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The Senate recently completed consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – annual legislation to authorize funding for our military and national defense. Like the last two NDAAs, this year’s bill focuses on restoring military readiness and ensuring that our nation is prepared to meet threats posed by major powers like Russia and China.
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Politicians are people, too. Unfortunately, in today’s highly partisan environment that can be hard to remember. Cable news fosters the idea that officeholders, especially those in the other party, are worthy of our derision, rather than our respect or empathy.
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The 4th Annual Charles Mix Saddle Club SDRA Rodeo was held Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19 at Geddes with some great performances. Friday night spectators enjoyed mixed team roping, bareback, steer wrestling, goat tying, saddle bronc, calf roping, ladies breakaway, ranch bronc riding, senior men's breakaway, team roping, barrel racing, team penning and the night ended with the bull riding. Pictured is Kade Starr of Geddes in the calf roping. Photo by Barb Pechous
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Father Jim Friedrich celebrated First Communion at St. John's Catholic Church in Wagner on Sunday, July 12. Pictured are, from left: Jackson Woods, Peytyn Wiechmann, Clarah Soukup, Cooper Slaba, Cooper Kuhlman, Luke Holzbauer and Aulliana Arpan. (Not pictured Second Grade CCD Teachers Jerry and Judy Barnett and Jillian Gallagher.) Courtesy Photo
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Last Friday night I watched Jon Stewart's Political Comedy 'Irresistible’. The story is set in small-town Wisconsin. The community has recently suffered a devastating loss of their main employer. In response, a failed political consultant from Washington, D.C. lands himself a gig helping a local veteran run for Mayor against the long-time incumbent. The consultant, planning to use this situation for his own political gain, sends out his first press release to the national media titled, Small Town Small Minds. When I saw that headline on the screen I said to my husband, who was half asleep, “Did you see that headline? I can't believe it said Small Towns Small Minds!” This is where you tell me -- it’s just a movie – but why are small towns almost always portrayed as marginal, fragile communities disjoined from the rest of the nation?
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Though I usually try to make this column interesting if not entertaining, today I’m all business with some serious planet Earth concerns.
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