Opinion - The Timberjay

Modern ambulance service is now possible

SafeTech Solutions, the consultant hired by the Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital to evaluate and make recommendations for EMS (ambulance) delivery in our region took a little longer than … more

6/28/24

Cook response

It will likely be weeks before residents and business owners in Cook have a handle on the cost to rebuild in the wake of last week’s flood. Some businesses, particularly those without flood … more

6/27/24

America is teetering on the edge of fascism

America is in danger of becoming a Fascist nation. If it can happen in Italy, Germany, and Spain within my lifetime it can happen here. Donald Trump, supported by his army of the wealthy who … more

6/27/24

Greenwood chair declares state law “a monstrosity”

Just over a month ago, the Greenwood Town Board adopted the gold standard of transparency in government, the MN Data Practices Act, and did so by a unanimous vote. The act gives citizens the right to … more

6/27/24

Why Greenwood rescinded compliance with the data practices act

The Greenwood town board held a special meeting on June 20, to discuss the Minnesota Data Practices Act. The meeting was not covered by a newspaper reporter and it was not videotaped, since the board … more

6/27/24

Trump’s history says a lot about our potential future

Trump has been a participant in over four thousand legal actions filed by him or against him and his organizations encompassing a variety of issues: • Political campaigns • Taxes • … more

6/27/24

Biden dismisses prospect of armed takeover

In 2021, Biden said, “If you wanted or if you think you need to have weapons to take on the government, you need F-15s and maybe some nuclear weapons.” In 2022, American Military News … more

6/27/24

Are we ready to face the inconvenient truth?

Inspired by the book by Al Gore published in 2006. On June 18, while washing dishes, I glanced out the kitchen window and lamented another cloudy day. Seemed like ages since we’d had a … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 6/27/24

We need to stand up to defeat Trump

Donald Trump was found guilty by a jury of everyday Americans on 34 felony counts. He is finally being held accountable for one of his many illegal schemes to gain and hold onto power. His conviction … more

6/19/24

Clean and affordable energy is in our future

Clean, affordable, reliable and safe is a good way to describe what renewable energy offers our families and communities. A recent NY Times article detailed the amazing change that is happening in … more

6/19/24

When words don’t convey one’s intent

Across the many years I spent working in the realm of academe, nothing gave me more pleasure and affirmation than donning my academic regalia to celebrate graduation. When I earned my master’s … more

David Colburn | 6/19/24

A targeted prosecution

The recent conviction of Hunter Biden for lying on a federal instant background check form for a gun purchase in 2018 prompted the Timberjay to research the laws surrounding drug use and guns in the … more

6/19/24

New regulations pending

We’ve been reporting for the past few years about the ongoing challenges faced by area ambulance services, challenges due in part to regulatory changes that have increased the costs of … more

6/13/24

A reminder about our letters to the editor policies

As we edge increasingly into what is likely to be a hard-fought campaign for the future of America, we want to explain how we handle letters to the editor. We accept letters and will typically … more

Marshall Helmberger | 6/13/24

A biased case against Trump

Michael Shellenberger, a leading investigative journalist, founder and president of Environmental Progress, Time Magazine “Hero of the Environment,” and Green Book … more

6/13/24

Please take another look

In last week’s Timberjay, letter writer Robert Tisovich encouraged readers to take a close look at professional athlete Royce White, the candidate for Senate who won the party endorsement at … more

6/13/24

People must make the effort to inform themselves

Many are choosing to follow a leader, who still believes he won the last election and continues embarrassing, unimpressive behavior. Those who are influenced must find such appealing. Say what you … more

6/13/24

Question me an answer...or the art of asking good questions

In a previous column I suggested that if people everywhere would improve their listening skills, salted with a bit of compassion, that one change could enhance peace and understanding around the … more

Betty Firth | 6/13/24

Democracy vs. Donald Trump and his allies on the Supreme Court

My husband and I are planning a trip to Europe this fall to visit Normandy, site of the landing of Allied troops fighting against the fascist powers, led by Germany, to maintain democracy in the free … more

6/7/24

Refusing responsibility

One might anticipate that sitting through weeks of a criminal trial, in which 20 witnesses and reams of documents pointed to your guilt on 34 felony counts, might encourage at least a few moments of … more

6/6/24

Stauber’s hypocrisy is astonishing

In a May 1 congressional hearing, Rep. Pete Stauber pointed his finger at Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Indigenous person to be a U.S. cabinet secretary, and accused her of ignoring Indigenous … more

6/6/24

Another open letter to Pete Stauber

To Pete Stauber, MY Eighth District Representative: I contacted your office numerous times before and after Jan. 6, 2021, first asking you to step to the plate and publicly support the results of the … more

6/6/24

America needs a loyal opposition

In 1973, I lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba for a year. One of my friends was Lawrie Cherniak, who was on the city council and whose father was Saul Cherniak, finance minister in the provincial … more

6/6/24

Words that say it all about today’s GOP

To understand how much the Republican Party has changed, just consider the following words, spoken by former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who is currently the GOP’s candidate for the U.S. Senate … more

6/6/24

It could happen to any of us

I found myself agreeing with Donald Trump as I listened to his opening statement at his post-conviction press conference last week. He said, “If this can happen to me, it can happen to … more

6/6/24