What’s hard to understand about ‘I can’t breathe?’

July 16, 2020

Leave aside the political correctness that has resulted in universal condemnation of all law enforcement personnel, for a moment. In the interest of saving lives, let us return at least briefly to using our common sense. As The Associated Press reports, a significant number of officers, deputies, troopers and agents may not understand the seriousness of making it difficult for someone to breathe. Really. Under no circumstances can what happened to George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis be rationalized, of course. After being arrested on a relatively minor, non-violent charge, he was ...

Not the time for threats

July 15, 2020

President Donald Trump is threatening to withhold some federal funds from education institutions, both K-12 and colleges and universities, if they do not reopen soon for the fall semester. Some governors also have issued blanket reopening schedules for their public schools. This is misguided, even if it is within the power of the president and governors. Each and every one of them should back off. Millions of Americans want schools and institutions of higher learning to reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. But when is that? Is it August 15? August 30? Mid-September? That ...

Oversight is essential to PPP spending

July 14, 2020

What some have described as a “citizen legislature” approach to governance in the United States means that the overwhelming majority of members of Congress have private business interests. Inevitably, some of what they do affects their personal finances. Quite a few of them have benefited from massive programs meant to curb damage to the economy from business and social restrictions linked to the COVID-19 crisis. At least a dozen lawmakers are linked to companies and organizations that received money through the Paycheck Protection Program, The Associated Press reports. The PPP ...

Minot AFB anniversary means much to community

July 13, 2020

Happy 65th anniversary to Minot Air Force Base. Yesterday marked 65 years since a groundbreaking ceremony in 1955 on farmland north of Minot where construction began. The Minot community welcomed the base then, and it continues to welcome the base today. That support was recognized last fall when Minot received the Air Force Global Strike Command’s Barksdale Trophy, given to the community with the most outstanding support for its local base, including hospitality toward airmen, officers and their families. Minot AFB has reciprocated. Whether it is opening its gates to host ...

Destroying historic statues should not go unpunished

July 11, 2020

Enough already. It’s time for us to stand up to the mobs and against the destruction of valuable and historic statues and monuments in our country. What’s going on today is reminiscent of the purges by the communists in the former Soviet Union, where history could be rewritten with a nod from the party. People disappeared, city names were changed and monuments and icons came down overnight. Nobody dared to object if they valued their lives. Here, nobody seems to dare step in and stop a relatively small group of troublemakers and overzealous protesters. We allow attacks on ...

Major gift to MSU Summer Theatre greatly appreciated

July 10, 2020

Who in Minot has not attended a production at MSU Summer Theatre? It’s hard to image anyone falling into that camp. After all, the amphitheater has been in existence for more than 50 years and performances there are often the highlights of summer in the Magic City. As with all structures and venues, they need periodic updating and sometimes expansions. And that, of course, takes money. Friends of MSU Summer Theatre were sure to be happy to hear of a major gift announced Wednesday, which will provide a big push to their fundraising efforts already underway. On Wednesday, the ...