Letters to the Editor

A recent letter to the editor brought up excellent questions about climate change and global warming. The author asserted that "global warming" was renamed to "global climate change" because "when the climate did not heat fast enough ... any change in climate will provide proof we are in imminent danger."...

  For over 15 years, Spirit Lake and surrounding communities have been supporting the local blood bank, LifeServe Blood Center, at the community blood drives coordinated by John Guthrie. The blood drive was held this past Tuesday, March 12, to help the blood center in a very high need time during the colder season. Several donors stepped up by saving lives...

On Sunday, March 3, the 8th annual "Get Up and Bowl for Special Olympics" was held. Mother Nature did not cooperate on Sunday, Feb. 24, but everyone came together and made our fundraiser another HUGE success. We continue to be very blessed with the overwhelming cooperation and support we receive from our area businesses, friends, and families. ...

During the past year thousands of Americans have died needlessly. In the age group 0-19 years, 47 children were shot every day in America, in murders, assaults, suicides unintentional shootings or police interventions. Each day, eight of them died. This past year 17,207 children were shot in murders, assaults, suicides, unintentional shootings or police interventions and 2,737 of them died of gun violence...

We are living in historic, profoundly future shaping times. 2020 promises to be a year overloaded with pre-election conflicts, lawsuits, and overwhelming digital mis-information. I am concerned at the direction we are going. I am convinced that the outcome of this 2020 election will affect the future for my children and grandchildren...

In late January, the Trump Administration’s Department of Veterans Affairs announced an historic collaboration that could help curb the epidemic of veterans’ suicide. By partnering with the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Administration is taking important steps to promote responsible gun ownership best practices and safe firearm storage...

Iowa politics are pointing toward concentrating power in Des Moines. The proposal to reorganize judiciary selection, giving the legislature a larger role, is bigger than a "partisan power grab," and the argument that having legislators instead of lawyers select commission members would protect the rights of voters is only a small piece of the puzzle...

During President Trump's campaign for the presidency, he made promises. His promise that Mexico would pay for a border wall was probably one of the most significant promises. His inability to accomplish this has just caused a 35 day shutdown of our government and very visible agony for 800,000 federal employees. ...

My husband and I recently returned from volunteering at the border in Nogales, Arizona. We had the opportunity to meet with judges, law enforcement, immigration and defense lawyers, migrants and asylum seekers. It was an eye opening and sobering experience...

In a Letter to the Editor earlier this month, the writer forecasted an end to human life based on global climate change. As might be expected there is no exact timetable. No exact cause is given, but it must be the humans. It used to be called global warming, but when the planet didn't heat up fast enough the phenomenon was renamed "global climate change," so any change in the climate will provide proof we are in eminent danger...

If something is not done soon there will be no human life on this planet. According to Stephen Hawking, world famous scientist, we are at a "tipping point" with climate change. Meaning if we go beyond this point, we will not return. Hawking also said there will no longer be human life on this planet in about 100 years due to overpopulation and climate change, if nuclear war doesn't take care of the population first. ...

Sometimes people in positions of political power lose perspective in relation to the common man and woman. Take the example of recent comments from U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross displaying his bemusement at the necessity for furloughed federal workers to feed themselves and their families...

On behalf of the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce, and Okoboji Tourism, we would like to thank so many for making our 39th Annual University of Okoboji Winter Games another success for our business community...

Letter to the Editor: I am writing in response to the recent letter from Paul Johnson in the recent Dickinson County News. In his letter Mr. Johnson laments the present state of politics and government in the USA. We need to consider what has brought us to this point...

To assert the issue of executive privilege, newly arrived White House Counsel Pat Cipollone hired 17 lawyers to defend this issue. By law the cost of lawyers hired for issues dealing with campaigns, the presidency, conspiracy and obstruction will be covered by U.S. taxpayers. If they are asked to do anything illegal they must refuse. A number of lawyers have already left the administration for undisclosed reasons...

  For over 15 years, Spirit Lake and surrounding communities have been supporting the local blood bank, LifeServe Blood Center, at the community blood drives coordinated by John Guthrie. The blood drive was held this past Tuesday, Jan. 8, to help the blood center in a very high need time around the holidays. Several donors stepped up by saving lives. LifeServe Blood Center was able to collect 26 units of blood saving up to 78 local lives...

For the past 16 years, while serving as a Dickinson County Supervisor, I have read countless numbers of Letters to the Editor. During all that time, I made a personal decision to never write a similar letter. Times have changed. I am no longer a county supervisor. Any letters I write for publication now will reflect my own personal thoughts and will not reflect those of a county office...

As I come to the end of my last term as a Dickinson County Supervisor, I am compelled to send out my thanks to everyone for giving me the honor to be one of your supervisors. It has been a quick 16 years and I want to say I really have loved every minute. ...

The serial writer of "Letters to The Editor" seems to believe Donald Trump was in a conspiracy with the Russians to steal the 2016 election based on his Letter to the Editor titled "How Far will Mueller take this?" There was some Russian involvement, but it was by the other political party...

I just gave Rashida Tlaib (freshman congresswoman from Michigan) a piece of my mind. In my world, strong criticism is fine. I give it, and I'll take it when it's due me and people are kind enough to provide it. Strong criticism should be tolerated and dealt with...

As the Mueller investigation continues, President Trump has stated numerous times: "There is no Collusion!" He is probably correct. Legally, there is no crime defined as collusion. As Special Counsel Mueller continues his years-long investigation, the apparent crimes being pursued are obstruction of justice and conspiracy to commit crimes against the United States of America...

A serial writer of "Letters to The Editor" continues to suffer with comments made by President Trump. I suspect the writer's annoyance has more to do with President Trump's policies than comments made months or years ago. The negative thinking about President Trump is fueled by the national news media (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, AP, WP and NYP). ...

I look forward to a year in which estimates of the state's financial savings under Medicaid privatization do not triple and then increase again, while still at less than 75 percent of Governor Branstad's original estimated yearly savings. I look forward to a year in which a majority of Iowans are not of the opinion that our current governor has not addressed significant problems with Medicaid privatization...

I have received many comments about my numerous letters to the editor. A few deriding my opinions and demanding that I stop writing, but surprisingly, in this dominantly conservative district, many more applauding them and encouraging me to continue writing...

In a recent Dickinson County News Letter to the Editor titled "He Holds the World Record" the writer continues his suffering with "Trump Derangement Syndrome." It is hard to tell if his suffering is because the writer doesn't agree with Trump's political philosophy or he doesn’t know the facts...

In not quite two years, public statements checked by fact checkers found over 6,000 untruths, i.e. lies. Unfortunately, the person telling the lies and holding the record is the President of the United States. How are U.S. citizens to know where our president is leading us? How can international leaders know what the positions of the United States are when they cannot believe what the president says?...

In a recent Dickinson County News Letter to the Editor titled "Please Stay Away, Mr. President" the writer bemoans the fact President Trump went to Pittsburgh to pay his respects to the victims of the mass shooting. The first two paragraphs of the letter were dedicated to negative comments about President Trump making an appearance in Pittsburg. ...

Join us for our first Spirit Lake downtown window and tree lighting on Saturday, Nov. 24. The downtown businesses, city of Spirit Lake and Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce have combined efforts to brighten up Spirit Lake this holiday season. The grand lighting event will occur at 5 p.m. The lights will continue to be lit for enjoyment through the holiday season...

After Mayor Bill Peduto of Pittsburg and other local officials requested President Trump not to follow his plan to visit the city — also after refusals to accompany him by Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan and Republican Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey — Trump came anyway...

The Republican Party has a very vocal reverence for the United States Constitution — or at least the first 10 amendments. District 1 State Representative John Wills devoted multiple columns of his legislative update to explaining the Bill of Rights earlier this year. But when it comes to Amendments 11-27, that reverence apparently ends...

I am responding to a recent Letter To The Editor titled "Brett Kavanaugh is a Winner." The writer stated that the "letter signed by 1,000 law professors from the elite colleges" which asked Congress to reject Brett Kavanaugh’s appointment meant little. His reasoning, because "most colleges these days are dominated by liberal thoughts. It is very hard to find a conservative professor anywhere on campus."...

I’m so tired of hearing how bad Dems or Reps are. We've always had people passionate and vocal about their beliefs, and some that also got out of hand, on both sides. However, since Trump took office (actually when he became a candidate), people have become irrational and unyielding in their beliefs and defenses and more violent verbally and physically … on both sides...

It's negative ad season. How many days in a row or total days in this election cycle have you heard or seen negative political ads? Want to bring back more civility to campaigning? Here are some suggestions for rewarding candidates who run positive and issue-focused commercials and protesting those who resort to negative, fear-based ads...

On November's ballot, Arnolds Park voters will see a proposal to increase the Arnolds Park hotel-motel tax by 2 percent. If passed, Arnolds Park's hotel-motel tax would increase from 5 percent to 7 percent, a 40 percent increase. This would be on top of a 5 percent sales tax for a total tax of 12 percent on lodging bills. Those of us who host lodging guests in Arnolds Park believe the excess tax is not needed and would be detrimental to Arnolds Park tourism, the city's primary industry...

I want to thank Paul Johnson for being a Dickinson County Supervisor for the past 16 years. Paul was an environmental watchdog who did an outstanding job of protecting our county from environmental and economic pollution. Too often developers would wait for summer residents to leave for the winter then sneak...

On behalf of the American Red Cross, I wish to express my deep appreciation and say "thank you" to every donor, volunteer and support person who participated in the Oct. 15 blood drive in Spirit Lake. A special thanks go to Grace Lutheran Church for providing a wonderful place for this to happen...

In a recent Letter to the Editor titled "Brett Kavanaugh: A Winner – For Now?" the writer makes several allegations about our newest Supreme Court Justice. He begins with a letter signed by over 1,000 law professors from the elite colleges. Just in case you are not aware of it, most colleges these days are dominated by liberal thought. It is very hard to find a conservative professor anywhere on campus...

Which party threatens pensions and Social Security, runs up deficits, and borrows from reserves? It is not mine. Which party awards corporations for denying proper health care to Iowans? It is not mine. Which party gives tax breaks that benefit the rich and large corporations more than everyday citizens? It is not mine...

A letter, signed by over 1,000 law professors from elite colleges and universities around the country, sent to the U.S. Senate urged them to reject Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court. They cited that his lack of judicial temperament disqualified him for any court. ...

As Iowans engage with candidates across the state in preparation for voting this November, the future of Iowa's workforce and access to affordable higher education must be a priority. As student leaders at our regent institutions, we call on each candidate to expressly state their position on public higher education in Iowa. ...

To the residents of Arnolds Park: We hear the phrase "life isn't fair" all the time. While it may be true, I would contend that most people, when given the opportunity, will do the fair thing. That is why I appeal to you today. I firmly believe you will be fair...

Listening to what Mrs. Ford said, "she only thought Mr. Kavanaugh was going to rape her," but that a rape didn't actually occur; the crime was not committed. Is that all it takes in this country to crucify someone now is to "think" they're going to do something? Especially 30 years later? She also mentioned during her testimony that at this party people on a stairway were having a conversation. ...

Her name is Justice. She cannot see. She carries a sword … and a balance. She, and no partisan interest, is the arbiter of the law. My advice in running for the Iowa House has been to avoid discussing national issues. Some issues are both national and local though, and I make my own decisions...

In a recent Letter to the Editor titled "The Risk Dr. Ford Is Taking" the writer asks if the victim of sexual assault should let someone know. We all know Dr. Christine Blasey Ford is already in the middle of the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination process. She had sent a July 30 confidential letter to her California Congresswoman with a sexual assault allegation against the nominee Brett Kavanaugh. The letter was passed along to California Senator Diane Feinstein...

The accusations and media coverage against Supreme Court Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh are appalling. Thirty-six years late in coming, memories coaxed decades later by attorneys and counselors, with details missing, recollections dead wrong, zero evidence brought forward on the eve of the nominee vote. ...

What should a sexual assault victim expect if she accuses the person who assaults her? She will be shamed, blamed, threatened, called to be lying or mixed up. Much courage is necessary and sometimes the courage doesn't come right away. Dr. Christine Blasey Ford had a decision to make. Should she remain silent and avoid the hurtful notoriety or does America need to know about the actions and character of a nominee to the Supreme Court of the United States for a life time term?...

I want to send a huge thank you to everyone who attended my benefit concert on Sept. 6 at First Lutheran Church. The outpouring of support from the community has been incredible and I am forever grateful. The surgery to remove my brain tumor was very successful; the symptoms that I was suffering from have completely disappeared including the loss of my memory and my vision. ...