There aren’t many people who would argue that Congress is working well these days. It’s been 24 years since it passed a comprehensive budget without resorting to omnibus bills. It can’t pass health-care legislation. Its members talk about the desperate need for a new infrastructure bill, but can’t even get one drafted. It’s unable to produce immigration reform. It’s facing a … [Read more...]
Devil’s Advocate…Atheism
In light of the article written last month about atheism, it is clear there is a severe misunderstanding among some county residents about others. I was encouraged to help set the record straight as best I can on what atheism is and who atheists are. Atheists, or non-theists, are people who do not assert the existence of God or any gods. That’s it. Note the lack of any other … [Read more...]
Deficits
Over the past couple of weeks, I came across a few interesting news items In one newspaper article a child psychologist wrote of her concerns about children who suffer from anxiety and depression. Certainly, worthy concerns and she provided good advice. Last week I came across another article that also impacts young children. Was there anything that had been invented that … [Read more...]
Letter about Catalpa LLC Environmental Impact Study…
To the Editor, As a dairy farmer with an approved feedlot permit here in Section 24 Canton TWS, Fillmore County and living only 2.5 miles from the proposed 1,900 animal unit hog facility, I believe Caltalpa LLC, the group building this facility, should be required to conduct an EIS (Environmental Impact Study) before they are allowed to build. With our karst geology, … [Read more...]
City infrastructure and finances – another perspective
By David Webb, MD Lanesboro, MN In response to the June 4 commentary by Peggy Hanson, while I am in basic agreement with her thesis, I believe she picked the wrong example to make her case. There were important factual omissions and errors in her brief description of a particular Lanesboro infrastructure project. I should like to present a more complete accounting of it … [Read more...]
Clean streams and well water threatened by factory farm proposal
By Barton Seebach Canton, MN The Catalpa LLC factory hog farm proposal that is being considered for a permit by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has residents, including me, worried about pollution of our streams and our well water. The nearly 5,000 sow farrowing operation proposed by an Iowa factory farm operator, Brad Herman, will produce more than seven million … [Read more...]
Politics: We need it
Every so often, I jot down a list of the things that discourage me about our country. There’s the widespread disregard for our core values of tolerance and mutual respect, for instance. Our declining national optimism. Our relaxed attitude toward fixing our election machinery, overseeing financial institutions, and making sure that our key democratic institutions and processes … [Read more...]
Concerning education
Education is the engine that will take us into the future. It is the journey of discovery of the world around us and our own inner world where we explore our own creative impulses. Education is the venue where we pursue truth and facts and attempt to balance reason and passion. It is the cradle of Democracy. If we hope to confront the problems of our time we need to make it … [Read more...]
Open letter to taxpayers and citizens of Lanesboro about important current issues relating to city infrastructure and finances
By Peggy Hanson Lanesboro, MN (Note – although this letter is specific to Lanesboro, it is fair to say that most if not all the small towns in our area are struggling with the issue of aging infrastructure. Financial assistance from the state has been declining and there is continuing inaction at the federal level. Are we adequately preparing for the future?) I write … [Read more...]
Common good vs. Self interest
By Dr. Bryan Van Gorp Rushford, MN Citizenship requires commitment to the common good. People we honor, further the common good. President Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Jesus directed people to feed the hungry, take in the stranger, cloth the poor, care for the sick and visit those in prison. Jesus said, … [Read more...]