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Open Forum: Harvest Dinner helped communication
Like all first steps it wasn't without its challenges. A couple of years ago, Mike Sams from the Cass County Farm Bureau brought up the idea that farmers and lake people need to get together to start developing the communication process we will need to address our future issues and there is no better way than over food.
The concept was simple: Cass County and Crow Wing County farmers would supply the food, Prairie Bay Chef Matt Annand would prepare it and the area lake associations and coalitions of lake associations (COLA's) would sell tickets.
The dinner was originally scheduled to be held in the Nisswa Community Center but because it was noted last week that there had been two events scheduled for the same night, the Harvest Dinner became a Harvest Picnic in the lush green baseball field near the Community Center.
The center helped by providing a large tent, the Farm Bureau team adjusted their plans and Matt Annand from Prairie Bay and his crew made adjustments and we still had a great dinner.
The presenters had to show their slides on the roof of the tent which resulted in some kinks in people's necks and the band, Hans Blix and the Weapons Inspectors, did a great job of entertaining in the open air.
But just like farming you plan and then you plant and you pray. Prayers helped and God provided a beautiful evening for the picnic.
Like most first steps it probably wouldn't be considered graceful but like any first step it was memorable. I am personally looking forward to the journey of learning and cooperation this first step will produce.
Ron Meyer
Pine River Watershed Alliance
Pequot Lakes
Health care changes needed
We need to make changes in our health care and health care financing systems. Why?
Because a child born today in any of 29 other nations can expect to live longer than if she were born in the USA.
Because the chances of that child dying as an infant is less in 33 other nations than in the USA.
Because the chances of death of the mother as a result of pregnancy and childbirth is greater in the U.S. than in 28 other countries.
Because 89 other countries have a lower HIV infection rate than America.
Because we have the ability to be No. 1 in each of these comparisons. We have developed most of the procedures and drugs and already spend more than enough to make this possible.
Because health care is eating up more of the annual resources of most Americans every year. The result is an alarming rate of bankrupt families due to medical bills.
Because our nation spends far, far more per person, and a far greater percent of our GNP on medical care than other developed nations.
Because access to medical care is not equally available to all of our citizens.
Inequality of access to quality health care is one facet of the fact that although we are the richest nation in the history of the world, the benefits of that wealth are very unevenly distributed and becoming more uneven each year.
As long as health care in our land is treated as a commodity to be purchased, those with limited buying power will increasingly find it to be out of reach.
Health care is a human right, not an economic privilege. If we embrace that ethical view we can get past political wrangling and begin problem solving.
Rev. Roger Grussing
Pastor emeritus
Crosslake Presbyterian Church
Health meeting at Gregory Park
Everybody is talking about health care these days. On Wednesday, Sept. 2, MoveOn.org is organizing meetings nationwide to share all views and concerns on health care reform in a civil discussion. We invite all persons involved in health care, all persons who have had problems with our present health care system and all interested community members to attend. We will meet in Gregory Park in Brainerd from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. For an opportunity to speak for three minutes please e-mail us at health101@me.com. There also will be a list to sign up to speak at the meeting. We also welcome all petitions. Please bring your own lawn chairs.
Paul Milloy
East Gull Lake
Kennedy fought for the poor
The recent passing of the "Lion of the Senate," Edward M. Kennedy, marks the end of an era in the United States that started decades ago. Those of us who were here when John F. Kennedy was elected as president remember the era of Camelot that we had the privilege of watching. This band of brothers, Joseph, John, Bobby and Teddy, served our country in their own individual ways. Joseph, John and Bobby sacrificed their lives in service to their country and "Teddy" dedicated his life to working as a senator who fought for the "little guy" who might otherwise have been forgotten in the money world of politics. We have watched the passing of civility in the Senate, and the passing of the ability to compromise lest the "base" be offended. We are less well off for this passing.
Known for his steadfast commitment to his ideals, Kennedy fought for the poor, the disenfranchised and the middle class. He courageously voted against the Iraq war when so many others bowed to the bogus selling of the war by the likes of the leaders of the Republican administration from the top down. Our own Paul Wellstone stood with him in opposition to the war which turned out to be a sold bill of goods based on lies and distortions.
Though his personal life, like so many politicians even today, was touched by events he may have regretted, his dedication to his job as a senator was acknowledged by most of his peers to be impeccable, even by those who didn't agree with his politics. I wish his family and his fans well as we mourn the loss of this spokesman for the working man and woman. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Jim Grimes
Crosby
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