Patriot News MN

TO THE EDITOR:

Green Energy doesn’t deliver on its promises. First, one cannot predict the variables—number of wind turbines, solar panels, batteries to meet the demand. Last summer wind turbines reportedly produced less than 1% of the power demand during the peak needs. Currently, only 1/3 of the energy required for manufacturing, transportation and heating comes from electricity. The remainder comes from fossil fuels. Secondly, 80% of solar panels come from China, produced by Muslim slaves, where mining and manufacture have no environmental regulations and emit enormous amounts of pollution. One also questions the warming and drying effects on soil and vegetation caused by wind turbines. A Harvard study noted that wind turbine blades send warm air back to the surface and warm the ground. Wind turbines become obsolete in 20 years and solar panels in 25. Wind turbines and solar panels are destroyed and placed in landfills. What effect does that have on the environment—immediately and long-term? “Clean” coal plants are productive for 60 years. Even cleaner and longer service come from nuclear plants — 80 years and then they are dismantled or rebuilt. As good stewards of the environment, let us (US) make sound decisions about our power sources. Reference: https://www.americanexperiment.org/magazine/article/environmental-catastrophe.

Barry VanBuren

Clearwater, MN

TO THE EDITOR:

Time to retire “The Big Lie” in America. Minnesota has, throughout its history, conducted the cleanest elections of any state in the nation, and 2020 was no exception. The losing side is fudging numbers and spinning fantasies about how they really won, except they got fewer votes, so the election must have been rigged. Losing parties don’t get to claim the election was rigged, just because they lose. In American elections, the losers lick their wounds and try to dream up something for next time that voters might actually want. As lawsuits challenging the 2020 election results fail in courts around the country, the true believers become more agitated by the day. There are those who would like to see Minnesota become a cold Arizona, demanding yet another election audit, and letting imagination take the place of evidence. And while elements of comedy pertain, there is also a serious threat that cannot be ignored. Our democracy is in peril, and 1/6 was only the first engagement in a battle whose outcome no one can predict. Are we America, or are we not?

David Hannula

Big Lake, MN

TO THE EDITOR:

This is in reference to Anthony Thompson’s piece(10/30) in response to Penny Leuthard’s 10/16 editorial. When I read that unvaccinated are burdens on society mentioned by him twice I decided to read hers again. I thought hers was extremely well written. I don’t feel I’m a burden on society for having freedom of choice. I worked on location as an essential worker. Did I get paid any more if I was at home collecting $600 and unemployment at first? My wages probably never came close to that. To me a burden is a person able but not willing to work but wants to benefit of our government benefits paid by taxpayers like myself whether in a pandemic or not. It’s my personal view but our country ranks toward the top for obesity. This is probably in regards to laziness, lack of exercise, and poor food choices. What about nicotine usage, vaping, alcohol, legal or illegal drugs? I’m sorry I am not a burden. Perhaps if people go back to treating their bodies with wellness vaccinations there probably wouldn’t be much of a discussion. Have a great day and let’s do a kind act daily to another person and life and this world will be a better place.