To the Editor, Holy Lucifer! I read Col. Stan Gudmundson’s column in your December 12 issue. I thought for sure he was writing about Dante’s Inferno. Upon rereading, it became clear that maybe he was scape goating atheists for his own confusion on his own immortatlity. We all know we will die sooner or later, but the real question is how have we dealt with our lives … [Read more...]
Letter about Voting freedoms of Minnesota…
To the Editor, I’m glad I live in Minnesota. I have only been here a little over two years. But it feels like I moved back to America after living in Wisconsin. I decided to look into the voting laws here recently and want to share. I love all the new freedoms after living in a state that is controlled by restrictive voter laws put in place by corrupt politicians that pick … [Read more...]
Fairness and integrity are essential in the election process
As I take a look back at the 2016 election, two issues should be examined to assure future free and fair elections. First, we should have a constructive and bipartisan discussion about the benefits of the Electoral College. We are in a time of instant information and communication. When our forefathers drafted the Constitution, it was a time of very limited communication. … [Read more...]
Why fake news is dangerous
Franklin Roosevelt once said, “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely.” He was talking about why education matters in a representative democracy, but it’s a safe bet that had he known about fake internet news, he’d have said the same thing — except maybe with more pointed words. Our representative democracy depends on … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Technology vs. Relationships
With accessibility to continuously evolving technology comes a responsibility for exercising good judgement. I believe parents or guardians are facing a bit of a quandary, and leading by example is always our best bet. What am I referring to, specifically? Tablets, cell phones, video games -- and all of the above. Too often, parents are using technology as a … [Read more...]
What we believe about God is purely an act of faith
Do you wish you would have finished school, majored in another discipline, or pursued another vocation? Do you think you married the wrong person? Do you kick yourself because you once or maybe more than once failed to respond to the obvious interests of an attractive person who you might have lived with happy ever after? Would you be interested in coming to the end of your … [Read more...]
A letter to President Obama
By Yvonne Nyenhuis Life is full of surprises, including the results of the election and the former President George W. Bush taking up portrait painting! Before the election, a little girl in kindergarten asked, “Why can’t we keep the President we have?” The day after the election, I had a telephone call from my best friend in Pennsylvania. She was jubilant. With … [Read more...]
The giving season begins
There are two numbers I’ve been reflecting on this month: $2.1 billion and $373.3 billion. One of these is the total amount raised by the Trump and Clinton campaigns in the last election cycle. One is the amount of charitable contributions during 2015, a record-setting year. Can you guess which is which? You may be surprised to learn that the smaller amount - $2.1 billion - … [Read more...]
Sociopathology of free market capitalism
By Dr. Bryan Van Gorp The very concept of capitalism, as the word implies empowers capital. It is not interested in social issues, sustainability, or truth. It only has one value and that is increasing wealth. Wealth is generated by extraction of natural resources and extraction of labor from people without capital. Natural beauty, unused resources, individual lives, justice … [Read more...]
Devil’s advocate… An introduction
Hello, Fillmore County Journal readers. My name is Aaron Bishop. For some months, I have wanted to begin discussions on matters facing our communities, our state, our nation, and our world. It was suggested to me that I do this by writing in the newspaper. So here I am. Before delving into topics, I would like to introduce myself. I graduated high school in Harmony from … [Read more...]