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Letters

Court System insanity

To the editor: Why is the court system “soft” on murderers? Why are legal games played with murderers via plea deals? Killers are on video committing murders, then claiming in court “not guilty” while judges sentence them to only a few years, then parole, or life but only serving less than 20 years, not life, then released to kill again. The juries did their job to find them guilty; do your job, judges, to make the public arena a safer place for all. Murderers ignored the victims’ pleas to spare their lives, yet no mercy shown to them as they were killed ...

Don’t bully people for their beliefs

To the editor: The killing of several Christians in a Tennessee school is troubling for all of us. According to NBC News, the police chief told NBC News anchor Lester Holt that “a sense of ‘resentment’ may have fueled Nashville shooter’s attack at a former school.” https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nashville-christian-school-shooter-appears-former-student-police-chief-rcna76876 (accessed April 14, 2023) This is significant to me because I have been the target of several acts of harassment since running for the school board. Had the “All Are Welcome” sign been in ...

Leaders don’t point fingers

To the editor: In his April 6 letter to the editor, Rep. Paul Torkelson notes that Senator Amy Klobuchar recently visited Oak Hills Living Center in New Ulm. He thanks her for wanting to do something for nursing homes in the state and then goes on to complain about Democrats not listening and not taking the crisis seriously. The problem of low pay for nursing home staff has been in the making and did not become a crisis suddenly. Rep. Torkelson has won eight consecutive elections to the Minnesota House starting in 2008. He has held Republican leadership positions in both the minority ...

Congratulating Joncas, hall of fame

To the editor: This confessional Lutheran was delighted to learn that the beloved Catholic priest, Jan Michael Joncas, will be inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. Joncas, while probably unknown to most people by name, is known to millions and millions worldwide by his oft sung and always moving hymn, On Eagle’s Wings. During Holy Week at St. Paul’s Lutheran, we sang his lesser known but also powerful and majestic work, Take and Eat, before Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday. All told Joncas has written 54 hymns if my research is correct. Please join with me in ...

Sweet Au Revoir to a local heroine

To the editor: I have personally witness the community and global generosity of Barb Haroldson and I would like to publicly wish her a beautiful journey to the Next Place She Goes. Barb was a great friend to my mother Lorraine Zupfer following the death of my Dad in ‘94 at the young age of 63. I’ve worked at fundraisers in New Ulm and received checks in the 10s of thousands of dollars toward effort aiding individuals and National Organizations. Barb Haroldson was the most authentic person I have ever known and her generosity was a product of what she believed was her responsibility ...

Concerns about legalizing marijiuana

To the editor: As Sheriff of Nicollet County, I was elected to enforce our laws and keep the public safe. With the Minnesota Legislature considering the legalization of recreational marijuana (cannabis), my job may be changing substantially in the near future. These bills have been moving through the legislature at a rapid pace, and I am concerned that state lawmakers may not address some key public safety issues that would arise if marijuana (cannabis) is legalized this session. Currently, law enforcement lacks an instant, on-site test for marijuana (cannabis) intoxication, similar ...