Discussing bias

From Eileen Halvorson,

Glenwood

I wouldn’t want anyone to be treated poorly due to bias, that includes individuals with conservative religious beliefs as well as those whose lifestyle is outside of social norms. The challenge is that all of us are biased to some degree. We tend to feel uncomfortable with those who don’t look, think, or act like us.

It’s easy to identify bias from past generations because our norms continue to change. For example, women didn’t have the right to vote until 1920. From the 1930s to the 1960s, FHA underwriters used “red-lined” maps to excluded potential borrowers based on race or ethnicity. Hitler preyed on anti-Jewish sentiments and hatred towards gypsies and homosexuals. In the 1950s, many thought a Catholic marrying a Lutheran was akin to a sin. In 1967, a Supreme Court ruling protected interracial couples from being arrested. It wasn’t until 1991, when the ADA was passed, that those with disabilities had any protections. In the not-too-distant past, gender bias led to many women having lower paying jobs and men being just an afterthought when it came to custody rights after a divorce.

If you haven’t been adversely affected by bias, I’m guessing you know someone who has been. Discussing bias is an opportunity for better understanding and hopefully less divisiveness. Give it a try.

Responds to letter

From Inga Mae B. Urke,

Starbuck

I was disappointed in the letter last week written by a previous contributor. I did not get the details of that letter he refers to but he better get all the facts straight. If it had been so great, no Republican would have opposed it but it left a lot to be desired and was definitely NOT a good thing!

Democrats are constantly finding fault with Donald Trump in spite of his having proved during his presidency what wonderful changes he made and would continue to make if reelected! Judging from his popularity no matter where he goes, he has no need for campaigning on this – everyone knows how unbelievably horrible that situation at the border is and people are upset! At the last report, we taxpayers are paying for hotel rooms for these hoards, they are given free phones free medical care and free debit cards besides several arriving from China! Have we not had enough sickness and deaths to blame those Chinese for?

Why is it that Democrats will not ever admit for one minute that Biden is ruining our country? In addition to that, how can professing Christians vote to continue abortion and we know we must defend Israel. Biden wants to give Palestinians their own state next door to Israel which means creating a radical Islamic terror state side by side with Israel and doing so right after Hamas, the terrorist next door, slaughtered more than 1,200 Jews and it would endanger the state of Israel!

A stunning 54% of Democrats disapprove of Biden’s handling of the war. My source for this information is Christians In Defense of Israel publication. May I suggest you look up Jeremiah 32:37, 41. Biden thinks he can ignore scriptures which could bring great suffering to the Jewish people. Is that what we want?

A thanks to the community from the friends of Carol Cheeseman

From Rose Meade and 

Michele Stillinger

We are saddened by the loss of Carol Jean Cheeseman of Glenwood, Minnesota.  She had a passion for life, art, culture, and her hometown and Lake Minnewaska.  She always attended events like plays, operas, and gallery openings to help support the local arts.  Often she went with her dear friend Lee Paulson.  She not only helped create the Farmer’s Market, she was on the City of Glenwood Planning Commission, a Pope County Historical Society Board member, Glenwood Park Board member, and long time treasurer for the Democratic Farmer Labor party for Pope County, for which she received a special award for services.  In addition to her art degree, she also was an accounting graduate of Alexandria Technical College.

She enjoyed collecting beautiful things and regaling in stories of her travels far and near.  She loved her time in China, trying unusual street foods, and collecting kitschy Chairman Mao trinkets.  They always made her laugh.  Carol was an avid gardener and was so proud of her hosta collection and her lovely hydrangea bushes.  Carol loved to laugh and enjoyed a good story or inside joke.  She loved her time in Chicago where she made many friends but did not hesitate to come home to care for her father, Ralph, so he could spend his last few years in the home he loved.

Carol was sadly struck with the same disease, dementia, as her father and the last few years were frustrating and confusing for her as she struggled to do the things she loved like reading a good book and doing needlepoint. However, she was thrilled to go with friends for a visit to the Lakeside for her favorite meal, look at the lake, tell stories, and reminisce about the historic photos and how she helped select them for the building.  She also did a special display for the dance club.  Her favorite story was about painting the family icehouse with a giant pink panther one year to surprise her dad.  She said it was a hoot!  Carol loved animals, especially dogs and was always excited to help out neighbors by pet sitting, which meant pet spoiling!  Her last dog, Mika, was such a comfort to Carol and she loved her dearly.  She always told us she wanted to be buried with the ashes of her dogs Nara and Mika so they could be with her forever.

We are grateful for friends and neighbors who watched out for her and came to visit, and her two cousins, Barb and Troy.  Barb, who recently passed, would take her to St. Cloud and to the Farmer’s Market every Saturday, and Troy would always check in on her at her home, fix things, and bring his dog for a visit, which made her very happy.  We are very grateful for his kindness.  We’d also like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Haus, Glacial Ridge Home Care, Dodi J., and the staff of the Minneswaska Lutheran Home and Glenwood Retirement Village.

With fond memories and love,

Rose Meade and Michele Stillinger

The 10 Commandments for a Responsible Pet Owner

From Rick Anderson,

Glenwood

I lost my best friend a few days ago – my almost 13-year-old Yellow Lab. She was my constant companion – should have been named Shadow. While raising Marlie, I tried to abide by another friend’s suggestions – Paul Harvey’s “10 Commandments for a Responsible Pet Owner.” I hope other pet owners out there can appreciate them – #10 is a tearjerker that many have had to experience.

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, and yet I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old.

10. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so.