The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Watch the day's top political stories unfold
Voices: First ‘law’
Regarding capital punishment, I thought the letters published in the Globe (Jan. 31), while thought provoking, missed the point. Capital “punishment” for murder is not for “punishment,” nor primarily as a deterrent.
Voices: Great evening
What a great evening we had with friends, listening to jazz by Javon Jackson and his band of fantastic musicians.
Voices: Much appreciated
While I don’t know Jean Griffith of Carthage, he and I share a love for good music.
Voices: Another thought
As far as looking for a new location for the Joplin Museum Complex, I can’t think of a better place than Joplin’s empty airport.
Voices: Heath care for all?
To have or not to have health care is a choice many people make; it is low on their priority list, below beer, cigarettes, etc. I do not believe health care is a social responsibility!
Voices: Financing legal arguments
Perhaps as much as we worry about financially unfettered lobbying and political contribution, there appears no acceptable local grounds to put firm dollar limits on these expenses.
Russell Olds, guest columnist: Decision not based on ‘backlash effect'
I have to agree with The Joplin Globe that someone made a decision concerning the issue of building a sewer treatment plant for the city of Duenweg.
Other views: Senate falterson spendingrestraint
The U.S. Senate has failed to put some teeth in what seems to be a lot of proselytizing on the religion of fiscal restraint. The Senate voted 53-46 to establish a budget commission that would recommend a budget to reduce the national debt and deficit.
In our view: Paying the price
“Build it and they will come.”
Maybe that’s a fitting mantra for a baseball field, but it’s not exactly the slogan we’re looking for when it comes to jails and prisons. Yet, that’s the end result. No sooner is a new jail built or expanded, then it’s suddenly overcrowded.
Newton County Sheriff Ken Copeland is just one of many sheriffs in our area looking to expand his jail.
Carol Stark: Globe begins next chapter
Almost 114 years ago, three printers set up shop in Joplin on the northeast corner of Second and Main streets, and created a paper that later would become The Joplin Globe.
Jean Griffith, guest columnist: Stars shine for victims of
With the whole world watching, celebrities gave of their time and talents for the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti. And judging by the more than $61 million dollars in relief funds they generated in slightly more than 24 hours, their sacrifice on the alter of altruism was a rousing success.
Anson Burlingame, guest columist: What happens after taxes are raised?
After raising taxes as I recently proposed on my blog at joplinglobe.com, the following is what I would do next.
Jessica Schreindl, guest columnist: Ron Paul supporters likely in mourning
Last week, Sarah Palin endorsed Rep. Ron Paul’s son, Rand Paul, who is running for a U.S. Senate seat in Kentucky.
Ron Paul supporters everywhere are crying.
Dave Woods: Pot issue fires up exchange
The marijuana legalization debate flared up in the Globe’s comments section this past week. Nothing new, but still an interesting exchange.
Voices: Scary stuff
There was an interesting dichotomy between a recent Globe editorial and an article by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette columnist Gene Lyons in the Jan. 29 edition of the Globe.
Voices: Unite in the middle
Our country has become so radical on both sides of the aisle in Congress that it makes me sick! I didn’t fight for this.
One party spends too much, and the other doesn’t care at all about the common people.
Voices: Cancel, cancel, cancel
Most people who have studied history know about the Great Blizzard of 1888. However, few people are aware of another blizzard that year, one known as the “Schoolhouse Blizzard.”
Voices: Russia paid price
I am writing this letter in reply to a letter titled “Ungrateful Russia” by Clovis Steele (Jan. 19, 2010). First, I commend Steele for knowing something about Russian history. Due to word limitation, I can only rebut some of his comments.
Voices: Reward farmers
The local farmers have always protected their rivers and streams.
In our view: Taking different approach
Who says teens can only learn between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.? What’s wrong with developing class settings that address the needs of youths whose lives are anything but traditional?
And where is it written that once a dropout, always a dropout?
Voices: Memorial Hall crazy idea
I was delighted to read the letters from Clovis Steele about the history of the Memorial Hall, (Globe, Jan. 22) and Ronald Gentzler (Globe, Jan. 23). Mr. Gentzler was kind to call it goofy. I called it crazy.
In our view: Support for nuclear power
President Barack Obama now supports the construction and operation of new nuclear power facilities to generate commercial electric power. We agree and encourage moving forward with this source of clean energy.
Carol Stark, Editor's Notebook: What Wally Kennedy didn’t tell you
In today’s paper, veteran reporter Wally Kennedy wrote about a group of people from the area who are bound for Haiti and who will transport food, medical supplies and shelter into the country.
In our view: Backlash effect
Duenweg voters voiced their resentment toward a Joplin rate hike loud and clear on Tuesday when they approved a $6 million bond issue to build a wastewater treatment plant.
Anthony Monteleone, guest columnist: Corporations, politics shouldn’t mix
The Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in Citizens United v. FEC is a historic case, and a staggering blow against the First Amendment. In his Jan. 30, 2010 column, Leland Browne argues that an entity has the right to spend its own money in its own behalf.
Voices: Counting the homeless
As the 2010 U.S. census approaches, census takers and members of the homeless coalition are attempting to obtain an accurate counting of homeless individuals in the area in order to receive various funding to assist in servicing these displaced folks.
Voices: Thinking positive
There’s been many times I’ve wanted to write a letter to the Globe after perusing the editorial page contents, but after my blood pressure subsided I would let it go.
In our view: More of nothing?
We just completed a year of political rancor with health care dominating the arguments between Democrats and Republicans. The end result was nothing — no bill, no change in health care. All the American people received from Washington was blame from both sides to fail to correct a big problem.
Voices: Voodoo economics
If Obama wants to stimulate the economy and create jobs, he should abandon this silly spending freeze and actually make some orders from companies.
Bryan Stevenson, guest columnist: Doctors know patients best
While we are all concerned about the high cost of medical care, especially in these intense times of health care reform, one aspect does not change: Doctors must decide what medications and therapies are best for their patients.
In our view: Protecting our rivers
The Spring River Watershed Partnership, a committee of the Environmental Task Force of Jasper and Newton counties, is looking for ways to reduce bacteria levels in Spring River.
Voices: ‘Stockholm Syndrome’
It seems that neither autism nor fibromyalgia really got the attention that it deserved until they were more fully defined and diagnosed. Now some of the experts say we have another problem — the Stockholm Syndrome.
Voices: Good work
I am here in the Tri-State Area for a “winter holiday.” I grew up in Baxter Springs/Riverton and always enjoy coming home.
Voices: Get the lead out
Voices: Welcome to Winnipeg
I am not really delusional enough to suggest that the current winter that we are experiencing in the Four State Area is comparable to the extremely severe winters that they suffer through in Canada. Figuratively speaking, we are having a challenging winter again this year.
Voices: Hope for genuine reform
I definitely understand the anger and frustration of “Invoking God” (Jan. 4, Opinion page).
Despite my fear of big government intrusion, I am open to the concept of health care reform legislation.
Voices: Candidate’s platform
I am a candidate for the Joplin School District Board of Education. I have worked in our schools for 30 years as both a custodian and a building engineer.
John Joines, guest columnist: Museum plan presents opportunity
I watch and listen with great interest as local citizens express their opinions concerning the request to convert the Joplin Memorial Hall into the Joplin Memorial Hall Museum.
Other views: U.S. can’t disengage from world
American involvement in Iraq has finally managed to turn a hopeless situation into something that might resemble success. Fighting in Afghanistan still rages, though it seems to take a back seat these days to wars being waged on the television talk show circuit.
Readers react to death penalty: Society not original author
You asked for comments concerning capital punishment, and for the most part that’s probably what you will get.
Readers react to death penalty: Costing the taxpayers
I read the article two days ago in your paper about Kansas thinking about doing away with the death sentence or, as some call it, the death penalty.
Readers react to death penalty: Cheating the death penalty
We favor the death penalty. My mother was murdered in Oklahoma. We can still see her head twisted to the side with a telephone cord tied around her neck. Her ribs were broken from abuse to her small body.
Readers react to death penalty: Life sentence is better
For most of my life I have been in favor of the death penalty, however after several years of careful consideration I have changed my mind.
In our view: Funding our parks
Missouri’s is a premier park system.
No doubt about that.
Landowners who have made generous donations for parks such as Roaring River and taxpayers who have four times endorsed a statewide sales tax to build and support that system have made it so.
Dave Woods: Should lawmakers be drug tested
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces do it.
High school athletes and students who participate in extracurricular activities do it.
And, if a Missouri legislator gets her way, so will the elected representatives from the Show-Me State.
Carol Stark: Online book club to launch
Terry McDermid’s son thinks I’m really setting her up for abuse. At least that’s what she told me after she agreed to blog for the Globe.
Becky S. Brannock, guest columnist: School counselors work for students
School counselors work in elementary, middle and high schools across the United States with the profession continuing to expand into many countries throughout the world.
Terry McDermid, guest columnist: Libraries helped inspire young writer's ambitions
February is “Love A Library Month.” Two years ago, the Jay, Okla., librarian invited me to speak to their monthly group because I write about love and relationships.
Voices: Rather long sermon
The president’s State of the Union address on Wednesday sold very well, at least for the first 50 minutes. He acknowledged that getting unemployed back to work was important. He suggested that the federal government should cut its cost of doing business, as any good CEO knows.
Leland Browne, guest columnist: Corporations not inherently evil
President Obama and his supporters seem to have their knickers all twisted over the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing corporate (as well as union) campaign contributions in elections.
In our view: Reconnect with Neosho residents
We had hoped that Jan Blase would not contest a Neosho City Council vote to fire him.
We do not think Blase had bad intentions. We do think he made bad choices, but his departure would allow the city of Neosho to start fresh.
Voices: Can you hear us now?
Scott Brown’s Massachusetts victory, in a state that hasn’t voted for a conservative since black and white TVs were popular, was a wake-up call to the delusional individuals running Washington about the current plight of the nation.
Voices: Go back to your house
If Southern conservatives had remained in the Democratic Party, Barack Obama would not have been nominated.
When Sen. Trent Lott praised segregationist Strom Thurmond, George Bush and the compassionate aristocrats demanded he step down.
Voices: Emphasize Route 66
As a Joplin native and avid Route 66 supporter, I know that Brad Belk, director of the Joplin Museum Complex, has expressed concern about declining visitor traffic at the present location, due in part to a lack of good, readable signage on Seventh Street (Route 66) needed to direct visitor traffic to the museum that sits in the middle of Schifferdecker Park.
In our view: Reducing big money’s influence
Few Americans want any single person or group of people to dominate our political discussions. At the Globe, we publish many op-eds taking opposite sides in an argument. On the other hand, we take sides in our paper’s institutional editorials. That is just basic, fundamental free speech.
Voices: Distractions
After transportation officials estimated that 44 percent of all vehicle accidents in the United States are being caused by drivers playing with cell phones while driving, we get this interesting headline from Dale McFeatters: “Motorists to get new distractions.” (Globe, Jan. 8.)
Voices: Underused asset
Area residents who are into fitness may well be aware already of a not-so-well-kept secret.
The secret is the Beimdiek Recreation Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus.
In our view: Global war hits close to home
Two front-page articles in Wednesday’s Globe brought the Afghanistan war down to the local level.
The stories included interviews with people, some local, who have either been there or are currently fighting in that war.
In our view: Minding the money
Consider the notion of putting money in the bank every day, but never seeing a statement. Instead, you are expected to trust that your money is where it is supposed to be. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it?
Rep. Roy Blunt, guest columnist: Health bill demands transparency
Tonight, the president will give his State of the Union address. As Congress enters the chamber to hear what he has to say, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has her own resolution for 2010: ram through their government takeover of health care, despite the fact that only 37 percent of Missourians support the Democratic bill.
Bob Steere, guest columnist: Don’t phone home if driving
Yes, sirree! I surely believe Missouri will make the “Top 10 List for Silly Laws.” How many other states only restrict children from texting messages while driving? After reaching age 21, adult drivers in Missouri can text in one hand and use a second phone to argue with spouses or check the price of tires.
In our view: Creating more jobs
The focus in Washington is being placed on the creation of jobs. Mindful of the implications of the loss of a traditionally Democratic Senate seat in Massachusetts to Republican Scott Brown, White House advisers see Wednesday’s State of the Union speech as an opportunity to deliver a new message.
Voices: Zero for six
The Obama “mojo” is “gone-jo.” In spite of his glib rhetoric, Virginia-0, New Jersey-0, the Olympics-0, Iran and “the” bomb-0, North Korea ditto-0. And now, Massachusetts-0.
Voices: Hasty decisions
My, how quickly a month goes by, which is enough time, according to Joplin’s museum director, for the City Council to decide the fate of Memorial Hall.
Voices: Beats the alternative
There is certainly an element of truth in what Steve Cottrell says (Globe letter, Jan. 21).
Voices: Senior moment?
Did “senior fellow” Thomas Sowell have his tongue-in-cheek (Jan. 13), or did he suffer a senior moment?
In our view: A walk in the park
The Missouri Foundation for Health has provided a grant of nearly $300,000 for local health advocates to promote exercise and nutrition.
Dave Woods: Cindy McCain gay marriage sparks debate
Cindy McCain is out of the closet ... as a supporter of gay marriage and opponent of California’s Proposition 8, a ballot measure passed by that state’s voters in 2008 banning same-sex marriage.
That’s a shocker.
W. Jay Mitchell, guest columnist: Phone customers will be the losers
When some of the biggest companies in the world start talking telecommunications policy, the residents of Missouri should grab their wallets.
The consequences for consumers are particularly grave as state lawmakers debate telephone access rates.
Anson Burlingame, guest columnist: Editorial leaves only questions
This column is in rebuttal to the Globe editorial “Firing those bankers” (Jan. 17). I will not use Dante inferno metaphors or quote from St. Thomas Aquinas to make my points simply because I do not find them constructive or applicable to current debates on the banking industry.
Jim Stone, guest columnist: We don’t communicate
Newspapers have served us well for a very long time. We can recount instances of yellow journalism, editorial bias and corporate favoritism without succumbing to the cynical attitude that “all media is corrupt.”
James R. Wheeler, guest columnist: Who’s holding the government accountable?
Accountability in America has been in decline for decades, and the decline appears to be accelerating. Examples abound.
In our view: Downsizing government
Our readers often express concern about the ever increasing size of its government. At last, we get some hope that someone is listening. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon last week, during his state of the state speech, said he has identified some of the “bureaucratic kudzu” and is taking steps to ...
Carol Stark: Do you favor death penalty?
Many, many editorials have been written about the death penalty. Some have even won newspapers and writers Pulitzer Prizes.
But they all had to start with a back and forth around the table as members of an editorial board examined their convictions, those of the community and the newspaper’s institutional view on the subject.
Voices: Just plain goofy
I think moving the museum to the Memorial Hall and spending some $7 million dollars to renovate it for museum use is the silliest idea that’s come out for a long, long time.
Voices: Hall of what?
I say, and 70 percent of the honest sports fans who are not prejudiced about their teams, I think would agree.
Voices: Running red lights
We need cameras on lights at major intersections and we need more officers on Range Line.
Voices: Dramatic failures
When (and if) the panic and indignity settle down, it will be worthwhile to remember that both the Christmas airline terrorist and the earlier fellow with the shoe bomber were basically dramatic failures, in comparison, and are both now out of circulation.
Other views: Senate’s minority
Imagine a school board polling its residents on an important change in school policy, and that despite a 59 percent against and 41 percent for, the school board voted for the change. There would be no small amount of voter outrage.
Yet this is exactly what happens time and time again in the U.S. Senate.
Voices: Unpredictable public
Despite being over half a century old now, I continue to be astounded by the totally unpredictable actions of the general public.
Voices: Memorial Hall
At the American Legion Post 13 meeting on Jan. 14, the main subject was the proposed renovation of Memorial Hall for the Joplin Museum.
Voices: Reinventing history
If God gave us all the same gift, then we might have a world filled with doctors but no electricians.
It took an inventive genius, Thomas Edison, to invent the light bulb. If the world waited for intellectuals to do it, then we would be using kerosene lamps.
In our view: Neosho needs trust
The city of Neosho is to be commended for releasing more information to the public in the wake of its confession about the depth of its financial woes.
Voices: Back to 1984
First we had the shoe bomber. Then we had to start taking our shoes off. But now we have the underpants bomber. Before it’s over, we’ll probably all be required to have a colonoscopy just before we board a plane. Well, better safe than sorry, right?
Voices: Beyond our understanding
In December, a couple of letters to the editor mentioned two legally recognized atheistic religions: scientology and humanism. If a religion can be atheistic, then what is meant by religion?
Voices: Abortion is the greatest evil
The methodical devil, with his evil voracious appetite for souls, has indeed, clearly chosen a masterpiece of evil.
In our view: Listening to the people
The people of Massachusetts made a surprising choice Tuesday by electing Scott Brown, a Republican, to the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by John F. and Ted Kennedy. It was also held by John Quincy Adams, for whatever that is worth.
Only 12 percent of the voters in that state are registered Republicans. A wave of Democrats and independent voters made this victory happen.
Voices: Outsmarting germs
Whenever anyone brought up the subject of “germs,” grandpa always declared there were no such things as germs. If there had been, everyone who fought in the Civil War would have died of germs instead of enemy bullets.
In Our View: Listening to the people
The people of Massachusetts made a surprising choice Tuesday by electing Scott Brown, a Republican, to the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by John F. and Ted Kennedy. It was also held by John Quincy Adams, for whatever that is worth.
In our view: Lessons outside classroom
We all know some of life’s best lessons are taught outside the classroom.
We’re sure that was true Monday for some 200 Missouri Southern State University students who volunteered their time working in the community as part of the annual Day of Service to honor Martin Luther King Jr.
In our view: More than a photo op
The photo of former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton standing beside President Obama outside the White House was a photo opportunity to support aid for Haiti.
In our view, that photo reflects much more than our efforts to deal with the current crisis in that impoverished, neighboring country. It reflects 17 years of U.S. government policies and laws.
Voices: Health care for all
Our nation is still celebrating the election of President Barack Obama, a Hawaiian- born son of an African father and a Kansas mother. What a wonderful affirmation of the goodness of the people of this nation.
In our view: Would King still have a dream?
On a hot August day in 1963, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. looked out over those who had gathered in Washington, D.C., to hear him speak.
The civil rights leader had titled his prepared speech “Normalcy No More.”
Justin D. Gilstrap, guest columnist : Potential exists for real destination
I have been reading and watching news articles pertaining to the proposed conversion of Memorial Hall into the new Joplin Museum Complex and I would like to put in my two cents worth of opinion. I am asking you all to please strongly reconsider this idea.
In our view: Health care — When interests don’t align
Shocking news about Johnson & Johnson illustrates the ugly choice facing most Americans: 1) Public health care, at the hands of an often overwhelmed, incompetent bureaucrat; or 2) private health care, at the hands of greedy corporations putting profits before people.
Wally Kennedy: Under the stars of Haiti
Last week, while watching a team of reporters from MSNBC at the airport in Port-au-Prince talk about what they had seen in the aftermath of Tuesday’s earthquake, I was stopped in my tracks by something that was said by news anchor Brian Williams.
Robin Carnahan, guest columnist: Missouri holds lessons for Wall Street
It’s become all too clear over the past several years that policy makers and regulators in Washington failed to do their job by allowing irresponsible players on Wall Street to drive our nation’s economy into the ground.
R. Duane Graham, guest columnist: Limiting citizens’ legal rights doesn't constitute freedom
Allen Shirley, without disclosing his connection to the pharmaceutical industry, has written negatively at least twice now about Democratic efforts to reform the health care system.

Popular business directory searches