Category: Politics/Government

Establishment Democrats – You Can’t Have It Both Ways

The new generation of progressives is here. Democratic Party, it’s time to listen and act on their priorities, and in the aggressive manner they demand.

“Their Judgement Cometh and That Right Soon”

I’ve been listening to Democrats bemoan disengagement by the younger generation for decades now. “Young people don’t vote,” they’ve whined, and, “young people don’t get involved.”

For a long time, they’ve been right.

Guess what. The young people have arrived. They’re voting. They’re getting involved. And they’re making their voices heard among Democrats and Republicans both.

But many establishment Democrats aren’t too happy about it.

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Top 10 Reasons to Become a North Dakota Progressive

Being a “progressive” in North Dakota is the greatest. Just check out all these kick-ass reasons to become one….

Being a “progressive” in North Dakota can be tough. No doubt about it.

This state is so deep red that even the sky is crimson a good part of the time. Especially around suppertime. What’s up with that? To be fair, it’s blue once in a while, too, but always a very light hue.

Even so, there are some things about being a “progressive” in North Dakota that are worth considering. Here are the top 10:

10. Enter a crowded room and you’ll always know exactly where you stand. Don’t worry, it doesn’t take long to get used to being alone in the corner…

9.  Few people around here really understand “progressive” – they’ve never seen one in real life – so you’ll be surrounded by an aura of mystery. The only downside is no one appreciates the sarcastic messages on your political T-shirts.

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North Dakota Moves to Weaken Bakken Crude Conditioning Rules

Five years after Casselton’s near miss with exploding oil cars, the North Dakota Industrial Commission is loosening rules for testing Bakken crude set to ship by rail. What do YOU think?

Industrial Commission Actions Come on 5th Anniversary of Casselton Explosions

Five years after railroad cars carrying Bakken crude oil derailed and exploded near Casselton, N.D., the N.D. Industrial Commission is weakening rules for conditioning oil destined for railroad transport.

The irony is so thick it cuts like Jack the Ripper’s blade through London fog.

But this ain’t London, folks.

It’s our own backyards.

Too Close to “An Ink Spot”

Rory Peterson, who runs the Hardware Hank in Casselton, was spot on when he commented recently to The Forum News Service about the explosions five years ago.

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Give Thanks for Peaceful Protesters

U.S. citizens are a fifth element in our system of checks and balances, along with the three official branches of government and legitimate news media. Peaceful protest is one expression of that responsibility.

This Year, Celebrate the People Who Drive Necessary Change

Before there was a Civil Rights Act, before women could vote, before the devastation of Trump, there were peaceful protesters.

These are people who, by raising their voices, hands and signs, have spurred our government to act on much-needed, necessary, even crucial change or to change course on policies that have been harmful or misguided.

What protesters have done for the nearly two-and-a-half centuries of our existence, and even before, has been no cup of tea.

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Cramer Still Stickin’ It to Fargo, Cass County Citizens

Sen.-Elect Kevin Cramer should pay the bills for President Trump’s two campaign visits to Fargo. In North Dakota, we pay our own way. It’s the way it is. And it’s the right thing to do.

Pay Your Campaign Bills, Senator-Elect. It’s the Right Thing to Do.

One of Sen. Heidi Heitkamp’s last acts of her term once again reveals a person of character and class.

The headline in the Nov. 15, 2018 edition of The Forum, Fargo, N.D., says it all: “Heitkamp campaign picking up all costs for Biden visit.” She’s paying all the bills for hosting former Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to Fargo to campaign on her behalf.

And why wouldn’t she? Doesn’t sound like that big a deal, really. Right?

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When Gun Violence Hits Close to Home

When your 11-year-old is imploring you for answers about gun violence, when she’s afraid to go to school because of a shooting threat, things get real in a hurry. We need reasonable – and absolutely necessary – gun violence laws. Right now.

The Innocence We Enjoyed is a Fairy Tale to Our Children

“Why do we have to live this way?”

The evening before, a Thursday, one of our older kids received a snap from a friend who rides the bus that takes all three of our children to and from school. It said a middle schooler next to her had just muttered, “I’m going to shoot up that school tomorrow,” apparently referring to our 11-year-old’s school.

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#TakingBackOurFlag – March for Democracy

North Dakota needs an ethics commission, and all of us need to take the American Flag back. Vote YES on ND Measure #1 and proudly carry your Stars and Stripes to events.

North Dakota citizens rally for the passage of North Dakota Measure #1, the Anti-Corruption Amendment, during the March for Democracy in Fargo, N.D. on 11/4/18. The measure was placed on the ballot by North Dakotans for Public Integrity. Martin C. Fredricks IV is waving the American Flag. (Check out the previous post on Taking Back the Flag.)

We need to clean up North Dakota government and make sure our elected and appointed officials are serving citizens, not corporations and special interests. We need an independent ethics commission.

Please vote YES on Measure #1 on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018

#NDIntegrity #TakingBackOurFlag

Martin C. Fredricks IV Logo

I’m Takin’ the American Flag Back. Who’s With Me?

The American Flag is about Red, White & Blue, not Blue vs. Red. It’s mine, it’s yours, it’s ours. That’s why I’m takin’ it back. Who’s with me?

Patriotism is Red, White & Blue, not Blue vs. Red

I’m takin’ the American flag back.

For years, the “Grand Old Party” has been wrapping itself in Old Glory as if it has a stronger claim to patriotism, with the flag as its symbol, than anyone else.

Somehow, somewhere along the way, many non-Republican Americans have come to accept that, if not believe it. And somehow, somewhere along the way, people started equating those misguided perceptions with the idea that support for active-duty military personnel and veterans is wrapped up in the same narrative.

I’ve had more than enough of the suggestion that the flag serves or represents one party or ideology or citizen any more than any other party or ideology or citizen.

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Heidi for U.S. Senate

Kevin Cramer promises to rubber-stamp Trump 100 percent of the time. That’s not deliberative. That’s not thoughtful. That’s not intelligent. And that’s not the way to represent North Dakota. Go vote. Vote for Heidi Heitkamp.

Heidi sign

We Don’t Need
A Rubber-Stamping Yes-Man Speaking for Us

Over the past six years, I’ve gone from #HH4ND to #NA4HH and back to #HH4ND again. But I’ve always been #NW4KC, and when it comes to the U.S. Senate, I’m even more so.

#NW4KC

No Way for Kevin Cramer

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Vote YES on North Dakota Measure #1

Former North Dakota legislator Ed Gruchalla gives his take on the need to pass North Dakota Measure #1, commonly known as “The Anti-Corruption Amendment.”

A Former N.D. Legislator’s Perspective

IV Words supports North Dakota Measure #1, the “Ethics Commission, Foreign Political Contribution Ban, and Conflicts of Interest Initiative,” a.k.a., “The Anti-Corruption Amendment.”

Rather than hold forth on why I think it’s important (duh), I’ll let you hear it from a distinguished guest writer, former North Dakota Representative Ed Gruchalla. Ed’s seen the need – and greed – firsthand.

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