Your View: two views from 11/18

Editor's note: This letter was written to Brooks Hurst, president of the Missouri Soybean Association.

Your effort to inject the Missouri Soybean Association into your partisan politics by endorsing a candidate in the Missouri U.S. Senate race was an asinine thing to do, to say the least. It confirms your political naiveness and your lack of respect for soybean producers who finance the MSA.

Soybean producers as well as most other producers are in deep trouble because of farm commodity prices being below the cost of production. They need all the help they can get from any and all political sources. They cannot afford to alienate either political party or any political office holder they may need in the future. Your actions are counter-productive and threaten to place soybean producers in an intolerable position when they must have political help to survive. If you or any of your like-minded cohorts have any concern for soybean producers you will immediately resign your offices and let the MSA get on track to become effective and carry out its true mission.

I doubt very much that you will do the right thing for soybean producers by resigning your office. For this reason, I will suggest a rather simple alternative. I suggest that you and any like-minded cohorts take a doubt dose of a good strong laxative. It might help relieve your egos and open your minds to political realities. You have betrayed the trust of soybean producers.

I have nothing but disgust for stupidity and the potential harm it will do to all concerned.

Hilton L. Bracey, Portageville

The United Methodist Men of Sikeston's First United Methodist Church wish to thank the participating golfers, sponsors and contributors to the UMM two-man scramble golf tournament held Aug. 26 at the Sikeston Country Club. The tournament, a charity event, will use the proceeds to support community needs and projects to aid more unfortunate persons and the organizations that help them, through the Christian belief in the importance of caring and giving with the generosity of others.

The tournament was a success, through the cooperation, involvement and contributions of the following companies and individuals: Animal Health Center, Aufdenberg Equipment, Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Bo's Pit Bar BQ, Kevin Collins, Decota Electric, Dewitt Auction, Falkoff's Mens Shop, First Midwest Bank, First National Bank, Firstar Bank, First State Bank, Fisherman's Net, Good Humor-Breyers Ice Cream, Harper Travel, Jarvis Motors, Lambert's, MAP Paints, Malone Avenue Grill, Moll Printing, Shad Old Insurance, Pepsi-Cola, Premier Motors, Priceless Car Rentals, Quality Western Star Trucks, Raben Tire, Ramada Inn, Raymond James Financial Services, Sabona Manufacturing, Santie Wholesale Oil Company, Sikeston Bowling Center, Sikeston Motors, Standard Democrat, State Farm Insurance, Trucks Incorporated, Union Planters Bank, Wal-Mart and Wal-Mart Vision Center.

We are also grateful for the time and effort given during the tournament by Vinita Jaynes, Michele Krokstrom, Jana Uthoff, Susan Vowels and Tawanna Nash. Kevin Collins of the Sikeston Country Club was very helpful and instrumental in the tournament's conduct and success.

The United Methodist Men are planning to continue the tournament next year, confident that with the support of individuals and companies such as those named above, and others, the event will grow and be of continuing benefit to our community. Again, our sincere appreciation to this year's golfers and supporters. "The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever." (Isaiah 32:17)

Matt Vowels Greg Krokstrom Larry Braden Jon Hopson