Open Forum

It is my pleasure to invite all Brainerd area students, parents and teachers to attend the 2008 Regional STEM Summit to explore future educational and career opportunities in the fastest growing career fields at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Summit. Register now by visiting the Minnesota Department of Education Website (http://education.state.mn.us) under Current Topics. The Summit will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 7 at Central Lakes College.

Unprecedented opportunities will be available to Minnesota students in the 21st century.

For example, economic forecasts project a 20 to 33 percent increase in scientific and technical occupations in Minnesota in 10 years. New job growth in Minnesota's professional and high-tech industries will demand an extra 10,500 college graduates per year.

The Minnesota Department of Education is working together with Minnesota companies to let students know that some of those opportunities are available both in their communities and throughout Minnesota.

The Brainerd STEM Summit will specifically feature hands-on and interactive exhibits highlighting exciting local STEM opportunities.

Exhibiting organizations include Bemidji State University STEM Programs; Brainerd Lakes Chamber; Clow Stamp Company; Consolidated Telephone; Deerwood Technologies, Inc.; Graphic Packaging; Hunt Technologies; Knife River Materials; Lakeland Mold; Nextlight; Pequot Tool Company; St. Cloud State University and Technical College; Texas Instruments; University of Minnesota Biosystems and Widseth, Smith, Nolting, and Associates.

We hope students, parents and teachers will continue to pursue STEM opportunities and rigorous courses to prepare for the 21st Century.

Alice Seagren

Minnesota Department of Education commissioner

Unacceptable behavior

Iraqi radicals just planted explosive devices on several mentally retarded Iraqi citizens and then blew the hell out of them as they walked into a crowd, killing nearly 100 people.

Isn't this pretty good evidence that the Geneva Convention isn't working, unless of course, those who did this are captured and sent to trial for war crimes.

Are we (the U.S.A.) the only country that abides by this?

How many far left radical loons in this country feel that this is acceptable behavior? If it's only one, that's too many for me.

Roger Anderson

Nisswa

Trying to find a U.S. product

Like many of us, I'm wondering what to do with the rebate that our leaders are sending my way. I know we are supposed to spend it to give the old economy a boost. But everything I want at Target, Wal-Mart, or Best Buy is made in places like China and Japan. Buying that stuff wouldn't do much for the economy. I need to buy something that is really all American.

I've got it! Big Macs. McDonald's would probably even make a deal for several hundred if I got the maximum rebate to spend. I could treat everybody I know, plus freeze a few months supply for myself. It wouldn't do much for our health. But the president and his Republican cronies tell us we have the best health care system in the world, so that should cover us.

Rolf Westgard

Deerwood

Sen. Clinton is after your money

An AP story tells of Hillary's willingness to garnish non-believers wages. "I think there are a number of mechanisms" that are possible, including "going after people's wages, automatic enrollment," says the smartest and scariest woman on earth.

Take a minute now to review your copy of the Constitution of the United States of America. See if you can find the clause or amendment that authorizes the central committee to take anything from any citizen. If someone took money from your wallet without your permission and kept it for themselves or gave it to someone else, they could and should be arrested, tried and jailed.

Now take another minute to repeat and rethink "going after people's wages." If you choose not to join Queen Rodham's health care program, she threatens to use "mechanisms" to bring you in line with the party's policy. She knows who you are and she knows where you live. Perhaps a couple years splitting rocks in a re-education camp would open your eyes to the beauty, wisdom and necessity of Ms. Rodham's nationalized health care.

Monica's ex-boyfriend's wife has publicly stated that she has "many ideas but you can't afford them all." At least she's got that right.

Stephen Busch

Pequot Lakes