Opinion

GUEST COLUMN, Bob Ford

To Stump: In politics, stumping refers to an act of campaigning for office by traveling and speaking. A stump speech is a standard repeatable address a candidate delivers many times introducing themselves and their message to voters. The term stumping came from the early 19th century where candidates on the frontier would stand on stumps from a cut down tree, giving them a platform.

Lincoln was very good at it!

On “Honest Abe’s” second trip across Missouri he ventured into Kansas delivering numerous stumps.

MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

We continue a series, "introducing Jesus in the gospels", where we first saw John revealing Jesus as the eternal Word, light and life. Matthew illustrated His genealogy rooted in Israel's history. And Luke, a physician and historian, meticulously recorded events to affirm the certainty of Jesus' messiahship. Today, still in Luke's gospel, we shift to a human, historical lens.

The book begins with three announcements, the first of which is the coming of John the Baptist. The story contrasts corruption with faithfulness - doubt with trust - silence with joy - and reminds that God faithfully fulfills His promises in unexpected ways. The history of Israel had begun with God's word to Moses, calling His people out of 400 years of Egyptian slavery. Now in today's story, more than 400 years had passed since the last prophet of Israel had spoken. In the account, Gabriel came to bring a promise of deliverance from their new bondage, this time from Roman occupation, religious legalism, and sin.

GUEST COLUMN, Jackie Mundt, Kansas Farm Bureau

“I am so glad that I live in a world where there are Octobers.” That beloved line from “Anne of Green Gables” has always captured how I feel about this season. Growing up in Wisconsin, October meant crisp mornings that hinted at winter’s approach and warm afternoons that illuminated a canvas of orange, yellow and red across the countryside. It was the month of cranberry harvests, football games and the simple beauty of small-town fall.

Now that I call Kansas home, October feels a little different. The fall colors aren’t quite as bold, and sweater weather arrives fashionably late. But the season still carries its own charm. Combines hum steadily through fields, tractors plant wheat and grain trucks crisscross the highways. The landscape may look different, but the same spirit of productivity and community fills the air.

GUEST COLUMN, Star Parker

Few speak the truth as clearly and succinctly as House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Appearing on ABC's "This Week" last Sunday, co-host Jonathan Karl challenged the speaker's calling the recent No King rallies "Hate America Rallies," calling them "the modern Democratic Party."

Johnson responded that "there is a rise of Marxism in the Democratic Party ... just look what is happening in New York."

"They are about to elect an open socialist Marxist as mayor of America's largest city."

Johnson did not also note that this "socialist Marxist" has been endorsed by New York Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul.