SPEAKOUT

(Editor's note: Terry Risko, Cape Girardeau Public Library librarian, reported in response to recent comments in Speak Out concerning Sunday hours that the library is considering Sunday hours in the fall on an experimental basis. He said: "Other libraries I have worked at had Sunday hours, but it was on a voluntary basis by the library staff. This is something we're considering here." Risko said budgeting and staffing is always a problem when hours are expanded, but "we're hoping to work something out." Sunday hours would be noon to 4 p.m., he said.)

A BIG THANK you for the Gulf Mail Bag. Our son has developed a pen-pal relationship with a very special young serviceman, and I think it was very good for the morale of people here at home. Thank you so much for a wonderful idea.

THANK YOU, ACCU-Grow, for placing the beautiful cross in front of your place of business on Cape Rock Drive. It really told the story of Easter.

I WAS THRILLED to read of Gov. Ashcroft appointment of Lynn Dempster of Sikeston to the board of regents of Southeast Missouri State University. The governor could not have made a better choice. I have know Lynn for many years. She is articulate, highly intelligent, energetic, and, most of all, totally dedicated to any task she pursues. She will serve the university and this area well.

THANKS ONCE AGAIN to all the people responsible for the Easter flowers blooming so beautifully at Broadway and Kingshighway. Thank you.

THANKS TO TV, our utility bills will be cheaper next month. We haven't hardly had the TV on lately because there's nothing to turn it on to. with all the ball games on. Thank you.

I THINK TEENAGERS under the age of 16 should be able to get jobs easier now. Thank you.

I UNDERSTAND THAT the stupidest man in the US Senate, Alan something, has called Mr. Peter Arnett, the CNN reporter, a dupe. I would like him to know that the American people very likely think of him as a dupe, and I'd much rather be a dupe than a dope.

I'M SPEAKING IN regards to the huge increase that this cable company is going to pass on to us again. I'd like to see us get a St. Louis channel.

IN RESPONSE TO Peter Kinder's challenge to comment on the proposed education tax increase, as a parent I support it. I want qualified professional teachers available for my child's education. It is common knowledge that many teachers could be earning far greater salaries in the business world than in teaching. Let's give education of our youth the priority that is needed and support this tax.

I AM TOTALLY appalled that AA would give in to a public controversy as they have in the Southeast Missourian. It's breaking tradition again, folks. I do disagree with Rhonda, though, I don't believe that courts send people to AA for punishment; I believe it's in hopes for rehabilitation. Thank you.

AA IN THE headlines of the newspaper. I can't believe it. Come on, River City, weren't you proud of your tradition? Bill would turn over in his grave if he knew what was happening. Also, AA is not for punishment. I believe it's for rehabilitation. What kind of message are you giving. Believe me, I wouldn't tend to recommend that group to anyone. Thank you.

I THOUGHT THE weather channel was so you could find out what the current weather is. It takes you half an hour just to see the dang stuff.

I REFER TO the article in the newspaper about the courts sentencing people to AA meetings. That article is not explicit enough. It did not explain the traditions behind an AA meeting. We go to AA with a sincere desire to quit drinking. A lot of people have quit going to AA because of this problem. The people who went there in the first place because they wanted to go, now they stay away because the courts sentence people to go to the meetings. They sit there and laugh and joke and tell other people what was said and who goes there. They violate all of our traditions and principles, and I think it's wrong. I don't think people understand we're not affiliated with any court system, any legal system, any social-service system, and I think that these people should know more about what they are doing because they are violating our rights. We're not a closed group. Anyone that wants to attend AA, all they have to do is walk in the door. But our groups are friends and our support system that we've always been comfortable with and have been able to talk. We could no longer do this. We have an audience, and I might add it's a hostile audience. AA is one of the best, most effective ways that has ever been devised to help people with their drinking problem. But you have to want it; you can't be ordered there on your own.

WALTER WILLIAMS IS a journalist who understands human values and family responsibility. Walter Williams knows the success of democracy depends on citizens being personally responsible. Nothing in life is free. I hope a lot of people read his articles and express themselves in Speak Out. We need more journalists like Walter Williams. Thank you.

IN THE MARCH 31 Speak Out a woman commented that because I was a heterosexual male I was a rightful suspect for rape, murder, child molestation, and on and on. My only crime was I disagreed with her. I believe that she proved my point that if you don't agree with gays and lesbians or the people who support them, then they try to make you feel as if something is wrong with you, that you're a criminal. I know I cannot stop people from having gay and lesbian relationships, and that's not my intention, but I don't have to think it's ok and I'm not going to lie to my children and tell them it's ok. I don't hate gays and lesbians; I just don't believe that the lifestyle they're living is right. Thank you.

I HAVE TO laugh when I read in here about our great gulf war victory. If ever a cannon was assembled to kill a mosquito, this was a classic example. Now, before we carry our "Ramboism" too far, it may be well to remember that the Soviet Union or China would not have gone along with our carnage of Iraq, sanctions would have been allowed to continue, as would the dialogue between Bush and Hussein, and it would not have been so one sided. Comparing this war with Vietnam is another example of convincing the American people that we are now militarily invincible. It is common knowledge that the war in Vietnam was fought with China watching our every move, and getting into the fight if we threatened the border just as in Korea. Common sense should tell any thinking person that the gulf war was about oil and who would control it.

I'M SURE THAT when Dr. Tom Harte, with tongue-in-cheek, asked Peter Kinder for more examples of defective argumentation, in his wildest dream he did not expect Mr. Kinder to comply by producing so many so soon in his very next column.

I'M SO GLAD to see that someone besides me notices how many cars drive around in Cape Girardeau with only one headlight, sometimes none. I thought it was only me noticing them. I'm glad to know it's against the law. Is Cape going to do something about it? Thank you.

THE TV NEWS media first reported the beating victim as a mere traffic violator. They left out the fact that he resisted arrest. I guess sensationalism is more important than a completely unbiased story.

I NOTICED IN the news that Ronald Reagan, our former president, has been in Washington the last few days campaigning for the Brady bill, gun control. I wonder who this guy thinks he is. He's a person entitled to one vote. I would also add that if I had done my best to bankrupt the country like he did I would be reluctant to show my face. Thank you.

IT SEEMS TCI Cable TV is actually giving us something for a change. Sunday night at 7:30 on channel 10 we can watch Whitney Houston welcome heroes home taped live in North Virginia. This should be well worth the increase we're going to suffer in the future, I suppose. Thank you.

WHY DO WE WASTE time and space talking about Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and others who have gone on long before us when we have people who are alive today who are worth talking about, people who are just as honest, just as great, and just as worthy of recognition? I'll answer my own question. Because we don't have sense enough to know that we too are making history. Let the dead bury the dead. Thank you.

CONCERNING PROPER etiquette as far as who gets the ring when the engagement or marriage breaks up: Rings are gifts, especially gifts of love. No matter who breaks it up, it is the woman's right to keep the rings. If they're involved with these deadbeat husbands and fathers they'll probably need them later on when the alimony or child support doesn't come through. So, girls, hang on to your rings. Thank you.

I JUST HEARD over the radio that Democrats were turning Republican. This one isn't. I am a Democrat and I'll stay a Democrat.

I WAS WONDERING if it would do any good for a person to call the police department about barking dogs. These dogs bark continually and it's really upsetting to the neighbors. The people who own these dogs have to know that they're barking. Why people have dogs that bark continually in town I cannot understand. It cannot be for protection because they bark continually. Thank you very much.

CAN ANYONE TELL me when all this basketball playing will be over with on the TV? I am not a basketball fan, and I realize there are basketball fans out there, but I would like to see this come to an end. I'd like to see the stations get back to regular programming. I am tired of turning my TV on and there's nothing on but basketball. I thank you very much.

I WONDER IF THE education people would be willing to settle for 100 percent of my income.