Dakota Beacon

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

“As the son of a Cuban exile, my family experienced life under the Castro regime,” writes Grove City College sophomore Lorenzo Carrazana. In this article, Carrazana reflects on what the death of Fidel Castro may mean for Cubans and what trade policies, if any, the United States should adopt now that the dictator is dead. Carrazana highlights Cuba’s dual currency system that has “oppressed my family and millions of other Cubans.” 

The idea of Hillary Clinton on the chain gang or rock pile is attractive, but it is not good policy. We do not need to create a myth of the martyred Hillary Clinton.

It would be seriously unjust if Hillary Clinton were allowed to walk away with half the people thinking her reputation is intact.  

If voters in 30 of the 50 states want less government, its time Republicans deliver on their promises in accordance with their platforms of past election cycles. If they don't, a debt crisis of monumental proportions will make the “dirty thirties” look like a Sunday School outing. Congressman and Senators; don't you ever say you were not warned and didn't expect such an economic collapse! If such a calamity occurs due to your excessive federal spending, your jobs and pensions will be the first to be eliminated by those that replace you in subsequent elections!

If we forsake our traditional values of home, school and church, or if these institutions are undermined and eradicated from our culture, who will guard us? Who will secure us from a political takeover that would radically transform us into something our Founders never envisioned or intended -- a government too big, too powerful, too unforgiving and one which ignores our Constitution? Today’s leaders at the highest levels embrace a vision of America comparable with that of the secular, dying European culture.

As America’s election season culminates with the casting of votes by the Electoral College, it is worthy to reflect on where America is headed -- and why. Will the 21st Century become America’s recessional? And, what will a world look like without American leadership?

On Friday, Cuban tyrant Fidel Castro died at the age of 90. Since seizing Cuba in January 1959, Castro was responsible for tens of thousands of deaths. In this article that first appeared at The American Spectator, Dr. Paul Kengor looks at the leadership of the despot and how—had he gotten his way in October 1962—Castro’s death count could have been in the millions. 

GOVERNOR SPEAKS OUT; THE FORUM EDITORIAL BOARD; PROTESTERS; A SEVERELY INJURED PROTESTER; COLUMNIST LLOYD OMDAH; SURPRISING DECEMBE; TRICKY RANKING If UND; MAMMOTH ICBM PROJECT; ELLEN CHAFEE; REGIONAL ND CITIES; JAMESTOWN’S ALBINO WHITE BUFFALO; EDWIN WILL DIE; DAKTOIDS

When voters chose ideology that matches their personal environment, select a candidate on name recognition, and when character and experience are offsetting negatives, the results can be expected to be similar to a coin flip. The more times you flip the coin, the closer the results.

When we vote only for “stuff for ourselves” is it any wonder our grandchildren will be the ones to suffer? On the anniversary of President Kennedy's assassination, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

If proof of her sanctity were needed, it came in the form of the Gadarene frenzy of hatred she inspired in some quarters. Without knowing it (she never thought in political terms), Mother Teresa had robbed the Left of its self-endowed credentials as champions of the poor. When it came to the poor, they talked the talk; but the tiny nun walked the walk.

Today, George Washington would be spurned as a bigot, extremist, racist and partisan for issuing such a Eurocentric proclamation loaded with religious freight.

In the recesses of many hearts a sense of waning Christian heritage seeps slowly into our culture like fog in the night. Nevertheless, a remnant will carry on the Spirit of Thanksgivings past.

We can all exhibit grateful hearts. Without an attitude of gratitude, Thanksgiving is just another day of indulgence.

On a few college campuses across the country some students are protesting Donald Trump’s presidential victory. Have we seen this before? In April 1968, student protestors seized buildings on the campus of Columbia University in what was arguably the first real media-driven student protest event. In this article, Dr. Earl Tilford discusses the Columbia protests and how it relates to today. Tilford writes, “The current children’s crusade will rock on through Inauguration Day 2017. Then the kids will return to school, maybe learn something, and hopefully grow up.”

Months ago, Donald J. Trump eliminated another “Bush family” nomination toward election to the Presidency, despite being grossly outspent. Earlier this month Trump and American voters who supported him prevented another Clinton from “occupying” the White House. For those accomplishments alone, we should be eternally grateful. Hundreds, if not thousands, of highly qualified Americans will probably become interested in becoming President now that it has been proven that one does not have to secure the support of the politically elite, instead simply appealing to the expressed concerns of the American people. Listening skills had to have been important for Trump to succeed.

French fashion designer Sophie Theallet, who has created clothing for Michelle Obama, recently penned an open letter stating she would not design for Melania Trump when she moves to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. America has always given a very high precedence to conscientious objections, but increasingly, rights of conscience are being marginalized. In this article, Dr. Caleb Verbois compares this recent news to those bakers who conscientiously objected to making a cake for gay weddings and were subsequently protested, harassed, and sued. Verbois argues that fashion designers should, “have the right to make that decision free from threats of lawsuits and public harassment. In just the same way, religious photographers and bakers should have the right to politely refuse to endorse the practice of gay weddings.”

PIPELINE PROTESTERS; MAKING IT EXPENSIVE; POLITICAL INTERFERENCE; OIL PRODUCTION IN ND ELECTION DISASTER; GRIEF COUNSELING; SOCIAL OUTCASTS SPEAK UP; DEMS SWING LEFT; IMMIGRATION; POSITIVE NEWS; DIFFERENT OUTCOMES; PULITZER PRIZES; TRINITY HEALTH IN MINOT; DAKTOIDS

Last week—as the Dow futures plummeted by hundreds of points when Donald Trump achieved victory—some people hastily jumped to the conclusion that financial markets feared a Trump presidency. However, this is “not so,” writes Dr. Mark Hendrickson in his article that first appeared at Forbes.com. Stocks reversed the plunge quickly but the price of gold has fallen. Hendrickson looks at the significance of the price of gold and what it may mean about the economy.

Not since 1948, with the non-election of Thomas Dewey, have the presidential polls been so wrong. Why did this happen? In his article, Dr. Gary Welton looks at the polls and argues that the problem occurred not with the statistics and data, but rather through a methodological misstep.

ND DEMOCRAT BLOODBATH; HOW DID ND VOTE FOR PRESIDENT?; THE GAM; FIGHTING SIOUX; THREE CHEERS FOR HARRY MCGOVERN; CARSON WENTZ; MERCER COUNTY; SPLIT OPINION; THE MINOT DAILY NEWS; THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE; COLUMNIST LLOYD OMDAHL; CASS COUNTY ADMINISTATOR; SMALL TOWN SQUEEZE; REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT IN ND