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Letters to the Editor

ND bills set to harm children

Zoe Muccatira, Fargo “Be yourself!” Many North Dakota legislators would disagree with this statement. Multiple anti-LGBTQ+ bills are currently being considered by our legislators to become state law. A large portion of these bills specifically target transgender youth—allowing discriminatory practices in schools and hospitals. North Dakota youth could have their education severely impacted and be prevented from receiving necessary, lifesaving healthcare. There are bills that would diminish their participation in sports, disallow usage of bathrooms that align with that ...

America’s victory conditions in Ukraine outlined

Andrew Alexis Varvel Bismarck What are America’s victory conditions in Ukraine? We know what Russia’s victory conditions are – conquering all or part of Ukraine. Down the road, Russia would like to conquer the rest of eastern Europe and central Asia. And cow the Taliban. We know what Ukraine’s victory conditions are – liberating all Ukrainian territory from Russian occupation. And receiving security guarantees from the United States and other NATO countries. We know what Communist China’s victory conditions are – to solidify Russian conquests, make itself ...

Gender affirming care is anything but

Philip Weigel, Minot I’m writing this as a response to the letter written by Danial S. Sturgill and all of the supposed Health Care professionals who wrote in support of his letter. Gender Affirming Care is simply a nice way of saying “we’re going to castrate your children and chop up their bodies.” Do you know what “gender affirming care” entails for children? It entails using puberty blockers, which have permanent side-effects on children. To put it in perspective, imagine trying to drive your car after removing all the oil from it. That’s what puberty ...

Stop worrying about which bathroom to use

Asheley LeFors, Minot Last week there was a Legislative hearing for HB 1473, also known as “Segregate Transgender People from Restrooms/Showers” bill. This bill asserts that women are weak and naive and need to be protected from undocumented dangers that could possibly be in a public bathroom. The bill states that boys should use the boys bathroom and girls should use the girls bathroom. That transgender people should use the bathroom of their gender assigned at birth regardless of what they look like on the outside. This bill was directed at state mandated facilities, like ...

Christ’s actions resound today

Lillian Bachmeier, Mandan This is the season of lent, where Christians solemnly remember the death of their Savior, Jesus Christ. Catholics will relive this agony through the Stations of the Cross, prayerfully recounting the events that led Him away to Calvary. But, one event is not recognized in these stations. It is the profound occurrence that recounts Christ angrily entering the temple and with a switch, turns over the tables, upsetting the money changers, proclaiming “This is not a den of thieves!” In one week, Christ would be dead. All four gospel writers agree that ...

Consider all impacts of oil, gas activity

Denise A. Dykeman, Minot I read the article “Studies Show Oil Industry’s Impact on ND” and shook my head. The article cites Ron Ness, the president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, touting the great jobs and tax revenue that can be achieved with production of 50,000 barrels a day. I am an environmental scientist and a lawyer. I was born in 1979. I have been working to protect the natural world since the first time I played outside. Ask my mom. I’ve also worked on many of the biggest environmental disasters over the last decade. Here is an impact of oil and gas ...