Speak Out

I notice a number of restaurants in the area that are trying to do the right thing. They are spacing out the tables and having everyone wear masks. I will go out of my way to support those restaurants. Others are packing in customers with no masks in site. Those restaurants I will go out of my way not to support, both now and the foreseeable future. ...

I applaud Americans all across the nation and from both sides of the aisle who defied the “police state” and went ahead and celebrated the 4th of July! However, I have a message for radio stations, event organizers, etc. Please stop using Bruce Springsteen’s “Born In the USA” for bumper music or to introduce speakers or patriotic segments. ...

Playing high school football this Fall would be terribly unnecessary and selfish. Focus on safely conducting school. And, if that works, see if you can add athletics, band, cheer, clubs, plays, and other extracurriculars. Where is the petition to ban the Central Tiger mascot because it offends lions and bears? And where's the petition to ban the displaying of football scores each year in the Jackson-Cape football game? Now those scores are definitely offensive!...

Great photo on front page of July 2nd paper showing barge salvage, but where is the rest of the story? Whose barge, how did it sink, etc.? Trump said "masks are good." And he claimed he wears masks when around people who aren't tested and within 6 feet of him. Now it's OK for you holdouts to get a mask on...

The story of David and Goliath is not a story of racism, white fragility or while privilege. Instead, it teaches us that, "it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's." 1 Samuel 17:47. Youthful David trusted in the Lord when he went to fight against a powerful, seasoned warrior who defied and insulted the true and living God of Israel. ...

If you test positive for the coronavirus, it is your responsibility to notify everyone that you've had contact with. It's cowardly to do otherwise. What is going on in the city of Cape? There is a sewer running over in the west side, it has been doing this since September 2019. The city manager, water and street department, and the county health departments all know this but will not correct it. If you want to know where, call any of these three. They can tell you. Have the rules changed?...

I am one very unhappy grandmother! My grandson, in the army for eight years, just recently came home. They have three children. They took time to come and look for a home, and applied for a loan. They were staying with her sister while the loan was being waited on. After doing all they thought they had to do, they have been told he hasn't been on his job long enough! Do they not make loans to veterans anymore? Meanwhile they have lost the home they thought would be theirs! What a shame!...

In response to the people who want to tear down or rename anything they deem to be offensive, I give you this quote — and remember, cliches become cliches because they are true! — “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” — George Santanyana ...

I am sickened by people who will not wear a mask in public. I see how rude they can be. A store may make more money if they would not let a person in their door without a mask and knowing they need to keep social distancing. They should respect others. ...

Senator Kamala Harris couldn't cut it as a presidential candidate, but now Democrats are falling all over themselves to make her Joe Biden's VP. Trump's "silent majority" didn't show up to his Tulsa rally because of one small thing -- it doesn't exist! That is a figment of his sick mind. He can talk about it all he wants but the majority isn't silent and it's not on his side. It's extremely vocal and it's speaking out against him...

Jackson High School did a very nice job with their graduation ceremony. It's a real shame that the school board members presenting diplomas didn't wear masks, especially since the school required families to socially distance themselves from each other and the graduates. I guess it's "do as I say, not as I do. "...

Defunding the police will lead to more crime. No one will be safe, gun sales will skyrocket. People will have to protect themselves. The answer is simple: don't commit crimes. The world will be a better place. The officer in Atlanta will not get a fair trial. ...

President Trump has my total support for reelection. He's reduced North Korea to a non-issue, significantly reduced troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has increased military spending. He's led a rational approach to the COVID-19 hysteria that resulted in significantly lower death rates than predicted. His policies led to historically low unemployment until the pandemic, and has led a fast economic recovery. He signed criminal justice reform into law...

A big thank you to Cape Central High School for Saturday's drive-through graduation! It turned out to be solemn, memorable and great fun all at the same time! Kudos to all the teachers and school personnel who turned out to congratulate the seniors. That was extraordinary! My granddaughter and I and everyone in our group was brought to happy/sad tears at one time or another during this amazing graduation...

Police are heroes. They put their lives on the line every day. Most are of great character. They are paid very little. I question the people who want to demonize all of them. Instead of tearing them down and trying to defund them, they need to stop and think what is going to happen when no one will want to become a police officer. ...

Note to president A plea to Donald Trump: please leave, just pack up and leave. You have done more damage to America and the Constitution than any hostile foreign force could ever do. For the sake of our country and it's citizens, please leave. Police, funding...

Virtual graduation These virtual proms and graduation are the silliest things I have ever seen. Guess what, something happens, events get canceled and you have to do without. I do not see why anybody should go out of their way to make it up for them. Sorry, you do not always get to feel special. Grow up...

If you believe your Instagram post, Facebook meme, or Tweet is somehow contributing to the BLM movement than you are sadly mistaken. That kind of junk is about as helpful as your “support the troops” magnet on your Subaru. ...

I'm commenting on the video of the 75-year-old white man who was pushed down by police officers. Does his life matter? Is it a race issue or police brutality? "Black lives matter." Don't all lives matter? Or is it just when a black person is killed by a white person? Every week black people are killed by other black people in our cities across our country. ...

If your best excuse to not wear a mask is that others aren't wearing theirs correctly ... here's your sign. Twitter should not be called a media platform or given the status of say a newspaper. If the company does not have to meet its own standards, much less those expected of other media, then call it what it is ... advertising for the right price. If Twitter was about truth and the American Way, Trump would have been kicked off years ago with his lies and vulgarity...

We have over a million Americans who have COVID-19 right now. We have just reached 100,000 deaths as a result of COVID-19. But Trump says we are doing just fine. But we have more active cases and more dead then any other country in the world. How are we doing just fine?...

All lives matter, including those that are aborted in clinics across this country every day. Where are the protesters for the unborn? They say streets calmer because police claim curfews. I disagree; that isn’t all. His brother ask for the people to protest in peace and not riot, steal, burn and destroy property. I would say that has a lot to cause the calmer streets.

Thank you Jeff Long for your article on the polluting of Jackson creeks when people are not conscientious about litter, trash, oil, yard wastes and other damaging items that end up in our creeks. A creek borders our property, and we have watched the reduction of crayfish, frogs and minnows over the last few years to the point that very little animal life exists in our creek. ...

Why is everything about race? Today, every liberal rag across the country claimed COVID-19 rates are highest among African Americans and stupidly blamed Trump and the GOP. Look, skin color isn't preventing anyone from wearing a homemade mask. Skin color isn't preventing anyone from staying 6 ft apart. Personal responsibility is a personal choice...

So, I’m neither against or for the wearing of face masks. But I am confused. Maybe I’m being naive here but if EVERYONE wore one (and properly wore it) then wouldn’t logic indicate that we would stop the spread of the virus? Which is the ultimate goal. ...

Jackson high school is allowing full blown football workouts, baseball practice, soccer practice, and basketball practice, but is requiring all graduating seniors to walk 6 feet apart and only allowing 4 guests per graduate. Does this make sense? Over 100,000 now dead. ...

My memories of presidents began with Eisenhower. I have seen good presidents (Kennedy), ineffectual presidents (Carter), criminal presidents (Nixon) and flawed presidents (Clinton), but I have never experienced a president who lacks the empathy, intelligence, emotional stability, statesmanship and moral fiber as Donald Trump. ...

Joe Biden says if you are a black person and vote for Trump, you are not really black. Yes you are still black, just smarter than someone who votes for the party of Byrd, Wallace and the KKK. I think this remark by Biden is racist. Now that Trump is scared to death about losing the November election he has started another of his big lies: the election is rigged! If he keeps repeating this lie enough times people will start to have doubts about the election. ...

Highway 61 and Deerwood in Jackson doesn't need a roundabout for the handful of people who play baseball at Whitney Herzog Field or the few dozen who use the community center. Stop wasting tax dollars. In the midst of a pandemic, our city council has voted to fund two swimming pools in our city. What were they thinking? This is a wrong-headed and irresponsible decision!...

Wearing a mask is too easy. It's responsible. It's caring for your at-risk family members and neighbors. And, even if you don't care about the people you're putting at risk by not wearing a mask, then you should care about shutting down our economy when there's a second outbreak. Churches and church leaders should be setting the example...

There is no debate about the effectiveness of wearing a simple cloth mask indoors and in public. It is about 80% effective in stopping you from transmitting COVID-19. Period. There's no rational argument otherwise. If you're so tough that you're not worried about contracting the virus, then feel good that the same mask is only about 20% effective in keeping you from getting it. Do the right thing...

In a sea of distortions from left and right wing media, the Southeast Missourian, and especially Jon Rust, have stuck to the science of this pandemic and served our communities well. Lives are saved by accurately presenting the facts. And Jon Rust has likely saved lives with his grasp of the seriousness of this crisis. ...

Today, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives released their long running Russian collision report. Without exception, every Obama-era witness testified there was no evidence of collusion. Why is Obama weighing in on the covid-19 response? Is it to take away from the fact that the Democrats are under fire for the lies about General Flynn? Does he feel the heat from the Durham investigation? We all know his response if he was in office would be to go play a round of golf. ...

You have a personal responsibility to wear a mask when you shop indoors. Period. Your freedom to think otherwise doesn't outweigh the risk that you are potentially infecting others. This is no different than your choice to smoke cigarettes. If you want to do so in spite of overwhelming evidence that you're killing yourself. You don't get to do so in stores where you can harm others...