Dakota Beacon

In his final few months in office, President Barack Obama has issued several executive actions including declaring millions of acres in the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans to be forever off-limits to development and designating 1.65 million acres of land in Utah and Nevada as “national monuments,” effectively blocking them from economic development. In this article, Dr. Mark Hendrickson examines Obama’s final orders and argues that Americans should not be surprise because, “The outgoing president has spent the last eight years pushing a socialistic agenda of government control over economic activity.”

The final week of Barack Obama’s presidency is upon us. Over the past eight years many things have changed. But has America “fundamentally changed” as Obama declared it would in October 2008? In this article that first appeared at the National Catholic Register, Dr. Paul Kengor looks at President Obama’s two terms and argues that his legacy may not be what many people thought—or hoped—it would be.

IT’S A COMMON MISCONCEPTION; 85+ IN RED RIVER VALLEY; B-52 DROPS ENGINE; AS OIL PRICES IMPROVE; CASS COUNTY PERFORMANCE; TRIBE THREATENS TAXES; PROTESTER CAMP STILL DANGEROUS; OUT OF CONTROL; RUBBISH ON THE RIVER; POSEIDON CONCEPTS CROP; THE MINNEAPOLICE MACY TO CLOSE; CANADA IS PRAGMATIC; EMERSON, MANITOBA; PRINCES ESTATE; DAKTOIDS

The year 2017 promises to be an exceptional one for limited government and the rule of law. It will be important that the Affordable Care Act be FULLY REPEALED first, and be replaced with free market solutions to the problems that ACA has only exacerbated because of its government interference in the marketplace and intrusion between doctor and patient.

Over the past decade, social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others) have grown in magnitude, volume, and influence. From using social media as a hard news source to posting pictures and videos of pets, the cultural impact of these sites is large. In this article, Dr. Gary Welton looks at how Facebook is used and offers an important reminder about another impactful practice: prayer. 

Political Correctness directed by a small class of activists in academia, government bureaucracies and the media offered an ideal way of achieving cultural hegemony. As Codevilla puts it, it is “forceful seduction” achieving “tacit collaboration by millions who bite their lip.” PC promotes obedience to the ruling class through a means of quiet subversion. The parallel between PC and Saul Alinsky’s principles in “Rules For Radicals” is unmistakable.

In less than two weeks, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45^th president of the United States. Trump’s administration will inherit many foreign policy challenges: Iran, North Korea, ISIS, Russia, and others. In this article, Dr. Earl Tilford looks at the international landscape and argues that Trump must restore America’s credibility. Tilford writes, “The only way to deal effectively with international threats is to do so with credible diplomacy grounded in economic stability and supported by unassailable military strength.”

TWO BIG CHALLENGES, THE SOLUTION ISN’T ALWAYS MORE MONEY; HE’LL BE OUT THERE ALONE; BURGUM SAID; THE STANDING ROCK SIOUX; THE MAIN PROTEST CAMP; LUCK CHANGES; SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST; EASY CHOICES; UND HOCKEY COACH; DR. MARY WAKEFIELD; NDSU PRESIDENT DEAN BRESCIANI; PHILANDO CASTILE; HOW TO GET A LEG UP?; CRITICISM STINGS; HE WAS IN THE WRONG STATE; DAKTOIDS

Is a college degree the proverbial "ticket" to secure employment? Remarkably, a recent survey revealed that 95 percent of college grads do not have a clear understanding of their employment expectations or how to get a job. In this article, Dr. James Thrasher looks at the survey and discusses how understanding vocational calling will “provide a framework or roadmap to discerningly assess career paths that will be a natural ‘fit’ and that will bring meaning, satisfaction, and fulfillment.” 

If extra atoms and elements and how they react with each other can be ignored when formulating labels and definitions, we could say that Al Gore’s birth was a carbon emission.

Honest people should reclaim the language and reboot the debate by rejecting “carbon” talk. As for those knowingly using the term for propaganda purposes, they should have a huge carbon footprint placed firmly on their carbon-based posteriors. 

". . . An Unlimited Convention to Structurally Change the U.S. Constitution"

At year’s end, on December 31 following an evening of celebration, the strains of “Auld Lang Syne” once again drift across the room as sure as midnight rolls around the world.

In the midst of busy lives and an unpredictable new year, remember to honor precious friends and friendships. The value of enduring friendship transcends time; the reservoir of reciprocal affection is always present to draw from.

Happy New Year!

Standing Rock; Activists & Environmentalists; Local & State Government; Doug Burgum, Kilbourne Group; Budget & Economy; Somalis & LSS; Championships, Carson Wents; F-M Flood Diversion; USA; Rob Port

“YOU JUST CAN’T CELEBRATE”; A PARALYZING STORM; A CYCLE OF DISCONTENT; BORROWING FROM BIG MO; NOT ELLISON; BE SERIOUS; R. D. OFFUTT CO; N. PLAINS UAS TEST SITE; DON’T TRY THAT AGAIN; FLY ASH

As to the real threat to our nation, the liberals illustrate it well, being the “men of intemperate minds [who] cannot be free” and whose “passions forge their fetters.” For barbarity begets tyranny. Like a child losing privileges due to irresponsibility, if people prove too immature to govern themselves, they will ultimately lose the power to do so. This is why it’s too bad voting rights can’t be granted based on mental age — it could save our republic.

THINK DIFFERENTLY; BERGUM; CONFLICTS OF INTEREST; GOV DALTYMPLE; LITTLE DAVE; ARCHAMBAULT; THE KEYSTONE XL OIL PIPELINE; GOFUNDME; THE NATIONAL BUFFALO MUSEUM; THE FARGO-MOOREHEAD DIVERSION CHANNEL; HOW ABOUT US?; THE UND DIVERSITY COUNCIL; DAKTOIDS

What was actually revealed by Wikileaks and what effect it had are being conflated with the matter of who revealed it, as if the messenger somehow changes the message. Consider an analogy: Imagine it came to light that a Capitol Hill restaurant’s kitchen was filthy and vermin-infested. Would the health department’s course of action be dictated by whether the information came from a disgruntled employee or an investigative reporter who illegally gained access to the kitchen? If the latter, would Washington Democrats still eat there? 

His bitterest enemies weren’t atheists; they were the most religious men of his age, the Pharisees, who considered his claims blasphemous — as, by their lights, they were.

Nice? That’s hardly the word for Jesus. He performed miracles of love and mercy, but he also warned of eternal damnation, attacked and insulted the Pharisees, and could rebuke even people who adored him in words that can only make us cringe.

To many, he was a threat. He still is. We honor him more by acknowledging his explosive presence than by making him a mere symbol of nice manners. At every step of his ministry, he made enemies and brought his crucifixion closer. People weren’t crucified for being nice. 

Jesus the Christ is central to western culture. That doesn’t mean everyone will embrace Him for who He says He is. It does mean that His influence is such that no other individual could have shaped lives and behavior worldwide over time in a manner as has Jesus. But that He has done so is what matters.

He emphasized a message of salvation, love and peace residing within each individual and working outward into the world. We even count our days from His appearance on earth. And, for His influence, He was killed.

Earlier this month, John Glenn, the last of the Mercury astronauts, died at age 95. In this tribute, Dr. Glenn A. Marsch remembers the man for whom he was named. Marsch writes, “It has been said that Glenn was the last true American hero, beloved of almost everyone, regardless of political views.” 

Consider: with the U.S. having a replacement-level fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman, immigration is the only reason our population is increasing. As to this, our numbers have swelled from 100 million people in 1915 to 200 million in 1968 to 320 million today. And it’s projected they will reach approximately 400 million just after 2050.

Obviously, such growth involves strain on natural resources, social services and infrastructure. Yet while the Left purports to care about the environment, it also pursues open-border policies with jihadist-like zeal. But when will enough population be enough? When it stands at 450 million? A half billion? A billion? The Left likes to push “family planning.” But what about national-family planning?

ELUSIVE LEADERSHIP; SINCERE, BUT UNWISE; PLEA IGNORED; GOOD JOB; REFUGEES ARE A PUZZLE; OPPOSING VIEWS; BLACK RESIDENTS IN MN; THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL; INTEGRATED AND SUCCEEDING; KINDNESS; A VICIOUS CHIHUAHUA; ART AND BIRDS; THE NDSU BISON; DAKTOIDS

On Monday, the Electoral College will meet to vote for the president. Some Americans, based on the results of the popular vote, have started a campaign to abolish the Electoral College. In this article, Dr. L. John Van Til examines the Founders intentions when developing the Electoral College and the value it still holds. He writes, “It’s fair to say that without the electoral system the republic would dissolve.” 

Reading Joe Sobran is like reading Shakespeare; savoring each line, followed by a string of accolades like those wine reviews (“hint of the cask, with a swarthy aftertaste of the husk of peach….”). I’ve spent these past few months enjoying an essay or two a day, because Sobran’s vintage writing, like fine wine, must be sipped, contemplated, and appreciated.

Joe memorized all of Shakespeare, but I can’t memorize all of Joe. So I welcome these volumes that truly form an indispensable part of the historical and critical record of an intellectual giant. Joe read his favorite books again and again, and you’ll feel the same way when you begin reading these. Here and there you’ll recognize a pivotal passage. I sure have.

Many pundits are busy vetting Donald Trump’s recent nominations. Some lawmakers, former diplomats, and past national security experts seem especially concerned about the appointments of retired general officers and business leaders to high positions in the Trump administration. But are these concerns necessary? In this article, Dr. Earl Tilford looks at Trump’s nominees—including Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State—and argues, “Generals and successful business leaders like Tillerson have vision and know that successful strategic thinking fosters strategies taking countries and companies to their desired end states.”

Trump is a fighter who loves the United States and has her best interests at heart. Love him or leave him, his no-nonsense pragmatism offers something the likes of which has never been seen recently in Washington, DC. Everything Trump does is unconventional. To superimpose old fashion political templates on him in an effort to predict his next move or evaluate his decisions is fruitless. It is to underestimate him and his actions. Proponents of old style politics will view Trump wrong every time

According to the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, one-third of Millennials (32 percent) “believe more people were killed under George W. Bush than under Joseph Stalin.” And it isn’t just Millennials. One in four Americans generally (26 percent) believe more people were killed under Bush than Stalin. In this article, Dr. Paul Kengor reviews the recent study and argues that these mind-boggling numbers are “not a failure to teach history; it is a failure to teach communist and socialist history.”

ND’s TWO MAJOR INDUSTRIES; BEST RUN STATE; PYRRHIC VICTORY; ND POLITICIANS DECISION; WALL STREET JOURNAL; ARCHAMBAULT; JAMES MACPHERESON; THEY WERE WARNED; A MOMENT IN THE SUN; SPIDER BITE; "WENTZ WAGON'S WHEELS FALL OFF"; REMEMBER PAULA BROADWELL?; MINNESOSTA OFFICIALS; DON'T ASK; DAKTOIDS

If ever there was a time to stress honor in conduct, that time is now. From the macrocosm of the political to the microcosm of the family, the absence of honor leaves a chasm of ruptured relationships.

To possess honor presumes a knowledge of right and wrong, good and evil. In Western civilization Christianity formed the basis of such knowledge. Christian precepts set the standard by which conduct is measured.

Today, we find ourselves in a quandary. In a relativistic culture with diminished Christian influence, much of the traditional understanding of right and wrong is also diminished. In literature, film, TV, courts of law, and even personal relationships, old standards are muddled at best. Words associated with the old standards, words like “honor,” relinquish some degree of relevance.

General Douglas MacArthur’s farewell address to the Corps of Cadets at West Point focused on honor. He reminded the Corps of the high standard they shared with those who passed on before. Honor was central to the code: Duty--HONOR--Country. How long must we wait before once again hearing a public figure so eloquently express a deep understanding of honor?

Life offers choices for everyone. To live honorably is a choice to salvage character. As always, the decision is ours.

THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS; “IS THERE A WAY PAST STANDING ROCK?”; LEAFY SPURGE; VOICE OF DISSENT; REP. COLLIN PETERSON; RURAL VOTERS ARE DIFFERENT; THE NATIONAL BUFFALO MUSEUM; ARE MALLS DYING?; OILY DEAL; A SOMALI REFUGE; CHEEK-TO-JOWL; DAKTOIDS