Opinions

Bipartisan bill would award Hmong veterans Congressional Gold Medal

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Gary Peters (D-MI), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the bipartisan Hmong Congressional Gold Medal Act to recognize the distinguished service of the Hmong veterans who served alongside American troops in the...

The Season of Giving is here

Even though the holiday displays have been in the stores for several weeks now, likewise Black Friday sales, the holiday season is now officially under way. Among all the holiday activities that will take place in the next month, shopping will be at the top. There are gifts to buy for family and...

Keeping local wealth local

For 15 years, Minnesotans have been showing up on Give to the Max Day, raising nearly $300 million over the past decade and a half. The thing I love most about Minnesota’s “Giving Holiday” is that all dollars raised stay local, as each donor can select which Minnesota-based non-profit they would...

I Was Thinking... Going to Branson

On a five-day trip to Branson, Missouri recently, we were able to revisit fall. While in Minnesota, we’ve already had snow and freezing temperatures, southern Missouri was still in the midst of fall. Before we left, most of our trees had dropped their leaves and I’d taken four truckloads of leaves...

Thank you, Veterans; legislative update

It was on the 11th day of the 11th month at 11 a. m. that the WWI armistice was signed. On Saturday, we celebrated and honored our Veterans. Every year, we have a responsibility to gather and to honor the brave men and women who serve and defend this nation’s freedom and security; we can honor them...

I Was Thinking... Ready to Go

When we travel, getting ready to go usually is more work than the trip itself. Even if we are only going for a short time, like a weekend, getting ready takes considerable effort. Of course, the biggest problem is we take too much stuff. On our first trip to Europe, we had no idea of what to take,...

Veterans Day, the generosity of local residents

Two unrelated thoughts come to mind this week. First, Saturday, November 11, is Veterans Day. Because the holiday falls on a weekend, most government offices, local and federal, will be closed tomorrow, Friday, November 10. The Postal Service will not be delivering mail on Saturday. But what is...

‘Debt ceiling’ isn’t a debt ceiling

It’s unfortunate that our federal government has named its obligation to pay its debt the “debt ceiling.” It’s like a person calling their monthly credit card payment their debt limit. The federal debt ceiling does nothing to hamper the federal governments ability to accrue debt. Congress can...

I Was Thinking... Controlled Chaos

Have you ever tried to prepare a meal for a thousand people? I’m not talking about cooking burgers and hotdogs over a grill at a three-day festival. I’m talking about a sit-down meal with tablecloths, dishes, silverware, and two main entrees with several side dishes and you do it all in one day....

Why are State Patrol cars maroon and gold?

Question: What is the deal with the Minnesota State Patrol and the maroon colored squad cars? I’ve traveled all over the United States and don’t know if I’ve ever seen this color used before. Is there a reason for this? Answer: There is a reason deep within the history of the Minnesota State Patrol...