Opinion

First off a disclaimer. I have great respect of Gene O. Morris, past editor and recent prolific columnist for the Gazette. Politically Gene and I sit on opposite sides of the fence politically. I consider myself a bit conservative and vote Republican. ...

Cruise social media today and you’ll see many Veterans Day posts honoring those who have served in the military. We owe much to them, not least of which is the opportunity to prosper under our form of government. It’s easy and proper to say “thank you for your service,” but the words aren’t much comfort to a veteran who is having a hard time finding a job...

Many people are saying the Democrats didn’t get the blue wave on Tuesday they were hoping for but I disagree. Before the election, most Democrats and a lot of Republicans agreed that the Democrats had a good chance of taking back the House of Representatives and the Republicans would most likely hold on to the Senate. ...

A number of schools plan special Veterans Day ceremonies Friday honoring those who have served in the military, in anticipation of Sunday’s official Nov. 11 observance. There’s no shortage of war veterans, extending backward from today’s conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, through Vietnam, Korea and World War II, and, sadly, veterans of those later wars listed are rapidly passing into memory...

With only two months left until 2019, I am beginning to prepare for another legislative session. I need to build strong relationships with the newly elected senators and also continue to reinforce the relationships I have with my returning colleagues. ...

I would like to respond to your full page political letter. Since I’m not as prosperous, I will use the Open Forum. I, too, am in favor of immigration, but it must have some degree of order. I’m here because of immigration being available. My first relatives who came to America arrived in 1630. Several stories to comment on to justify my opinion...

How do we as Christians address the immigration issue? We are so blessed to have been born in this wonderful country. I think everyone in the world deserves the same opportunity, but it must be done the right and legal way. We have a responsibility to take care of our own in this country first. The illegal immigrants that are here are costing our taxpayers $279 billion. How will we save our country from imploding if we keep piling up the national debt?...

Despite the scoreboard, elections are not a zero-sum game. Yes, the Democrats took control of the House by taking away seats from the Republicans, and the Republicans maintained control of the Senate by taking away a couple of seats from the Democrats...

“Why in the world,” I wonder, “do the people in charge of America’s actions want to build a wall to block our neighbors to the south from entering the United States of America?” I realize that kind of thinking is commonplace among those who already have their fortunes made, but it’s beginning to worry me because the wall-building hysteria is spreading to common people who should know better...

“Why in the world,” I wonder, “do the people in charge of America’s actions want to build a wall to block our neighbors to the south from entering the United States of America?” I realize that kind of thinking is commonplace among those who already have their fortunes made, but it’s beginning to worry me because the wall-building hysteria is spreading to common people who should know better...

I am writing this on the eve of Election Day so outcomes are all unknown as of this moment. What we do know that it has been a long and raucous campaign so far. Possibly all the uproar is the normal way of things and we just forget every two years until the next election. Maybe we want to forget...

Baby Boomers have long dominated American life, but the post-war generation has lost enough members to the point that younger generations make up a clear majority of the voters in Tuesday’s election. But will Generation X, Millennials and post-Millennial voters actually turn out in enough numbers to make a difference?...

1967. I lived on a farm in Saskatchewan Canada with my husband and five children. My husband wanted to go to Nebraska to avoid the cold winters. Our first trip had to be made to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, a 500-mile one-way with our five children. We needed to fill out paperwork and take pictures for our USA Alien Registration. ...

This letter is in response to the full-page diatribe by Gene O. Morris against our President, Donald Trump, in the Nov 1 McCook Gazette. I expected something better than a lot of name calling from an ex-publisher of the Gazette; However, like the mainstream media, Mr. Morris let his emotions get the best of him...

It was on September 11, 1970 when Vice-President Spiro Agnew, speaking at the California Republican’s State Convention, described the press as “nattering nabobs of negativism” because of their investigation of the Nixon White House. So we flash forward 48 years to hear similar sentiments coming from Donald Trump, even though his comments are much more explosive. ...

EDITOR’S NOTE: McCook City Council candidates were given a chance to respond to the following letter. We received responses from candidates Bruce Baker and Jared Muehlenkamp and a joint letter from incumbents Mike Gonzales and Gene Weedin. Dr. Mike Nielsen’s original letter is reprinted below, followed by the responses...

Our President has a problem. A very serious problem which not only affects him but also the people he loves. I know because I have the same problem. Donald J. Trump, the 45th President of the United States of America, and me. Gene O. Morris, a retired publisher from McCook, Neb., are both talkaholics...

Three former military men and a former secretary of state have seen a lot, but they don’t like what they see now. Madeleine Albright, secretary of state under Bill Clinton, and retired Gen. Colin Powell, who served in key foreign policy posts under Republican presidents condemned the current political climate during a lecture in Omaha on Tuesday...

One of my favorite shows growing up was the A-Team. The show was about four Vietnam veterans, framed for a crime they didn’t commit, helping the innocent while on the run from the military. Every week, it looked like they were in over their heads and this would be the time they would be caught and sent to military prison. ...

Eighty years ago today, many radio listeners tuning in late to the popular CBS broadcast, The Mercury Theatre on the Air, thought it had been interrupted by breaking news bulletin. What sounded like a normal evening radio broadcast of dance music was interrupted by reports of sightings of odd explosions on Mars...

Grannie and I attended a “Night on the Hill” this week. A host of volunteers working to make this community an ever better place to call home. Music, specialty snacks and tidbits to eat, libations in moderation, friendly conversation, a raffle and silent auction. Great prizes. Yes, it was the annual Hillcrest Foundation fundraiser and a great night out with friends who are pillars in our community...

Medical debt is the number one reason for personal bankruptcy in Nebraska. Bankruptcy ripples through the family and the community destroying lives and businesses. Court statistics show that expanding Medicaid reduces bankruptcy filings. According to the recent study from UNK, Medicaid expansion states are seeing generally robust economic growth and decreased bankruptcies. ...

Most new homes are much more energy-efficient than those built decades ago, with thicker walls, more insulation and better windows, plus they contain appliances like furnaces, water heaters, refrigerators and even toilets that use less energy. New zero-energy building standards have taken hold in Europe and spread to the United States, with the goal of creating as much energy — through passive and active solar, wind and other renewable energy sources — on-site as is used by the home...

For those of you who don’t know, Megyn Kellly is a former Fox News employee who was recently hired by NBC News to anchor the 9 a.m. version of the Today show. She drew intense criticism Tuesday morning when she questioned whether wearing blackface as part of a Halloween costume is actually racist during a segment on her show...

I admire the Nebraska Tourism Commission for trying to come up with a promotional program aimed at attracting more visitors to our state. Nebraska — strategically situated in America’s Heartland — possesses outstanding attractions and deserves to have the privilege of hosting guests from both near-by and far, far away...