McCook Daily Gazette: Opinion

An economic success (02/09/10)
First a quiz. What is the enterprise generating the most economic impact in the City of McCook? If you said agriculture you are right on. Second question. Name a facility that provides good, wholesome, family friendly, free entertainment 200 days each year right here in Southwest Nebraska? You answered the Kiplinger Arena at the Red Willow County fairgrounds and you are correct again...

Let voters decide (02/09/10)
Past councils have supported preservation of the former YMCA, Keystone Hotel, bathhouse, bandshell, passed a resolution and provided letters of support in preservation of historic buildings at McCook Army Air Base. The Nebraska Historical Society recommends rehabilitation of West Ward School and the High Plains Museum board also voted in favor of saving the building...

Bad times coming (02/09/10)
I was amazed and dismayed to read the Open Forum letter from Eldon Moore in support of President Barack Hussein Obama. Because our nation was founded as a Christian nation, we have enjoyed wonderful blessings and tremendous success from the Lord. People from other nations have flocked to the U.S. and are still standing in line to come here, because it's still the land of opportunity and freedom...

Wind in the sales of good teachers (02/09/10)
Don't expect alternative energy to be a cash cow any time soon, but a bill that would tap in to wind power, generated on school lands, has merit. LB1014, introduced by Sen. Ken Haar of Lincoln, would create a fund with money from wind-energy leases on land owned by the Board of Educational Lands and Funds, which would then be paid out to teachers who were performing well...

Repairing own car a basic right (02/09/10)
The Car Talk guys on public radio had a point when they wrote the book, "Why You Should Never Listen to Your Father When it Comes to Cars," noting that things like electronic ignition, fuel injection, anti-lock brakes and a myriad of computer-related issues have changed everything since old Dad learned how to change the oil on his '57 Chevy...

Celebrating a century of Scouting (02/08/10)
This week marks an important milestone in America and it's one that deserves attention because it involves preparing young people to be good citizens. A century ago on February 8, 1910, the Boy Scouts of America was incorporated to educate boys and young adults about character, participating in society and personal fitness...

The boys from Alaska (02/08/10)
A few years ago my wife, Jean and I had the good fortune to attend a Health Seminar in California. It was an informative week. We learned a great deal about what makes us tick, and how to care for our health. But the most interesting part of the trip turned out to be the people we met, ate with, and talked with at the seminar...

Misguided pride (02/08/10)
With regard to the article, "Proud of Nelson," by Rick Poore on Monday, Feb. 1, where the author outlines a litany of facts which are patently false to justify his misguided pride in Sen. Ben Nelson. All of this to the complete absence of the real facts that Nelson in his own self-serving manner made a deal behind closed doors with Reid and Pelosi, trading his vote for a pay-off that would financially benefit Nebraska and his own re-election, But instead, made a mockery of us, the citizens of this state and a reason to be ashamed before our fellow states of the union. ...

Less than thrilled (02/08/10)
In his letter to the editor on Feb. 4, Republican "Mucky Wuck" John Sieler shared information about the money his entourage spent in McCook on feed, lodging, etc., during their recent gathering. He failed to mention that the Republican Party also spent money to put up its billboard message on the east end of town...

Evidence that abstinence works (02/08/10)
With local schools depending on state and federal funding, it's inevitable that political considerations will follow. Few programs are more controversial than sex education, and with the shift from right to left in Washington, "abstinence only" programs like those favored by conservatives and religious groups have fallen out of favor. ...

Be a part of Governor's Ag Conference (02/08/10)
Be Part of Governor's Ag Conference By Governor Dave Heineman February 5, 2010 Dear Fellow Nebraskans: I want to share a preview of what you can expect at the 2010 Governor's Ag Conference. The 22nd annual conference will be held March 3- 4 in Kearney. The theme of the event is "Nebraska Agriculture: Your Industry. Your Story. Your Future."...

3,800,000,000,000 (02/05/10)
On Monday, February 1, President Barack Obama submitted his budget proposal for the coming fiscal year. This is the first step in the budgetary process, though the evolution will continue on for several more weeks as Congress proposes its own version...

Santa Claus Lane of McCook Nebraska -- the true story (02/05/10)
This is a story of an artist, U.S. (Bill) Grant, and his family, residents of McCook. Dad had an idea and he named it Santa Claus Lane. I feel Dad wanted to surprise the residents of McCook by giving them a Christmas gift, for all to enjoy. Dad's vision was born at our home, 711 W. ...

Drugs and doctors (02/05/10)
Drugs don't always work and doctors aren't always right. In the Feb. 8 edition of Newsweek magazine, science editor Sharon Begley reports something many of us already intuitively believed; that some drugs aren't effective and placebos can result in a self-fulfilling prophecy...

Colorado Springs pushing limits on cutting city services (02/05/10)
How much service should we expect from our city government? It's a question city councillors struggle with every budget season and city administrators deal with on a day-to-day basis. Now one of the bright spots on the front range of the Colorado Rockies -- Colorado Springs -- is finding out just how far city services can be cut...

In search of Castor and Pollux (02/04/10)
Now in our tour of the Winter Circle or Hexagon, onward and, well, sideways. The next stop is actually two stars, Castor and Pollux, the "twin" stars in the constellation Gemini, the Twins. The pair can be found by starting at our last stop, Capella in Auriga and extending a line right and slightly up for about 30 degrees (the distance of three clenched fists held at arms length)...

Great hospitality (02/04/10)
On behalf of Republicans in the 2nd Congressional District and across the state of Nebraska I want to say "Thank You" to the people and businesses of McCook for their friendliness and hospitality in hosting the Nebraska Republican Central Committee meeting last weekend. Everyone I spoke with was cordial and friendly...

Head protection vital, regardless of helmet laws (02/04/10)
Helmets are in the news again, along with important questions of personal safety and responsibility going up against issues of personal freedom. All sides seem to agree, however, that special care needs to be taken when it comes to the safety of young people...

Embarrassed (02/03/10)
I was born at Best, Neb., in 1929. I survived the Dust Bowl. Proudly, I enjoyed the songs "My Nebraska" and the lady's World War II song to the tune of "My Darling Nellie Gray" about our children off to fight for country Now I am very embarrassed that we have a Senator Ben Nelson bowing to corrupt politics...

Together again (02/03/10)
The pain was finally gone as he rode the big bay horse up the narrow, winding trail. For some reason, this muscular man in black couldn't remember much from the previous week. Probably a bad rap on the head from getting bucked off some wild mustang, he thought...

Fair system needed (02/03/10)
You may not want to publish this letter in your Republican paper in this Republican community. I am one of those old radicals that have too much idle time to read and watch the news. Our free enterprise system has been so good to most of us in our age group. Democracy is the best. After you read this, you may call me a "socialist."...

The anonymity of cyber-space (02/03/10)
I found myself indulging in an activity late last year that I usually avoid. Perhaps indulging isn't quite the right word. Perhaps I should say -- exposing myself. Not to worry, this column isn't for mature audiences only. I frequently peruse online blogs, finding the commentaries to be informative and, at times, explosive. Reader comments always seem to add fuel to the fire and different perceptions emerge from unlikely sources...

Vaccine facts won't change minds (02/03/10)
Vaccine facts won't change minds The final retraction of a study that seemed to show a connection between autism and a common childhood vaccination should be the end of the issue, but it won't. Neither did the elimination of a mercury compound from the vaccines nine years ago, which, by the way resulted in no decline in autism, reduce the controversy...

No reason to gloat over Kansas' lost litigation funding (02/03/10)
Kansas may not be able to push quite as hard in its case against Nebraska over Republican River water, but don't expect the issue to go away any time soon. It would be funny if there weren't so many farms, jobs, businesses and taxpayer dollars on the line...

Send Bibles (02/02/10)
Dear Editor, The recent natural disaster in Haiti has claimed thousands of lives. I urge all Christians to send Bibles to the survivors. That way, when they read the word of God, they will have food, water and shelter. Steve Stramel, McCook