Dakota Beacon

Late last month, the Supreme Court ruled that the state of Missouri could not deny public funds to a church simply because it is a religious organization. In this article, Constitutional scholar Dr. John Sparks reviews the Court’s opinion and discusses possible future implications of the decision. Sparks argues that this important case and ruling “moves in the right direction by regarding those who exercise their religious convictions as no different from other members of their communities when it comes to qualifying for public benefits.”

Realize that some people have an alien sense of virtue (Western leftists are a good example). Some really do believe that slaughtering innocents in Allah’s name is good — that burning people alive, baking them in ovens, drowning them in cages and feeding children into a dough kneader — wins you Paradise.

Remember, our weakness lies in our diversity.

Internal government pertained to self-government (self-control). It flowed from within each person outward to the family and finally into the community. The idea of internal self-government stressed individual responsibility and self-discipline. Our founders’ idea of limited government and maximum freedom rested solidly on the assumption of internal self-government. They believed rights were imbued by the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God.

Independence Day is a time to celebrate our nation’s birth. For a deeper sense of pride and satisfaction, back away from the Mardi Gras atmosphere and reflect on the reason for our nation’s existence and ultimate success. Our exceptional experience is unique in the history of nations and we must never forget i

DROUGHT; F-M DIVERSION AUTHORITY OFFICIALS; POLITICALLY DIFFERENT GOVERNORS; BECKE ECHOES BURGUM; COLUMNIST LLOYD OMDAHL; A UND IMPROVEMENT?; SO LON, PHIL JACKSON; ND SOYBEAN PROCESSORS; DEVILS LAKE CREDIT UNION; CROP SHARING; HUMAN LOG JAM; TELL THE WHOLE STORY; SNUGGLE TOGETHER; TOP DONORS; DAKTOIDS

It’s a sad time when simple truths cause serious trouble. But that time is now, and a good example is how former number-one tennis player John McEnroe is being excoriated for stating that Serena Williams, widely regarded as history’s best women’s player, would be “like number 700 in the world” on the men’s tour. The story is also further proof of how the media are infested with arrogant, ignorant fake-news fetishists.

I do place a premium on honesty, however, and thus should confess my title’s inaccuracy. McEnroe is wrong.

I don’t think Williams would crack the top 1000 men.

It is time to celebrate America’s 241^st birthday. Many will honor the occasion with picnics, reunions, and fireworks. To help commemorate July 4, presidential scholar Dr. Gary S. Smith examines the importance of America’s founders and how many of their successors have often praised the founders for their wisdom in devising such a venerable Constitution and workable government. Smith writes, “We should recognize that millions of our ancestors, by their creative thinking, hard work, devotion to the common good, and personal sacrifices have helped make our nation a beacon of democracy and opportunity in a world that has faced a sea of challenges since 1776.” 

Questionable public policy occasionally develops under the illusion of broad public support when in fact most of the public remains blissfully ignorant that the issue even exists. It is disconcerting to watch the agendas of small obscure but vocal minorities become public policy. It happens too often and by design.

Watch for the Delphi Technique in the public arena as it is used to advance any number of minority agendas from homsexual rights to environmental extremist views. Maintaining the illusion of wide public acceptance of minority viewpoints by isolating and bypassing sporadic public opposition is useful as a form of governance.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, about 500 of the lesser citizens of Grand Forks County were delivered a registered letter by the Sheriff in April, ordering them to pay up their taxes with the back-end hammer that their property – homes and businesses – would be seized and title transferred to the County on October 1, if not. Those taxpayers are NOT in the same class as the developers of the condos displacing Arbor Park. They are in a lower class. They are serfs.

THE DICKINSON STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION; THE SPOILS; PERHAPS IT WAS TIME UND’s CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER IS LEAVING; ARE INDIAN YOUTH TARGETED?; PREPARE FOR “A WALL OF CORN; SNAKE CREEK EMBANKMENT; WILL HIS STORY SELL BOOKS?; THE GF HERALD WEBSITE LISTS TOM DENNIS AS OPINION EDITOR; SANFORD RULES; MID DAKOTA CLINIC; DAKTOIDS

In four and half months, President George H. W. Bush is on course to surpass Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford as the former president who lived the longest. Recently turning 93, Bush has a very strong faith which significantly shaped his character and policies as president. In this article, our presidential scholar Dr. Gary S. Smith examines the life and faith of the 41^st President of the United States. Smith writes, “Motivated by his faith, Bush has been an exemplary Point of Light who energetically and effectively served God and millions around the world through his presidency.” 

PJ delivers his exposition of Smith’s classic in the same amusing manner in which he wrote his other books. This time, however, he tackles a yeoman’s task. Unlike PJ, Smith is neither humorous nor particularly entertaining to a twenty-first-century reader. Writing lightly of Smith’s book, and often citing his companion work “The Theory of Moral Sentiments,” PJ stretches his talent. That is good because in doing so PJ exhibits a maturity not previously seen. Whereas his earlier books treat various subjects in an almost comic manner, “Wealth” expresses a ripeness and sophistication in his levity. His talent is one of seeing the lighter side of serious events. In doing so, he is able to cut to the chase to reveal the heart of an issue.

Last month, three Detroit sports legends passed on within two weeks of each other: five-time All-NFL and Hall of Famer Yale Lary; his teammate, three-time All-NFL player Wayne Walker; and Detroit Tigers Hall-of-Famer Jim Bunning. In this article, Dr. Mark Hendrickson pays tribute to their accomplishments on and off the field. Hendrickson writes, “Even though it has been decades since they starred for my hometown teams, I have vivid and happy memories of all three of them.”

NEW NORMAL; YES, IT’S TRUE; LOOK -- NO DRILLING; DANGEROUS PLACE TO WORK; DOUG BURGUM NAMED; “I SEE GROWTH POTENTIAL, IN SHORT.”; INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING; PIKER; ANOTHER NICE SUMMER DAY; SIXTY YEARS AGO; 'IRONY DOESN'T TRANSLATE INTO PRINT"; SORRY YOU'RE DISAPPOINTED; DROUGHT

Among the founders of extant major or quasi-major religions/philosophical systems — Lao Tzu, Confucius, Buddha, etc. — Mohammed stands alone, being a tyrant-cum-teacher. Of course, he doesn’t stand alone in history; Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, Tamerlane and many others paved similar bloody paths. As with them, he was largely a man of his time and place. But to more than a billion people, he’s also the perfect man even in our time and place. 

A legal movement in America has some people concerned. With President Donald Trump’s appointment of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court and his nomination of judges for Federal Courts of Appeals, the New Conservative Legal Mainstream has made media headlines recently. The New Conservative Legal Mainstream has its foundation in the originalist approach to constitutional interpretation often identified with the late Justice Antonin Scalia. In this article, our legal scholar Dr. John Sparks looks at the promising legal trend and asks: What are the origins of the New Conservative Legal Mainstream and why is the left so concerned about it?

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.