A few days ago, the very well respected Bob Dole, a Republican who ran for president of the United States some years ago, when we did not have the very crazy grid-Lock we see today said something to the effect. "The Republican Party is broken.

Last week, I listened to a loud, obnoxious woman interrupt the president of the United States numerous times during a speech on national security. She is the leader of the group Code Pink.

But Dad, everyone is doing it "But Dad, everyone is doing it.

Facts not emotions Friday's StarTribune had an "opinion" written by David Banks (assistant commentary editor). In it he stated that "most of the letters sent to Opinion@StarTribune.com have been in response to the U.S.

Freedom Award nominations sought for employersEmployer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense agency, is encouraging guardsmen and reservists to nominate their civilian employers for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award before the Jan. 21 deadline.

AEC December students of the month were Bailey Torgerson and Justin White. Erin Renee Karlsgodt, Brainerd, a student at Union College in Barbourville, Ky., was recently named to the school's fall 2012 dean's list.

Communist China is weighing in on gun control in the U.S., via its state-run media front Xinhua. China has called for Americans to be disarmed, arguing that the Sandy Hook school massacre demands "no delay for U.S. gun control.

One would have thought there would have been a backing off assault-style weapons following the slaughter of 20 students and six school officials in Connecticut.

MARCH 1 20 years ago (1993) The Brainerd High School Kixters claimed their second straight state championship at the 19th Annual State Danceline Competition at the St. Paul Civic Center.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney on Friday accused the vice president of "doubling down on denial" over the deadly invasion at the U.S. Consulate in Libya, leaving the White House to defend its handling of the attack that killed its ambassador and three other Americans. Biden said in a debate Thursday night that "we weren't told" there had been requests for more security at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi ahead of the terrorist attack one month ago.