The Durant Daily Democrat

What Teachers Need

Teachers need our help. If we fail them now, we fail our children. Apparently, judging by the performance of Governor Kevin Stitt’s administration so far, we need to abandon any hope for help … more

By Jane Hicks | 9/23/21 06:12 PM

How can we save ourselves?

How can we save ourselves when what we need to save ourselves from is ourselves? A very difficult question to answer. That’s a huge problem. Many people of the United States are, indeed, … more

By Joe Littlejohn | 9/16/21 05:23 PM

Abortion law is devoid of compassion

The news coverage of Texas Governor Abbott signing the strict anti-abortion legislation, surrounded by his smiling, applauding colleagues is a classic picture of White Male Privilege. Before going … more

By Henry Brigman | 9/16/21 01:13 PM

One night in the distant past

One night in the late 1930s, when I was about four years old, my family and a friend drove from our home in Fort Worth to a stranger’s house in Dallas. For me, the events of the night were, … more

By Joe Littlejohn | 9/9/21 12:44 PM

Kidney stones can put kidney function at risk

If you feel a sharp pain in your back, side, lower abdomen, or groin, or have blood in your urine, you may have a kidney stone – a condition that is common and on the rise. Left untreated, … more

9/2/21 03:14 PM

It’s Church and State, not Church Is State

The Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or … more

By Phyllis Rustin | 9/2/21 09:59 AM

Women’s Equality Day

Women’s Equality Day is misnamed. In the U.S., It celebrates the ratification of the 19th Constitutional Amendment on August 26, 1920, that finally allowed women to vote. “Women’s … more

By Jane Hicks | 8/26/21 10:21 AM

Through the years, vaccinations have rescued the world many times

Until the Covid-19 pandemic, most middle-aged U.S. residents or younger may not have worried much about getting measles, mumps, or chickenpox. And some people had probably never heard of smallpox. … more

8/19/21 02:10 PM

Bye, bye Big Red

Oklahoma University has been my favorite football team from the 1950s until the week before last. I even had a cousin-in-law who played there. In the past few years, some of their moves have been a … more

8/19/21 12:40 PM

Opinion on hydro energy plant

Water has always been a hot topic in District 19, and the Kiamichi River tops the list of rivers to protect. I spoke out against Oklahoma City using the Kiamichi to transport water from Sardis Lake … more

By Rep. Justin Humphrey | 8/19/21 12:21 PM

Can’t those scientists make up their minds?

The other day, I heard an acquaintance say, “It’s no wonder nobody takes those CDC recommendations seriously. First, they tell you to do this, then not to do it—then, again, to do … more

By Joe Littlejohn | 8/19/21 11:16 AM

Oklahoma’s best kept secret - regional universities offer best value

Regional universities like Southeastern Oklahoma State University are the best kept secret of Oklahoma’s higher education system. Not only do they offer students a quality education, but they … more

By Regent Connie Reilly | 8/12/21 10:27 AM

Gov. Stitt strikes out again

Oklahoma’s Governor signed Republican law-makers’ anti-abortion legislation on August 5, 2021. The press release is shown below in italic, with the author’s reply following. Gov. … more

By Jane Hicks | 8/12/21 09:42 AM

Please take the vaccination shot

After a blessed few weeks of optimism that we were turning the corner on the pandemic that has largely controlled our lives for a year and a half—many businesses, entertainment venues, and … more

By Marion Hill | 8/5/21 12:38 PM

My positions on certain issues

Last week I have been criticized for my positions on Critical Race Theory (CRT), election fraud, transgender/gay marriage, vaccine mandates and media censorship. I am writing to officially declare my … more

By Rep. Justin Humphrey | 7/29/21 04:38 PM

New law restricts free speech

The 2020 Oklahoma legislature, in its “wisdom,” passed HB 1674, which was clearly aimed at people who exercise their First Amendment right to peacefully assemble. Not only does the … more

By Marion Hill | 7/29/21 11:58 AM

Tribes go AWOL on McGirt response

Tribal-government officials say they can handle the new responsibilities placed on them as the result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma, which effectively declared most … more

By Jonathan Small | 7/29/21 10:20 AM

Young Democrats national president urges local group to oppose new state protest limitations

“This is a First Amendment violation!” Joshua Harris-Till declared to members of the Bryan County Federation of Democratic Women at its June 20th meeting in the Donald W. Reynolds … more

7/29/21 09:43 AM

The effort to keep elections fair comes home

The ongoing struggle over voting legislation in the United States Senate broadens the job of protecting voters’ rights. Failure of the legislation, the “For the People Act,” would … more

By Joe Littlejohn | 7/22/21 11:05 AM

AllianceHealth Durant remains steadfast in service to Bryan County and surrounding areas

I write today with hope for the future and gratitude for the resilience of our provider team at AllianceHealth. The pandemic has demonstrated how interconnected we all are, the impact each one of us … more

By Kevin D. Samrow | 7/15/21 04:31 PM