The recent announcement by FBI Director James Comey that his agency is investigating links between members of President Trump’s campaign and Russia has upended Washington. Yet there needs to be an even stronger and broader investigation to get to the bottom of what happened. There are really two questions at hand. The first involves Russian meddling in our election and their … [Read more...]
In response to recent protests
By Greg Davids Preston, MN In response to recent protests that shut down Interstate 94 and the Minneapolis Airport, legislation has been sponsored that would increase penalties against those who break the law while attempting to exercise their 1st Amendment rights, and I strongly support it. In no way do I want to limit free speech or curb the ability of residents to … [Read more...]
Asking our State Representative to reply in newspaper
By Nancy Bratrud Preston, MN Our MN State House Representative has occasionally asked the local newspaper to print a questionnaire for his constituents to consider and then reply to him about their views on issues he raises. Now I will ask our Representative to reply in the newspaper to an issue many constituents raise regarding medical insurance. 1. Why did you author … [Read more...]
Letter about a call to duty…
Letter about a call to duty... To the Editor, My Fellow Vietnam Veterans, yesterday Republican Senator John McCain, one of my heroes, came out and said “Congress no longer has the credibility to independently tackle a probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and President Trump and his associates’ ties to Moscow.” Regardless of your political … [Read more...]
A View From the Woods ~ Insidious pesticide use harms pollinators
I don’t often mix the personal reflections of this column with my professional life. However, I recently worked on a project that revealed a huge environmental problem that is little known, even to the people who are involved in it. I behooves me to share what I have learned. Many are aware of declining monarch butterfly populations, because we so rarely see them … [Read more...]
In praise of pragmatism
As you watch the healthcare proceedings on Capitol Hill, imagine what things might be like if we lived in more functional political times. In particular, what if Congress were run by pragmatists? It would not change the issues at hand. On the one side, you’d have the Republican majority in Congress, which for the most part believes that the healthcare system should be left … [Read more...]
Divided we stand
Being divided is nothing new for this country. It has struggled since its inception 240 years ago. “The work of Democracy has always been hard. It has been contentious and at times bloody.” (Barack Obama) April 19, 1775, the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. The country was divided between those who were Patriots, … [Read more...]
Marching for science
In today’s political climate, there are many protests, marches, and signs declaring justice for an array of reasons. However, on April 22 there will be a new march. One that not only exemplifies the need for justice in this area, but to amplify the importance it has on our everyday lives. We are not the powerful society or humans we think we are without it. What type of issue … [Read more...]
Minnesota’s anti-protest bill
By David Webb Lanesboro, MN To several of us constituents who have written to him urging he reject HF 322, Minnesota’s anti-protest bill, Representative Davids has only proferred excuses as to why he chooses instead to toe the party line. They deserve public rebuttal. 1. While acknowledging the first amendment of the Bill of Rights - “The people shall not be deprived … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Daycare dilemma
We have a really big challenge in this area, that impacts both families and businesses. There’s a daycare provider shortage. The demand is far greater than the supply. I hear about it on a weekly basis from friends all the time. We recently tried to hire a person for a newly added position at our company, and I told her the biggest challenge she would face … [Read more...]