Few people know that laws in the state of Minnesota create an often tragic consequence for children and parents alike. This situation needlessly costs the state thousands of dollars. It costs the parents, and ultimately the children, even more.

I couldn't help but notice the recent articles on Lyme disease published in the local papers and broadcast on TV.

Led by Sen. McCain, many Republican leaders are calling on President Obama to wave his sword at the Iranian heirarchy and their obviously fraudulent election. Those McCain followers have forgotten the words of a great Republican president, "Speak softly, and carry a big stick."

One of humanity's most treasured notions is the concept of paradise. From the book of Genesis to the Bhagavad Gita, from the Quran to the haiku of Japanese poets, images of paradise abound. We find the word mentioned in the teachings of Jesus, in the ruminations of Plato, in the lyrics of songs old and new.

This is a short note - clear up some confusion of flag etiquette.

The first Fourth of July kiddie parade that I can remember, my mom decorated my doll buggy with crepe paper - red, white and blue, of course.

A few days ago it came to me that we are focused on the wrong concept of change in our country. We have an administration that thinks it can change many aspects of our society nearly overnight. What our administration should actually do is to acknowledge the societal changes that are going on before our very eyes.

My 17-year-old daughter got her driver's license a few months ago, passing on the first try

As we look forward to all the great activities that Nisswa has to offer during this Fourth of July week, it is hard for me not to mention our Nisswa Lake Park project.

After our refresher training at Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut and an unexpected drydocking to replace our defective tail shaft, our next post overhaul evolution was sound trials in Exuma Sound near Cape Eleuthera in the Bahamas. I had been there before as a trials supervisor for the sound trials of the USS Cincinnati (SSN 693) and had discovered that there was some really good fishing for Mahi Mahi available in Exuma Sound, and I thought that we should take advantage of this opportunity if at all possible.

Red checkerboard table cloths will be in style this weekend along with lawn chairs, picnic tables, smoky fires and flags flapping in the summer breeze.Ê Bowls filled with cole slaw, pans full of baked beans with real bacon on top, fried chicken heaped a foot high and red faced watermelon will be hauled from the kitchen to the masses of humanity scattered across the new cut grass.Ê It's the Fourth of July that I'm talking about.Ê

Fathers can make a big difference in the lives of their children. Here are how fathers can contribute to the development of their children.