SPEAK OUT

Too much ado

YOU KNOW the story about the so-called shocking and explosive set of circumstances leading up to the governor of Missouri's issuance of an executive order? Why, if old Will Shakespeare were still with us, he'd write a comedy about it and give it a title very similar to one he'd already penned: "Much Ado About Absolutely Nothing."

Break the shackles

IT IS poetic justice that a man named Shackles would write a letter exposing the alliance between the local political class, the Southeast Missourian and insurance and telephone companies. It is an alliance so powerful it has rendered Missouri's No Call Law virtually impotent. Maybe Shackles' scintillating screed will provide the political momentum necessary to overtake the establishment and liberate ordinary Missourians from their painful and binding shackles.

High approval ratings

FUNDING HAS been allowed only for those stem cells that have already been extracted, but no new stem cells. I think President Bush used the wisdom of Solomon in his decision. It was an excellent decision. Many people are never satisfied with anything, and the Democrats would not have been happy no matter how he decided. Bush is doing an excellent job as president, and the Democrats can't stand it. They might as well get used to it. Bush's job approval ratings are higher than Bill Clinton's were this time eight years ago.

Spiritual nightmare

SENIORS LIVING in a small community such as Advance are afraid to complain about anything. When the teen-agers are cruising and playing their stereos as loud as they can at midnight, it keeps seniors awake until all hours. They will not call the police because they are afraid the teen-agers will retaliate. The bell ringing at the church amounts to the same thing. Some of these seniors have heart ailments and nerve conditions. Some have disabled folks to take care of and need their rest. The church secretary quoted Scripture about making a joyful sound. Scripture was written before the computer age and large speakers on tops of buildings. For the minister and his flock, that might be a spiritual journey, but for some it is a nightmare.

Spending priorities

HOW MUCH will you spend playing bingo, bunko, bridge, gin or poker this week? How much will you spend at the golf course, the lake, the pool, the skating rink or the bowling alley? How much will you spend at Jackson Homecomers, the SEMO District Fair or at Six Flags? How much will you spend eating out, having pizza delivered or picking up Chinese food this week? How much will you spend on cigarettes and beer? How much will you spend on signing up your child to play soccer, football or basketball? How much will you spend on brand-name clothing? How long will you receive pleasures or benefits from this list? Will it last a few minutes, an hour, a day a week a month or maybe a year? How much will you spend on a child for an education that will last a lifetime? The citizens of Jackson need to get their priorities straight before it is too late.

Life dependency

THIS IS to the person who thinks an unborn child is just a leech. When that child leaves the womb, it is still dependent on its mother for food and nourishment. Just because the child is outside the womb means nothing. A heartbeat is a heartbeat. If you were in a hospital or nursing home, you would be dependent on machines, doctors and nurses for you life, and your room would be your womb. Could we then do research on you?

Low-key campaigning

WHERE IS the Keep Jackson Schools First group? I'm not seeing the letters to the editor from students about the dungeon classrooms at the junior high school. The school-sponsored open houses to show how bad things are have ceased, why? We were told there was a crisis and we need to help the children. I did my part.