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Letters

Different approach to history of US-Dakota War

To the editor: Curtis Dahlin’s address to the New Ulm Junior Pioneers (“ ‘A political agenda instead of facts,’ ” Oct. 24) merits a response. We respect Mr. Dahlin’s expertise as the author of several books and articles on the US-Dakota War. However we feel that his representation of the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) reflects a misunderstanding of our approach to the history of the conflict. It is true that MNHS has worked to build better relations with the Dakota communities who have long called Minnesota home. It is also true that our interpretation of the events ...

Cut the canned

To the editor: Being able to watch niece’s play volleyball is a favorite fall activity. The success on the court this year has been amplified three times by our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. On a hot night in Winthrop, the canned music didn’t play and without missing a beat the announcer told the crowd that it was “up to us”. He started to sing and many joined in to make sure this anthem and the tradition continued. At Cathedral, a student confidently sang our national anthem so well that the student body, choir director and his parents should all be ...

Fact or fiction?

To the editor: Re: Oct. 24. I’m an Auslander, so I wasn’t invited to the Junior Pioneers’ recent annual meeting . I wasn’t in the audience that gave a standing ovation to Curtis Dahlin after his biased presentation about the Dakota War of 1862. As an “independent historian,” Mr. Dahlin can play fast and loose with his “facts” and figures, but they wouldn’t stand the scrutiny of peer review. Chris Loetscher New Ulm

Protecting our community banks and credit unions

To the editor: I really appreciate my local bank and the people who work there. Not only do they provide excellent service, but they are also friends and neighbors. The ability of community banks and credit unions to offer personalized services, community partnerships, and financial education is what makes them especially valuable to our rural communities. Since we value these unique relationships, it is disappointing when our small banks and credit unions consolidate or close. But the simple truth is that they need revenue to stay in business and if certain regulations make that ...

Divider or uniter

To the editor: Who is causing all the chaos in America, is it a uniter or divider? Here is my opinion. It is not being caused by one person, it is being caused by an administration and one party. The administration is the Biden administration and his puppeteers and the entire democratic party. Here is an example-who is causing chaos at the border? The Biden administration says “everyone is welcome” We have open borders, we have people coming from over 100 different countries, illegals, we can see it with our own two eyes. They just walk across the river and buses are waiting ...

Why is the HRC ineffective?

To the editor: According to Sec. 3.03 of the city code, the New Ulm Human Rights Commission (HRC) was established to ensure compliance with state nondiscrimination statutes, to educate the public on human rights issues, and to improve human relations in the city. The members of the HRC should be given credit for the time and effort they contribute. However, the HRC, on balance, has not lived up to its potential as a force for improving human relations in the city. Why is that? I would like to suggest five possible reasons. First, the city has not clearly defined the boundaries ...