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Letters to the Editor

Obscenity bills have negative impact

Janet Anderson, Director, Minot Public Library, Minot House Bill 1205 (relating to prohibiting public libraries from maintaining explicit sexual material) and Senate Bill 2360 (relating to obscenity control; to provide a penalty; and to provide an effective date) both passed their respective houses last week with a “Veto-Proof” majority. Supporters of these bills have repeatedly said that they intend to “protect” youth from “pornography,” and they have brought in several people to testify about the adverse effects of pornography on children. However, none of these ...

Can anybody fix USPS?

Doug Pearson, Glenburn On the 10th of February, 2023, a package was mailed to me from Charleston, SC. Via USPS. On the 12th of February it arrived at the distribution center in Bismarck, ND. On the 15th of February, it arrived in Watford City, ND. It stayed there for 2 minutes, and then arrived at the Bismarck distribution center the next afternoon. Then it was ‘In Transit to Next Facility’ for a day. The next day, the 18th of February, it arrived at the Minot Post Office. 35 minutes later it went ‘Out for Delivery’ to Glenburn, ND. It arrived at my mailbox that same ...

Funding bill critical to safety from violence

Tara Muhlhauser, Bismarck North Dakota legislators must pass House Bill 1004, as the safety of thousands of North Dakotans depends on it. If passed, HB1004 would provide additional funding to the public health division of the Department of Health and Human Services. This division helps fund the 20 domestic violence/sexual assault (DV/SA) crisis and advocacy programs across North Dakota that are in desperate need of increased funding. I am writing to you as the Executive Director of CAWS North Dakota, the statewide coalition representing these programs. DV/SA agencies provide ...

Politics used to promote false gospel

Nathan Green, Minot I am responding to an editorial dated February 18, 2023, titled “Support legislation that reflects North Dakota values.” After reading this article, I see the false, no repentance gospel is alive and well in certain denominations across our state. The article states that, “We believe Jesus preached a Gospel that embraces the marginalized. We believe that LGBTQ+ people are beloved children of God.” The gospel (good news) that Jesus preached required repentance and faith. He condemned self-righteousness by highlighting the utter impossibility of a human ...

Way forward should be through conversation

Faye Seidler, Fargo I’m a suicide prevention advocate in North Dakota. I specialize in LGBTQ+ outcome data and I work in healthcare. This legislative session has seen nearly 20 bills involving LGBTQ+ identity in some capacity and many of these bills restrict access to care or support. I want folks to know that from the medical and suicide prevention side, we share the pain and outrage when trans care isn’t properly followed. I know it seems like every day there is another detransition story or expose on a hospital. It is terrible when the World Professional Association of ...

Oil tax cuts vs. veterans’ license fees

Austin Gillette, Garrison ND Legislature considers tax breaks for oil companies. ND produces over 1 million barrels per day. Reducing the cap level means less revenue for the State. We should be aware of the record profits had last year nationwide, over $200 hundred billion. The Legacy Fund is over $8 billion. But we must look beyond and realize this oil boom is a 1 time harvest. I’m in favor of leaving the trigger levels intact. Which brings me to a veteran’s license plate issue. 2018 I requested and was issued a veteran plate with a Marine Corps logo plus an assigned number ...