Opinion

There was a time when Charles Platkin could turn any day into an excuse for overeating.“When I was fat, I counted up my special days — there were 70 of them,” he told me during a phone interview Wednesday. “At one point,...... Full story

For some reason, winter seems to inspire flights of fancy more often than the other seasons.When a thick layer of ice on the windshield delays our morning commute for a few minutes, some of us playfully curse the name of Jack Frost, winter’s...... Full story

When my friend went for a doctor’s visit several years ago she was told she was experiencing change-of-life symptoms. She told the doctor that she had been through so many changes, one more would hardly matter. The last time I saw her, she was...... Full story

February is Boy Scout Month, and the organization is beginning its second century of guiding youth through the difficult times of adolescence to adulthood.There are many things that have kept Scouting going so successfully over these many years. One...... Full story

I am responding to the Sedline comment regarding living in Otterville. I grew up in Otterville. It has wonderful people and beautiful scenery to enjoy. No, it does not offer the amenities of a bigger town or city, but it is less than 15 minutes to...... Full story

Researching a specific past event generally involves piecing together information from a variety of sources. Primary sources include diaries, deeds, court records, birth and death certificates, the manuscript census reports, and other original...... Full story

I looked for the report in the Democrat of the Jan. 23 gathering of approximately 100 people at our courthouse. This memorial of now 53 million aborted babies since the Supreme Court 1973 decision Roe versus Wade has been held yearly.The Missouri...... Full story

“I am wondering why PROP or anyone else is going out to look for the homeless, because no one in this town wants a homeless shelter. So I don’t really see what the good is in it, other than to give them a blanket and tell them to leave...... Full story

With his decision to reject the Keystone XL pipeline, President Barack Obama has opened another front in his war on domestic sources of energy.For the first time in more than a decade, the United States has the opportunity to produce more oil at...... Full story

Some time ago, the subject came up about folks parking in the yard of their residence.Recently I learned from Mayor Elaine Horn and Public Works Director Bill Beck that folks parked cars on the snow route on the different streets, so that if we have...... Full story

The Swiss yodel all day while they milk cows. The Brazilians are wild crazy party animals who can all dance samba. The Austrians all wear lederhosen every day and the Germans have never been late for anything in their entire lives. Stereotypes can...... Full story

Don’t blame the local media. Don’t blame the county clerk’s office. Don’t blame the vast left-wing conspiracy. Blame Newton Leroy Gingrich. Residents called the Pettis County Clerk’s Office and the Democrat this week...... Full story

The State of Missouri needs a poet laureate and I was thinking I would be a good fit.So what you’re dreading is all quite too true: I’ve got another cheesy rhyming column for you.You might just think it a terrible trope, but to that I...... Full story

There is a question on the table. And we all need to answer this one. The question is: Do we all envy rich people? Think about it.I have heard this charge leveled at poor people, especially over the last few weeks, and so I’ve been thinking...... Full story

As a combat veteran myself, I have problems fully understanding why so much adverse publicity is being given to three or four Marines who were caught on tape urinating on dead Taliban combatants. Was this something that I would have taken part in?...... Full story