SPEAKOUT

Flag respect

I AGREE with the caller who was talking about the lack of respect shown for the U.S. flag during a parade. I was at the recent commencement exercises at the Show Me Center, and during the "Star Spangled Banner" there were, I think, maybe half a dozen people as I looked around the auditorium who had their hand on their hearts. Only a very few of them were standing at attention. Some of them didn't even take off their hats. I was taught to show respect back in the late 1930s in school, that you always showed respect for the flag, you stood at attention, you saluted as it passed by or wherever saw it. I think today the schools don't teach anything that traditionally should be. I think it's abhorrent the disrespect show to it.

Telemarketing manners

I'D LIKE to say something about the sales that they do over the telephone. I never have much of a problem, because if I don't want it, I always say I'm not interested today and that's it. But today I had this person call, and I said I'm not interested and they just kept on. I don't like to just hang up. They wanted to know why I wasn't interested, and I said because I can't afford it today. They asked why I had answered the phone. This is getting pretty bad.

Rush on licenses?

I THINK for the new Missouri license plates it would be an excellent idea to put Rush Limbaugh's picture on there. After all, he is a representative of Missouri and one of the greatest people going.

Stick with Clinton

THE REPUBLICANS will do everything in their power to throw roadblocks in President Clinton's way. They only have one thing in mind, and that's to get back in the White House. They don't worry about what's good for the country. In fact, if it wasn't for the Democrats, I don't think we'd have a country today. It didn't take me to figure out how these people operate. Let's keep them out of the White House. Stay with Bill Clinton.

Send a bill

A BILL should be sent to the three former school board members for the $112,000 to be paid to the Cape School District. That is what they cost us. But the $112,000 is well spent.

Buyout is ludicrous

THIS IS concerning the buyout of Neyland Clark. I think it's ludicrous that the taxpayers have to pay over $112,000 for people's personal feelings. I think they should have at least let him work out the term. This is the reason we are in the shape we are today, because of the government and waste.

Costly decisions

REGARDING THE superintendent of Cape schools. First his contract is extended, then he is fired and it cost us taxpayers $112,000. Nice job. I'll remember this when we vote for a tax increase for schools.

Found money

I MAKE reference to an article Dec. 12: "Windfall of $135 billion eyed for the budget." How many of us would like to find a little extra money for our budget, not to mention $135 billion? In explaining how this money came about, greater-than-expected economic growth and other technical factors are cited. I also wish someone would please define for me "other technical factors." One time we hear of another possible government shutdown, and now they find $135 billion in more money. What kind of fools do these people take us for? I feel there's a fine line between government and politics. This little find smacks of politics. I say vote out all of them next chance we get.

No consultant

I HOPE the school board doesn't use the same consultant that the board did when it hired Neyland Clark.

Please stay

DAN TALLENT, would you please consider becoming out school superintendent? You're exactly what Cape Girardeau needs.

Payment resented

SO SUPERINTENDENT Clark is gone. I say good riddance, but I resent my school tax dollars being used to pay his severance pay. Make the ex-school board members who brought him to town pay to get rid of him.

Grow up, Marc

I REALIZE Marc Powers is making a pitiful attempt to come across as a crusty, cynical, witty newsman, but he fails miserably. Rather, his writing portrays a nasty, selfish, immature, sophomoric and thoughtless individual. I can't think what he meant in the crack about elementary school teachers could enter the work force. I don't know what he thinks they're doing now. I'm sure the teacher who taught him to read and write is sorry. Grow up, Marc, or quit wasting good ink and paper.

Qualified interim

FIRST OF, I have no direct or indirect ties to school issues, but from reading the Missourian my thoughts are the interim superintendent of schools is thoroughly qualified. Why not hire him for superintendent now and not spend dollars for consultants to look for someone from faraway places? Is it a law you have to interview 10 people?

REPLY: The school board has indicated it wants to find the best person to be the next superintendent. A nationwide search will provide a large group of qualified candidates, and Dr. Richard Bollwerk, the interim superintendent, is likely to be among them.

Still voting no

DR. CLARK or no Dr. Clark, I am not voting for a school tax increase.

Please be ready

ATTENTION, Christmas shoppers, it would be so very helpful if you would have your charge cards ready before you get to a check out place in our department stores.

Appalling column

MY MON and I read Marc Powers' column on children and were absolutely appalled. Children are the very essence of our future. Speaking personally, I'm the proud mother of a 8-year-old daughter whom I love with all my heart. Until I was a parent, I did not realize what total unconditional love could be like. Marc, if your mom and dad had the same uncaring, disheartening views toward procreation and the value of kids, where on Earth would you be? I'm sure others read this and felt the same. I would be ashamed of this article and sure would not sign my name and print a picture of myself. How very sad.

Not wigged out

I JUST read Marc Powers' column on his view of children. Marc, I just want to say you have my deepest sympathy. What a blessing children are. And by the way, I'm far from wigged out.

Thanks, school board

I WOULD just like to say thank you to the new Cape Girardeau School Board. I feel they have done the right decision in letting Dr. Clark and Dr. Niggle go. In the long run, we are saving money. I feel like you all have our trust. We as a community should get behind the school board and the new superintendent, whoever he will be, and get the district moving again and let the past be the past and move forward from this moment on.

Board conflicts

I JUST read the article on Dr. Clark, and I realize that when an administrator loses his effectiveness it is time to move on and go about our business. I think it's very important that people of this community know that there are two school board members who have a conflict of interest since their spouses teach in the school system. I think it would be highly commendable if they would resign from the board, because all they're doing is putting their hands in the pockets of the school system. I will say this, if this decision needed to be made on Dr. Clark, more power to the board and the community, and I wish everybody the best, especially the children of the community.

Clinton a leader

WELL, PRESIDENT Clinton is going to do what he thinks is right, and that's the kind of man we need. I'm not worried about the foreign countries. I'm worried what the Republican Party does. You know they went behind President Carter's back and the American people's knowledge when they were selling arms to Iran for the release of the prisoners. I did not hear any objections from the Republicans, and listen to them now.

Troops abroad

A BIG deal is being made about President Clinton sending troops to Bosnia. Look at all thousands of troops we have had in Germany and Japan for the past 50 years. Why can't we send 20,000 troops to help 40,000 other troops from other countries to secure peace for human beings? Most of our troops are being transferred from other overseas countries.

Teachers are busy

TO MARC Powers, just a note on his column. I enjoyed it. However, children do keep elementary teachers busy. They are in the work force, and I think he ought to do at least an hour's penance at Christmas party day in an elementary classroom.

Another GOP win

HEY, HOW about them Republicans? Won another big house race out in California. Took a seat that was formerly held for the last 50 years by Democrats, and they won it in landslide in spite of the fact that the Democrats took a picture of the guy running and made it look like Newt Gingrich. The Republicans have won almost every race since the 1994 election. I say it's time that they crush the welfare state. This is our chance for freedom, and the public's on the side of Republicans no matter what the Democrats say.

Another buyout?

I'D LIKE to comment about the buying out of Superintendent Clark's contract. I wonder, if we're buying out Dr. Clark as a lame duck, why are we not buying out Dr. Tallent? He also has resigned at the end of this year. Why are we going for the rest of the year with a lame duck high school principal?

REPLY: Dan Tallent resigned effective at the end of the current school year, when his contract expires. Neyland Clark, who has 2 1/2 years left on his contract, and Tim Niggle, whose contract expires at the end of the school year, were asked to leave the district effective Jan. 2.

President's files

PRESIDENT CLINTON'S refusal to turn over his aide's Whitewater notes to the Senate banking committee could mean one of two things. Most people would think that the notes are so incriminating that he will do anything to keep them from being disclosed, and indeed this might be the case. But consider this, the Republicans would look foolish if after a big court battle the notes didn't amount to anything. Clinton could then claim that this whole Whitewater matter is nothing but a personal attack and, with the help of his media pals, defuse the issue during an election year. I've been around since Harry Truman, and I can tell you this is the sneakiest, most manipulative administration that I've seen in my life. Slick Willie makes Tricky Dick look like Mother Teresa.