By C. Dale Walton
With a population that soon will surpass one-third of a billion people, America’s complexity defies the limits of the human imagination. No one, ultimately, can truly understand such a country, in the sense of having detailed insights into the specific needs of all its communities, ranging from tiny villages to neighborhoods in sprawling cities such as Los Angeles. Governments, however, are staffed by people—with all the human limitations that implies.
Editorials
Missouri road funding overdue for an update
By Eric Bohl
As political battles continue to rage over the Supreme Court, control over Congress and President Trump’s tweet du jour, a major ballot issue has been quietly gaining momentum. In November, Missouri voters will not only be deciding whether to give Senator McCaskill a third six-year term, but also will have an opportunity to increase road and bridge funding for the first time since 1996.
Can Brennan make a First Amendment case? Yes, to 'us'
By Gene Policinski
Does former CIA director John Brennan have a First Amendment case against President Trump for pulling Brennan's national security clearance? Definitely—in the court of public opinion, if not automatically in a court of law.
Echoes of John McCain in Missouri
By Phill Brooks
The death of John McCain has led me to reflect about his similarities with a Missouri state senator.
Like the deceased Arizona senator, the person about whom I write was a true maverick in his Republican Party, regularly standing up to pressures from GOP leaders to tow the party line.
Trade Commission gives victory to newspapers
By Rick Edmonds, Poynter Institute
The newspaper industry won an important victory in the International Trade Commission (last week), voiding so-called "dumping" penalties that had raised the price of Canadian newsprint as local papers are facing huge financial challenges.
'Enemies of the people?' Simply and plainly – 'no'
By Gene Policinski
Journalism and journalists are not "enemies of the people." A free press brings us the news of the day, from weather to Wall Street, and when done properly functions as a "watchdog on government." The public expects that first part, and the First Amendment—on behalf of all of us—protects that last part.