Fireworks? But they’re illegal in Minnesota
Speaking of the Fourth of July and fireworks, it will be time yet again this holiday weekend for Minnesotans to look to the sky and see the beautiful, sparkling displays and hear the big booms and realize how silly their state’s no-fireworks law is. No, people won’t be blasting fireworks from their patios or backyards in Crookston and in other cities, but at the lakes, thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of fireworks purchased in neighboring states like North Dakota and Wisconsin will be shot off, and few if anyone will be cited by law enforcement. This law, if it’s going to exist at all, should be changed. Sure, let a city ban fireworks within the city limits; but in open country and at the lakes? Let people have their Fourth of July fun with fireworks. They already are, after all.
A dry week, weather-wise...but, oh, that chance for rain over the holiday weekend
The first month of summer is wrapping up and what can you say that you've accomplished? It's been hard lately to make plans, because we never quite know when the "chance of rain" is going to become actual rain, which so far this summer is just about all of the time. Those of us enjoying a summer break aren't the only ones frustrated with the consistent downpours. One look at the farmers' fields shows what they're facing. Although moisture is necessary and more than likely welcome, too much water has resulted in saturated fields, and crops that are behind schedule. So, enough with the rain already. Forecasts show that there is some pleasant days expected this week, with a chance for more rain forecast just in time for the holiday weekend.
Goodbye to Byrd
Sen. Robert C. Byrd died today at age 92. His 57-year career in Congress, six as a representative and 51 as a senator representing West Virginia, was filled with accomplishments that weren't always popular with his fellow Democrats and made him appear more bipartisan. Sometimes, especially early in his career, he went directly against his party's more liberal tenets on issues such as the Vietnam War and civil rights, although his conservatism grew more moderate as he matured. A highly intelligent defender of the Constitution, Byrd was known as one of the most colorful members of the Senate who could talk his way into and out of many debates, knowing how to get what he wanted. The man was a force to be reckoned with, which wasn't always a pleasant thing, but is to be admired for never wavering from what he believed in. And although frail health has diminished some of his fighting capabilities over the last few years, his absence will surely leave a void in the Senate.
