SPEAKOUT

BOY I SURE do agree with the caller who called and said the lights on Glenridge Street were beautiful. There are so many houses decorated. I encourage everybody to go by and look at them. Thank you.

I JUST WANTED to call in and ask people to drive by 2256 Kingsway to see the beautiful Christmas lights. I think it is wonderful that somebody took his time to do that great display for us to enjoy. Thank you.

IF CBS IS wondering why they are in third place in the morning shows, take a look at Harry Smith. Any man that is so unpolished as to call the people of this area stupid has no business being on a morning talk show. Thank you very much.

IT IS MONDAY and we have not had our earthquake yet. I'm not complaining, but I feel that the residents and a lot of people who have called in to Speak Out, and even some of the media, should apologize to Dr. David Stewart of the earthquake center at Southeast Missouri State. He has been called names and everything else. I feel that along with Iben Browning, even though we did not have an earthquake, they both have done more to make people aware of the danger of earthquakes and the things they should do to help lessen the effect of the aftermath of an earthquake than anybody else has ever done. Also, to the SEMO booster who wonders why the girls don't get as much publicity and wants President Stroup to do something about it: I think that is a little bit ridiculous. You look at these teams the Otahkians play, and there's nobody there to watch them. They get more support here than most women's teams do. These teams that were in last weekend for the tournaments, they were happy as a lark to be playing in front of that many people in that kind of facility.

IT IS NOW 12 o'clock midnight, Dec. 4. The only rumble I heard this past day was my stomach growling at lunch time. Thank you, Dr. Browning, for scaring this town out of what little mind we have. Thank you.

I'D LIKE TO put a thing in Speak Out concerning the Iben Browning prediction on the earthquake. I think it was a good thing; it prepared people for the earthquake, and if we ever have one it will probably save thousands of lives. That's what's good about it. Thank you.

REGARDING THE MESSAGE from someone meeting his future wife at his family reunion, I don't think that's the case. Surely that has to be Lutesville or Leopold. Thank you.

I LOVE TO read newspapers. I moved here about six months ago and I'm calling to congratulate the Southeast Missourian and Gary Rust for producing a good newspaper. My congratulations. I also think the News Guardian column about Gary Rust was unfair. Don Pritchard says that Gary Rust refuses to publish Speak Out columns. Hogwash. I noticed that the Southeast Missourian went right ahead and published all of Mr. Pritchard's nasty comments.

I JUST SPENT THE last hour watching the Oprah Winfrey Show about gay people being able to marry. I'd just like to say that's one of the most disgusting and disturbing topics I have ever seen on that show. Also, I thank God that the Southeast Missourian does not announce gay people getting married. Also, I am against gay people being able to adopt. I don't want them to teach children it's okay to become gay. What is this country coming to?

I WAS JUST thinking about the wise old philosopher Confucius. Confucius says predicting earthquakes is a very shaky business. Thank you.

THIS IS TO Gary Rust. Don't pay any attention to what Don Pritchard says. I don't.

THE FRONT-PAGE headline in Tuesday's issue of the Southeast Missourian, "Day the earth stood still," is a sample of eloquent journalism. Beautiful. Also, thanks to the SEMO student who in Speak Out of the same issue said: I know that the earthquake will only happen if God wills it. That's an example of strong faith.

I'D LIKE FOR Mike Royko to know that President Bush has two sons who will not be going to the Persian Gulf. I think they ought to be going to jail.

UGH. I BOUGHT furniture for nothing.

MY NAME IS Iben Gullible and I did a very stupid thing. I heard on the news that a businessman from New Mexico who likes to make up geological theories as a hobby said that there is a 50-50 chance that there will be a Richter 6 earthquake on Dec. 3. I thought, oh my gosh, I had better pull my kids out of school, wrap up all my china, buy 10 gallons of water, and sit under my kitchen table until about the 5th or 6th. So I did, and you know what happened? Nothing. Boy, do I feel stupid.

JUST WANTED TO say how good the little editorial was that Dr. Crowe had in Wednesday's paper. But I want to add one line to that. I would say this: I've been crying all the way to the bank this week.

REGARDING THE EARTHQUAKE: I told you so.

I JUST READ Don Pritchard's column in the News Guardian-Missourian paper. I'm very pleased to see what's in the newspaper here with him. I agree with him wholeheartedly about the taxes and I'll comment further with him on this on his show live. I find it's very interesting that some things are done. Cape Girardeau is a very biased community as it is, but that's only normal. Look at the people who live there. Thank you Don for bringing some things to light.

I GO TO BINGO every day and I don't think it's right for the members to play because most of them win. So I hope you guys do something about that.