Dakota Beacon

Cancer. This is a powerful word. The very mention of cancer raises concern and alarm. The emotional power of this single word conjures thoughts of deadly malignancies, interminable suffering and death.

Knowledge, too, is powerful. Knowing something about the type of cancer helps us deal with it rationally. This is particularly true of skin cancer. Unlike internal cancers, skin cancer can be touched and seen and, in doing so, the mystery of the unknown diminishes.

I speak from experience. My first bout with skin cancer culminated with surgery in 1977. I wish I knew then what I know now. I wish my physicians knew then what they know now.

Charlie Gard’s fight for life has moved people across the world. Yesterday, the parents of Charlie Gard announced that they will end a legal battle that sought treatment for their son outside of the United Kingdom. In this article, Richard D. Kocur asks, “How did it come to this?” Kocur argues that socialized healthcare and bureaucratic shot calling often remove treatment decisions from family members—in Charlie’s case, his parents. 

Thus the reason we are not securing our borders is simple, and one of the oldest motivations among mankind – GREED. We have greed of Democrats for votes, Republicans for cheap labor and illegals for having what is ours without earning it or fighting for it in their own countries.

LOW PRICES; "SO FAR, SO GOOD"; THE MAGIC CITY NAME; JAILS CLOSE TO HOME; A REGIOANAL BENEFIT; DON'T BOTHER TO LOOK UP; THE BAD SEED; THE BANK OF JOHN DEERE; TELEMEDICINE; THE BITE; THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS; JANEE HARTEAU; DAKTOIDS

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion in the media (and social media) about gender identity. In this article, Dr. Gary Welton looks at the psychology involved with the cultural concepts of masculinity and femininity and argues that past, as well as current, approaches are wrong. Welton writes, “Instead of physical surgery to attempt to change biological gender, we instead need to adjust our thinking about what it means to be masculine and feminine in our modern world.”

Mysteries of the actual locations of Indian villages prevail.

Could you imagine lightweight boxers complaining they don’t get the money and exposure of the heavyweights, calling the different treatment “staturism”?

This is essentially the situation at the Wimbledon tennis championships this week, with, for example, Hannah Wilks at theGuardian writing, “A new analysis of matches scheduled on Centre and No 1 courts shows that Wimbledon organisers routinely favour male tennis players over their female peers.” She calls this “sexism” and “sex discrimination.”

Actually, it’s called marketing.

Many researchers who study the development of young people have begun to think less about linear stages of child development and have focused more on the holistic context of the child—notably the nature of their relationships. In this article, Dr. Lisa L. Hosack examines what healthy relationships do for children and argues that a significant outcome is that of resiliency. Hosack writes, “While we may actually be unable to eliminate chronic stress in the lives of many children, we may be able to build their resiliency levels through high-quality relationships.”  

In fact, it’s hard to think of anything authentically American the Left doesn’t aim to destroy. Say what we will about President Trump’s style and ideology, he’s not a treasonist. Trump is putting America first.

The Left is trying to put America down.

Trump is accused of “colluding” with an enemy of America.

Our leftists are enemies of America. 

We have lost our way as a nation when we permit any of this. It is time to renew our founders' dedication to civil rights and end this abuse. If we don't, we risk a fatal polarization of our citizens and the police.

CELEBRITIES; THINNING OUT PENNEY STORES; BEST RUN CITIES; BRACE YOURSELF; REVISITING THE DAPL PROTESTS; NOT AGAIN, PLEASE; ROB PORT; BE PREPARED; GRIDLOCK; BEST OPTION; BISON; DAKTOIDS

Back in the 1930s, when white men were preparing for another round of mutual slaughter, few of them paid any attention to the Muslim world. They assumed it to be a backward region that history had long since passed by.

One man saw it differently. The great Catholic polemicist Hilaire Belloc, an Englishman of French ancestry, remembered Islam’s past and predicted, in his book The Great Heresies, that it would one day challenge the West again. As late as 1683 its armies had threatened to conquer Europe, penetrating all the way to Vienna; Belloc believed that a great Islamic revival, even in the twentieth century, was altogether possible.

Last week, President Donald Trump gave a speech in Warsaw that could help re-forge the bond between the United States and Poland. Throughout the speech Trump used stirring words that encouraged preserving Polish identity, culture, and memory. In this article that first appeared at The American Spectator, Dr. Paul Kengor thoroughly analyzes Trump’s speech and writes, “The Donald Trump in Warsaw in July 2017 was so much better than the Trump of July 2016. In fact, I must go further: Trump’s speech in Poland was outstanding.”

Warren wrote his award winning novel “All the King’s Men” in 1946 earning him the Pulitzer Prize for literature in 1947. In this classic novel about American politics, Warren deals with the moral dilemmas in the modern world. Set in the 1930s, the theme centers on the rise and fall of a Southern political demagogue -- purportedly the character of former Louisiana Governor Huey Long.

The story, told by former newspaperman Jack Burden, portrays an idealistic back-woods lawyer taken in by the greed for power and lust for control. Willie Stark, the protagonist, endures his comeuppance early in his political career when defeated in his first bid for public office. It is then that he realizes facts, figures, truth and logic do not mean a thing to the general public. What matters is the emotional bond between the people and the office seeker. Stark’s rising popularity with the voters confirms the bond when he sees the purpose of government as a provider of “things.” This principle, among others, sustains Stark in public office. Warren best illustrates this through Stark’s promise to his constituents to build and staff a state hospital, the best money can buy. (Might this envision government health care proposals of future years?)

Today, the United Kingdom’s High Court of Justice will hold a hearing that is expected to determine the fate of 11-month-old Charlie Gard. Charlie is on life support in the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London. In this article, Dr. Joseph Horton discusses two current cases where children are fighting for their lives and argues that everyone should support the fight because, “as long as there is life, there is hope.”

WHEN BAD NEWS IS GOOD; SHAPING THE CABINET; THINK BIG; NURSE PRACTITIONERS; WORKFORCE ACADEMIES; GET WITH IT; IS COMPETITION THE ANSWER?; IT'S REALLY NO JUST ABOUT GROCERIES; HAS TO BE A BETTER DETECTION METHOD; MINNEAPOLIS MINIMUM WAGE; THANK YOU PHYLLIS

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