Commentary
The importance of getting this one right
Sometimes I open my mouth and my father walks out. He was a good man, rarely suffered fools and completed a World War II combat tour in the South Pacific, where he contracted malaria, which hastened an early death. He’s been on my mind because we just welcomed our first grandchild into the world, one […]
Omahans are in a unique position to counter election threats
A nail-biter of a congressional race. Dueling abortion ballot measures. A presidential election so close it has spurred talk that Nebraska’s unique electoral vote split could meaningfully tip the scales. These issues, local to both the blue dot of Omaha and red state of Nebraska, mirror the national picture in attention, vitriol and, safe to […]
Antisemitism? In Nebraska?
Earlier this month marked the anniversary of the Hamas terrorists’ attacks on the people of Israel. In remembrance, Nebraska’s state senators authored a letter that supported the Israeli people in their fight against terrorism. Unfortunately, that letter received less than unanimous support from its members. Our parents’ generation was supposed to have “peace in our […]
Medicare Advantage: A growing risk to Nebraska’s rural health care
Medicare enrollment period begins on Oct. 15, extending through Dec. 7th. Throughout this time, seniors across Greater Nebraska will receive numerous calls and letters urging them to switch to Medicare Advantage plans. While these plans often promote cost savings and added perks, the reality for patients and health care providers can be much different. Unlike […]
When protecting elections, how dynamic is too dynamic?
“Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” — UCLA Bruins football coach Henry Russell “Red” Sanders Recently, Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen hosted several other Republican secretaries of state for a conference on “election integrity and security.” Regarding the conference, Mr. Evnen said, “Election security is not static.… Election security is dynamic.” That reminds […]
Actually, Evnen and Hilgers were right
Imagine some law or policy you find reprehensible. (No really, take a second and do it. We have time.) Unfortunately, our own nation’s history offers plenty of examples. There’s forced sterilization during the eugenics craze of the early 20th century, leading to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.’s shocking conclusion that “Instead of […]
Our entrepreneurship opportunity
Older Nebraskans remember radio commentator Paul Harvey. Popular for his “The Rest of the Story.” Mr. Harvey told stories about someone or something, teasing his audience to guess who or what he was talking about. After a commercial break he shared the “rest of the story.” Entrepreneurship, or the creating and growing of businesses, is […]
Light, darkness and the wall between ever higher
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” — George Orwell, “1984” Please excuse a question in the lead, but why do we in the modern world — with better and shinier tools to mine certitude and gather facts — have such difficulty […]
Property owners, renters can help keep our communities safe from residential building fires
Oct. 6-12 is Fire Prevention Week, an annual campaign to raise awareness about fire safety, fire prevention and how to respond effectively if a fire occurs. During this week, it’s important to recognize that smoking is a leading cause of residential building fires. In 2023, Nebraska recorded 129 smoking-related fires, 28% of which were in […]
Nebraska is uniquely positioned to lead the world in sustainable agriculture
As Nebraska’s farmers bring in the harvest, it’s a reminder of the vital role agriculture plays in shaping our communities, economy and future. Built on generations of hard work, our state’s producers are key to ensuring a prosperous and sustainable agricultural legacy. It’s essential that their innovation and dedication are recognized and fully rewarded. That’s […]
Making the case on one idea only
Nebraska’s recent blue dot debate was not exactly about voter suppression. You could see it from there, however. Changing how Nebraskans divvy up their Electoral College votes is more akin to voter devaluation. I refer, of course, to the eleventh-hour pitch from a handful of Nebraska state senators, Gov. Jim Pillen, former President Donald Trump […]
Too late to resell the unsellable
I find no need to defend my wife from J.D. Vance’s gasbaggery. She’s plenty capable of that herself. Truth be told, with an MBA, careers in network television and banking and 31 years of motherhood under her belt, Vance would be overmatched. In Vance’s view, for the first 23 years of our marriage, my wife […]