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| | Email this article • Print this article | Rob Crowe
Late season haymaking on low ground during a wet fall is not my favorite activity.
Since the cows need to be fed during the winter, I have no choice in the matter.
I harvest the weeds and canary grass on a farmstead over in Mejdrich country and on a recent Sunday that’s where I was, trying to mow down the stuff with a green tractor that had suddenly decided that it was a liberal Democrat ...
it was always trying to make a hard left turn.
It was a real chore to try to keep the machine pointed straight ahead and on top of that I almost buried my haybine at one point.
I did get about 15 acres cut and blistered the palm of my hand in the process.
Before I could use the tractor to bale the hay up a couple of days later, I had to remove the steering assembly, renew the O-rings and replace a check ball that had been missing for several years.
Thanks to a good repair manual and a helpful neighbor, the tractor now steers better than ever.
Local politics
Moving on to local politics, Legislative District 3B has been represented by Loren Solberg for longer than I care to state.
There are many things to like about Loren.
He has many projects like the engineering building at Itasca Community College to point to as accomplishments.
He supports sportsman’s issues and is a tough campaigner, but has not adapted well to the change of leadership in the Legislature.
Unfortunately, he was silent as Tommy Rukavina torpedoed the proposal to have Marvin Windows build a plant in the area that would have strengthened the area economy several years ago.
Rukavina’s recent disparaging and violent comments about State Auditor Anderson have not drawn any public censure from Solberg.
I’ve always been disappointed that often Loren appears to follow the Iron Range Legislators instead of standing up for the needs of the people of his own area.
This is inexcusable, and the people of the area are badly in need of a change in representation.
The endorsed Republican candidate for District 3B is Doug Aitken.
He is a newcomer to politics, having been energized by several visits to the legislature this last session.
He was especially disappointed with the Democratic controlled Senate and their late night shenanigans at the end of the session.
In his own words Aitken says, “After witnessing the dismal end of the legislative session firsthand this year, and seeing how little was actually accomplished I am energized to serve the needs of the entire district.
We need a change in representation for House District 3B.
We need a representative who actively represents the voters of 3B.”
Aitken works for a local home builder.
He and wife Beth have five children and are expecting a sixth.
He will bring effective representation to the residents of Aitkin and Itasca Counties.
Doug is a strong supporter of family, business and jobs.
He recognizes the importance of working with all types of business and industry to create a continued viable and growing economic environment.
He will be a good choice to bring effective representation to District 3B.
Counterpoints
Reading the counterpoint column by David Strand was interesting.
One wonders how he ever found the right field with his tractor in North Dakota.
Um ...
Dave ...
the Texas Rangers play on the Ameriquest Field in Arlington, Texas.
This is about 200 miles from Houston where you have it located, any agreement the team has is with the city of Arlington.
(Editor’s note: Strand is glad to have this corrected.
He noted the error following publication).
Interesting that you lambaste Bush for failing as a businessman yet complain about the “$14.9 million profit” he supposedly made when he sold his interest in the Rangers.
Can’t have it both ways.
The only money from the taxpayers that has found its way into George Bush’s pocket is his salary, and that is money well spent.
The diatribe about Mercer Reynolds was interesting only in the amount if vitriol demonstrated towards a friend of the president’s.
The “facts” Strand uses are suspect.
Careful research will show that Mercer did well enough in his dealings with Bush to sustain a long-term partnership.
I’m sure Mercer was a good choice for ambassador to Switzerland.
He is currently fundraising for the Bush campaign and doing a great job.
Mercer’s efforts do pale in relation to the billionaire George Soros’ end run around the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill.
I don’t know if anyone will ever know how much Soros is spending, but an article by Michael Collins of Scripps Howard News Service dated Dec.
26, 2003 sheds some light on the subject.
Soros evidently has already pledged $10 million to various Democratic groups but Mercer Reynolds has to depend on donors who are limited to giving $2,000 apiece by law.
It would be interesting to know which study Strand was using that found the U.S.
ranking last in everything.
If there actually is any, it was likely done before 2000 under Bill Clinton.
Data of this type doesn’t change much over time.
John Kerry has no new ideas for anything, just the failed liberal policies he has voted for in his unremarkable tenure in the senate.
I watched the presidential debates the other night.
John Kerry is a study in style over substance.
He gets the edge on style points and had a huge advantage in the questions asked by Jim Lehrer.
Maybe Lehrer was on the other line when Joe Lockhart was talking to Bill Burkett a couple of weeks ago.
A careful look at the substance of what was said shows Bush to be the clear winner.
I don’t want my president ever to think he has to pass a “Global Test” to defend this country.
That alone disqualifies John Kerry for the job.
He is also disqualified by the huge number of times he has voted against funding defense and intelligence while in the Senate.
George Bush is a strong leader.
He has done a remarkable job under difficult circumstances.
He has fought the terrorists where they are.
The U.S.
military victories in Afghanistan and Iraq are astounding.
The accusation that he diverted substantial military resources away from Al Qaeda is ludicrous.
This is a nation that fought World War II in three major theaters against Germany, Italy and Japan.
My son is in the National Guard.
I’m thankful and proud of his service.
I resent Strand using him to denigrate the president.
He has been in no way “uprooted” as Strand accuses.
He just returned from a six-month tour in Bosnia which he volunteered for and now expects to be in Iraq in three years.
If we can’t send our best, we cannot maintain our leadership in this world.
If we cannot weather the tough times, we will not prosper.
Rob Crowe chairs the Aitkin County Republicans and raises kids and cows on a farm near Hill City.
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