During the summer when I'm home from school, I live in a small town of about 2600 with a weekly newspaper (and as such no link). Given the nature of community, we get some pretty interesting letters to the editor, with the most informed and well written usually by high schoolers.
Well, in this week's edition, one of my neighbors who happens to be running as a Republican against an incumbant Democrat decided to weigh in on our nation's border security and the role Minnesota should take. Makes sense, I thought. We're a border state and Al Qaeda has tried to enter the US from Canada before. Then I read the letter.
Continue downstairs.
You don't even finish the first sentence before you think "What the FUCK?!"
The security of our nation continues to be compromised as seven illegal aliens cross the Mexican border every minute.
Wait...we're in Minnesota, you're running for STATE senate, and you want us to guard the Mexican border? Maybe he's working his way to Canada...
Nope. But illegal immigrants get conflated with terrorists.
We must continue to welcome people who follow the laws by immigrating to our country legally [DUH!]. However, those who break our laws and immigrate here illegally provide a huge concern. Terrorists continue to take advantage of our weak borders.
This is almost as good a conflagration as Bush making people think that Saddam caused 9/11. So, how do you prefer we guard the border? Support -President-High Inquisitor Bush's plan for sending the national guard?
Current volunteer efforts of the Minuteman Project (http://www.minutemanproject.com) are focused on building a security fence along the border.
You, as a first-time State Senate candidate, want Minnesota to help protect other states' borders by supporting the
MINUTEMEN?!!? How the hell are you going to help people swallow
THAT pill?
Just as the First Minnesota Regiment provided crucial leadership in securing our country's freedom during the Civil War, I believe that it is time for Minnesota to be the leader in securing our border with Mexico.
Wait...securing our country's freedom during the Civil War? We were already free in that war. We just wanted the slaves to be free and keep the union whole. A brief history of the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Regiment can be seen
here.
So, what else do you have to say, Mr. Drazkowski?
Now is the time for Minnesota to commit resources to our nation's security by committing our people to help the Minuteman fence building effort. This could include Minnesota National Guard members and/or private citizens. Our state's delegation would become our present day 'First Minnesota.' Yes, Minneosta can once again be first - and we should ask our neighboring states to fall in line and help us get this mission accomplished.
Oh, so you do want to send the National Guard...but they'd be there to support the Minutemen?! That doesn't make sense at all. And our neighboring states? The Dakotas, Wisconsin, and Iowa? North Dakota has its own border to worry about, and I'm sure all the states rightly see that individual state involvement in securing our southern border should be left to those particular states, and if they want help from our National Guard or citizens, they can contact our governor and request it.
This guy last summer had the bright idea to start a bonfire right next to a forest with 30+mph winds blowing towards the forest (He lives a quarter mile away and over a hill and I could see the flames, thankfully the fire dept. showed up).
And as a bonus, what would a small-town paper be without one of those social commentary letters?
Some things aren't 'naturally' pretty
Last week's display of nature was awesome. The crab apple trees were in full glory and the dandelions right behind. Aaah, spring, nature.
But wait, what is that comming down the street - nature in full bloom. Headed directly towards me, and i am going to have to look, is an at least 8 1/2 month pregnant woman. Now, I think pregnancy is beautiful. We have been through four of our own, six grand kids, and two great-grands. It is truely an amazing and awesome event but staring me in the face now is the swollen belly of a total stranger.
She is wearing a short t-top and a skirt with wasitline below that swollen belly. Well, I have seen hemlines and necklines go the gamut in my life time, but this - this was too much. But the week is not over.
We are visiting our son in the [Twin] Cities. We all like Perkins pancakes and so he takes us there to lunch. The waiter seats me and, Oh No!, I am looking directly upon the open behind of the man at a table to my right. I can see his bare lovehandles and his cleavage is staring back at me. Well, ok, I don't have to look there, so I cast my eyes to the left where there is an empty booth a little ahead of us. Our order has been taken and we are waiting to be served when two young women take the empty booth. I can see they were wearing the short skirts and low slung jeans that leave pink skin exposed in the middle. Not too bad until I am treated to a full view of her not so lovely love handles and the cleavage of her behind. Where now am I to look? In the past years I have watched as body exposure increased and just when I think I've seen it all there is more.
Once when we were young, we decided to do something risque. When the st ate fair came aound we would visit one of the girlie shows on the midway! Well, doggone it, I want my money back on that one as I can see more right here on the streets of Wabasha. I'm too old to get so worked up so I say to myself, as I have on many occasions through the years, "This too shall pass away." Thing is, can I wait?