Opinion

Last week we lost the groundbreaking radio host, unmatched opinion maker, and proud native son of Missouri, Rush Limbaugh. For decades, Rush has been a daily companion to many of us, providing insightful commentary on current events. Just as impactful were his generous contributions to worthwhile causes. He donated millions of dollars to charities including the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Boys and Girls Clubs, just to name a few...

Build up downtown (Comment on “Owner with vision needed”) We need to build downtown up. It’s a shame (that) all those buildings (are) vacant. And we are stead(ily) building new buildings. Downtown is like a ghost town. Vaccination success I want to say a big Thank You to all who worked at the mass COVID vaccination event today (Feb. ...

The safety of our children online and on social media is something we all acknowledge is a concern, but on a day-to-day basis, it’s a concern that can sometimes fade into the background. That’s not because we don’t want to be vigilant, but because youth today have so much access to the world beyond our front yards. ...

Shelter Mike McKuin was the first to offer shelter. Glad to see others are giving him credit. Although that’s not why he is doing this for. God bless him. “Written by another citizen” Vaccine clinic well run My Dad and I got our second shots on Friday (Feb. 12). Well done! We said thank you to everyone we encountered. It was well run. In and out in 25 minutes! Thank you again to everyone...

I want to memorialize the late Rush Limbaugh by designating Jan. 12 of each year as “Rush Limbaugh Day” in Missouri. I filed HB 1200 on Feb. 19, 2021, following the death of the conservative icon and radio talk show host, who passed away after a battle with lung cancer on Feb. 17, 2021, at the age of 70...

It’s been a long week. At least for any of us who have shoveled snow, dealt with changing work schedules to accommodate the weather, helped shuttle those with transportation issues around, or have generally felt a little put out by Mother Nature. For all of the school children enjoying the time off school and the opportunity to be knee-deep in fresh powder, it may not have felt nearly long enough. But many others are ready for a return to a less chilly landscape...

Missouri history provides a fascinating contrast to the US House vote to remove Rep. Marjorie Greene, R-Georgia, from committee assignments. Unlike Greene, similar disciplinary actions in Missouri against members have avoided a partisan split and required a simple action by the leader of the legislator’s own party...

Dear Editor, Governor Parson has asked Missourians to stay home to slow the spread of COVID-19. At the same time, police departments are reporting an increase in domestic violence calls. Those isolated in indoor spaces with abusive partners due to the pandemic have an increased risk of domestic and intimate partner violence. Fifty-eight percent of adults in America, including 68% of Black and Latino Americans, are survivors of gun violence, whether from domestic partners or otherwise...

Organization, planning and communication are normally a good thing. When it comes to a COVID-19 mass vaccine distribution they are a must. When your location happens to be the first of its kind in the state — twice — those items are magnified. Poplar Bluff officials faced that scenario in the days leading up to the first vaccination event on Jan. 22 and again this week for Friday’s second-dose distribution. We were the guinea pigs so to speak...

I am proud to report the House has passed HB 85, also known as the “2nd Amendment Preservation Act.” The bill supports Missouri’s ability to self-govern without control by the federal government. I was one of the first co-sponsors of this legislation, which is so important now that we have a president who is hostile to our right to bear arms. The bill will now be considered by the senate...

This week, Jeff Reed with the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association stopped by the office to discuss their policy priorities. There are a lot of cattle farmers in the district and I value their thoughts, which pretty much mirrors our rural values. Also, this week the House passed the Second Amendment Preservation Act...

The evolution of Highway 67 from a cow path connecting rural farmsteads to future Interstate 57, helping tie together a nation, started nearly a century ago. A 24-foot graded and graveled road was constructed in 1922, starting north of Hendrickson and coming to Poplar Bluff...

I was calling Speakout about Sen. Hawley’s article in the paper two or three weeks ago. He stated three Democrats challenged the electoral vote, but what he failed to mention was the three presidential candidates had done conceded and congratulated the winners. ...

Dear Editor, Governor Parson has asked Missourians to stay home to slow the spread of COVID-19. At the same time, police departments are reporting an increase in domestic violence calls. Those isolated in indoor spaces with abusive partners due to the pandemic have an increased risk of domestic and intimate partner violence. ...

When raising my children, they would tell me, “Promise me, Mom, that you will do this for me…” Sometimes my answer to them would be, “I can’t make a promise because I’m not sure I can keep it. I will try to do what you asked to the best of my ability.” Other times, I would promise because I knew I could do what they asked. ...

Something the Daily American Republic, and a lot of journalists, have started realizing is that we need to do a better job of explaining what happens in our newsrooms. The old adage of “report the news, don’t be the news,” served our predecessors well in the days before social media and instantaneous conversations about the content we cover. But today, we understand that you have questions. Those questions generate conversations we want and need to be a part of...

Congratulations to the Poplar Bluff Mules golf program on its induction Sunday to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in Springfield. The Mules, who have won six MSHSAA state championships among 20 top-four finishes, are the first boys golf program to be honored. Poplar Bluff has produced 27 players that have earned all-state honors, including four individual state champions...

Our national headlines are filled with news that the tech industry — including giants such as Amazon, Facebook and Twitter — have targeted opinions they find objectionable. Hundreds of thousands of users have been banned from the platforms. Pro-Trump groups have been blocked, hosting companies are dropping pro-Trump sites, and retailers are refusing to sell Trump products...

Missouri’s first mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Friday didn’t exactly go off without a hiccup. But hiccups are, for the most part, small, brief annoyances. In this case, traffic was bumper to bumper for about two miles, more than an hour before the clinic opened. This lasted for quite a while, unfortunately...

I’m looking forward to the first blooms of spring popping up to brighten our world. We need a little brightness, as well as the fragrance of freshly-turned earth. This year, we need to plant flowers and vegetables, as well as seeds of kindness, for our friends and neighbors...

To the Citizens of the Missouri 25th Senatorial District, During my two terms in the Senate, my mission was to represent the values of our district, protect our most vulnerable citizens and support legislation to sustain and attract jobs to southeast Missouri...

To the Editor, Missouri has no statewide mask mandate at the time I am writing this. Arkansas does. I have a suggestion to those who are courteous and smart enough to always wear a mask in public: go to Arkansas to do all your shopping. This is assuming merchants are enforcing Piggott and Corning, (which) are just about a half hour’s drive...

“Widespread inoculation with this effective vaccine is our best hope for faster control and eventual elimination of the greatest health threat we’ve seen in more than 100 years.” Those words were written by former Daily American Republic newspaperman John Stanard and they sum up how we feel about an event Jan. 22 to vaccinate nearly 2,000 people against COVID-19...

(EDITOR’S NOTE: At the request of local Emergency Management Agency officials, Mr. Stanard was asked to write the following as a senior citizen waiting for the COVID-19 vaccine who also is a Poplar Bluff native and life-long community supporter.)...

The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24) When you read about this family, you may feel for each member. We are told only a small amount about their life. The father: Christian fathers hope for the best for their children. We know each child must make their decision for their life. Fathers are told to train their children...

I was honored to be sworn in to my second term as state representative on Jan. 6. I appreciate the confidence the people of the 152nd district have shown in me, and it is a great privilege to continue to have the opportunity to serve our community. Events of recent days have greatly troubled me, as I see our first amendment rights increasingly curtailed by corporate America. ...

My first two weeks here at the Capitol have gone by quickly. Last week I was sworn into office, and this week was the Governor’s inauguration. It was good to have family and friends here with me for these two events. And, I extend the invitation to everyone to come visit the Capitol. ...

Letter to the Editor: What comes to mind regarding the current political situation is what Kenny Rodgers sang, “You got to know when to hold them, know when to fold them, know when to walk away.” In this case there is no one at the table the game is over and you're continued complaining that the fight isn’t over is disruptive to our society and to democracy itself. You have no respect for the institutions of government and governing. It is time to get onboard and respect the election results...

Will a DAR reader please respond to my question as to why the people that live at Wappapello do not have an emergency clinic/urgent care or some kind of medical facility to help those who get hurt or injured? My son was injured at my home and had to have Air Evac take him to Cape Girardeau for immediate assistance. It was a miracle he didn’t bleed to death by the time he got there. A lot of people have not been able to say that...

Martin Luther King, Jr., once said that “Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.” Over the past year, we have seen violent protests spread throughout our country, and over and over, those who committed violence were not held accountable. In fact, when the statue of Christopher Columbus was torn down this past summer in Baltimore, Speaker Nancy Pelosi shrugged it off as “people will do what they do.”...

Martin Luther King, Jr., once said that “Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.” Over the past year, we have seen violent protests spread throughout our country, and over and over, those who committed violence were not held accountable. In fact, when the statue of Christopher Columbus was torn down this past summer in Baltimore, Speaker Nancy Pelosi shrugged it off as “people will do what they do.”...

Happy New Year to us … we woke up to find someone stole our four wheeler off a trailer right in front of our house on County Road 401. Shame on you. People work hard to pay for things and you just steal what you want and don’t even try to earn it. Our grandkids had fun riding that and now you have taken that joy away from them and us. I am just saddened by the total disrespect of some individuals...

When you demonize the other side, there’s really nowhere left to go. There’s no room for negotiation or mediation. There’s no room for compromise or compassion. There is only hate, fear and anger. That is not what this nation was built on, but it might be what destroys our country...

Editor's note: This is one of two opinion articles written by local members of Butler County Republican and Democrat central committees. American tragedy, global embarrassment and conspiracy theories led to one of the darkest days in American history...

Editor's note: This is one of two opinion articles written by local members of Butler County Republican and Democrat central committees. The reactions of Americans to the situation at the U.S. Capitol this past Wednesday has been as diverse as anyone can imagine...

Age 24 isn’t a big deal at this point. At 18, you can vote and 21 you can drink. Thereafter, it always just seems like a new number. Twenty-four years ago this past Thursday, in the early hours of the morning, my mom woke my dad up and told him, “we’re having a baby today.” When he asked if it was time to go, she said, “No, I want to sleep a little more first.”...

Last year, the DAR staff talked about starting the decade off right, “Let’s learn from each other and practice compassion before all else, even when we can only agree to disagree.” Then, 2020 came onto the scene. Suffice it to say, we didn’t start the decade off on the right note in pretty much any way...

About a month ago my friend Harry Dapron sent me the story I am sharing with you today. Reading it, I quickly knew it would be my final column of 2020. This year has been challenging for everyone. The story that follows reminds me of Jesus’ parables, probably fictional, nevertheless containing a nugget of incredible spiritual truth...

The year 2021 is coming, and soon 2020 will be in the books. You know as well as I that it has been a rough year. It did not pan out like we had hoped at the New Year’s party last year. It has been full of trouble and sorrow and just not good stuff. There are many who worry that 2021 will be just as bad and just as challenging. So, what do we do?...

There are a lot of superstitions surrounding New Year’s and what might make 2021 brighter and better than 2020. There are probably a lot of beans and cornbread planned around here for the upcoming holiday. They’re said to bring luck, and some of our neighbors might be wondering if not enough of us engaged in this tradition at the close of 2019...

In his delightful work, The One Year Book of Amazing Stories, Dr. Robert Peterson writes about an unusual friendship he developed with two interesting and remarkable ladies while he was a pastor in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Wanda and Lucille looked like twins but were in fact mother and daughter. ...

We asked readers to share with us if they will take the COVID-19 vaccine.

Last month, a state commission recommended a pay increase of 5% for statewide officials and legislators. Previous pay increase proposals were shot down by the legislature, and I will strongly support a resolution to oppose this recommendation as well. When Missourians are suffering hardships, including job loss and economic insecurity resulting from the pandemic, the last thing we should be doing is using taxpayers’ dollars to give ourselves a raise.

Pistos ho kolan. This is the Greek form of Thessalonians 5:24. Translated it says, “The one who calls you is faithful.”

Last month, a state commission recommended a pay increase of 5% for statewide officials and legislators. Previous pay increase proposals were shot down by the legislature, and I will strongly support a resolution to oppose this recommendation as well. When Missourians are suffering hardships, including job loss and economic insecurity resulting from the pandemic, the last thing we should be doing is using taxpayers’ dollars to give ourselves a raise...

Over the next few editions, the Daily American Republic is going to feature a new series called “Moments to Cherish.” These articles offer a look back at 2020, and not at the hardships we’ve faced, the challenges we’re still trying to overcome or the losses that have impacted us all in one way or another...

In The Daily Article for Nov. 30, 2020, Dr. Jim Denison, my favorite blogger, told the story of Chris Kennedy, who lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The Kennedys decorate their yard each Christmas. This year,Chris put up a lighted sign with the word “Joy” and a statue of a Black Santa Claus, which he hoped would set a good example for his 4-year-old daughter...

The Christmas season is now fully upon us. Even though we may be celebrating a bit differently, we will be celebrating. Many of our traditions, celebrations and parties will be curtailed; yet, we still have much to celebrate. Yes, I said, we have much to celebrate...

The year 2021 marks the 200th anniversary of statehood for Missouri — Aug. 10, to be exact. Almost seven years ago, the 97th Missouri General Assembly put the State Historical Society of Missouri in charge of planning statewide commemorations of the bicentennial. Since that time, we have visited Missourians in each county in the state, listening to how their communities would like to celebrate this milestone in Missouri’s history. Now, this momentous year is almost upon us...

We’ve probably all spent a few moments speculating on what our 2019 selves would have said about the events of this year, from the ridiculous to the nerve-wracking. We’ve all done it, and we want to take a few moments to do that again now. Imagine in 2019 if someone had said to you, your hospital officials have said they are overwhelmed trying to treat an illness that has claimed 25 Butler County lives in a short period of time. ...