To the Editor, The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) decision to roll over and permit the doubling of the Daley mega-dairy near Lewiston shows how industry has captured the very agency that is responsible for protecting our environment and neighbors. As an elder who was born and raised in karst country, I remember when the MPCA was established to “protect and … [Read more...]
The poor oil zillionaires
To the Editor, Oh my, all of a sudden people aren’t driving, aren’t flying, aren’t buying plastic or polyester, aren’t making widgets. People who stay home, especially in warmer weather, just don’t need much oil. The oil companies and the demand for their products have had almost unlimited power for most of my 74-year lifetime. Their output has grown like a virus, to the … [Read more...]
Coming together, blaming others?
To the Editor, Coming together, blaming others? As a Preston resident, I have noticed several things that the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked in our small community. I have noticed more people walking around town than ever before, utilizing the wonderful bike trail. Talking more with my neighbors, at a distance, and for longer periods of time has been a joy. Kids are outside … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Made in the Midwest
For decades, America has been battling the outsourcing of manufacturing and services to countries like Mexico, China, Philippines, and India. The United States has lost so many jobs to other countries for a variety of reasons, including labor costs, environmental restrictions, and tax incentives. Most people would be surprised to hear that some newspapers have fallen into … [Read more...]
Still hopeful
It’s amazing how creative and resilient humans can be. Here, in the midst of fear and tragedy, good arises. It was an odd Easter at home. But churches live streamed services. I heard the pastor play his trumpet and it was the most uplifting and triumphant sound coming right into my home. My parents, who are in their 90s and homebound pandemic or not, were able to attend church … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project: 2020 seniors, it sucks right?
By Corinna Wiemerslage I know, it sucks. We got the last few months of our high school career taken from us. This is when we were supposed to have our class trip, senior prank, senior prom and our graduations. It’s not fair. We worked so hard for these moments, and for them to be taken from us it almost just doesn’t feel fair. For any grade level, students are missing out on … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project: History of the English language
By Bethany Schneekloth English in a whole is a rather interesting language, it is used across the globe by many different cultures as a primary or as a secondary language. It is so wide spread that its origin in the fifth century AD in a small section of what is known as Britain is even more incredible. Crossing the sea from Denmark and Northern Germany in the fifth century … [Read more...]
Words from the Bible
By Paul Bouska Canton, Minn. “Sweeter than honey, more precious than gold” are words from the Bible, or so I’ve been told. Words from the Bible make me feel fine. Yes, words from the Bible are sweeter than wine. Whenever I need a new goal, words from the Bible bring peace to my soul. What have you done for your brothers and sisters today? What can I say? I was so busy I … [Read more...]
Fact checking the haters
On April 13, 2020, we were “treated” to a trio of articles in FCJ by leftist writers. These folks may not be infected by CV19, but they all share a serious case of “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” Since they are birds of a feather, let’s list their statements and run a fact check. S] “Trump fired the Pandemic Response Team.” [Van Gorp] A] Such a nasty lie. John Bolton had … [Read more...]
Letter to the Editor Together stronger
As a farmer and community organizer in rural Minnesota (Fillmore County), I am worried about some of the reports I have read about anti-Asian racism playing out in our small towns. We know racism exists for all of us in the U.S., and the work of confronting it can seem overwhelming. But now is not the time to let our weaknesses rule. In this crisis, we have a unique … [Read more...]