×

Local Columnists

Historically, Jewish residents well treated in ND

In this era of hate and fear, anti-Semitism is on the rise in the United States.  According to the Anti-Defamation League, anti-semitism incidents in the United States rose 36% in 2022.  “This escalation in antisemitism incidents comes just after the ADL reported on American’s ...

Freedom and tolerance disappear together

"When I am weaker than you, I ask you for freedom because that is according to your principles; when I am stronger than you, I take away your freedom because that is according to my principles.” I would tell you, dear reader, who this quote is attributed to, but unfortunately its ...

Legislature slowly killing local home rule

As the principal author of home rule used by cities and counties, I have taken a proprietary interest in the development of home rule. North Dakota now has over 100 cities and around 15 counties with home rule charters. In 1969, my graduate assistant, Dave Gipp, and I collected the charters ...

Hate beyond all reason brings consequences

I can’t help myself here, but I’m about to bring up lore for “Warhammer 40,000,” which is itself is nothing more than the backdrop for grown men to roll dice and play with action figures. In this fiction, humanity is a faction called the Imperium of Man, a galaxy spanning empire founded ...

Gap exists between citizens, Legislature

A couple weeks ago, we discussed the different styles of legislators – “delegates” that try to represent constituents and “trustees” that use their own judgment. Because the short 80-day session moves faster than communications, legislators end up voting without knowing or ...

Science’s high priest has no robes

The faithful public servants of the fourth estate working at PBS have accidentally gone and done a work of revealing and genuine journalism. I know, I’m shocked as well. While typically committed to their stated ideological mission of giving the Biden Administration it’s daily tongue bath, ...