Each of the great politicians and legislators I’ve known over the course of my career in Congress was very different. They were masters of the rules, or unassailably knowledgeable about a given issue, or supremely watchable orators, or consummate students of people. But they also shared key traits that I wish more elected officials possessed. For starters, the great … [Read more...]

There’s no doubt that Minnesotans are a different breed of humans. Ya sure, you betcha, we talk funny according to those who play “Duck, duck, goose.” But, there’s more to our being than long O’s and A’s in our pronunciations. This past week was a perfect example.  It was a snot-freezing -60ºF, with the windchill, and we just figured it would pass.  And, we know it … [Read more...]

Ugly walls succumb to tunnels, ladders, and cutting tools. We have better, much cheaper alternatives to Trump’s racist symbol. I’m tired of the BS. It is an anti-Statue of Liberty; a big “You’re not welcome, Latinos,” blight on our nation. Trump has awakened us to the ugly underbelly of American racism. Now we know that it never really left. About 40% support Trump and about … [Read more...]

I recently had a conversation with a parent who said their son, soon to be graduating from high school, wanted to be an entrepreneur some day. Their son had taken an interest in culinary arts, and had expressed interest in owning a restaurant.  At age 18, that’s a remarkable vision. I was enlisted for some advice, because I must have been deemed an entrepreneur by the … [Read more...]

My older brother went off to college in 1995 with a Brother-brand desktop word processing unit. No, not a computer, but a little thing that did word processing, nothing but. However, he did go off to a school that had an internet connection, and he would come home over holidays and breaks to regale us of tales of that primitive web. Now, this may come as a shock to some of you, … [Read more...]

I just have a few questions for Jeff Erding regarding his “Border security: Facts and solutions”  letter to the editor on Monday, January 21, 2019. Is it not a “FACT” that the Republicans were in control of the House and Senate the previous two years while President Trump was in office?  Is it not a “FACT” that the wall was not built during those two years?  So why is not … [Read more...]

What happened? The GOP-controlled Senate passed a bill by voice-call in the late hours of December 19 with measures that would have provided enough funding for the government to continue functioning into the early part of February. This bill did not have money allocated for a border wall that President Trump had repeatedly stated Mexico would pay for.  It was expected this … [Read more...]

Bush 41. Clinton 42. Bush 43. Obama 44. Trump 45. Hillary Clinton. Senator Charles Schumer. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Household names in American politics, and all with something in common. Every one of them has written and spoken publicly about securing our southern border to stem the flow of illegal drugs, terrorists, contraband, and foreign criminals. All have advocated … [Read more...]

Do you remember how excited you were when you heard about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?  Yeah, me neither.  But, HIPAA has impacted all of us in many ways we may not even realize. Companies had to become compliant with the HIPAA Security Rule by April 21, 2005.  That was nearly 14 years ago.  The whole reason HIPAA was introduced related … [Read more...]

By Ken Sawle Rushford, MN When my daughters were young, and found themselves in a situation that seemed overwhelming, I would say, “Take a deep breath and a few steps back from yourself.” It seems like vague or simplistic advice, but using a few moments to calm yourself often helps to put things in a warmer light. I’d like to be able to say the same thing to the nation as … [Read more...]

January 19, 2019, is approaching fast. Unfortunately, we are just days away from the iconic Branding Iron of Preston, Minn., closing its doors. KAAL6 News recently broadcast a feature highlighting the dilemma of Baby Boomers wanting to retire from owning their business, but not able to do so because they can’t find a buyer. Our Preston Area Chamber of Commerce/Preston Area … [Read more...]