SPEAKOUT

Support the police

I AM so sick and tired of watching all these people bad-mouth the police in the O.J. Simpson trial. Our police do a wonderful job throughout this entire United States of America, so I propose that during this trial, during daylight hours, Americans who support our police drive with their headlights on in support of our police department in small communities like here in Cape Girardeau or in large communities in Los Angeles, because our police do a good job.

Overfed Congress

HOW CAN members of Congress ask us everyday folks, who pay their bills, to get along when they themselves sling mud? They certainly do think we're stupid. Don't you think that's a little bit ridiculous? I certainly do, and I'm tired of my tax dollars going to feed, and when I say feed I mean line the pockets, of all of these people in Congress. I'm sick of it.

Cut or increase?

I FIND it interesting that the Southeast Missourian had a front page story questioning whether a 4.5 percent increase in the school lunch program is actually an increase. Is it any wonder that the United States government is $4 trillion in debt when people question whether a 4.5 percent increase is a increase or cut? Also, if the food service director for the Cape Girardeau public schools doesn't like the Republicans proposed 4.5 percent increase, perhaps she'd rather have Bill Clinton's 3.1 percent increase. The bottom line is that even though the Republicans want to increase spending more than Bill Clinton asks for. The media and the Democrats continue to flat out lie and call it a cut. The reason for the big lie is because the liberal Democrats want to keep their power over every aspect of our life and not return power to the states and to the people.

Parked car is hazard

I DON'T know who's car but I wish the neighbor on Third and Big Bend would move their car that sits on top of the hill, just back down the hill would be fine. I know you don't realize it blocks the view when you come to top of the hill and want to make a turn in the alley. If a car is coming up the hill, you're in the middle of the street, and there could be a wreck. It's a blind spot. It would be deeply appreciated. We love you.

Proving guilt

I'M TIRED of people yelling that O.J. Simpson is guilty. That man is innocent until proven guilty. So let's all leave him alone, leave that trial alone and let's just watch it as it unfolds. In my heart, I never convict anyone until after the jury's verdict. We should all treat O.J. Simpson as an innocent man, not a guilty man. O.J. Simpson is innocent until proven guilty. I'm tired of all these people trying to convict him too soon.

New reporter

I'M AN avid reader of the Southeast Missourian, and I have noticed the last two weeks a new name on some of the articles: Chris Rimel. Is this somebody new to the Southeast Missourian? I was just curious about it.

REPLY: Chris Rimel is the newest member of the Missourian's news staff. He formerly was a member of the staff of a sister publication, the Daily American Republic in Poplar Bluff. He is a Southeast Missouri native. He joins the Missourian staff as a reporter covering, among other things, state politics. He also produces graphics to illustrate and explain stories.

Annoying sales calls

MORE ON annoying phone calls. This should come under harassment because they interrupt our lives any time during the day or evening. Payment of my phone bill does not include the freedom of businesses to use it for selling purposes. I would like to see a law passed that would prohibit this practice.

When is it a right?

THE CALLER who's subject was AIDS treatment is the one who doesn't know what he or she is talking about. He or she mouthed the usual line about rights. The Declaration of Independence tells us we have certain rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It says nothing about "right" to health care. Those who lead unwise lifestyles, especially do not have a right to a free ride on the backs of taxpayers. There is no such thing as a "right" to food stamps. Or a "right" to a school lunch. Or even a "right" to a disability check. These "rights" have been manufactured by misguided idealists and more often by crafty politicians who's goal is to enslave the people of our nation by making them dependent upon government agencies for life's basic needs. If our nation ever crumbles in pieces (and there are increasing signs that it will) one of the main reasons will probably be the widespread ignorant acceptance of numerous false "rights." There will ultimately so many citizens claiming their "rights" that there won't be enough working people left to support them all.

Not-so-good old days

SHAME ON that person who called in and blasted students who need lunch. This person claims that they had to gather peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and they were poor. I was raised that way too. I'm from a large family too. But fortunately my mother and father were both together like I'm sure this person's was. Also, the way I was raised, that doesn't mean I want to see others raised that way. Thank God, that day's over when they have to rely on peanut butter and jelly because they're poor, be subject to the rich. Just where's that person's heart? I lay odds that person is a good church member and will send donations abroad for different foreign countries to feed their hungry, but they wouldn't give a dime for a poor person in Cape Girardeau. You know, God's blessed us all to really, not only invest in our own welfare and put it away, but to also share it with others that are less fortunate. They blast because it's a single mother. They take it out on the children. I'm sure if you look at most of the welfare recipients, I'm sure 90 percent do want to work, but they're forced into the place they're in because they can't afford the high price of medical care, which I blame the doctors for. You better look again, you can't even get a doctor in this town. They're not taking new patients in this town, certainly not Medicaid. They don't want Medicaid people. I think we've blasted the people that need help enough. Let's go to them and find out how much help they need.

A SELF-DESCRIBED gay Christian man called Speak Out thanking the community for not trying to harm the gays and lesbians and loving them. That is what Christ teaches: Love is the key. However, Christ also teaches when we see a brother or sister departing from what God's word teaches about right living, we are to lovingly admonish them. Gays and lesbians: Your unnatural actions are a sin in God's sight. Please, I'm begging you. This is not what the Christians say, it's God's word. Especially read Genesis 19, the doom of Sodom and why. Please obey God. Ask for forgiveness daily just as all of us Christians must do for any sin in our lives. Please, change you ways. And yes, if we follow Christ, we will continue to love you because of him. But we do not love you sinful actions and we do not condone them.