Dakota Beacon

Economics was not taught in my metropolitan high school fifty-five years ago and the situation has not improved. Little wonder that public discussion of economics, if it takes place at all, is trite and inane causing one’s eyes to glaze over. P. J. O’Rourke (otherwise known as PJ) helps remedy this illiteracy in his treatise designed for the layman.

In his best seller “Eat the Rich: A Treatise on Economics,” (Atlantic Monthly Press, 1998) PJ addresses a subject fascinating to most people -- wealth. What is wealth and how do we get it? Or, as O’Rourke puts it, “Why do some places prosper and thrive, while others just suck?”

Whether you’re a lawmaker considering a “bathroom bill” or some other “transgender”-oriented legislation, or a citizen pondering a vote influencing the matter, you need the facts. The following are 10 “transgender” truths.

President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia and then to Israel as part of his first foreign trip is historically significant. In Riyadh, Trump spoke to Islamic leaders from around the world and identified the threat of global Islamist-inspired terrorism. In this article, foreign policy expert Dr. Earl Tilford reviews the trip and argues that it could be a first step to a more comprehensive Middle East Treaty Organization that includes other Sunni-Muslim countries. Tilford suggests, “A Middle East Treaty Organization aimed at defeating terrorism and countering Iranian hegemony could establish regional stability. This also might reduce the need for a large U.S. presence in the Arabian Gulf.” 

IT WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN; ND'S LEGACY FUND; OLDER WORKERS; FRIENDS OF THE RIVER; WHAT'S UP; SALLY SMITH' BLAME MILLETIALS; U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE DANIEL HOVELAND; RYDER; 74 YEARS LATER; MAJOR UNSOLVED CASE; CONNECTING DOTS; THIEF RIVER FALLS; DAKTOIDS

GRIFFIN INTERNET SYNDICATE, OCTOBER 16, 2001 – This is a season of patriotism, but also of something that is easily mistaken for patriotism; namely, nationalism. The difference is vital.

G.K. Chesterton once observed that Rudyard Kipling, the great poet of British imperialism, suffered from a “lack of patriotism.” He explained: “He admires England, but he does not love her; for we admire things with reasons, but love them without reasons. He admires England because she is strong, not because she is English.”

In the same way, many Americans admire America for being strong, not for being American. For them America has to be “the greatest country on earth” in order to be worthy of their devotion. If it were only the 2nd-greatest, or the 19th-greatest, or, heaven forbid, “a 3rd-rate power,” it would be virtually worthless.

While patriotism is a form of affection, nationalism, it has often been said, is grounded in resentment and rivalry; it’s often defined by its enemies and traitors, real or supposed. It is militant by nature, and its typical style is belligerent. Patriotism, by contrast, is peaceful until forced to fight.

News flash: President Trump withdraws from the Paris climate accords. Why all the fuss? The accords were little more than an anti-capitalist transfer of wealth. This scheme would move billions of dollars from the US in order to incentivize other nations who kind of agreed to maybe cut some carbon emissions hopefully starting in 2030. This is as phony as the Iran nuke deal.

As the saying goes, “There is nothing new under the sun” – no pun intended.

Today, advocates of manmade climate change proceed as if this were something new. Yet, earlier advocates were making the same argument in 1938 -- just before journalists announced the onset of a new ice age.

People are beginning to sense who is responsible for the chaos in their nations, the endless and increasing taxes, rules and regulations, the assault on their values and virtues, and a growing untouchable government.

The common men and women of both the United States and Europe have begun to understand that elites in both America and Europe, not they, control their destiny.

The elites derive their power through deals and manipulation and the illegitimate use of police power and political power.

The problem confronting the elite is that the masses are beginning to object. The objections are emanating from those of us who are being abused. It’s about time.

What is a Universal Basic Income (UBI)? At a recent commencement address, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg proposed a UBI whereby the federal government would disburse the same living allowance to every adult American. In this article, economist Dr. Mark Hendrickson details the UBI and argues that such a plan may do more harm than good.

NORTH DAKOTA RECESSION?; DOWNTOWN FARGO RENAISSANCE; LOOK SOUTH; TOUGH YEARS; YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR; BEGGAR-THY-NEIGBOR; BISMARCK FILMAKER MATT FERN; NEWSPAPER GREATS; THE SINGING NORWEGIAN; THE BISARRE TRAIN WRECK; RED RIVER RISKY; DAKTOIDS

Across the country, many college students recently received their diplomas but have yet to find a job. In this article, Dr. James Thrasher offers 12 steps to prepare graduates for a successful employment search. Thrasher encourages graduates to “Stay positive and hit the curve balls. Today is a new day. Confidently get started, get informed, and get hired!” 

How big is “big?” How much is 100? 1,000? Who can comprehend a million of anything?

Suppose a couple celebrated 18,262 days of married life. This is a big number, but we usually state this in a more comprehensible way such as fifty years of marriage – a golden wedding anniversary.

Large numbers are easily understood when stated relative to a more recognizable quantity. This is another way of saying that by comparing a large number to some easily recognized point of reference seems to aid in comprehension.

As a much-needed respite from all the politics, we at the Center for Vision & Values wish all of you a happy Memorial Day weekend with your families, courtesy of this fun piece by Dr. Marvin Folkertsma. In this article that first appeared at Ricochet.com, Folkertsma describes a recent weekend visit that proved to be, “A most delightful and wonderful experience, thankfully devoid of politics, and bursting with the joys of life, why it is worth living—family, children, grandchildren, love, competition, laughter, exhilaration, goofiness all around, plenty to share, and memories that will never fade.” 

GOV. BURGUM TELLS COLUMNIST; 'WE'RE IN CRISIS MODE"; WILLIAM J. BROTHERTON; JUST MADE IT; NEW LIFE IN THE OIL PATCH; HWY 2 BLUES; THE MIDDLE CLASS; HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATES; GRATEFUL BEAST; DON'T WANT TO GO HOME; A STATE OF DYSFUNCTION; DAKTOIDS

President Donald Trump met with Pope Francis. Nearly 35 years ago, President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II met for the first time at the Vatican. In this article that first appeared at Stream.org, author and scholar Dr. Paul Kengor details the Reagan-John Paul II meeting and argues that the Trump-Francis meeting may not produce a “grand historical-spiritual vision” and partnership between the two leaders.

On Memorial Day we honor the men and women who served their country militarily and who have passed on to their final reward.

The war on terror ushered in a new era. A new generation of veterans made the ultimate sacrifice. This is a war like no other in modern times. Islamic fanatics from many countries wish to harm the West generally, and the United States in particular.

On Memorial Day 2017 America’s fallen sons and daughters from all branches of the military including Active Duty, National Guard and Reserves join their fallen comrades from other conflicts in deserving a heartfelt commemoration from the rest of us. Special honor is due those who have fallen in the fight to defend America from Islamic terrorists.

A new book has raised a thought-provoking question: How should Christians live in a post-Christian age? In this article, Dr. L. John Van Til reviews Rod Dreher’s book, “The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in A Post-Christian Nation.” Van Til examines the options and data in the book and suggests it is a worthwhile study “if you desire to understand how your children and grandchildren can survive in the hostile, pagan culture that now dominates America.”

Not all news is covered by the mainstream media. Those items in particular that are omitted by editorial boards are items that do not fit the liberal progressive narrative. What follows represents stories not typically seen by consumers of the dominant media.

DON’T CLING TO OLD MODELS; ANTICIPATE DISRUPTION; NEWSPAPERS ALSO MUST ADAPT; A GRAND MUDDLE; THE ND ECONOMY; THEY’VE GOT THE MONEY; HE WHO PROTESTS TOO MUCH; PHYSICIAN COMPENSATION in ND; FOREIGH DOCTORS AND VISA PROGRAMS; DAKTOIDS

Liberals in general and Democrats in particular are unbelievably jealous of Donald Trump’s win. It should have been Hillary. Progressives and far left extremists need to learn how to win if they are ever to recuperate from their sizable losses at all government levels over the past decade.

Recently, Harvard University revised the curriculum in the music department. Music theory and counterpoint—once the bedrock of the degree—are now optional. In this article, Dr. Joshua F. Drake, professor of music and humanities at Grove City College, looks at the change and argues “Having rejected the traditional view of musical judgment, it is easy to see why Harvard was pressed to reject its own curriculum.” 

Enter one squirrel oblivious to his trespassing upon grackle turf, so to speak. Unaware of his pending fate, a better choice of bird feeders in the yard might have saved him some embarrassment. If only he knew what was in store for him.

These market-driven solutions must come from the above identified conservative subgroups of the Republican party despite the media and Trump's suggestions that the replacement be bi-partisan. Do you really think the Democrats would be for free market solutions and publicly oppose “single-payer” government run healthcare? Has a mixture of socialism and capitalism really worked in the Nordic countries? The answers are “No” and “No”. The Nordics have a total per capita GDP (including all government programs) that is 2/3 that of their American cousins.

How to Proceed; The Challenge to Insure a Future for Our Grandchildren;  Real Health Insurance “Intervention”; What may we expect from the Left?

THE 65TH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY; THE BIESIOT ACTIVITIES CENTER; THE UND LAW SCHOOL; NORTHERN PLAINS NITROGEN; THE NEWSPAPER BUSINESS; DOLLAR DOUG DEAL; SENDING MONEY TO ND; IT DIDN’T HAPPEN; MINOT AIR FORCE BASE; BUSY BORDE; BACKFIRE; BRING DOWN THE MINNEAPOLIS SKYWALKS; DALTPODS

“Does it matter whether the Bible is studied alongside other intellectual influences on the founding fathers who established an independent constitutional republic committed to liberty and representative rule by the consent of the governed?” American University professor Daniel L. Dreisbach answers this question and many more in his article that examines the role the Bible played in the founding of the United States of America. 

As tensions mount between the Unites States and North Korea, some pundits are calling for more aggressive military action. In this article, foreign policy scholar Dr. Earl Tilford argues that U.S. forces may not be the ideal strategy in this situation. He writes, “The use of American military force could prove devastatingly expensive in blood. The Trump administration’s best alternative is to ratchet up pressure on China to affect regime change in Pyongyang.”

Any excuse is reason enough to produce wall-to-wall racial incitement by the leftist media. Race becomes fake news, a phony ginned-up issue when the outcome does not fit the race baiters’ narrative. When the eyewitnesses and testimony do not support the racist narrative all that is left is to dredge up sympathy and divisiveness stemming from America’s past wrongs -- slavery.

Here is the line of reasoning never highlighted by the dominant media. Any economic, social or political event that does not conform to the progressive narrative justifies being branded as racism. Reason? Racism somehow always plays a part. Why? Racism runs deep and wide in our contemporary culture. Reason? Blacks have been mistreated since the days of slavery. Result? Blacks can never receive fair treatment in a White-dominated society. This is typical fare for those who make a living exploiting racial division.

THE GREAT FLOOD; FLOODING IN ND AND NEW ORLEANS; "NORTH DAKOTA NICE REPLACED NORTH DAKOTA NICE; SONY PURDUE; BRUCE GJOVIG; SALLY SMITH' NOT SURPRISING'NEED A ROOM?; BUMPS IN THE ROAD; AN ANNUAL RITUAL; NUCLEAR FOOT PRINT SHRINKING; DAKTOIDS

The great vice of liberal thinking is its failure of imagination with respect to Christians. For all their preaching of “sensitivity” and “multiculturalism,” they are belligerently ignorant of Christian culture and Christians’ feelings.

People who do not consume left wing, i.e., mainstream media, may have missed the following tidbits.

DEVASTATED; REBIRTH; WHO’S POPULAR?; PRICY WINGS; LEVERAGE; THE LEGACY FUND; MINOT TAKES IT ON THE CHIN; SAD STATS; MORE LOSSES; AN EARLIER ERA; DAKTOIDS