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The lost art of complaining

While we Americans enjoy complaining — about the weather, taxes, politics and most anything else — I fear we are losing the “art” of complaining. It seems fewer folks these days have the ability to express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction or resentment in a manner which allows both parties to retain a sense of dignity. Even after years in retirement, multiple experiences of “unskilled complainers” remain in my memory. Some years ago I read a magazine article on the art of complaining. It listed positive ways to deal with businesses, public agencies and individuals when ...

Catch ’em in the summer

Crazy isn’t it? It seems like not so long ago we were wading in the cold water of rivers in search of early season walleyes and now we’re thinking about catching fish during the hottest weather of the year. Fishing can be like the weather in the summer. Both can be very hot. To take ...

Accountability, responsibility starts at the top

In law enforcement, accountability is a word that gets used often. It is demanded by the public. It is expected by elected officials. Sometimes it becomes the center of discussion after a mistake, a complaint, or a tragedy. But accountability is not something that should only appear when something goes wrong. True accountability starts long before a critical incident. It starts in the mirror. As leaders in any profession, we do not earn credibility or respect by talking about standards. We earn those things by living them. The standard is not what we say during a press conference. The ...

Inflation and nickel ice cream cones

On a recent Saturday morning my wife and I had run a few errands when she reminded me she had been given a gift card for a new business. Neither of us were familiar with the place but gathered from the name of the business that they sold cookies. After a frustrating search to find the business, we finally pulled into a parking place. Julie asked what kind of cookies I preferred. I told her it was her gift card; get whatever she liked. She said she would get some chocolate chip cookies which we both like. When she returned to the car, she was carrying an attractive box which she ...

Why God made fathers

God made a wise decision when He decided females would serve as mothers. Men generally just can’t do mommy things as well as mommies. Of course, the flip side of this is true. God wisely appointed males to the role of father. Over the centuries, men have made plenty of mistakes, as we continue to do today, but we’re still the best choice for the role of daddy. Think about it. Who gives the best “horsey-back” rides, dads or moms? Dads generally aren’t afraid to get down on the floor and wrestle and serve as a beast of burden. In fact, men often show some of the best attributes ...

Just be in the room

For the past year, I have been sitting in many, many meetings, sometimes the only one present outside of staff or other media. This sounds tedious. But one thing I’ve learned. It’s important to be there. Most of these meetings include elected officials, voted on by me, my neighbors and the community. And I appreciate the time it takes to work in these positions. These are not easy jobs if they are reading the materials and studying the issues. So I respect those who have taken up the challenge, campaigned for the positions, and then find themselves placed in a totally new ...