Dakota Beacon

Today, a consuming awareness of the here and now without regard for our Christian heritage yields an incomplete appreciation of liberty. Attack and remove the premise of an argument, and the argument cannot stand. In today’s American culture, marginalizing Christianity and replacing the Biblical premise of liberty with a secular premise of socialism or Critical Race Theory may well result in reverting once again to imposing external government.

Every generation must determine for itself the precepts by which it will live. Some generations are up to the challenge. Some are not.

Is the U.S. economy set for slow growth for the rest of this decade? According to President Biden’s team, the answer is yes. In this article, economist Dr. Mark Hendrickson examines a recent announcement from the Biden administration and argues that many challenges are coming down the road.

THE F-M DIVERSION; ADM IS COMING AT A COST; PROJECT TUNDRA RISKS; THE STANDING ROCK SIOUX PIPELINE DISAPPOINTMENTS; RECORD DETHS; OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY; UPSCALE HOTELS IN FARGO; OPTIMISM REQUIRED; "BAD DAYS ARE AHEAD"; MISTER MONEY HAD A GUN; GERALD FOSTROM (80); DAKTOIDS

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court unanimously overturned a city of Philadelphia decision to stop placing foster children in the custody of a private, Catholic agency. While this is a meaningful win for religious liberty, three justices wrote concurrences agreeing with the result but not the reasoning behind it. Why did they feel the need to write these? In this article, Constitutional scholar Dr. John Sparks examines the case, offers an important history, and details why three justices were compelled to write a concurrenc

Here is the point. Ordinary folks are not permitted to make money at the expense of the elite. Hedge funds practice the short selling game often to make money for their clients at the expense of the ordinary investor by driving down the price of stock shares. Normal ordinary investors are not supposed to enter into this arena. That would violate hedge fund “community guidelines.” But an army of retail investors did play the game. In the uproar that followed, the ordinary guy and gal who gathered on the subreddit WSB to strategize a profit-making plan were accused in social media spreading misinformation, engaging in hate speech, and inciting “violence” – all the usual blarney directed at conservatives. That army of investors bid up the price per share of GameStop incurring huge losses for the hedge funds. On cue, Representative Maxine Waters, a member in good standing of the elite, convened hearings to investigate GameStop. And, oh, by the way, speaking of the Swamp, Biden Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen received $810,000 in speaking fees from other hedge funds that bailed out primary hedge fund losers in the GameStop short selling scheme.

GameStop’s motto is “Power to the Players.” In this gambit it was “Power to the People.”

It would be silly to believe anything the world’s Bidens and Lieus have to say. Their lack of seriousness and dishonesty (intellectual dishonesty in the least) about their faith just reflects their dishonesty in politics. They worship power.

Unlike the Poles and the woman I mentioned earlier, these left-wing politicians don’t even have the respect to abide by the rules of an institution to which they belong voluntarily. So the truth is that contrary to billing, Biden isn’t just not a devout Catholic — he’s not even a good non-devout Catholic.

ALDEVRON; LOUISE ERDRICH; DON'T THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND; OUTFOXED ITSELF; SIGNS OF LIFE; HESS CORPORATION; NEW USE FOR CORN; FOOD INSECURITY IN THE BREAD BASKET; LEN TWETEN; SO MANY NAMES; DAKTOIDS

Almost 80 years later in less perilous but still troubled times, President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on June 10 signed a new Atlantic Charter reaffirming the commitment of their nations to work together to produce “a more peaceful and prosperous future.” Echoing the themes of the 1941 charter, Biden and Johnson resolved to “defend the principles, values, and institutions of democracy ... uphold the rule of law, and support civil society and independent media.” The two nations promised to defend “the principles of sovereignty, national integrity and peaceful resolution of disputes.” They pledged to maintain “our collective security and international security against the full spectrum of modern threats.”

Reflecting the changed geopolitical circumstances, the charter calls for “building an inclusive, fair, climate-friendly, sustainable, rules-based global economy.” It also promises to combat new threats to global stability arising from cyber terrorism and health crises. And, as did Roosevelt and Churchill before them, Biden and Johnson further cemented the long-standing bond between the United States and Britain and the commitment of both nations to promoting democracy throughout the world.

For the past few years we have heard plenty about "cancel culture".  Most of us don't think it will directly affect us, but this would be a grave error.  It affects us all - if not in response to something we do or say, it affects what we don't DARE do or say.  This is not the American way of life.  It is not the America we grew up in, the nation our fathers, sons, brothers, husbands fought for, or the one our sons and daughters fight for today.  They are defending an America that is disappearing.  We cannot allow a cancel culture in America - ever.  

Look around. Even a blind person can see journalism’s transformation. Who wants to consume junk passed off as “news”? Apparently not the American public.

A word of caution to those altruistic young people drawn to a career in journalism. After all, what young person doesn’t want to “speak truth” to power? They must first transit the journalism departments of biased universities. Next they will confront the leftist corporate media ladder kowtowing to every strange bird flying in the cultural fog. Only after full indoctrination will they gain access to the rarified atmosphere of major news media outlets.

There is, however, a real need for young, moral, and untainted journalists in general, and investigative reporters in particular, to report through clear and honest eyes. Their road will not be easy and the pay often inadequate, but a growing number of competitive outlets promoting truthful reporting and well researched commentary have a crying need for fresh bright minds.

REMOTE HEARINGS; TOO MANY MAY BE AND ADVANTAGE; WILL RESEARCHS SAVE LIGNITE?; THE LAMOUREUX TWINS; GREEN SYNERGIES; MORE RENEWABLE FUEL; OIL TRAIN SABOTAGED; TACTICS FROM STANDING ROCK; ARE THE PROTESTS PEACEFUL?; BURNING A HOLE IN THEIR POCKET; DAKTOIDS

Tim Tebow, an NFL quarterback who has not played in a game since 2012, was recently signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars to play a different position on the field. Many media pundits quickly questioned why the Jaguars would sign Tebow. In this article, Dr. James Thrasher examines some of the questions and argues that Tebow’s value may be greater off the field than on it.

“Global warming! Climate Change!” cry the Chicken Littles on the left. “The sky is falling!”

Not so fast. Hundreds of years before the industrial revolution South American fishermen recognized the fluctuation of warm and cool waters along the coast of Peru and Ecuador. The pattern remains. Not until the 1920s did a British meteorologist, Sir Gilbert Walker, identify and record the fluctuations. He theorized that the association between water temperatures and atmospheric conditions created cyclical weather patterns leading him to conclude what he dubbed the ENSO.

The La Niña of winter and spring 2021 brought drought to the northern plains. Very little winter snow fell. Likewise, scant spring rain. This poses a substantial fire danger. With pasture grass scarce for cattle and crop planting delayed, agriculture takes a hit. The southern plains, on the other hand, experienced a reasonably moist winter continuing into spring 2021. All this thanks to La Niña.

I received my banned book today. Amazon banned it from its website so I went to Christianbooks.com. In February I ordered “When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment” by Ryan T. Anderson, 2018. Heavy demand delayed my backordered book.

Anderson, a Senior Research Fellow at The Heritage Foundation, took his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and his PhD. from Notre Dame University. His research has been cited by two US Supreme Court justices in two different SCOTUS cases. Amazon banned his good work over woke.

Facebook recently removed a Wall Street Journal review of physicist Steven Koonin’s book “Unsettled: What Climate Science Tells Us, What it Doesn’t, and Why it Matters.” Flakey fact-checkers determined both book and review were misleading and ruled no one should see them.

DAPL STAYS OPEN; IT'S BISON WORLD; LEGACY FUND; GREEN CONSIDERATIONS; NEW SOYBEAN GAME; WILD RIDE ON THE EMPIRE BUILDER; THE MHA NATION; YELLOW BIRD; CANADIAN HAPPENINGS; MINNEAPOLIS CALMING; MORE VIOLENCE; DAKTOIDS

Many attempts were used to combat the spread of COVID-19: face masks, social distancing, and even lockdowns. Recently, a new proposal has emerged on the frontline of the COVID-19 battle. The World Trade Organization, with a statement of support from the Biden administration, has proposed a waiver of all intellectual property protections related to COVID-19 vaccines. In this article, Dr. Richard Kocur examines the proposal and argues that waiving patent protections could be troubling.

In an effort to get Minnesotans to give up their health and freedom, Governor Walz is offering free fishing licenses.  Flash:  the shots don't work.  If you are going to sacrifice your health, privacy and freedom at least hold out for more than a state park pass, a fishing license or ice cream.

A current book by Rob Dreher may prove to be a fascinating read for some Christians and conservatives. “Live Not By Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents” (Sentinel, imprint of Penguin Random House, 2020) addresses “soft totalitarianism” enforced by progressives, corporations, and big tech. He adopted his book title from the last essay written by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn before being exiled from Russia in 1974. Dreher carefully distinguishes between the hard totalitarianism of 20th century communism and the encroaching soft totalitarianism today. He cites many former political prisoners, survivors of communist persecution, who see early stages of tyranny in America today.

We and our children are being pushed, prodded, bullied and shamed in an effort to get "herd immunity", not through the normal way of catching and overcoming a sickness with our normal immune systems but rather through accepting a poisonous fake "vaccine".  We are ordered by Fauci to "just do as we are told", by Joe Biden that we will be punished by living our lives behind a biohazard mask until we get this.  The Betrayer in Chief, Donald Trump, is urging it on us, which is devastating.  Our children are being pressured at school to ask for it and consent to it - even without their parents' knowledge or permission.  Americans are being hoodwinked through deception and its bosom buddy, censorship.  Otherwise intelligent and rational Americans are lining up to be injected with a poison as sure to kill them as cyanide.  What should we do when we learn that someone close to us has unwittingly opted for slow suicide?  It is a dilemma of the worst sort.  

Today’s inflation is already problematical. A higher cost of living falls hardest on the poorest Americans. Given the present uncertainty about future prices, numerous businesses are struggling to determine how much to produce, and thus are more likely to over-produce or under-produce. Furthermore, if inflation causes foreigners to lose confidence in the dollar, there could be an exodus from the dollar that could end its status as the principal global reserve currency, thereby triggering an even steeper decline in the dollar’s purchasing power.

The quantity of dollars already has risen 32.9% in the last 17 months (mostly due to the federal government’s mind-boggling spending binge). It’s possible that we have passed a tipping point where prolonged inflation higher than the hoped-for and already-objectionable 2% is unavoidable.

Hang on tight, folks. We could be in for a rough ride in the months ahead.

GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE; HE'S FOR IT, BUT!; THE U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR; MARK'S IN THE MARKET AGAIN; FINAL DRUMBEAT; AN ABSURDITY IS ENDING; THE BALA SAGA; HOSPITAL DEAL FIZZLES; A SMALL LESSON; DICKEY COUNTY PANDEMIC; HOW ABOUT THAT NICKNAME?; DAKTOIDS

As the current conflict in Israel reaches the second week, Hamas has fired nearly 3,500 rockets into Israel. In this article, military historian Dr. Earl Tilford examines the strategies of Hamas and Israel in this long-standing conflict. He writes, “The current fighting in Gaza rapidly approaches total war intensity. Strategy for Hamas has always involved the total war objective of annihilating Israel. For Israel, fighting Hamas and Hezbollah involves a long, protracted but limited war of attrition. This may be changing.”

Three quarters of a century ago, the United States, Great Britain and the Soviet Union joined forces to put on trial the doctors of Nazi Germany who had used captive human beings in horrific medical experiments under the reign of Adolf Hitler.  We were on somewhat shaky ground, by the way, in view of the unethical and cruel Tuskeegee experiments in which innocent black men were duped and killed by the medical "researchers".  However, we were right when we took on this evil with allies following the war.  It was another example of the "never again" spirit of the victors - we were going to see that from now on the world would be a better place.  Only we are now witnessing that we are really no better than the people we put on trial.  The fruit of that war and that trial was a document which set forth a code of ethics, a set of values which acknowledged the worth and dignity of human life.  "Due to Covid-19" those values, that dignity, are gone in America.  Apparently lessons last only about two generations and then must be learned all over again.  

Should we hate to lose? What happens when we do lose at something? In this article, Dr. James Thrasher examines the theology of losing through a God-centered worldview that is opposite of the cultural norm to despise losing. He argues that individuals, teams, and coaches who embrace the theology of losing will, “eliminate wasted time and distractions and will experience liberating freedom, unshakable on-task focus, governed passion, and a soul-satisfying, inspiring trust that all things work together for good.”

America is endowed with mineral riches, but we do not know their extent because we are not permitted to explore, map, and evaluate deposits. Even if we knew the precise location and composition of deposits, manmade mining prohibitions preclude extraction from these deposits. How sweet the irony. The anti-mining position denies to solar and wind power the very things needed for production – REE! We cavalierly declared off limits REE extraction for high-tech equipment alternatives to fossil fuel energy.

It is not a matter of not having resources. It is a matter of having excessive laws, land set-asides, federal withdrawal of land from use, and an interminable environmental permitting process that impose severe constraints on US production.

If we have a shortage of anything, it is not because it is missing within the US. It is because of lousy and inept political decision-making.

We became energy independent through exploration and technological innovation such as fracking (fracturing) to retrieve petroleum assets. Not only could we become REE independent if we follow the same course, we could make the US an REE exporting superpower!

The elderly in America are under assault.  This is not new.  It has been a feature of American life for some time now.  Some think that they became irrelevant to the "family" when they went into retirement homes and children were relegated to day care, Head Start and public schools as their parents pursued careers more important to them than the future generation.  Now they are seen by some as "useless eaters" - people who no longer contribute as much as they take from society.  It seems their investment in the future was a waste, at least if we are to believe those who think they can engineer society and the world better than God.

UNQUALIFIED ENTHUSIASM; TIME FOR CIRCUMSPCTION; ROB AND MELANI WALTON; DAPL NOT GOING TO SHUT DOWN; OMDAHL DOESN'T BUY IT; MARK KENNEDY; GET UP AND GO TO WORK; A DANGEROUS  PLACE TO WORK; JAMESTOWN; AG OUTLOOK IMPROVES; LOW-VALUE MEDICAL PROCEDURES; DAKTOIDS

In just six short years, Christian church attendance has dramatically dropped for Americans ages 18 to 44 years old. This decline has implications on the survival of many churches as well as the overall health of American society. In this article, sociologist Dr. David Ayers looks at the data and argues that the end is not here for Christian churches but that something must be done immediately.