VOX POP

Gazelka, Pawlenty and their Republican cohorts did not do citizens any favors by refusing to really fix the tax situation -- instead of raising the state income tax on the wealthy, they stuck it to all on the property tax, the most regressive form, at the behest of the Taxpayers League. Perhaps the insurance and investment business is good, but those of us not prospering as well as they are will remember at election time who our real friends are. Vote Republicans out!

Obey red flags

I think the way the soccer fiasco was handled was despicable. Whenever a new person shows up on your team, that should raise red flags all over if anybody is paying attention. Sure, it's nice that the kids are pulling together, etc. But with only one person per team, it wouldn't be far-fetched for someone in charge to check things out. This may be only one year in the coach's career, but it is the last worst memory for the seniors.

'Warrior Pride'

It's unfortunate that soccer gets front page coverage when it is something negative. I am disappointed with the school district's reaction and comments. Instead of commending each other on their morals and integrity they should be commending the ones who are truly deserving, the athletes and coaches. These students are the true heroes. Both teams went back on the field and played with pride and determination and posted wins. Congratulations to Kimble and the girls and Collins and the boys. Truly they represent Warrior Pride, not the administration that can't even publicly say the two most important words, "I'm sorry."

Rental woes

Koep Mary, Mary Koep, do you think before you speak? Why pit the very poor against the landlords? My brother owns a six-plex here in Brainerd. He screens for credit and references. The good credits trash worse than the Section 8s. We do have slumlords in Brainerd. You all know who they are. Get their properties fixed or where will we house the poor? Camp Ripley?

Planner blasted

After reading the most recent article about the "Wal-Mart gas station is back on" in the Dispatch, I think it is obvious that Chairman Bob Kinzel should resign from planning and zoning. Anyone who considers himself the chairman of a committee and would make a quote, "If an individual who did not get a public notice wants to go to court they can go ahead and do it. I think my thought is we should move ahead and let the chips fall where they may ..." He has obviously lost sight of what his job is. There is no guarantee that being on planning and zoning should be a lifetime appointment. He should re-think and resign.

One analysis

In the Oct. 10 Dispatch on Page 4 there was a cartoon that said, "I think it's time someone explain to me what you grown-ups did to get God so mad," and the Open Forum had an article on the Coming Out on Oct. 11. I was thinking that answers the question pretty much right there.

No thanks

Thanks to an Open Forum letter on Monday we were reminded of Coming Out Day. Years ago the perverts stayed in the closet. Morality was still in style. Now this sickness is shoved into our face and told it is normal. Read St. Paul's letter to the Romans. It's the crown jewel of all his letters and wake up and repent. Homosexuality is an abomination of desolation.

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