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CONTACT US OPINION | WE SAY PHONE: (605) 665-7811 (800) 743-2968 Wind Words NEWS FAX: THUMBS UP to the progress made on the B&H (605) 665-1721 Wind project, located near Tripp at the intersection ADVERTISING FAX: of Hutchinson, Bon Homme and Charles Mix coun- (605) 665-0288 ties. Avon resident Ron Hornstra, the B&H presi- WEBSITE: dent, provided an update on the wind project www.yankton.net during this week’s Southeast Research Farm annual EMAIL ADDRESS: meeting on the Freeman Academy campus. In addi- [email protected] tion, the afternoon featured reports on the farm’s research. One proj- ——— ect produced a collaborative effort with Raven Industries and DuPont SUBSCRIPTIONS/ Pioneer on the world’s first multi-hybrid planter. Remarks at the meet- CIRCULATION: ing indicate more joint projects may be in the works. Extension 104 CLASSIFIED ADS: College’s Fading Returns Extension 108 Stick To The Code NEWS DEPARTMENT: THUMBS UP to Yankton Sioux code talkers Rufus BY KATHLEEN PARKER On the flip side, ACTA proposes that many Extension 114 Ross, Daniel Ross and Barney Lambert, who were © 2014, Washington Post Writers Group schools, rather than offering the educational qual- SPORTS DEPARTMENT: honored during this week’s ceremony at Fort Randall ity that earned them a golden reputation in the Extension 106 Casino near Pickstown. The three men were among WASHINGTON — President Obama is correct first place, often depend on public reverence for ADVERTISING OFFICE: the American Indians who used their native language in wanting to make higher education more afford- the past rather than on present performance. Extension 122 to encode messages the enemy couldn’t break dur- able and accessible, but Americans Of great concern is the diminishing BUSINESS OFFICE: ing World Wars I and II. Code talkers were recognized would also be correct in wondering just focus on core curriculums — the tradi- Extension 119 during the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor ceremony, held last what they’re paying for. tional arts and science coursework es- NEW MEDIA: November in Washington. The 33 tribes received gold medals, while The need for a better-educated pop- sential to developing critical thinking Extension 136 the code talkers or their relatives received silver medals. The Yankton ulace is beyond dispute. Without critical necessary for civic participation. COMPOSING DESK: Sioux felt it was important to honor their members at a local cere- thinking skills and a solid background in Among the 29 schools surveyed by Extension 129 mony, and the Santee Sioux held a similar event last December. The history, the arts and sciences, how can ACTA, only three require U.S. govern- code talkers saved thousands of lives with their language. They a nation hope to govern itself? ment or history, just two require eco- *** rightly deserve a special place in history. Answer: Look around. nomics and five colleges have no The problem isn’t only that higher requirements at all. MANAGERS education is unaffordable to many but In a separate study, the National As- Gary L. Wood Service Situation that even at our highest-ranked colleges sessment of Adult Literacy found that Publisher THUMBS UP to an idea suggested to help poor and universities, students aren’t getting though Americans pay the highest per Americans and provide new revenue for the U.S. much bang for their buck. Kathleen pupil tuition rates in the world, most Michele Schievelbein graduates fall below proficiency in such Advertising Director Postal Service. This week, the inspector general of Since 1985, the price of higher edu- PARKER the USPS issued a white paper called “Providing Non- cation has increased 538 percent, ac- simple cognitive tasks as comparing Tonya Schild Bank Financial Services for the Underserved.” The re- cording to a new study from the viewpoints in two editorials or buying Business Manager port notes that one in four U.S. households lives American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), food when given in price per ounce. Michael Hrycko without bank accounts or is using costly payday a nonprofit, nonpartisan research group that en- Instead of the basics, students might look for- ward to more entertaining fare, such as Middle- Circulation Director lenders. The average underserved household spends courages trustees and alumni to foster improve- $2,412 a year just on interest and fees for alternative financial services, ment where institutions may be reluctant to go bury College’s “Mad Men and Mad Women,” an Tera Schmidt such as mobile banking, prepaid cards and other offerings. By comple- against popular trends. examination of masculinity and femininity in mid- Classified Manager menting the services of banks — not competing with them — and fill- For perspective, compare tuition increases to 20th-century America via the television show Kelly Hertz ing the gaps, the inspector general says the USPS could earn an extra a “mere” 286 percent increase in medical costs “Mad Men.” Editor $8.9 billion per year. That sounds like a win-win scenario to us. and a 121 percent increase in the consumer price I confess I’d enjoy a dinner discussion along index during the same period, according to ACTA. these lines, but as an education consumer, I’m not James D. Cimburek Although the council confined its research in sure a semester-long investigation is worth even a Sports Editor Quietly this study — “Education or Reputation?” — to the tiny percentage of the tuition. ACTA President Beth Rye THUMBS DOWN to the passing of music legend 29 top-ranked liberal-arts schools in the nation, Anne Neal acknowledges that such courses may New Media Director Pete Seeger, who died this week at age 94. Seeger where tuition, boarding and books typically run be interesting and even valuable. more than $50,000 per year, the trends highlighted “What we do question, however, is allowing Kathy Larson was an authentic, albeit complicated, piece of the na- tion’s musical folklore: a singer who spoke to the are not confined to smaller, elite institutions. such classes to stand in lieu of a broad-based Composing Manager American soul with a voice from the American heart. These include an increasing lack of academic American history or government requirement,” Bernard Metivier His left-wing politics earned him the wrath of Con- rigor, grade inflation, high administrative costs she said, “when we know how severely lacking District Manager gress in the anti-communist 1950s, and he was at one and a lack of intellectual diversity. students’ historical literacy can be.” point cited for contempt of Congress by a committee that, as the While these recent findings are not so surpris- Given the ever-escalating tuition costs, one *** Washington Post noted, faded into oblivion decades before Seeger ing to those who follow such studies, one can still may wonder where all that money is going? Out of the 29 colleges evaluated, 22 have ad- DAILY STAFF was done in this world. But while championing peace, civil rights and be stunned by what can only be described as a the environment, he also gave us some of the finest pieces of music in breach of trust between colleges and the students ministrative budgets that are at least one-third of Melissa Bader the American canon: He wrote or co-wrote “If I Had A hammer,” “We they attract with diversions and amenities that what the schools spend on instruction. More than Derek Bartos Shall Overcome,” “Turn! Turn! Turn!” and “Where Have All The Flow- have little bearing on education and will be of lit- a third of the college presidents earn as much or more than the president of the United States Cassandra Brockmoller ers Gone?” He was the voice of a folk movement that transcended tle use in the job market. music hall. In 2009, Bruce Springsteen called Seeger “a living archive One need only be reminded of the recent scan- ($400,000), for running schools, many of which Rob Buckingham of America’s music and conscience, a testament of the power of song dal at the University of North Carolina at Chapel have fewer than 2,000 students. Randy Dockendorf and culture to nudge history along.” With Seeger’s passing, the si- Hill, where a whistleblower revealed that phony Other findings of the 46-page report are Jeannine Economy lence now is deafening. classes and fake grades have been offered mostly equally compelling but too lengthy for this space. Jeremy Hoeck to athletes since the 1990s. Summed up: American students are paying too Nathan Johnson UNC, one of the historically great institutions much for too little — and this, too, should con- cern Obama as he examines ways to make college Robert Nielsen ONLINE OPINION of higher learning, quite apart from its legendary basketball team, is scrambling now to repair its more affordable. Getting people into college is Muriel Pratt The results of the most recent Internet poll on the Press & Dakotanʼs Web damaged reputation with oversight and other only half the battle. Getting them out with a useful Jessie Priestley site are as follows: fixes. But reputations, cultivated over decades education seems an equal challenge. Matt Robinson LATEST RESULTS: and sometimes centuries, are like love — hard to Cathy Sudbeck Who do you think will win the Super Bowl? repair once trust is broken. Kathleen Parker’s email address is kathleen- Sally Whiting Denver Broncos ...... 76% [email protected]. Seattle Seahawks ...... 24% Brenda Willcuts TOTAL VOTES CAST ...... 282 Jackie Williams The Press & Dakotan Internet poll is not a scientific survey and reflects the opinions only of those who choose to participate. The results should not be con- strued as an accurate representation or scientific measurement of public opinion. A Wickedly Windy Winter *** ——— BY KELLY HERTZ must live in a wintry world, better this one than Published Daily CURRENT QUESTION: [email protected] the kind spent in an icebox for weeks on end. Monday-Saturday Should the U.S. curtail or end the use of drones in military operations? But those winds have been a killer. I’ve lost Periodicals postage To vote in the Press & Dakotanʼs Internet poll, log on to our website at www.yank- I guess you could say we’ve just breezed count of the number of times we’ve been under paid at Yankton, ton.net. through January. wind advisories during the last month. South Dakota, under Here on the last day of that month Thus, this is the worst open winter I the act of March 3, ON THIS DATE — wasn’t it just New Year’s last week? can ever recall. Normally, a mostly 1979. — it’s a fitting observation to make snowless winter would see a good Weekly Dakotian By The Associated Press Five years ago: Iraqis passed amid what may be the windiest, weird- share of balmy days and some extra established June 6, Today is Friday, Jan. 31, the 31st day through security checkpoints and razor- est and worst open winter I’ve ever en- time out in the feeble winter sun. But 1861. Yankton Daily of 2014. There are 334 days left in the wire cordons to vote in provincial elec- dured. not this year — this snowless, cold, Press and Dakotian year. This is the Chinese New Year of the tions considered a crucial test of the Horse. nation’s stability. A gasoline spill from a That statement needs a lot of ex- windswept winter. established April 26, Today’s Highlight in History: On crashed truck erupted into flames in plaining. Sure, it could be even worse. We 1875. Jan. 31, 1944, during World War II, U.S. Molo, Kenya, killing at least 115 people. Right now, it’s fair to say that the could by on the East Coast, which has Postmaster: Send forces began a successful invasion of Serena Williams routed Dinara Safina 6- immediate Yankton area is having an been pummeled by major snowstorms address changes to Kwajalein Atoll and other parts of the 0, 6-3 to win her fourth Australian Open. Japanese-held Marshall Islands. Bruce Smith and Rod Woodson were open winter. There’s no snow on the and epic cold. Or we could be on the Yankton Daily Press ground, which has spared us a lot of West Coast, which is bone dry and & Dakotan, 319 Wal- On this date: In 1606, Guy Fawkes, elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame nut, Yankton, SD convicted of treason for his part in the in their first year of eligibility; they were shoveling, snowdrifts and cursing. Kelly burning up. Then again, we could be “Gunpowder Plot” against the English joined by Bob Hayes, Randall McDaniel, This isn’t the case not too far away up in Alaska, which these days is often 57078. Parliament and King James I, was exe- Derrick Thomas and Buffalo owner cuted. Ralph Wilson. from here, to the east and north. But HERTZ warmer than it is here. (And that in- *** In 1863, during the Civil War, the One year ago: Chuck Hagel here, at least, snow is not a factor for cludes Fairbanks, which is inland and First South Carolina Volunteers, an all- emerged from his grueling confirmation us so far this winter, so — here at win- far colder than coastal Anchorage.) MEMBERSHIPS black Union regiment composed of for- hearing before the Senate Armed Serv- ter’s halftime — if it becomes one hereafter, it So, here we are at a frazzled midwinter, brac- mer slaves, was mustered into federal ices Committee with solid Democratic won’t hang around long. That’s heartening to The Yankton Daily service at Beaufort, S.C. support for his nomination to be Presi- ing for the next round of cold and wind, and Press & Dakotan is a In 1865, Gen. Robert E. Lee was dent Barack Obama’s next defense sec- know. wondering a) when will those gales stop and b) member of the Associ- named general-in-chief of all the Confed- retary. A gas explosion caused three But if our winter prognosis were to be based what does the second half of winter have in ated Press, the Inland erate armies. floors of the headquarters of Mexico’s on wind instead of snow, you’d have to agree In 1917, during World War I, Ger- national oil company Pemex to collapse, store. Daily Press Associa- we’ve been buried this season. The first point is problematic; the second tion and the South many served notice it was beginning a killing 37 people. Caleb Moore, 25, an in- policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. novative freestyle snowmobile rider These winter winds have blown ferociously one may be a real problem. Dakota Newspaper In 1929, revolutionary Leon Trotsky who’d been hurt in a crash at the Winter — touching 40 miles per hour on more than a Usually, the first half of winter will tell you a Association. The Asso- and his family were expelled from the X Games in Colorado, died at a hospital couple of days — and bitterly. The winds do ciated Press is entitled Soviet Union. in Grand Junction. lot about the backside, and if that’s true, we’d eventually taper off, only to come roaring back a better brace for more wind and persistent cold exclusively to use of all In 1934, President Franklin D. Roo- Today’s Birthdays: Actress Carol couple days later. It’s been a windblown cycle of sevelt signed the Gold Reserve Act. Channing is 93. Baseball Hall-of-Famer — but at least in Yankton, not much snow. the local news printed woe. in this newspaper. In 1958, the United States entered Ernie Banks is 83. Composer Philip However, we saw this week that the fire dan- the Space Age with its first successful Glass is 77. Former Interior Secretary This is the weird part. I haven’t been able to ger is now growing in the area. This is currently *** launch of a satellite into orbit, Explorer I. James Watt is 76. Beatrix of the Nether- get a meteorologist to pin this down, but what In 1961, NASA launched Ham the lands, the former queen regent, is 76. we’ve been experiencing with the wind this win- a universe of cold and very dry air, gusty winds, SUBSCRIPTION Chimp aboard a Mercury-Redstone Actor Stuart Margolin is 74. Actress Jes- ter has not been typical. Yes, South Dakota has dormant vegetation atop frozen ground, and rocket from Cape Canaveral; Ham was sica Walter is 73. Former U.S. Rep. Dick not much moisture. While that may not bode RATES* recovered safely from the Atlantic Ocean Gephardt, D-Mo., is 73. Blues singer-mu- wind, but not like this. We’ve seen a parade of well for this area in the long term — it worries (Payable in advance) following his 16 1/2-minute suborbital sician Charlie Musselwhite is 70. Actor fast-moving — practically galloping — weather flight. Glynn Turman is 68. Baseball Hall-of- systems for weeks now. Normally, winter is a me that the moisture keeps tracking elsewhere CARRIER DELIVERY In 1971, astronauts Alan Shepard, Famer Nolan Ryan is 67. Actor Jonathan — it sure doesn’t help in the short term: Two Edgar Mitchell and Stuart Roosa blasted Banks (TV: “Breaking Bad”) is 67. time of slow-moving patterns and prolonged 1-month . . . . .$12.09 spells of mild days or bitter cold. Often, that also grass fires near Yankton Wednesday reminded 3 months . . . .$36.27 off aboard Apollo 14 on a mission to the Singer-musician Harry Wayne Casey moon. (KC and the Sunshine Band) is 63. Rock means falling into snowy patterns that linger for us we are living in a tinderbox, as did the large 6 months . . . .$72.53 In 1974, legendary movie producer singer Johnny Rotten is 58. Actress Kelly blaze last weekend near Battle Creek, Neb., that 1-year ...... $133.09 many weeks. But that’s not happening this sea- Samuel Goldwyn, 94, died in Los Ange- Lynch is 55. Actor Anthony LaPaglia is son. Systems are blowing through like it’s the forced a partial evacuation of that community. MOTOR ROUTE les. 55. Singer-musician Lloyd Cole is 53. In 1980, Queen Juliana of the Rock musician Al Jaworski (Jesus Daytona 500, and my guess is this wind is one So, as we now pivot to the second half of (where available) winter, we better get some moisture soon, oth- 1 month . . . . .$14.51 Netherlands announced she would abdi- Jones) is 48. Actress Minnie Driver is 44. product of that speed. cate on her birthday the following April, Actress Portia de Rossi is 41. Actor-co- 3 months . . . .$43.53 Mind you, I don’t actually mind this aspect. erwise the next several weeks are going to be to be succeeded by her daughter, median Bobby Moynihan is 37. Actress real interesting. 6 months . . . .$87.05 Princess Beatrix. Kerry Washington is 37. Singer Justin Because of it, the Arctic cold that has swept 1 year ...... $139.14 In 1990, McDonald’s Corp. opened Timberlake is 33. Country singer Tyler across us has never lingered more than a couple MAIL IN RETAIL its first fast-food restaurant in Moscow. Hubbard (Florida Georgia Line) is 27. days. Warm southern winds soon chased it away You can follow Kelly Hertz on Twitter at twit- TRADE ZONE Ten years ago: Six U.S.-bound Folk-rock singer-musician Marcus Mum- until the next cold wave invaded in short order ter.com/kelly_hertz/. Discuss this story at flights from England, Scotland and ford (Mumford and Sons) is 27. — arriving, of course, on powerful winds. If I www.yankton.net/. 1-month . . . . .$16.93 France were canceled because of secu- Thought for Today: “The third-rate 3 months . . . .$50.79 rity concerns. Justine Henin-Hardenne mind is only happy when it is thinking 6 months . . .$101.57 won her third Grand Slam title, defeating with the majority. The second-rate mind YOUR LETTERS 1-year ...... $148.82 Kim Clijsters 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the Aus- is only happy when it is thinking with the MAIL OUTSIDE tralian Open. John Elway and Barry minority. The first-rate mind is only happy Sanders were elected to the Pro Football when it is thinking.” — A.A. Milne, British I look at them as envious “wannabes” of RETAIL TRADE ZONE ‘Insulting Epithets’ Hall of Fame on their first attempt; they author (born in 1882, died this date in Limbaugh, Beck, Coulter and other publishing 1 month . . . . .$19.35 were joined by Bob Brown and Carl Eller. 1956). Fernande Colette Bitsos, Yankton 3 months . . . .$58.05 “doom” spreaders. 6 months . . .$116.09 Thank you Mr. Jensen for your recent letter I was preparing to write my own letter in 1-year ...... $186.33 FROM THE BIBLE to the editor describing in perfect and polite response to Ms. Malkin’s column (Press & * Plus applicable sales English the various insulting epithets used by Dakotan, Jan. 20), but you beat me to it and I tax for all rates The LORD possessed Me. Proverbs 8:22. Portals of Prayer, Con- Malkin and Reagan in their REGURGITATED am glad. Merci Beaucoup. cordia Publishing House, St. Louis right-wing columns. (Press & Dakotan, Jan. 27)