Opinion

Editorial: Thousands turn out for Shipyard Music Festival, SEMO District Fair (9/30/22)2

There was a buzz in Cape Girardeau last weekend. Friday night featured the annual Cape Central vs. Jackson football game. Southeast Missouri State University held its annual Parents Weekend, which included a number of events -- including the Redhawks football game at Houck Stadium. And in downtown Cape Girardeau, one of the area's marquee events was held at Century Casino: Shipyard Music Festival...
Letter to the Editor: 'If we had done that' (9/29/22)

There is not a phrase that sends me over the edge more than that one. "If Trump's kids had done the things that Hunter did." "If we had said the things that they said." "If we had destroyed cities like they did." The thing is, we didn't; they did. "They would have nailed us for doing those things." "We'd be in jail if..." Is there anyone out there that can make them pay? It is insane what they are getting away with...
Column: The Air Force goes for woke (9/28/22)5

Michael Reagan

Well, there goes the U.S. Air Force. The wokesters who have been wrecking our colleges for years with their insane diversity and inclusion codes have infiltrated the Air Force Academy. Cadets there now have to take a training class that includes a slide presentation titled, "Diversity & Inclusion: What it is, why we care, & what we can do."...
Column: Crime is a legitimate issue (9/28/22)3

Rich Lowry

There's been a wave of violent crime the last couple of years, and the best way to address the issue is for everyone to pass over it in silence. That's the implication of the liberal pushback against the GOP attacks on Democrats as soft-on-crime in the closing weeks of the midterms...
Editorial: Justin Davison named president and CEO of Saint Francis (9/28/22)1

Saint Francis Healthcare System formally announced its new president and chief executive officer earlier this month. Justin Davison, who assumed the role in February on an interim basis, first joined Saint Francis in November 2019 as the health system's chief financial officer. He served in a similar role for Mercy in Springfield, Missouri prior...
Column: Albert Pujols has brought joy to fans on and off the field (9/27/22)2

Lucas Presson

It was a Sept. 3 game at Busch Stadium between the Cardinals and Cubs, and I was seated in right field. The Cardinals were in the middle of a playoff push, and the Cubs were just trying to make it through what had been an otherwise disappointing season. Still, these games are always fun. It's a classic baseball rivalry -- maybe the best in professional sports...
Column: A new way forward (9/27/22)9

Kathryn Lopez

"Texas doesn't own your body. You do," a billboard reads, with an image of a woman with her hands chained behind her back. It's part of an ad campaign launched by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in Indiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota and Texas. Another of the ads has a photo of a young woman who looks sad and scared. The text reads: "Need an abortion? California is ready to help." There's a link to California's abortion information website...
Editorial: Be careful what you read and believe as 'news' on social media (9/26/22)5

The adage has been ascribed to many, and it has taken various forms through the centuries, but its spot-on accuracy has remained. "A lie is halfway 'round the world before the truth has its boots on." Tell us about it. Two centuries ago, a lie made its way hither and yon mostly by word of mouth. Today, there is a much more efficient deliverer of untruths — the internet. Specifically, social media platforms with unsourced/unverified "news."...
Column: Most Americans value immigration. Most politicians don't. (9/26/22)4

At a time when the American economy could use more people, restrictions on immigration continue to trap a lot of unused talent in low-productivity countries. To unleash it, the United States could simply let these immigrants in and let them work. They'd become a productive part of the system that makes this country so wealthy. But politicians are getting in the way...
Column: Stacey Abrams and the perils of hagiography (9/26/22)

This shouldn't be happening to Stacey Abrams, not after all that has been invested into her budding political super stardom. New York Magazine wondered in its 2019 profile of Abrams whether she'd run for governor, senator, vice president or president — the world was her oyster. Vogue asked, "Can Stacey Abrams save American democracy?" A Washington Post Magazine piece about her included an arty picture of her staring off into the distance wearing what looked like a superhero's cape...
Column: Religious freedom means nothing if religion means nothing (9/24/22)5

Star Parker

In August of 1790, President George Washington visited Rhode Island, which a few months earlier had ratified the U.S. Constitution. Among those who welcomed the new president was the Hebrew Congregation of Rhode Island, founded in 1763. Now known as the Touro Synagogue, it is the oldest standing synagogue in the nation...
Column: Martha's meltdown model (9/24/22)5

Victor Davis Hanson

Martha's Vineyard has been all over the news. The tony resort community so loves aiding and comforting the undocumented immigrants who were flown in from Florida that it hugged them -- for all of 48 hours. Oddly, the Left became unhinged when red-state governors -- whose states the last two years were flooded with some 3 million people who entered the country illegally -- finally decided to spread welcoming chores among affluent blue-state communities...
Column: What cannot be duplicated in a digital space (9/24/22)

Bonnie Feldkamp

The pandemic taught us that a lot of things can happen efficiently from a distance. It helped normalize working remotely, delivering groceries and even contactless delivery. I'm grateful for all of these things in my busy life even when I'm not trying to "flatten the curve."...
Column: Congress can help families put food on the table with 2023 farm bill (9/24/22)

By Joey Keys

Imagine making the impossible choice between paying rent and purchasing groceries to keep your fridge and pantry shelves full. That is the kind of difficult choice thousands of people in Southeast Missouri must make every day. In the world's richest country, 38 million people face hunger, including 12 million children, impacting their ability to stay healthy and thrive. ...
Editorial: United Way of Southeast Missouri kicks off annual campaign (9/23/22)

The United Way of Southeast Missouri has kicked off its 2022 fundraising campaign, making the case to businesses and individuals that many in our community need a helping hand. At the recent kickoff lunch, executive director Elizabeth Shelton talked about how the United Way helps many individuals through various organizations "win the game of life."...
Column: You are not alone. Help is available. (9/22/22)

By Tim Cockrell

September marks Suicide Prevention Month. A national poll conducted in 2020 found that while 95% of Americans surveyed would do something if someone close to them was thinking about suicide, almost 70% of respondents identified barriers that keep them from discussing suicide with others. These barriers included not knowing what to say, not knowing where to turn for help, feeling they don't have enough knowledge, or not feeling comfortable with the topic...
Column: Biden's migrant crisis hits the blue states (9/22/22)4

The nation is having a contentious debate over whether illegal migrants coming over the Southern border should be transported farther inland, and if so, where and by whom. Should they stay in San Antonio or end up in New York City, get bussed to a rural town no one has heard of, or get flown to one the most desirable summer spots in the country?...
Editorial: Editorial: Shipyard Music Festival returns this weekend (9/21/22)

The Editorial Board

Shipyard Music Festival returns for its fourth year this weekend on the grounds of Century Casino Cape Girardeau. The two-day event, produced by rustmedia, includes a full lineup of national touring acts and local musicians who rotate performances between two stages...
Column: No party is innocent on US immigration policy (9/21/22)6

Jonah Goldberg

When it comes to immigration, and especially at this moment in our politics, I'm a "bothsides-er." These days, complaining about both sides -- Democrats and Republicans -- invites a lot of scorn and ridicule, usually from people on one side. On some issues that scorn might be deserved. But on immigration, I am happy to seethe with contempt on the sidelines...
Column: Guaranteed income: A slap in the face to workers (9/21/22)5

Betsy McCaughey

Democratic politicians across the U.S. are pushing for guaranteed monthly cash handouts to the poor. No strings attached. No work required. Taxpayers foot the bill. This scheme, which is already being rolled out in Los Angeles, Chicago, Providence, Rhode Island, Denver and numerous other cities, needs to be stopped. It's turning people who work and pay taxes into suckers...
Column: How our dream house fell apart when faced with a pandemic (9/21/22)

Bonnie Jean Feldkamp

We're closing on our house and this move feels like a failure. We purchased the house six months before the pandemic hit. We'd moved from Louisville back to the small Northern Kentucky community where I grew up. I have friends remaining in the community and I looked forward to being a part of it once again...
Column: The gift of adoption (9/20/22)3

Kathryn Lopez

"Lifemark," a movie out now, isn't afraid to tackle the tough questions. Inspired by a documentary about an adoptee traveling to meet his birthparents, "Lifemark" doesn't sugarcoat the pain that is involved in separation or the emotional uncertainties. At the same time, it shows us the blessing that a child can be to both a couple and to a young mother who is not prepared to raise the baby within her...
Editorial: Chick-fil-A program to help SADI; big prize attainable (9/19/22)

SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence stands to realize a financial windfall that would benefit many in the region thanks to the generosity of a fast-food chain and community support. Chick-fil-A's True Inspiration Awards program highlights community organizations doing good work. The company annually hands out $5 million in grants, and the twist is the program includes a competitive component, allowing voters to weigh in on which organizations deserve the biggest bucks...
Column: The Queen and I (9/19/22)

Some people over here in the former Colonies are complaining about all the heavy media coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Not me. I like watching history in real time, even if it's coming by satellite from half a world away. I also enjoy seeing all the official pomp and ceremony surrounding the long and loving goodbye that the queen is getting from 99.9% of her British subjects...
Column: When will low-income Americans stop looking to government? (9/17/22)4

Star Parker

New polling data from Gallup show Americans are not having an easy time through this period of rising prices. According to Gallup, 56% of Americans say now that rising prices are causing severe or moderate hardship. Drilling down, we see that the hardship is not shared equally...
Column: Ukraine with a whimper or a bang? (9/17/22)2

Victor Davis Hanson

Russia started the war with Ukraine in late February with a shock-and-awe effort to grab Kyiv. It failed both to decapitate the government and absorb half the country in one fell swoop. Soon the conflict descended into a war of attrition in Eastern Ukraine over the occupied majority Russian-speaking borderlands...
Column: Similar inflation challenges and stumbles in the UK (9/17/22)

Veronique de Rugy

Shortly after taking over as the new U.K. prime minister, Liz Truss announced plans to fight inflation by capping household energy prices over the next two years. Blimey! Billed as the most free-market prime minister since Margaret Thatcher, Truss's first major move is a counterproductive scheme that will prolong the United Kindom's energy woes and increase its budget deficit. What could go wrong?...
Column: An important announcement about newspaper delivery (9/17/22)2

Jon K. Rust

One of my first jobs was carrying the local newspaper. In my case: The Bulletin Journal. It was a great experience, which taught the importance of perseverance, punctuality, customer service and the reward of good, honest effort. Times change, though, and child carriers disappeared from the economic landscape in the United States for many reasons, not least being the concern of parents about kids working alone...
Column: The Democrats have a culture-war midterm strategy (9/16/22)2

Rich Lowry

Who's using the culture war to distract from the economy now? Democrats have long believed -- going back at least to the famous 2005 Thomas Frank book, "What's the Matter with Kansas?" -- that Republicans cynically deploy cultural issues to divert attention from kitchen-table concerns...
Column: Protecting freedom of religion (9/16/22)4

Betsy McCaughey

LGBTQ advocates are winning political backing and legal guarantees with lightning speed. Only a decade ago, President Barack Obama still claimed to oppose same-sex marriage, a position that would be unthinkable for him now. He evolved. But politics and religion are different. ...