gately has backbone

THE CITY council has proven it has no backbone. Melvin Gately voted his choice even if he was the only one. He at least showed he is a moral person and that he puts morality first. As the editorial of the Southeast Missourian expressed Monday, members could at least made the strip bar put up a fight.

WE CLEARLY elected the wrong candidate for mayor of Cape Girardeau.

Cheers for Kinder

THREE CHEERS for Peter Kinder for looking out for our freedom for school choice. I wish you success in your efforts and bid you to hold to your task. The road maybe a long one, but don't give up. Peter's efforts are proof that Republicans are not merely looking out for the interest of the rich. There are laws to restrict monopolies in business. Our government allows public schools to have a monopoly on education. We all lose in that situation. Competition is a good thing, and if we are to see school choice become a reality, I believe we will see improved performance in public schools and private schools that have the finances to keep doing their good work.

More gridlock

IT SEEMS like the more things change in Washington, the more they remain the same. The last two years the Republicans had a gridlock on a lot of the president's proposed legislation, and this year it's the Democrats who are holding the gridlock against the Republicans on some of their legislation. However it turns out, the president will be elected in 1996, and he will also carry the House and also the Senate with him.

Tossing the dogs

THIS IS meant for the elderly gentleman who was on County Road 618 early this week in Cape. I saw you in a light-colored pickup. You took two dogs and threw them out of your pickup, and then you drove off. I didn't get your plate number, but I just saw the dogs the other day and they're starving. If I can catch them, I'll take them over to the Humane Society, and they'll put them to sleep. I'll tell you something, old man, when you get old and feeble I hope you're family doesn't take you and put you in the back of a pickup and take you out in the country and throw you out.

More TV listings

MY CONCERN is the TV guide furnished by the Southeast Missourian. Why aren't the hours of the day complete? They stop anywhere from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.

REPLY: We have been striving for some time to have complete 24-hours listings in the weekly TV Update. Some adjustment have been made in the listings to provide room for a complete schedule. Readers should see the changes in a week or two.

Let liberals speak

WHEN IS the Southeast Missourian going to start being fair? Liberals have a right to be heard too. Liberals fight and die in the war. They worship -- the greatest majority of them are God-fearing. They're just as good at morals as the conservatives. This is America, and I think they ought to have liberal columnists to counteract the Eastlicks and the Rusts. I think they ought to start hiring a liberal people to tell the other side. You know the conservative isn't always right just like the liberal isn't always wrong.

Student responsibility

I'M A student at Central High School. I love my school and I take a lot of pride in it but I think some school administrators are trying to take away my rights as a student. It is my belief that with each grade a student advances, he or she attains another level of responsibility and with that more freedom that the year before. Being a senior, I would think that I would be allowed to make my own choices and have more freedom. I believe I've earned it. But that is not the case at all. This year the students have been told what to do and how to do it more now than ever before. Being told how to cheer at our own home basketball games or any other sporting events is only one of the many examples. Our school is losing the home-court advantage because of this. I and many others feel that we have been reduced to the elementary or junior high level. Are we high school students seeking education or juvenile delinquents being handed down a punishment? Since the students at CHS are not being listened to, maybe the community can help us gain back what we've earned.

The big trial

I WISH to speak out about the Simpson trial. I don't think it's right to broadcast a criminal court case nationwide, pre-empting other time on TV that could be used for regular programming. Who does he think he is that he is going to get all this publicity? What good is it going do our country? Is this going to teach our youth that it's right do wrong and then spend lots of money to get expensive lawyers, get nationwide coverage and the pity of all the people because we traditionally honor people who have done wrong? I vote no.

Get parents involved

PERHAPS THE principal of Cape Central did over-react when he told students not to chant air ball the other night. But we should remember that the young people on the court are doing their best and need to be encouraged, not ridiculed. For so many people clamoring for a return to basic values, wouldn't it be great if parents would support administrators as they attempt students about mutual respect, respect for efforts of others and good sportsmanship rather than trying to undermine their efforts?.

Mall smoking ban

HERE'S TO West Park Mall for banning smoking. I thought it was interesting that a person quoted in the paper said that smokers would be forced to expose themselves to inclement weather and possible health hazards in order to smoke. Doesn't this person know that smoking is a health hazard, no matter where it is done? Way to go, West Park.

More liberal bias

FOR THOSE of you few who still think there isn't a liberal bias to the media, take note of what happened in Alaska this past week. Two women were sworn in as leaders of the state House and state Senate. Problem is, these two women were conservative Republicans; therefore, the media didn't cover it. Had they'd been Democrats, there would have been a week of specials about how two women have taken over the statehouse in Alaska.

Trash collection

OUR TRASH and garbage collection leaves a bit to be desired, and it is a topic of conversation frequently. I don't know the answers to this problem. I would invite your attention to Page 11 of the Jan. 22 Southeast Missourian which concerns recycling. It's entitled "Recycling mythology: Relentless propaganda machine."

Tired of Rush

KZIM needs to changed its call letters to RUSH. I am so tired of turning the radio on and nothing but Rush Limbaugh. They're trying to cram him down our throat. Yes, I know I can change stations, and that's just what I do. I do not want to listen to him degrading all the governments. None of them does anything to suit him. I'm tired of him. If he wants to run the country, let him run for president and see how far that goes.

Rose Kennedy

I CAN'T for the life of me figure out your newspaper. Once on the front page you printed a story about a woman who writes to convicts who have committed murder. And you bury in the back pages the death of Rose Kennedy. I can't understand it.