Place in history

IF THE Iraqi experiment bucks historical trends and proves the exportation of democracy to be successful and lasting, President Bush will be remembered as one of our great presidents. If not, he will rank below Warren Harding.

Exaggerated for effect

ALL GOOD editorial cartoonists exaggerate for effect. The Speak Out caller who criticized the great cartoons of Don Greenwood betrayed a surprisingly woeful misunderstanding of the purpose of said cartoons.

Top credentials

"THE GOLD of Cape Girardeau" was endorsed by prize-winning international best-selling author Elmore Leonard. He said of author Morley Swingle, "Move over James Michener." Leonard's novel, "Killshot," is the basis of the movie, part of which will be shot in Cape Girardeau. Swingle's literary credentials are impeccable.

They deserve him

I'M GLAD to see Don Greenwood's debut as a political cartoonist. He is revealed as a foaming-at-the-mouth, uninformed Bush basher and nothing more. Let him speak for the Democrats. They deserve each other.

Breaking the law

A COMMENT said the charges against the fraternity members should not be in our courts. Breaking the law is breaking the law. It doesn't matter how big or small the crime. If these students are given a slap on the wrist like they were in grade school, they will grow up thinking they can break the law whenever they want.

Stop the bullying

BULLYING WENT on for several years, resulting in a child quitting school early. It was brought to the school's attention several times, but the problem remained. After relocating, the child is excelling at a new school. Bullying affects all areas of a child's life. We are allowing sons and daughters to fall in the cracks when we do nothing to stop the problem. Schools need to make sure students' time at school is productive.

Paying the price

HAVING MOVED to a new city, we have experienced a great change. We have seen a 50-year-old person get carded. Having been a parent raising sons in the Jackson area, we have seen first-hand how they were able to get cigarettes and possibly alcoholic beverages. Businesses are checked all the time and card everyone. Still there are sons hurt and killed because laws didn't protect individuals from making wrong choices, and there are people responsible for selling alcohol when they shouldn't have. Stop this. This is a parent's nightmare that could have been stopped. Card customers no matter the age. And stop those who purchase cigarettes or drinks for individuals who can't make the right choices. This is from a mother who knew what it was like to have sons and friends that would do anything for each other. We paid our price.

Wrong complaint

PRESIDENT BUSH has admitted to having our own citizens spied on. We have secret prisons in foreign countries where we subvert international law. A large group of lawmakers got caught taking bribes. Congress just passed a budget that takes from students, the elderly and the poor and gives tax cuts to the richest. Yet all we complain about is that the greeter at Wal-Mart doesn't say "merry Christmas" when we buy a DVD player. This whole country should be ashamed of itself.

Speak up for liberties

REGARDING U.S. tactics in the war on terror: The world is watching, and the world by no means likes what it sees. I have lived 52 years and do not remember a time when we were hated by more countries. It's time we clean our own house before we attempt to clean the rest of the world. The time has come for us to speak out for our civil liberties before its a crime to do so.

Code blue

A DILEMMA for the Republican Party is that if it doesn't bail out Katrina-ravaged parts of the country with federal tax dollars, even at the risk of alienating the skinflint wing of the party, those red states may turn blue in 2008.

Wonderful gift

A HEARTFELT thank you to the First Presbyterian Church, Gary Miller, Stephen Hendricks, the orchestra, vocalists and choir for the beautiful rendition of "Messiah" Sunday afternoon. It was both inspirational and worshipful. Thanks for the wonderful Christmas gift.

Even tougher laws

THESE NEW alcohol laws are not tough enough. Just how many is a few beers? There are scientific tests for blood-alcohol levels. It's the "we all did it" attitude that's got to stop. Denial won't get you or your children anywhere but debt.

Fabulous program

I WOULD like to comment about the Christmas program that was held at Cape First Sunday night. It was done by the entire youth group. It was absolutely fabulous. For the grand finale, we had one of the most wonderful instrumentals I have heard in a long time, Trans- Siberian Orchestra-style. This is one of the many programs that our youths put on for the year. I am still thrilled all day long. We had a packed house. We had to put chairs in the aisle. It's so wonderful to know that our youths not only in our church, but in the churches all over Cape Girardeau, are willing to take their time and put on these beautiful programs. God bless every one of them, and have a merry Christmas.

School paperwork

I AM a college student with a semester left before I graduate with an education degree. From what I have observed and learned, it is not always teachers who are at fault. You can thank the No Child Left Behind Act and MAP testing for less challenging material. Teachers are expected to bring every child up to a certain level, which is unrealistic. If students do not do well enough on MAP tests, funding can be cut from schools. The country has turned education into paperwork and test scores.

Misplaced concern

I'D LIKE to thank the anti-Christian individual who is so concerned about our souls in missing church on Christmas Day. The concern is misplaced. Christianity is lived every day, not just on Sunday. My advice is to look in the mirror and ask why not having church on Christmas Day makes a difference.