Pragmatism. The word has reached a near-sacred status in the last decade, particularly since the awkward campaign and embarrassing loss of Hillary Clinton, but like all words, it can be bent to say what you want it to. The formal definition of pragmatism says: “1: A practical approach to problems and affairs tried to strike a balance between principles and pragmatism,” and … [Read more...]
Fillmore County: Increasing community philanthropy
In 1991, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) help seed our first community foundation in Wanamingo as a way to increase local giving. Even though SMIF serves a 20-county area, we realize that people want to give hyper-locally. SMIF is now the umbrella organization for 26 community foundations and 37 designated funds in our 20 counties. A big part of regional … [Read more...]
Letter about Senior meal changes at The Cracked Egg in Lanesboro…
To the Editor, We have come to a point in our business where we have had to make a difficult decision. Our time spent serving meals to our aging community has come to an end. We would like to thank the citizens of Lanesboro who have participated in this program at our restaurant. We have enjoyed your company, your wisdom and yes, even your humor. We want to also … [Read more...]
Devil’s Advocate…Caves and karst
Have you ever wondered what goes on beneath your feet as you walk on a sidewalk, a prairie, forest, or field? In Southeast Minnesota, we live in a spectacular and ancient landscape. Meandering streams shape our hillsides. Larger rivers cut through the bluffs as water continues its path of least resistance to the Mighty Mississippi. The flowing waters we see today and the water … [Read more...]
Nature’s Trust
The Nature’s Trust doctrine states that the government is obligated to act as trustee of the natural resources and assets that are subject to public concern and cannot destroy or sell to private interests what the people rightly own for themselves and for their posterity. It is a fundamental constraint on governmental power. Trustees are bound by exacting fiduciary obligations … [Read more...]
Congress needs to reassert itself on use of force
The Trump Administration, like its predecessors, has shown an apparent appetite for the use of force overseas. The “mother of all bombs” dropped on Syrian troops, saber-rattling toward North Korea, deployments of U.S. forces in 10 or more countries — all of this suggests a growing comfort with the idea of putting our troops in dangerous places. Politicians on Capitol Hill … [Read more...]
Nature’s Trust
By Dr. Bryan Van Gorp Rushford, MN The Nature’s Trust doctrine states that the government is obligated to act as trustee of the natural resources and assets that are subject to public concern and cannot destroy or sell to private interests what the people rightly own for themselves and for their posterity. It is a fundamental constraint on governmental power. Trustees are … [Read more...]
Who will we be?
By Eric Lee Harmony, MN The story of America is expanding. What I grew up with is vastly different from what today’s children will grow up with. The story is growing, and it leaves us with a choice. Growing up in the 1980s, we revered Christopher Columbus, and we learned glorious tales of the spirit of exploration, with the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. We … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Shifting gears
As we take to the road on these beautiful sun-filled days, we see hot rods and motorcycles revving engines up and down the highways. The increased torque and horsepower of these beastly machines would lead one to believe we have entered a new muscle car era that rivals the 1960s. The 2017 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat boasts 707 hp with 650 lb-ft of torque, claiming … [Read more...]
Talking to the other side
I’ve had a number of conversations recently that convince me our country is divided into two political camps separated by a deep and uncomfortably wide gap. No, I’m not talking about liberals and conservatives, or pro- and anti-Trump voters. I’m talking about people who believe in politics and our political system, and people who don’t. I’ve found this latter view expressed … [Read more...]