Opinion

Critical race theory is one of today’s hot political topics. As we strive to maintain the values of the Good Life in Nebraska, we must have some basic understanding of CRT and racism so that we are not swayed by misinformation for political gain. Below are three statements that should help with understanding CRT...

Changing Populations and “AIMSOG” We have had three terrible, tragic shootings in the past week. On Friday 13, 21 people were shot in a series of related events following an NBA playoff game where the home team lost to the Boston Celtics. Fortunately, no one was killed, and 11 people have been arrested in connection with what is presumed to be gang violence...

Dear Editor, There is an unchanging principle of the life politic: “You get the government you deserve.” Most Americans know well the adage. However, apparently the majority of Nebraskans are either ignorant of, or else indifferent to this axiom. I would be surprised to discover that our state’s residents possess so insufficient a schooling in civics as to be oblivious to this truth. ...

Over the past several years, the McCook Economic Development Corporation has focused on childcare, with innovative programs to boost early childhood care and access. Once a month, Community Connection will share the view of someone intimately involved or affected by our community’s childcare situation. This month, Jerry Calvin shares how child care affects his business, Taco John’s...

The 47th annual Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week will be observed from May 15 — May 21, 2022. Every day, in communities across the country, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) professionals put their lives on the line to meet the needs of others. Their courage to serve our community, especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been a lifeline over the past two years and beyond. ...

Interesting Smithsonian exhibit at the Keystone to walk around and think about. It closes on the 25th of May so don’t delay if you haven’t experienced it. The theme is rural America and we live smack dab in the middle of it. For one it made me think of Grannie and my decision to “retire” back home here in this area. ...

The National Day of Prayer Last Thursday, May 5th, was the National Day of Prayer in the United States. I had the privilege of being the sponsoring senator for the event held in the Capitol rotunda in Lincoln. The prayer gathering was sponsored by Nebraska Family Alliance. ...

I like teachers. While it’s true that I’m no fan of Teacher’s Unions, and I think school choice should be considered seriously, teachers, as individuals, are a special breed. We entrust teachers with our most treasured assets, but as public employees, we also ask them to work with limited resources. Our teachers always rise to the challenge and should be appreciated accordingly. I certainly do...

Graduation week. A time to congratulate the high school seniors, that we know, wishing them well for achieving a major milestone in life. Tradition now seems to be a big reception, for friends and relations, following the commencement exercise to mark the significant occasion. Grannie Annie and I have attended a couple so far with both offering wonderful meals not exactly good for a weight loss diet but one can’t demur for fear of offending the host. Yes, I know!...

Dear Editor, The Friday 6 May 2022 AP article on employment is correct that the US economy added 428,000 jobs during April 2022. The story is only half the picture however. The 3.6% unemployment rate given in the story is the U3 and is defined as the unemployed actively seeking a job. ...

Dear Editor, Proudly serving Legislative District 44 since 2015, I have come to learn a lot about how things function in the Unicameral and what it takes in a person to be able to work with other people in order to get things done. I have learned there are a lot of unique values and traits that are required to accomplish this. One trait that is crucial when it comes to working on legislation is a deep understanding of all corners of this state, not just Omaha and Lincoln...

I’m a word guy. I have been since the first time I heard George Carlin in the early 1970s. In his “Class Clown” album, Carlin observed that words are inherently neutral and that if there are any “dirty” words, it’s because we have assigned an unpleasant meaning to them. The word itself, a collection of letters, is not to blame...

It was just an old airplane headed for a forever-after life in a museum. You, my dear reader, probably saw its picture on the front page of last Thursday’s, April 28, 2022, McCook Gazette. Sixty-two years old and providing worldwide airborne refueling services worldwide throughout its career. ...

Thanks to the generosity of the Kimmel Foundation and others as well as quick action by local organizers, a busload of local residents enjoyed a trip to Lincoln that included a Lied Center performance of “Come from Away.” We know of several other local residents who took in the show on their own as well; having a chance to see a play that’s appeared on Broadway more than a thousand times is not something to miss...

Former President Barrack Obama famously said shortly after his first inauguration that “Elections have consequences”. That was true back in 2009 and it is certainly true today. Although we are not voting for a United States President this election cycle, a lot of important races will be held next Tuesday, May 10th. These will have important consequences on the national, state and local scene...

Mexican drug cartels and Tammany Hall It’s no surprise that immigration issues are back in the news. They never really went away, but the topic du jour is a section of the United States Code, known as “Title 42.” The law in question grants law enforcement organizations, at the direction of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the ability to deny entry to asylum seekers if they pose a risk of introducing communicable disease into the country. ...

Retirement is finally here. I recently entered this new phase of life where I moved from the highly-scheduled routine of a professional working day to the less-scheduled day of home projects, traveling and a variety of community efforts. This will require a transition period. And I am finding that I need to add some routine to my days or I can simply while my time away. Without adding some intentionality to my schedule, weeks and months could slip away with little to show for my time...

We here in McCook have been fortunate to miss, so far, the Southwest Nebraska grass fires. To date two firefighters dead and too many farmsteads destroyed. For those affected it is hard to appreciate how their lives will be altered. Roads closed to travel. Dry conditions and strong winds are spreading the devastation. Hopefully, relief will be in sight soon...