Letters to the Editor

Recently there was a letter written to the editor about the disparaging remarks made by President Trump concerning veterans being losers. The writer made the remark that the president must not be reelected because of said remarks. I disagree. I don't believe he said that. Obviously, the writer believes in fake news. The fake news is relentless. The swamp is deep. The Kool-Aid is strong...

Gov. Mike Parson came through the area last Tuesday (again), this time to celebrate his failed special session of the General Assembly. Gov. Parson and my House District opponent, lame duck Sen. Wayne Wallingford, have provided a pitiful response to the epidemic of gun violence. ...

America's public health system is finally getting the attention it deserves; however, its importance stretches far beyond the urgency of the coronavirus pandemic. Good public health starts with prevention, including preventing one of America's deadliest diseases: cancer...

I am writing in support of the outstanding letters to the editor by Steve Essner and Will Richardson, published 9/24/20. Both wonderfully address what truly is the meaning of pro-life. Both writers speak of love, compassion, caring, and challenge the too often unexamined acceptance of current leadership...

It is with trepidation that I address the issue of abortion. It is a polarizing issue. Many people determine their vote only by a candidate's stated position on abortion. A pro-life position is more than just being anti-abortion. And one's vote should be determined by how well a candidate protects life, conception to death...

Some believe that instead of wearing masks and other mitigation measures to overcome the coronavirus outbreak, we should pursue herd immunity. They believe things would return to normal if we are willing to infect the herd with coronavirus and sacrifice the lives of an estimated 2 to 4 million herd members...

One thing that quickly becomes evident to people visiting our community is our high level of patriotism and our respect for those who served to defend our country. This shared value is easily observed, from displays like the amazing memorial at North County Park and the American flags flown at many businesses and homes...

David Limbaugh's latest apology for the president boggles the mind. Repeatedly referring to him as a patriot -- who dodged the draft with rich man deferments; who called our soldiers suckers or losers; who put down Gold Star families, and who has done nothing when our intelligence community has credible evidence of the Soviets putting bounties on our troops. Trump is like the emperor with no clothes -- and when anyone tries to tell him something he does not believe, he gets rid of them...

We are once again facing a presidential election with less than ideal candidates. Donald Trump is flawed beyond repair, and Joe Biden peaked in the last century. The voters in the party primaries gave us these candidates, so we must pick between the two...

Recently various news sources including a Fox correspondent have quoted anonymous individuals saying Mr. Trump called the members of the U.S. Armed Forces killed at the Battle of Belleau Wood and buried in France suckers and losers. As an individual who served in Vietnam and has done battle for this country, I take exception to his words...

I was recently insulted by President Trump's comments about members of the military being losers. Before people start saying not true, pay attention to the different times he referred to John McCain as a loser. My uncle was captured by the Japanese in 1942 on Corregidor. ...

I was deeply saddened by the news of Charles L. Drury's passing earlier this week. I first met CLD, as he is referred to within the Drury work climate, in December 1980. I've had the good fortune of crossing paths with him on numerous occasions during the course of 40 years employment with Drury Hotels...

On Aug. 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified giving women the right to vote. It had been a hard-fought victory begun years before, and it struggled to come to fruition as wars and a pandemic threatened to end it altogether. The March 1913 Women's Suffrage Parade held in Washington, D.C. ...

George Mason was an American patriot of the Revolution and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Mason's theory of inalienable rights influenced Thomas Jefferson's thinking on the Declaration of Independence, arguing for a strong local government and a weak central government. This led to our present Bill of Rights...

David Limbaugh in his opinion columns continues to use misinformation to paint Democrats as anti-American. In his August 31st column he alludes to Biden not denouncing, until recently, the violence in cities that has erupted alongside peaceful protests. ...

Parents are taking matters into their own hands this fall when it comes to their children's education, particularly those dissatisfied with what their public school district is offering. They are creating their own neighborhood schools, hiring tutors or using known education providers, such as Sylvan Learning Center or Mathnasium. Others are switching to private schools or home schooling...

During 48-44 B. C. E, Julius Caesar, a consummate demagogue, desired to be emperor. He played on fears and resentments of plebeians and created a rowdy Base. Roman Republic died with his assassination in 44 B.C.E. Hitler, a masterful demagogue, became a dictator by playing on resentments of his German Base. German Republic died in 1933...

To the belief by some that one party has God's backing while the other has Satan's; I make these points. First, I believe our actions begin as a thought. These thoughts have an origin. I think that is the point Paul is making to the Corinthians when he emphasizes the need to "bring every thought into captivity." Identify its source and let its source determine what you do with it...

Socialism, on the surface, looks compassionate. But it results in that your personal motivation to do your best is squelched. If you are a factory worker who works hard to produce much, you hope your wages reflect it. On payday your check is the same as all other workers who are not motivated to work hard. What will that do to your motivation to work hard the next week? Socialism kills motivation to do your best!...

I must strongly object to the Ramirez cartoon on page 9A of Saturday's weekend edition. To use the image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in such a way is disrespectful and divisive.

I am disappointed, and frankly, disgusted, that you and your editorial board would choose to publish the Ramirez cartoon depicting MLK Jr. scolding protesters along with ridiculing the idea of reparations.

I love football. I live, breathe, dress, scream, obsess over and generally schedule my life around football every fall. High school, college and/or pros: I'm in. All in. I hate Covid. I've been working from home since March, socially distanced from everything. I miss people. I miss hugs. I miss talking to strangers in the check out lane at Walmart. I miss ... life...

Many of us were taught to respect the American flag at an early age. We said the Pledge of Allegiance at the little country school I attended, and we saluted the flag and showed respect in other ways when I was in the Army. Therefore, I cringe when I see someone disrespecting the flag...

I am writing this letter on Aug 9. As of this date the United States has had 161,921 people die from COVID-19. This is almost double the 86,782 the country suffered as combat deaths in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and both wars in Iraq. Along with this sad statistic, the United States has seen its medical system stretched to the limit by the more than 5 million cases of COVID-19...

My husband and I would like to thank the two guardian angels who stood by our son in the Lowes parking lot last Saturday afternoon until help arrived. GLORIA HASSEMER, Jackson

Past performance is the best indicator of future behavior, is a quote often attributed to Mark Twain. I am sure he was thinking of our Cape Girardeau county clerk and the great team of folks she assembled to ensure a speedy and accurate count in our recent Primary Election. ...

This past Tuesday I was given the honor of becoming my party's nominee for state representative for Missouri's House District 147. I wish to humbly thank my supporters and the voters who chose me and made our campaign possible. Clearly, our cause was strengthened by voter approval of our No. 1 priority, Medicaid expansion. However, the swift and complete implementation of Medicaid expansion is far from assured, and that is what is powering the last 90 days of our campaign...

Covid-19 has now claimed more American lives than World War I, twice that of the Vietnam and Korean conflicts combined, and more than the bombing of Hiroshima. More than the combined populations of Cape Girardeau, Scott, Bollinger and Perry counties. That is the toll of this virus. Yet some still minimize it. Myths abound. It is a hoax, it will go away after the election, there is a miracle cure, it was created in a laboratory, and masks don't work...

The HEROES Act, a comprehensive COVID-19 relief package, has been sitting in Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's lap for more than two and a half months. Yet, as the virus spread and the economic situation got worse, McConnell opted to do nothing for working people in Missouri...

Why, when the rich people, corps. and financial groups need help, the bail-out is shared by the 98% outside that group. But if the overwhelming majority need help, it's wealth redistribution and socialism? A fair and decent society takes care of their own...

I am proud to support Kathy Swan for state Senate. Kathy is a lifelong resident of the district, and she has always been there for Cape Girardeau County. She has focused on issues that are important to this community, including working to get more funding for Southeast Missouri State University, sponsoring legislation to increase workforce training opportunities, and voting for tax cuts that have helped families and small businesses throughout the region...

I am proud to endorse Wayne Wallingford for the Missouri House, and I hope that readers will vote for him on Aug. 4. Wayne has a strong record of standing up for issues that are important to our community, including the following: n Simon's Law, which prohibits healthcare facilities or physicians from instituting do-not-resuscitate orders for minors without the permission of a parent or legal guardian...

Drew Juden for sheriff Strong but fair law enforcement is the cornerstone of any community. While current Cape Girardeau County law enforcement is comprised of good people, it is my belief that strong, fair and united leadership has never been more important. These are challenging times for law enforcement and while all law enforcement personnel should be held to the highest standards, they should also be supported 100% to properly protect our citizens and maintain law and order...

With elections mere days away, I feel compelled to take a stand on Amendment 2, Medicaid Expansion. As a young mother of two, I was once in the position of having no insurance coverage for myself. My husband and I made just enough combined income to be over the line of coverage for Medicaid, and neither of our jobs offered insurance. We were lucky to have our children covered, but God forbid something happen to one of us. We feared illness then, as we fear Covid-19 now...

On Aug. 4, Missourians will have the opportunity to vote for the expansion of Medicaid. Medicaid is the health insurance program that covers qualifying individuals with low income or disabilities, pregnant women, and the elderly. To date, 38 states (including Washington, D.C.) have already expanded or have voted to expand Medicaid. ...

After reading articles/letters from Missouri Catholic Conference of Bishops regarding Ballot Initiative (2020-63) to Expand Medicaid, I feel I must respond. I do understand to a degree where they are coming from on encouraging "Yes" votes on this ballot issue in looking out for the poor, underinsured, etc. I get that! BUT we must look deeper!...

Among the Black Lives Matter protesters, there were criminals who looted, committed arson and vandalized Confederate monuments. However, most protesters across America were peaceful. They were patriotic citizens demanding equal justice for all, not anarchists, as Trump and Trumpists brand them. That begs the question, "Who are the real anarchists in America?"...

I have long believed the best indicator for future performance is past behavior. Wayne Wallingford's past performance is a lifetime of service to our country, a distinguished military career flying 300 combat missions, awarded more than 47 medals. A recipient of the Silver Star, the third-highest decoration given by U.S. military. A true conservative: a safeguard for innocent life, defender of our Second Amendment, and dedicated to the preservation of religious freedom...

I am 13 years old and a Boy Scout with Troop 2 in Cape Girardeau. I am currently working on my Community Merit Badge. I would like to express my opinion about the back to school plan that our district has made. I think it's great that we have a choice to attend school in person or stay at home and are not forced to go back to school when conditions are still not safe. I will be doing the online Tigers@Home and am really excited to start my new experience...

Democrats did the country a big favor the last five months. They very clearly showed us exactly how it will be if Democrats win in November. Far left protesters' riots are OK, but church going is not OK. Defund police so criminals can go wild. Government takeover of everything (in Democrat-controlled cities nationwide if Democrats win) for as long as it is "politically good" for Democrats. (AOCs recent tweet proves this.)...

Cape Girardeau County residents have a unique opportunity in this Republican August primary election to nominate one of the most decorated, honored and talented law enforcement officers in the state of Missouri. Drew Juden has served the law enforcement community for over 40 years with an unblemished record of accomplishment and innovation unmatched in Missouri...

Our state legislators are truly our voice in Jefferson City. Having represented the citizens of Cape Girardeau for 12 years on the Cape Girardeau Board of Education, hardly a month went by that I was not compelled to provide feedback to our legislators on issues facing public education in our district, or how a pending piece of legislation might positively or negatively impact it. ...

As reported on Missourinet (June 12, 2020), the "Republican-leaning" Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry is backing Medicaid expansion on the Aug. 4 primary election ballot. In a statement, President Dan Mehan explained the business group supports Amendment 2 as a "pro-jobs measure" that will help "fuel economic growth throughout our state."...

I appreciate your article regarding the bill Gov. Mike Parson signed, expanding Missouri's broadband grant program through 2027. (Missouri supports broadband expansion) Missouri ranks 41st nationally when it comes to broadband access, as nearly 20% of residents lack reliable, high-speed internet. ...

I appeal to you as a member of God's family. Within each of our communities there are so many who are going without adequate health care coverage. Lack of health care coverage (including preventative, dental, mental care and substance abuse treatment) creates damage that cannot be enumerated...

Kudos to Councilman Guard for his recent stance on the CSA monument decision by the Council. Thank you Mr. Guard for not taking the all too often path of simply joining the "rank and file" of council decisions in order to show unanimity among our city leaders. Thank you for taking a stance and sticking to it. Thank you for speaking your mind and following it up with a like vote, especially considering your views were both correct and in the minority...

Thank you for your non-partisan columns about our political situation and the dangers of Covid-19. More voices of reason, and less inflammatory finger-pointing by columnists like Limbaugh and Ross, have never been more important in calming the waters and protecting our families...

I am writing this letter to oppose the candidacy of Dennis Turner for county coroner. I believe this matter to be of public interest and of an urgent plea to this community. I began investigating Mr. Turner after several discrepancies in the finances of a business for which he was the appointed manager. I have current litigation pending against him in civil court...

I am writing in support of John Voss for 147th district state representative. I have been friends with John for more than 40 years, since junior high school. We were in Boy Scouts during the same time as youth and as adult leaders with our sons. John is an Eagle Scout and continues to live the pledge he took as a youth. John was a leader in high school as our senior class president and continued as a leader while attending college in Rolla earning his engineering degree...

Drew Juden is running against incumbent Ruth Ann Dickerson for Cape Girardeau County sheriff. The choice is an easy one: Dickerson. Dickerson, sheriff since 2018, ascended the ranks through good and honest police work and training. In 34 years of law enforcement, Dickerson's never had a case overturned. ...