Community still working to save mural



I’d like to thank the Whole Foods Co-op Board of Directors for working with the community to save the mural. At its annual board meeting on Tuesday, the board confirmed its pledge of $10,000 to help offset removal costs and provided the opportunity to take down the mural before demolition. Albeit the window of time is small for the removal, […]

Worried about walking in wolf season



There’s been much discussion about the wolf hunting season. One important consideration hasn’t been raised regarding the plan for two seasons. The first wolf hunt occurs during the regular deer season. You don’t find nonhunters in the woods during deer season even with blaze orange clothing. The second season starts in December and continues to Jan 31. My wife and […]

Voter ID will cost more than community center



In the October 27 issue of the News- Herald a pair of letter writers took the county board to task for weighing in on the voter ID commandment, not because the board unanimously urged a “no” vote, but because they cited the issue of the high cost to the county to implement its silly restrictions, and because that cost pales […]

No on Voter ID is a vote for freedom



There have been comments about the increased cost of voting rule changes to Cook County because of passing the voter ID amendment. That increased cost and inconvenience is a concern that I also share. But I am more concerned about voter disenfranchisement that could result. There is great danger that many people who are currently legal and proper voters would […]

Come up with plan for voter ID before casting it in stone



Although neither of us is a political activist, we feel the voter ID amendment will impact all Minnesotans. Some will have the ability to vote restricted but we all will incur a monetary burden to implement and maintain a new system if the amendment passes. Voting is a right guaranteed by the constitution and to put limits or barriers on […]

Which side of history will you be on?



History presents a long list of groups of people who have been constantly designated as being separate, inferior, and apart from deserving of the freedoms and privileges of the mainstream and dominant culture of a given place and time. The treatment that they get varies from mild disenfranchisement to history’s worst examples of human behavior: enslavement, torture, and mass murder. […]

Religious definition of marriage violates separation of church and state



The recent letters of Rae Piepho and Linda McIntire concerning marriage are exactly why I will vote no to the proposed marriage amendment on Election Day. This proposed amendment should have nothing to do with religion. If religious folks want to keep their sacred definition of marriage, then let them keep it within their respective religions. Besides, the Bible is […]

Yes vote would limit human rights



I focus this letter on those of you who are not sure whether or not you feel gay marriage is right, or maybe you just feel a little uncomfortable with the idea of two men and two women being married. If you vote no, same sex marriage will still be illegal in the state of Minnesota, nothing will change. If […]

Coming out of the “religious closet”



I wish to commend Kent for his letter regarding the upcoming vote on the nature of marriage. It takes courage to think freely and to speak openly about the issues that touch us personally. There are many among us who still live in a “religious closet” because we, though thinking freely within, do not dare to speak openly without about […]

Marriage union is cornerstone of human life



Diversity is good for America but sadly our nation is growing more and more divisive. If conflict continues to deepen, I fear that “a house divided against itself…cannot stand” (Mark 3:25; A. Lincoln quoted as well). So let me add to the brouhaha. In answer to Mr. Murray – I did not see the out-of-state ad mentioned by Mr. Murray, […]