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Great Britain leads in its own self destruction

National Columnists

For centuries, Great Britain stood as one of the West’s crown jewels, a bastion of Judeo-Christian civilization, free speech and rule of law. One small, proud island in Western Europe defeated tyrants, ended slavery and stood firm against the flood of Nazism that swamped the continent and threatened to envelop the entire world. “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender,” Winston Churchill famously declared on behalf of the British people and yes, ...

I’m spiritually learning through my writing

National Columnists

As 2025 comes to an end, I want to thank my readers who have emailed me throughout the year with encouraging and kind words. I truly appreciate the thoughtfulness put into every message. Due to my teaching and grading load, I am not able to respond to every email, but I am deeply moved that people would take the time to write me. I’m also grateful to those who shared their dissenting opinions. I think we can all agree that we need more civil and polite discussions in online spaces. Three recent columns that particularly resonated with readers were my Thanksgiving commentary on ...

Tax credit delivers meaningful relief

Local Columnists

What a difference a year – and a bold policy change – makes. Across North Dakota, property tax statements are arriving in mailboxes ahead of a Dec. 26 deadline for counties to mail them to homeowners. And while it’s not a Christmas miracle, it’s certainly a welcome change to see property tax bills going down significantly, thanks to a major relief and reform package we approved with the Legislature last spring. In 2024, North Dakota’s $500 Primary Residence Credit left about 16,000 households, or 10% of those eligible for the credit, owing no residual property tax. ...

‘You look great’ is about perception

National Columnists

I was sitting in the waiting room of a doctor’s office last week when someone I hadn’t seen for many years came in. When he saw me, he said “Bob! How are you? You look great!” I don’t look great. Since I last saw him, my hair has turned from gray to white, and there’s far less of it. My skin has gone blotchy. The bags under my eyes have gone from brown to blue. And my wattle has become the size of a bullfrog. “You look great, too, George.” I lied. George looked about a hundred years older than I remembered him. Why do we feel compelled to say “You look ...

Trump plays Mr. New York Christmas

National Columnists

Fifth Avenue swarms with tourists grinning at the fabulous scene as retailers cash in on the cheer. Christmas in New York is a Rockettes kick line of store windows awash in fantasy and light spectaculars. But something is missing from the big show this year. That would be Donald Trump. In truth, the president hasn’t made much of a Gotham showing in years – striking, given how hard he once worked to make Christmas in New York all about him, before he moved on to making the world all about him, all the time. Sure, Trump Tower still looms over Fifth and just a few steps from the ...

Service dog program needs to continue

Letters to the Editor

Capt. Ryan Moss (Ret.) Jud Service dogs create an improvement in life when it comes to living with PTSD. I have had my service dog, Major, for over 5 years. During that time, I have gone from not being able to go shopping alone, not participating in family life or events, not being part of community groups, and not being able to hold a full-time job to someone that is able to walk into a store and not think twice about it because I have a partner by my side. I am able to more actively participate not only with my son’s life by getting involved with things that he enjoys but also ...