letters

It is with tremendous gratitude that we wish to thank supporters of Giving Hearts Day. The generosity of the greater Becker County community will have a tremendous impact on families throughout the area. Gifts from Giving Hearts Day will support programming for children as well as...

A recent letter to the editor about the Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery in Rosemount greatly mischaracterized the refinery’s environmental record. The letter-writer cites an annual report of emissions from U.S. manufacturing facilities as evidence of industry’s disregard...

As Congress is poised to attack a rule that would restore federal protections to 51 percent of Minnesota’s streams, Environment Minnesota’s recent report titled “Polluting Politics” touches on a salient topic for all Minnesotans. The report establishes a link between some...

Recently Rudy Giuliani declared that President Obama does not love America. Mr. Giuliani has issues like many of his high-minded, low road “buddies.” President Obama is “properly” in love with America. He does not use his religious beliefs to subjugate or coerce. He does...

A majority of Minnesota’s roads are more than 50 years old, and in the next three years one in five will pass its useful life. Forty percent of our bridges are 40 years old or older. And in the next 10 years, most will be past their useful life. Bad roads are already costing...

How does ISIS deal with Obama’s so-called “strategy?” The way I see it. A friend and classmate of mine while in elementary school majored in strategy. Each student was given a white sheet of paper on which they were to draw a picture of their own choosing. At the...

I just read the column by Senator John Marty in the Tribune, dated Feb. 18, 2015, and I would like to comment. The first line, and I quote, is “working people should not be trapped in poverty.” This statement is true, but history has proved that minimum wage laws are not the...

In 2001, as part of the Jesse Ventura tax overhaul, the Minnesota legislature created the State Business Property Tax which applies to commercial industrial property and, inexplicably, cabin properties. Originally, a portion of the tax was intended to go to local school districts,...

A new study published in the journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry has found that mercury levels in Pacific yellowfin tuna — often sold to consumers as steaks and in canned “light” tuna — have risen steadily since 1998. According to the study’s coauthor, “The...

I was in court again yesterday and for the first time in years I was frightened by the setting. It was just me, my public defender, a prosecutor, a state trooper, judge, bailiff and two court stenographers. The charge was driving after cancellation and probation violation. I’ve...

I listened to this great American as she gave her response to Obama’s (State of the Union) speech. This is my take on what I saw and heard. Jodi Earnst is a GOP freshman Senator from Iowa. She is in the Iowa Army National Guard and is from Red Oak, Iowa. Her family were pig farmers...

Firstly, I applaud, support, and encourage all children and their families that are participants within the mental health system. Secondly, I understand that numerous barriers prevent children and their families from obtaining needed mental health services. Barriers include stigma,...

Speak up about things that matter: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter” is a statement attributed to Dr. Martin Luther King. Jan. 19 (Martin Luther King’s birthday and Jan. 22 (when abortion was legalized) are significant dates to remember...

Detroit Lakes Breakfast Rotary is looking for more people to become members of our club. You could be a Breakfast Rotarian if you like to interact with a group of positive people. You could be a Breakfast Rotarian if you enjoy the results of working on local service projects. You...

Another January comes and this year marks 42 years since Roe v. Wade. The abortion death count is now estimated at 57 million. Yet, despite all this loss of fellow citizens in our land, the tragic impact of all this death still manages to escape the conscious awareness of so many...