SPEAKOUT

PRINTED FOR WEEKEND USE

SADDAM HUSSEIN MOVES into Kuwait and now listen to all the Chamberlains. They say it's just a small country and just for oil; forget it because it isn't worth it. Hitler moved into Czechoslovakia, just a small country. Chamberlain went to Munich and made a deal. He came back and said, Peace in our time. Chamberlain didn't stand up to Hitler. When he found the lack of will he went into Poland and other countries. Now we have the big WW-II. It was also largely portrayed in oil. Japan needed oil. I hope the United Nations stands up firm to get Iraq out of Kuwait and we have a resolve to back the United Nations. Don't fool yourself: aggression, oil, and trade are again the issue. Let's stop aggression now and not play politics with aggression. We don't need another Chamberlain now. Thank you.

I'D LIKE TO SAY something about the earthquake that was supposed to happen Dec. 3: Dr. Browning, get a life. Gosh, nobody knows when an earthquake is going to happen, nobody.

I'M LISTENING to KMOX-AM out of St. Louis this morning at 2, and people started calling in about a ban of light across the sky from the west to the east. I got up and went outside and it was there, kind of eerie. Later on a meteorologist called in and said it was a narrow band of clouds stretching from Des Moines, Iowa to Cairo, Ill., with ice crystals that were reflecting off of the moon. It was beautiful. Was just wondering if anyone else saw it. I'm sure there must have been other people who saw it besides us. Thank you.

I'D JUST LIKE to say that as I watched the news program last night with Charles Karault and his side-kick, they seemed so determined to find someone who was against going to war. They did find a few, but what amazed me was how they would perk up when someone stood in opposition to the president's policies. Then, they wilted down when people stood up to support it. Thank you.

REGARDING THE LUDICROUS prediction or projection of Dec. 3, so-called earthquake: I put my faith in God, not Dr. Browning nor any scientist. If and when an earthquake or any disaster happens, this is an act of God, and only God knows the day and the time. Let's put our trust in him and be prepared. He gives us wisdom and knowledge to be prepared and to use our brain. So let's do that and leave the rest to him. As for me and my house, we serve the Lord and we'll prepare the best we can. When it's time for him to take us home, I'll shout, hallelujah.

I WOULD LIKE to suggest that the city put up a right-lane-ends sign on eastbound Broadway just before Clark Street. I enjoy the new four-lane on Broadway, but I think it was a poor decision to let the two eastbound lanes go to one lane so abruptly with no warning. I've only been across that part once and assumed the left lane would be left-turn only and the right lane would go straight. I couldn't tell I was in the wrong lane until it was almost too late. Luckily no one was in the other lane, so I just moved over.

WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT it was to watch the uneventful celebration of lights at the Scott City park Friday night. Too bad the mayor, city employees, various city departments, and civic organizations didn't see fit to help the Illmo merchants the last few years when they worked so hard to make their streets into a beautiful Christmas setting, and then have a successful program in celebration of lights. My question to all the above people is, was it worth all that time and effort when only a very sparse crowd showed up in comparison with Illmo Street, which was always full and running over? And the program was very organized and the sound system adequate. Let's put the celebration back where it originated. Thank you.

WE HAVE OUR house decorated every year for Christmas. Last night about 3 two young women decided they were going to try to deface the property or steal. I would like to know what right they think they have coming into my yard and taking things we put out to give pleasure to the neighborhood, particularly at this time of the year. I think it is despicable. There's a disability here in this house and people are hired to help do this. I am really upset about this. Thank you.

I'D LIKE TO KNOW since when Cape Girardeau allows security guards to carry handguns when they're working. My son came home last night and told me that a security guard ran them off the parking lot one day last week and he had a handgun. I don't think security guards should be carrying handguns around a bunch of kids. Thank you.

The city issues permits for private security guards to carry handguns based on criteria established by city ordinance. The applicable ordinance says, in part: The chief of police establishes "regulations for the examination of applicants concerning the applicant's knowledge and understanding of the use of deadly force and the use of firearms. The chief of police shall establish minimum standards in the examination of applicant's knowledge and understanding of the use of deadly force and in the use of firearms. If the applicant fails to meet the standards so established, the chief of police shall recommend to the city manager or his designee that the applicant not be granted the permit." A police spokesman said security guards who are permitted to carry handguns must qualify on a shooting range semi-annually.

I WOULD LIKE to respond to a Speak Out of approximately three weeks ago. The party said shame on those who voted down the park sales tax. They were speaking of people on fixed incomes and Social Security. they also stated that Social Security recipients receive a regular cost-of-living increase. This is true, but let this person figure how much more pay a Social Security recipient would receive drawing less than $300 a month. They also claimed that this was a temporary tax. I can recall not too many years ago on the port authority, we were asked to vote a temporary tax, which the voters did, and the tax was supposed to go off. But what did they do? The city found another cause to have the people vote to leave this tax on, and stated that it would not raise our taxes because we were already paying it anyway. I do not buy this temporary tax thing. And, speaking of what it would cost the average person per month I am also sick and tired of hearing that. Anytime that there is a tax increase to vote on in this city, someone comes up with what other cities pay. Well, I don't know where they get the average, but why don't they come up with the average salary that people make in Cape Girardeau? Stop and think how many employers in the city of Cape Girardeau pay over the minimum wage. So, you see, the reason I voted against the tax is that I'm on Social Security and every penny has to count. I'm sorry the sales tax didn't pass for the parks, but I feel like it was needed other places worse. Thank you very much.

TO THE PERSON WHO stole my wise man to my nativity set. I pretty well know what you are; you're lower than a snake. I'm not going to stop putting my decorations out because to do so I would turn Christmas and the joy of the season over to bums like you. Also, to the two girls who vandalized my equipment the night before: I know what you look like. I saw you tonight and pretty well know who you are. Just a matter of time and I'm going to find you, and when I do I'm going to turn you over to the authorities and testify against you in court. Also, to the one who stole my wise man, it's a matter of time. It's marked only one like it and I'm going to put it over every police department from St. Louis to here, and we're going to find it. People like you cannot ruin the spirit of Christmas.

I'M CALLING about the person who had a question for the person calling in about legalizing marijuana. It does not take one joint to retard your baby; drugs retard your baby, not marijuana. I've never, ever seen any evidence or reports on infants born with birth defects due to the mother or father using marijuana; it's always been because of drugs, not marijuana. They do crack, prescription drugs, any kind. There haven't been any auto accidents due to marijuana either; they've mostly been from alcohol and drugs. Thank you.

I HAVE NOTICED in Speak Out that there appears to be a lot of people who somehow are receiving money working for the school district, and they're saying that Missouri is tight and more money should be paid by the taxpayers and they're glad that the state is being sued by these school districts. The fact is, the more money you spend on schools the less education you get. It's a proven fact. The more money we spend the less kids are able to do. We need to cancel these public schools and let the parochial schools and the private schools take over. They are cheaper. You don't need public fund-raisers; you don't have people making $80,000- to $90,000-a-year-plus in these private schools. The people who teach and work at these private schools are there because they want to teach, not to try and pick the pockets of the taxpayers. If these people cannot stand the heat they should get out of the kitchen.

THIS IS FOR everyone who has been calling Ray Cole to get the percent of chance for an earthquake: He has spent hours of his time and has worn out an answering machine for us. I know hundreds of us are calling day and night because it is almost impossible to get through on that line. Thank you.

THE CALLER IN Sunday's Speak Out wishing to trade George Bush and Dan Quayle for Margaret Thatcher claims that this country would be better off without them. I wonder if this caller has stopped to realize what kind of shape this country would be in today if Michael Dukakis had gotten elected. Thank you.

I JUST HAD to call. I wouldn't normally call Speak Out. I kind of read it as a joke, but when I read about one joint could retard your baby, that's nuts. I have three children. I smoked to keep myself calm. The doctor knew I smoked during my pregnancies, and two of my children are in the gifted-child program and the other is in the upper 10 percent of his class. These children are not retarded; these are some of the smartest kids I have ever seen. I personally don't understand how my kids turned out so smart because I'm just an average person. But I do need to relax once in a while. I don't believe in booze and I do smoke a joint. Thank you.

I READ WITH interest that thing in Speak Out about smoking marijuana and making your kid retarded. I've never smoked marijuana in my life and my only son was profoundly retarded. On the other hand I have a cousin who smokes pot all the time and she has one of the smartest children I have ever known. It just doesn't seem quite fair to me, but it is a fact. I did nothing during my pregnancy I wasn't supposed to do. She smoked daily during her pregnancy and drank on occasion, and she has a very smart child and my is profoundly retarded. Now you explain that. Thank you.