STATION EDITORIAL

Posted November 11, 2020

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.

In the midst of what has been one of the most challenging years all of us have experienced, it's time to reflect during this Thanksgiving season, on all the many blessings God has given us.

He has given us life itself.  If you don't believe that, just look at the beautiful scene we call Nature.  Even skeptics have to admit that only some type of Higher Power, could create something as magnificent as the sunrises, the trees and their beautiful colors of fall, the sunsets, the oceans, the creatures, as well as man and woman.

In the United States, he has given us freedom.  Many times we don't realize how blessed we are.  Just listen to the news stories about other counties that DON'T have the freedom we enjoy.

And, despite all the challenges we've faced this year, He has blessed us with each other.  We're here to love, encourage and support each other, in good times and bad.

During this Thanksgiving season, we thank God for all of these blessings, and most of all, we thank Him for the opportunity of serving YOU, our great listeners and advertisers, from Monticello to Springfield, from Effingham to Hillsboro, and everywhere in between.  

We are honored to earn your listenership and your advertising dollars each and every day, and we don't take that for granted....ever.

So, from my wife Cathy and I, as well as our radio family at our Taylorville, Shelbyville and Clinton locations, we THANK YOU for allowing us to be part of your lives every day.  May you and YOUR family enjoy this Thanksgiving season together, remembering that we DO have so much to be thankful for.

And, that, is what Thanksgiving is all about.

That's our opinion...we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial-at-randyradio-dot-com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted November 11, 2020

Dear Editor:

The late impressionist David Frye had a routine where President Richard Nixon, as a high school football benchwarmer, urged his coach to let him in the game. “I have a plan that can win the game,” Nixon assured the coach. “And to this day”, moderated Frye, “that coach is still wondering exactly what Dick Nixon’s plan was.”

Those old enough may remember that Nixon had an equally secretive, albeit less comedic plan to end the Vietnam War, just one catch: you had to vote him into the White House for him to unveil his plan. Revealing it sooner, Nixon reasoned, would tip the communists off to our intentions.

If this campaigning strategy sounds familiar, it’s probably because you follow current events. “I have a plan for that” chirped Elizabeth Warren during the Democratic debates. Estimates on the Green New Deal range from $51-93 trillion, and Bernie Sanders suggested erasing all student debt.

But as Illinois Republican Sen. Everette Dirksen reputedly said, “A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you’re talking real money.” Remember when a billion dollars was considered a lot of money?

President Trump’s health care plan to replace Obamacare, a promise he’s made five times in 2020 alone is my favorite “secret plan” example. It’s always just a few weeks away, but will be worth the wait.

How does that saying go, “You can fool all of the people some of the time…”?

Nixon’s plan to end the Vietnam War was successful—for Nixon. It helped him get elected in 1968. The actual war ended differently.

When the smoke clears from the November 3rd election, we’ll better understand what we’ve learned since 1968—if anything.

Jim Newton

Itasca, Illinois  60143

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted November 1, 2020

Please note that per company policy, dewittdailynews.com edited the content of this letter.

Dear Editor:

I wear a mask out of respect for others, to protect myself as best I can, and to help protect others. I, frankly, feel patriotic in doing this single act. Then, someone else took it upon himself to decide who I am and why I was wearing a mask in public.

President Roosevelt in WWII said something very applicable to the viral invasion we are facing today:

"There is one front and one battle where everyone in the United States—every man, woman, and child—is in action, and will be privileged to remain in action throughout this war. That front is right here at home, in our daily lives, and in our daily tasks."

We already have the virus in our midst.  Families have lost loved one to this dreadful disease. In our healthcare settings, frontline workers risk their health and their very lives for others every single day.

We do not need to add the infections of ridicule and intimidation to the viral spread in our community.

Think before you speak, and maybe take some time to learn a little history before you warp it to a social media meme.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Burns

Clinton, IL 61727

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted November 1, 2020

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.  The title of this editorial is "The Answer is in the Middle, Chapter 2." 

In an editorial that aired in August and was also posted on both of our on-line daily newspapers, I pointed out that at the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, both Republicans and Democrats scared us into staying in our homes as much as possible because they didn't want to be blamed for killing off Grandma.

And, as we enter the holiday season months, cases are spiking again, causing Governor Pritzker to close restaurants and bars for dine-in service.  It feels like mid-March all over again.

In a recent interview as cases were spiking across the state, Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia said that unless Illinois took a more reasonable approach to mitigation, thousands of restaurants are at risk of permanent closure.  Toia added that closing restaurants for indoor service will result in the exact opposite of the intended impact of slowing the spread, as it drives people further into what he called uncontrolled, unmonitored private gatherings where few safety precautions are in place.

As I said in my August editorial, the answer is in the middle because that's where common sense is.  Common sense is to respect this virus by being responsible and making smart decisions.  Practice social distancing, wear a mask anytime you're out of the house going to school, the store or pharmacy, and wash your hands. If you're in the vulnerable population or have other health conditions, take that into consideration anytime you do anything or go anywhere.  

Even as more testing shows more positive cases, we should again be using common sense thru this.  

As free people, as adults, as grandparents, moms and dads, as human beings, let's apply common sense as we continue to maneuver thru this.  We are closer to the end of this, than the beginning.  I know fear remains about the unknown of when it will end. 

But again, the answer is in the middle.  Stay healthy and safe and there will be a positive end to this.

That's our opinion, we welcome yours. 

Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.