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The illusion of political change

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: In 2000, my father, then 95 years old, supported Ralph Nader for President. I learned this when we were visiting at Christmas. A few months earlier, I had shared information about the Constitution Party person that was running for president. I asked him why he chose Nader and his simple reply to me was irrefutable. He said he remembered every election since Woodrow Wilson; that the Republicans and Democrats have had control of the White House and/or the Congress, his entire life and that the political outcome doesn’t seem to change. His conclusion was that either the ...

‘We try to bring people into the community’

Local Columns

Cody Nelson says his fiancee calls him a “social butterfly.” “She says I like to talk to everyone,” Nelson said. Talking to everyone has become a benefit for the city of Hanley Falls. Besides establishing his LLC in flooring installation, he also dedicates time on the City Council ...

The 1986 Masters: a motivating factor for high school golf

Community Voices

I watch at least part of the Masters golf tournament every April, but this year it has a special meaning. It’s been 40 years since Jack Nicklaus won the 1986 Masters at age 46 to earn his sixth Green Jacket. I watched his entire final round and cheered for him every step of the way. The Golden Bear and Arnold Palmer are the two professionals that led me to try golf in the late 1970s. Palmer’s last major was in 1964 and his last tournament win was in 1973. I hoped he’d win one more time and maybe more than one, but it didn’t happen. Nicklaus was still winning. I thought it ...

On the Porch

Local Columns

Cyrus P. Shepard was born in the state of New York on Nov. 13, 1839. Shepard descends from family members who served in the French and Indian War, the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Handed down from generation to generation was an old fife. The fife had been carried by members of the family in the wars mentioned above. The musical instrument was lost in a battle during the American Civil War, while being carried by another family member, Myron Shepard. In 1861, Cyrus started out West with the intention of locating in Missouri, but he proceeded to Wisconsin. As Arthur P. Rose ...

The gambling snare

Community Voices

There is a saying attributed to PT Barnum that goes like this: There is a sucker born every minute. One area of activity that this saying can apply to is gambling. How might it apply? The thought is that there is an inexhaustible supply of people who are willing to be exploited using games on which they can play and have fun, while they lose their money and make a profit for the casino or owner of the gambling house. The owners are correct in their assumption that there are lots of people who are quite comfortable and willing to lose their money. The owners may be confident ...