SPEAKOUT

Crime decreasing anyway

IT SEEMS to me that those in favor of the right to carry concealed weapons cite reduced crime statistics as one of the reasons that they should be allowed to do this. My question is, how come in states with no right-to-carry laws the crime rate has also decreased? Could it be that crime is just decreasing anyway?

Not fair to homeowners

IN READING the article about the school boundaries, it is apparent that in trying to please the minorities we are almost doing a reversed discrimination against everybody else. I think another serious look needs to be taken. I realize nothing final has been done. We need to let children go where they want to go to school, where people bought their houses and bus if needed to solve the problem. But get fairer than what has been done. It is totally unacceptable to people who has bought houses in their appropriate school districts.

Faith in humanity

I JUST wanted to say thank you to three people I saw helping to push a truck out of the road. I wasn't stuck, but I'm sure the person who was really appreciated it. It made me see in this era of selfishness that there are still good and decent people who would help a person in need. You've reaffirmed my faith in humanity.

Give to better causes

I READ where some people are sending money to Clinton for his defense fund to pay his lawyers. I can't believe anyone would send a contribution to a man for having oral sex in the White House. This is a man who admits to affairs but denies them until material proof is found. Why can't these people give their money to crippled children or orphans or any worthy organization? It shows their values parallel his.

We've seen you

I HAVE a message for the cemetery flower thieves in Bollinger County. There are some who think you aren't members of the local community, that you invade from the outside and loot. But others know better. They've seen you when you thought no one was looking. People have been watching you and know you are local citizens with relatives in these same cemeteries. Soon your identities will be revealed in local churches and businesses and to the sheriff's office. You'll be exposed for what you are: grave robbers.

Protection is needed

I AM 65 years old. At age 12, my dad taught me how to shoot a rifle and shotgun. I never had the desire to harm anyone, though I spent time in the Army carrying M-1 rifles. When my friends from New Zealand come over, they love to go to the shooting ranges. They lost their freedom years ago to enjoy or to even carry a rifle or shotgun. We hear of cases when gang members will rear-end cars to rob and rape. My daughter lives in St. Louis and also drives back and forth to Cape. I'm scared all the time for her. She should be allowed to have a handgun in her car. I'm willing to spend the 12 hours or so that will be required to take the course. Do you think I will be sitting across the table from a criminal to take his exam? I think not. Do not let some politicians and law officers take our freedom away. What will be next? Vote for our rights April 6.

Can't conceal a big gun

U.S. ATTORNEY Ed Dowd showed on the front page of the Southeast Missourian a big, mean-looking weapon for shock effect. He couldn't conceal that big a weapon. You couldn't conceal it under a gallon bucket and it not show. A concealed weapon is a small, easily concealable weapon, not a big, mean thing like that. This is a life member of the NRA.

Repeal the 6-cent tax

I'VE SEEN quite a bit written about the dropping of the 15-year road plan that included a 6-cent fuel tax. One of the best ones was your editorial on Feb. 26. But there's one thing I haven't noticed in any of the conversations or letters or anything else on this. If they're going to debunk this 15-year road plan, then I think they should repeal the 6-cent tax. There's no need in spending that money somewhere else.

Take time to make decision

I JUST read your editorial about school redistricting, and I totally agree. I don't have any idea why April would have to be the deadline. On a matter as serious as this that effects that many families, I think they ought to take enough time to make a clear decision.

There are plenty of others

AT ONE time I thought the Democratic Party needed Newt Gingrich. But I was wrong. Most Republicans are just as stupid as Newt.

Unfriendly approach

I'M CALLING in to say that people should really take note of their attitude when approaching others, especially potential customers. I was at my regular car wash on a Saturday and had gotten $4 worth of quarters from the dollar changer and the attendant there, I don't know if he was the owner or not, but he approached me and asked if I planned to use all the quarters at the car wash. I told him that I was going to use most of them. He then proceeded to snap at me and said he couldn't spare the quarters. I told him that he should really put a sign up to that effect. And his reply was, "The sign is up now, lady, because I'm telling you." His attitude, I think, was totally uncalled for, and it caused me to leave without using the car wash. I won't go back. But had he approached me a little differently, I possibly would have apologized. Now he's lost me as a customer and any of my friends that I can persuade to do otherwise.

Who will compensate?

I WOULD like to comment on the school board and the committee on the rezoning of school boundaries. I think there's something that hasn't been expressed yet that should be talked about, and that is the devaluation of property values due to being put into a different school district. Regardless of what they say about the same number of minorities, this is going to cause a great change in the value of some property. Who's going to make it up to these property owners for that? I mean, are they going to be compensated for the drop in property values because some committee has decided to change them into a different school district? When they bought their property, they were in the school district they thought they were going to stay in.Now they find they're going to be switched. This is not right. It's almost like taking property from these people with no compensation.

Stop sign in Red Star area

I TELL you it's a shame the was they run the stop sign at Main Street and Fourth Street in the Red Star District. They act like that sign's not even there. Somebody's going to get hit, and somebody's going to get hurt bad. I wish the police would check on this, because they're coming down that hill and not even slowing down.

Outrageous reporting

HOW OUTRAGEOUS that the Associated Press would write up an article stating "Life back to normal for Clinton" just two days after a rape charge against the president by Juanita Broderick. With this kind of reporting, it's no wonder the people can't get the truth but only Clinton propaganda. It's as bad as Hitler's control over Germany's press. It shows how low some of our people have become.

Still won't get my vote

THIS NEXT election, I'll be voting 30 years. I have voted primarily Democrat, but I did not vote for Clinton the first time around or the second time around. I will not vote for any of the Clinton cartel the next time around.

Let's support the GOP

HAS ANYBODY noticed how prosperous America is since the Republicans took over Congress and started trying to balance the budget? Well, the budget may not be completely balanced, but it's very close. Our Republicans are doing the right thing. Let's encourage them to keep doing the right thing. Let's encourage them to lower tax rates even though they'll get more tax revenue in return. Let's encourage them to find old laws that no longer apply and repeal these old laws. Let's encourage them to find regulations made by agencies that just are not good for America and overturn regulatory decrees. Let's encourage the Republicans to go forward with the Contract With America.

It's just a wooden crate

I AGREE with the caller who said that Cape Girardeau needs a bus station. However, I'd like to correct something. Jackson no longer has an actual building that you can go to. We have what amounts to an Eagle Scout's final project. This has made me so furious. Every time I go by, there are people the getting on and off the bus, and they sit in this little wooden crate that's open on all four sides. Someone was magnanimous after a while and decided to put a trash can in. There's a little bench, and it's got a built-in lock box for storage. But there's no pay telephone. So if you get stuck and haven't made your arrangements for someone to pick up you, you'd better have a cell phone on you or know where a pay phone is nearby. I've seen people sitting there and waiting in all kinds of weather. Meanwhile, we're spending all kinds of money on pretty new buildings, wanting to get funding for the River Campus, beautification projects, expanding our park system. For some reason, we don't deserve in Cape and Jackson an actual bus station.