Early on the morning of April 12, 1861, only thirty-nine days after Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration as president, turmoil was gripping the country following the fall of Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina; the American Civil War was officially upon both the North and the South. The scene was anything but affirming as the 16th president contemplated the country’s future as... READ MORE >
July 4th, 2020 marks the 244th year since our forebears declared independence from England. As we are witnessing, the contest for America’s freedom continues …on a daily basis. It was John Adams, second president of these United States, known for his brilliant mind and passionate patriotism, who cautioned, “Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself.... READ MORE >
History has always been viewed as a social resource that contributes to shaping a nation’s identity, culture, and the public memory. It is for this very reason that our nation’s history is under siege. Political activists and dissident academic historians are attempting to manipulate or misrepresent historical accounts to achieve political ends. They tear at the very fabric of our... READ MORE >
Thirty some years ago, one of the most profoundly sad songs in pop music history hit number one on the Hot 100 chart. The song was co-written by Scottish musician, B. A. Robertson (lyrics) and English guitarist, Michael Rutherford (music). Both men had recently lost their fathers. The song was recorded and performed by the English rock supergroup Mike and... READ MORE >
“The growth of government has politicized life and weakened the nation’s moral fabric. Government intervention— in the economy, in the community, and in society—has increased the payoff from political action and reduced the scope of private action. People have become more dependent on the state and have sacrificed freedom for a false sense of security.” These are the sobering words... READ MORE >
My Great-Great Grandfather, Captain Robert Flanagan, was born in Scotland in 1819 to Irish parents. He eventually became a sea captain who immigrated to Nova Scotia and piloted ships from the open sea into the mouth of the St. Lawrence River during the height of the Golden Age of Sail–the period between the mid-18th century and the early 19th century,... READ MORE >
“Americans are the first people whom Heaven has favored with an opportunity of deliberating upon and choosing the forms of government under which they should live.” So proclaimed Founding Father John Jay, who served as the Supreme Court’s first chief justice in 1789. He was appointed by President George Washington. That “choosing” process Jay referred to is accomplished when we... READ MORE >
“At daybreak, I got up and ran to the window. A tiny bit of golden sunlight was already peeking over the horizon. Less than half an hour later, I was at the foot of the mountain. I climbed higher and higher. More and more often, rocks blocked my way. Piles of rocks stained with moss and roots of trees twisted... READ MORE >
As the world grapples with the coronavirus outbreak, “social distancing” has become the buzzword of these abnormal times. And social distancing, the antithesis to human nurturing, has spawned–dare I say it–a repulsive fashion accessory, the face mask, that signals, “Stay away!” Clothing has long served as a useful way to mitigate close contact and unnecessary exposure during past epidemics such... READ MORE >
The Minnesota State Legislature’s “high-rise” initiative to resolve the short-term rental puzzle has been put on hold. Senator Rich Draheim (R) District 20 (Mankato) and Senator Mark W. Koran (R) District 32 (North Branch) Introduced legislation the day after normal tax day (April 16th) that proposed a two-year moratorium on reclassifying short-term rental properties. It’s certainly understandable, given the complexities... READ MORE >
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