SPEAKOUT

Hardware and courts

EVEN BEFORE I heard about plans to sell the Central Hardware building, it occurred to me that would be an ideal place for the federal building. Now I understand that they are supposed to build that within the business area as of President Carter's resolution. It seems to me there's quite a number of businesses out there in that area now that would make the Central Hardware location a very busy business area. So there is the Central Hardware building already built with all that parking space. Why couldn't they buy and use that for the federal building?

Just English

I HAVE a few words to say to the Spanish-speaking people in America. My ancestors came from Ireland. They spoke their own language before the English took away their language. Now most of their language has been lost or forgotten. My folks thank God for America. They even called it God's country. One language is all we need here, so don't come here to change my language because the English people have already changed it.

The real Republicans

IT'S BEGINNING to come to pass. They're finding the Republicans out again. The old-timers who made it through the Depression and lived through World War II we tried to tell them how the Republicans really are. Medicare is going to wither on the vine, as your brother Gingrich says. Well, we've got news for him. The Republicans have always tried to hack Social Security. They were given a chance in 1946. They blew it because they cut Social Security and then they came back in 1952. They had things in such a mess. Time after time, the Republicans were given a chance, but they really showed their real selves. They are strictly for the wealthy. President Clinton, I think most of us are with you. I'm with you. Keep up the good work. You're a fighter, and you are a president.

Thanks for service

I WOULD like to commend your newspaper for excellent customer service. Last Saturday I didn't receive my paper. I called you and left a message, and the next morning there was my Saturday paper as well as Sunday's. I also received a phone call following up to make sure I got my papers. Now that is great service. Thank you, Southeast Missourian.

The sporting life

SO TROY Aikman's knee injury was diagnosed as just a bruised tendon. Now he can play football this weekend. Isn't that grand? These sports nuts have nothing more to worry about in this world only if they can play ball. Get a life.

No more taxes

MAYOR AL Spradling is 100 percent correct in his statement that the city shouldn't spend $250,000 to build a new Convention and Visitors' Bureau office at Osage Park. Slow down on added taxes for a while.

Return the pay

I'D JUST like to say something to all of the federal employees who stayed home because they received a directive from the federal government: I hope that they won't take the pay like they have in the past when the federal government has shut down for days they didn't work. I hope all of the federal employees send that money back to the federal government to help reduce our deficit and use it as an unpaid leave day.