MINOT, N.D. — The term “famous for being famous” originated, more than likely, with British journalist Malcolm Muggeridge. “In the past if someone was famous or notorious, it was for something — as a writer or an actor or a criminal; for some talent or distinction or abomination,” he wrote in 1967. “Today one is…
Print Column: I Hope Rush Limbaugh Is Wrong, but I Don’t Think He Is
MINOT, N.D. — We haven’t had a governing majority in the federal government committed to fiscal prudence in a long, long time. We have had lots of politicians who like to posture themselves as fiscal hawks. Former North Dakota U.S. Sen. Kent Conrad did that, though he started his career in the U.S. Senate by…
Plain Talk: “Donald Trump Has Never Been a Real Fiscal Conservative” Senator Kevin Cramer Says
“Move on.” That’s what Senator Kevin Cramer had to say about the Mueller hearings on this episode of Plain Talk. “I told a group of reporters, you are the only people who cares,” he added, saying he doesn’t hear much from constituents about the Mueller investigation or the hearings. He said that special investigations are…
Print Column: Why Are City Governments, Park Boards and School Boards Separate?
MINOT, N.D. — Over the years I’ve had several conversations with Gov. Doug Burgum talking about a phenomena in government he describes as “siloing.” This is the practice of treating each segment of government as a sort of sovereign entity which doesn’t share much of anything else with other government entities. Burgum sees this as…
Guest Post: The Grand Forks City Council Didn’t Let Citizens Speak Before Deciding to Ax Columbus Day
This guest post was submitted by Dr. Kevin Fire of Grand Forks One thing that city governments have traditionally encouraged is public participation in the political process. That is, unless the topic about which there may be discussion might anger the left. As a case in point, last Monday, the City Council in Grand Forks…
Plain Talk: North Dakotans Are Too Pessimistic About Economic Mobility
A recent Harvard Study found that while North Dakotans are almost the most pessimistic people in the country when it comes to economic mobility (the ability of people to improve their economic situation over their lifetimes), the state actually sees more economic mobility than any other. Why the disconnect? Also, Congressman Kelly Armstrong takes listener…
Plain Talk: Senator Cramer Says He’s “Surprised” Trump Even Cares About #TheSquad
“I don’t care a whole lot about it,” Senator Kevin Cramer said on this episode of Plain Talk, referring to the feud between President Donald Trump and a group of Democratic women in the House who refer to themselves as “the squad.” “I’m surprised President Trump cares so much about these congresswomen,” Cramer continued, calling…
Print Column: The Dumbest Thing Democrats Could Do Is Listen to Heidi Heitkamp
MINOT, N.D. — For some reason Heidi Heitkamp — despite just one, flukey electoral victory to her name in the last two decades — has been anointed an expert in certain Democratic circles on how to appeal to rural voters. Recently, the erstwhile senator delivered a luncheon speech to a convention of Montana Democrats, and…
Plain Talk: As Many as 175,000 North Dakota Could Seek Pardons for Marijuana Convictions
“We could be looking at upward of 175 to 179 thousand who have this issue.” That’s what Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said on this episode of Plain Talk, referring to a streamlined process to allow those with minor convictions for marijuana-related crimes to apply for pardons. Stenehjem sits on a constitutionally-established board which makes recommendations…
Plain Talk: Trump Says So-Called “Fake News” Is “Dangerous” and “Not Free Speech” but He’s Absolutely Wrong
“I don’t think that the mainstream media is free speech either, because it’s so crooked, it’s so dishonest. So to me, free speech is not when you see something good and then you purposely write bad, to me that’s very dangerous speech, and you become angry at it,” President Donald Trump said at the recent…