TO HEAR these local liberals repeat their hate and bias in Speak Out as if it were their idea or they just hatched is pathetic as they absorb the talking heads' hate, attacking the president as a warmonger or wanting to jump start the economy with an engagement with Iraq or to get their oil or to get his party elected or help out his big corporate buddies. What hogwash. The real truth: To real Americans like Mr. Bush, America comes first. Patriotism isn't in the liberals' vocabulary. It's their personal freedom. The president's job is to protect our citizens, our friends, our way of life.

Embarrassing label

I AM a Christian who is embarrassed to be labeled as such. Why? Many people, myself included, see the term "Christian" as meaning right-wing, intolerant, warmongering, self-serving, money hungry, self-righteous, hate encouragers. That's Christianity as defined by Jerry Falwell. My hero is Jesus, who taught us about love, forgiveness, tolerance and peace. How did so-called Christianity become so perverted? I want to be like Jesus. Anyone who rationalizes hate in the name of Christianity causes me shame.

Stay off the street

I, TOO, would like to say how happy I am to see that the police are ticketing people for walking in the street in the south end of town. They just defy you to drive down the street. They'll walk in front of you. I also think they need to continue to do something about the drugs in that part of town.

Misleading article

BRAD KETCHER says the article was misleading on the tobacco tax issue. Well, his article is misleading also. At the end of it, where he claims the playing field should be leveled and Big Tobacco should be asked to pay its fair share, well, if we vote yes on Proposition A on Nov. 5, Big Tobacco won't be paying its fair share. It will be the small-time consumers. And why should the smoking consumers support all these health programs? Obesity-related health problems in the United States and Missouri are far more prevalent than smoking-related problems.

Too many animals

THE NUMBER of cats and dogs that roam freely in the 1400 block of Luce is disgusting. This has been reported to the animal control officer, but the animals are still running loose.

Halloween parties

I AM disappointed that my child will not be able to dress up at his Halloween party. He attends one of the few Jackson schools that still allowed Halloween parties as of last year, and I was proud that our neighborhood school still believed that young children could, one day a year, become another personality. We are taking away a harmless childhood tradition just because 1 percent, at the most, of the school children have religious differences with Halloween. Let kids be kids and think back to their own fond memories of dressing up on Halloween.

Clean the street

WHAT EVER happened to the street sweepers? Over on Louis Street, we haven't seen one in at least three months. The streets are looking terrible.

Pay for police

THIS IS to the mayor and his city fellows. You'd better wake up and put funds into the police department so we can have protection and not go through what we did last week with the vandalism and the destruction.

Stay on roads

I GUESS it's commendable that a highway patrolman is busting meth makers, but it leaves me to wonder who's patrolling our highways while these guys are hiding in the weeds. This used to be a function of the county sheriff's department, but in recent years, there seems to be a complete role reversal with the state troopers playing Mel Gibson and the county deputies enforcing traffic laws.

Collective bargaining rights for public employees is practically a fundamental human right, and yet those who wisely advocate and support it throw the Southeast Missourian editorial board into a collective state of apoplexy.

Opposite reaction

The Cape Girardeau Police Department's decision to try and get everyone off the streets is a good idea. However, the iron law of physics will come into play: For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction. Look for a re-release of Martha and the Vandellas' classic, "Dancing in the Streets."

Follow him

It sure was nice to read an article about a trooper who actually does his job. More troopers should take up Harrison's philosophy. Get off the highway, climb into some bushes and capture some real criminals. I get so sick and tired of seeing them waste their time by picking off speeders on the highway. The real criminals, like who Harrison goes after, should be stopped.

Make him available

Your coverage of the controversy over the Prestwick Plantation's proposal has been very balanced, thorough and worthy of an award for investigative journalism. However, there remains one lingering, unanswered question. Will the day ever come for the Southeast Missourian when, following one of your updated stories, Mr. Cord Dombrowki will be available for a comment?

Misleading piece

Brad Ketcher's op-ed piece relative to Proposition A implies it was written to correct some misunderstandings. However, he ends his emotionally charged piece by misleading the reader. He stated: "Proposition A is about leveling the playing field and asking Big Tobacco to pay its fair share." He has forgotten that Big Tobacco has already paid its fair share through the lawsuit it lost to the state. Is this revenue being used for the purposes intended? No. Proposition A is about taxing the smokers and tobacco users of Missouri. It is a sin tax.

Psychological damage

I nearly drowned in Parker Pool. I suffered permanent physical and psychological damage attempting to swim the distance of the pool so I could pass a class in beginning swimming at Southeast Missouri State University. The experience haunts me to this day. I support the closing of the pool. However, I realize that it will always live on in my mind in the form of Parker Pool- induced post-traumatic stress disorder.

Elective class

This is in response to the band parent complaining about his or her student having tests the day after football games. First of all, while band is a class, it is also an elective. Your student chose to be in that class knowing he would have to be at the football games. Secondly, if your child's going to be a music major, he needs to learn now how to manage his time. Juggling high school marching band and school work is difficult. However, it is nowhere near as difficult as juggling college class work, Golden Eagles practices, Golden Eagles performances, wind ensemble and private lessons. So perhaps instead of complaining about your child's problem you should help them learn how to deal with their problems.