While sitting in our library and reading opinion letters in the Timberjay, I noticed a letter from an Ely resident, who formerly lived among Palestinians, but now wants a two-state, Mideast solution. And other writers who seem excessively worried about the threat of global warming to mankind’s future. I’m a retired state employee who considered myself a public servant, not a supporter of a big government, like we seem to especially have in Minnesota. For 14 years, I worked as a DNR ecologist, having worked in all seven northeastern Minnesota counties, including St. Louis County.
I’m also a former resident of Hibbing, where a lot of Jews lived. They were good people and added a lot to our village; but preferred religious separateness by worshiping at their synagogue. Many were merchants but some were lawyers and doctors. One Jewish doctor was a co-member with me in the Hibbing Chapter of the Izaac Walton League. In 1968, I took limnology at the University of Minnesota from Professor Joseph Shapiro. Dr. Shapiro, like most Jews, was very intelligent; and from him, I learned that lake sediments in Little Bass Lake, northeast of Cohasset, contain pollen that document a very warm lengthy period, and treeless prairie west of Grand Rapids (Medieval warm period). As a well-trained ecologist, I’m concerned with many peoples’ obsession with Mother Nature. But I’m more concerned with antisemitic protests happening on university campuses, including my alma mater. The Bible states that the Jews will be a blessing to all Gentiles with their knowledge and Biblical values; and that’s why I’m voting for the party that unequivocally supports Israel.
David G. Holmbeck
Grand Rapids