A group of pro-ethanol Senators like Grassley of Iowa and Minnesota’s Klobuchar and Franklin is trying to forestall a total end to ethanol subsidies with a gradual approach. I suggest sooner is better than later to end the $6 billion ethanol subsidy. The reason a number of small ethanol producers ...

If the Republicans plan to balance their budget on the backs of the poor, the sick and the senior citizens they had better think again because they will surely put Obama in office for a second term! The Republicans will not budge an inch to compromise. It’s all for the party and to “heck” to t...

In April David Wilkerson heard the words “Well done, good and faithful servant.” The name may not be instantly recognized, he’s best known by his story “The Cross and the Switchblade.” A man of many ministries. One is in Brainerd. Teen Challenge. He will be greatly missed. Also, congratula...

I was listening to some oceanographers discussing some of the things going on in the ocean the other day they were discussing the results of oil spills and the likelihood that it will take several decades for the results to be fully apparent. At this time there are several different views on what wi...

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Let’s use a physician’s approach to diagnosing the cause of the massive, deadly tornado outbreaks. Doctors always search for one common thread that can explain all symptoms and treat for that disease. It works almost every time. There is simply not time or money to analyze every possible combina...

These days the medical industry is so complex, we find it useful to have a third party intermediary between the patient and doctor. Sometimes I can clarify in my own mind what’s going on in a situation by simplifying a picture to just its essential elements. I fill in the details and fuzz later. A...

 I remember last fall after the elections, when all of the votes were tallied and the winners were seated. I told my son. “This is a recipe for failure if there was ever one.” A Republican legislative body and a Democratic governor and neither one is going to back down. I wasn’t being pro...

Not long ago, high-schoolers in Brainerd started something exciting — a new  boys lacrosse team – and I’ve been sad to see that there hasn’t been  more coverage of the topic in the local news. The players cover grades 9-12, many of whom never played the sport before this year or la...