Dear Editor,
Recently, members of the Decorah Human Rights Commission (DHRC) stopped by the Club 45, the new educational/meeting center in Decorah dedicated to enlightening the public on the founding ideals and principles of America, and wanted to know if we would participate in their “All are Welcome” program which includes putting one of their stickers in our window.
First of all, everyone has always been welcome at our place whether it was the Republican campaign headquarters or Club 45. We have never divided people into special groups or given them special rights or privileges because we recognize that is not what equality under the law means. Equality under the law means everyone gets treated the same and that is what we have done. It did not matter if someone came in to praise us or ridicule us; as long as they were civil about it, we welcomed and conversed with them. That is still our policy and I believe the DHRC’s attempts are a step backwards.
Secondly, the DHRC’s stated purpose may seem lofty but their actions are suspect. Last year, their spokesperson gave her annual report on the condition of human rights in Decorah. She went down the list and accused the Decorah Police Department, Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Department and “several other” Winneshiek County public employees of biased and racist attacks and other “human right violations.” She offered no proof, no details, or no specific events – just accusations – but most of the Decorah City Council lapped it up like pigs at the trough. It made it sound like Decorah was the hot bed of every “ism” in the book and I am quite sure that that is tied to funding in some way.
Lastly, the idea that Decorah is a city where everyone is “welcome” is a dubious one at best. It all depends on whether your beliefs are supportive of the city council’s socialist agenda. Last year also, during the flag flying on Water Street controversy, the Winneshiek County Repubican Party (WCRP) made a couple of requests to fly different flags for different events throughout the year. One request was to fly the Betsy Ross and Gadsden flag for Constitution Day. In the end we were denied because we were told those flags were political and symbolized racism, hatred and “warrior flags” (whatever that means) unlike the Gay Pride flag which was falsely stated to be non-political but still a symbol of what the city wanted to promote, which is “acceptance.”
Actually, the first two flags mentioned are historic symbols of the struggle to free us from tyrannical rule and give citizens, like the spokesperson of the DHRC, the right to criticize government officials without the fear of being sent to a gulag or re-education camp. They are the symbol of patriotic Americans but I did not see that category on the DHRC sticker so I guess we are not accepted or welcome.
I see this whole situation concerning the DHRC not only as hypocritical but also as a ploy to try and cast those that will not put their “Welcome” sticker in their window in a negative light, again without any proof, and open people up to criticism who do not bow to their ideology. Go ahead, we are used to it by now. But be assured that the Club 45 has been, is, and will be, open to all who wish to discuss politics and learn more about the ideals and principles that have made America an exceptional place in support of the cause of liberty in the world.
Recently, members of the Decorah Human Rights Commission (DHRC) stopped by the Club 45, the new educational/meeting center in Decorah dedicated to enlightening the public on the founding ideals and principles of America, and wanted to know if we would participate in their “All are Welcome” program which includes putting one of their stickers in our window.
First of all, everyone has always been welcome at our place whether it was the Republican campaign headquarters or Club 45. We have never divided people into special groups or given them special rights or privileges because we recognize that is not what equality under the law means. Equality under the law means everyone gets treated the same and that is what we have done. It did not matter if someone came in to praise us or ridicule us; as long as they were civil about it, we welcomed and conversed with them. That is still our policy and I believe the DHRC’s attempts are a step backwards.
Secondly, the DHRC’s stated purpose may seem lofty but their actions are suspect. Last year, their spokesperson gave her annual report on the condition of human rights in Decorah. She went down the list and accused the Decorah Police Department, Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Department and “several other” Winneshiek County public employees of biased and racist attacks and other “human right violations.” She offered no proof, no details, or no specific events – just accusations – but most of the Decorah City Council lapped it up like pigs at the trough. It made it sound like Decorah was the hot bed of every “ism” in the book and I am quite sure that that is tied to funding in some way.
Lastly, the idea that Decorah is a city where everyone is “welcome” is a dubious one at best. It all depends on whether your beliefs are supportive of the city council’s socialist agenda. Last year also, during the flag flying on Water Street controversy, the Winneshiek County Repubican Party (WCRP) made a couple of requests to fly different flags for different events throughout the year. One request was to fly the Betsy Ross and Gadsden flag for Constitution Day. In the end we were denied because we were told those flags were political and symbolized racism, hatred and “warrior flags” (whatever that means) unlike the Gay Pride flag which was falsely stated to be non-political but still a symbol of what the city wanted to promote, which is “acceptance.”
Actually, the first two flags mentioned are historic symbols of the struggle to free us from tyrannical rule and give citizens, like the spokesperson of the DHRC, the right to criticize government officials without the fear of being sent to a gulag or re-education camp. They are the symbol of patriotic Americans but I did not see that category on the DHRC sticker so I guess we are not accepted or welcome.
I see this whole situation concerning the DHRC not only as hypocritical but also as a ploy to try and cast those that will not put their “Welcome” sticker in their window in a negative light, again without any proof, and open people up to criticism who do not bow to their ideology. Go ahead, we are used to it by now. But be assured that the Club 45 has been, is, and will be, open to all who wish to discuss politics and learn more about the ideals and principles that have made America an exceptional place in support of the cause of liberty in the world.
Thomas Hansen
Decorah
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