10. Slime. It’s everywhere: coming out of every part of your darling children, being made by your darling children out of what was once a painstakingly homemade dinner, and suddenly appearing on your clothes and you just. Don’t know. How. Everything is slimy and it’s best not to think about it. 9. Repetition. You will watch the same episode of “Paw Patrol” 400 times. Do not … [Read more...]
President Trump’s National Emergency Declaration…To the Editor,
In response to a resolution designed to thwart his most noteworthy campaign promise, President Trump cast his promised veto. When the President declared a national emergency over the southern border crisis, Democrats became triggered. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pontificated, “This is plainly a power grab by a disappointed President who has gone outside the bounds of the law.” … [Read more...]
Deregulation of E15…To the Editor,
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, farm income has decreased by 46% over the last five years. This is extremely troubling to the people of my district. However, increased markets for homegrown biofuels could help reverse that trend. In the fall of 2018, President Trump vowed to deregulate the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow the year-round … [Read more...]
Letter about the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act…To the Editor,
It deeply saddens me that our two senators, Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, voted NO to the “Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (S.311).” This is a commonsense bill protecting children who have been born alive. The bill needed 60 votes but failed 53-44. All who voted NO were democrats. How is it possible that infanticide is a partisan issue? Should not both political … [Read more...]
The importance of organ donation…To the Editor,
Ah, spring – time for new growth and hope. Now, imagine being a plant that is struggling to stay alive and looking for hope when suddenly it rains and the fertilizer kicks in and the plant begins to grow and prosper. This is very much like being a patient in need of a transplant. They are struggling to stay alive and then suddenly, an organ, tissue or bone marrow donation … [Read more...]
Devil’s Advocate…Equivocating “socialism”
Have you ever experienced an argument where the other side “just didn’t get it”? Have you ever been on the side of the argument where you “just didn’t get it”? I believe many modern arguments can be more productive if opposing sides begin with, and maintain, an equal understanding of the definitions of key words in the discussion. Some words have multiple meanings that are … [Read more...]
Legalizing marijuana; a no-spin analysis
Legal or not, there is no doubt cannabis use is on the rise in Minnesota. Democrat politicians are making a concerted effort to legalize recreational pot; one local politician made it a central campaign promise, a position I ridiculed in print at the time and mistakenly believed would cause her defeat. Instead, Rochester area voters elected her by a landslide, leading me to … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project: An hour well spent
By Maddie Smith You pass the sound of bells, see wrapped presents under Christmas trees, and hear of people spending their holiday evenings serving food at a local food shelter. Most people tend to associate volunteering with the holiday season, but why limit committing good deeds to only a select time of the year? Organizations such as 4-H, Boy Scouts, and the American … [Read more...]
Thoughts about immigration
A woman who sought refuge in a church sanctuary stated simply “I deserve to be free.” She has lived illegally in this country for ten years and has two children who were born here. Her story has stayed with me. I love my freedom. I can say what I want, go where I want and do whatever I wish to do. I have given up nothing. I haven’t in any way “earned” my freedom. I was born in … [Read more...]
Make a difference in your own backyard
When asked what I love about southern Minnesota, one thing that always rises to the top is the drive that people have to help their neighbors. This was especially evident during the recent blizzard. Volunteers helped dig out vehicles, rescue stranded travelers and open their doors to provide shelter. At Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) we work to help our … [Read more...]