Watch your own bobber

Beliefs are a fine concept and something I can support on an individual basis, however as public policy ... not so much. In the Feb. 9 Inbox, John Talarico opined he merely disagrees with the “astute Ed Raymond“ regarding his perception of the beginning of life though does “respect life.“

My individual prime directive, past personal survival, includes many of the concepts espoused by the far more than merely astute Ed Raymond. I also say I respect life, including concepts such as high or special regard while defining life as capacity for growth, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.

While this is not intended to “attack“ Mr Talarico’s “beliefs“ as he states he feels was intended by Mr. Raymond, I’m also fine with agreeing to disagree with his or anyone’s perception of the beginning of life. Where I’m not okay is hoisting a banner of cohort beliefs to pseudo-weld as respect for your religion while utterly disregarding the bodily autonomy of half the human race. More simply stated, your beliefs do not “trump“ my decisions regarding my body.

Clearly life is complex and striving to remain in the middle of one’s own road is the basis of the golden rule of doing unto others; which is why veering into the path of others is the complete opposite of respect. Believe as you like, worship as you prefer, and embrace continual change as the true essence of life.

Linda A. Berntsen
Duluth

Birkebeiner blues

Winter outdoor recreation is a boon to tourism with tremendous economic benefits whether it be ice fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, or snowshoeing, to name a few. The snow and cold weather also generates revenue for non-tourism activities such as snowplowing businesses. Indeed, beyond income, our very way of life is defined by the many winter activities that we all enjoy.

All this is at risk in the face of a warming climate which has been well documented in the state by U.W. scientists. For example, from 1950 to 2020, the state's winter days warmed by three to four degrees, and winter nights have warmed between four and seven degrees. And examining Lake Mendota's long ice record in Madison, the five years with the longest stretch of ice cover all occurred during the 1880s or earlier, and the five years with the shortest ice cover have all been since the 1980s.

Scientists predict that Wisconsin winters will resemble those in present-day northern Kansas by 2060.
I urge readers to take advantage of the new tax incentives to winterize our homes, install solar and consider the purchase an electric vehicle. And I urge Congress to show more leadership to address climate change so that in another 50 years, people will still be flocking to the Birkebeiner and enjoying Wisconsin winters.

Mark Peterson
Bayfield, Wis.

Minnesota is the best

Minnesota is rated the best state to live in overall of all continental US states.

Climate-wise, Minnesotans would rather wear a winter coat than endure frequent tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires and even earthquakes. We have excellent schools, healthcare, roads, public spaces, and more.

We now have a people-friendly trifecta government (one party control) but where bipartisanship is also on display. Take for example recent legislation giving laid-off mine workers extended unemployment benefits.

There is also proposed budget legislation to return to most households a possible $2000 check from the state’s current surplus.

Not all legislation, though, is bipartisan. Take for example very recent legislation passed that respects women’s dignity by removing government control over their bodies.

Something many don’t realize is that nearly all people, Democrats and Republicans alike, consider themselves prolife. Prolife includes pro-education, safety, shelter, food security, non-invasive government, and more.

Something else that many don’t realize is that prolife also means respecting a woman’s dignity and body choices. That’s why the Minnesota state government will no longer have this control, but even so, it is untrue to say that any of us are proabortion. An authentic Christian society, both legislatures and individuals, does not judge, whether it agrees or disagrees.

I expect that over the next two years we will be seeing a lot of people friendly legislation, both partisan and nonpartisan, that will make all of our lives better.

We are all blessed, Democrats and Republicans alike, to live in the Great State of Minnesota with our great skies, water and now government.

We can and will continue to be the absolute best state in continental America to live in because Democrats Care About People.

Jack Pick
Goodland

No time to waste

Volodymyr Zelenskyy grasps. and envisions, a way and future that will have a heavy cost and pain. As a pragmatic realist he understands what must be endured to keep their freedom intact and alive.

Gerald Norrgard
Duluth