ATTENTION READERS:

Staff at the Patriot regrettably ran two letters to the editor in this week's print issue in regards to the upcoming election and school referendums. This is in direct violation of our own policy of not allowing such content within two weeks of the event. We apologize to both area schools and our readers for this grievous and agonizing mistake. We at the Patriot want to remind and encourage all our readers to get and vote this Tuesday.

TO THE EDITOR:

To the law enforcement officers whose names I may never know, and whose hands I may never get to shake. My brother quit a NYC based brokerage job to become a police officer in a rural state this past year, and it has made me aware of what you have been protecting me from my whole life. While my head hits the pillow and  fills with stresses of tomorrow, all the while you have already worked a full day, fighting against the chaos and tragedy that ensues every day around us that we may never know about. Not only is your goal to provide safety and equality, you comfort those in need, encourage those in despair, and are ready with the touch of a button to spring into action whether it is to keep a watchful eye, or put your life selflessly on the line. Right now I want to thank a particular few, in hopes that all cops will feel encouraged by the difference they make. Tonight you touched the hearts of mourning brothers and sisters, a father, a mother, an uncle, an aunt, cousins, and a widow.  Simply by taking the time to escort my family in and out of the MSP airport runway to unload my dear fallen brother, who had achieved the US army rank of specialist off of a plane to honor him in front of family and friends. Also, at the request to Williams Dingmann funeral home to let us bring Teddy to his Becker childhood home one last time with a simple drive by.  Every one of us was brought to tears by the honor and respect you showed my brother whom you likely never met.  To see civil servants taking a moment to block the roads late at night for the processional, and see you standing saluting in the rain to give Teddy, our hero, the send off he deserves was touching gesture that brought so many tears of joy and contentment creating a moment we will never forget.  It has been my prayer for some time now that everyone will get to experience these selfless acts of respect and honor that you are committed to every second that you are on or off the clock.

Isaiah Friedman, Becker, MN 

& Penn State University

TO THE EDITOR:

I am responding to to the editorial by Penny Leuthard regarding pressure to get vaccinated. Ms. Leuthard believes that policies encouraging vaccination are infringing upon her freedom. These policies are being implemented by public health officials, who believe that covid vaccinations prevent serious long term effects and death. I wonder whether Ms. Leuthard rebels against seatbelt laws? Would she encourage her children to stop using them to preserve their liberty? Ms. Leuthard wrote: “Why is the government trying so hard to force everyone to get it? In fact, vaccinated doesn’t equal safe”. The state infectious disease director recently announced that “98% of vaccinated Minnesotans haven’t suffered infections” Many hospitals have reported that their ICU units are nearly full due to unvaccinated people. It is disingenuous to argue that vaccinations don’t matter in outcomes. The *facts* speak for themselves. Ms. Leuthard was upset that Biden spoke so candidly of losing patience with the unvaccinated. He was speaking for many people, including  the doctors and nurses who have been stretched to the breaking point because of the unvaccinated. Our society wants to return to normalcy. Very frankly, the unvaccinated have become burdens on society. Trump’s ‘Warp Speed’ program to develop vaccines was a success. He has been vaccinated himself and has been encouraging all Americans to do so. It’s time for Ms. Leuthard and all Americans to step forward and be patriots, not burdens.

Anthony Thompson

Big Lake

TO THE EDITOR

A response to Chris Klippen’s Letter to the Editor from a radical teacher: Thanks to Chris Klippen for repeatedly calling me a “radical” teacher.  The word radical comes from the Latin word radicalis,” which means “root.”  I am rooted in the following beliefs: I teach students grammar every single day so that they might speak and write clearly. I teach classic works of  literature because that’s where the great ideas of civilization are found. I teach writing so that students can learn to express themselves, research, organize, and defend their thoughts. I am rooted in the belief that every single student who enters my room should be safe, cared for, respected and supported. I am also rooted in the idea that students need to be challenged by many different perspectives and form their own opinions.  This radical teacher loved having Mr. Klippen’s daughters in her class, and I believe that they benefited from the values I expressed.  

Sincerely, 

Lisa Sackett

English Teacher, 

Becker High School