Now that I am talking to my microwave, staying at home isn’t so bad. The microwave has a limited digital vocabulary. It only tells me to enjoy my meal, but it says it in a different tone depending on what I am heating up. It seems sad and sometimes disapproving if I am heating up junk food. It is happy and encouraging when I heat up healthy food. Hey, don’t fear for my … [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: 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...]
One Moment, Please… Not your typical libraries
By Jason Sethre Publisher Fillmore County Journal jason@fillmorecountyjournal.com Over the past several weeks, I have come to appreciate a few revelations. A newspaper library First, at the Fillmore County Journal office, we do our best to preserve the history of our newspaper. When I worked at daily newspapers in Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana, there … [Read more...]
The path forward
Watching the “news,” I’m reminded of seeing birds swooping down into a field picking kernels of grain from the excrement of cows grazing there. Finding information, truth and facts in the daily fare we are served by the media is a challenge. There is hope. In the midterm election the Democrats took over the House, igniting the possibility that common sense might play a … [Read more...]
Confirmation bias – the enemy of sound logic
In our polarized society, something that seems to be more prevalent than ever before is the faulty thinking pattern called confirmation bias. Simply put it occurs when a person tries to find information, data, or opinions that support his pre-determined belief. In other words he disregards all evidence that does not support what he wants to believe, no matter how valid this … [Read more...]
Getting Congress back on track
The other day, someone I’ve known for years offered a pointed bit of criticism. “It’s easy for people like you to make long lists of things Congress should do to improve,” he said. “But you know good and well most of them won’t happen. So if you’re really serious, what’s the one most important thing it could do? What does Congress absolutely need to start getting itself back on … [Read more...]
Responsibility to each other
What is our responsibility to others in society? There is wide variation of opinions. Christians are commanded to treat others the way they want to be treated. In contrast one libertarian capitalist answered, we have no obligation to others. I do not think Christians generally live up to the golden rule nor do I believe the individual feels no obligation to others. People … [Read more...]
Chumps & grifters
Since about 1980, Americans have continued to be some of the hardest working people on the planet. In fact, we work harder, and more efficiently, almost every year. And yet, we don’t see a reward from that. While we produce more, and while we produce it for less money, we don’t see any of that money. Instead, it has gone, nearly every penny, to the people sitting at the top. … [Read more...]
Who remembers Starter jackets?
It’s amazing the things that stick in your head sometimes, isn’t it? I mean, 1995 was 24 years ago and I can still remember certain days from it clear as day. I can’t even remember last week that well, but some things always stick with you... like Starter jackets. Remember those? Big, puffy, in bright colors with the half zipper that meant you had to slide them on over your … [Read more...]