Opinion - The Timberjay

Janatopoulos will be a strong advocate for education

I’m a retired educator, having spent 35 years teaching in the Minnesota State College system. So, I’m a bit of an education geek when it comes to evaluating political … more

9/19/24

Trump's delusions around tariffs threaten the economy

One of the biggest economic concerns in the current presidential campaign centers on Donald Trump’s promise to launch a major trade war with virtually every U.S. trading partner, including our … more

Marshall Helmberger | 9/19/24

A failing nation

Donald Trump was absolutely right about one thing during last week’s debate with Kamala Harris. The former president repeatedly called the United States a failing nation, and his very candidacy … more

9/19/24

Letter writer had me laughing

I got a good laugh with last week’s letter about “strength through joy being a danger to democracy.”. Clearly the writer has never rea the Republican playbook called Project 2025, … more

9/12/24

Loyalty requires thinking before voting

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands…” Most Americans have declared this, from an early age – often … more

9/12/24

All who served our country deserve our thanks

This is one of the reasons I try to stay off Facebook. When you pop on you have really no control over the first post you see. Well, one day I pop on and the first post I see is a … more

9/12/24

Immigrants have brought blessings to America

Immigrants. They came for freedom. They founded our freedom in 1787. They are still coming today to escape violent conditions and find a better world for their families. They are taking lower-paying … more

9/11/24

Where have we seen Project 2025 before?

Project 2025 is a 900-page document spelling out a functional takeover of the American government. There is nothing remotely “conservative” about it. Conservative means to retain what is … more

9/11/24

Be cautious with your donations

Citizens who donate to charities soon realize that their names are sold to other charities. We can tell by the sudden proliferation of appeals for donations in our emails or in our mailbox. Our … more

9/11/24

Take it from a real conservative

From one of the most conservative people to ever serve as vice president of the United States, Dick Cheney: “In our nation’s 248-year history, there has never been an individual who … more

9/11/24

Silver Rapids decision will have impacts

On Sept. 4, the Lake County Planning and Zoning Commission approved the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the Silver Rapids Resort Project. Here’s what that means for our lakes, roads, and … more

9/11/24

To bee or not to bee, that is the question for AI

The holy grail for artificial intelligence computing would be to one day have computers that could think exactly like humans, but the complexities of the human brain exceed our current understanding … more

David Colburn | 9/11/24

The billionaire takeover

The takeover of America’s politics by billionaires appears to have reached overdrive and the public is right to worry that our democracy is being corrupted as a result. Concern over the power … more

9/11/24

Trump’s supporters choose willful ignorance

I recently got into a war of words on Facebook with a friend from high school, who is now a very pro-Trump Twin Cities pastor. And I find myself, once again, wondering what I’ve missed in … more

9/5/24

Presidential immunity an invention of the current high court

We used to think in this country that no one is above the law, that includes the President of the United States. If the president can break the law, he or she becomes a dictator without … more

9/5/24

Strength through joy a danger to democracy

Democrat voters did not want Harris and she dropped out of the 2020 primary early. But once it became obvious that Biden is a loser, the DNC disenfranchised 14 million primary voters and installed VP … more

9/5/24

Research, then vote for your beliefs

When I read last week’s letter urging readers to “vote wisely-vote your beliefs,” it was very clear the writer was not in support of the Democratic Party. But she also stated … more

9/5/24

What does your gut say? Intuition versus logic

I have the most intricate, interesting dreams when I’m too warm. I wake up, throwing off the covers, longing for some cool air, but thinking, “Boy, that was a good one” or … more

Betty Firth | 9/5/24

School trust lands

For years, local lawmakers have strained credulity in their arguments opposing a sale of state school trust lands locked within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and that is reflected once … more

9/5/24

Trump’s defeat is key to rebuilding the GOP

I was astonished to see prominent Republicans, and even Stephanie Grisham, who was a senior adviser for the Trump campaign, speaking at the Democratic National Convention. I was so surprised I took … more

8/29/24

Oil provides many things that benefit us all

After reading the Aug. 6, Timberjay opinion page, I found that I had similar desires as the two grandparents from Cook, who loved their 10 grandchildren and wanted the grandchildren to successfully … more

8/29/24

Vote your beliefs

It’s that time again – to vote for our next president. I know this is widely known as democratic country, but the Democratic party is no longer the party it used to be. We must STOP … more

8/29/24

Tariffs will increase inflation and hurt our economy

Throughout our world, there are wide differences in temperatures, topographic features, minerals, water, wildlife, and populations that result in uneven allocation of resources distributed on our … more

8/29/24

Those who live in glass houses

Minnesota Senator David Hahn thinks farm boy Tim Walz never worked the private sector. I can’t help but wonder what he’d say about Congressman Pete Stauber. Same deal, living on public … more

8/29/24

Traffic estimate was highly questionable

In his report to the Lake County Planning and Zoning Commission, Lake County Highway Engineer Jason DiPlazza wrote: “Forty-nine (49) rental units and a restaurant/bar will create significant … more

8/29/24