Dakota Beacon

ND congressmen must walk a tight line.  On one side you have their campaign contributors, mostly out-of-state labor unions and trial attorneys, and on the other, you have the voters.  REP. EARL POMEROY cast a no vote on the health care reform bill in the Ways and Means Committee, because of the bill’s negative impact on health reimbursement rates in ND.  He was immediately pummeled by the Service Employees union, which stated he needs “to stand up and do the right thing.”

SENATORS CONRAD AND DORGAN face a similar dilemma.  Their liberal backers favor cap-and-trade legislation, which would kick the ND coal industry and the state’s utility rate payers in the stomach.  The Bismarck Tribune demanded that the two senators “stand up and be counted among those who vote no on cap-and-trade.”

The Indian reservations in ND seem to go through definite political cycles.  After a period of upheaval and corruption, a reform faction takes control and the reservation enters a quiet period.  After the relatives and cronies of the reformers land key positions, the cycle starts anew.  The TURTLE MT. BAND OF CHIPPEWA, the state’s largest tribe, seems to be entering the struggle part of the cycle, with the tribal chairman and Tribal Council trying to remove each other.  Chairman Richard Marcellais alleges a plan by the council to hire a new casino manager involves nepotism.  A member of the council says of course, “There’s nepotism all over the place here.  Every job, everybody’s related.”  Turtle Mt. last removed its chairman in 2002.

The Forum’s Jack Zaleski almost always has clear opinions.  He believes much of the questioning of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor about her personal prejudices was absurd, as were her protestations.  Personal experience will always be relevant.  Zaleski chose an unusual example to make his point.  He mentioned the highly respected GERALD VANDEWALLE, Chief Justice of the ND Supreme Court, who he said “is from Noonan, one of the smallest of small towns.”  He speculated that VandeWalle’s decisions are informed by his rural background.

BISMARCK TRIBUNE EDITOR JOHN IRBY pursues a different style, often preferring a high level of ambiguity that leads to discussion about who and what he is writing about.  In a recent column he began by listing the large political issues of the day: health care, environment, etc.  Then the vagueness began, “We shouldn’t allow anyone to force quick, poorly thought-out decisions on the American people.”  Well, yes, but who does he have in mind?  He goes on,  “And when leaders block the scenery to the future, or try to break our minds by ignoring our will, then they need to be removed from those seats of service.”  Now he has really has our attention—which shifty leaders is he talking about?

I’ve mentioned before that editorial writers at the Fargo Forum and GF Herald (sister papers) sometimes run into each other as they go opposite directions.  Tom Dennis of the Herald believes the new NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA along the Missouri River has been overdrawn, and should be narrowed to historical sites along the river.  His concern is that federal restrictions would needlessly apply to an entire five-county area.  The Forum lashed out with leafy spurge at those who objected to Sen. Dorgan’s five-county designation, calling their fears illogical.

“The ambulance will not be coming,” that was Lloyd Omdahl’s message to those without medical coverage waiting for federal health insurance.  The Herald columnist said, “DON’T HOLD YOUR BREATH.”  He believes the 80 percent of Americans with coverage don’t see sufficient crisis to make a massive overhaul.

“Road Trip America” recommends three destinations in ND: Strasburg, the birthplace of Lawrence Welk; Rugby, geographical center of N. America; and the ENCHANTED HIGHWAY southeast of Dickinson, home to artist Gary Greff’s enormous metal sculptures.  The sculptures seemed to make the biggest impression on the author, a professor at San Jose State.  He said, “That is stunning and it’s the work of one guy, who just decided there really wasn’t much else there to see unless he was going to build it.”

More than 30,000 Nodaks left their homes during the recent floods—only about 1,400 showed up at RED CROSS SHELTERS.  A spokesperson for state emergency services said in other states it is typical to see about 10 percent of evacuees in public shelters; in ND the range is 3-5 percent, the remainder are believed to go with friends and relatives.

OBITUARIES can say a lot with few words.  Anson Rosenbaum (85) of Pingree “enjoyed working the land.”  His contemporary, Harold Hertel (81) of Carrington, was more lighthearted—he “enjoyed pinochle and collecting hats.”

Sanford MeritCare (the merger of Sanford Health of Sioux Falls and MeritCare of Fargo) took a step forward with the signing of a letter of intent.  The combination is billed as a “Merger of Equals” leading to “BIGGER AND BETTER.”  Deloitte Consulting was hired to study the merger—their report provides another clue as to the purpose of the merger.  Deloitte said, “A combined Sanford MeritCare would help prevent ‘out-migration’ of patients to referral centers in other markets, such as Minneapolis or Rochester, Minn.”  Sanford CEO Kelby Krabbenhoft would be the top executive, dividing his time between Sioux Falls and Fargo, with separate presidents at the two locations.