Hutchinson Leader - National Politics - Comments

First of all if you read the

Canthelpbutlaugh — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:37:34 -0600

First of all if you read the story, it says this thing would be located/built in Glencoe! Please pay attention the next time you go onto the website of a newspaper based out of Hutchinson crying that "Hutchinson is a monster and gets everything, it's just not fair!" I may be a little biased, but I would like to see everything come to Hutch, but I will concede you this one, throw you a bone!

I wonder which town this

snowman — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:01:55 -0600

I wonder which town this McLeod County facility would be located in that is intended for ALL county residents.

A few hints for everyone...it starts with the letter H!

Heh, you wanted to say

fiscallyconservative — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:43:31 -0600

Heh, you wanted to say something other than "kissing the boss' behind" didn't ya? ;) Thanks to your creative selection of words, this is now a PG vs. R movie. :)

I respect you and your opinions as you present your thoughts in a nice and civil way. I appreciate that!

We all, as opinionated Americans, need to learn to appreciate the opinions and thoughts of others. We don't have to agree with them but it is always good (and wise) to learn more about what people think and why they think it.

I wish our politicians would do this more often. I wonder if they were listening at all during the last "bailout" bill that was passed. It still amazes me that in the first part of the week (that the bill was presented), hardly any Americans were in support of it. I heard of some congressman getting 9 out of 10 calls against the bill. For some (magic?) reason, those same congressman that were listening to their constituents for a short time, did an about-face and agreed to pass the bill. Do you think that they were/are really listening to the people that elected them to office? I still don't think anyone really knows where all that money is going. I heard on the radio yesterday that the government is being sued/challenged for not presenting details to the public per the Freedom of Information Act.

Maybe the Leader can dig into this for us? :)

Can you say, "black (very stealthy) helicopters"?

Have a good day everyone!

There are generally two or

BirdFluPandemic — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:10:41 -0600

There are generally two or more sides to any story. Its interesting to read all the comments and opinions that people have about various subjects. Some so concerned about Semi's and where they park, round-a-bouts, McLeod West, bug spraying, the school, sidewalks, dams, etc... Each topic evokes passion and energy from those who write and from those who later respond.
I agree that there should be rules about profanity, being too hurtful, and naming names... however, when a ticked off writers talk and blow steam about the board, it doesn't take too much digging to know exactly who he/she are talking about. When they say Mayor, we all know who they are talking about.
The issues of virtual gaming does not apply to the majority of contributers on this site.
Part of this site's intrigue is the flavor of the words and the wide range of ages, education, and political views. Instead of kissing the bosses behind, it's kinda fun to hear what they really think about him.
Blogs/forum are a way of exchanging opinions... should there be rules and guidelines... yes
The Opinions expressed are not the opinions of the hutchleader and it's staff.

Matt, thanks for the

fiscallyconservative — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:56:51 -0600

Matt, thanks for the clarification. I've been involved in blogs/forums for many years. You make a very good point when you say that people would never talk this way at a cafe nor would they ever say this verbally if we were talking to them in person. In this particular example, the writer has basically apologized (thanks whatever29!) and made the point in a much more civil manner.

This would be a good story for the Leader to follow. Or at the very least, it would make a good study for a doctorate student a school of psychology somewhere...

Why are (normally civil) people compelled to change their personality when they are communicating in a forum? These are folks that are obviously emotionally charged and they, for some reason, feel that they can say things that they would rarely say to that person if they were in the same room.

Really going out on a limb... a good study for the college doctors...

Is this because of the "virtual gaming" world that many of our children live in? Or, have we all accepted the fact that we only need to be nice if we are "in person" with someone?

I have seen many examples of writings by people that seem (in-person) to be very nice individuals. Their writings sometimes reflect the complete opposite personality.

I like to apply the old saying...

"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all..."

If we all tried to practice this on a regular basis, our world would be a much better place.

Seriously, "The Multiple Personalities of the Virtual Communicator" would be a very nice story to read. Better get Terry/Kay on that right away eh? I think you can find plenty of material! :)

Whatever, I agree, Hutch

BirdFluPandemic — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:27:01 -0600

Whatever,
I agree, Hutch people can be chilly.
Your comment about the weeding was very good.

Thanks fiscallyconservative!

whatever29 — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:37:00 -0600

Thanks fiscallyconservative! I said about the roundabout that next summer they will put in some plants and we will have to pay for the city to weed it. I am sure that is okay to say.
As far as the comment about us being a two-mfg town..someone posted that those people probably didn't like school and didn't go to college (which I would consider a personal attack) I just simply stated that this comment was not called for. They are pretty much saying that those people that work at HTI and 3M voted no...I would like to see how he figures that out.
And as far as the school I was agreeing with most people that posted....that people like to have their cars, T.V's, and for them to have their kids dressed nice. And I said that Hutch is a wealthy town or so they make it out to be. And that Hutch people I find are not friendly what so ever! I used a bad word..sorry

Terry, I hope we did not

BirdFluPandemic — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:23:20 -0600

Terry,
I hope we did not build the tunnel so folks can attend chili feeds. Maybe installing a few more lights in the parking lot would have been much less expensive. Our museum is kinda neat... but once you see it one time there's no real urge or need to see it again. I feel the size of it's parking lot is about right for the amount of traffic and interest people have for such a place. Do they allow parking along curbside on the street for such events?

The comment was removed by

Matt McMillan — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:11:42 -0600

The comment was removed by me and violated our user agreement several ways including hateful and abusive comments. The writer's point could have been made much better without implied profanity and lack of respect.

The Leader is the willing host of these forums. Each user is a guest. The intent of these forums is for civil conversations about news and happenings in Hutchinson and the region. Comments can be made without threats, personal attacks and vulgarity. The most recently deleted comment said that people in Hutchinson believe their **** don't stink. Posters unable to contain themselves will be deleted.

If you see a comment you believe violates this standard, please let us know.

Civility is not difficult. If you wouldn't tell an average person at a cafe what you type here, don't type it. Those who persist will lose posting privileges.

Matt McMillan is publisher of the Leader and available at mcmillan@hutchinsonleader.com.

In checking with another of

Terry Davis — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:01:30 -0600

In checking with another of our reporters, Jorge Sosa, who covers both McLeod West and Hutchinson schools, the difference between the votes and how they are taxed is that McLeod West's was an excess referendum levy raising operating money, while Hutchinson's was a building bond vote. Referendum levies are taxed on the homestead and one acre, while the building bonds are taxed on all the land and homestead. I don't recall what ACGC's vote was for, but I seem to recall it was a referendum levy, and thus would have only been taxed on the homestead and one acre of land. JB34, do you recall what the ACGC vote you are referring to was for?

(Terry Davis is a Hutchinson Leader staff writer. E-mail him at davis@hutchinsonleader.com.)

To set the record straight,

JaneDoe_22 — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:55:57 -0600

To set the record straight, building (bond) referendums are paid back through taxes that ag. land would generate (thus, the increased taxes for farmland with this last referendum). However, when a levy referendum is introduced, that would be paid for by the taxes generated on a ag. building site plus one acre. So, you can see why the taxes were really increased for farmland with this bond referendum. Everybody is struggling right now, even farmers who are now enjoying record prices for their crops. However, they are also paying record prices for fuel, seed, herbicides, fertilier, etc. They, too, had no choice but to vote negatively for this referendum. Just face it, this was not a good time to ask for increased taxes, and this is the only way the taxpayers have any control over that - they are allowed to vote on it. Federal, state and local taxes are squeezed down our throats and we have no choice but to pay them. People are just plain tired of all of these increases with their incomes just being stagnant. (Plus they are watching CEO's of major corporations enjoying high salaries, excellent benefits and lavish lifestyles, while the their tax money is now being used to bail out those same corporations - makes you really want to get up in the morning and go to work). This used to be the land of opportunity, but now I see that opportunity being shipped overseas. (i.e. 3M - Singapore and HTI - Thailand).

I just read some comments

fiscallyconservative — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:55:53 -0600

I just read some comments that someone made about the roundabout and the school issues (about us being a two-mfg town) and now it is gone. Did someone remove this? I don't think it violated the reader agreement.

BirdFlu, according to MnDOT,

Terry Davis — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:54:33 -0600

BirdFlu, according to MnDOT, the reason roundabout centers are mounded is that they don't want drivers watching traffic straight ahead since that is not the traffic drivers entering the roundabout should be paying attention to. They want you to look left, since that is where traffic would be approaching you as you approach and enter the roundabout.

From what I understand, you don't use a right-turn signal upon entering the roundabout but should signal a right turn as you approach the leg of the roundabout you wish to exit on. From the few times I've been through the one at Hwy. 15/North High Drive, it appears most people don't use any signals at any time and many (especially passenger cars and SUVs) are probably going faster than the 20 mph speed limit. Trucks naturally seem to be obeying the speed limit if only because it is difficult for them to speed through while negotiating the turns.

Just used the Highway 7 West tunnel last night to attend the Museum's chili feed. Since the museum's lot is pretty much unlit and packed with cars during such events, we parked at the Oddfellows Park lot west of SA and walked under Hwy 7 to the museum.

(Terry Davis is a Hutchinson Leader staff writer. E-mail him at davis@hutchinsonleader.com.)

Charlie, I totally

BirdFluPandemic — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:41:05 -0600

Charlie,
I totally understand. Have you had the pleasure of walking through the million dollar tunnel... boy what a glowing example of wasted money. We did not need a tunnel there.. the intersection has working traffic lights.
Speaking of round-duh-bouts, i was able to drive on highway 15's and both of highway 7's roundys today. Why in the heck do they mound up the middle... doesn't it block the vision of all drivers as they enter the gauntlet go round.

I can give a view of a no

charlie_horse113 — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:54:15 -0600

I can give a view of a no vote. I work one of the manufacturing jobs in town...$13.05/hour and not going up fast(face it not much at all). I also work another part time job and make about the same per hour there and work about 6-12 hours at that. I drive 2 vehicles, the newest is 11 years old with "only" 180,000 miles. The other is 16 years old with 209,000 miles on it. I do not live outside my means. I have a very low house payment BUT I want to retire some day so I save for that. I could not have afforded that high of an increase in my taxes. I don't drink fancy coffees or smoke and I "brown bag" it everyday to save money. And just for the record, all those "improvements" around town killed the school vote if you ask me. I paid almost $2000 in "assessments" for that **** roundabout on 15 and if you think I was going to vote to pay even more in taxes you have to get your head examined. I would imagine most of the people who had "assessments" over the last 2 years probably felt as I did, enough is enough.