SPEAKOUT

PRINTED FOR WEEKEND USE

THERE WAS NO newscast of the earthquake they had in Nevada yesterday. It could be that Browning wasn't all wrong.

I WOULD LIKE to remind the readers that Iben Browning's prediction was not wrong. There was an earthquake in California registering 5.9 on the Richter scale (Dec. 3). He also had a projection for the 31st of this month. So we're not out of the woods yet.

In response to the preceding two comments, an earthquake registering 3.5 on the Richter scale occurred in Nevada Monday or Tuesday, said Linda Dillman, program specialist at the Center for Earthquake Studies at Southeast Missouri State University. The caller is mistaken about a 5.9 quake in California last week because none occurred, she said. Dillman also reported the following quake activities occurred around the world last week: Dec. 1, a 5.2 in Russia; Dec. 2, a 5.4 in Chile, a 5.9 in New Caledonia Islands, a 5.1 in Tonga; a 5.0 in the Fuji Islands; and a 5.2 in northern Colombia; and Friday, a 4.5 in Alaska and a 5.2 and a 4.9 in Japan. The Nevada, the Japan and the Alaska quakes all occurred within the range of 30 and 60 degrees north latitude, which was the range Dr. Iben Browning had projected that there existed a 50-50 chance of a measurable quake occurring 48 hours either side of Monday. The others were outside that range. Dillman said Friday that no activity had occurred along the New Madrid Fault since Nov. 21, when a 2.7 quake was recorded at Miston, Tenn.

HELL, NO, WE won't go. That's what we said in Vietnam. Now we've gone to Saudi Arabia. We're spending $87 million a day over there and they tell us we can't have our American flag on our uniform and the American flag cannot be visible. Let's say this: Hell, yes, we will go back to America and you keep your oil and your people.

OUR SERVICEMEN and women who are in the Persian Gulf are not allowed to wear the American flag on their uniforms or display this flag in any manner whatsoever for fear of offending the Saudis. I think it is time that we make an about-face and return these troops back to their homes in the states, and let the Saudis see how Saddam Hussein can offend them. This is absolutely ludicrous for us to be committing all these service men to this country when they are not appreciated enough to be able to wear the symbol of their country. Bring 'em home and let the Saudis protect themselves. Thank you.

I READ THE other day that used motor oil is a toxic waste. Where can a person take his used oil so that it can be recycled? Thank you.

Anyone who knows where to dispose of used motor oil may call Speak Out.

WAY TO GO, Country Club, in Scott City. Lights and decorations look great. By the way, Cloverdale, have you driven through the Country Club?

THERE WAS AN earthquake on Dec. 3, a small portion of an earthquake. Usually earthquakes start underground. This one started from above and came down. It was caused by three bulldozers toppling one of the Cape area's fine old homes to make way for so-called progress. This old home was built on the lands secured from the Andrew Ramsey property. He came to the area in 1795. His home still stands incognito within the city limits. All I can say is that future generations lost when a small earthquake shook its surroundings. When you drive over the future road to the post office you can remember that an old landmark stood there. Cape County definitely needs to identify valuable old landmark homes and protect them from destruction by developers.

I HAVE A squeak in a bedroom floor that's just driving me nuts. It's under a carpet and under a pad, but it still squeaks terribly. Does anybody have a solution to get rid of squeaky floors?

ALL YOU FLAG-waving Republicans claim to be so patriotic under the Reagan and Bush administrations and you gave the Vietnam vets hell. Why don't you and your sons enlist in the armed services now? Thank you, Speak Out.