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Minnesota unveiled a new state flag this week, replacing the previous design, which had long been criticized for its depiction of a Native American on horseback with a spear and a white pioneer farming with a gun. The flag’s imagery was viewed by many as a symbol of Indigenous defeat and displacement, which was considered offensive by the state’s Dakota and Ojibwe tribes. Poweshiek County in Iowa uses a caricature of a Native American as its icon. This imagery was created during a time when racism was prevalent. The icon sends the message that the county was once Native American ...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

In a world that never seems to slow down, it’s easy to forget to take care of the most important part of ourselves — our mental health. We often push aside our own well-being, thinking we can tough it out, but the truth is, mental health matters. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to remind each other and ourselves that it is okay to not be okay sometimes. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of strength. Whether it is talking to a friend, a family member, or a mental health professional, reaching out is the first step toward healing. Let us break the stigma ...

Why no laws to address distracted driving?

The Times Republican 4/29/2024 article concerning motorcycle fatalities covers the statistics of riding and recommends wearing a helmet in addition to rider training classes along with other tips to safely ride. The very last paragraph states “Whether you are on two wheels, four wheels, or more, it’s everyone’s responsibility to practice safe habits and Share the Road”. The sentence in the article “Many collisions and injuries could have been avoided if the motorcycle rider had known when and how to swerve or brake” appears to lay blame on the rider for an accident. As a long ...

Who is God?

Our Bible study has been through the scriptures many times, including some of the Old Testament books. We have decided that we will look at the times God has intervened in the world, from creation to the “Day of the Lord.” What we will see is that God has never been out of reach of His people, the people just didn’t reach out to Him. We studied creation, anger, murder, sin and watched how the Creator handled those items. We discussed the reasons we thought God brought them to His people. Was it a gift, or correction? Here are some truths that we discovered from scripture; God has ...

Water rate increases

Marshall County residents might be surprised to learn that their water rates will soon increase by up to 800 percent. Recently, the Newton City Council approved the rate increase and then waived the standard second and third readings, which prevents anyone from providing additional feedback According to the Newton Daily News, the Newton City Council defended the motion to waive the readings because “it (the rate increase) doesn’t affect Newton citizens as much.” I suppose those facing this rate increase who are neighbors of Newton are simply out of luck. For me, access to ...

Trump is a fascist

It was in the 90s that I walked through the Holocaust Museum in D.C. and witnessed the horrors that Jews experienced. I swore to myself in their memory that I would take on fascism wherever it reared its ugly head. Fascism is not new to America! One of the earliest explorers of the western hemisphere Christopher Columbus was a fascist in his treatment of the indigenous peoples. Fascism was employed in dealing with the Indian question and the American Slavocracy was a fascist enterprise. So in the interest of bravery in dealing with the issue of whether Trump or any future president ...