New political landscape

July 29, 2026

To the Journal editor: When my wife and I moved back to the UP a couple of years ago, we discovered a number of changes, positive and negative, in the state’s political landscape. When we left for jobs in Illinois in the 1990s, John Engler was still putting his distinctive right-wing stamp on government operations in Lansing. Here in the Upper Peninsula, Bart Stupak held the 1st District’s congressional seat. Bart was an interesting independent-thinking Democrat. He had opposed a number of gun control measures, but—much to the annoyance of the National Rifle Association —voted ...

Science advisor not a scientist

July 28, 2026

To the Journal editor: Given President Trump’s record of incompetence and corruption, it should be no surprise that, for the first time in the history of the position, the president’s science advisor is not a scientist. Michael Kratsios, who is also the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, has not earned a PhD or even an undergraduate degree in science or engineering. His only degree is a BA in politics from Princeton. Before being confirmed to this position by the U.S. Senate, Mr. Kratsios had worked at an investment fund run by Peter Thiel, a ...

Loving our neighbors under flame: A reflection on grace, action

July 27, 2026

To the Journal editor: In recent weeks, our social media feeds have been flooded with reactions to the devastating natural disasters facing our Canadian neighbors. Sadly, rather than prompting grief or a desire to help, these events have been met by some individuals with judgment, claiming these hardships are "the end of times" or "divine punishment" aimed at Pride Month. This tendency to weaponize natural disasters to score ideological points reveals how deeply a self-centered political and social culture has pulled us away from the core of the Gospel. We must confess that our faith ...

Blame climate change

July 25, 2026

To the Journal editor: Blowing smoke recently, four Republican Politicians, John James, Jack Bergman, John Moolenaar and Lisa McClain, expressed disappointment in the National Government of Canada for not doing more about the smoke from Canadian wildfires riding the winds to Michigan. I find it disturbing that these four politicians cannot remember their high school geography or science. Canada is the second-largest country in the world, with a boreal forest spanning well over a million square miles. The forest is made up primarily of spruce, larch, fir, pine and birch. I fought fires ...

Bergman, Canadian forest fires 

July 24, 2026

To the Journal editor: U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, writes that he has lost patience with Canada for allowing wildfire smoke to cross the border. Perhaps it is time he attended the Marquette Farmers Market on Saturdays to talk to his constituents about what all we are losing patience with. Those of us who actually live in northern Michigan have an affinity for our Canadian neighbors. I’ve traveled there, had a family member educated at a university there and have a Canadian in the family. Trust me, Rep. Bergman, they are not burning down their forests to aggravate you. The ...

Beliefs challenged

July 23, 2026

To the Journal editor: Did you vote for Trump to stop abortions? Then justify him killing over 1,000 civilians, with 180 children in Iran? They did not enlist! Did you believe his campaign lies including: “No more forever wars,” started unjustified Iran war. Trump’s I.C.E. killed Renee Good, Alex Pretti, Isaias Barboza, Keith Porter, Lorenzo Araujo, Joan Guerrero and 55 died in inhumane ICE detention.   Trump ordered illegal killings of over 200 Caribbean boaters and caused 57-83 deaths while illegally kidnapping Venezuelan Maduro. Thou shalt not kill. If his killing of ...