SPEAKOUT

IT WAS SO great seeing all the flags flying here in Cape Girardeau June 14, Flag Day.

I HEARD ON television that they're bringing up Jack Kennedy and Bob Kennedy and their lovers. Can you tell me why they cannot leave the dead alone? I think it's so sad to think of all they went through and then have to take that on top of it. I hope God helps those people because they sure will need the help. Thank you.

I JUST WENT out on Sunday afternoon to enjoy a nice outing with the family at Arena Park. There was a dog show in progress. The dogs were able to relieve themselves any place they wanted to all over the park. There were little kids walking around that could not stay out of it. I think the next time Cape has a dog show they ought to tell the people that come to the dog show that they need to pick up after their dogs. Thank you.

I'D LIKE TO send this to the nurses at 2 East, the medical progressive care staff at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Dear caregivers: I want to express my sincere thanks and deepest appreciation for your TLC and concern for my wellbeing and recovery during my recent stay at Southeast Missouri Hospital. You're attentiveness and quick response to my needs certainly enhanced my quick recovery. Also, your cheerfulness kept my spirits up through all my discomforts. May God bless you all and be with you always. You are his angles. Thank you.

THERE ARE PEOPLE out there who are cutting down smokers and these same people are out drinking. You people who are trying to pass this law to keep people from smoking in supermarkets and other places ought to be ashamed of yourself. God almighty made the tobacco. He made the beer, wine and whiskey. Let's get to the point: he made everything that was good. Some people can smoke, some people can't. Some people smoke because of their nerves and some people drink. But, are we to cut down the people who drink or smoke? If you don't like for people to smoke around you, don't get around them. What if they took your booze away from you like you're trying to take the smoke away from the smokers? I think it's a shame and disgrace you people can't take care of the skeletons in your closet. If I want to smoke, I'll smoke in public or wherever I'm at regardless of what kind of law you pass. I'll smoke.

THIS IS A delayed message about Riverfest. I think Riverfest this year was the best it has ever been. I appreciate the Riverfest committee. I loved the picture page in the Missourian on the Riverfest. I wish the Missourian would do more picture pages. The carnival rides were wonderful too. The carnival people were clean and machines were clean. it was very enjoyable for the children.

I WAS READING a copy of the June 11 Speak Out. There was an article in there where somebody was complaining about a preacher calling the Masonic lodge a satanist. I think it's comical myself. Now they understand how musicians feel when they say we're satanists and devil worshipers and drug addicts strictly because we play heavy metal. It's the same difference. They're doing the same thing to you that they did to us. Next time you think somebody who listens to heavy metal is a satanist, think about it. Are you too just because you're a Mason?

SOME PARENTS WONDER why their children turn into thieves. Well, I witnessed the beginning of one today at (a grocery store). A little 3-year-old girl was eating candy and not paying for it. Her mother stood there laughing about it. It's sickening, isn't it? Then they wonder why they grow up to be thieves or worse.

I HEARD A CONVERSATION about having to get the soccer out of the park at Jackson because they were doing so much damage to the park. I realize soccer is hard on the fields but it gives the kids who don't have athletic ability to play football or basketball a chance to compete in a competitive sport. It also gives people a chance to coach who don't know enough about other sports to get involved. My son-in-law never could coach other sports but he got started in soccer and really enjoys it. We can't all be football and basketball stars so let's give them a chance to have a sport everybody can play.

A LITTLE WHILE back there was a call in Speak Out in reaction to a headline in the paper concerning the appalling number of teen pregnancies. The caller stated, Is this what all this sex education is leading to? I think not. It has been cited and documented that sex education does not increase sexual activity but it does cut down the number of teen pregnancies. Thank you.

I WOULD LIKE to tell the person who left the message on Father's Day about the blind person that all they have to do is close their eyes and go about their normal workday and living skills required to function each day, and then they will know the difficulties that blind persons face each day. Thank you.

I WAS READING the June 17 paper about the city council acting on people smoking. What business is it of the city council to tell who and why and where you can or cannot smoke? If they'd take care of other things that are more important than smoking, I'm sure everybody would be much happier. It's like the people complaining about Encore. If they don't like it, turn it off; it's that simple. And, as far as the smoking is concerned, as far as the city council, I'm sure that over half of the city council smoke wherever they please. Thank you.

SOMEONE IN SUNDAY'S Speak Out said the Riverfest stunk. I thought the correct word should have been stinked. Please check this out with your English consultant, Mrs. Lorberg, in Lend Me Your Ear. Which is correct? The Riverfest stinked or the Riverfest stunk?

Miss Lorberg says either stank or stunk is correct. "The preferred past tense of stink is stank," said our leading word maven.

ABORTION IS WRONG. It is very bad. You should stop it.

I'M CALLING ABOUT an article I read in the Missourian about two weeks ago where Scott City is voting a half-cent sales tax to do some resurfacing on streets. According to one of the city officials, we would have approximately 20 streets resurfaced. Now I read where the same alderman said we had about 40 streets and gave the names of some of the streets. I happen to live on one of the streets and there's nothing wrong with my street. I don't think Scott City needs money; I think Scott City needs supervision. Thank you.

GOSH, I'D GLADLY trade my neighbor for the one who mows his grass at 6 a.m. At least he does mow. My neighbors don't mow but once a season and the weeds are as tall as I am, and I am up to 5 feet 7 inches.

I THINK THAT TCI needs to get rid of the Discovery channel and Family channel and get KPLR. This is a sports-oriented society, and I think we need more sports on TV. Also, Southeast Missourian, I would like to say that I enjoy the writing of one reporter, Steve Friedman, in particular. He's an outstanding writer and I'd like to see more of him. Thank you.

IF THE COSTS have to be met to repair the stones at the old Lorimier Cemetery, why can't money be spent to hire a night security guard to catch these vandals? Anyone with loved ones buried there would be glad, I'm sure, to contribute to a fund for such a guard to ensure that the tombstones would not be destroyed.

I'M COMMENTING on the story in the Southeast Missourian Plus on Wednesday about the teenage mom. I think it is very admirable that she's staying in school. My wife and I had a similar situation. My wife finished high school with the baby, and everything worked out okay. So I'd just like to say to her, keep up the good work and finish school because everything will work out for the best if you do. Thank you.

THIS IS IN response to the person who called about coaches yelling instructions to young players. I totally agree that instructional sports should be coached with good sportsmanship at all times. As a coach myself, I have seen coaches yell at young kids just starting out in any sport, and I do not believe in that tactic. But, by the same token, there are parents who yell instructions to their children on the field. This gets very aggravating because the coach is telling them to do one thing and the parents are telling them another. This confuses a child. I feel if parents are going to yell instructions to their child while the child is playing a game, especially in tournament situations, then the parents should volunteer their time to take coaches' clinics and to coach their child and other children. If they cannot do this, then please, parents, let the coaches do their job. Thank you.