Susan Ritter Member, Fillmore County League of Women Voters Lanesboro, MN Let’s not spread misinformation about election integrity. In the August 12 Fillmore County Journal the commentary by Jeff Erding (fillmorecountyjournal.com/election-integrity-in-america/) contains multiple false or misleading claims perpetuated by Andrew Cilek of Minnesota Voters Alliance … [Read more...]
Growing the local foods economy
This time of year, the farmers’ markets are rich with local vegetables, berries, meats, breads and jams. It’s a visual testament to the abundance of our region and the ever-growing local foods economy that is sustained by consumers who want to buy directly from area farmers. At Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), we have been supporting the local foods economy in … [Read more...]
Yes, we can!
My friend came through the door smiling. “Well, is Donald Trump still president?” While my neighbor himself doesn’t waste time watching television he knows I am addicted to the pictures flickering on the screen. Recently President Trump offered the opinion that the Clintons played a part in Jeffrey Enstein’s death in his jail cell. Another announcement followed - the … [Read more...]
Keeping your head down?
To the Editor, Recently Donald Trump’s appointed Agriculture secretary, Sonny Perdue, joked about how farmers are whiners. It amazes me that the man in charge of agriculture in this administration is so callous given what he surely knows is happening in farm country. U.S. agriculture bankruptcy filings are at 10-year highs, U.S. farm income in 2019 will remain near lows not … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… When a school dies
Several months ago, we booked a family vacation via www.vrbo.com. We’ve had friends tell us about their great experiences, so we figured we’d give it a shot. We wanted to visit the Lake Okoboji area, but every place I looked at was $350 or more per night. On www.vrbo.com, I found this farmhouse on Silver Lake on the fringe of a little town known as Ayrshire, in Iowa. It … [Read more...]
Conservative Christianity in crisis
To the Editor, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America became our first “sanctuary denomination” in order to help migrants. It’s time for Christians to stand against Trump and denounce all his works and all his ways. With some conservative Christian sects supporting Trump, one wonders if some of these churchgoers even try to follow Jesus. Not only did Jesus ask you to … [Read more...]
Why are you so angry?
Boy, it was a little fun triggering people last time! I even wound up being the top Google result for “chumps & grifters,” which is neat. #humblebrag But I’m not going to spend my time here picking apart responses I got to my last column, instead I want to look at the bigger picture and simply ask... why are you so angry? Are you angry because I haven’t spelled out … [Read more...]
Democracy won’t die if we don’t let it
Democracy’s premise is that ordinary citizens can make solid decisions on complex issues. But this basic principle and the structure of laws and practices erected over the centuries to safeguard it are being questioned as rarely before. It’s not just that political leaders in various western democracies seem to have little regard for the norms and procedures they inherited. … [Read more...]
We belong to one another
To the Editor, As an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and as a concerned citizen of the United States of America, in light of the recent shootings in El Paso, Tex., and Dayton, Ohio, I think it is important as civil, faith, and public communities learning and existing with one another that we remember that we belong to one another – that our … [Read more...]
Election integrity in America
Here in America we are fortunate to have a system that encourages free and fair elections; or that is what we aspire to. We go to great lengths to protect the integrity of our elections, and rightfully so. The people who serve in government should reflect the wishes of We The People. America worries constantly about interference from foreign entities, as recently evidenced … [Read more...]