Opinions

Just Like That As summer begins to draw to a close, the 2023-2024 school year is right around the corner. We hope that everyone enjoys their final days of break and that everyone looks forward to the start of a new school year.

Unpacking the politics of climate change In 1975 a Newsweek magazine article sounded the alarm over what it called “The Coming Ice Age.” While not professing to know the cause of the trend, the article warned, “there are ominous signs that the earth’s weather patterns have begun to change dramatically and that these changes may portend a drastic decline in food production…” We were also warned that our use of aerosol sprays was hastening the depletion of the ozone layer which would have dire consequences! Then, around 1990 certain scientists and politicians like Al Gore began to shout the “Inconvenient Truth” of global warming, warning that rising oceans would sweep away our coastlines. A few years later when the warming trend inconveniently ended for the climate scaremongers, the new scare term became “climate change” with the main culprit in this global emergency being a rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) levels caused by human activities such as the burning of petroleum products. Apparently whatever direction the thermometer goes you have reason to be afraid…be very afraid.

The time is 12:14 am on Wednesday morning, it is 72 degrees and I just woke up from a brief slumber in my office chair. You may be asking yourself, how does that happen. If so then buckle up because I am about to take you on a magical journey.

Today the Chamber of Commerce has the privilege to serve breakfast to our Merrick County Fair 4-H participants and their families. This tradition allows chamber members to recognize the efforts of our youth who have spent months preparing their 4-H projects to show off this week. I am grateful that we not only show our support for these young people but also highlight the ideals of our chamber organization which is to promote each other, show leadership and be mentors to others in our community including our youth. These are our future leaders and chamber members. Congratulations 4-H members for all of your hard work from these chamber sponsors. Thank you all!

Defending school choice, parental rights The dog days of Summer are here but before we know it kids will be back in school and football Fridays will be here again. One of the most important investments we make as a community and state is in our kids’ education. This year, the Nebraska Legislature, with the support of Governor Pillen, made historic investments in Nebraska’s public schools.

Sunday, July 16, at 8:49 p.m. I sent the following text message to Central City/Fullerton Post #6 manager Brandon Detlefsen: “They’d be the GOAT team, Correction: They WILL be!” Come Friday night as the boys were embarrassed by York, I lost my confidence in them.