MyHometownAds - Opinion

We should heed end of State of the Union speech

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:04:10 -0600

It doesn’t matter if you’re Democrat or Republican, white, black or green, conservative or liberal, religious or atheist or have any political interest in all. What President Barack Obama said towards the end of the State of the Union speech he gave Jan. 25 is something we should all take to heart.

At the end of his speech, Obama told about the Navy SEALs who risked their lives for their country in Pakistan, the SEALs who carried out the mission that ended the life of Osama bin Laden. He told of their cooperation, and their trust in each other. He said that on that night, on that mission, it didn’t matter what political party the SEALswere from. They were all working together towards a common goal for the good of their country. It’s a lesson we could all learn.

Presenting the 2011 Parkie Awards

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:04:10 -0600

Person of the Year award: To each and every sandbagger who helped save homes and property in advance of and during the Missouri River flood. From all over town, from all over the state, they just showed up, working tirelessly for people they, in some cases, didn't even know, and they renewed our faith in the human spirit.

The World Is Full of Wackos award: To Ron Artest of the Lakers, who changed his name to Metta World Peac

We shouldn’t need pipeline

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:04:18 -0600

Last week the Obama administration rejected a bid to expand the controversial Keystone oil sands pipeline that would run from Canada to the southern United States, saying the deadline imposed by Congress did not leave sufficient time to conduct the necessary review.

"The Department does not have sufficient time to obtain the information necessary to assess whether the project, in its current state, is in the national interest," the State Department said in a statement. It also said the president agreed with the decision.

South Dakota football: Trophies for everyone!

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:04:30 -0600

In case you haven’t heard, the South Dakota High School Activities Association board of directors recently passed the first reading of a vote to split Class AAâfootball in South Dakota into two eight team classes at the behest of the activities directors of some of the more impotent Class AAâfootball programs in the state, including some here West River.

The reason the change is necessary, they argue, is because the Sioux Falls schools have too big of an enrollment, while they (Sturgis, Pierre, Huron, Yankton etc.) have a declining enrollment and it’s not fair those Sioux Falls schools have more kids from which to pull athletes from.

Gov. Bill Janklow was one-of-a-kind

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:06:34 -0600

News of former Attorney General, Governor and Congressman Bill Janklow’s death spread like wildfire throughout the state last Thursday. Janklow had announced early last November that he suffered from inoperable brain cancer. It must have been an advanced and fast-moving form because he didn’t last long after that announcement.

Janklow was one of state’s best governors

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:06:32 -0600

We believe Gov. Bill Janklow will be remembered as one of South Dakota’s best governors because of his many accomplishments. He was certainly one of the state’s most colorful and dynamic leaders. The former governor died last Thursday, Jan. 12, of a brain tumor. He was 72 years old.

Citizens urged to support timely mail delivery campaign

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:05:45 -0600

South Dakotans can voice their support for timely, six-day U.S. mail delivery by signing a petition in a campaign initiated by the South Dakota Newspaper Association.

"Deliver the Mail! South Dakotans for Timely, Six-Day Mail Delivery" is a grass-roots campaign to demonstrate to the United States Postal Service and members of the state's Congressional delegation that South Dakotans oppose wholesale reductions in mail service and delivery.

The world will keep turning on Dec. 21

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:06:03 -0600

As I celebrated New Years Eve with friends in Deadwood, I couldn’t help but overhear a conversation at the next table.

“Since the world is going to end in December, I’m going to book my trip to Italy,” one person said. “I’m going out in style!”

At first I thought she was joking, but then her friend chimed in.

Obamacare needs repealing this year

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:05:25 -0600

We are glad South Dakota is one of 28 states suing the federal government over the national health care mandate known as Obamacare. We hope this onerous law is overturned by the Supreme Court of the United States of America when it hears the case later this year. The more we find out about this bill the worse it becomes. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s infamous quote rings more true today than ever--”We have to pass the bill (health care) so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of the controversy.” Never were more idiotic words uttered by any politician.

Thanks to you, my life will never be the same

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:05:24 -0600

The new year is a time — for me, at least — not only to set goals for the future, but also a time of reflection to consider where I’ve been, how far I’ve come — I’m making assumptions here that I have made progress — and to assess what I have learned during the past year.

Concerning the latter, I could not have learned nearly as much without the help of many of you who diligently emailed me the discoveries you have made throughout the past year.