Local Columnists

Bureaucracy leads to one size fits all policies, impeading on individual freedoms.

Despite what a person has done in the past, acts of violence and murder are not the solution.

The current social commentary of people like Beck, O'Reilly and Limbaugh is similar to the late '80s, early '90s hip-hop social commentary of Public Enemy, Brand Nubian and Queen Latifah.

Because the Fort Hood gunman Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is Muslim some people may jump quickly to conspiracy theories.  However judgments are premature because there are no facts at this time to verify any possible motive.

Eddie Cook has been a part of the Columbia Missourian for 50 years, and that's worth recognizing.

On Veterans Day, people should respect and honor the bravery of those who have served and sacrificed in America's armed forces.

After two local incidents involving Tasers, in which one resulted in the death of Stanley Harlan, it's finally time to rid Columbia of Tasers.

The 20th year anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall is approaching and festivities are planned to commemorate the day. After all this time has passed, what does Berlin look like?

William Powell describes his first-hand experience with the switch to general admission seating in the student section to accomidate the growing population. He discusses his discontent while attending home MU football games and the instances surrounding them.

The state's non-partisan selection process has worked well for 70 years and is the envy of other states. So why the push to reform it?

The recent election in New York's 23rd Congressional District shows fissures in the traditional two-party system of American politics. Is now the time for a party to represent the great American middle?

I'm fairly certain that everyone has something to worry about. And no matter what, it's probably not all that good for you.

The enormous space rock that plummeted through the atmosphere on Oct. 8 brought more than a smoky trail and a massive fireball. It brought perspective.

Cooperating with Cerner ties the university too closely to a company with a questionable track record.

New giveaways to seniors and others are unneccessary, and are being doled out by people who can't always keep track of their own money.

When a recession hits this hard, all we can do is try to learn from the experience. This time around, America is being taught some hard lessons about workers' rights. Workers must be paid a fair wage, be allowed to bargain collectively, be protected by government regulation and be treated with dignity.

The Onion, America's finest satirical news source, is celebrating its 21st birthday this week. Here follows a celebratory homage, an imagining of what a Columbia edition of The Onion — we’ll call it The Chive —would look like.

There are homeless people in our community who do not have pillows to rest their heads on, food to eat or clothes to wear. They cannot be forgotten, as the Lord tells us that the poor will be with us always.

As part of an effort to revitalize its influence in the Western World, the Roman Catholic Church is calling out to conservative Anglicans who disagree with their church's decision to allow gays and women to become bishops.

Over the years, I have written about things that have made my readers angry. Now, I am taking another stance that is certain to upset a few more readers. This weekend, I will NOT be cheering for the Tigers.