Opinion - The Timberjay

What about water power?

So far, we have not made much progress in arresting rising global temperatures generated by our greenhouse emissions. They have formed a “canopy” in our atmosphere, blocking … more

12/12/24

Biden pardon shows Democrat elitism

Political theater by Democrats just keeps getting embellished. Bloody backstabbing and blaming is entertaining as the Democrats try to figure out why they lost to the Russian agent Hitler Nazi … more

12/12/24

Recognizing the ladies who have led the way

“The First Lady”, a PBS dramatic series, highlights the lives and political roles of Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, and Michelle Obama. These smart, strong-willed women had definite … more

Betty Firth | 12/12/24

ACA tax credits

When it comes to the cost of living, the advanced premium tax credits available under the Affordable Care Act have been a lifesaver for millions of Americans who would otherwise have struggled … more

12/12/24

Yes, thirty years is too long to wait

Political campaigns can be inspiring. I’m thinking of Rep. Skraba’s campaign and his statement that “Thirty years is too long to wait.” Of course, he was referring to … more

12/6/24

Pushing for peace in Palestine is not antisemitic

Kudos to the Ely-Palestine Solidarity Group (EPSG) and their allies at Jews for Justice in Palestine, the Arab-Jewish Partnership for Peace and Justice in the Middle East, the New Israel Fund, the … more

12/6/24

Netanyahu has been found to be a war criminal

Two readers submitted letters about the Israel-Gaza war to our local papers in the last two weeks. There is no evidence that either of the writers has gone to any of the Ely-Palestine … more

12/5/24

Capitalism has run its course

Economic systems are born, they develop, evolve and finally, they die. Village barter, master-slave and lord-serf economic systems have come and gone, giving rise to antidemocratic employer-employee … more

12/5/24

Give Trump a chance this time

Now that the election is past it is time to move on and begin to work hard on the issues that have been troubling the American people. Let’s release the highly controversial issues that have … more

12/5/24

Continuing the work to protect the BWCAW

The election of Donald Trump means that America’s public lands will be on the chopping block for the next four years. Pete Stauber’s re-election puts the Boundary Waters and the greater … more

12/5/24

Many share the view of the EPSG

In his letter last week, “Misinformation is increasing antisemitism,” Charles Marsden accused the Ely- Palestine Solidarity Group (EPSG) of spreading misinformation and increasing … more

12/5/24

Another way to manage money, or one less bump on the road to bliss

One evening while washing dishes, I happened to hear a radio broadcast of a conversation between Kai Ryssdal, host of Marketplace, and a renowned financial guru. The interview was about a … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 12/5/24

How Dems lost the working class

In the wake of Trump’s election victory last month, Democrats would do well to re-examine their 2016 presidential primary and how it laid the groundwork for the party’s fall from grace … more

12/5/24

Watching the creeping fascism in America

As we watch the next federal administration taking shape and observe actions of the current American government, we should recognize fascism gaining influence. I use an accepted definition of fascism … more

11/26/24

Misinformation is increasing antisemitism

Members of the Ely Palestine Solidarity Group don’t realize that there has never been a country named Palestine. For centuries preceding World War I, the entire Middle East was under the … more

11/26/24

Universal school meals

At a time that we traditionally give thanks with a meal shared with friends and family, it’s worth making note of another way that food is making a difference in the lives of many Minnesotans. … more

11/26/24

Eugene Coolidge had no kids...

Families tend to create their own traditions for celebrating the Thanksgiving holidays. The tradition in my family when I was growing up was Thanksgiving dinner “at the farm” in Plymouth, … more

Catie Clark | 11/26/24

Delivering real relief for northern Minnesota: Property tax reductions for the Range

Northern Minnesota has a rich history built on the backbone of Taconite Mining. For generations, this vital sector has powered our local economy, sustained our communities, and supported … more

Grant Hauschild/Dave Lislegard | 11/26/24

Don’t expect predictable foreign policy in Trump’s second term

The voters have spoken, and Donald J. Trump will be the 47th president of the United States. With a Republican-controlled Senate and strong backing in the House, Trump will be in position to … more

Lee Hamilton | 11/26/24

Thank you to the Ely voters for supporting education yet again

I am thrilled to share the wonderful news that our community has come together to support our students, educators, and school programs by passing the capital project levy authorization. This … more

11/21/24

Sprint medic program is not the answer

Last week the Timberjay reported that the Tower City Council was “skeptical over cost of sprint medic pilot project”, particularly the $200 charge to the area ambulance service each time … more

11/21/24

America’s promise at risk of slipping away

Last week’s editorial offered a very good history and analysis of how of the electoral college subverts democracy. Another issue has been how the chosen electors never exercise their … more

11/21/24

Thanks to all who helped with the hurricane relief

We would like to thank the generosity of the Cook Thrift Store for donating four bags of blankets and winter clothing, as well as the Tower Food Shelf’s donation of winter clothing, and all … more

11/21/24

Free market failure

Around the country, Americans can expect to start paying a lot more for electricity— and it won’t be due to the transition to renewable forms of energy. The rise in the installation of … more

11/21/24

Conservatives conquered new media in the election

For all the furor created when both the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times decided not to make endorsements in the presidential election this year, as WaPo owner Jeff Bezos suggested, it was … more

David Colburn | 11/21/24