opinion

Repudiate misinformation or perform an exorcism?

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 8:20 pm

Dear Editor,  After looking at the Thursday, Jan. 21 opinion page, I could not make up my mind whether to sit down and start repudiating all the misinformation or call a priest to perform an exorcism. Let us give the …

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‘School Choice’ bill offers no choice to taxpayers

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 8:19 pm

Dear Editor, Ninety-two percent of Iowa’s children are educated in public schools*. As a parent, taxpayer and college educator that receives this product, I care as much about the success of a child in Cedar Rapids or Western Iowa as …

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A Simple letter about a simple idea: the beauty of public schools

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 8:18 pm

Dear Editor,  Public schools are one of the basic foundations of the U.S. They work as an equalizer because they accommodate, in theory, everyone and everything.  Public schools have a built-in system to care for differences in students. Paid for …

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Decorah needs a vaccination plan

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 8:17 pm

Dear editor, Before making any comments on the County Supervisors meeting this morning that heard a COVID-19 update from (Winneshiek County) Emergency Management and the (Winneshiek County) Public Health department, I must say that the last thing needed now is …

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From the Edge to the Overlap

Tuesday, February 2, 2021 10:17 pm

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about both the positive and the negative aspect of edges, boundaries, and overlaps – of our experiences, of our commitments, of our beliefs  and values, of our identities, and of the transitions in our …

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Farewell to Decorah

Saturday, January 30, 2021 2:30 pm

Dear Editor, In a few days, we are leaving Decorah to move to Traverse City, Mich., to be closer to our son and his family. We made this decision in order to be closer to family as we age, but …

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Private schools should be funded with private funds

Saturday, January 30, 2021 2:29 pm

Dear Editor, Here we go again. Once again, our governor and some Republican legislators want to take public tax monies from public schools so that parents can use the money to select a private school or even home schooling. This …

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Contact your legislators on proposed amendments

Thursday, January 28, 2021 2:27 pm

Dear Editor, Two issues are making their way through the Iowa Legislature that would fundamentally change the way we live because they are being proposed as constitutional amendments.   The first proposal addresses the right to keep and bear arms. Unlike …

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Improving our civic health

Thursday, January 28, 2021 2:26 pm

Dear Editor, Many of us would agree that constitutional democracy in the United States is in a state of poor health. Broken institutions and mutual distrust among citizens have caused individuals to turn inward and seek self-protection while they turn …

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Snowmobiling is a privilege, not a right

Thursday, January 28, 2021 2:25 pm

Dear Editor, Do you see what’s wrong in this photo? This is one of many photos taken this year of snowmobilers completely breaking the rules.  Users are ignoring our double-marked trail signs and driving off the designated trail system on …

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Club 45 welcomes all; DHRC’s attempts are step backwards

Thursday, January 28, 2021 2:20 pm

Dear Editor,  Recently, members of the Decorah Human Rights Commission (DHRC) stopped by the Club 45, the new educational/meeting center in Decorah dedicated to enlightening the public on the founding ideals and principles of America, and wanted to know if …

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Chief speaks in support of Marsy’s Law for Iowa

Monday, January 25, 2021 10:39 pm

I recently had the opportunity to join Marsy’s Law for Iowa for a Facebook live event discussing victims’ rights in Iowa and the need for the state to put these rights in our constitution. Our discussion primarily focused on the …

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Never give up on the ideals of democracy

Monday, January 25, 2021 10:37 pm

Dear Editor, The violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, is not wholly surprising, given the heated rhetoric Trump has espoused. However, such an attack is still shocking to the conscience. How can a difference of opinion …

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Some thoughts from former presidents

Monday, January 25, 2021 10:35 pm

Dear Editor, Most people want to put 2020 in the rearview mirror. I know I do. We need to be positive going forward into 2021.  However, sometimes it is OK to look back and reflect on past events: FDR: WPA …

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Do we need Club 45?

Monday, January 25, 2021 10:34 pm

Dear Editor, As a lifelong Democrat you might think I would not be in favor of the Winneshiek County Republican Party having an office in the main retail section of downtown Decorah. However, you would be wrong.  You might also …

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