By David Webb Lanesboro, MN “The death of one man is tragic, but the death of thousands is a statistic.” – Joseph Stalin Sitting in the relative comfort and safety of my Lanesboro home, and never having been to the Middle East, I find it almost impossible to grasp the “statistics” from Gaza. Two and a quarter people living in a “confined area.” More than 1 in 100 … [Read more...]
Letter about recent rant…
To the Editor, Once again, we’ve been treated to a personal, anti-Democrat rant by Stan Gudmundson, without hearing anything about what his Republican Party actually stands for. It used to be fiscal conservatism, a strong military, a well-kept infrastructure. But according to Gudmundson, its really about anti-women’s rights, anti-LGBTQ, anti-immigrant, anti-Native … [Read more...]
Caucus Questions and Answers
By Wenda Grabau Spring Valley, MN What is a caucus? According to the “World Book Dictionary,” a caucus is, 1 “U.S. a meeting of members or leaders of a political party to make plans, choose candidates, or decide how to vote... 3 any similar meeting for the private discussion of policy.” Are caucuses in Minnesota only a political party event? No. Not only is … [Read more...]
Letter about who’s responsible for our drinking water?…
To the Editor, To move the Minnesota Well Owners mission to ensure drinking water safety, it is not helpful to cast blame. We know why drinking water is unsafe, and we know exactly how this happens, but the narrative cycles of blame are punitive, and today, the stories about blame are more popular than working together to find a solution. When we have bad drinking water and … [Read more...]
Our Dismal State of Affairs
By Stan Gudmundson Peterson, MN A recent study concluded that almost half of U.S. voters don’t vote on the issues or principles. Out of party loyalty, they vote for the party’s candidate/s or many say they vote for the individual running for office. Those reasons are more important apparently, than what candidates stand for, believe in, and vote for. It’s no wonder that so … [Read more...]
Letter about a perspective for compassion…
To the Editor, Just imagine if HORRIFIC EVIL took place by a militant group from the United States of America and 1,200 people were massacred. Imagine if the leader of the affected nation decided to wipe them out and attacked the USA. Imagine that in two months time, the populations of citizens in the following towns in Minnesota were killed and there was nothing left but … [Read more...]
Fighting to Stay Where Our Kids Are Wanted for Who They Are, Not the Money They Represent
By Tessia Wangsness Decorah, IA I’m writing as a follow up to the Decorah Community School District (DCSD) Board meeting Monday, December 11, 2023. One of the board agenda items was the “Review of the Mabel-Canton agreement.” A significant number of people were in attendance, including past and current Iowa residents who attend Mabel-Canton schools and their families, M-C … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotions: Giving Grace
By Pastor Stuart Weist First Baptist Church of Preston The Christmas season is upon us, and we know what that means. It’s that time of year to purchase gifts for family and friends, attend holiday concerts, put up lights, and hang ornaments on the tree. Hopefully all these holiday activities fill your home and heart with joy. Hopefully the lights remind you as a believer … [Read more...]
EPA Ruling Is a Wake-up Call to All of Us
By Daniel Wilson Rushford, MN Similar to what the EDA did in Flint, Mich., the EPA has determined that local Minnesota agencies have not been doing enough to protect south-eastern Minnesota residents from harmful elevated nitrate levels in their drinking water. In response to this, most elected officials seem more interested in grandstanding against imagined enemies than … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion: It’s A Miracle!
By Rev. Debra Jene Collum Chatfield United Methodist You know how sometimes familiar Bible stories take on new meaning? That just happened to me with the story of the feeding of the 5,000-plus. A quick re-telling from John chapter 6. Jesus has gathered a crowd of people around him. They follow him wherever he goes, apparently. One day Jesus notices that the crowd is “hungry.” … [Read more...]