SPEAK OUT

The wrong vote

JEAN CARNAHAN was wrong to have voted against John Ashcroft as attorney general, and I cannot believe a Missourian and a representative of the Missouri people did that. She is an embarrassment to Missouri. Mel Carnahan would never have done this, and she has proven that she is in no way continuing his work. She has proven that she is there to simply fill a Democratic seat and be a puppet for the Democratic Party rather than do the will of the Missouri voters who sent her and George W. Bush to Washington.

Protected speech

IN CASE you're wondering, Missouri Supreme Court Judge Ronnie White cannot successfully sue John Ashcroft for slander for saying on the floor of the U.S. Senate that White had "a tremendous bent toward criminal activity." The Constitution protects our legislators from such suits and, while on the floor of Congress, allows them to lie like dogs if they choose. Though now a moot point, for the record Ashcroft's answers to many questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee have been characterized by one respected source as clintonesque. Ouch.

Who's hand is out?

LET'S SEE if I have the Republican mentality understood (and I am sure I do). If it comes from the government to me, it is called "welfare" or "handout." If it comes from the government to you and yours, it is called "entitlement."

But this is now

SUDDENLY THE GOP leaders are saying if this country is to make progress, they must have bipartisan support. What a novel thought. It is interesting they didn't believe such during the past eight years.

The hidden letter

I'M READING Tuesday's editorial about Medgar Evers and the letter his brother, Charles Evers, wrote in defense of Ashcroft. Although the Southeast Missourian publishes that on the Opinion page as an editorial, I wonder why the Missourian didn't run this letter on the front page of their paper. It seems like the newspaper is hiding this themselves and then accusing others of not making it public. They're not doing a very good job themselves.

Reasons for church

WHY DO I attend church? Because it makes me a better person. Some 25 years ago, I was drinking alcohol and smoking a little pot. Who knows where I'd be without a church that is so strict it doesn't tolerate this at all. Another reason I attend church is like the line in "Jerry McGuire": Church completes me. It makes me a better mother, wife and daughter and a better citizen of my community.

Slippery slope

BUSH'S RELIGIOUS-based charity plan is a very scary proposition. Who decides which religion will get federal funds? Let us all remember that in this nation we recognize all religious beliefs, not excluding cults and even satanic worship. Would these religions receive funding, or does someone pick and choose? Will someone favor one religion over another? That would be unconstitutional. Would a Catholic send more money to Catholic charities? Will a Jewish person send more money to Jewish charities? This is a slippery slope and not a place for federal funds. Everybody, think again before you agree with this proposition.

Counting the days

SOME OF us here in Cape Girardeau are counting the days of the Marquette Hotel. It was supposed to be 120 days. Soon the time will be up. We want to see that building come down.

Tax profits on gas bills

HEATING OUR homes, and the city of Cape profits. Since the cost of commercial and residential heating has skyrocketed, the city taxes us more and profits on our hardship. The city should reduce the tax rates on natural gas, especially during these cold winter months when gas prices are extremely high. The city should not profit from the citizens' hardship.

Level-headed analysis

CONGRATULATIONS ON the editorial "Assassin's death gives us reason to think." This is a calm, level-headed, well-thought-out analysis of a touchy subject. Thank you for the lesson in writing. Whatever anyone may say about our local newspaper, it cannot be denied that the Missourian has an excellent editorial writer.

Earthquake awareness

NEXT WEEK is Earthquake Awareness Week. Walk through any store and you'll see heavy objects overhead. Do you know what that means if an earthquake hits? Next time you walk through a store, take a look up and see what's there. Think about it.