Opinion

As much as many of us would like the COVID-19 pandemic to move on, it hasn’t yet. Cases are rising around the state, including here in Poplar Bluff and surrounding areas. This week, the Butler County Health Department announced the county has had 2,745 total cases, with more than 800 of those in November, and our death toll is up to 21...

When Missouri’s House begins its 2021 session, it may face a fascinating issue of residency which has a long history. The issue arises from a St. Louis Post Dispatch report that Rep. Nick Schroer, R-St. Charles County, purchased a home for his family outside of his House district ­­-- while claiming residency in his district via a lease to live in the basement of another person’s home...

How about some good economic news? According to the just released 2020 edition of Economic Freedom of North America, Missouri ranks as the 12th most economically free state in the country. It is an improvement over last year’s ranking, which was 16th. That’s good news because more economic freedom is associated with better economic outcomes...

COVID is very bad I know the COVID is very bad. People will not obey and wear a mask. They shouldn’t let them come in the store unless they wear a mask. Yes, I agree (you) need to put in the paper who died from just the COVID. There are many people that die from other health problems. ...

Carol and Cindy met one another many years ago when they began working in an elementary school. Both felt an instant connection and have been friends ever since. Soon after becoming acquainted, Carol’s son, Todd, died in an accident while riding with a friend who had been drinking. Cindy’s support was vital to her friend as she processed her loss and gradually regained her hope and happiness...

Thanksgiving is behind, and it is full speed ahead to Christmas. It will look different this year, but Christmas will still be celebrated and honored. We have just had our first advent Sunday. Advent is the four Sundays before Christmas and helps us prepare spiritually for the birth of Christ...

The story of Thanksgiving starts with the Mayflower, on which my ancestor John Billington was a passenger. During the voyage, his son, Francis, accidentally discharged a musket and barely missed the barrel of gunpowder. When they arrived at Plymouth Rock, Francis climbed a tree and saw a body of water – still aptly called the “Billington Sea.”...

It’s a bad way to die It’s just incredible to me the number of people in Butler County that don’t believe in COVID. Let me tell you, I just spent over a week flat on my back in an isolation room in Batesville, Arkansas, because that was the closest place the people in PBRMC could find for me. ...

John Blase told the story of college sweethearts, Ashton and Austin Samuelson in his Nov. 1, 2020, Our Daily Bread devotional. After these two committed followers of Jesus graduated from a Christian college they sought to live out their faith in practical ways, but neither felt God was calling them to a traditional church ministry...

Since this week is Thanksgiving week, I have a question for you. What do you have to be thankful for? I keep looking at the pictures of the “first” Thanksgiving with the grateful Pilgrims and the friendly Native Americans gathered around a table feast. I know that is not how it was, but it is still a nice picture...

To the Editor, The 2020 post-election chaos, recounts and litigation could be changed with Electoral College reform. The current E.C. “winner-take-all” system gives more value to the votes in “battleground” states. Our Constitution gives each state the authority to decide how to award its electoral votes. The National Popular Vote bill will insure every vote in every state has equal value. The votes in “battleground” states would not decide the election. The people would decide...

We are entering the holiday trifecta: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. You may be surprised to learn many experience greater anxiety and depression during the holidays. Harvard Health Publishing (HHP) recently made this profound observation: “Research (and common sense) suggests that one aspect of the Thanksgiving season can actually lift the spirits, and it’s built right into the holiday — expressing gratitude.”...

As Missouri lawmakers prepare to return to the Capitol in less than two months, huge decisions await us concerning the state’s Medicaid program. While I did not support the Medicaid expansion ballot initiative, I realize the actions we take this legislative session to implement it will impact the state budget, Missourians’ access to care, and our health care industry for decades to come...

We’d like to commend the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Board of Trustees for its recent selection of a name for the Kanell Boulevard location. It seems fitting that the new trail the library is blazing with the branch be named after a trailblazer. The Gus T. Ridgel Branch Library is named after a Poplar Bluff man who was the first African-American admitted to the Graduate School at the University of Missouri in 1950...

We proudly celebrated our freedoms on Nov. 3, as Americans flocked to the polls in huge numbers. Over 140 million votes were cast, a major endorsement of our orderly electoral process that remains the envy of the rest of the world. I am proud of our state and local election officials, who work so hard to instill the public’s trust in our system. ...

God has promised eternal salvation to all men who will come to him through his son, Jesus Christ. Titus 1:2 and Acts 4:10-12. The saints at the Highland Drive Church of Christ can teach you God’s simple plan of salvation. You need not fear that we will teach you man-made creeds, doctrines or traditions...

In Luke 18, Jesus told a story about two men who went to the temple to pray. One said a beautiful prayer, bragging about how good he was, how much he gave, and how he was better he was than everyone else. Although his prayer sounded impressive, the words were anything but beautiful to God...

The roller coaster ride of the 2020 presidential election wasn’t over, and wasn’t really nearing the finish line, by the time we put pen to paper for this editorial on Friday morning. There were a lot of reports from the still counting states of maybe we’ve got it, but it’s so close, we probably won’t be able to say for days...

(Response to story: Rare. Difficult to treat. Fast growing. Breast cancer. Deborah Livingston faced down the worst news with the heart of a warrior) Mrs. Livingston was my fourth grade teacher at Kinyon Elementary school in Poplar Bluff during the years of 1983 to 1984. She was a good teacher and was THE reason for me to get into computers. I’m glad she’s doing well and will be sending my prayers her way...

All I can say is, Lord help us all. The recent election has our vast nation in a turmoil worse than ever before. Not since the Civil War has this nation been so divided and if we are not extremely careful, we could be headed in the direction of another one...

Dr. Jim Denison described his visit to the Dallas Holocaust Museum in his Feb. 2, 2018, daily commentary. He told of an incredible story that was featured in the museum at the time. He was so moved by it he bought Marion Schreiber’s, The Twentieth Train, in the museum’s bookstore...

OK, you can breathe now. The election is over. Time to get some things into perspective. Did anyone notice that this past Sunday was All Saints Day? Yes, Nov. 1 is the day where we honor those who have gone to their reward before us. We honor those who have stayed true to Christ regardless of what was going on in the world...

I’m with the caller about the police department. So ridiculous. Not even put to the voters. Just what the big shots want, they always get. What about the residents on the east and south sides of town. So out of luck. Four people made the decision. What about the other 20,000 plus of our population? I guess you four are very happy...

All these young college voters that they’re talking about are going to turn out. Well young ones, let me tell you something. I’ve lived in this world 60 years … I’ve seen what a Republican, what they do to people. If he gets another four years in this office, this country is gone to hell in a hand basket. They have no heart for other people. See what they’ve done and we’ve managed to struggle through it...

If you vote for Biden and think you’re getting a Democrat, think again. Kamala Harris is just waiting to take over. She’s a socialist, not even a Democrat. Biden is on the verge of being senile. … I’m not voting for Trump because I like him as a person. I’m voting for him because he stands for law and order, national borders, legal immigration, lower taxes on companies and people and religious freedom...

I just saw a thing saying that Trump was keeping social security and Medicare going. That’s a dag gum lie. He said it himself during the government shut down, that he would stop the social security and Medicare. He threatened everybody. He said it himself. That’s another reason I don’t want Trump in there. I didn’t vote for him for the first time and I ain’t going to vote for him the second time. He’s like a snake in the grass. He’ll say one thing and do another...

Election Day won’t decide who fixes our country. Yes, you read that right. The day that we’ve been leading up to for months, even years, is not the answer to all of our country’s problems. It’s absolutely an important day. It’s a day when we all need to make our voices heard, to participate in the democracy that has been paid for in blood, sweat and tears...

Let me start this article off with a big “I’m sorry.” As I read the last article, I noticed I had made a glaring mistake in the telling of the story of Jesus and taxes. I had erroneously said the Sadducees and the Pharisees were questioning Jesus. It was not the Sadducees, but the Herodians, a totally political group in the court of Herod...

Most Americans are breathing a sigh of relief that the end of the 2020 election is finally in sight. All of us have seen far too many negative political ads and very few extolling the virtues of the candidate sponsoring the commercial. This frustrating election has highlighted how deeply Americans distrust those who do not share their point of view...

To the Editor: Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), a bipartisan organization with chapters all around the country, is organizing a Call Congress Day on Wednesday, Nov. 6. You are encouraged to participate. Calls are preparatory to a CCL visit to Congress on Nov. 12 to promote the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, H.R. 763, which would reduce CO2 emissions by 90% by mid-century. Visit energyinnovationact.org for details...

Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation as the ninth justice on a now full Supreme Court represents the culmination of a process begun over one month ago. Her nomination, subsequent vetting and hearing before the United States Senate Judiciary Committee and confirmation on the floor of the United States Senate highlights a process in which she answered two straight 10-hour days of countless questioning as well as answers she provided in writing to an additional 430 questions submitted by Senators. ...

Biden promise I appreciated the political information from Mr. Justice and Mr. French, however I would like to know more about Mr. Biden’s promise of a $15 minimum wage. That matters much more to us Southeast Missouri folks than climate change or the Supreme Court...

In 2016, President Trump ran on a platform of expanding our economy, securing our homeland, and supporting our military and veterans. On these and countless other issues, he has kept his word. President Trump’s policies spurred our economy to record growth, creating jobs and increasing take-home pay for Americans. ...

This week the Daily American Republic featured seven residents from our area who have fought breast cancer. This is a project we work on each year for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. The six women and one man shared with us the importance of early detection. They talked about the medical professionals who helped them find life-saving treatment...

Before proceeding with this column, I want you to think about what you’ve read, seen or heard from the candidates running for state office during this campaign season. How often have you heard detailed proposals to deal with the major issues facing our state like COVID-19 including steps to reduce infection, addressing complications of reopening schools or dealing with a budget crisis of historic proportions?...

Humanity has just not advanced all that much (if at all). I am not a fan of political speeches and campaign hijinks, but you simply cannot avoid watching or hearing it. I am tired of the trick questions that are given at interviews, the name calling and disparaging comments. It makes me wonder if there are any honorable politicians out there. (I know there are, but still … )...

Occasionally, I share a column based on Robert Petterson’s, The One Year Book of Amazing Stories: 365 Days of Seeing God’s Hand in Unlikely Places. Here is one of the author’s incredible stories. The final notes of the famous jazz musician’s life were fading fast when he checked into New York City’s Beth Israel Hospital...

We are less than two weeks from the 2020 election, and no one knows who is going to win. Polls suggest that former vice-president Joe Biden is likely to come out on top -- significantly, when it comes to the popular vote -- but we all know what happened in 2016. Against the odds, Donald Trump defied the experts and scored the victory where it mattered most: in the Electoral College...

It doesn’t matter which party a candidate is in, if that candidate refuses to tell their position on a relevant issue, they will not get my vote, nor do they deserve yours. Biden says he will not tell his position on Supreme Court packing until after the election. That’s like Nancy Pelosi claiming that ObamaCare has to be passed before we can know what’s in the bill...

Donald Trump has not earned your vote to be re-elected president of the United States. In 2016, Trump promised to “Make America Great Again.” Now he promises to “Keep America Great.” Look around. Is this the great America that you want to keep? Under Trump’s leadership, we have a higher rate of infection and death from the COVID-19 virus than any other country. Mixed messages about wearing masks and closing schools and restaurants has left this country leaderless in the face of this pandemic...

As a community newspaper, we wear many hats. We want to inform the public about important news in our area. We want to recognize and celebrate the many good people and positive activity in our region. But most importantly, when there are issues that divide us or concern us, we want to provide an opportunity to start a conversation...

We had this person in the White House for four years. And just think about it, he first got in, he made promises and good speeches. But now, that’s when he first got (elected). He fired a lot of people. And then he fired some of the people that would have caught this virus that we’re all dying from and everything...

Well, I made it through. As of the time of this writing, I am out of quarantine and show no signs of COVID or any other germ that is floating around. But, I must say, as much as I tried to be still, a lot happened while I was in quarantine. I am blessed that all I had to do was wait out the time. I am blessed that I am not sick nor is anyone in my family right now. I am blessed with friends and family who kept checking up on me and making sure everyone was okay. But…...

Much of the news is anything but encouraging. There is a lot of political tension. The Republicans claim the Democrats are taking the country off the political rails to the left, and the Democrats say the Republicans are taking America off a right-wing cliff...

Dear pastors, With all your heart and soul, you had to make tough decisions this year to keep your church doors open or close them to your congregation. For those who kept the doors open – minutes, hours and days of prayer, fasting, tears and consideration for the elderly and those at risk took place to make this tough decision...

Dear Editor, I have followed the McGibney, etal., vs Missouri Department of Natural Resources, wild and scenic river easement lawsuit throughout the judicial proceedings in the Circuit Court of Oregon County. As well as DNR’s shenanigans prior to the lawsuit...

Editor's note: This is one of two columns written this week by local members of the Republican and Democrat parties looking at who is the better option for president, Donald Trump or Joe Biden. Joe Biden brings an experienced, steady hand to this Presidential race. That is exactly what this deeply divided country needs at this crucial point in our history...

Editor's note: This is one of two columns written this week by local members of the Republican and Democrat parties looking at who is the better option for president, Donald Trump or Joe Biden. So how do you really know what an elected official would do if elected to a second term?...

Oct. 4-11 marked National Newspaper Week, and we would like to take a moment to talk about that. Technology has created so many ways for us to feel informed. We say “feel” informed, because not all of these ways are truly informative or offer reliable, trusted sources for fair and balanced content...

Dear Editor: For 231 years the United States Constitution has stood as the binding document of our nation giving guidance for the formation of our laws. “On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the document, and it was subsequently agreed that government under the U.S. ...