SPEAKOUT

I THINK IT'S a crying shame the City Council can't see the impact this contractor's license will have on the buildings in Cape Girardeau. Like another reader said, They'll all be going to Jackson where there isn't all that tax because most small contractors can't afford a $50,000 insurance policy. Furthermore, how is a young man going to get started into the carpenter business unless he's a flunky for a big contractor who is going to be able to afford that insurance? If you want any new buildings or progress in Cape Girardeau you had better let some of these younger carpenters get a start.

THREE CHEERS FOR the editorial in the Central Tiger May 9 entitled Changes could hurt athletics. The article concerned many coaching changes occurring at CHS in the same year, including football and basketball. I keep asking myself if the school is getting rid of the right people. I think the school administration and board should start right at the top and then work down. I think this suggestion would solve many questions and would be a good answer. Thank you.

WELL, HERE IT is Saturday evening, May 11, and people to the north and south are getting the Cardinals baseball game on KPLR, and what do we have here? Nothing. It seems to me like the local cable system would adhere to the wishes of the public and get KPLR.

I WAS VERY interested in the article a few days ago in which it was stated that people were planting rose bushes down on Morgan Oak where the sign says Cape Girardeau, the City of Roses, helping to beautify the town. I would like to suggest that they try three more blocks: stay on the same street, Morgan Oak, down to South Pacific. Hundreds of people travel this route every day and get a view of the city, supposedly to be known as a city of roses. If they'll take a good look there as they make that turn, which they have to do, it stares them in the face. Hundreds of them see this everyday.

DON'T BELIEVE ANYTHING the politicians say. Martha Wilkinson's move to drop out of the race was planned from the beginning. She and her husband schemed in order to pull the votes that might have been for her and in his direction. Both she and her husband knew from the beginning a wife who is in opposition to her husband cannot win. Sneaky wasn't it? Thank you.

IN MY OPINION a young president such as possibly Dan Quayle couldn't cause any more problems in this country than an old man. Quayle has a pretty intelligent wife behind him too. And remember, John F. Kennedy was young. Thank you.

WHAT KIND OF uncivilized event can the Show Me Center come up with in the future? Have they thought about bull fights?

I WAS WONDERING if you could tell me how I could become postmaster general. I think I would make a very good postmaster general and I was just wondering how you would go about applying for that job. I think I could do a much better job than the man who is postmaster general now.

MAY 8 WAS the day to give out the commodity food at a local church. I am handicapped and cannot walk into the church basement to get the food. Someone takes my application and they send out what they want me to have. They were giving five-pound boxes of cheese to a select few. In fact, the young man was bringing boxes of cheese outside and placing them in some parked vehicles. He put a box of cheese in the car ahead of me and told the man that it was for a certain lady who has five children to feed. These people were picking up her food for her but they kept the cheese and did not give it to her. None of the elderly, widowed or handicapped got any of the cheese even though there were lots of cases of cheese left. I have repeatedly put on my application that I am a bad diabetic and need cheeses and food without sugar. I have never gotten any juice even though they have many cases stacked in the church basement. If they're going to give out the food that is furnished by the government, paid for out of the taxpayers' money, then they should be fair and give everyone some or all of the food. It isn't meant for a select few. Thank you.

I AM GETTING concerned where our politicians from President Bush down to the senators and congressmen place their priorities. It appears now that the United States taxpayers are going to have to foot the bill to feed the Russian people. When are these politicians going to put their priorities where they should be: on the American people and the American economy?

CONCERNING THIS BRADY bill, I would like to know just how many violent crimes are committed with registered guns in the first place. So what are you going to stop? Nothing. Thanks.

I WOULD JUST like to say I personally think that it is very stupid for people to argue over pork and beans; but, of course, it must be people bored out of their wits, so let them do what they want. I would like to say one more thing: I love pork and beans cold. Thank you.

MY SISTER LIVES on Northbridge. It's a beautiful area and it's being spoiled by the person who started this whole mess in the paper. She's a very attentive parent and an excellent mother. I wish there were more like her in this world. She is very involved in her school and church, but that's because of her concern for its growth and her love of the Lord. She is definitely not a suburban yuppy. I think you should know these parents before you start throwing stones. Complain to the parents of the children you have to stop or slow down for. As far as taking children to the park, who has a car big enough to carry two, three or four bikes? Would you every time your child wanted to ride his bike? No, of course not. The way the city parks are the daily dumping grounds for dogs and the making-out place for many, I wouldn't want her to take them there.