BETWEEN THE LINES: GOOD LEADERS STAND HIGH ABOVE THE CROWD

In the past few months, the nation has heard a lot about morals, character and integrity as the Congress sorts out the details of President Clinton's relationship and affair with intern Monica Lewinsky.

But the push for a more "moral" America didn't just start recently. Nor will it likely end when a new president takes office in 2000.

The battle between the Conservative Right and Liberal Left has been waging for centuries. I doubt something as simple as an election will stop it.

For years now, people have spoken about or written letters, essays and even commentaries about the need for moral education in America. If our nation would simply teach its children that "character counts" we wouldn't be faced with many of our present-day problems, they say.

Maybe they're right, maybe not.

Maybe it's because we live in the Midwest or the Bible Belt that the idea of a high moral standard seems so pervasive here.

Perhaps it is because I routinely talk to those who serve in the religious communities of Southeast Missouri that I see more of the good in people, rather than the bad. Or maybe it's just the optimist in me shining through.

Although we often report the bad things in the news business, there is plenty of good news in Cape Girardeau. I've seen plenty of it, and as the holidays draw near, I hope to see more.

Community groups, civic clubs, religious organizations all strive to make our city a better place. They came out in full force for National Make A Difference Day last month.

And in the past few weeks, I've seen plenty of examples in our community of strong moral leadership. At first, I was surprised to see two of the city's leaders taking such active roles in church events. But after thinking about it, I realized I was seeing exactly what people had been asking for: city leaders exhibiting their faith and taking a moral stand.

They were making "character count" in the public sense.

In recent weeks, I met both the fire and police chiefs at church events. The police chief helped with parking and traffic control at a "Judgment House" production, and the fire chief helped chaperone a youth lock-in last weekend that I also attended.

But the city leaders aren't the only ones teaching children how to be good leaders. Plenty of other adults, like sports coaches and teachers, are setting good examples as well. I watched as an area superintendent pulled out his pocket calendar, which included scriptures from "My Utmost for His Highest" to check a schedule during a recent school board meeting. Another superintendent helped pay tribute to veterans.

Despite what others might think about the moral decline of our nation, I'd have to disagree.

From where I stand, Southeast Missouri's children are receiving a good moral education. They have plenty of strong leadership examples from people full of integrity, character and common sense. Maybe we should thank those folks for standing out above the crowd.

~Laura Johnston is a copy editor for the Southeast Missourian.