Opinion

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Reita Isaacs, Liberal

Anyone ever get caught up in a shock-and-awe situation where you wait a few days before you respond and still something tells you to “wait?”

I had settled down with my coffee and started my observations about Charlie Kirk’s assassination when I got that nudge to stop. After several failed attempts to make rational conclusions, I deleted everything. Many days have gone by with new audios, interviews, and videos being released, and tonight I watched the two newest that confirmed my decision — Tyler Robinson was not the assassin. Yup, you heard me right.

SAINTS PERSPECTIVE, SCCC President Brad Bennett

The first day of fall happened this week, and it was a reminder that we are coming up to the last part of the calendar year. It’s hard for me to believe that we’re in the last quarter of 2025. Time seems to be going faster than ever.

But as we all know, that is just how time works. Fall is the time of year when many things come to a close, as the days grow shorter, the temperature drops, and we do those last-minute clean-up jobs in the yard and the garden. It can feel bittersweet to say goodbye to the backyard cookouts and slower pace of summer.

GUEST COLUMN, Rosemary Mai, Salina

Freedom of religion and freedom of speech are not favors handed down by Washington. They are rights — foundational, God-given rights — recognized in our Constitution to ensure that no government, no matter how powerful, can strip them away.

And yet, new proposals in Congress would do exactly that. Cloaked in the language of “reform” and “accountability,” these measures would empower federal agencies to decide which churches, charities, or community groups are allowed to operate. If an organization’s beliefs don’t align with the prevailing politics of the day, it could face audits, frozen donations, or even the loss of its tax-exempt status.

That’s not accountability. That’s control.

MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

The person who knows us best is Jesus, and the best way to meet Him is through reading four books in the New Testament, called the Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John offer a portrait of Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection, and invite us to know Him personally.

The Old Testament provides the story of God’s preparation to send the Son to be the Messiah (called Christ) to deliver the world from the grasp of evil. New Testament letter writers such as Paul and Peter help clarify the meaning of Jesus’ life, and the Gospels give us a picture of His interaction with the Father and people.