One of the attributes that sets a great newspaper apart from lesser ones is a news staff that understands and is part of the community. Since 1979, Southeast Missourian reporter Mark Bliss has been part of the community -- getting married, raising a family, burying a spouse and marrying anew, and writing about all aspects of life in Southeast Missouri. ...

I returned from New York on Monday. My method of travel was airplane, and, as usual, security was a major responsibility of the TSA. Everyone needs to be safe, so guidelines must be followed. The running joke between those in my circle and myself is that there must be a note on my forehead that says to pull me over and pat me down. ...

Since the election of President Trump in 2016 psychiatrists have come forward violating The Goldwater Rule, not personally interviewing the president, and diagnosing him as having a mental disorder. Given this, the first question an intelligent, free-thinking individual must ask himself/herself is, "Is psychiatry really science?"...

Those of us who order things on the Internet know that sales tax is collected on some items and not on others. When sales tax is not collected, the parts of government that have sales tax revenue miss out on some. This significantly affects local governments that rely heavily on sales tax income. And the declining sales tax revenue creates a dilemma for the Republican-controlled Missouri House, Senate, and Governor's Office...

Bad news for Democrats as NBC, the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, and Monmouth all show Trump's approval rating at 45%. The impeachment hoax is failing. It is going to be an uphill battle for President Trump to get reelected because he has stood up to countries that have been running over us for years with unfair tariffs, so they are against him and will do all in their power to see him not reelected. ...

In 2020, voters in Cape Girardeau will be asked to continue the Transportation Trust Fund sales tax for another five years. Council members had briefly discussed extending the tax to seven years in an effort to include more projects under one vote, but the decision was made at Monday night's meeting to continue the five-year increment -- which has been supported by voters since 1995...

I had an overwhelming 48 hours in Washington, D.C. recently -- a couple days that flew in the face of the cynicism we tend to feel about the place. Juan, who gave me a hug while he was waiting outside the homeless shelter, was a part of that, and so was Ivanka Trump...

You know what doesn't pass the smell test in the Democrats' sham impeachment crusade? Their main beef is that President Donald Trump abused his power to interfere with a presidential election (2020), yet that's all they have been doing for the last three years...

It is amazing the lengths the Democrats will go to because of their hate for President Trump. After their Russian collusion theory bombed. After millions and millions of taxpayer money was spent, they now are on their impeachment march. They are doing this hoping, just hoping it will cripple the Trump 2020 reelection bid. Little do they realize this is energizing his reelection more than millions in advertising ads could ever accomplish...

There's no shortage of Christmas music in the coming weeks. Here are a few events scheduled at the River Campus: n The Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra and University Choir and Choral Union will perform Poulenc's Gloria at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. There also will music billed as "festive symphonic works to help usher in the Thanksgiving and holiday season."...

Think back to your childhood. What was it like opening gifts on Christmas morning? Maybe you woke up early, banged on your door to your parents' room to hurry them up with the anticipation of opening gifts under the Christmas tree. In my home, it started with reading the Christmas story -- as in the biblical Christmas story told in the Gospel of Luke. It refocused our minds on the true meaning of the holiday -- the birth of our Savior, Jesus...

From 1967 to 2019, Republicans controlled the California governorship for 31 of 52 years. So why is there currently not a single statewide Republican officeholder? California also has a Democratic governor and Democratic supermajorities in both houses of the state legislature. Only seven of California's 53 congressional seats are held by Republicans...

On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and clients of the Safe House for Women, we would like to thank everyone who helped to make VintageNOW X: Heroes & Legends such a tremendous success. The funds raised through VintageNOW have made it possible for the Safe House to construct and occupy our new, larger shelter for adults and children fleeing domestic violence. ...

As family and friends gather in the coming weeks for Thanksgiving and Christmas, it's important to remember those who need a helping hand. The Salvation Army will host its holiday lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. Chartwells Catering and the Cape Career and Technology Center usually cook about 40 turkeys, and food for side dishes is donated by individuals. Winter coats also will be distributed...

The future of health in the state of Missouri is in jeopardy: Women are more than 50% likely to die from childbirth than women in the rest of the country. This is unacceptable. We need sexual education to be required in Missouri schools. Young men and women should have access to this resource, especially during puberty when their hormones could direct them to make a decision that will follow them for the rest of their lives. This will save lives and improve the quality of life in our community...

The Southeast Missouri Food Bank’s prayers were answered recently, albeit in a somewhat unexpected way. First Presbyterian Church, through one its members, donated a refrigerator truck to the organization, which does important work with mobile food pantries...

No other president has been attacked as viciously and without justification as President Trump. The Socialist Democrats’ bogus attempts to remove a constitutionally-elected president from office and to nullify the 2016 election goes beyond merely irritating. Their obsession is killing the Founding Fathers’ vision of a Constitutional Republic, the Constitution, the Electoral College, and the freedoms so many have sacrificed so much for to preserve...

Let me recognize the unbelievable work that our entire Cape Parks and Recreation staff do for our community. As the current chairman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, I continue to be amazed by the staff, their leadership and the unwavering dedication they have to our community. I wonder if most people realize the sheer number of events our Parks and Recreation staff handle on a regular basis?...

On Saturday night, Nov. 16, at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau, area military veterans will be the guests of honor at a celebration and fundraising dinner for the Stars and Stripes National Museum in Bloomfield, Missouri. It promises to be an evening of patriotic spirit, tribute to service members and American red, white and blue fun, featuring the full Jerry Ford Orchestra and his “Andrew Sisters.” If you are a veteran — or family member of a veteran — and would like to attend, thanks to the generosity of sponsors they have a seat for you at no cost as long as tickets remain. ...

Four-hundred forty-two thousand: That’s roughly the number of children in foster care in America. I was with a former foster child, now a mother herself, earlier this month. We were screening a short, powerful documentary called “I Lived on Parker Avenue,” about the challenges and rewards of adoption. ...

You have got to see it. I’m not a big movie person. It’s rare that I’ll watch one, much less recommend one. But “Harriet” is one you’ve got to see. A week ago, I went to see this movie based on the life of Harriet Tubman, a slave, runaway, abolitionist and conductor of the Underground Railroad. It’s incredible...

As the Cape Girardeau City Council begins deliberations on the next Transportation Trust Fund proposal to be voted on in April, it has to consider all of the proposed projects. Most were discussed by the TTF-6 committee and commented on by you, our citizens. We plan an open discussion at our next council meeting Nov. 18...

Is it time for SEMO To reduce prices for basketball tickets? Some version of all games are video broadcast. The number of empty seats is embarrassing and overwhelming! How about reducing prices across the board, or try “by opponent” pricing. ...

Angela Davis is scheduled to speak at the annual tribute dinner to the honorable Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Southeast Missouri State University on Jan. 29. I must ask: Of all great potential speakers, why Davis? I believe wholeheartedly in the First Amendment and free speech in America. ...

David Limbaugh doesn’t pull punches. His latest book, “Guilty by Reason of Insanity: Why the Democrats Must Not Win,” is a hard-hitting exposé on how the Democratic Party has been taken over by the hard left, from gender and racial extremism to abortion, immigration and a full embrace of socialism...

Multiple forms of socialism, from hard Stalinism to European redistribution, continue to fail. Russia and China are still struggling with the legacy of genocidal communism. Eastern Europe still suffers after decades of Soviet-imposed socialist chaos...

Jackson leaders are considering changing the city's form of government. Here's an idea: change to one that's fiscally responsible. Elizabeth Warren has proposed a Medicare for all plan that will cost $20-plus trillion. She also proposes paying for it with a 6% wealth "tax" on U.S. billionaires. There are only 680 billionaires in the US. Their total wealth is $3 trillion. So where is she going to get the other $17 trillion?...

Sixty-three million Americans elected Donald Trump to be president. On Nov. 9, 2016, the Leftist Democrats began trying to cancel their votes. Like spoiled children and rather than waiting for the next election, as the rest of us are doing, they're attempting to kick President Trump out of office...

It's easy to take our freedoms for granted. In many countries things like going to church and voting in free elections are not a given. On Monday we will observe Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day to observe the end of World War I -- the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in the year 1918...

The women of Zonta are an impressive bunch. They regularly meet and engage in philanthropic causes for the betterment of our community and women around the world. The organization's annual Women of Achievement luncheon is a joyous celebration of these ladies' personal and professional contributions to our community...

The McCarthy Hearings are remembered today basically as a witch hunt whose only real accomplishment was to ruin the reputation and lives of a great many innocent people. I predict the Pelosi/Schiff hearings will be remembered in the same light by future generations...

So much of today's culture is disturbing, especially how disagreements (and differences) become flashpoints for wars of personal destruction. Many have assisted the creation of this culture, and much of the media inflames it, which is why it was affirming to hear former President Obama recently offer his views about youth activism and "woke" culture. His words warrant careful consideration...

First let me clarify -- I am not a supporter of Elizabeth Warren. However, to the person who wanted to know how anyone could vote for her because she is such a liar -- my question is how could you vote for Trump when he is caught in lie after lie? You don't have to believe anyone about that -- you just have to clean the muck out of your ears and listen to the man...

The "War on Terror" began in 2001. The United States has suffered casualties of approximately 7,000 dead and 52,000 wounded. In 2014 the Kurds began to furnish personnel for action against ISIS. They have suffered about 11,000 dead and 24,000 wounded...

It's simple to explain but maybe impossible to fully understand. Unless you're in the family. The bond among those who serve -- and served -- in the military is one of the strongest, with no regard for space or time. I haven't worn a military uniform in going on a decade, but my service is seldom far away. Part of the reason why is my brothers and sisters in arms remain close...