After the election, we work together (07/30/08)
With the election season upon us, political pundits of all stripes are pontificating on the merits of their candidates and the shortcomings of their opponents. This is nothing new by any stretch of the imagination. I have written about the world of politics for many years. ...

Statewide election impacts local vote (07/27/08)
Even staunch Republicans privately acknowledge that this election cycle does not bode well for the GOP. Of course, as is so often the case, predictions made in the summer can prove embarrassingly inaccurate in the fall. There will be countless twists and turns before voters cast their ballot in November. But first comes the August primary elections...

Gambling loss limits should be voted out (07/16/08)
It now appears likely a measure will be on the November election ballot in Missouri that will end the $500 loss limit at Missouri casinos and put a moratorium on the number of casinos in the state. A challenge to the proposal was ruled in favor of the measure this past week and that should set the stage for the November vote...

Politics can be a deadly game (06/18/08)
One of this summer's favorite pastimes is called "political bashing." It's a simple game where you wait for a politician to make virtually any comment and then you play Monday-morning quarterback and bash the politician's position. It's a equal-opportunity game played by both Democrats and Republicans...

November initiative deserves support (03/30/08)
For 30 years of writing this column, I have consistently said the topic of race was the most pressing and most dividing issue in this country. We talk about political differences, religious differences, rural/urban differences and a host of other issues that surface in the daily dialogue. Yet, despite our denials, we all too often return to the topic of race...

How will sacrifice of 4,000 be seen? (03/26/08)
Sometime over the weekend, halfway across the world, an American soldier became the 4,000th death recorded since the war in Iraq began in March 2003. It's still uncertain how history will treat this war. Let's just pray that we'll never write a story about the 5,000th victim...

A delicate balance of faith, democracy (03/22/08)
Today is a day of great significance in the Christian world - the day the Bible tells us of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a day of foundational belief in the Christian world where we are directed by faith to accept the words of the Bible and to believe in the forgiveness of sins. ...

Culture of violence must be stopped (03/19/08)
When I was 17, I had just graduated high school and was facing the same questions about my future that, I would assume, strikes most 17 year olds. Now granted, it was 1965 and the world was different. But the truth then as it is now, at 17, I lacked the life experiences to make exact judgments on what I wanted or where I wanted to go with my life...

It's time to delete the issue of e-mails (03/15/08)
When Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt shocked virtually everyone by announcing he would not seek re-election, his reasoning was that he had accomplished his agenda and reached his goals during his first term so why seek another term. Since there was no other evidence to the contrary, most observers accepted Blunt's explanation. And most still do...

Corporate leaders forgot business rule (03/12/08)
As an avowed capitalist, I take pride when I witness someone rise from virtually nothing to extraordinary financial heights. Like most of us, I put a premium on those who have the talent, skills or intellect to do what few others can. And I believe those rare individuals should be rewarded at whatever level they can achieve. Let's just call it the American Dream...

City should walk away from trail (03/09/08)
I see where the Sikeston City Council this week approved spending $400,000 for a new walking trail to connect the kindergarten to the Sports Complex. Now let me say from the beginning, I think our community is blessed with an effective and pro-active City Council that is extremely attuned to the needs of our community. But sometimes even good people make bad decisions. The walking trail fits into that category in my opinion...

Reality apparently eludes candidate (03/05/08)
I believe you get the true measure of a politician not from a prepared text but rather from an off-the-cuff comment or quick answer to a question. That is what struck me this week in a brief, passing and humorously-intended comment by Barack Obama. Obama was in Texas in a run-up to yesterday's primary there and deviated from his prepared remarks. ...

Continued efforts, time needed for new bridge (03/01/08)
It's been a while now since talk of a new bridge spanning the Mississippi near Charleston has been in the spotlight. That doesn't mean the subject is forgotten nor does it mean that efforts are not continuing between the states and communities involved. But the lack of discussion does illustrate one thing - the prospect for a new bridge in this region is a marathon, not a sprint. If anyone expects action in the next decade, it's just wishful thinking...

Speakout serves an important role (02/27/08)
Long before there were bloggers, long before the Internet opened countless venues for public discussion, and long before there was easily accessible portals for venting and thought sharing, there was Speakout. If I'm doing my math correctly, we're approaching the 35th anniversary of this once-unique public discussion forum in Southeast Missouri...

A license to govern should be priority (02/23/08)
As with any elected body, the Missouri General Assembly gets its fair share of criticism. In a touch of irony, the legislature is blamed by some for what they do and by others for what they fail to do. But then again, this should come as no surprise...

Conservative ideals are still necessary (02/21/08)
Dang it's a tough time to be a conservative. Let's face it, every political column from Hoboken to Keokuk is singing the same refrain. The conservative movement revolves around two central issues - low taxes and small government. But this presidential cycle offers some awkward choices for those among us who call ourselves conservatives. ...

Power efforts paid off following storm (02/16/08)
If this week has taught us anything it should be the obvious - we cannot control the weather. Now granted, this is simply stating the obvious but sometimes, it's the obvious that seems to elude us. February in our neck of the woods is supposed to be exactly what we're experiencing. Yet when Mother Nature strikes, for some reason we seem surprised and woefully unprepared. You'd think by now we would have learned a lesson...

A shared day but very different lives (02/13/08)
Today is an important day in my small world. Today my father turns 82 and my son turns 30. We've always taken some level of pride in these shared birthdays. You can never truly plan such a coincidence so that makes it all the more special when it occurs...

Can generous gifts be better spent? (02/12/08)
When Bill Gates announces yet another multi-million grant to help starving children in Africa, his heart is most definitely in the right place. You simply can't argue with someone who uses their enormous riches to help those in most desperate need...

LCRA is making a difference in town (02/10/08)
For a number of years there has been an ongoing discussion in Sikeston about the future of our community. More specifically, there has been a discussion on how to reverse a trend toward decline in our community. The subject took on added emphasis a couple of years ago when voters here overwhelmingly - and I mean overwhelmingly - approved a measure to help fund the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority...

Improved roads will require more taxes (02/07/08)
We can sympathize with Missouri Department of Transportation Director Pete Rahn. The transportation guru told Missouri legislators this week that his department is more accountable, the state's roads are better and annual roadway deaths are lower than they have been in a decade. And by the way, the public wants nearly $20 billion more in roadway improvements than funds are available...

Emerson's decision benefits Bootheel (02/06/08)
It will probably go unspoken but this region owes a debt of gratitude to Rep. Jo Ann Emerson on her decision to seek re-election to her House seat instead of entering the GOP battle for governor of Missouri. Perhaps Emerson felt her chances were a long shot. ...

My vote is for none of the candidates (02/05/08)
I am somewhat ashamed to admit I did not vote in today's Missouri presidential primary election. Under virtually any other circumstance, I would have been among the first in line. But for a variety of reasons, this year is different. I know, I know...even those of us disenchanted should always take this privilege of selecting the person we want to hold the highest office in the land. ...

The political twists are tricky to follow (02/02/08)
In a span of less than two weeks, the Missouri political landscape has taken more twists and turns than a John Grisham novel. The opening chapter captured our attention with the stunning announcement by Gov. Matt Blunt that he would not seek re-election. A running theme throughout this novel will revolve around why Blunt made the surprise announcement. Why at this time? Why no prior notice apparently to anyone? Why, why, why?...

Ralph Nader is past prime as candidate (01/31/08)
Ralph Nader is considering another bid for the White House and said he would decide within a month whether to enter the campaign once again. There are countless readers of this newspaper who have never heard of Ralph Nader. So that may forecast his prospects...

Pork-barrel politics must come to end (01/30/08)
At long last, the spotlight is finally starting to shine on the warped policy of "earmarks" - those hidden little Congressional secrets that keep incumbent politicians popular at home while spending billions of your tax dollars without public input or discussion. President Bush - albeit too little and far too late - finally addressed the issue of earmarks during his State of the Union address this week. He pledged to veto the pork and rein in reckless spending...

Stimulus package fails in the long run (01/29/08)
If the economic stimulus package currently under consideration in Washington is the best we can offer, we're in sad shape. The prospect of a $300 rebate check coming in the mail will have such a small impact on the economy it will simply go unnoticed...

Reading between the political lines (01/26/08)
OK, so let me chime in on the sudden and unexpected political bombshell that incumbent Gov. Matt Blunt would not seek re-election this November. The fact is that political junkies are having a feeding frenzy on the Blunt withdrawal but, for most people, they unfortunately have more interest in hearing about Heath Ledger's death. ...

Senator's proposal doesn't rate well (01/24/08)
Have you ever heard an argument where both sides were right? Well that - to me at least - is exactly what's under way in the Missouri General Assembly concerning a proposal to create a rating system for early childhood education centers in Missouri...

Crop of candidates is just uninspiring (01/23/08)
I've followed the presidential election process in this country for a number of years. Because of my particular career path, I suspect I have followed elections closer than most readers. That most certainly doesn't make me any smarter on the ebb and flow of the political process; it just makes me a bystander who has followed the game closer than most. Let's just leave it at that...

Death penalty does fill a role in system (01/22/08)
There is not an equal divide in this country or this state over support for the death penalty. By any measure, residents here and across the county show strong support for capital punishment. And well they should because volumes of evidence support the fact that the death penalty is a deterrent for crime...

Candidates have very different views (01/19/08)
This much we know: Gov. Matt Blunt and Attorney General Jay Nixon are already in full campaign mode as they take center stage in what is sure to be a heated contest for the state's top office this November. Conventional wisdom says this year may be a good time to challenge an incumbent Republican governor since the national picture currently bodes fairly well for Democrats...

Federal government toughens policies (01/17/08)
Just when you thought there was no good news around comes an announcement by federal authorities that they plan to increase the deportation of 200,000 immigrants in American prisons and jails. This new effort is designed to help reduce the cost of housing immigrant criminals here on the federal, state and local levels. And it marks a substantial increase from the 64,000 immigrant criminals deported in 2006...

Our economic hole includes doughnuts (01/16/08)
Just like you, I read daily about our faltering economy. Oil prices are at record levels, subprime loans are threatening our financial foundation, our largest banks are being sold to foreign interests, etc. The economy is not on life support but some experts see that coming just around the corner...

Political games can tire out the public (01/15/08)
The upcoming presidential election appears to be about Martin Luther King and Ronald Reagan. As best I can tell, every candidate in both parties is desperately trying to invoke the name of King or Reagan at every turn. Barack Obama, who is black, and Hillary Clinton, who is not, both drop the King name as if they stood by the civil rights' leader on that crowded balcony in Memphis 40 years ago. ...

Being an American in today's world (01/12/08)
I am an American. Those are proud words though they once held much more pride across other nations than they do today. But those words still speak volumes to the millions of faceless and nameless world citizens whose lives are better today because America came to their rescue in one form or another...

Take pride in your town and don't litter (01/10/08)
Sikeston Mayor Mike Marshall got on a bit of a rant during Monday's city council meeting over the issue of trash in our community. Hizzoner told assembled Public Safety officers to get tough on the trash issue here and he made his impassioned plea in unmistakable terms...

Political times have passed McGovern by (01/09/08)
Someone needs to tell former Senator and presidential candidate George McGovern that he is no longer relevant. McGovern hails from the left fringes of the left wing in this country and always has resided there. Perhaps that's why his defeat in a bid for the White House in 1972 was such a landslide. And things have not changed since...

Illegal immigration is state issue, too (01/08/08)
Sometimes I agree with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and other times I disagree. The business lobbying group is always active in legislative affairs and its voice carries some impact down the halls in Jefferson City. The Missouri General Assembly returns to work tomorrow and, by most accounts, the upcoming session may best be described as lackluster. ...

Little changes chip away our identity (01/06/08)
What if one day you awakened to learn that everything you thought you knew was no longer true? What if those who want to revise history simply changed the rules and right was wrong, up was down, left was right? What if a lifetime of learning was instantly wiped out and those who advance political correctness won the day?...

Tax dollars wasted on needle exchange (01/03/08)
Washington, D.C., is far from the ideal community to serve as our nation's capital. The city is near the top of the crime list and near the bottom of the education achievement category. And now our nation's capital has yet another honor - it has reached "modern epidemic" status for the explosion in AIDS cases...

Greed put housing market in trouble (01/02/08)
Let's start off the new year by revisiting a headline from the old year. The crisis in the home lending market - especially for sub-prime loans to marginal borrowers - hit the fan in 2007 and will cause an additional financial crunch this year. My concern now, as it has been all along, is that trustworthy borrowers who make their payments on time and who follow the rules may well ultimately pay for this manufactured crisis...

Farewell to 2007, welcome to 2008 (12/29/07)
Well, the time has come for some year-end pithy thoughts on 2007 and some equally pithy predictions for the coming year. Actually, I just wanted to use the word pithy for some strange reason but now that I'm stuck with the introduction, I have little choice other than to sum up the year...

Some numbers are out of this world (12/20/07)
The scientific community is all abuzz this week over the discovery of a "death star galaxy" that is blasting a neighboring galaxy with deadly radiation. NASA said this week that telescopes had witnessed this new outer-space "violence" for the first time. This black hole apparently nuzzled up to a nearby galaxy and zapped it with radiation and energy. Eventually the blasts will eat away at the second galaxy, like a knock-out punch in a prize fight...

Holiday compassion not always deserved (12/19/07)
This time next week, Christmas will be behind us. The gifts will be opened, the food consumed and Santa will be back at the North Pole preparing for next year. But the reality is that those who asked for help this Christmas will likely find themselves in the same position next year. I've come to the sad conclusion that there is little we can do to change that...

Burn those pounds: just move around (12/18/07)
We are by any definition an obese nation. Just look around and you'll find ample evidence to support the claims. And some of the fastest growing industries - naturally - are those which promise to take off those pounds and restore that youthful figure, assuming you had a youthful figure in your youth...

Brighter future will require work for now (12/15/07)
Give Sikeston Mayor Mike Marshall and State Rep. Ellen Brandom credit for bringing much needed attention to the issue of a new bridge over the Mississippi River to replace the aging bridge that spans between Illinois and Missouri. These two elected officials and civil leaders joined state officials this week in touring the bridge in question with the hope of generating support for a new bridge...

Network media adds slant to its news (12/13/07)
I watch more than my share of television news because that's my business and, even if it were not, I think somehow we have a passing responsibility to stay informed. Without information, we're prone to make poor decisions. Without information, we're left to guess at solutions instead of thinking them through...

Some ideas come with a big price tag (12/12/07)
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton not too long ago proposed a $5,000 "baby bonus" for all newborns to help them have a start on a college fund or a house down payment. Of course, her idea was ridiculed and has long since evaporated. Now an Australian medical expert has proposed a $5,000 baby penalty to help pay for the environmental damage that an increased population can bring...

Ask some questions about the payouts (12/11/07)
There's not one person reading this column who can honestly say they understand fully how Wall Street investments truly work. If they did, they would be reading this column over the Internet from some remote island in the Pacific. The truth is - be it Wal-Mart stock or your 401k - virtually all of us are clueless on the intricate variables that make up the world of investments...

Take time to enjoy one another this Christmas (12/08/07)
Okay, so let me voice my annual complaint about the holiday season. It's too late for this year but folks, at some point, we need to return the Christmas holiday to the real meaning of the season. Granted, that is about as simplistic as it gets. But we all know it's true...

U.S. finishes 12th on 'most desirable' list (12/06/07)
Every year, the United Nations publishes a list of the "most desirable" places to live. And this year, Iceland topped Norway for the top spot. Norway had headed the list for the past six years. The United States? A solid 12th place, down from 8th on the list last year...

Don't use God as excuse for actions (12/05/07)
If the following column offends some, let me apologize from the beginning. But apologies aside, I am offended when someone hides behind religion to justify a lifestyle that is clearly misguided and wrong. Richard Roberts, the son of Oral Roberts, has now resigned as president of Oral Roberts University because of an unfolding scandal centered on a somewhat lavish lifestyle. ...

Campaign spotlight is not being shared (12/04/07)
Bill Clinton - you remember him as the former president - these days is out campaigning for his wife. That much is expected. But what's funny is that Clinton is talking much more about himself than his candidate-bride. And that has some Iowans scratching their heads and wondering just what this powerful man is really doing...

What makes the top 10 is harder this year (12/02/07)
Every year about this time the Associated Press - of which we are a member - sends out a listing of the top news stories of the year. Editors and publishers are asked to rank those news stories on their importance during the past year and, shortly before year's end, AP will announce their top news story of the year...

Trying to get a hand on world peace (11/29/07)
I don't pretend to know the first thing about the diplomatic efforts in the Middle East peace talks currently under way. All I know is that everyone seems to want the opposing factions to discuss potential solutions to their centuries-old differences. And I know that these efforts will fail as all others in the past have failed. But failure doesn't mean you quit trying. Not by any means...

Peace on earth is no politics for a month (11/28/07)
I have a political suggestion. Let's designate the December before a presidential election as a political free zone. That would mean that starting next week, the presidential wannabes would quietly slip back into their caves and hibernate for the month...

Exaggerations taint AIDS funding outlay (11/27/07)
As many of us have long expected, the truth is now finally emerging on the AIDS epidemic that has generated universal attention for more than a decade. A new United Nations report out last week acknowledged that those involved in fundraising for AIDS had greatly exaggerated the true numbers of the disease...

Immigration issue is gaining importance (11/24/07)
Despite what those brainy political pundits have long predicted, the '08 elections may center more on illegal immigration than the discontent over the flawed war in Iraq. That is not good news for the Democrats. But it's not especially optimistic for the GOP either...

When giving thanks, there is a long list (11/21/07)
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving which, as we all know, is a unique American holiday. Actually and technically, it's not a "holiday" since that word derives from holy day and Thanksgiving is not a bibically-based celebration. So much for the history lesson...

Surveys' findings are not always accurate (11/20/07)
Back in the day of the old St. Louis Globe-Democrat, we would laugh about their habit-by-design of writing three or four articles each year called "Bootheel Bashing." Actually the articles - in my opinion - were to point a finger at some of the ugly aspects of our region of the state thereby making the city of St. Louis look a bit better. Perhaps that was not their aim but you'll never convince me...

Playing race card is the wrong maneuver (11/15/07)
Wesley Snipes is an amazing actor. Count me as a fan. I find him believable, funny and thoroughly entertaining. But the actor is in a little hot water these days with the Internal Revenue Service. The feds claim Snipes evaded his tax bill to the tune of millions of dollars. And if found guilty, Snipes won't be so hot at the box office because he'll be behind bars for real...

The nation's budget is really taxing me (11/14/07)
Last week - on Wednesday to be specific - the federal government announced very quietly that the national debt had topped $9 trillion for the first time. The national debt is the total of the yearly budget deficits plus the money the feds borrow from Social Security or other government trust funds...

Promises all come with a price tag (11/13/07)
The federal government needs to listen carefully to Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.). Coburn is an ultra conservative who often is at odds with the Bush administration. His obsession is the runaway spending of your tax dollars by the federal government. Leaders in both political parties need to listen carefully to the Oklahoma Republican because he's right when it comes to spending...

Senator won't win the language fight (11/11/07)
Sen. Claire McCaskill - for me at least - has turned out to be a much better representative for Missouri than I had expected. That certainly doesn't mean I will always agree and, in fact, I will probably disagree more often than not with the votes cast by Sen. McCaskill. But overall, I give her credit for her work ethic...

Big league baseball is a big buck game (11/08/07)
I don't often use this column to talk about sports. In fact, I'm not at all certain when sports were mentioned in this brief daily dribble. But today is an exception. Well sort of. Here's the deal. The Pittsburgh Pirates this week named John Russell as their new manager. Truth is, I have never heard of John Russell. But that doesn't matter...

Finding a solution to problem schools (11/07/07)
Without a doubt, education is one of the leading keys to success. In fact, it may well be the leading factor to determine success - if success is indeed measured in job and financial achievement. I also argue that other factors contributing to success or failure might include personal-responsibility, persistence and determination...

If this were 2008 ... (11/06/07)
Just close your eyes and imagine with me for just a moment if you will. Let's say that today your calendar says 2008 and not 2007. It's that special Tuesday in November when Americans select a new leader. In the past year, we've heard more, read more and seen more about the politics of this country than anyone of us can fully absorb...

Immigration arrests are just first steps (11/04/07)
As expected, Gov. Matt Blunt's increasing crackdown on illegal immigration in Missouri is starting to create complaints and confusion. Neither the complaints nor the confusion should deter state officials from maintaining their stand on the problem in Missouri. ...

Political movies are not a hit with public (11/01/07)
Hollywood - the land of loonies and liberals - has always taken left-wing positions in the world of politics. Those ultra-rich elite so enjoy providing entertainment that bashes other ultra-rich elite because their political positions are on the other side of the spectrum...

Tougher penalties for DWI welcomed (10/31/07)
Under a new state law, Missouri has committed to getting tougher on repeat DWI offenders. I have always said that everyone deserves a second chance. In some isolated instances, perhaps a third chance is a possibility. But there are only so many ways to change behavior and repeated slaps on the wrist will never work...

Congress should review its security (10/30/07)
Last week, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice walked into a committee room of the United States House of Representatives. Rice was to testify during a hearing on foreign policy and the ongoing struggles in Iraq. Seated before her were respected members of the House. Behind her were audience members and the ever-present media. Her testimony was about to begin...

Burning issues brought by wildfires (10/28/07)
I hope by the time this column is printed, the wildfires engulfing California have diminished and the tragic episode has ended. But the forces of nature are often beyond the control of mankind and sitting here directly on top of a major earthquake zone, surely people in this region understand the prospects and possibilities of natural catastrophes...

Deserving workers need appreciation (10/25/07)
As I was headed to the office this morning - fighting the cold rain, the blustery winds and the 45 degree temperatures in the darkness - I passed two workers riding on the back of one of the Sonny's Solid Waste trucks, picking up our trash. None among us would trade our jobs for theirs...

Endorsements reveal political concerns (10/24/07)
I have always questioned the value and/or weight of a political endorsement. I suspect that some voters teetering on the fence between two candidates might be swayed with an endorsement they find compelling for whatever reason. I hope that's the case because I've been making political endorsements for three decades. And I'll continue until I get one right!...

'Prince of Pork' did not serve taxpayers (10/23/07)
Former St. Louis Congressman Robert A. Young III died last week at the age of 83. You would have had to follow Missouri politics for quite a while to recall Young. He was elected over 30 years ago to represent a blue-collar district in St. Louis. And Young was as blue-collar as you could get...

Missouri's seach for a poet stops here (10/20/07)
I have truly never contemplated any other career position other than the newspaper business. I acknowledge that some among you might suggest I consider other options but, at this point in life, I'm too old to learn new tricks. Actually, I'm getting old enough to even forget some old tricks...

No conspiracies, yet no apologies (10/18/07)
We hicks here in the Midwest probably have heard little if anything about Randi Rhodes but she's a leading liberal talk show host on Air America, the failed attempt to counter Rush Limbaugh, et. al. Anyway, Ms. Rhodes is a flaming liberal who makes ample enemies among the conservative population but then again, that's her job...

We should be flush with pride in U.S.A. (10/17/07)
I don't mean to sound like some over-the-top, flag-waving patriot but if you don't believe America is the greatest nation on this good earth then you need your head examined. Granted, we spend useless time pursuing useless agendas from time to time but generally speaking, I suspect we truly don't fully appreciate just how great we have it here in the good ol' U.S.A...

Let's just pull plug on this crazy notion (10/16/07)
As if you really needed it, let me give you one more tidbit to worry your tired brain. Let's say you are the parent of a young lady who comes home one night and proudly proclaims she has met the special object of her unending love and she plans to marry. Now, imagine that this "special object" is none other than a robot! You think this is far-fetched? Well, keep on reading...

Local volunteers deserve our praise (10/14/07)
As I sit here beginning to write today's column, I'm not certain how it will end. That may seem odd but, then again, consider the source. Let me begin by commending all of those within our community who volunteer their time, their talents, their energies and their finances to benefit others. I have long held the belief that Sikeston is one of the more generous, giving communities in the state. If measured in financial commitment, I assure you I can make that case...

Pot pies have lost place on my plate (10/11/07)
I'll admit I worry about the war in Iraq, I worry about our economy and I worry about the health care crisis that this country faces. But now I have to worry about Banquet pot pies, a staple in my life as far back as I can remember. ConAgra Foods, the makers of the popular Banquet pot pies, says the pies may contain salmonella and at least 139 cases of salmonella poisoning have already been reported across the country. ...

Legal workers are available for price (10/10/07)
Now the farmers in California are putting the pressure on Washington saying that many of their produce fields will rot this year because of crackdowns on illegal immigration. The farmers paint a drastic portrait of consumers spending more money for fruits and produce that is traditionally farmed by immigrant workers...

Racial differences are acknowledged (10/09/07)
Nike announced last week they are introducing a new shoe designed specifically for American Indians. The world's mega-shoemaker says the new shoes will help promote physical fitness among a population that is plagued by high obesity rates. On the surface and since Nike acknowledges that any profits will go toward improving health for the Indian tribes, I commend Nike in acknowledging that there are indeed differences between cultures and ethnic groups...

Hillary Clinton is wrong for America (10/07/07)
Even though the Presidential election is a year away, most political observers give the clear edge for the Democratic nomination to Sen. Hillary Clinton. Sen. Clinton leads in all national polls and her fundraising totals are astounding. Political pundits on both sides of the aisle point to the high "negatives" that the Senator must face with almost 45 percent of voters vowing never to cast a ballot in her favor. But still she grows in power and popularity as the election nears...

Showering praise on 'green' designs (10/04/07)
Let's assume that future generations will look back at these times we're currently in and thank us for saving the environment so that they will still have fresh water, clean air and ample ozone to protect them from whatever lurks out there to bring them harm. Or, perhaps, those future generations will scratch their heads in amazement that we somehow believed that changing light bulbs would actually make a difference. Oh well, since none of us will be around, we're left to guessing...

LCRA's efforts are improving Sikeston (10/03/07)
I was more than pleased to read the status report from the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority presented to the Sikeston City Council this week. By any measure, the LCRA's efforts to remove problem properties has been an overwhelming success. There is much less success, however, on the front of redeveloping some of these properties that have plagued our community for far too long...

Secession isn't the answer for St. Louis (10/02/07)
John Roach is a non-practicing attorney - whatever that may mean - who has proposed perhaps tongue-in-cheek that St. Louis secede from the fine state of Missouri. The author goes through a laundry list of ways that the fine city of St. Louis funds virtually every project throughout the entire state and he believes it would be better for St. Louis to perhaps join Illinois, where he believes more like-minds reside...

Focus should be on a politician's vision (09/29/07)
Like many of you, I have a love/hate relation with the political process. Sometimes I love to hate the entire arena. But more often than not, I'm simply fascinated with the manner we treat the journey from campaign to election day. I've cringed at the daily diet of political speak on the national level especially with election day so far down the road. ...

Some bumps ahead for state's highways (09/26/07)
When the Missouri legislature talks of transportation needs in our state, rest assured they are talking about Interstate 70 from St. Louis to Kansas City or they are talking about Interstate 44 which cuts from Springfield to St. Louis. In the minds of many of our legislators, these two routes are the only pressing transportation improvement needs in our great state...

Taxing minds, money on space is waste (09/25/07)
OK, so now we're headed to Mars. Or at least that's what the NASA officials said Monday. Our plan is to put a man on Mars by 2037 and to use the international space station as an outer space rest stop along the way. President Bush a couple of years back said that man will return to the moon in 2020 and that would be the first step toward exploring Mars. ...

Don't forget other goals for community (09/23/07)
By any measure, this week's "Bridge Summit," hosted by the city of Sikeston, was a rousing success. With civic, business and political leaders from Missouri and Kentucky, the summit brought together over 140 concerned officials who are seeking a new bridge over the Mississippi River to replace the current 1929-era bridge. The current bridge has the lowest sufficiency rating of any bridge spanning the Mississippi...

Creative alternative isn't right solution (09/19/07)
Sylvester Johnson is the black police chief in Philadelphia. By most measures, he's effective, popular and dedicated to law enforcement. But like countless other urban centers, Philadelphia has a growing crime problem. Johnson took an unusual step last week to address the growing murder rate in Philadelphia. And though I can't fault his plan, he has made a statement on the status of law enforcement that is chilling...

Is news about O.J. really news at all? (09/18/07)
Pray tell me why we have to endure more O.J. Simpson? The disgraced murderer (regardless of the outcome of a circus trial) has managed to keep himself in the news once again with an armed robbery in Las Vegas. I couldn't care less about the details of the alleged crime. I just want O.J. to quietly fade into the woodwork...

Efforts to remove illegal workers need support (09/16/07)
Back in December, federal officials with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had reason to believe many workers at the Swift meatpacking plant in Omaha, Neb., were here illegally. To put it bluntly, the fact that the plant employed a number of illegal immigrants was not the best kept secret in the world...

Criminal acts were brought on by hate (09/13/07)
Did you hear about these six white trash scum who held captive a young black woman and tortured and sexually assaulted her for nearly a week? The West Virginia incident - when read in detail - is one of the more abusive, inhumane cases on record. Somehow, these six managed to lure the young black girl to their trailer where they bound her, cut her, forced her to eat rat droppings and much, much more. ...

Mother Russia wants more moms to be (09/12/07)
The Russians have a problem. Ok, so the Russians probably have lots of problems but the one that has gained attention is their declining birth rate. And that has Russian officials concerned. So to combat this dwindling population, the Russians today (at this very moment in fact) are trying to solve that problem. Today is "Conception Day" in Russia and the entire population is being urged to do their part to increase the Russian population...

Bridging the river is now a safety issue (09/11/07)
The city of Sikeston will host a "bridge summit" next week to bring together officials from Kentucky and Missouri for a discussion on a new bridge spanning the Mississippi. The current bridge from Missouri to Cairo, Ill., is among the oldest and worst structural spans across the river. In light of the recent bridge disaster in Minnesota, everyone is taking a closer look at local bridges...

Lack of principles has America adrift (09/09/07)
Let me begin with an apology. The following column may seem inappropriate for a family newspaper especially on a Sunday morning. But this juicy tidbit out of our nation's capital is simply too much to ignore. Let me begin by saying Washington, D.C., is - in my opinion - not my ideal example of a capital city for the world's greatest nation. ...