The murder of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., has rightfully raised howls of outrage far and wide. His senseless death, hopefully, will not be forgotten. Maybe, just maybe, we can all learn something from it and start facing head-on the problems caused by this gun-crazed culture. Martin’s killer – 28-year-old George Zimmerman – was not arrested simply because he claimed
Good customer service is scarce
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, one definition of the word courtesy is “polite behavior.” Some might think to themselves, I know what courtesy is supposed to look like, but a sad reality is it is becoming harder and harder to spot when it comes to customer service. Whether you’re shopping in the grocery store, your local mall or driving through
Health-care solutions abound elsewhere
Why is the United States so afraid of learning good things from other countries? Take health care, for example. Many Americans have been bamboozled into thinking the United States has the best health-care system in the world while the rest of the countries have horrible socialistic systems where people – if they’re not waiting in line – are dying in
Op-ed Senator Klobuchar: What I want to see in the next farm bill
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar During the past year I’ve visited dozens of Minnesota’s businesses and farms. All over our state you see “Made in America” isn’t just a timeworn cliche – it’s happening here and it’s happening now. Wherever I go, I’m always reminded of how important farming is to our state’s economy. In fact, you could even say agriculture
Little things can make a big difference
Have you ever heard the expression, “Appreciate the little things?” No doubt it’s something you have heard a friend or loved one say when encouraging you to take a break from a rigorous schedule, or they might have said it as a gentle reminder. Well, I never really understood the true meaning of that saying until recently. Little things have
Planning a trip to Mayo? Please be careful
Please beware of the intersection of Hwy. 52 and County Road 9, which is 30 miles north of Rochester and nine miles south of Cannon Falls. “Why?” you may ask. “Why worry about an intersection in faraway Goodhue County?” The answer is because, especially at my age, I am aware of numerous friends and acquaintances in the central Minnesota area
Editor’s response to those readers who call us negative
I understand a few of you are – once again – upset by my columns and editorials. So I am too negative, you say? Too vitriolic? What about the negative, vitriolic slash-and-burn tactics of the extreme right-wingers and Tea Party wackos who have been attacking our president and virtually every Democrat in this country? Do you also take issue with
Zimmerman got the last laugh
Bob Zimmerman got the last laugh I’ve always wanted to interview Bob Dylan, but since that’s not in the cards, Margy Hughes is the next best thing. Hughes lives in St. Joseph and taught physical education at the College of St. Benedict for more than 30 years. She was a member of the Hibbing High School Student Council and gave