Opinion

To the Editor: It’s election season which means politicians across the country are busy make claims and promises they never intend to keep. We’ve seen time and time again empty campaign promises being used to get ahead — politicians will literally say anything to get elected. Leaders like President Trump get results...

Letter to the Editor. Yes, I’m triggered! I hate waste and stupidity. It’s that time again ... Tag time! So here we go. Make sure you have a full tank of gas and a pocket full of cash to begin the scavenger hunt for the Missouri Automobile Licensing Issuance and Renewal process...

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress packed into the Pennsylvania State House and approved the text of the Declaration of Independence. When it was read aloud publicly for the first time four days later, the Liberty Bell rang out in cheer. While there was cause for celebration, the American colonists were a long way from freedom. ...

After talking about sin last week, I thought I would spend this article talking about our efforts to avoid sin. Keep in mind everything I am about to share with you can be summed up in Matthew 22:37-40. (I’ll let you read up on that passage) The two greatest commandments are basically love God and love your neighbor (my simplification of Matthew 22:37-40)...

Letter to the Editor: “Everyone should just wear a damn mask.” That’s what U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, a conservative Republican from Florida, said on June 24 as COVID-19 cases surged again in his state and many others. Epidemiologists at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the prestigious University of Washington Medical School in Seattle have calculated: If 95% of all Americans would begin wearing masks immediately in every public indoor setting, an estimated 33,000 American lives could be saved by Oct. ...

I just finished Mark Batterson’s book, All In. Batterson told the extraordinary story of how 100 years ago the Philadelphia Church in Stockholm sent two missionary couples to the Congo. David and Svea Flood and Joel and Bertha Erickson were committed to serving God and the local people...

At the beginning of the 2019-20 school year, I don’t think anyone thought things would be as different as they are today. K-12 school years ended early, college classes went totally online, campuses and dorms closed, and stay-at-home and social distancing orders were enacted. The lives of students across the country were upended by COVID-19.

“Laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. ... As new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times.”...

To the Editor: I experienced this (the weekend of June 20) such a positive event for your community in Poplar Bluff. It is my opinion this happened because of the support of the park department finally allowing a large venue, which was a youth sanctioned baseball tournament...

To the Editor: I hereby declare that I fully support the decriminalization of marijuana. I support decriminalization because... 1.) My mother passed away from a prescription narcotic overdose in November of 2011, at the age of 46. 2.) I believe that marijuana is a lifesaving plant, as people suffering from debilitating pain and/or terminal illnesses can use marijuana and be relieved of pain, without having to deal with the many negative side-effects of narcotics...

To the Editor and to whom it may concern: As a mother, teacher, and citizen, I am very disturbed at the extreme cuts Missouri Governor Mike Parson is making in our state’s education budget. So far he has cut $432.9 million from Missouri’s budget, and plans to implement more. The majority of these cuts are coming from the education budget...

After the death of George Floyd, Americans across the country were united in their calls for justice. Now, over a month later, the responsible calls for justice have been drowned out by violent mobs. Local leaders in major U.S. cities have demeaned their law enforcement officers so harshly over recent weeks that it’s harder than ever for them to respond to the chaos. ...

Dear Editor, Representative Jason Smith has actively worked against the best interests of the people and communities in the 8th Congressional District. He has voted repeatedly against legislation that would benefit his district and voted for legislation that benefited corporations and the wealthy. ...

The Poplar Bluff School District has 10 positions board members hope to leave unfilled in the coming school year. Three Rivers College will leave “a large number” of positions open when students return in August. The City of Poplar Bluff will look at cutting close to $300,000 from their current budget when council members meet in July...

If you feel like our country is spinning out of control, you are not alone. Agitators are taking over our streets, as authorities let it happen. Many members of these mobs simply hate our history and culture, and are bent on destroying America as we know it. Their methods are threats, boycotts, intimidation and outright violence...

With so many difficult things currently happening in our world, and so many of us feeling so much stress, I decided to write something this week that I hope will make you smile. My friend Larry Davies has written a weekly blog for years. I have periodically used things he has written, and he has occasionally used something of mine...

My friends, WE HAVE A PROBLEM. This problem isn’t what you think. Yes, I watch the news and social media. I know the police have become the scapegoats of society and people are justifying burning and looting as a legitimate form of protest. But, that is not the problem...

To the Editor, “The Black Community” is a socially destructive phrase. There are a lot of things we say every day that fit the commonly accepted definition of ‘racist’ and reveal the lazy thinking that is frequently at the root of what we say and do. Warning: this piece of writing requires actual mental effort...

In recent weeks, big tech companies have intensified their attacks on conservatives’ free speech. These massive corporations can do this because they have built considerable control over all of the information Americans view online. The vast majority of internet searches in the United States, over 88%, begin on Goggle’s website. ...

One of our most important jobs at the Daily American Republic is to recognize excellence in our community. We want to shine a spotlight on those people, organizations and places that make our corner of the world a little, or a lot, better. We do this in a lot of ways during the year, including special projects like ‘Difference Makers’ in late summer, which highlights the many good works of our residents, and ‘Ageless’ in July, which focuses on active members of our community who see age as just a number.. ...

Dear Editor: As parents, we’re prioritizing keeping our kids safe from the effects and spread of COVID-19 by keeping them at home, but we also must prioritize keeping them safe while they are in our own homes. Every year, nearly 350 children under the age of 18 unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else; nearly 90% of those shootings occur at home...

To the Editor: Well it has finally happened. Mister, or should I say, Coach Longevity, has finally decided enough is enough. After 50 years, just at Three Rivers College alone, and 1,300 victories, an icon is cutting down his final net. Legendary coach Gene Bess has announced his retirement from NJCAA basketball. The things I am about to write are from personal experiences with this man during the four great years of being the Voice of the Raiders...

To the Editor: The 50th anniversary of Earth Day was April 22. We were able to celebrate before and after this date, thanks to many people. A huge thank you goes to Ozark Federal Credit Union for sponsoring the T-shirt design contest. Davine Conover allowed us to have student and adult categories, with Jon Daniels winning the grand prize. ...

Most of us remember where we were when we heard a plane had flown into the first tower on 9/11. The same is true for the assassinations of John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, and Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968. Turning points exist for every generation; times when events change history...

A Daily American Republic staff member was on her way home Wednesday night when she came upon a series of serious accidents that had left a small Hyundai sandwiched between two large semi trucks. Emergency workers had to cut the seriously injured driver free from the vehicle...

To the Editor: Poplar Bluff and our businesses rely on an accurate 2020 Census. The 2020 Census is here! Business owners will soon be getting a wealth of information that will help them make decisions that affect our work, employees, and local customers...

This past Sunday was the birthday of the church. Pentecost Sunday is the 50 days after the resurrection of Christ, 10 days after his ascension and the day the Holy Spirit came down like tongues of flame and changed the world. When we think of that upper room experience, we often think of just the 12 being there. (Matthias was voted in as the replacement for Judas by this time.)...

Newspaper columnist Marla Paul once described her frustrating lack of friendships this way, “The loneliness saddens me. How did it happen that I could be 42 years old and not have enough friends?” The reaction to her column was not unexpected; her newspaper was flooded with letters...

Letter to the Editor “Butler County Sheriff’s Department to lay off custodian, four deputies” You saw the recent headlines of layoffs of local law enforcement officials in the Butler County Sheriff’s Department. Without your help on Tuesday, future headlines will be about layoffs impacting public safety and other city services in Poplar Bluff...

Dear Editor, As a rural conservative, lifelong Republican and former state lawmaker, I want to share a conclusion that’s become increasingly apparent not just to me but also to my friends, family and neighbors back home in Southeast Missouri. With a statewide initiative headed for inclusion on the November general election ballot, it’s past time for Missouri to expand its income eligibility rules and allow more working Missourians to receive Medicaid...

It might be the first time this has happened. We’re holding our school and municipal elections in June. Voters need to go to their polling places Tuesday. Yes, we said need. We all need to get out and help decide our own futures. It’s one of those moments that really is in our hands. With the stroke of a pen, you can help decide who will run your city, or your school district...

The City of Chicago fines and threatens to demolish churches that hold services; a federal appeals court upholds California’s ban on in-person church services; a pastor in Florida is arrested for holding services in defiance of a “safer-at-home” order. In the last few weeks, we have seen how quickly and completely governments can infringe upon the religious freedoms of Americans...

During this recent pandemic we were all quick to embrace and share statements like “Stronger Together” or “We are all in this together.” We all supported our first responders, our healthcare workers, the health department, etc. On June 2nd (with a YES vote) you will be able to show your support for your neighbors...

To the Editor: This will be very short. We have a council election this Tuesday and an internet tax proposal. Here are the options. The city needs the tax passed. I am for passing the tax, just not right now. If we give the city council additional funds while they are misbehaving then they will have no incentive to change and to not continue snubbing the will of the citizens. ...

From the outset, America has been a profound experiment. What began as a small cluster of colonies wedged between a great ocean and a vast wilderness, became the world’s epicenter of hope and opportunity. A resilient people changed the course of human history by dedicating themselves to a simple yet radical belief that they could rule themselves. ...

Missouri’s economy has lagged the national average for many years. Over the past two decades, only a handful of states have expanded at a slower rate. Numerous causes have been suggested, among them a relatively weak educational system and an unfortunate mix of industries. Could one explanation stem from its urban-rural divide?...

Memorial Day. For many, it’s the unofficial kickoff to summer. A day for picnics and barbecues. But, Memorial Day is so much more than that. It’s a day to remember and honor the lives of the men and women, who, while serving in the U.S. military at home and abroad, paid the ultimate sacrifice … dying to protect the freedoms we enjoy...

In my book, Paul was a genius. Now I don’t mean McCartney or Simon or Anka, (I just realized how old I really am). I mean Paul of Tarsus, the apostle. Yes, he was a genius at communication. He had the gift to help people grasp the importance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ...

The first major battle of the Civil War was fought on July 21, 1861, in Manassas, Virginia. It is often called the “First Battle of Bull Run” or simply, “First Manassas.” While casualties were small in comparison to later battles, it caught the nation’s attention because nearly 5,000 were killed, wounded, captured or missing...

To the Editor: One hundred and fifty-five years ago, at the end of America’s Civil War — the most devastating conflict in our nation’s history — families of the fallen gathered in cemeteries large and small, to pray and to enshroud the graves of their loved ones with flowers...

The city of Poplar Bluff already expected 2020 to be a tight year. It started January planning to be $300,000 in the red by December, if no further cuts were made after eliminating two positions at the end of 2019. And, that was with a 7% increase in sales tax collections budgeted for the year...

The city of Poplar Bluff already expected 2020 to be a tight year. It started January planning to be $300,000 in the red by December, if no further cuts were made after eliminating two positions at the end of 2019. And, that was with a 7% increase in sales tax collections budgeted for the year...

Psalm 122:1 rang in my head this whole past week. It goes like this, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” Yes, that was the verse, and that is my true sentiment when it comes to going to church. This past Sunday, we tentatively opened our doors to worship...

I love stories that illustrate how God often works in unusual ways. In the June 2007 issue of Guideposts magazine, Elise Seyfried shared an amazing story about her grandmother Rose that revealed God’s perfect intervention in her family’s life. Grandma Rose had Alzheimer’s disease. ...

Whenever he reached another milestone win, Gene Bess always pointed out that it wasn’t his 880th or 1,300th victory, it was a reflection of the hard work a lot of people had done together. Now that he is retiring as head coach of the Three Rivers College men’s basketball team after 50 seasons, Bess once again gives credit to many people in his life — his wife, his family, coaches, players, a support system at the school that includes the administration and the fans...

Missouri is a diverse state with vibrant metropolitan experiences, charming small towns and rural communities where tourism is a big economic driver. In Missouri, there are 89 state parks and historic sites set amid endless forests, lakes, rivers, streams and trails...

The amazing story of Missi Meely and her boss, Laurie Thompson, is told in the July 2007 Reader’s Digest. After a stressful day in June 2006, Missi and several exhausted co-workers stopped by their manager’s office. A long day of cold calling had left the 25-year-old sales representative and her friends drained. They knew their supportive boss would understand, and they were right...

After spending weeks shutdown to help slow the spread of the virus, it’s time to restart our economy and allow people to return to work. This has been a difficult time for everyone, but especially here in southern Missouri where people just want to be allowed to work hard, make a living, and provide for their families. ...

To the Editor: As of this writing, Missouri is facing over 7,000 confirmed cases of Coronavirus throughout the state. While most of these cases are located in metropolitan areas of St. Louis and Kansas City, even our region has not been completely immune to cases of COVID-19. ...

After spending weeks shutdown to help slow the spread of the virus, it’s time to restart our economy and allow people to return to work. This has been a difficult time for everyone, but especially here in southern Missouri where people just want to be allowed to work hard, make a living, and provide for their families. ...