6/7/2006 – Editorials

People are concerned that immigrants are not prepared to learn the English language. The prevailing attitude is that they should learn English or go back to where they came from. I’m not too sure that’s the proper attitude to have, but I’m not worried about the problem.

After a generation or two of being here, I’m positive English will prevail among immigrant families.

I’m more worried that English and diction won’t survive the mangling President Bush provides. After all these years he still doesn’t know how to pronounce nuclear. He calls it "nuc-u-lar."

Here are some honest-to-goodness quotes or "Bushisms" from George W. Bush:

"The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country."

"If we don’t succeed, we run the risk of failure."

"One word sums up probably the responsibility of any governor, and that one word is ‘to be prepared.’ "

"I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future."

"The future will be better tomorrow."

"We’re going to have the best educated American people in the world."

"I stand by all the misstatements that I’ve made."

"We have a firm commitment to NATO, we are a part of NATO. We have a firm commitment to Europe. We are a part of Europe."

"Public speaking is very easy."

"A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls."

"We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur."

"For NASA, space is still a high priority."

"Quite frankly, teachers are the only profession that teach our children."

"It isn’t pollution that’s harming the environment. It’s the impurities in our air and water that are doing it."

"It’s time for the human race to enter the solar system."

"Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child."

"Mars is essentially in the same orbit . . . Mars is somewhat the same distance from the sun, which is very important. We have seen pictures where there are canals, we believe, and water. If there is water, that means there is oxygen. If oxygen, that means we can breathe."

"The Holocaust was an obscene period in our nation’s history. I mean in this century’s history. But we all lived in this century. I didn’t live in this century."

"I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy — but that could change."

"Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate things."

"I am not part of the problem. I am a Republican."

"When I have been asked who caused the riots and the killing in LA, my answer has been direct and simple: Who is to blame for the riots?

The rioters are to blame. Who is to blame for the killings? The killers are to blame."

"Illegitimacy is something we should talk about in terms of not having it."

"We’re all capable of mistakes, but I do not care to enlighten you on the mistakes we may or may not have made."

"The American people would not want to know of any misquotes that George Bush may or may not make."

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People who care will be going to the polls on June 13 to pass judgment on candidates and issues.

Voters in most cities will be voting on whether or not the governing body of the city should appoint a five-member advisory study committee to study and report on the performance of local government functions and restructuring options available to the city.

I can tell you that this is an absolutely unnecessary committee. City councils in our small towns are approachable by all citizens and this extra committee is not needed. Getting people to serve on the committee is futile. In many cases it’s almost impossible to get people to run for council and park board positions. The state legislature should amend this law to exempt towns of less than 2,500 from having to vote on this issue every five years. In the meantime, I urge you to vote NO on this issue.

Minnewaukan will not be voting on this issue. Instead, a home rule charter and the adoption of a 1.5% sales tax will be put before the people.

For the sales tax to be adopted, the charter has to be adopted. I urge Minnewaukanites to vote YES on both issues.

A sales tax is the best way the city can get an estimated $6,000 per year in revenue. It will not be earmarked, but will go into the general fund, where it can be put to the most pressing use.

The city is not in financial difficulty, but if the 1980 tractor blows up or the 1977 pickup dies, there is no money to replace these essential vehicles.

The city has to stand the cost of water and electricity at the fish cleaning station because, according to federal and state rules, no fees can be charged to those who use it. This is about the only way we can get out-of-town fishermen to help pay the cost of operation.

There are two constitutional measures on the ballot, placed there by overwhelming majorities in both houses of the state legislature.

Passage of these two measures will remove outdated language from the state constitution. Passage of Measure 2 might even result in increased economic activity in North Dakota.

Vote YES on both these measures.

County Measure No. 1 would just continue a $1 per month fee on telephones for another six years. The money goes to operate the 911 system. We need the 911 system. Definitely vote YES on this one.

Again, vote NO on that one city committee issue and YES on all the other measures.