The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Watch the day's top political stories unfold
Tim D. Ripperger: MDC working on communication
Richard Massengill donated approximately 207 acres to the Missouri Department of Conservation in 2000. The Department of Conservation now holds this land in public trust and manages the area in a natural state for the citizens of Missouri as requested by Massengill. The Department of Conservation takes our public trust responsibilities seriously and works hard to promote, improve and implement conservation practices on public land throughout the state.
Larry Dablemont: Encroachment not intent of man's gift
A sleek looking buck jumped up from a brush pile where he was resting, and white-flagged it through the timber away from us.
He was on land owned by Deanna and Dacey Hewett, but there are posts across it with Missouri Department of Conservation’s yellow signs designating it to be its property. It seems it intends to take it, and take land of two other private owners, which are neighbors.
Miranda Lewis: Americans are at war with diabetes
If you have diabetes, you’re not alone. In fact, you’re one of more than 23 million other Americans who have it.
Did you know that diabetes is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, blindness and circulatory problems? Unfortunately, diabetes continues to be a growing problem in the United States.
Dzve Woods: Horror film prompts debate
Wally Kennedy loves to dig for the naked truth in a story. Last week, the longtime Globe reporter — who has spent years covering environmental issues in and around the town of Picher — discovered a story of a different kind.
Apparently, several locations — including a deserted church — in the almost abandoned community were being used by a movie company, deathfactoryinc.com, to film a hard-core horror film titled “Bad Girls Burn in Hell.” Once news of the flick made it around town, and locals took time to check out the company’s Web site, it wasn’t long until “Bad Girls” was forced to shut down production in Picher.
Guest column, Miranda Lewis: Americans are at war with diabetes
If you have diabetes, you’re not alone. In fact, you’re one of more than 23 million other Americans who have it. Did you know that diabetes is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, blindness and circulatory problems? Unfortunately, diabetes continues to be a growing problem in the United States.
Guest column, Tim D. Ripperger: MDC working on communication
Richard Massengill donated approximately 207 acres to the Missouri Department of Conservation in 2000. The Department of Conservation now holds this land in public trust and manages the area in a natural state for the citizens of Missouri as requested by Massengill.
Guest column, Larry Dablemont : Encroachment not intent of man’s gift
A sleek looking buck jumped up from a brush pile where he was resting, and white-flagged it through the timber away from us. He was on land owned by Deanna and Dacey Hewett, but there are posts across it with Missouri Department of Conservation’s yellow signs designating it to be its property.
Voices: An erstwhile liberal
We must make no mistake: “Progressivism,” “liberalism,” “socialism,” “communism” and “collectivism” all come under the umbrella of neofeudalism. All of these political entities denote systems in which we, the citizens, are reduced to a master-slave relationship to the state.
Voices: Foundation laid for MSSU international mission
Thanks for your insightful editorial in the Globe on Nov. 1 concerning the international mission at Missouri Southern State University.
Voices: Quirky calculation
Confession: For a week or so a while back, it looked as if seniors had breathing room.
Voices: Repeat the message
I would like to repeat Don Landrith’s letter (Globe, Nov. 4), as many times as anyone will listen. Some spoke up on Tuesday, loud and clear, when they went to the polls.
In Our View: Fort Hood tragedy
The facts as we know them are that an Army major, who was a mental health professional, shot and killed 13 soldiers (including himself) at Fort Hood, Texas, and wounded 38 others. Truly a tragedy of major proportions. Our hearts and sympathy obviously go out to the dead, the wounded and their families.
In Our View: Coke deal deserves to go flat
The CEO of the American Academy of Family Physicians says a six-figure deal with Coca-Cola Co. will not have any effect on the group’s editorial content about soft drinks and obesity.
Does that come with fries, too?
Voices: Sounds like a leader
The vote of no confidence for Bruce Speck is an embarrassment for Missouri Southern State University.
Voices: Think for yourselves
Saturday’s Globe edition Oct. 31 article, “We want equality for everyone,” needs to be evaluated to the fullest degree.
Guest columnist Bob Cumley: Kudos to local medical services
On Sept. 28, I had spinal surgery performed by Dr. Brian Ipsen of Orthopaedic Specialists of the Four States in Joplin. I would like to relate the positive experience I had.
In Our View: Let’s even the playing field
Area first-round high school football playoff games on Wednesday night were held minus several players. You might have heard about it, especially if you’re a student, a fan or a parent. We carried a brief mention of the suspensions Wednesday morning on the sports page in advances on area games involving Carthage and Webb City.
Voices: A special prayer
Oh God, help those who are hungry. When I have plenty of food, help me to remember those who don’t. My house is warm, help me to remember those that are homeless.
Voices: Medical Katrinas
There are wonderful intentions and desires in our search for “universal” health care. What have we learned from prescription Medicare D experience? We’ve seen the difficulty in acclimating seniors to 30-something plans in Missouri.
Voices: Overriding common sense
On Oct. 26, a Globe letter to the editor ran a letter from a man who referred to Highway 71’s four-lane extension from Fidelity Corners south to Neosho a few years ago. He wrote: “Why did they not follow the existing route south where the Missouri Department of Transportation had already purchased right of way?”
Voices: In defense of Rush
I’m thinking that I need to express much sympathy for Rush Limbaugh for being blocked by a powerful coterie of professional football investors from becoming a minority owner of the St. Louis Rams. Rush speaks well enough for himself.
Voices: Death of common sense
Will someone explain to me why we should have government-managed heath care? I don’t understand!
In Our View: Where do we go from here?
A vote on Monday by 78 percent of the faculty indicating “no confidence” in Missouri Southern State University President Bruce Speck’s leadership by a margin of better than 3-to-1 warrants serious and immediate consideration by the MSSU Board of Governors.
In our view: Time to get out of Iraq
It’s been six years and counting since our invasion of Iraq. What has been accomplished? Certainly a brutal dictator has been overthrown and his regime silenced. The Iraqi military forces and government are no longer a threat to any neighbors, including Israel and Iran.
Voices: Define ‘true and accurate’
The letter to the editor by John T. McDonald (Globe, Oct. 24) states that he is impressed by the standards of the written opinions that are published on the editorial page. He notes that the increasing number of varying points of view is very encouraging.
Voices: Polanski not above the law
We see it happen quite often — celebrities and others with “big names” committing criminal acts and believing that they are unaccountable for their actions. We see it happen with politicians, writers, even pastors and attorneys and others who are sworn to uphold the law. It also happens a lot in the entertainment world. One example is Roman Polanski.
Voices: Employees part of recovery
On Oct. 23, I had shoulder surgery at a local hospital. I am for some sort of health care plan where doctors don’t have to pay tons of money to protect themselves against silly lawsuits.
I am for a system that doesn’t rip off Medicaid and Medicare, I am for a system where the old or unemployed don’t suffer because they can’t afford treatment.
Voices: Effort would cripple nation
On Monday, Oct. 26, a letter appeared in the Globe under the headline “Disappointed in editorial.” This was from Emily Robinson, of the Union of Concerned Scientists, Chicago, Ill. Personally, I find it ironic that she is now from Chicago, but that’s another matter.
In her letter, Robinson takes The Joplin Globe to task for daring to challenge the “(consensus of) all major scientific institutions and professional societies around the world (that) concluded that human activity is driving global warming.”
Letter of the month: More rate hikes?
You have got to be kidding! We are struggling now to pay bills, the ones we already have, and now Empire and Missouri American Water have the nerve to want more because of upgrades and construction of plants of which some of them are not even here.
You know, our incomes do not go up year after year. My income has gone down steadily the last two years. So what makes you think we can keep paying this money you want? I think you should take the money we pay you month after month and invest that in your plants. Quit asking us poor people to help you. We could use some help too.
Other views: Regulations defy logic
Congress and the Obama administration continue to spend a great deal of time trying to come up with a way to regulate the financial services industry and irregular investment instruments that caused last fall’s financial disaster.
Lawmakers and regulators and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner continue to be at odds over some of the new regulations moving through Congress as part of an enormous regulatory overhaul bill.
Carol Stark: Candid talk paves way for 2010w/ Community Conversation interview audio
Before I left for China, Missouri House Speaker Ron Richard asked if he could bring a few committee chairs to the Globe to meet members of the editorial board.
In Our View: Don’t undercut mission
We believe the international mission at Missouri Southern State University is a critical component of the school’s educational experience. We also believe the international mission helps set MSSU apart from other Missouri universities.
Dave Woods: Global warming debate heats up online
Emily Robinson is disappointed in The Joplin Globe. Last week, the Globe published a letter to the editor from the former Missouri resident, and member of the Union of Concerned Scientists in Chicago, calling the editorial board on the carpet for our Oct. 20 In Our View editorial concerning America’s participation in the Copenhagen Treaty.
In Our View: Make good on promise for walking trail
While the Joplin City Council has effectively scrapped plans to build a walking trail at Schifferdecker Park, in our view, city leaders should reconsider their decision.
Voices: Government IOUs
Do you know what happened to a lot of the Social Security money that was put back?
Voices: No cause for celebration
On Sept. 20, the Empire State building was lighted red and yellow to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. At the same time, this event was either being celebrated on the south White House lawn or across the street, depending on whom you talk to.
Voices: We are in charge
My high school science teacher constantly repeated one of his standards to live by: When it concerns people and facts, believe none of what you hear, none of what you read and only half of what you see.
Jason Eberhart-Phillips, guest columnist: A mistake could have a devastating effect
It is my belief that our governor, Jay Nixon, of Missouri, is one of the very few officials who is taking very appropriate actions in starting actions to help correct one of many problems leading to the present dilemma.
Voices: Fiscal reality
I begin with a statement of opinion that is bleak. I believe that the financial situation in our country is the worst in our history in terms of long-term concerns.
Voices: More information needed
The Joplin Globe published an editorial on Thursday that attempted to reveal some of the ideas of our “Republican House leadership” on the issue of pending health care reform legislation and its effects on Missouri.
Voices: Government IOUs
Do you know what happened to a lot of the Social Security money that was put back?
Voices: We are in charge
My high school science teacher constantly repeated one of his standards to live by: When it concerns people and facts, believe none of what you hear, none of what you read and only half of what you see.
Voices: No cause for celebration
On Sept. 20, the Empire State building was lighted red and yellow to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Konrad Heid, guest columnist: Flying Joplin is still a good deal
Last week, my wife and I made a short return to Joplin first via Delta to K.C., then Great Lakes Airline to Joplin.
In Our View: Make good on promise
While the Joplin City Council has effectively scrapped plans to build a walking trail at Schifferdecker Park, in our view, city leaders should reconsider their decision.
In Our View: Breast cancer awareness every month
Pink bagels, pink hair, pink parades, even pink newspaper pages reminded us during the month of October that breast cancer is a problem in our nation, in our community, and for some of us, in our own homes.
Voices: Room for intelligent design
In her column of Oct. 23, Globe Editor Carol Stark mentioned the Chinese concept of the conflict between the yin and the yang producing harmony in the world. This is echoed in the Hegelian dialectic.
Voices: Let them buy it and build it
Toby Teeter and the Men of Briarbrook are again trying to tap into the pockets of the taxpayers to buy the golf course, and there are a few points the residents of Briarbrook should know about their proposed political subdivision and a community improvement district.
Voices: Too lenient
Day after day, we read about child molesters and sexual predators getting a plea bargain from the courts.
Voices: And so it goes
George and the compassionate aristocrats borrowed every dollar they could get their hands on for trickle-down economics, international socialism for starving great Satan haters and ultra-expensive weapons the military didn’t want, but the military industrial complex wanted to sell.
In Our View: Health care reform's effect on Missouri
Last week, Lt. Gov. Pete Kinder estimated that if national health care reform as currently envisioned in Washington is passed, it will require additional funding from Missouri in the range of $450 million.
Guest columnist Darrell Robertson: Thank a farmer for feeding America
In times like these, when agriculture producers struggle to make ends meet, it is important to reflect on the huge benefits agriculture has given the citizens of the United States and the rest of the world.
Voices: Political theater
Last week, the president, in his best portrayal of Mr. Haney from the television series “Green Acres,” declared a national swine flu emergency. This bit of political theater was made possible in part by two convenient occurrences.
Voices: Mail service regresses
When I was a boy, mother would receive a letter from California (her mother). It always arrived the fourth day from postmark and initially the postage was 2 cents. The letter was delivered to our place outside of Carthage. The mail carrier drove a horse hitched to a hack (a buggy with a weather-protecting box).
In Our View: Glimmer of hope that Congress is getting the message
Last week, the Senate defeated a proposed bill instigated by Sen. Harry Reid, the Democratic Senate majority leader, to fund increased payments to physicians by Medicare. The estimated cost of the proposed bill was $257 billion over 10 years.
Guest columnist Kaye Smith: DNR explanations only get scarier
And the drama goes on: Water testing reveals dangerously high levels of E. coli at Lake of the Ozarks, the Department of Natural Resources fails to release the results, officials accuse each other, a Senate committee investigates, officials point fingers at each other, some suspended, some fired.
What’s next?
Voices: Political ploy
As a senior citizen receiving Social Security, I completely agree with the position that the $250 bonus proposed by President Obama is wrong, not that the loss of the increase will not hurt.
Voices: Our most powerful weapon
The Globe’s October 26 “Other Views” editorial from the Mankato, Minn., Free Press regarding the $250 Obama wants to offer Social Security recipients didn’t go far enough.
In our view: Lankford deserving of award
As awards go, Missouri Superintendent of the Year is a meaningful one. This year it has been awarded to a Southwest Missouri superintendent. Ron Lankford, superintendent of Webb City schools, has been named Missouri 2010 Superintendent of the Year by the Missouri Association of School Administrators.
Guest column, Bob Steere: Potomac fever wrecking country
Often, more is not better. This statement seemingly is not a belief in Washington as our leaders throw trillions of taxpayers’ dollars into both ill-advised financial recovery programs and to continually finance and advance ill-advised wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Voices: Forgetting history
Several recent letters to the editor vilify what they label the “right wing lunatic fringe” and “radical, mean-spirited, ethically-challenged bullies” as Cal Thomas, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and other “half-wit hatemongers.”
Voices: Rhetoric vs. opinions
A recent Globe editorial was an assessment of current combative verbiage. It also acknowledged the Globe’s efforts to let readers express their opinions.
Following is my opinion: Verbiage from the far left started well before the November 2008 election and has focused on Bush’s marginal military success, the “catch-up” tactics of our intelligence apparatus and a perceived inadequacy of America.
Voices: Disappointed in editorial
As a former Missouri resident and someone who works with scientists, I was disappointed by your editorial on international climate change negotiations (“Not the time for climate treaty,” Oct. 20).
The science on global warming has been settled for some time. All major scientific institutions and professional societies around the world have concluded that human activity is driving global warming.
Voices: Is he genuine?
Missouri Southern State University President Bruce Speck has announced he will hold “listening meetings” to finally hear faculty concerns.
This begs the question: Why didn’t this happen during the past 18 months? It makes one wonder how genuine Speck remains when it takes the MSSU faculty senate to pass a no-confidence vote to get him to say he will listen.
Letter of the week: Shame on you
Other views: Turning $250 into $13 billion
President Barack Obama’s plan to offer Social Security recipients $250 is good politics but not good economics.
Obama proposed the payment as a way to make up for the absence of an increase this year in payments to seniors. Social Security payments didn’t increase because by law they go up by the amount of inflation and inflation was zero or below this year.
In Our View: Combine efforts
As the city of Joplin goes about seeking ideas and suggestions for future park and recreation amenities in Joplin, we would recommend working closely with Joplin School District officials.
Dave Woods: Prospect of Palin appearance sparks debate
She’s been hooked with a lot of nicknames: Caribou Barbie, the Wicked Witch of Wasilla, Gov. Mooselini and more than a few names unsuitable to print in a family newspaper.
Carol Stark: Is China poised for change?
Before I left for China, a friend asked me to consider whether I thought the country could realistically be governed as a democracy.
Voices: Globalist fantasy
Consider the plight of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. His main ally is led by a militarily and naively inexperienced fantasizing globalist who thinks he can charm the world by appeasing Muslim terrorists and other bellicose countries such as Russia, China and North Korea.
Voices: Best season
High school sports have become an important part of most communities. Through these programs, our kids are suppose to learn discipline, work ethics and teamwork while they create character traits such as integrity, perseverance and honor.
Voices: Opera opportunity
Recently, my wife and I sat in a darkened and virtually empty movie theater at Hollywood 14 in Joplin waiting for commencement of a high definition telecast of a performance from the Metropolitan Opera in Lincoln Center in New York City.
Voices: Involuntary insanity
My lack of understanding must be excused. There must be some unmentioned legal technicality or significant factor to explain such an anomaly as charging a person who has imbibed alcohol in a quantity that provides a blood alcohol level “more than three times the legal limit for driving” with involuntary manslaughter.
Jessica Schreindl, guest columnist: Site ‘invents’ differences
A new Web site created by none other than the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, Liz Cheney, is aggressively attacking President Barack Obama’s “weak” foreign policy.
Marian Kelly, guest columnist: ‘Sorry’ seems to be the hardest word
I was having dinner with friends when the conversation turned to social skills. I was reminded of a man I know who has a knack for saying the wrong thing and offending people.
Voices: Where are the troops?
I’d say 90 percent of the people in this nation do not know where their troops are stationed or how many. The following gives them insight where most of our troops are stationed; these are active duty troops.
Voices: What is true and accurate
Although it helps to have an impressive title, it is not required for an American citizen to flaunt one before or after his name for his opinion to be printed in the local newspaper.
In Our View: More green for greens
Kids aren’t getting enough green stuff on their plates. But the fix for that problem won’t be cheap.
That’s according to an Institute of Medicine report released this week that says school lunches need a makeover.
Carol Stark: China’s population challenges life’s balancew/ Community Conversation radio show interview
According to Chinese philosophy, yin and yang are opposites that complement the greater whole. It is the balance of life the Chinese often talk about.
In Our View: Organization takes a stand against child sexual abuse
Today, the Alliance of Southwest Missouri is taking a stand against child sexual abuse.
We would urge you to do the same.
Voices: Hats off to cooperation
From Beth Peacock at Memorial Hall, to Doug Joyce in the Parks Department, Joplin’s Health Department, both of the Lindas in the city Finance Department and Chief Lane Roberts of the Joplin Police Department, the city was more than helpful in the planning and organizing of our event, so that it took place without incident.
Voices: Nobel wrath: Is it jealousy?
I seriously ask: Has there ever been a conservative Republican receive the Nobel Peace Prize?
Voices: A good walk spoiled
Thanks to all the Joplin City Council members who voted against our walking trail at Schifferdecker Park. I bet none of you live on this side of town.
Voices: Cal Thomas — disingenuous
I find Cal Thomas’ sudden call to be outraged over budget deficits more than a little disingenuous.
In Our View: Unprecedented economy
Some proponents of change try to discount economic consequences by making comparisons to post-World War II debt: We got out of that situation then, and we can do it now.
Voices: Not a vacation
At least two community members quoted recently in the Globe have complained that trips abroad by Missouri Southern State University faculty are nothing but “summer vacations” at taxpayer expense.
Voices: Let’s take care of homeless
I can’t believe that I am writing a letter to the editor. Never in my 87 years of life have I felt led to do so, but two front-page articles in the Globe have caused me to stop and ponder where we, our government and citizens, have placed our priorities for the concerns of human life.
Voices: Sound strategy needed
Mostly I quit playing chess because the competitors were embarrassingly better than I in strategy. Neither the nation’s economy nor our health problems are as simple as the next move; let’s hope the Obama administration proves good strategists. The keys lie in choosing and enacting our moves.
In Our View: Not the time for climate treaty
Representatives of 192 nations are preparing to descend on Denmark in mid-December to talk about global climate change, its causes, the solution to the problem and a binding international treaty to enforce and fund the agreement.
Carol Stark: China offers history, glimpse of future
Is it possible to experience the wonders of the world’s past and future all at the same time?
It is, if you visit China.
In Our View: Texting ban should apply to all drivers
The City Council of Webb City is poised to make the same mistake as the state of Missouri.
Voices: Typical government
If anyone wants to see a preview of what national health care is going to look like, just look at Page 6D of the Oct. 16 Joplin Globe.
Voices: Debt growing too high
The U.S. is currently just $200 billion away from running up against the debt ceiling. The U.S. Treasury has asked Congress to raise the ceiling to keep the government from running out of spending authority.
Voices: Council makes right decisions
I commend the Joplin City Council for once again making a very wise decision not to allow the outright murderers of law enforcement officers the dignity of being rewarded by the owners of a building where they lived for a few days to circumvent ordinary zoning laws in a neighborhood.
Voices: Narrow-minded neighbors
How narrow-minded can these people get in the neighborhood of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde apartment not to let the owner do a bed and breakfast?
Guest columnist Kari Clements: ‘Breaking the cycle, beating the odds’
It is a fact that one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before the age of 17.
This statistic alone is difficult for most to believe. However, the overall rate for child abuse in Southwest Missouri nearly doubles the state and national average.
Voices: MSSU faculty stretched
I am a former, longtime Missouri Southern State University staff member. I personally know that a large majority of the faculty members do not make the huge salaries mentioned in the online e-mails and letters to the editor.
Some BSE graduates enter higher paying jobs after graduation than the beginning pay for incoming faculty members with Ph.D.s. Pay scale at Southern is not high for either the faculty or staff.
Voices: Bad call for highway
The Missouri Department of Transportation obtained some rights of way for a four-lane highway south from Fidelity.
The sharp engineers who did this must have been booted out, for when it came time to build it they contended another, longer route was cheaper, because they could use some old highway. They didn’t use any.

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