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Letters to the Editor

Trump’s big spending

To the editor: (President Donald Trump’s) birthday party a resounding success, concluding with participants loudly insulting former First Lady Michelle Obama in typical Trump classless fashion. Sixty million dollars including $700,000 just to restore grass after. Reflecting pool upgrades complete, and pool is now back to pre-upgrade water quality, initial estimate was $1.8 million, final bill ….$14.2 million. Restoring previously removed information on national park sites regarding slavery and climate by court order. There is no dollar amount affixed to this project yet. ...

Understanding the future of AI

To the editor: AI, friend or foe? Probably both, but I tend to lean more toward foe. I just read in the 4 June issue of AAAS ‘Science’ that there is now a narrowing window for being able to understand AI’s inner workings because: 1. AI systems are now designed and refined by AI through recursive cycles that out pace human understanding. 2. AI to AI interactions are highly connected and complex and becoming increasingly hard for humans to interpret. 3. AI is building increasingly detailed models of human behavior and psychology. So as our understanding of AI ‘decreases’, ...

Efficiency of fools

To the editor: Efficiency — Doing more or with less? Cut waste. Make it better faster. The leading cry of many administrations. In the extreme, it’s dangerous and rigged to benefit a few while we and the future pay a deadly price. DODE performed a lobotomy on a patient who had a broken arm, celebrating destruction in the guise of efficiency with a century of repercussions in lost trust, productivity, safety and taxes. .Efficiency apart from quality and sustainability is a bait and switch. Did the government firing thousands of people and rehiring some unqualified persons result ...

Questioning E85 pricing at gas pump

To the editor: Gas has gone up in price about $2 per gallon. Crude oil has gone up from $60 per barrel to about $110 per barrel and E85 has gone up $1.75 per gallon, but corn has stayed to around $4 per bushel. Corn grown locally and processed to ethanol in Marshall and Luverne has not gone up in price. There is no transportation cost so why the price gouging. Russ Pilegaard Ruthton

Thank you Lyon County Sheriff Department

To the editor: I want to send gratitude and thanks to Lyon County Sheriff’s Department. A radar sign reminding drivers on their way into Russell that the speed limit is 30 mph was set in place. I live on North 2nd Street in Russell close to the edge of our small town. Traffic passing by is never going 30 mph in either direction. Drivers travel above and beyond the speed limit. This street has multiple trucks traveling between gravel pits and dump off sites. This street has multiple ATVs and 4-wheelers driving above the speed limit. I am not a hater of drivers of any vehicle. I am ...

Dahms, Swedzinski failed in fighting fraud

To the editor: Re: Dahms, Swedzinski talk fighting fraud May 22 Representatives (Minn. Sen. Gary) Dahms and (Chris) Swedzinski are featured in the article discussing combating fraud in Minnesota. Both have massively failed the voters who elected them to protect our interests. To provide them a headline that implies they are somehow involved with the current fraud investigation and solutions is an insult to the taxpayers they failed. We elect our representatives to advocate for our best interests-regardless of party affiliation. An estimated $9B in Minnesota fraud is approximately ...