November 30th, 2016
To the editor:
There has been a lot of analysis coming from those who support the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). However, some of that scrutiny begs questions.
Several commentators focus on the non-Native or non-North Dakotan contingent present at the camps. Clearly, support for the water protectors is coming from all over the globe. What many North Dakotans fail to grasp is that this pipeline—and the future carbon dioxide emissions and other pollution it promises—is an international…
September 16th, 2016
To the editor:
As candidates for the state legislature from District 22, we agree with the position of the Concerned Citizens of Buffalo regarding the proposed factory hog farm in their community. Our strong belief is that the issues raised by the Concerned Citizens are legitimate and pressing -- among these are risks to human health, the impact on the town’s water and air quality, decreased property values, adequacy of manure disposal, excess soil nutrient runoff, and interference…
July 13th, 2016
In Chris Hennen’s recent column “With oil dollars all but gone, what did we get?”, the writer bemoaned North Dakota’s revenue shortfall and the benefits reaped from the state’s oil boom.
Hennen presented some facts and figures that I feel need some clearing up.
First of all, the Budget Stabilization Fund is not a rainy day fund. The state legislature established this fund in 1987 to offset any revenue shortfalls.
What Hennen is likely referring to is the Legacy Fund, a source…
June 22nd, 2016
Pack the Commission, change to wards
To the editor:
With nearly a dozen candidates running for Fargo City Commission, some residents think Fargo should have a runoff election, so a candidate can get a decent majority of the votes.
I’d say “so what?”. Even with a runoff election, those who don’t like the two candidates who make it to the runoff ballot are forced to vote for someone they didn’t want on the ballot anyway. In effect, it doesn’t matter if someone gets 15% or 51%…
May 18th, 2016
MARVIN NELSON: WELL PAST TIME?
To the Editor:
It was in mid-January that Doug Burgum, a Republican, announced his intention to run for the governorship. No Democrat had so declared, though Sarah Vogel, former Commissioner of Agriculture, was publicly making up her mind.
In an enthusiastic editorial of Jan. 21, HPR co-owner John Strand endorsed Burgum and suggested that Vogel go for a seat on the North Dakota Supreme Court instead. He also approved the idea, at least, of Democrats’…
April 29th, 2016
AIR, COAL, WATER, AND CHEAP POLITICIANS
To the editor,
The history of North Dakota is a two-century litany of exploitation, from the earliest arrivals of Europeans on our prairies and rivers to the present.
With these reminders, I picked up my copy of the book “One Time Harvest,” published in 1975, which delved into the relatively nascent North Dakota lignite coal industry.
The title came from speeches by Governor Arthur Link contrasting agricultural productivity with fossil fuel…
April 20th, 2016
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The judicial system primarily acts to inflict punishment as opposed to rehabilitation.
To the editor:
The BCI's use of Confidential Informants is unwise and by definition holds the CI hostage to the performance of information leading to the arrest of persons with the use of search warrant's and quotas imposed on the confidential informant. I of course agree with the judicial need to prosecute offenders, however, it is impossible not to infringe on person’s constitutional rights when…
March 10th, 2016
To the Editor:
I was raised on our family farm near Buffalo, North Dakota. After college I served in the U.S. Army, worked in the Fargo Public Schools and eventually returned to my hometown of Buffalo about thirty years ago. I am a past Mayor of the community and am involved in our American Legion Post #10, the City of Buffalo Historic Preservation Commission, the Buffalo Community Club and the City Park Board.
The proposed Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation, or CAFO, to be…
February 4th, 2016
To the editor:
I don't like the Caucus system. Caucuses are archaic and exclusive and usually take place in the evening, when many people have to work, thus eliminating them from the whole process (no absentee voting in a caucus). It's also not nearly as representative as a Primary, where there is one vote for one person. For example, in the 2016 Iowa Caucus, at one precinct in Iowa City, Bernie Sanders had over 400 people choose him, while Hillary Clinton had just over 90 people choose…
January 30th, 2016
To the editor:
Corporate farming is not the future of agriculture in North Dakota. Local communities all across the country are fighting against corporate farms for good reason. Recently, the community of Buffalo, ND was blindsided by a proposed 9,000 hog factory farm, which will drastically worsen the economic, environmental, and social dynamic of Buffalo. These types of factory farms do not invest in local communities. They do business wherever they can get the best deal, which is…
BISMARCK – Jessie Quinn and J.S. may soon have two choices: relocate, buy black-market opioids, or commit suicide, and Quinn’s options are even more limited. At 65 years old and after 25 years battling degenerate spinal issues,…
By Gabrielle Herschgabbyhersch@gmail.com“North Dakota (and Minnesota) nice” is an attitude, a stereotype, and a way of life that has permeated our region, as well as perceptions of the Midwest, since as long as people have been…
Friday, March 22, 6-8 p.m.Red Raven Espresso Parlor, 916 Main Ave, FargoDigital photos from North Dakota’s backroads. Hornung has been exploring the roads less traveled for close to a decade. Carefully documenting and collecting…
It is possible, even ethical, to stand behind Israel and criticize the nation at the same time. No country, no man or woman, is without fault. While we at the High Plains Reader believe the U.S. House of Representatives’…
The Battle Between Extreme Capitalism And Democratic SocialismAfter Vice-President Mike Pence representing racial and extreme capitalism ended his scathing rant about democratic socialism at the Conservative Political Action…
The eighth week of this year’s HPR Cocktail Showdown was another tripleheader for our panel of judges. On this particular week, we found ourselves focused on a trio of downtown dining and entertainment establishments to visit…
In rural Minnesota, outside of Park Rapids, Amy Thielen was attempting to light her wood-fired oven. It is in her brand-new kitchen that she hopes to teach cooking classes out of, which is a far cry from what it was when she and…
The Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra has had its fair share of guest performances headlining its concerts over the years. They all have impressive resumes, their fair share of awards, and worldwide recognition. However, bringing…
The 19th Fargo Festival begins on Tuesday, March 19th and runs until Saturday, March 23. Continuing a tradition of excellence in local arts programming, the event provides both casual moviegoers and cinephiles with multiple…
Hidden away in the tiny North Dakota town of Lefor I find Karen Valley, an author and an artist. She is without a doubt the artist’s artist. Her soul is art, talent and words. Meeting her is a true experience in finding a soul so…
To many people unfamiliar with the wide range of the musical genre, the word ‘opera’ conjures up stereotypical images of people in period costumes and large women in Viking garb singing in foreign languages. The truth, however,…
Stand-up comedy is traditionally a one-way exchange. Outside of the odd question addressed to a random audience member, the limit of the spectators’ contribution to the conversation is their laughter at the comedy stylings being…
By Gabrielle Herschgabbyhersch@gmail.comThink & Drink is coming to Fargo! Organized by Humanities North Dakota, Think & Drink is a happy hour series that hosts a facilitated public conversation about big issues and ideas. Lead by a…
I’m a big man, I’m tall and powerful, but this also causes some issues in the body department. I suffer from acute scoliosis in my lower back, and pain radiates from this area on a daily basis. I have only ever had one massage…
by HPR Contributor
by Devin Joubertdevinlillianjoubert@gmail.comIt’s that beautiful time of the year that’s filled with seasonal decorations, sparkly lights, warm family gatherings, and delicious feasts. I love everything about this time of the…
I’ve got a problem. I need to write a column that is going to be kind of critical of three people I like, and I’m trying to figure out how to do it without making them all angry at me. Their names are Sara, Doug and Marvin.…
