Forgotten Holiday

Editorials

Written by Doug Anstaett / Kansas Press Association Wednesday, 12 December 2007 15:58

December is famous for Christmas Day and Pearl Harbor Day, but how many of you know the significance of Dec. 15? It’s Bill of Rights Day, a day set aside each year to remember what it is that makes America unique from most other countries around the world.

Those first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution are critical to our nation’s freedom.

While Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Ben Franklin fought for independence, you might be surprised to learn that George Mason is considered the Father of the Bill of Rights.

Why Mason? Because in his call for independence from Great Britain, he wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which later became the basis for our own statement of individual rights in America.

Mason wrote...

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Lights for Lehigh

Editorials

Written by Don Ratzlaff Wednesday, 28 November 2007 01:41

The Old Testament Prophet Isaiah proclaimed, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light” as a prelude to his foretelling of the birth of Jesus, son of God: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given....”

It is both foolish and fitting to call that Scripture to mind in the wake of the “great light” of Christmas coming to Lehigh through the generosity of sisters cities around Kansas who responded to the community’s heartfelt inquiry. (See our Page 1 story.)

Of course, it is exaggeration to suggest Lehigh residents were ever walking in darkness, but it’s true that no resident of our little sister city to the west had ever experienced decorative Christmas lights along Main Street. Until now—that is, if...

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No need to cheer for Mizzou

Partly Nonsense

Written by Joel Klaassen Wednesday, 05 December 2007 14:41

I didn’t root for Missouri once during the Big 12 title game on Saturday night.

Since whom I cheered for had absolutely nothing to do with the outcome, it made no sense to cheer for Mizzou. That a Missouri victory helped KU’s chances for a better bowl invitation had nothing to do with anything.

It does show there is very little room at the top. When the stakes are high, whatever happened before is meaningless.

38-17

It is always great to have son Dan home for a few days. It is also fun to have his buddies over for a meal and hear about the shenanigans they pulled when they were just out of high school and sowing their oats.

I’m jealous I didn’t think of some of the stuff they did.

When the state switched from four to eight...

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The anti-holiday

Editorials

Written by Don Ratzlaff Wednesday, 21 November 2007 08:40

The U.S. economy is fueled by an insatiable desire for more possessions. Our culture preaches the principle that bigger is better and more is always magnificent. Rising higher on corporate and social ladders defines our pursuit of happiness. Power and prestige are the epitome of accomplishment.

Into this materialistic and possessive mayhem comes the antithesis of the American Spirit, a holiday called Thanksgiving. On this day we are challenged to count our blessings, to humbly consider how fortunate we are, to be grateful for small wonders, to contemplate the possibility of being content with the simple extravagance of having family and friends who love us.

Don’t miss this holiday. You will be richer for having experienced it, if...

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