Letters to the Editor

I applaud Jon Rust on his column in the Jan. 9, 2021 Southeast Missourian. I agree with your personal thoughts completely, and with the thoughts expressed by most of the leaders whom you cited. However, I felt the basic thought of the column was diluted by your inclusion of quotes from Sen. Josh Hawley and U.S. Rep. Jason Smith...

At the present moment the USA is faced with three serious situations. n We have two forms of a pandemic called COVID-19 which is killing 1,000 to 2,000 people daily. n There is a vaccine for this illness. To date only a little over a third of the distributed doses have been used...

The integrity of our nation's democracy needs to be among the first priorities addressed in Congress next term. We've seen rampant corruption and a disregard for ethics, accountability, oversight, and rule of law that continue to plague our government...

This is in reference to the article "Cape Council OKs 13th community college survey proposal first reading." I am seeking to provide information that may answer some of the concerns mentioned in the article and by those offering comments. Accreditation is addressed by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. ...

Recent events on the national scene remind us of the need to control our tongue! "No man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil." (James 3:8) The tongue can be a godly servant or a terrible demon. It can speak the truth or tell lies. It can comfort or it can cut. ...

Years and years ago, Greyhound had a good route going along I-55 and one going along U.S. 61. Ending of bus service was a stupid thing to do. Greyhound had two good drop-off/pick-up locations in Cape Girardeau where the Greyhound bus passengers could make a connection to the Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority bus service...

I almost feel sorry for David Limbaugh as Biden's victory has to have hurt his recent book sales. I do believe the real danger to democracy comes not from Democrats but from Trump's cult followers who buy whatever he is selling. If we are going to put a symbol on the GOP, then it should be changed from an elephant to blind sheep. ...

The clear results of the 2020 election must not be overturned. The Republican Party is on trial this week. Do they believe in our democratic republic? Do they truly believe in elections, or only in elections their side wins? Are they truly opposed to tampering with elections, or is it okay when their president does it?...

Following the election, the president and his supporters screamed foul, claiming election theft, voter fraud, and even sinister deep state intervention. But by all credible accounts, the past election was one of the cleanest in history. Trump's own attorney general, normally willing to stretch the Constitution for his president, found no basis for fraud claims. ...

Southeast Missouri has been a hotbed of outstanding media for decades. The Rust family set the stage for print and digital. Oscar Hirsch started first with radio, built one of the strongest television stations in America and now the station has added many digital products. The Zimmer family grew radio throughout the Heartland along with the great Russ Withers. For three decades, the "new kid on the block," Bill Anderson, brought real country music and Cousin Carl to life on Pure Country 106...

President Trump will be remembered for his lack of leadership during the pandemic and for trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election. But I think his legacy will be broader. Donald Trump could have been a great president. He's not a politician, but beat all opponents in 2016. He's rich, which insulates him somewhat from temptation. He's fearless when attacked, and he's an excellent communicator. So what went wrong?...

What compels Trump to want a second term? Well, continuing as president, he would be immune to prosecution for all crimes he allegedly committed before and after he became president. So, he is doing everything within his power to overturn his defeat: Ballot recount, frivolous lawsuits, manipulating Electoral College, Supreme Court appeal, etc. ...

This letter is written on the day after Thanksgiving. The morning news said that the COVID-19 pandemic has now taken more than 263,000 lives, and that more than 90,000 individuals are hospitalized with this disease. In Missouri these numbers are 3,900 and 2,750 respectively...

When I take a life saving shot for my Multiple Sclerosis, I use a piece of medical equipment called a syringe. There are many items of medical equipment: protective gloves, bandages, ventilators, and, yes, face masks. Face masks have been used successfully for over 100 years by our medical heroes. They save lives. There is nothing mysterious about them, and they are politically neutral just like the virus we seek to defeat...

If you live in Cape Girardeau you have most likely driven on West End Blvd. For years there had been a pretty bad dip/trouble spot at the intersection of Rockwood Drive across from Capaha Park. You may also know this spot from the famous "Riverboat House."...

How extremely fortunate Cape Girardeau County is to have Kara Summers as our County Clerk. What an awesome responsibility she and her tremendous staff carry. Kara's visible and measurable commitment to honesty, integrity, reliability, truth, timeliness and dependability are traits of character we need to emulate. ...

I want to thank the Cape Girardeau Public Health Center for providing the opportunity to get flu immunizations in a drive-through setting. My daughter and I received our immunizations in less than 15 minutes, and the service was outstanding. The nurses and administrative staff were friendly and efficient; they are great ambassadors for the Department of Health...

As a part of 16 days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, on Saturday, Dec. 5, the Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau will participate in two events to bring awareness to domestic violence. First, we encourage everyone to wear or display orange to draw attention to our campaign. Secondly, we invite the community to stand with us in solidarity at 1 p.m. at Liberty Corner of Capaha Park to be a part of Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women...

A slow-motion coup is being perpetrated on America. It started months before the 2020 presidential election. The left has been carefully preparing us for it. It is fueled by viscous hate for our president. The left said it might look like President Trump was winning, but when all the votes are finally counted, Joe Biden (who couldn't draw 12 people to a rally), would actually be the winner. By midnight President Trump was winning in a landslide...

Two big losers emerged from the recent election: President Trump and Democrats. Despite claims of rigged elections and other falsehoods, the President clearly lost and the reasons are obvious. Failure to lead during a raging and deadly pandemic, four years of self-centered focus on his "ratings" as opposed to the public good, and volumes of falsehoods to promote his own cause. Given the lack of competency shown by this president, the 2020 election should have been a rout. But it wasn't. Why?...

Hats off to KPS Kamath on his letter to the editor that appeared in this newspaper Nov. 7. He hit the nail right on the head in describing himself. The very thing his mental anguish forced him to write is the very thing that he is and has the gall to accuse others of...

Today I visited my father Charles L. Huckstep's grave at Memorial Park Cemetery to place a flag on his grave in honor of his WWII service in the U.S. Army. I forgot that Nov. 10 was the grave clean-up day at the cemetery. The fall flowers I had left earlier were gone. But left behind was the American flag that was in the vase with them. The flag on my uncle Willmon A. Huckstep's grave was also left behind in the ground...

Cape Girardeau is a community where people gather. We are a community of hotels, educational facilities, hospitals, restaurants, and all kinds of entertainment. Because of our status as a regional hub, and because we host so many gatherings and events, we all must do our part to stem the rise of COVID-19...

Some years ago, when someone asked Trump what should the U.S. do if a foreign war is unwinnable, he said that U.S. should simply declare victory and withdraw. Around 1:15 a.m. on Nov. 4, a panic-stricken president declared victory and said, "All voting must stop." He did not know that all voting had stopped on Nov. 3; votes were still being counted, and he could still win. Then he said he would take the matter to the Supreme Court...

To the person who trespassed on my property and stole the sign endorsing our choice for president, I have a few questions. Is petty theft more effective than voting? Is trampling on our First Amendment right the best way to express your freedom of speech?...

Two years ago, the good people of Missouri were told that the so called "Clean Missouri" Amendment would prevent legislators being in the pockets of lobbyists and special interests. In reality, that was already prohibited prior to "Clean Missouri." The true goal of "Clean Missouri" of 2018 was designed to control the redistricting of legislative districts and return power to the pro-abortion Democrat Party in Missouri. ...

Amendment 3 seeks to overthrow the Clean MO initiative of 2018 that was overwhelmingly passed by voters. Why? Partisan politicians liked being able to secretly control the commissioners drawing of congressional districts! We call this process "gerrymandering," one of the most heinous processes ever developed in U.S. politics!...

On Wednesday, Oct. 22, Trump signed an Executive Order which strips long-held civil service protections from career Federal Employees whose work involves policymaking. His action allows them to be dismissed without recourse, similar to the political appointees of each administration...

On Election Day, we hope that many will join us in voting yes on Amendment 3. Amendment 3 seeks to right the wrongs of the Clean Missouri Amendment which misled voters in our last election. The 2018 amendment gave the Missouri State Auditor -- not the Secretary of State, who is the state's election authority, or the Attorney General, who enforces the laws of the state -- the power of appointing a state demographer. ...

In February, our family was blessed with its first grandchildren. Their arrival made it clear that it was time for me to seek public office to restore the true priorities of all Missourians. Missourians place high value on equality for everyone in our community. Policies and practices must apply fairly to all. Resources should be shared equitably. The hallmarks of public service should be professionalism and responsiveness to everyone...

We are just days away from the most important election of our lifetimes! We have the privilege of voting for the party that upholds the sanctity of ALL life and protects our God-given rights, our freedom to worship, lower taxation, etc. OR voting for death and destruction of life which accompanies the party of increased taxation, Green New Deal, making the earth our "god", socialism/communism, to name a few...

Domestic Violence Awareness month is observed each October as a way to bring attention to the problem of domestic violence and to support efforts to end domestic violence. Eighty-nine women were killed in 2019 in the state of Missouri by their domestic partners. ...

This year has been hard on us all. From working and attending school virtually to increased unemployment and business closures, the pandemic has compounded the economic challenges for our region. But there have been bright spots for Southeast Missouri. ...

I've worked at the polls several times over the last few years at different precincts in Cape Girardeau County, and I have nothing but praise for Kara Clark Summers, County Clerk, and Allen Seabaugh, Election Supervisor. Both work hard to make sure that poll workers are properly trained, that election laws are followed, and that voters are treated with respect...

As we locals know, Rush Limbaugh, "our hometown star," comes back frequently and especially during the holidays. A couple of billboards north of the Cape Girardeau Airport on I-55 are vacant. With the Drury influence and our love for our native son Rush, it is most fitting that a billboard saluting Rush would be most appropriate and would boost his positivity in his fight against cancer...