Trump Picks New Supreme Court Justice

Trump Picks New Supreme Court Justice
UnAssociated Press
June 28, 2018

Political Views Should Not Become Uncivil

I have long marveled at the animosity created by differing political viewpoints. The most recent example of poor judgement, poor behavior and lack of fair play in the "land of the free," is Representative Maxine Waters' call for her supporters to harass Trump officials. That is simply a way to incite mob justice out of a low educated and excitable population. Can we not, as citizens of the United States, disagree without becoming uncivilized and resorting to thug mentality? Perhaps we cannot. There is no ability to agree to disagree on either the far left or far right of the political spectrum. I have a friend and former coworker who won't talk to me because I do not buy into the black lives matter mentality (because it only demands police accountability and does not address social causes). In fact, the liberals, in my opinion, with the message to minorities that they are not required to be responsible for their own actions, is one of the most destructive forces in our society. When former NBA all-star, Oscar Robertson asked why white athletes are not standing up against racial injustice, I would offer this possible explanation. 1. Just because they are not acting out the way you might think they should, that doesn't mean they are not finding constructive ways to address this. 2. When you blame an entire group of people for your problems, why do you expect those same people to jump to your aid? On the other side of the spectrum, some people think that I am a liberal because I believe guns should carry titles like automobiles and average citizens do no need multiple guns or assault weapons. Between the two sides, however, to me, the liberals seem to be angrier because their views are emotionally based. Yet the conservatives do not buy into science either when the topic concerns global environmental issues. Personally, I don't fit into either side because my opinions do not follow party lines. They vary by subject. As I write this I am reminded of when I agreed on the candidate with a political liberal; but angered him because I didn't agree with his opinions of why. It seemed to be more important to him that I agree with his liberal ideals than my vote for "his" candidate. Perhaps there is no way to remove the anger. Maybe "we" are not mature enough to agree to disagree. Could it be that the fight to be "right" is more important than the desire to find solutions? Again, in my opinion, the solutions lie in the middle; in the grey area; in the truth of the matter. I don't see much truth on the far left or the far right. And finally and most importantly, we all need to remain calm, kind and civil while we debate these issues.

Mill City Museum

http://www.mnhs.org/millcity

The Traveling Wall

http://www.vvmf.org/twth

Now showing at the Minnesota State Capitol!

Children Should Not be Separated from Parents

Whatever your political leanings or your attitude toward President Trump, it should be easy to see that
children should not be separated from their parents at the border. As a father, I feel like my child is best cared for and happiest when he is with mom and dad. Whether or not you believe in open borders or strict border control and immigration, especially if you are a parent, you should understand that separating children from their parents is the stuff of governments without consciences. This is not supposed to be what happens in the USA; but it does. It needs to stop. Process people without terrorizing them and their children. I am totally against the practice of separating children from their parents unless it is for the safety of the children.

Stone Arch Bridge

https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/historical_sites/stone_arch_bridge/

Charles Lindbergh House and Museum

We visited the Charles Lindbergh House and Museum in Little Falls, Minnesota. We were impressed because not only was the house (boyhood home) interesting, but there is a multi-level museum and beautiful natural surroundings as well.

SPRUCE Project

We were lucky enough to be given a tour of the SPRUCE Project in the Chippewa National Forest, North of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Our tour guide was W. Robert Nettles IV, SPRUCE Project Operations Manager at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. I went into the site fueled primarily by my lifetime of interest in the natural environment; as well as my interest from volunteering as a park ranger in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. However, by the time I was done, my interest in technology, from over 10 years as an IT professional, was thoroughly peaked! Definitely off the "beaten path," in a spruce bog in Northern Minnesota, this site boasts an incredible array of scientific equipment that is supported by an amazing technological infrastructure! There are control sites and some of the chambers have added heat, carbon dioxide, or both. A lot of equipment and experimental testing goes on 24/7, 365 days per year. These guys know their stuff. The 10 chambers are connected by fiber to the office which is connected by satellite to the network. A scientist in Washington can operate the camera looking at the roots of a Black Spruce, Tamarack or Labrador plant through his desktop computer. Best of all, this project should give a wealth of knowledge about how this northern ecosystem will react to global warming and whether stored carbon will be released in the process. Wow! My head is still spinning!

https://mnspruce.ornl.gov/

https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/disturbance/climate_change/spruce/

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mcvmagazine/issues/2018/jan-feb/spruce-project.html

Forest History Center

We visited the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The tour of the 1900 era logging camp was great and was done by interpreters dressed in period clothing. Best was the view from the 100-foot Fire tower!

Trump Pardons His Butt

Donald Trump Pardons His Butt
UnAssociated Press
June 6, 2018

Donald Trump pardoned his presidential butt today; even though his butt has done nothing wrong—except for making most of his decisions and at least half of the president's tweets. His butt had no comment at the time this story went to press.