SPEAKOUT

JUST WANTED TO say thank you to the boys who put up all the red, white and blue bows in Jackson. It really was a nice, patriotic thought of support.

ON NATIONAL NEWS this afternoon the American people found out that they were going to be repaid for fighting in the Middle East to get these people's country back by paying increased prices for oil. Is this the thanks the American people get for spending billions and billions of dollars and American lives to free these people and help those countries out? When will the United States wake up and smell the coffee? Give us a break. Thank you.

I THINK THAT the idea of American taxpayers rebuilding Iraq after we bombed it is atrocious. If Iraq wants their country rebuilt, let them rebuild it themselves, thus giving them something constructive to do rather than intimidate other countries. Thank you.

ON TV THIS afternoon some of our soldiers were seen viewing the bodies of their Iraqi counterparts. They spoke with respect and compassion regarding those dead men. They made me proud that we have such humane military men because I agree with the man who said any man's death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind.

CONGRATULATIONS TO JAY Eastlick, who's done it again. He again managed to accurately state the problem with something that is going on in contemporary society. A lot of people know there's something wrong about it, but can't seem to put it into words. His recent column on the work of the Jesus Seminar is excellent. Thank you.

IT LOOKS LIKE whoever wants to kill Saddam will have to go for the number seven because that's how many there are that look exactly like him. He has it set up that way. So, good luck to whoever gets to do it. Thanks, Speak Out.

AMID OUR REJOICING and thanksgiving for the successful and safe return of our troops from the gulf, let every member of our armed forces and their families, every veteran and their families, in fact, every patriotic American, remember Rep. Richard Gephardt's shameful threat to withhold the funds that were necessary to support our troops on the battlefield. Such a threat should so long be remembered.

I WOULD LIKE to thank the person or persons who were responsible for returning my purse that was lost at the new Food Giant. I would like to say thank you and may God bless.

CONGRATULATIONS, ALL OTAHKIANS. Thank you.

I JUST SAW one of the best basketball games ever played in Cape Girardeau. The SEMO Otahkians and the West Texas Buffaloes really put on a show. The intensity and the skill was something to see. The fans of Cape Girardeau should come out and see the Otahkians.

A WRITER STATES one hospital in Canada has 150 to 200 people waiting for open heart surgery. There are at least 10 times that many waiting in the United States because they have no money to pay for this service.

OH, DID I enjoy Kenny Newton's column on Friday, especially when he says that Newt Gingrich is seldom troubled with forethought. But let me tell you, his hindsight is far better, especially ever since he crossed President Bush last fall when the president presented his budget. The president was said to have exclaimed he wanted him fired. That whipped old Newt right into line. He knows what side his bread is buttered on. Too bad the Georgians don't.

IT'S GREAT TO SEE our servicemen and women returning home to a hero's welcome. I served our country in what has been called an unpopular war, and certain people still treat me as if I'm a second-class citizen with no rights, even though they have never served in the armed forces. They accept the benefits of the sacrifice of others, but don't share in the responsibility of protecting our freedoms. Thank you.

DR. HILTY, WE loved your fish story in Friday's paper. Please write another one for Be Our Guest. Thank you.

EITHER I AM the only American combat veteran who does not fully comprehend what has just occurred in Kuwait or I am the only American who is honest enough to admit what really happened. As I see it, our troops did not win any hard-fought battles that eventually led to a cessation of hostilities. What they did was ride unopposed through the Kuwaiti desert collecting Iraqi soldiers and I use the term soldier very loosely who were tripping over themselves to surrender. Except for friendly fire, the biggest threat to our troops was the prospect of malnutrition brought about by their giving their rations to these timorous warriors. Instead of pride I feel shame at the way the American troops and the civilian population have conducted themselves during this minor difficulty. We did not fight a war against a formidable foe, so let us quit acting as if we had. For anyone who wishes to understand what a real war against an aggressive enemy is really like just talk to any veteran of World War I, World War II, Korea or Vietnam.

THE LIBERALS IN this country have corrupted traditional Christian values, but fortunately the God-fearing people on the far-right of the political spectrum are trying to save the day with their right-win political agenda. God is pro-life, pro-gun, pro-death penalty, pro-military, pro-censorship and against civil rights, women's lib, the welfare system, freedom of speech, rock music and Dan Rather. This is truly what Christianity is all about. What did Jesus do if a beggar, a man who was homeless, starving and whose tongue was hanging out asked him for help? Jesus always howled, Get a job, you loser. Jesus, who was certainly no bleeding-heart liberal, had no sympathy for the poor and downtrodden; all he cared about was maintaining the status quo. Remember where he says it's easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a poor man to get to heaven? Jesus didn't care about human dignity or the innate worth of all men; all he cared about was fulfilling that right-wing political agenda of his. Don't you love his sermons on abortion and capital punishment? I especially like it when Jesus tells his followers to meddle in the laws of the state. Jesus made it clear he wanted Christians to legislate morality. Even though God legislated morality when he gave us the Bible, Jesus insisted that Christians try to get their own, possibly wrong, interpretation of God's laws passed into state law. Jesus was big on banning anything that seemed immoral. I just can't recall how many times he told his disciples to go forth and censor something. I so admire the way the right-wing politically-active Christians have stuck so close to the original meaning of Christianity. I'm sure Jesus, elitist reactionary politician that he was, is very proud of them. It took mankind 2,000 years to learn what the son of God's political orientation is, but now we know: Jesus is a conservative Republican.

I AGREE WITH the caller concerning too much nudity on television. Seems most advertising lately on television has near-naked women. These businesses or products do not get my money nor does it help my viewing. All networks allowing this and those doing it will one day pay because, as the caller stated, God will stop it. Thank you.

IT'S EASY TO win a war when 30 countries pounce against a little country whose army is afraid to fight. I'm glad we came out ok, but I feel the cheering and chants of victory make us look bad. What kind of people are we?

IF YOU LIKE to work puzzles, I suggest you try to fill out the Missouri income-tax form.

I'VE ALWAYS BEEN for a strong defense buildup for our country, but not for interfering all over the world. As long as we go into countries like Lebanon, Grenada and Panama, and tear them up and spend money to build them back, we're neglecting our people here at home. And now it's Iraq. This was not our war. If we had not have lied to Hussein, he may not have gone into Kuwait. But, if he did, it was Kuwait and Iraq, that's who it was. Remember, the last seven years we've had more lies from Washington than the truth. Our brave, good Marines and others that were killed in this war and their families and the taxpayers paid for this war, not George Bush.

THIS IS CONCERNING the selling of beer at the concerts at the Show Me Center. The Show Me Center may as well go all the way and permit junkies to sell drugs at the concerts. What is beer but a nuisance and a hazard if the drinkers risk driving while intoxicated? Does Cape have to go in the gutter to have a concert? I guess people who just want an evening of entertainment are not important. The ones who really want to see the concert will come if beer is not sold, so why spoil it? I hope the director of activities will take a good look at the situation and not allow beer and the problems it causes to win out.

I THINK IT'S quite ironic how George Bush can aid other countries where only a few are harmed, but he can't even help South Africa where many are killed for the color of their skin.

A LOT OF us were guilty of saying: What are doing over there? Why us? Now we realize there are plans we know nothing about, things for our country's good. The next time our president says we're going to do something, I'm going to keep silent because that's his job, not mine. Thanks, George Bush.

I WANT TO TELL Mr. Jones of the MIAA and his committee that he is going to miss SEMO more than SEMO is going to miss him. I'm talking in terms of money. Thank you.

LAST NIGHT ON the CBS news I heard a reporter make the remark that with this victory in Kuwait we can at last bury the shame of Vietnam. As a veteran of that so called non-war, I take umbrage at his statement. No veteran of Vietnam need feel any shame at the end result of that police action. During the patriotic dark ages of America, the Vietnam era, we held the banner of freedom high before insufferable opposition not only in the vermin-and-Viet-Cong-infested jungles of Vietnam, but also before opposition in the streets, homes, pulpits and political houses of America. As my friends fought and died, their only eulogy was a rousing cheer from the throats of their fellow Americans. But we did not desist from the course of action that we deemed right and honorable. When we were finally pulled out of Vietnam without a victory, it was not our fault; it was the fault of these very same Americans who are now carrying patriotism to such inane lengths. So, if shame must be buried, do it beneath the welcome mats of Mr. and Mrs. America, but leave the Vietnam veteran alone. I believe I speak for many veterans when I say we have had enough of you people.