Editorial

Our Opinion / Happy Holidays everyone and to each of you a Happy New Year.

December 23rd, 2015

We Have Each Other

It’s been the tradition here at HPR that we always take the last week of December and the first week of January off as a holiday break. And to give each of us a bit of time to reflect and visualize going forward into our next year.

Of course, at times like this, we wax nostalgic, too. There’s no doubt a lot of water under the bridge. Two decades plus, in fact.

And it gives us pause so as to think about what’s next. Creative stirrings, or something like that.

You…

Our Opinion / What the heck is happening here?

December 18th, 2015

Remember the Golden Rule

I was always told the best way to make friends and keep friends was to avoid talking about religion and politics…unfortunately those are the two biggest hot button issues at this particular juncture. We all know what opinions are like -- everyone has one. That’s what letters to the editor are for. I promise I do read them and I do share them with my colleagues.

The state of America continues to worry me. In a land settled by immigrants for immigrants, what would…

Time for an investigation into Sadek’s death

December 9th, 2015

60 Minutes piece reiterates need for answers

This past weekend, 60 Minutes delved into the murky world of confidential informants, highlighted by the death of one of our own Andrew Sadek, the NDSCS student from Wahpeton who was more than likely murdered because of his work as a confidential informant. Sadek was pressured to become an informant after selling $80 worth of weed on campus and threatened with 40 years in jail and $40,000 in fines. His mother recently told HPR she will seek to…

Our opinion/Real terror threat in America coming from white American extremists

December 2nd, 2015

We must do more to prevent political violence in the US

Following the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, there has been a major rush to demonize Syrian refugees in this country this despite evidence piling up that Syrian refugees were not responsible for them. But moreover we’ve had several reminders recently that the only ones spreading terror and gun violence in America are white male extremists. Lately they are the real threat to us all right in front of us all over America.

It’s…

Our opinion/#Mystorystartedthere family immigration histories shared over social media

November 24th, 2015

You’ve come a long way, Baby

Haji Hagopian and his wife Nouritza fled what was once Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 1923 at the tail end of the Armenian genocide, Nouritza was three people away from being gunned down by a Turkish firing squad. My Grandfather was merely three months old at the time and the family soon found themselves in Marseilles, France. After Haji's death the family relocated to Chicago in 1939. From there they found themselves in central North Dakota. Haji and…

Our opinion/Governor Dalrymple wrong on refugees

November 18th, 2015

Hagopian and his wife Nouritza date unknown #mystorystartedthere

The facts show refugee resettlement is not the cause of terrorism

We were all shocked by the senseless terrorist attack in Paris recently. In particular holding people hostage at a rock concert which had nothing to do with politics or religion was abhorrent to many. But before the blood had even dried on the victims, brave social media commenters were making note of France’s gun control laws and calling for closing the border in America to Syrian refugees, using the attack as…

Congratulations, Gov. Schafer. And thanks for offering to help your home state and alma mater

November 11th, 2015

A North Dakotan takes over UND’s helm

NEW UND LEADERSHIP

Former Gov. Ed Schafer this week was named interim President of the University of North Dakota upon the forthcoming retirement of current President Robert Kelley. This is a good decision.

Schafer has a long history of leadership not only in North Dakota but nationally after having served a stint as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. He also has served on the UND Alumni Association and the UND Foundation boards of directors, which are…

Our Opinion/Time to Legalize Medical Marijuana in ND

November 4th, 2015

Petition for ballot measure receives approval

This week supporters of a medical marijuana ballot measure had their petition accepted by the ND Secretary of State. Assuming all goes to plan in the process, they hope to be out in mid-November this year gathering the over 13,000 necessary signatures to get legalizing medical marijuana on the ballot for the November 2016 general election. They shouldn’t have much trouble gathering the signatures. Polls have shown majority support for…

Our Opinion/Abortion Counter protests getting out of hand

October 28th, 2015

Hypocrisy exposed, time to move on

There’s been a lot of talk in the community both in social media and at local watering holes about a counter protester who was going after the hypocrisy of those participating in the 40 Days For Life campaign at the Red River Women’s Clinic in Fargo, North Dakota’s one and only abortion clinic in the state.

Those protesters from the 40 Days for Life campaign say they want to “protect the innocent” yet never mind that one of them was convicted…

Our Opinion / Dale’s smile was the face of Fargo’s newer, happier and hipper downtown

October 21st, 2015

One in a Million

This week HPR joins the family, Hotel Donaldson staff, friends and customers honoring Dale Powers, 65, who died Sunday after a year-long battle with cancer. Dale’s smile was the face of Fargo’s newer, happier and hipper downtown. He had been with the HoDo since day one.

Staff and friends will be holding a candle light vigil tonight, Wednesday, at the HoDo Lounge from 5 to 7 p.m. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m., at Wright Funeral Home in…