The Durant Daily Democrat

Let’s have a little talk sometime

Like a lot of other people, I’ve been watching the TV reports of violence around our country—mass shootings, the Capitol siege, physical attacks on Asian-Americans, mobs, riots. I used to … more

By Joe Littlejohn | 5/13/21 03:18 PM

Whose lives matter?

Black lives matter. Blue lives matter. All lives matter. Which statement is accurate? All of the above. When the “black lives matter” protests began in 2013 over the frequent … more

By Marion Hill | 5/5/21 11:46 AM

Do you want your country back? Or forward?

David Bullard, Oklahoma Senator (R-Durant), said recently in the YouTube video of “An Evening with Bill Ledbetter and David Bullard,” as covered in the Durant Weekly Democrat on April 1, … more

By Jane Hicks | 4/29/21 10:59 AM

Capitol update for District 19

I wanted to inform District 19 on one of the latest controversies that I find myself in. I have been receiving negative news coverage over my role in Senate Bill 2. I managed to get an education … more

By Rep. Justin Humphrey | 4/22/21 04:51 PM

An evening with Bill Ledbetter and David Bullard

Last night I listened to the full session of “An evening with Bill Ledbetter and David Bullard” on YouTube. Ledbetter is the pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Durant, and Bullard is an … more

By Jane Hicks | 4/22/21 11:11 AM

April showers bring May flowers

There has always been the old saying “April Showers bring May flowers.” When this statement is being said, it seems to bring a smile to people’s faces. This statement has been used … more

4/21/21 01:04 PM

Jerry Tomlinson deserves our thanks for his stewardship of Durant

After I graduated from Durant High School in 2003 and became a student at Southeastern, I first had the opportunity to meet Mr. Tomlinson when he spoke as Mayor, representing the City of Durant at a … more

By Mike Davis | 4/14/21 07:32 AM

Violence against Asian people escalating again

Sometimes it seems we’re not teachable, since we have to keep learning the same lessons over and over. The United States has a long, sordid history of mistreating various groups within its … more

By Marion Hill | 4/8/21 06:28 PM

McGirt replaced shared destiny with mass upheaval

In 2016, Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby stressed to members of Congress that there “are no reservations in Oklahoma. People from many backgrounds are neighbors who live, work, play and … more

By Jonathan Small | 4/8/21 10:12 AM

Finding common ground on abortion

Can we ever find common ground on abortion, a compromise between those who think it’s always wrong and those who think it’s wrong for legislators to close off options? Many Oklahoma … more

By Jane Hicks and Marion Hill | 4/1/21 12:22 PM

Doctor’s Day 2021

Delivering medical care during a global pandemic has required teamwork at the highest level, and doctors are fundamental to this effort. As the country celebrates Doctors’ Day on March 30, I … more

By Kevin Samrow | 4/1/21 11:32 AM

Who knows the will of God?

“America is a nation in rebellion against God,” announced Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) on February 25, 2021, speaking from the House floor. He repeated the line, then added, “Whenever a … more

By Jane Hicks | 3/25/21 10:10 AM

We must end the cycle of racism by remembering and reckoning

Numerous incidents this past year have increased discussion over what constitutes a hate crime. Just about every minority community has endured violence throughout the world based upon this type of … more

By Joe Dorman
CEO – OICA | 3/24/21 04:26 PM

Looking back at Black History Month

Here in the United States, we had some noteworthy commemorations last month, February, in Black History Month—good TV shows and newspaper and magazine articles, for instance. In view of … more

By Joe Littlejohn | 3/18/21 10:44 AM

Humphrey says he fights for religious freedom

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane last week gave an impassioned debate on the House floor about the protection of the right to worship even during times of emergency such as … more

3/11/21 02:34 PM

Democrats must claim the high ground

Since Michelle Obama said “When they go low, we go high,” several liberal pundits have often said that’s not the way. If the Republicans resort to lies, disinformation, and dirty … more

By Jane Hicks | 3/11/21 10:29 AM

Consider the source

During the fall of my sophomore year (1967-68) at Sapulpa High School, I faced the infamous U.S. history class by Mrs. McAlester. I remember long lectures, hours of note taking, shivering by open … more

By Phyllis A. Rustin | 3/4/21 09:40 AM

For economic growth, personal income tax matters most

With Democrats holding Congress and the White House, most officials expect states to soon receive yet another round of federal bailout funding. That will translate into hundreds of millions of … more

By Jonathan Small | 2/25/21 05:13 PM

Reader appreciates article by People First Industries board member

Dear Mark Swearengin, I really enjoyed your article on People First Industries. It was began by a retired teacher many years ago. She rented a small shop on Main Street close to where Rick’s … more

2/25/21 04:42 PM

‘Snowflakes’ and thinking

I see that State Senator David Bullard has filed Senate Bill 588, which he labels the “Students’ Bill of Rights” and which supposedly would “protect public school students … more

By Marion Hill | 2/25/21 10:20 AM