Commentaries

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1/5/09 Everyone knows it's best to avoid talking about politics ... especially with family. But, as part of a week-long series of commentaries on KBIA, Gretchen Pressley has this essay on how an old political disagreement has led to a new family connection.

1/6/09 Childhood dreams die hard ... especially when it comes to the question: What do you want to be when you grow up? As part of a week-long commentary series, Chad Painter examines one childhood dream that he's OK with giving up ... sort of.

Sara Shahriari

1/8/09 Americans living on either coast really don't know much about the Midwest, especially when it comes to interpersonal relations. As part of a week-long series of commentaries, Sara Shahriari explains how she's begun to translate her own coastal indifference into Midwestern friendliness.

1/9/09 Appearances can be deceiving...but they still matter sometimes. Commentator Aarik Danielsen has this essay on why it's high-time people with beards get better treatment in society.

May 2008: Another seasonal series of commentaries.

5/17/08 This week, college students throughout central Missouri are graduating, saying their goodbyes to the college years. But as commentator Lauren Woolridge finds, one key aspect of everyone's college life is here to stay: Facebook.

5/16/08 Food is about much more than eating. It's a cultural phenomenon. Jill Hilbrenner (right) explores how her newfound food choices clash ... with her Midwestern roots.

5/15/08 Sometimes an entire world can be discovered right on your doorstep. Kate Schulman tells how she's been reaching for the stars ... literally ... from her home on the campus of MU.

5/14/08 Inspiration can come in many forms, some of them surprising. Brian Heffernan has an essay exploring the message behind ... monster trucks.

5/13/08 Our parents have a huge effect on our lives ... and sometimes, growing up, it's our friends' parents who have as much or more of an impact. Emily Sussman explores memories of one such mother ... whose eccentric lifestyle taught some surprising lessons.

5/12/08 Americans like their historical landmarks ... and people from St. Louis are no different. That city has one of the best-known monuments in the country. Mike McHugh takes a critical look at that legendary landmark known as the "Gateway to the West."

Elizabeth Brixey 5/11/08 This year, Mother's Day has arrived in the middle of a tight political contest that features a female politician aiming for the White House. Elizabeth Brixey (right) tells us how political campaigns have inspired her own reflections ... about her mother.

December 2007:
KBIA brings you a series that features a different local commentary each day. The series is part of a convergence project with an Advanced Writing class at the Missouri School of Journalism.

12/13/07 The saying "beauty is only skin deep" has a different meaning for writer Becky Kifer. In today's installment of our week-long series of commentaries, she explains how something that seems so simple – like, smooth skin - can be painfully elusive.

12/12/07 As the habit of smoking becomes less acceptable, and the policy of the city-wide smoking ban becomes more popular, many smokers are giving up the habit. As part of KBIA's week-long series of commentaries, writer Jake Seigal explains how the process of quitting can be... painfully romantic.

12/11/07 In the lead-up to the approaching presidential campaigns, healthcare is an important issue on the agenda ...but for many women, the real issues are not fit for public discussion. In the second installment of our week-long series of commentaries, writer Catherine Pierson puts it all on the table, so to speak.

12/10/07 When it comes to families is less more? ...or is it the more the merrier? Writer Anna Vitale looks at her family... by the numbers.

"Speaking of Liberty" - Student Commentator Henry Atkinson on Today's Political Landscape

08/10/07 Harry Truman is admired by most Missourians, especially Missouri Democrats. But, in the last of a series of political commentaries, KBIA's Henry Atkinson says Democratic politicians today seem to have abandoned Truman's foreign policy vision.

08/03/07 Country music provides entertainment to millions, but for KBIA political commentator Henry Atkinson, the music is about more than fiddles and guitars.

07/27/07 There are two types of intellectuals in contemporary American politics, and KBIA's Henry Atkinson examines the fault line that rests between two of them - Noam Chomsky and William F. Buckley, Jr.

07/20/07 The airwaves are filled with politicians and pundits who don't always see eye to eye. As part of a series of political commentaries, KBIA's Henry Atkinson looks at how their bickering may be hurting the debate.

07/13/07 Presidential campaign television ads tell us about more than just the candidates--they capture a culture in time. As part of his weekly commentary series, KBIA's Henry Atkinson takes a look at some of the most memorable campaign ads in TV history.

07/06/07 The British government has had a recent change of leadership. As part of a weekly series of commentaries, KBIA's Henry Atkinson takes a look at two of Britain's top political-party leaders, and examines what their views mean for America.

06/29/07 It's the year 2007 and politicians are still invoking the memory of Ronald Reagan. As part of a new series of political commentaries, KBIA's Henry Atkinson examines why people are still talking about the Gipper.

Irregular Commentaries by Nick Renkoski

05/18/07 Commentator Nick Renkoski has become an "irregular" fixture of Friday mornings on KBIA over the past six months. Last week Nick graduated, and in his final commentary he speaks about the road he's traveled so far, the people he's met on the way, and the road ahead of him.

05/11/07 Nick Renkoski has commented on everything from green beer to filet o' fish sandwiches with a lot of Polish tidbits stuck in there. But for this installment, in honor of this Sunday, Nick gives us the mother of all commentaries.

04/27/07 For sports fans, May is a good month. And it can be a, shall we say, colorful one for sportscasters, as KBIA's Nick Renkoski examines here with another installment in his series of occasional commentaries.

04/20/07 The Bob Dylan version of "Tambourine Man" or the Byrd's? The Isley Brother's "Twist and Shout" or the Beatles'? KBIA's own original Nick Renkoski takes a look at the best cover versions of some of our favorite songs in this commentary.

3/16/07 On this day before St. Patrick's Day, KBIA commentator Nick Renkoski wonders why it's the Irish who get such a popular holiday.

2/23/07 A special commentary from KBIA's Nick Renkoski, part of an irregular Friday morning commentary series. Today, Nick talks about Lenten Fridays, growing up Catholic, and fish sandwiches.

2/9/07 Commentator Nick Renkoski explains why he's peeved with the perceived lack of respect given to the University of Missouri's fight song.

May 2007:
KBIA brings you a two-week series with a different local commentary each morning. The series is part of a convergence project with an Advanced Writing class at the Missouri School of Journalism.

Local commentator Amber Murphy remembers growing up poor, and how she came to appreciate some of the simplest pleasures during her childhood.

Commentator Thomas Lundby reflects on his father’s struggles to find a job.

A missing eggroll prompts local commentator Dave Mezz to think about the nature of mistakes.

Local commentator Ben Palosaari isn't a smoker, but that doesn't mean he hasn't been affected by Columbia's smoking ban.

Alecia Warren recently celebrated her 21st birthday, and she did it in high style in Las Vegas...and with her mom in tow.

John Amick recently lost about 50 pounds, but gained too much attention.

Hear a series of student commentaries based on NPR's "This I Believe" here.
Hear Advanced Writing commentaries from Winter 2006, Spring 2006, and Fall 2005 here.