Need Libertarian clarification

I HAVEN'T heard much from Libertarian Leading Lights lately. I was wondering about a couple of things. Allow me to precede that by saying the Southeast Missourian series of articles on meth labs were illustrative of journalism at its finest. Having said that, I was wondering about the official position of the Libertarian Party as pertains to methamphetamine. Would I be safe in my assumption that they favor legalizing it? In addition, would I be correct in concluding that the Libertarian Party stands in stark opposition to the Southeast Missourian's clear call for strict enforcement of the curfew law and would, in fact, favor the repeal of it?

Greed, need are powerful factors

I WISH to comment on the Clinton-Hitler comparison. Adolph Hitler pulled post-World War I Germany out of one of the worst depressions in that country's history. Consequently, the God-fearing and industrious people of Germany followed him right through the gates of hell. Bill Clinton's approval ratings are going to remain high as long as the economy is good and people perceive their pockets as being full. Greed or need will make people turn into despicable characters.

It just doesn't make sense

I CAN'T believe we have to have taxes held out of phone bill to pay for the Internet to be put in schools. Look what the Woodland student did. He used the Internet to cut his school down. What is our public coming to?

President should resign

THE SPINMEISTERS have spun themselves and their spider right into a corner. This president should resign so our country can be forgiven for its embarrassment. His personal plea for forgiveness is so self-centered and not considerate of the country's welfare. He definitely should resign.

Who's in charge?

CLINTON IS being praised for doing such a good job running our country. When asked about his shady dealings he absolutely can't remember a thing. Hillary can't remember any of her shady dealings. Al Gore doesn't know what the campaign money he raised using White House telephones is being used for. So knowing all of this, I'd like to know who really is running our country.

We need our integrity back

WAS CLINTON trying to emulate Jimmy Swaggart in his forgiveness plea? If so, he did a poor job of this too, as he didn't cry in front of the church congregation. He's such a morbid joke. He's still trying to be the comeback kid, and all he's proving is that he's just a kid. We need leadership, not pleadership and games. He should resign for the nightmare he has put our country through. If he won't resign, then he should be impeached. We need our country's integrity back.

Trips offer legitimacy

WELL THE communists are trying to get back in power again in Russia. The Chinese communists were boosted to a more worldview of legitimacy by Clinton's visit to acknowledge them. Ideology goes to the devil where trade is concerned, and money. Now he's going to Russia. What will be the result of that visit?

GOP victories seen in November

I PREDICT Republican victories across the board in November since Clinton has betrayed his Democratic Party and misled all the American people. I also think there will be a large voter turnout to express their disgust with this president's party and the shame he has brought down on our country.

What about a refund?

WHEN A game or an activity is canceled, you usually get a refund on your ticket if you have already purchased it. I think we need a refund on the Southeast-SIU game.

Excellent football photos

I WOULD like to compliment the photographer on the Saturday Sports section. The two pictures of the football games in Jackson were really excellent pictures, and I hope that's an indication of what we can expect this high school football season.

Let Carter talk to Clinton

I WANT to comment. As a lifelong Democrat, I am truly embarrassed and ashamed of this Jerry Springer administration that's in the White House. I have written a letter to one of the most decent guys, former President Jimmy Carter, and I want everybody who would, especially us Democrats, to write and tell him it's time to go and talk to the president. Clinton needs to step down and let us put all this behind so that Vice President Gore can be sworn in and we can deal with these problems. Right now we're the laughingstock in the world, and people are so disgusted with their government. I'm disgusted. I've voted for Democrats all my life, and I may again, but this has got to stop. The time has come to talk to the president, and Jimmy Carter is the perfect one to do it.

Speak Out is better

PRESIDENT CLINTON'S apparent sexual conquest provoked one Speak Out caller to say his behavior was common to an entire generation. Well, I am of the same generation as President Clinton, and I just want to say I'm offended. I'd rather call Speak Out than engage in sexcapades.

Trying to give away the store

THANK GOD for Congress, or Clinton on his trip to Russia would give the store away. His credibility is shot here in the United States, so he's going to travel abroad trying to put a feather in his cap and put distance between himself and the people here, trying to cover his shame with traveling away. He should resign.

Column gives courage to speak out

AFTER AUG. 17, I learn that about 60 percent of those polled are in favor of forgiving Clinton and letting him stay in the White House. I still blame those who voted him in for the downfall of the country. And I wonder: Don't they care about the examples being set for their children by lying and cheating? But I didn't call it in as I weighed my country upbringing, church and farm life, maybe even 150 hours of university credit didn't give me the right to put the blame of the country's downfall on the voters. Who then do I blame? But Jack Stapleton's column Sunday gave me the courage to speak out. Don't miss the part about the preacher's service and how our experts can cook. This is a great column.

Thanks for returning ATM money

I'D JUST like to thank the girl who ran me my money back at the mall the other day. I tried to get some money out of an ATM, and I couldn't get it to work. I was walking away, and some girl chased me and gave me back my $40. I just thought that was really nice, because she could very easily just taken it. But she didn't, so I'd just like to thank that person, whoever she was.

How to be a perfect mother-in-law

I JUST want to say to the daughter-in-law who thinks her mother-in-law is so terrible, please remember this when your son gets married so you won't make the same mistakes. That way you will be the perfect mother-in-law.

Choosing when to pick a fight

AS AN aficionado of late-night talk shows, I have been hearing on several different shows that the reason many of the Republican politicians such as Newt Gingrich and Trent Lott have been hesitant to say anything about horny Bill Clinton is there are investigators working to dig up dirt on the Republicans, and if things get vicious we're going to see a real mudslinging contest. And with many politicians with skeletons, only the sanctimonious and the foolish will be willing to start the fight.

Meth destroys more than the user

THIS PAST week you published articles about meth. You talked with people who were addicted to it and how it has changed their lives and ruined them. I am glad that these stories were told, because this is such a big problem in Missouri. I know from firsthand experience, because my ex-husband was on it. I would just like to say it ruins the family's lives also. It destroys them to see a husband be so addicted to a drug that he chooses that drug over his wife, child and grandson. We have been hurt more than anyone can know. It makes our lives a living hell. We begged, cried, everything possible we knew how to make him stop. Nothing worked. We could see it getting worse every day, but you get to a point that you realize that no matter what you say or do to that person, he is going to do that drug anyway. And finally, you start to give up. We lost a husband, father and grandfather to meth. It has taken our family life and destroyed it. I loved this man for over 26 years. We were high school sweethearts. He was a good person before he got introduced to meth, but he mentally destroyed my and my daughter's lives. We no longer have the happy family life we once had. It will never be the same for us. It's a shame that such a evil drug can take over a person's life like that. It's hard for us to understand why he chose drugs and drug friends over us. The memories of the all good times that we had together are still there, but the memories of all the begging, pleading and crying are there also. I can never hate for what he did to us, but he hurt us deeply. After he got arrested and went to jail and the recovery center, I prayed that he would stay off this evil drug for the sake of himself and his daughter and grandson. Our marriage is over. It will never be the same. I will go on with my life, and he will go on with his, but it hurts. I sometimes wish memories could be erased so they won't hurt so bad, but they can't. I must deal with it the best I can. Meth destroys more than the user's life. It destroys the family's also.

Are the FBI files being used?

IS THERE anyone out there who still believes that information from the FBI files is not being used against those who have spoken out against the White House or against those the White House perceives as enemies?

Businesses should mow grass

YOU KNOW, it's pretty funny. A lot of us people have to mow our grass before it gets four or five inches long, but there are some businesses that let their weeds and grass get five feet tall before they have to mow it. If it's a business place or something, it seems like they don't have to mow their grass, but if it's poor people like me, we have to mow before it gets even three or four inches tall. I don't think that's right. I think everybody should keep their grass and yards mowed and not let the grass get five feet or more tall.

Social Security funds surplus

I KEEP hearing about the budget surplus. I went to the meeting held by our representative, Jo Ann Emerson, and the Social Security people, and she and the Social Security people pointed out to us very honestly and openly that there is no such thing as surplus without including Social Security's money. So all the young people know that it's not just Social Security. Without our money, there is no surplus.