SPEAKOUT

Cats still roam our neighborhoods

WHILE MOST dog owners seem to obey the law and keep their dogs on a leash, why is it that people who own cats feel it's just fine to allow their cats to roam the neighborhoods, ruining people's gardens and landscaping? Is there anything that can be done about this?

Wine glass is a prom tradition

I WAS just reading in the paper about a parent complaining that the prom favor at Central's prom was a wine glass. The prom sponsors have the ability to choose whatever would they like, and the students on the prom committee vote on that choice. In Jackson, we chose a prom favor which was a wine glass with a candle in it. Wine glasses are a tradition as prom favors. They do not instigate the drinking of wine. I got a wine glass when I went to prom at Central, and we did not drink wine that night. If parents are so worried that their children are going to drink on prom night, don't blame the prom sponsors for giving them wine glasses. Keep them home. They're going to drink whether they're given a wine glass or not.

Appreciation for Ron Nall

I JUST wanted to say what a wonderful teacher Ron Nall is. He's the band teacher at Central High School, where I graduated in 1992. I still remember him as an excellent music teacher and as a wonderful instructor. I just wanted to let him know in some small way that what he did was really appreciated and that his students now and even in the past will never forget him.

God is missing factor in violence

LET'S STOP the school violence. First off, society has said we cannot spank or discipline our children. I've heard children say to their parents, "Spank me, I'll call the abuse line." The Bible says spare the rod and spoil the child. Secondly, they have taken God out of the schools, and no prayers can be said. Disciplining our lives would be chaos to even a grownup. We're taught to obey the laws of the land. But knowing we couldn't be punished, we'd do as much as we could get by with. We've created a young generation left to try to cope without discipline in their lives and without God. Let's get back to things that matter, good values. Put God back into the lives of our young ones and see the change.

Agreement on good care for dogs

THIS IS in response to the lady who says that dogs should be treated better than humans. I want to let her know that warmed my heart. I made copies at work and put them all over my office. I have a black Lab, and I feel exactly like she does. Everybody in our office just went crazy, and it warmed their hearts when they read that article. She must be a wonderful person. I just want to let her know that I feel exactly like she does, because my black Lab is my best friend.

Libertarians and conservatives

I'D JUST like to say that the person who called in to say that Libertarian views are kooky is most likely a conservative. I he'll look closely at the principles of a conservative, he will realize that there's a fine line. Both Libertarians and conservatives believe in smaller government, more personal freedoms and instead of changing the meaning of the Constitution, looking at original intent. I think conservatives are labeling Libertarians far too much as crazy and kooky because they don't truly know their own principles, the meaning of a conservative or the principles of a Libertarian.

Don't be afraid of liberty

PLEASE DON'T afraid of liberty. That's what our country was founded on.

Lack of respect for national anthem

I ATTENDED Southeast Missouri State University's graduation and was really upset when I looked at the full house when they sung the national anthem. People didn't take their hats off. I saw, very few people with hands over their hearts, even the speakers. Even our distinguished speaker, Mr. Nixon, who is running for U.S. senator, didn't have his hand over his heart. All these veterans served their country and died for their country, but we're losing the idea of how this country was built. It really upset me that more people didn't have their hands over their hearts. This is a God-fearing country, and it really is disheartening to see how people take advantage of a situation these days.

Easy to criticize what you don't know

TO THE people who have kooky and scary views of the Libertarian Party, I have this to say. It is always easy to make fun and to criticize something you don't understand.

Thank you, veterans

TO ALL servicemen and all veterans, thank you.

Nitpicking over graduation

THE AREA high schools need to rethink their policies on determining who is allowed to participate in their graduation ceremonies. It is unfair and inhumane to cut seniors from the graduation list two days before the ceremony as happened at one of the local high schools this spring. The student had sent out invitations to families and friends, then photographed in cap and gown with her class and was looking forward to celebrating this important event in her life. Two days before graduation, she failed a test, was 1/2 credit short and was cut from the graduation program. Even if that 1/2 credit is made up this summer and she receives a diploma, it will never replace the experience she missed. The high schools could take their cue from the university where anyone enrolled in the last semester of required courses may participate in graduation. Blank diplomas can be given if requirements are not completed by the day of graduation. There are times when Christian compassion should take precedence over legalistic nitpicking.

Weather team is fabulous

I THINK the weather team at KFVS-TV does a fabulous job. And since nobody's perfect in the comment about how many times their forecasts are wrong, I don't think they can be much more correct than they are.

Libertarians are naive

MARY NALL keeps writing letters to the editor and offering telephone numbers to call for those who want to find out more about the Libertarian Party. That's nice, but there's no need to call when I can give you the information right here in Speak Out. Basically, the Libertarians believe in no government. In that sense, they are similar to utopian socialists and those communists who believed the day would come when the government would wither away because there would be no need for it. In other words, the Libertarians are, in my view, hopelessly naive. If Libertarians had their way, programs like Medicare and Social Security would be abolished, not to mention food inspection and regulation of airline traffic. Though they might think otherwise, life based on Libertarian principles would be nasty, rudish and short.