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Letters to the Editor

Do we really believe in the Constitution?

Bob McNamara, Upham Do people really believe in the constitution? Forty percent plus of people in an MDN poll said they are okay with using the military to provide law enforcement in our cities. Boats are blown up because we suspect they are runnting drugs. Government officials are using their position to limit free speech. Yet all of these people say they believe in the constitution and America. Obviously, we have the ability to track suspicious boats in the Caribbean. There was a time, however, when the Navy or Coast Guard would stop that boat, board it, and if drugs are found, ...

Thanks, Minot, for your hospitality

Pat Fischer, Ellensburg, Wash. I recently visited Minot to attend the funeral of my sister. Most of us were from out of the area and we stayed at the Sparks Hotel on the 20th. We had family in from Texas, Arizona, Washington, Indiana, Iowa, Montana and South Dakota. Thanks to the hotel and their fabulous staff. The facility was amazing. We gathered in their lunchroom facility and their lobby with around 20 to 30 of us at times. We dined, reminisced and took photos along with visiting with relatives who dropped in and brought goodies from the CrossRoads. We had the opportunity to ...

All voting methods must be protected

Rep. Lisa Finley-Deville, Mandaree As a representative of the people that elected me, it’s a serious concern when I hear talk about taking away options for people to vote. This national conversation around eliminating mail-in ballots and voting machines is a direct challenge to the fundamental principle of democracy. For many communities, including those I represent in tribal nations, diverse voting options are not a luxury, they are a necessity. Mail-in voting is essential for citizens who live in rural areas with limited transportation, for our elders and those with disabilities, ...

DHS has answer to city’s budget problems

Roger Stonefeld, Minot As a citizen of Minot I pay attention to the best of my ability on local government issues. Lately I have read in the paper that there are once again talks among our city council of attempting to substantially raise taxes, this time I believe to pay for “first responders.” I suppose being told “No” to higher taxes just a few short months ago by city voters didn’t faze them in trying again. I have also been following federal politics and looking for opportunities for our community to benefit from the changes occurring there. I have written to our city ...

Hope to hear more from young candidates

Patricia Marquard, Minot This letter should have been written a long time ago. Procrastination is the excuse. It is never too late to recognize leadership in the younger generation. Josiah Roise ran an excellent campaign for the mayor position in Minot. Jantzer, the winning candidate, had exposure and years of experience. I was very impressed with Josaih’s platform, especially his key points on fiscal responsibility in local government. I hope we see and hear more from him in regards to local government and involvement in community affairs.

Military street patrols should not be normal

Bob McNamara, Upham Ever notice how things become normal incrementally. Paying for checked baggage was unheard of until it became normal. Wearing seat belts was unheard of when I was young but is now normal. These things happened in small increments over time until we just accepted them as normal. I wonder if we are now seeing another thing become normal. The US is a country where police, not the military, have always enforced the law. When I see the military patrolling city streets I think of third world countries. Maybe communist countries or socialist countries but not free ...