Opinion - The Timberjay

Biden is past his prime, aiding a dangerous autocrat

According to a New York Times article that quoted prominent people’s opinion of whether President Biden should run for office again, one responsive theme was, “The President has … more

7/11/24

Time to end the either-or of polarized politics

Seeing reality as right or wrong, good or bad, all or nothing, is an example of binary or dichotomous thinking. Either-or propositions recognize only two opposing possibilities without anything in … more

7/11/24

Some questions have no good answers

One night in my backyard, I saw some unusual lights that seemed to be intensifying. I had not heard any forecast of Northern Lights, so I was puzzled. The lights were heading straight at me, morphing … more

Betty Firth | 7/11/24

The court decides

The Constitution of the United States clearly lays out the process for its amendment, and that process does not include an arbitrary decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. But that is what Americans … more

7/11/24

Time to stand up for the rights of Palestinians

America continues to kill Palestinians — 36,000 to date while making life unbearable for the people of Gaza and the West Bank against the wishes of the majority of the American people. And if … more

7/5/24

Trump is unintelligible as well as unethical

On a June 3, 2024, weekend Fox News program, convicted felon Donald Trump said the following: “Religion is such a great thing. It’s so it keep you know, there’s something to be good … more

7/4/24

The real dictator wannabe

In his rambling, semi-coherent letter “Biden dismisses prospect of armed takeover”, in last week’s Timberjay, the writer from Ely apparently insists on twisting Joe Biden’s … more

7/4/24

Trump would worsen the threat of climate change

What are the political issues that you are considering in voting for a Presidential candidate? No matter what those isues may be, they are trivial by comparison to the deadly issue of climate … more

7/4/24

What is fascism?

In last week’s Timberjay, a letter writer said President Joe Biden was acting like “a fascist dictator.” I thought it best just to lay out the 14 points of fascism. 1. Near … more

7/4/24

Vote Biden to protect our rights

Steve Bannon, Speaker Johnson, Margorie Taylor Greene, the Supreme Court, the ex-President, unabashedly lying at the debate on TV repeatedly. How can the baloney they are peddling — … more

7/4/24

Based on my personal experience, mosquitos suck

My first memories of Minnesota are populated by the swarms of mosquitos along the Blue Earth River. When I was a child, my family made many trips to visit the relatives in Minnesota, where almost all … more

Catie Clark | 7/4/24

Has it come to this?

It was difficult to watch last Thursday night’s presidential debate without considering the obvious. Are these two individuals really the best that America can produce for the most powerful and … more

7/4/24

Cook response

It will likely be weeks before residents and business owners in Cook have a handle on the cost to rebuild in the wake of last week’s flood. Some businesses, particularly those without flood … more

6/27/24

America is teetering on the edge of fascism

America is in danger of becoming a Fascist nation. If it can happen in Italy, Germany, and Spain within my lifetime it can happen here. Donald Trump, supported by his army of the wealthy who … more

6/27/24

Greenwood chair declares state law “a monstrosity”

Just over a month ago, the Greenwood Town Board adopted the gold standard of transparency in government, the MN Data Practices Act, and did so by a unanimous vote. The act gives citizens the right to … more

6/27/24

Why Greenwood rescinded compliance with the data practices act

The Greenwood town board held a special meeting on June 20, to discuss the Minnesota Data Practices Act. The meeting was not covered by a newspaper reporter and it was not videotaped, since the board … more

6/27/24

Trump’s history says a lot about our potential future

Trump has been a participant in over four thousand legal actions filed by him or against him and his organizations encompassing a variety of issues: • Political campaigns • Taxes • … more

6/27/24

Biden dismisses prospect of armed takeover

In 2021, Biden said, “If you wanted or if you think you need to have weapons to take on the government, you need F-15s and maybe some nuclear weapons.” In 2022, American Military News … more

6/27/24

Are we ready to face the inconvenient truth?

Inspired by the book by Al Gore published in 2006. On June 18, while washing dishes, I glanced out the kitchen window and lamented another cloudy day. Seemed like ages since we’d had a … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 6/27/24

We need to stand up to defeat Trump

Donald Trump was found guilty by a jury of everyday Americans on 34 felony counts. He is finally being held accountable for one of his many illegal schemes to gain and hold onto power. His conviction … more

6/19/24

Clean and affordable energy is in our future

Clean, affordable, reliable and safe is a good way to describe what renewable energy offers our families and communities. A recent NY Times article detailed the amazing change that is happening in … more

6/19/24

When words don’t convey one’s intent

Across the many years I spent working in the realm of academe, nothing gave me more pleasure and affirmation than donning my academic regalia to celebrate graduation. When I earned my master’s … more

David Colburn | 6/19/24

A targeted prosecution

The recent conviction of Hunter Biden for lying on a federal instant background check form for a gun purchase in 2018 prompted the Timberjay to research the laws surrounding drug use and guns in the … more

6/19/24

New regulations pending

We’ve been reporting for the past few years about the ongoing challenges faced by area ambulance services, challenges due in part to regulatory changes that have increased the costs of … more

6/13/24

A reminder about our letters to the editor policies

As we edge increasingly into what is likely to be a hard-fought campaign for the future of America, we want to explain how we handle letters to the editor. We accept letters and will typically … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/13/24