Category Archives: Opinion

By Paula Damon “If the infinity of the sea may call out thus, perhaps when a [person] is growing old, calls come to him, too, from another infinity … more deeply mysterious; and the more … wearied by life the dearer are those calls…” – Henryk Sienkiewicz, 1842-1916, polish journalist, … Read Article →

By David Lias Following Tim Johnson’s announcement Tuesday that he had decided to end a political career that has spanned nearly four decades, I had to take a moment, upon returning to the office, to go back in time. I turned to the November 1986 Plain Talk, certain to find … Read Article →

By Paula Damon “God’s glory on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening. Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded, but their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere….” – Psalm 19:1-2, The … Read Article →

Excerpts from recent South Dakota editorials The Associated Press Rapid City Journal, Rapid City, March 13, 2013 Houston trip has potential If you want people to visit, you first have to invite them. That’s what a Rapid City group did recently when they traveled to Houston to meet with their … Read Article →

By David Lias Things were going so well. Last week was a busy time in Vermillion, filled with lots of good news. Hard work by community leaders, who had teamed up with state government officials, educators at the University of South Dakota, and private industry, means a new employer is … Read Article →

By Paula Damon Like any other writer, I had stories to tell this week – a party line of happenings, a parade of reminiscences, pleasant impressions, particular notions that ordinarily would take on complex examinations. Not this time. No. Rising above all that nice noise, one story delivered a dossier … Read Article →

Excerpts from recent South Dakota editorials The Associated Press The Daily Republic, Mitchell, March 6, 2013 Corn Palace big enough for state tournaments State tournaments were taken away from the Corn Palace in 2006 when the South Dakota High School Activities Association determined that the Mitchell landmark is too small … Read Article →

To the editor: If a person goes into debt and can’t pay his or her bills, he or she gets thrown into jail and he or she might lose their job! The United States of America is in debt and can’t pay their bills! So should the president go to … Read Article →

By David Lias Wow. It’s supposed to warm up to 50 degrees plus by the end of this week. Before you know it, we’ll be leaving our houses each morning in short sleeves and will be cleaning up our outdoor grills in anticipation of some delicious, outdoor-prepared burgers, steaks, hot … Read Article →