SPEAKOUT

It's been done before

I WOULD Like to make a comment on how Hillary Clinton is so upset now over her husband's deal about gays in the military, the don't ask-don't tell policy. Well, fine. Why doesn't Hillary Clinton get out here and pass out pink triangles and tell the soldiers to put the pink triangles upside down on their uniform. Remember? Hitler made homosexuals wear pink upside-down triangles. Where have we seen them lately? At the college here in Cape.

Consumers are in charge

I'M CALLING in response to Michael and Tara Miller's letter to the editor about the World Trade Organization and picketing of it. I do not agree with the World Trade Organization. I do not agree with disruptive or violent picketing, I don't care what the cause is. The letter says, "As responsible citizens, we need to hold local and national companies responsible, be conscious of what they buy, stay informed and vote." I think the Millers have got that a little mixed up. They should be conscience of what they buy for themselves, because you can control the companies by buying from certain companies and not buying from others. You're not going to do it by trying to get the companies to buy certain things or not. The consumer is the one who controls the companies, if he has the backbone to do it.

Tickets are overpriced

I SEE that the Y2K Eve Party at the Show Me Center is having trouble selling tickets at $100 per person. I can't imagine people paying $100 per person regardless how much money they've got in their pocket. I'm well able to afford $100 a person, but for what? I think the tickets are way overpriced. Evidently most people do too, or the organizers would have sold more than 600 tickets.

All wrapped up for animals

I'M AN avid reader of Speak Out. I really enjoy it. This is my first time to call in, but I just had to say this: What a wonderful idea. The Humane Society in Cape is offering the public a way to help the less fortunate animals who are being cared for at the local shelter. The wrap-a-gift volunteer program is held at West Park Mall Dec. 18-24. It gives us a chance to show our love and concern for the animals. Three of my best friends and myself are wrapping gifts free for the shoppers at the mall. If the shoppers wish, they may, in return, make a donation to the Humane Society. After we wrap gifts for three hours, we're having lunch together as our Christmas gift to each other. I think it's a wonderful way to renew old friendships while supporting the local Humane Society. I challenge other readers of Speak Out to make it a better Christmas by giving a helping hand to the animals. The telephone number is 334-5837. They'll give you a time slot to wrap gifts.

We need them so we can eat

I HAVE never seen so many townspeople who envy the American farmer. I in no way envy the American farmer. He may have equipment and new vehicles, but I would like to see his mortgage payments. I just think farmers stay awake many nights figuring how they're going to pay for it with the rotten price they get for their crops, and what little the government really wants to do for them. Yes, the American farmer is our main thing. Without them, we could not survive.

A nation in turmoil

TO AN honest observer of politics, it makes no difference if the Constitution violator is a Democrat or a Republican. When they are guilty, they should be removed from office. When they are not removed, you have a nation in turmoil. Clinton has degraded our highest office and should pay for this crime against our nation.

You've got mail

A FEW weeks ago, my husband put some letters out in the mailbox to be picked up by the mailman. He put them out there about 7:15 in the morning before he left for work. When I got home from work that afternoon, they were still in the box and the flag was still up. I wasn't too concerned because our mail normally comes anywhere from about 11 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. So I assumed the mail hadn't run yet. When we got up the next morning, the mail was still in the mailbox and the flag was still up. My husband called the post office and asked them why our mail had not been picked up. The carrier supervisor told my husband that postal regulations do not require them to stop and pick up any mail. The only time they have to stop is when we have mail coming to us. I didn't think that sounded right, so I called back. I got the postmaster's secretary. She said they have to stop if the flag is up. I told her what the supervisor of the carriers had said, and she acted like she didn't know anything about this. I don't understand why we're told one story one time and another story the other.