Open Letter to the Editor:
Does the Overseer of the human affairs on this planet in our galaxy, CARE what happens in the United States during this election and the potential Supreme Court appointments and statutes which may proceed from it? YES, according to the little woman who lived and wrote of the United States during her lifetime from 1827 to 1915. This is what she wrote:
"Among the Christian exiles who first fled to America, and sought asylum from royal oppression and priestly intolerance, were many who determined to establish a government upon the broad foundation of civil and religious liberty. Their views found place in the Declaration of Independence, which sets forth the great truth that "all men are created equal", and endowed with the inalienable right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".
Freedom of religious faith was also granted, every man being permitted to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience. Republicanism and Protestantism became the fundamental principles of the nation. These principles are the secret of its power and prosperity.
The oppressed and down-trodden throughout Christendom have turned to this land with interest and hope. Millions have sought its shores, and the United States has risen to a place among the most powerful nations of the earth.
This writer believed that the Holy Bible described the United States in the book of Revelation, chapter 13:11-17. Note what she wrote—"And he had two horns like a lamb". The lamb-like horns indicate youth, innocence, and gentleness, fitly representing the character of the United States when presented to the prophet as "coming up" in 1798.
What nation of the New World was in 1798 rising into power, giving promise of strength and greatness, and attracting the attention of the world?... "But the beast with the lamb-like horns spake as a dragon".. .The "speaking" of the nation is the action of its legislative and judicial authorities. By such action it will give the lie to those liberal and peaceful principles which it has put forth as the foundation of its policy.
The prediction that it will speak... plainly foretells a development of the spirit of intolerance and persecution that was manifested by the nations represented by the dragon.. .[also] indicates that the authority of this nation is to be exercised in enforcing some observance which shall be an act of homage.
Our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of falsehoods and delusions,..we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan..."
"It is a perilous time now. If this land of boasted liberty is preparing to sacrifice every principle which enters into her Constitution, making decrees to suppress religious freedom and for the enforcing of falsehood and delusion, then the people of God need to present their petitions in faith to the Most High.
There is every encouragement, in the promises of God, for those who put their trust in Him." [Most of this writing was done prior to 1910]. The little woman who wrote the above traveled the world, residing in Australia for some years but completed her life in California's Napa valley. She wrote numerous books and is published in most major languages, often quoted by the radio personality, Paul Harvey. Her name is Ellen G. White, and she also wrote the following: "In the annals of human history, the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as if dependent on the will and prowess of man; the shaping of events seems, to a great degree, to be determined by his power, ambition, or caprice.
But in the Word of God the curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, above, behind, and through all the play and counter-play of human interest and power and passions, the agencies of All-merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels of His own will." [See Holy Bible, Book of Daniel 2:20-22]
There can be confidence that any future events which seems to appear calamitous, we can be assured that there is One who has ultimate authority and control and has permitted man to exercise his own free will to attempt to control events and circumstances. Things WILL work out—perhaps not to OUR wishes, but best in the long run for everyone.
I trust Jim is on the mend to continue his writing the regular column for the INDEPENDENT.
Our best wishes to Jim and the staff there who carry on the good work you all do.
Sincerely
Arthur C. Quance, Hospital Administrator Ortonville, 1960-1976; Gettysburg Medical Center,
1976-2000, retired
Gettysburg, SD
To the Editor:
I once heard author Wes Jackson say: "The difference between the two is that Capitalism is where the individual rips off the environment and Communism is where the state rips off the environment -- in either case, the way we are currently growing our food and securing our energy is not sustainable. We need systems that put back what we take (with interest) and that don't leave problems for future generations to deal with."
There is an interesting story in the Star Tribune about Big Stone II. Please read it. It is complicated, but we need to get up to speed on these things if we are to avoid the kind of bilking of the public that is going on with the banking bailout. We need to ask questions like -- "why do working people have to pay to keep super rich people from losing money?" And "why are farmers who want to produce renewable energy being systematically shut out from the grid and being blackmailed into supporting coal generation?"
The Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO) is a club that is owned by the utilities and its job is to dispatch and move power and to make sure that things are fair, that transmission is adequate, etc. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is supposed to regulate MISO. By sending out a letter like this to farmers involved with a community based wind project, MISO has violated the trust we are supposed to place in them to be an independent regulator. They are showing clearly to whom they are beholden and it points to a crying need for reform and oversight of this recently deregulated energy distribution management system. (Yes, the parallels with the deregulated banking system are there for us to consider).
There has been no substantiated analysis that the proposed transmission lines from Big Stone II would be made available and/or accessible to wind. It is time for that smoke screen to clear. The actions of Otter Tail Power (OTP) towards the farmers behind Big Stone Wind speak much louder than their words. It is time to stop believing them when they say we need these transmission lines in order to get wind on the grid. OTP has offered nothing for wind power on these proposed transmission lines from Big Stone II. They have not even wanted to talk with the farmers who own Big Stone Wind about buying their power.
This much we know: The economics of coal continue to deteriorate. New wind power coming into the system is cheaper than coal. The MISO system isn't working. It is time to step back and re-think without having to deal with strong arm fear mongering tactics and disinformation campaigns.
We look forward to the day when we can work hand in hand with Otter Tail Power in promoting energy conservation, smart grid technologies and natural gas peaking plants combined with community owned wind in the post Big Stone II era. That isn't communism or capitalism -- it's just necessary common sense.
Patrick J. Moore and
Duane Ninneman www.curemnriver.org
Dear Editor,
Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.
and God approves this message!
ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CHARGE
Tom Karels, Odessa
Letter to the editor:
The height of another political season has brought another nauseous level of debate between pro-life and pro-choice and people telling us who to vote for. Heidi and I have thought of a way to enter the fray outside of the political arena, which doesn’t seem to desire or be capable of finding a solution.
Please spread the message that we would like to help anyone who is pregnant and is considering an abortion. Specifically, we can help in two ways. 1) We will provide our home for any pregnant woman (or teen) to live until they have their baby. 2) We will adopt a baby of anyone who is considering an abortion.
This is a no strings attached offer. We will seriously take in any woman if she needs a safe place, support, three meals a day and people to love and care for her. The same goes for the baby.
We love Jesus and He has put this on our heart to do. We will pass no judgments upon anyone. We only want to pass on God’s love. Please call us. God bless you. 320-839-6100.
Sincerely
Dennis and Heidi Justison
Ortonville
