Opinion

To the editor: I’m so happy the Minnesota voters saw fit to reelect Gov. Walz and the Attorney General, Secretary of State and State Auditor.

January is Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month as well as National Stalking Awareness Month. WoMen’s Rural Advocacy Programs, Inc. (WRAP) has been and continues to serve victims of trafficking since 2020 as well as victims of domestic violence since 1994 in Lincoln, Lyon, Redwood, and Yellow Medicine Counties. The goal of this article is to bring awareness and education about human trafficking and stalking to our communities. It is important to understand the basics of these subjects and start the conversation regarding these crimes. Human trafficking and stalking happen even in our rural communities, even though it is hard for most to believe, and we want to believe where we live is safe for everyone.

To the editor: Is everyone in Minnesota all happy and excited over the outcome of the latest election? One would have thought that after the past couple of years of riots, looting's, property destruction, shootings, car jacking's, among other crimes, misuse of emergency powers that closed most small businesses and churches (many permanently), high fuel prices and so much more mayhem, the voting public would have decided to make a few changes. Unfortunately, not one change in the Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State and State Auditor offices.

To the editor: Did Noah’s Flood really happen? I would like to expand on my May 11, 2017 letter in the Gazette which dealt with the impact energy released when a meteor hit the earth and formed the 110-mile diameter Chicxulub crater under the Gulf of Mexico. Recent drilling samples indicate an energy equivalent to some four million H-bombs.

To most Americans, human rights feel like a basic necessity in their lives. Privilege is often the most common reason many people feel that basic human rights are essentially in place for all people. Universal Human Rights month is to raise awareness about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This declaration was established in 1948, adopted by the United Nations, and is the most translated document in the world. The Universal Declaration promises to all the economic, social, political, cultural and civic rights that underpin a life free from want and fear. This was created to protect the rights of people worldwide. There are 30 rights that the declaration states are for all people regardless of any discriminating factors. Just a few of these rights are freedom from torture, freedom of slavery, right to health, right of equality between men and women, and right to liberty and security. Obviously, the creation of this document did not end human rights violations. It should be known that it also obviously has made a difference in some people’s lives. No document is that powerful, but it has given victims of these abuses power to obtain justice within the judicial system, but many people have not gained access to this process. These rights are just a few of the rights that effect domestic violence and sex trafficking victims every day. These rights are taken from people who deal with victimization each and every day. Each of the Universal Human Rights can and are affected by these crimes. We encourage all people to read the declaration to truly feel what basic rights people within their communities do not have the privilege of having within their daily living. Domestic violence victims and sex trafficking victims face many barriers and many of the rights that have been taken from them can and do affect their ability to be free from abuse. Human trafficking is modern day slavery here in the United States, in our local counties and in our local towns. These victi