Opinion

MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

[After several months of studying the life of Jesus, we saw that His parting commission was to build the Church. With the directive to Peter, “Feed my sheep”, Christ’s Church was established. We’ve also looked at the importance of showing love in the church and finding unity despite differences. In 1 Corinthians chapters 12, 13, and 14 we are told that there’s no value in efforts without love. The following is adapted from an article first published June 25, 2020, during COVID-19 lockdowns, regarding the Church.]

SAINTS PERSPECTIVE, SCCC President Brad Bennett

Earlier this summer, the sound of music drifted across the Seward County Community College campus. I mean that literally. The community theater group Rainbow Players staged its production of “The Sound of Music” at the Clifford & Irene Pepper Showcase Theater. The cast featured several members of the SCCC staff and relatives of faculty and staff, but in my view, every person on stage was a member of the Saints family.

That’s because we truly view our campus as home to the community, a place where people can eat, exercise, learn and be entertained, whether that is by watching the summer league Bee Jays baseball team or cheering for the Saints basketball team — or enjoying a musical.

GUEST COLUMN, David Kappos, Council for Innovation Promotion

Just before Christmas, Congress added – and then abruptly dropped – a section of a proposed spending bill aimed at limiting the number of patents pharmaceutical manufacturers could assert in patent litigation.

If lawmakers revisit this bill, Americans suffering from diseases will bear the weight of the consequences.

The lawmakers behind the bill have good intentions. They're trying to prevent exploitation of the patent system in ways that prevent cost-effective drugs from reaching the market.

GUEST COLUMN, J. Basil Dannebohm

In Aug. 2017, author Michael Wolff was conducting research for his book, “Fire and Fury.” He spoke at considerable length with Jeffrey Epstein. On August 10th, 2019, the notorious sexual predator was found deceased in his prison cell. His death was ruled a suicide. In November 2024, Wolff released the audio files of his interview with Epstein. The deceased pedophile made frequent references to his friendship with Donald Trump and their escapades as they pursued women on the streets of New York and Atlantic City. He accused Trump of being serially unfaithful.

On Feb. 27, 2025, a group of 15 MAGA “influencers” were provided with binders labeled “Epstein Files” and Trump-branded hats during a visit to the White House.