Dakota Beacon

Drawing conclusions based on models and measurements of dubious reliability is premature at best. Evidence of manmade global warming is not as compelling in the scientific community as media accounts lead us to believe. This opens the door for agenda-driven government policy formulation.

The assertion that man can permanently and irrevocably change the worldwide climate for the worse is a significant departure from rationality. Belief that global warming is caused by man is more a statement of faith than scientific fact. Additionally, the first and only theory of any recent observation seldom survives forever. This is particularly true of the uncertain nature of global warming theory.

This begs the question: Why the pell-mell stampede to invoke state and federal legislation when a hypothesis hasn’t been tested or a rational premise firmly established?

This grotesque campaign against border enforcement is for the sole purpose of influencing a crucial amnesty vote in Congress.

Question “La Raza” or “Black Lives Matter” - which actually are racist by definition - and you will be the “racist”.

On May 18, 2018 Grove City College Chair of the Board of Trustees, David R. Rathburn ’79, gave the following address to the trustees, administrators, faculty, trustee scholar winners and retirees at Grove City College. In his talk, Rathburn outlines what he believes should be the foundations of our lives, and the attributes that allow us to serve in whatever role we are called to serve. He says, “My prayer for us and this institution continues to be that we hear God’s call in our lives; that we focus on Him first and then allow the foundations in our lives to guide us to be the people that God wants us to be.”

GF HERALD SNAKE IN THE GRASS; WHAT'S NEXT WITH FORUM COMMUNICATIONS?; UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF WIND POWER; MINOT IN ECONOMIST SPOTLIGHT; OIL FIELD WORKFORCE MANCAMPING; MAN BASHING AT NDSU; DON'T MESS WITH MOOSE; HEIDI GOES LEFT THEN VEERS RIGHT AS ELECTION APPROACHES; WHAT NODAK ACCENT?; GOING SOFT ON BLACK DRUG DEALERS IN MINNEAPOLIS; PIPELINE TRIALS; DAKTOIDS

Consider those who would lead the charge allowing the cheapening and besmirching of that hallowed and consecrated symbol of our nationhood. They see no reason to protect from desecration our national colors, the very ensign that proclaims our identity as a people. To some in our post-modern age nothing is sacred.

Some of our congressmen and senators have taken the road less traveled. In a muddled way, they equate vile deeds to free speech. Implicitly, such deeds warrant no consequence. They refuse to protect Old Glory -- the tangible symbol of our intangible values we collectively share. On June 14, as Old Glory floats on high, I wonder how those senators and congressman celebrate Flag Day. I wonder if, had they been in office on June 14, 1777, would they have supported the Congressional resolution adopting the national flag?

And, if so -- why?

Fifty years ago today, Robert F. Kennedy died at the age of 42. In this article that first appeared at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Dr. Paul Kengor looks back at the events leading to Bobby Kennedy’s assassination and asks “Who knows what might have been?” if R.F.K. had not been killed.

WILL ND GET A SECOND CHANCE AT A BOOM?; BELT TIGHTENING IN MINOT; MINOT MAYORAL CANDIDATE; AVOIDING THE MARIJUANA TAX MAN; WENTZ MORE; FAST DAVID; LIFE IS STRANGER THAN FICTION; VIOLIN MUSIC FROM THE PRISON; LEAD BY EXAMPLE; GF IS FRIENDLIER; MINNESOTA BITES THE BULLET; DAKTOIDS

Across America, high school classes of 1968 had a somber pall cast over the occasion of graduation. For many, just days before obtaining their diploma, the joy of the accomplishment was overshadowed by the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. In this article, Dr. Mark Hendrickson—a high school graduate in 1968—reflects upon the tumultuous events 50 years ago and how they shaped America. Hendrickson writes, “Indeed, 1968 was the year when many baby-boomers—and in particular all the high school classes of ’68 across the country—lost our innocence.”

Free speech has been on a razor’s edge in recent years.  Some think it’s safe - at least in America. Some think it’s not necessary any more.  Some think it’s dangerous. Others think it doesn’t exist. Some think it exists . . .  but only for some.  Free speech is the subject of our First Amendment.  Someone thought it was pretty important in 1791. What do you think?  In the coming weeks we’ll take a look at various aspects of this contentious topic - Free Speech 101.

Before vexation takes hold, check the definition of prostitution. The term “prostitute” broadly suggests more than a narrow sexual perspective. Prostitute (as a verb) -- To misuse something for gain. To use a skill or ability in a way that is considered unworthy, usually for financial gain. Any way you cut it, the etymology of the word connotes exactly what it says -- trading something for favors.

Here are blatant examples of senatorial buyoffs.

How are politics driving the climate change debate? In the latest edition of “V&V Q&A” we sit for an interesting discussion with economist and author Dr. Mark Hendrickson. His recent book—“The Big Picture”—explores the holes in the arguments of those predicting catastrophe due to climate change. Hendrickson says, “When I saw how uncertain science was being used to justify a radical political agenda and immensely costly changes to our society, it prompted me to sound a warning. My warning is basically this: The proposed cure could be far more harmful to human beings than the hypothetical problem.”

THE HEIDI DILEMMA; ND INDIANS ARE PIQUED;THE NFL IS A PASTIME; NY SUICIDE HAS ND CONNECTION; WILD INCREASES; WHO'S ON FIRST?; SD'S POPULATION GROWTH; ND HOUSING GROWTH; POOR COUNTRY COUSINS; WHAT IF? NOSTALGIA; GOING, GOING, GONE; THIS AND THAT; DAKTOIDS

Our freedom to speak is under assault.  "Political correctness" is eating out its substance.  

During a recent interview, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos discussed his philosophy on work-life balance. Bezos said, “If I am happy at home, I come into the office with tremendous energy, and if I am happy at work, I come home with tremendous energy.” In this article, Dr. James Thrasher examines the traditional theory of work-life balance and argues that our lives are multifaceted and cannot be placed into the traditional polar concepts of life on one end and work on the other end. Thrasher suggests that work and our callings should not be doing battle with each other. He writes, “The callings of life include family, vocation, church, and community (the common good of our neighbor). Our minds see them as rivaling commitments rather than elements in our lives that are interdependent and complementary.”

Memorial Day is a time for remembering. Even if we cannot visit the grave site of family members, nevertheless they are commemorated in thought. This is true for my deceased parents who are buried in Colorado. Both are interred at Fort Logan National Cemetery in the shadow of the magnificent Rocky Mountains.

I’m pleased they are together again. Dad lived his life as an Army officer and it was a sad day when he retired. Having lost his own father early in life, he joined the Army as a young man during the Great Depression. In a way, the Army became a surrogate father to him teaching him life skills. When laid to rest at Fort Logan in 1997, it was as if he rejoined the ranks of those with whom he had spent so many years. Then, after living side by side as helpmates for decades, Mom joined him in 2008 in their final resting place together once again.

ZINKE IN ND; BAKKEN BRIGHTENS; CHARLIE KOURAJIAN; WHICH WILL IT BE?; USING THE BACK DOOR; ABOUT TO THRIVE; HAMID SHIRVANI; NOT ONE GOOD WORD; COBB IS LOOSE AGAIN; TOUGH STANCE ON IMMIGRATION; FRAUD IN CCAP; DAKTOIDS

As we celebrate Memorial Day this year, may we remember the sacrifice that millions of Americans have made to preserve our freedom and help promote peace and justice in our troubled world. In his article, Dr. Mark Hendrickson reflects upon those who “achieved an eternal victory by standing on the right side of history, the right side in the conflict between good and evil—the right side of life and liberty.”

On Memorial Day 2018 our fallen sons and daughters from all branches of the military from all wars including Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserves deserve heartfelt commemoration from a grateful nation. Special honor is due those who have fallen in the War on Terror.

If liberals were animals, if would be a marked improvement. For one thing, animals don’t lie.

The final irony here is that liberals tend to embrace godless evolution and generally believe that people are nothing but animals. Yet as the brilliant G.K. Chesterton put it, “Man is an exception.” He “is always something worse or something better than an animal[.]” So true. And I think we know which free-will-abusing people are keeping MS-13 gangsters company in the worse category.

THE BAKKEN IS BACK; IT'S HAPPENING RIGHT HERE IN NORTH DAKOTA; WHO HAS IT?; HARDBALL; THERE'S MORE; WESLEY COLLEGE; HIJACKING; DRUG USE IN ND; MINNEAPOSLIS-ST. PAUL; SOCIAL ENGINEERING; MOSAIC; DAKTOIDS

We are doing this to ourselves.  We must be crazy.

The recent discovery of tax dollars shipped regularly from Minnesota through MSP to Al Shabaab should have us wondering 1) what else is going on with our money under our noses and 2) why we are putting up with it?

The recent discovery of tax dollars shipped regularly from Minnesota through MSP to Al Shabaab should have us wondering 1) what else is going on with our money under our noses and 2) why we are putting up with it?

A ghostly silence reigns. You don’t hear kids cheering in a backyard or the whap of a bat on a softball.  You rarely see kids in a wading pool in the yard. These are signs of cultural failure. No, it isn’t silly.  It is deadly serious.

The third Saturday in May is designated Armed Forces Day. For 2018 the date is set for May 19. The purpose is to honor men and women who have served the United States in the military. Unlike Veterans Day, this day is also designated to educate the public on various roles of the military and how each service plays a role in keeping America safe.

Unlike other Presidential cabinet positions, the armed forces and the defense of the nation is explicitly addressed in the US Constitution Article I, Section 8.

All the military services should expect a well-deserved salute from the public whom they protect. They merit a heartfelt thanks from a grateful nation. And, may we never take for granted the volunteers who serve.

Thirty years ago, President Ronald Reagan vetoed a bill proposed by Senator Ted Kennedy that sought to reverse language in the Supreme Court’s holding in the Grove City College v. Bell case. Kennedy’s legislation, dubbed the “Grove City Bill” by the media, changed Title IX and other federal civil rights legislation to allow more government control over higher education. Reagan saw the threat to freedom and the substantial compliance burden that could result and sent the bill back unsigned. Unfortunately, the House and Senate overrode his veto and the “Grove City Bill” became law. In this article, constitutional scholar Dr. John Sparks looks back at the events and demonstrates why Reagan was correct 30 years ago and why Grove City College remains correct today.

It is from the perspective of an immigrant from a land of long - and recent - experience - that Rafizadeh speaks to us, someone who has insight valuable to us, knowledge he would like to pass along to us that might save us from a terrible calamity.

Saturday marked the 200^th anniversary of the birth of Karl Marx. Today, many supporters of Marx argue that his philosophy was not the problem that led to tens of millions of deaths under communism but rather it was the aberration of the likes of Stalin, Lenin, Pol Pot, Castro, etc. who used the philosophy to murder. In this article that first appeared at The Wall Street Journal, communism scholar Dr. Paul Kengor argues that this type of this support for Marx is baseless because Marx “set the stage with his philosophy for the greatest ideological massacres in history.”

America today appears as divided as ever. It seems our divisiveness and disunity has never been worse.

Not so. America was born in discord and never outgrew it. This is as good a time as any to offer perspective – historical perspective.