SPEAKOUT

Handicapped parking

I COULDN'T help but notice lately how many more people are pulling up into the handicap spots at grocery stores or department store. Perfectly physically able people pull up and reach in their glove box and pull out a handicapped or disabled tag put it on their rear-view mirror. I don't guess I've ever seen such a more abused system in my life. They must be giving these things at vending machines.

REPLY: In fairness to motorist with the proper credential to park in spaces reserved for the handicapped, there are many reasons for granting this privilege that aren't immediately apparent. Some people who have handicapped-parking access don't look incapacitated, but that doesn't mean they aren't using the spaces legitimately. What's worse is when someone with a handicapped-parking permit finds all the designated spaces occupied by automobiles that have no handicapped permit.

Draft dodger-in-chief

YOU KNOW it's pretty bad when the man who was too big of a coward the join the military and even dodged the draft back a few years ago now is trying to send our kids to a land where we have no business being and sending our troops into harm's way.

Float like a butterfly...

IF PEACE is not reached in Bosnia soon, we must go there and sting like a bee.

Kind words for Pope

I WOULD like to thank Peter Kinder for the kind words that he said in regard to the Pope's recent visit to the United States. I personally had a chance to see the Pope in Rome about 10 or 11 years ago, and he is a very kind man. I was glad that Peter Kinder brought that to our attention. It was especially enlightening to hear these nice words, because at that point in history we were really getting tired of all the O.J. news.

Out-of-touch schools

I'M CALLING in response to one of the Speak Out comments that said the NEA is out of touch. I agree with this person. They're taking all the religion out of our schools, and statistics show that since we've taken God out of our schools, abortion is up, violence is up, there are more gangs and all the people are trying to reject God. Statistics show other things: We're losing in our families and things are happening there. And I don't agree with teaching our children that homosexuality is a viable family lifestyle, but the NEA is promoting the practice of homosexuality.

Move it to Jackson

SINCE CAPE Girardeau cannot decide where to put the new federal building, I would suggest that they take it to Jackson where the park board would probably give them part of the city park for it.

Payback time

AS TO Social Security being welfare, some folks need to get their facts together before sounding off. I personally paid into Social Security 45 years. I do not feel the bit I receive is welfare. It is something I and my employers paid for.

Make a pledge, Marc

NOW THAT Marc Powers is a self-confessed freeloader about public radio, maybe he will have the courage to fork over money and support public radio.