We gave up our finest in the many wars we’ve been involved in. Men and women gave their lives so that we can live in a free and open society — a safe society, one where each individual should be able to live and work and raise their families in a loving environment. Our military has done the job. When …
This election cycle has so eroded my thought process — temporarily, I hope — that I can’t focus on any one story line today. So, I’m not even going to try. I’m just going to sit here and write whatever pops into my head. Cass County Sheriff Paul Laney and the State Sheriffs Association would be well advised to remember …
Between Marsy’s Law and the bill to increase taxes on tobacco in North Dakota, a whole lot of common sense has gone missing. Marsy is the sister of a wealthy California man who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. Marsy’s brother is trying to buy his way into our constitution. With all of the sense of a bull …
Without water, this planet would be uninhabitable. Without protecting our natural resources, our planet will be uninhabitable. As the polar ice cap (a major source of all water on earth) recedes, water levels will rise dramatically. With all of the activity at Standing Rock in North Dakota, the actual focus of tribal intent is being lost. The Native Americans aren’t …
I’m a little older than our two presidential candidates. Unlike many people I know, I really do watch the news as it relates to each of them and their spokespeople. I read the local newspapers, online stories by the national press and, last but not least, countless Facebook posts. I think Facebook has to be why the host of fact-checking …
What do evangelical leaders Ralph Reed and Tony Perkins have in common with Roman Catholic Bishop Samuel Aquila — now bishop in Colorado, previously in Fargo? Notwithstanding Donald Trump’s recent lewd, debasing sexual comments and behavior, all three of them endorse him for president. To be sure, many evangelical congregations have condemned Trump and withdrawn support for him. But Aquila …
There has been a lot of idle talk about who killed Jimmy Hoffa and how they disposed of his body. Well, I’m not going there because I know nothing about it … but it was a great hook to get your attention. My sermon of the day relates to an extent about politics, decency and civil rights … or, more …
In February 1999, the U.S. Department of Justice published a report that I have never before seen. Among its revelations: American Indians experience per capita rates of violence that are more than twice those of the U.S. resident population as a whole. In the category of murder, blacks lead the way by a vast number, followed by Native Americans and …
Fargo leaders and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would be well-advised to heed the warning of Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton. He didn’t fire a shot across the bow; he can cause the sinking of the entire ship known as “The Fargo Flood Diversion.” Dayton is a politician with the courage of his convictions who knows how to stand up …
No one has ever heard me disagree with the decision or logic of a federal judge before. This time is the exception. I have not read the decision, but if I had, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg’s legal conclusions would not be in question. It is the factual basis upon which the conclusions are based that I take issue. A certain …
It’s hard to articulate what has happened and is still happening to the Native American population. North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple, his scout, Drew Wrigley, and his alter-ego, Kevin Cramer, are either disconnected from the reality of what is happening at Standing Rock or are simply too uninformed or too cowardly to act in a responsible leadership role. Philip Strobel …
Once upon a time, there was a legislator who had to report campaign donations by amount and by donor … one who had to disclose how his funds were spent … one who would explain why a donor was not creating a conflict of interest. Once upon a time, this same legislator was bound by a code of ethics. It …
After following news coverage of the developing story at Standing Rock, I am saddened by North Dakota’s official response to the legitimate issues raised by the Native protestors north of the reservation. What North Dakota’s governor, lieutenant governor and Public Service Commission don’t seem to understand is that the Native Americans who are protesting are, in fact, American patriots. Their …
North Dakota’s Industrial Commission, Gov. Jack Dalrymple and his advisers can take credit for some negative publicity that North Dakota is getting on the national. I refer to the plight of Native Americans across the country in addressing the Dakota Access Pipeline and its impact on reservations, their people and their long-held beliefs. I applaud their courage in defending the …
All right, my Native American friends, I’m guest-hosting the KFGO Radio “Afternoon Show” from 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday. The media has complained you haven’t been available for interviews. Please have some of your spokespersons call in to outline your positions. The more you speak the less I have to You’ll be on the No.1 talk show in the state. …
Almost buried by the national media, and under-reported in the local media, is the story of a people savaged by our European ancestors and by settlers in North Dakota. I’m sure many of you, like me, attended the old cowboy and Indian movies, where in most cases the Indian “savages” were destroyed just in time by the Cavalry or white settlers …
It’s time for the GOP, both nationally and in North Dakota, to invest in some funding and common sense so that they can get their elevator out of the basement in a 10-story building. Der Fuhrer Trump once again showed his detachment from common sense when he released the names and photos of his nine financial advisers. All of them …
It is done! Last week, I gave my unsolicited opinions on the clown show that was the Republican convention. I promised to do the same after the Democrats met. I have to admit: It was more than I anticipated. The Democrats, whether you like it or not, were organized, prompt, factual, entertaining, efficient and “told the truth.” Now, for all …
Robert F. Kennedy once said, “All of us might wish at times that we lived in a more tranquil world, but we don’t. And if our times are difficult and perplexing, so are they challenging and filled with opportunity.” I don’t have the date he made that statement, but it certainly does ring true today, in view of all recent …
Donald Trump, the media talking heads and the media in general have their collective heads up their behinds. While this might seem a little harsh, I can’t use the language I would like to use. Lawrence O’Donnell and Rachel Maddow of MSNBC have done their homework. Here’s what I’m talking about. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, aka “the notorious RBG,” expressed …
Why would anyone want to serve in the Congress of the United States in the political climate of today? Take North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven, for example. Unlike most high-ranking Republicans, he does not have the courage to denounce racism, bigotry, misogyny, sexism and other attributes of his party’s presidential nominee. Back in the day, anyone who uttered the statements …
Have you ever just turned on the TV and watched — really watched — how the cable news channels discuss issues? I’ve been paying close attention lately, and I sure hope our youth of today are doing the same … and see exactly how the supposed “adults in the room” go about it. Intelligent discussion and debate? Not-t-t! The first …
In light of recent events, I am extremely proud of Minnesota Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken. I cannot express strongly enough how disgusted and disappointed I am with North Dakota Sens. John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp. When it came time to vote on the filibuster issue, the only Democrat who opposed basic legislation was Heidi Heitkamp! At a time in …
Since I live in North Fargo, I have concerns about the upcoming city election. I’m not a financial guru, nor have I ever claimed expertise in finances. Like most common folks, however, I can observe some things. I’ve got to ask, “What the hell is happening with the checkbook available to the city of Fargo?” Let me make it clear …
On Sunday, the day before Memorial Day, Donald J. Trump sank even lower than anyone could expect. On a day when we pay homage to those veterans who gave their lives for their country, who paid the ultimate price to preserve our freedoms, that man turned it into a political Trump message He who did not serve his country and …
Once again, I set off to write an article, and once again, I was so distracted by something on TV that I had to leave the room to finish this in silence. Silence — a term Donald Trump wouldn’t recognize if it bit him in his bum. I thought I had some great ideas. I wrote my first draft and …
It’s becoming difficult to determine whether many people are the new “normal,” bigoted, uninformed, fully informed, hateful, uncaring or just plain stupid. I’m referring to the uproar surrounding the U.S. attorney general taking action to enforce the constitutional rights of transgender people. Unlike the uninformed believe, being transgender is an act of birth, the same as being gay or lesbian. …
Criminal charges have been filed against three Michigan State and local officials after an investigation disclosed there were dangerous lead levels in Flint’s drinking water, which fueled public outrage. It also resulted in a visit by the president of the United States, who promised federal assistance, in no small part due to the inaction and cover-up by local politicians. The …
“Marsy’s Law” is a bad idea. It proposes to amend the North Dakota Constitution because victims’ rights have not been respected … in California. North Dakota already has remedies in place that accomplish what this nationally promoted measure seeks to accomplish. Just ask Fargo attorney Mark Friese of the Vogel Law Firm. Mark worked in the Bismarck Police Department before …
I am now convinced that planning what to use in my column is simply not working. I’ll have what I consider some great ideas, but when I sit down to do the story, something always distracts me. For example, I was sitting at my home computer and looked over my left shoulder to observe the beauty of Elephant Park, across …
Thomas G. Bearson — 18 years old. Does anyone remember Thomas? Let me remind you. Tom was a young man from Sartell, Minnesota … a high school basketball, track and football player; a young man with an outgoing personality; a student who got to know many around him as a freshman at North Dakota State University in Fargo. According to …
As I write this article on April 4, my 77th birthday, I am reminded of what happened on this day in 1972. The election for municipal judge was held on that day. This being my first and only run for elective office, I went with my wife, my best friend and his wife to see John Wayne in “The Cowboys” …
Every time I start to think that the politicians at the national level can do no more “stupid,” they pull another rabbit out of their hat full of “dumb.” I’d like to share examples of this from both political parties, but it’s the Republicans who just can’t leave well enough alone. Each day, they make the Democrats in Congress and …
Free advice is worth the price you pay for it. I have some advice for the city of West Fargo: Contact American Crystal Sugar in Moorhead to ascertain the process they used to eliminate most of the odor from their settling ponds. Years ago, Crystal’s ponds caused a neighborhood revolution in North Fargo and North Moorhead. Crystal addressed the concerns …
Anyone who knows me has probably been wondering when I would get around to some legal topics. Their wait is over. Our communities have a Safe Community Coalition. Part of its function is to monitor licensed liquor establishments for sales to minors and other violations. They release the results to the media on a regular basis. Fines are supposedly imposed …
On March 1, I spent an entire late afternoon and early evening at City Hall observing a group of north-side neighborhood citizens presenting the Fargo Planning Commission with the reasons why they oppose the proposed rezoning of the property commonly known as Ponyland — the trace northeast of 32nd Avenue North and University Drive. The presentations by both the developer and …
Watching the Academy Awards Sunday, I wondered why Vice President Joe Biden would be making an appearance. He introduced Lady Gaga, and I thought that was odd, too — until he spoke and she sang, with a group of college-aged men and women in the background. Then Biden spoke of the sexual assaults taking place on college campuses. Lady Gaga …
Once again, the purveyors of stupid pills are making a fortune in causing some elected leaders or appointed boards to make some very bad decisions relating to both North and South Fargo. It’s time for the people to let them know they represent us. That’s why they exist! Let’s take the Don and Mary Kinzler home in South Fargo as …
Like our entire community, I awoke last week to the horrible news of the death of Fargo Police Officer Jason Moszer, killed in the line of duty. I realized more than ever why I love Fargo and Upper Midwest living. Communities and police agencies jointly took to the airwaves to rally around the family of the fallen officer. The honor …
My wife was a very happy woman last week. If you’ve been paying attention to what I’m doing with this column, you may remember I did a very long column. Right after I finished the article, I came down with a bug that, among other things, took my voice away. One and one-half weeks of silence, as best that term …
Be careful what you ask for. You may just not like what you get. … Fargo Police Chief David Todd and former Police Officer Todd Dahle did not like my article on the resignation process involving Keith Ternes that appeared in The Extra and unheralded.fish three weeks ago. They thought it short of facts. (If you’d like to review their …
I cannot help but wonder how many people in this country can be taken in by the buffoons in charge of the Republican presidential candidates’ ship of fools. Let me be clear (oh, oh, there’s that Bernie Sanders quote burned into my system): The extremist candidates ― Trump, Cruz, Christie and Rubio, and to a lesser extent Carson ― have more …
First, congratulations to North Dakota State University and its entire football team, coaching staff and athletic director on their fifth consecutive national championship. As a University of North Dakota graduate, I am in awe of the fans of this team. They moved an entire city to another state to support their team! That is awesome by anyone’s definition. Chris Kleieman, …
This is another story I had never planned on writing. Once again, I had a rough draft on another story — and then the following happened: I was at Fargo North High School for some events involving my grandchildren. While walking the halls, I saw the familiar face of a friend. He was always a good-looking young man, and as he …