Opinion - The Timberjay

We won’t let Trump turn back history

We are not going back: • To a time when only white men ran our country. • To a time when women had no control over what happened to our own bodies, as it has already become again in several … more

8/8/24

We certainly have a clear choice now

Our national politics are certainly providing entertainment recently. No sooner does Trump name a vice president than President Biden steps down and endorses Kamala Harris, who steps right in and … more

Betty Firth | 8/8/24

We have enough hate

This week, we report in more detail on a troubling incident in Tower that has shocked many in the community, and rightfully so. On July 22, four young men, all teenagers, lured an adult male to town … more

8/8/24

Don’t be misled by the fear and hate

I have been watching TV today as Republican congressmen, who have all taken an oath when they entered office to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, say they want to impeach our … more

8/1/24

Silver Rapids public comment period should remain open for now

I attended and spoke at the open planning and zoning commission meeting regarding the proposed project at Silver Rapids Lodge earlier this month. I was surprised and disappointed that, despite the … more

8/1/24

Why the Silver Rapids proposal demands an EAW

I commend you for your extensive coverage of the public hearing conducted by the Lake County Planning and Zoning Commission on July 18 regarding the Silver Rapids Lodge expansion project. This letter … more

8/1/24

Modifiers in need of modification...

In the old comedy film “Animal Crackers,” Groucho Marx famously declares: “One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don’t know.” Groucho … more

Catie Clark | 8/1/24

The Bush years

It’s long been known that wine tends to improve with age. The same seems to hold true of Americans’ perspectives on their former presidents. Even the most disappointing presidents tend to … more

8/1/24

Born in the Depression, my father watched as the world changed

My father, Richard Helmberger, died this past Monday, July 29, less than a month shy of his 100th birthday, one of the last of the generation that came of age in the Great Depression. He was born … more

Marshall Helmberger | 8/1/24

Silver Rapids expansion plan is much too large

Silver Rapids Lodge has been a good neighbor in the past. Upgrading the facility is welcome, and having experienced resort management is a plus. But the idea of expanding the resort to 62 … more

7/25/24

Stauber shouldn’t throw stones

I am writing in response to Pete Stauber’s most recent email in which he asks “all political leaders to take accountability for their words” and to “stop fueling the hatred … more

7/25/24

Heat is also a climate change problem

We think of climate change as causing flooding, drought, physical destruction, wildfires, and hurricanes, blackouts and health issues for humans. Extreme heat, however, is the number one … more

7/24/24

I’m voting for whoever supports Israel

While sitting in our library and reading opinion letters in the Timberjay, I noticed a letter from an Ely resident, who formerly lived among Palestinians, but now wants a two-state, Mideast solution. … more

7/24/24

Skraba is wrong on the sale of school trust lands

Thank you for the excellent and informative news story about the sale to the federal government of Minnesota’s school trust lands located within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. State … more

7/24/24

I support a party that shares my values

A Republican friend asked, “How can you be 100% behind Biden last week and now be 100% behind Harris this week?” At first this question confused me, but I think the answer lies with … more

7/24/24

Cellphones in schools

Given the plague of guns and school shooters, parents and kids may want phones in the classrooms.We adults forget that kids these days are like a hive, and see that as a feature, not a bug. Even if … more

7/24/24

A call to action that is as relevant today as in the 1960s

“Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” The memory is of a young and vibrant newly elected president, John F. Kennedy, standing at a podium … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 7/24/24

Putting country first

Joe Biden didn’t come to his decision to abandon his bid for re-election as President of the United States easily. It took considerable soul-searching and a gentle shove from members of his own … more

7/24/24

Mr. Johnson needs a history lesson

In the July 5 issue of the Timberjay, Mr. Johnson expresses anger at the U.S. for many things, including the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza. However, Mr. Johnson is pointing his finger in the … more

7/18/24

Liberals are the primary purveyors of violence in the U.S.

In his Oval Office address to the nation, Biden said, “We can’t allow this violence to be normalized.” Vice President Harris was raising money to bail out and defend BLM terrorists … more

7/18/24

A false god is convincing many of his lies

Even as the former was just shot at, his first words were, ‘fight, fight, fight,’ with raised fist. One other dead and two wounded as a Republican 20-year-old shooter attempted to take … more

7/18/24

How Project 2025 could harm America

If you haven’t heard about Project 2025, here’s a short primer about the reactionary playbook for the next GOP administration. Global news agency Reuters, states: “At its heart, … more

7/18/24

Ely Braver Angels attempts to bridge the political divide

So how about that presidential debate?! Did that add to your peace of mind about the upcoming election? Did you think, “Well, no matter who wins, we’ll still have a functioning government … more

Johnna Hyde | 7/18/24

Could a photojournalist have changed the course of history?

Readers of the Timberjay and other weekly newspapers may not realize it, but every time they open our pages, via the print edition or online, they’re reaching back to the very beginning of … more

7/18/24

More information please

The Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital Board deserves credit for commissioning the analysis by SafeTech Solutions exploring alternative methods for administering area ambulance services. While the … more

7/18/24