DL News Staff
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Minnesotans love our clean air and water, but we need to realize that over-reliance on old coal-fired power plants is literally making us sick. The pollution from burning coal creates a host of serious, life-threatening health problems -- especially for children and senior citizens -- including asthma attacks, respiratory illness, cancer and heart disease. It also increases emergency room visits and hospital admissions, driving up healthcare costs and hurting our state's economy.
Halloween is but a few days away and there are still some who are wondering how they can scare their friends, as though things happening across the country aren't scary enough. One doesn't know anymore if someone is wearing a mask for Halloween or equipping himself for a march on Wall Street. One gentleman was even scared to go home. While walking home in the dark one night, a devil leaped out from behind a bush. "Cool it devil," the man exclaimed, "you don't scare me," then continued, "you seem to forget that I've been married to your sister for 30 years." -- Victor J. Kern, Wadena
No matter how taxpayers slice it, local governments are to blame for raising levies. Local governments are in fact responsible for the costs of their governments, not the Minnesota Legislature. Nor is LGA available to many local governments, because they do not qualify and because promised funds are not available. It isn't only the 2011 budget deficit, these deficits of the past years are real.
Just before the election of '08 a large banner was posted east of Detroit Lakes off U.S. Hwy. 10. It read "Who is John Galt?" John Galt, the "head of capitalism," was the lead character of Ayn Rand's novel, Atlas Shrugged. Allen Greenspan, our former Fed. chairman, was a protege and believer in Ms. Rand's philosophy of unfettered capitalism.
Just before the election of '08 a large banner was posted east of Detroit Lakes off U.S. Hwy. 10. It read "Who is John Galt?" John Galt, the "head of capitalism," was the lead character of Ayn Rand's novel, Atlas Shrugged. Allen Greenspan, our former Fed. chairman, was a protege and believer in Ms. Rand's philosophy of unfettered capitalism.
You only have to open your newspaper or turn on your TV to learn that the United States is facing unprecedented economic hurdles -- a financial downturn, an aging population, millions out of work including kids who can't afford to go to college and a looming future debt crisis. Yes, and add to that a seemingly paralyzed government unable to take decisive action. Yet, trillions of dollars sit in corporate accounts waiting for the next big thing. Then there's the national energy policy ... er, I mean the lack of one.
We need help from the dreadful whistles in all the small towns along the railroad. I've always heard that anything above 80 decibels is damaging to our hearing. A friend of mine used a meter and it was recorded at 130 decibels and when this person held her hands over her ears, the engineer blew the whistle more. What object does it serve to blow the whistle when there is already one train going through the crossing?
We invite readers to take a stand against domestic violence. October has been designated National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so we at the Lakes Crisis and Resource Center encourage readers to learn more about how to end domestic violence in our communities. Domestic violence is a problem that is too often kept quiet or ends with devastating results. The human cost is staggering. This year, 16 women, 3 children and 1 man have lost their lives in domestic-violence-related homicides, according to the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women.
The Detroit Lakes Area Chapter of Let's Go Fishing thanks the 12 team captains and their team members for raising over $8,500 in pledges for Let's Go Fishing in support of this program which takes seniors, veterans, and youth on fishing and scenic excursions. This past summer 61 such trips provided on the water experiences for over 550 seniors, veterans, and youth. Thanks also to all the businesses, organizations and individuals who contributed monetary and or in-kind contributions to the Walk for Let's Go Fishing.
Most members of Congress and many National Guard and Reserve members and their families may not know that a Reservist can complete a full Guard or Reserve career, qualify for retirement pay, but not earn the title of "Veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States," unless the member has served on Title 10 Active duty for other than training purposes.