Thumbs up to U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman for listening to borderland charter guides and creating legislation that would exempt small boat captains with a U.S. Coast Guard license from the additional burden of obtaining a Transportation Worker Identification Credential.

Thumbs down to the owner of the white dog that hangs out at City Beach. The dog is a nuisance, it takes children's toys and is a bother. Thumbs down, also, to the "powers that be" that can't do anything about the dog. Those overseeing City Beach should have the authority to have the dogs removed when they are bothering people.

Thumbs up to Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report for using a story from The Daily Journal on its show Monday. “Changes proposed for carrying guns into national parks,” printed in The Journal June 23, was part of a segment on Monday’s show called “Trigger Happy.”

Thumbs down to the Minnesota Wild for releasing a hometown boy in Mark Parrish to make cap room for future trades

Thumbs up to the International Falls Fire Department for its eight new firefighters.

Thumbs down to the Packers for not taking the wishes of one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL seriously

Thumbs up to the Falls High Broncos boys' basketball teams on a successful summer of camps and tournaments

Thumbs down to the Minneapolis Police Department for honoring eight officers who raided the wrong house last year. The officers, though exhibiting bravery in the raid, acted on bad information from an informant. An internal recognition may have been warranted, but not medals of valor and medals of commendation.

Thumbs up to the many residences and businesses who have filled their yards with colorful flower displays, tending them daily and making summer in Borderland more beautiful.

Thumbs up to Rainy Lake boat operators, canoe paddlers, and personal watercraft drivers who, by wearing life jackets, show their understanding of how quickly a life knocked overboard, may be endangered.