As we approach the holidays, it presents an opportunity for us to reflect on our past, present, and future. And, reflection can often help us revisit what is most important in our lifelong journey. About 20 years ago, when I was fresh in the newspaper business, I worked at a large daily newspaper with over 250 employees. One particularly memorable day, a sales manager … [Read more...]
Want to govern effectively, Mr. Trump?
As Mario Cuomo said, politicians campaign in poetry but have to govern in prose. Now we have a president-elect who campaigned in tweets...but still will have to govern in prose. Donald Trump showed great skill as a campaigner, steering his campaign past a slew of professional politicians who underestimated him at every turn. Now the test is whether he can govern — that is, … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Fake news legitimizes real news
Last week, we published a commentary by Lee Hamilton titled “Fake news is a danger to democracy”. Quoting Hamilton: “Our representative democracy depends on ordinary people making sound judgments about politicians and policy. This is hard to do at the best of times. Issues are complex. Being able to sort out what matters and what’s a diversion takes knowledge and … [Read more...]
Letter about Stan Gudmundson commentary…
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...]