Posted by vike (anonymous) on October 23, 2007 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am not judging Brad. The judging has already been done. He went to court and now to prison for what he did wrong. I trully believe that, even if on drugs, a person knows right from wrong. Regardless of how much good somebody does in their lives, they must pay the price of punishment when they do wrong and break the law, the law they were well aware of when they broke it. In Brad's case, my disgust is that he didn't get a longer sentence. A longer sentence would be more fitting to the crime and harm he did to others.

Posted by FFguy (anonymous) on October 23, 2007 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There is no prison snetence short enough for Mr. Russell. For crying out loud, he was selling Meth to minors. Then while he was waiting for his trial he was allowed to go to youth activities at the FF high school. How wrong is that???? Hang tough....now that would be a solution.

Posted by bigkahunaburger (anonymous) on October 23, 2007 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FFguy -
Your comment makes no sense. Are you for a shorter "snetence?" I can't figure it out. He posted his bail, he had his freedom while awaiting trial. Was he doing something illegal at the high school activities? Please tell me you have something more thoughtful to contribute to this conversation. I'll go on a limb and state that a hanging is an excessive punishment. Good grief.

Posted by FFguy (anonymous) on October 23, 2007 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My first post wasn't my finest hour, but it still makes as much sense as Ms Hedstrom-Grant. Let me correct myself - There isn't a sentence that is long enough for Mr. Russell. He was a very trusted member of this community and he took advantage of that. Also, I don't want to hear that "he was/is an addict, thats why he did it" that is crap. I assume that once was was caught he "found religion".

Posted by bigkahunaburger (anonymous) on October 23, 2007 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That is much more understandable. Thanks for the clarification.

Posted by johnnyb (anonymous) on October 23, 2007 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I do say Justice is a good thing// My question is what happens when the systeme itself is upside down?? We are talking about one person who is a fellow believer in Christ whether he was punished sufficently or not. A while back I learnt about all the sick things our leaders {goverment} did to the people they were to be representing in the position of power, that the people of this nation voted them into. They gave LSD {which is a powerful drug} to unsuspecting americans to see how they would react, so they could use it for the military. That was in the 1940s and 1950s, I dont think things have changed for the better../// One thing I do know is everything has to be founded on the basics of having one solid TRUTH that we all stand on for our basic justice systeme to work,they say do you swear to tell the truth and nothing BUT THE TRUTH SO HELP ME GOD {JESUS}//// Now if our leaders of our nation do not follow this simple rule, how then can we figure out what its like to go through something untill we walked in their shoes. And to tell you the TRUTH Im very thankfull to God that I have not had to walk in some peoples shoes, and also that He did not let me walk long in the shoes of my LIFE that brought suffering to me and the ones that are affected by my being on this earth..// One more thing you dont "found religion" if you know JESUS then GOD found YOU////

Posted by bucksteel (anonymous) on October 23, 2007 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

johnnyb - could you please explain to us exactly what your post means as it relates to the Brad Russell case?

Posted by Elizabeth (anonymous) on October 23, 2007 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So, let me get this straight. Ms. Hedstrom-Grant is saying this: It's OK for me to judge everyone who has an opinion of Mr. Russell and his sentence that's different mine, but it's not OK for them to judge him?

Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on October 23, 2007 at 10:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I love to post and I love to read posts by others. But some of you made it exceeding difficult to read, let alone understand what you are saying. I don’t exclude myself from this criticism as I have sometimes been in too much of a hurry to respond to a post I thought to be stupid or wrong for one reason or another.
Therefore kindly consider using “Microsoft Works Word Processor” to compose your post, then highlight your written post and drag it to the Journals comment box. This process will allow you to use spell-check and check your grammar, before you drag it. By the way these (///) are not periods.

Posted by gator (anonymous) on October 24, 2007 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, I have sympathy for Brad's family but not for Brad himself. He knew what he was doing was wrong. Apparently if you had children you wouldn't mind Brad selling them drugs. But the rest of us in the community would think that is inconceivable. I can imagine how his family would feel, I wish them all the best and hope that everything works out. But you have no basis for your accusations of how anyone in the community can judge him and no one in this world is without flaws. But for you and your dissolution of reality you are in no position to speak for him or anyone but yourself.

Posted by Venti (anonymous) on October 24, 2007 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"I have known Brad for almost 30 years and through these years he has done good for many people and the community. Donated time, money and supplies for benefits and events of many kinds and types. That in my eyes makes him a great person with a very large heart."
Even if that money and those supplies were directly or indirectly derived from selling meth amphetamines to people (including minors) in that very same community he was supposedly supporting? Right.
You know, if Mr. Russell just had a problem with drugs and he was arrested for possession or buying meth, people would probably be much more understanding and supportive. But the fact is, he was making and selling meth to adults and kids in the community. He was not just destroying his life (as Ms. Hedstrom-Grant points out) he was destroying other peoples lives at the same time. Making a mistake that hurts yourself is one thing (I know I've made plenty of those), but when you consiously make the decision to take others down with you by getting them addicted to or simply supplying them with a deadly and usually life-destroying drug, that's an act that should not only be judged and punished by our legal system, but should also be judged by the community he so willingly harmed in the process. There's a reason why producing and selling meth carries a much heavier price than simple possession. That reason is because it causes a much greater harm.

Has anyone ever heard of that "old saying" Ms. Hedstrom-Grant refers to in her article? Just curious. : )

Posted by eripsni (anonymous) on October 24, 2007 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks bucksteel and chipmunk. A little common sense goes a long way....

Posted by bigkahunaburger (anonymous) on October 24, 2007 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, that proverb sounds goofy. I'm not reading the right books, apparently.

Posted by TheHammer (anonymous) on October 24, 2007 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think the saying came from Ghandi (or else it came from Carrot Top).

Posted by hohohed (anonymous) on October 24, 2007 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have read some court papers from this case and for your info Brad did not manufacture .and who are you getting your facts from ? I do have children and no I wouldn't want anyone selling drugs to my kids . I talk to my kids and educate them the best I can and know how . I am Mrs. Hedstrom-Grant and if it makes you feel better to critisize me then all the power to you. I never personally attacked anyone nor do I intend to. I also am submitting to the editor because I would have NEVER said that in the headline of my comment. The paper did and look its got alot of you fired up just as the paper wanted I'm sure. One more thing at least I'm being honest and real by using my real name. I don't feel the need to hide as so many seem to need to. If you feel strong enough about something stand behind it as you not hide behind a made up name.I think it makes it hard to believe in someone when they can't even be honest about who they are.

Posted by virv (anonymous) on October 24, 2007 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hohohed or Mrs. Hedstrom-Grant take your "love everyone" propaganda to church. The reality is that Brad Russel PLEAD to conspiracy, thus no trial on the more serious charges! Also, if you knew him as well as you claim, then you would know that he was a Bail Bondsman. That means that he assisted people out of jail while they were in their court process, thus giving him more than average knowledge of what happens to those convicted of drug related crimes or where he could receive help if he so desired! I also had the "pleasure" of being hit-on by this lovely family man when I entered his restaurant. His "family values" really shown when he called my place of employment to again ask me out.

The issue here is that this man committed a crime and must do the time. People in this community seem to be expressing the view that drugs are unacceptable and are showing concern for the children. I have read nothing that suggests that anyone is claiming to be perfect or in any way comparing themselves to God, the views that I have been reading are those of anger and concern more for the community than personal attacks against Brad. People have a right to express their opinions.

Your way of handling this situation is to be accepting and forgiving, good for you. Let other people express their emotions and beliefs without judging the way that they react to this situation!

Posted by Angel_One (anonymous) on October 24, 2007 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Very well put virv.

Posted by Norse (anonymous) on October 24, 2007 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Is THIS why you looked the other way when you discovered how much of a criminal this man is? How many lives has he helped DESTROY? Meth Kills and the Law with consequences exists for the benefit of society. Let him serve his time, if he is a changed man, then may God Bless him in his new circumstances to which his chosen path has led him.

Posted by fergusmom (anonymous) on October 24, 2007 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Its funny how these people react. Should we punish Brad's family and kids for what he did? NO!!! Everyone should have an opinion but should we tell a father that he can't see his kids in school events? No!!! Don't you think that it is hard enough to hold your head up in this town? Fergus is very bad at that. Everyone should just keep their mouths shut and let the family move on. What he did was very wrong but that is for him to live with. Not you!!! How would you feel if something like that happened to you or even your family (Kids, Sisters, Brother, etc...) You never know.. OH, thats right you guys are perfect.

Posted by mrssaf (anonymous) on October 24, 2007 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Very well put virv. I too was a victim of Brad Russell's warped view of "family values" on a regular basis at the Sandpiper. He constantly hit on me and LOTS of other women. And this all happened over 8 years ago, so if he is a "victim" of substance abuse and this is why he did the things he did, including hitting on women and sleeping with women while he was married like he was doing 8 years ago, that is an awful long time. I don't know just how long the meth thing was going on. Just imagine the lives he destroyed in the length of time he was doing all this and you want me to feel sorry for this man? I didn't then and I won't now. I will feel sorry for his family, who are victims and will say a prayer for them, however, Mr. Russell has a lot of amends to make.

Posted by jafo (anonymous) on October 24, 2007 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't believe it took this long... he's been a user/supplier of "chemicals" for many years. I guess it shows just how bad Meth is... it brought down the elusive Brad. Also, like Venti said, if he had just been a poor misguided addict, people would be willing to help... but when you sell it, especially to kids... you're SOL! Oh, and now he's playing the " I got religion" card.... yeah, whatever.

Posted by WOOD (anonymous) on October 24, 2007 at 7:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I really cannot believe that anyone would print this. If they knew anything about the person that wrote it, I believe there would be an immediate retraction. I think the saying say's something about a black kettle. A judge is allowed by law to judge a person. That is their job. That is what they are appointed to do. People have opinions. Simply put, yours, mine and everyone else that does not hold a lawful position, are entitled to them as American's. That is the reason a "Judge" put Brad Russell in prison, for BREAKING THE LAW. The last time I checked, if I broke the law I would not be a free person. Some how certain people rationalize the fact that just because they are drug addicts, this somehow exempts them from being prosecuted to the full extent of the law, which Brad was not, this is clearly demonstrated here. Meth is an epidemic in our society, clearly not to be taken lightly, our children have to deal with this. I can only hope that they make the right choices. If you think rationally----Brad Russell did not make the right choices and the last time I heard, he is an adult and in prison.

Posted by liteshine (anonymous) on October 24, 2007 at 8:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ADDICTION: An addiction is a recurring compulsion by an individual to engage in some specific activity, despite harmful consequences to the individuals health, mental state or social life. The term is often reserved for drug addictions but it is sometimes applied to other compulsions, such as problem gambling, compulsive overeating, and hyperreligiosity[1] Factors that have been suggested as causes of addiction include genetic, biological/pharmacological and social factors.

Posted by WOOD (anonymous) on October 24, 2007 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WOW!!!! CLINICAL WIKPEDIA.

Posted by liteshine (anonymous) on October 24, 2007 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I posted this after the last article regarding Brad, and I'm going to post it again. There needs to more education when it comes to addictions.

Any addiction, regardless of what kind, is a "thinking and living problem". The vast majority of people who develope an addiction, again....whether it's food, alcohol, gambling, drugs....are all trying to cope with some kind of emotional pain they have experienced in their lifetime. It could be abuse, abandonment, or whatever. It is a result of not having learned how to face the problem, and to know how to cope with it. I am saying this from first hand experience. I have been there. I just didn't happen to choose drugs as my escape.

I came from a well-known and greatly respected family in this town. If people knew who was writing this, they would be "surprised, shocked or appalled" that someone such as myself could be labeled an "addict". The point is, addiction is something that can happen to anyone, regardless of who they are, regardless of their social status, job, background, religion, race, or profession.

I made some very bad choices when I was in a very weak and vulnerable time in my life. I did not think of the consequences. At the time, I thought I had found an escape for the "prison" I felt like I was in my life, not knowing at the time, that in my "addiction", I was creating an even worse sentence for myself. It didn't occur to me in the midst of my addiction, that I was hurting anyone else.
I "got caught", just like Brad, and even that didn't stop me. But I finally got help, at first, because it was forced on me. But it worked. In the anonymous program, I heard someone say that "your friends and family, and those around you will never fully understand what you are experiencing, and why. The only way they will, is if they are there themselves, and we pray for their sake, that they never will find themselves in this wretched place."
I thank God everyday for my family, and those who loved and cared about me enough to not give up on me, who helped me get through some very difficult times. I will also say, that without God, I would not be here today. I couldn't help myself. I tried, but it never worked. I felt as though I was in the deepest, darkest hole there was, and felt totally helpless.
An addict feels invincible. At first. An addict has no conception of when they cross the line into addiction. Once there, is it very difficult to find the way out. Yes...there is help, but out of pride and embarrassment, and a messed up mind, it is difficult to "walk through the door" to get that help.

Yes, Brad got help after he got caught. At least he has the courage to face the consequences, and not give up. Some of us "addicts", end up better people in the end. As for me, I am grateful I went through it. It helped me to get myself out of an abusive situation, and become a better person in the long run.

My prayers are with Brad, and his family.

Posted by ginger_ale (anonymous) on October 24, 2007 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm a recovering addict. I believe it is ridiculous to suggest that because Brad is an addict, he is thus immune from responsibility.

This man brought meth into our community, and he would still be manufacturing and distributing it had he not been caught. Thank God he was caught, and thank God he is going to prison.

I feel for his family. They have had to endure so much, and will continue to live with this tragedy hanging over them for a long time. It is wonderful that so many of you out there are supporting the family. And no, supporting the family does not mean making excuses for Brad's actions. The man brought meth into our community.

Fellow addicts, stop making excuses for Brad's behavior, it is so repulsive.

And Ms. Hedstrom, I'm not a member of Brad's family. However, I believe they will probably feel better once Brad's name is OUT of the paper. All you did, was bring his name into coverage ... again. After everything was almost over, his name was once again in full public view. Great job!

Posted by liteshine (anonymous) on October 24, 2007 at 10:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am not sure if your comment was in direct response to mine or not. I don't believe there was anything I said which indicated that we should not be responsible for our actions, because we most definately are. There are a lot of addicts who get caught, who take the easy way out by just ending it all rather than having to go to prison. Brad is facing the consequences of his actions, and there is no doubt in my mind that he is going to come out of this a much better person.

Posted by ginger_ale (anonymous) on October 25, 2007 at 6:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

liteshine,

The comment was not a direct response to yours. I thought your post was excellent. I that some of the other posts attempted to use addiction as an excuse for Brad's behavior.

Posted by Venti (anonymous) on October 25, 2007 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Again, if Brad were simply an "addict" it would be a completely different situation. Yes, addictions are very difficult to kick and can damage the lives of the addict and the people around them, but I have NEVER heard of someone being "addicted" to selling meth.

I bartended for Brad at the Sandpiper for a while and I can tell you that that place and it's regular clientele very accurately reflected Brad's personality and supposed "values." One word... sketchy.

Posted by liteshine (anonymous) on October 25, 2007 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As stated previously, we are all responsible for our own actions. However, did Brad threaten to hurt someone if they didn't purchase the meth? They had every opportunity to say no, and walk away from it. I hate Drugs. I hate the misuse of Alcohol. Both of them are mind altering, and mess with the judgement of the person involved. It isn't a matter of being addicted to selling, it's a matter of impaired judgement, and not considering the ramifications of their actions. If someone drives drunk, and hurts or kills someone, the person they hurt has no choice in the harm that was caused them. I bet the sentence is much lighter too. There is something wrong with that. People Brad has been involved with all had a choice in the matter.

Posted by liteshine (anonymous) on October 25, 2007 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree that more families need to take an aggressive and active role in getting help for their loved ones, if they are aware that the problem exists. Yes, being able to practice "tough love" is what has to be done. Sometimes, the ones closest to the person with the problem go through stages of denial, carrying on with the hope that it will get better. Unfortunately, it usually gets worse, much worse, before reality strikes, and by that time, things have gotten so out of control, the family doesn't know how to deal with it. I believe that there is a great calling for "interventionists". They need to be located in every city, easily accessable, and affordable. Perhaps if the fines were stiffer, the funds could be used to compensate them. People who are addicts need help, not condemnation. Most of them, underneath the drug or alcohol, are very good people. Let's put more energy into finding a solution to the problem, than in casting slanderous comments to those who have a problem and need help.

Posted by bucksteel (anonymous) on October 25, 2007 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Please stop trying to make excuses for Brad Russell. I've known Brad since High School, and he is not a "good guy" that made a couple of bad choices. He has exhibited a pattern of immoral and illegal behavior over the course of many years. And turning the table on the buyers of his meth sales by saying that "They had every opportunity to say no, and walk away from it" is ridiculous. Brad himself had many opportunities to say "no". He chose not to, over and over. He got caught. Now he goes to jail. Too bad, so sad, that's the way it works, Brad.

Posted by Venti (anonymous) on October 25, 2007 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

liteshine:

You are overlooking one very important concept... "Intent" (which is pretty important in our justice system). Someone who drives drunk and hurts someone, usually does not drive with the intent of causing someone else, or their community as a whole, harm. It's irresponsible and it's dangerous and if you do cause someone harm, the penalties are pretty stiff. However, someone who sells a drug like meth amphetamine to people (including minors) in the community is doing so with the very specific intent of distributing a very harmful, often times deadly, drug to others (including minors) and in doing so, shows a great disregard for the well-being of those people and, in fact, "intentionally" harms them. Having the "intent" to harm is often times viewed as being much more dangerous by our legal system than actually harming, whether it be intentionally or unintentionally. Yes, drugs impair a person's judgment, but it's not quite the same as being drunk. Brad still knew exactly what he was doing and he intentionally chose to not only habitually use an illegal narcotic, but also to sell it to other people most likely to support his own habit. He exhibited a well thought out, most likely pretty elaborate, process for procuring this drug and very carefully took steps to avoid being caught (though apparently not careful enough). All these things show a pretty specific and malicious intent by Mr. Russell and in my opinion make him very deserving of the sentence and, yes, judgment he received.

Posted by andrea_13 (anonymous) on October 25, 2007 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow!
That article is the most pathetic thing I have ever read. 1st off the only people that I feel bad for is his children. Don't tell me that his wife had no idea. If my husband didn't sleep for days because he was tripping out on meth I would hope I would notice. 2nd, as for having a huge heart and caring about the community. Does someone who cares about the community sell meth to our children. Does someone with such a huge heart do that to his own kids? To miss his own kids confirmation? What kind of disregard does this guy have for people.. And to play us for fools. The only reason he is sorry is because he got caught. If you ask me this guys a creep and should have gotten what was coming to him. But give him credit he was smart. Smart because he hasn't been caught before

Posted by liteshine (anonymous) on October 25, 2007 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Venti.....give me a break. When someone takes a drink, they intend to drink. If they are out at a bar, and don't have a designated driver, they obviously intend to drive after they have been drinking. They know that alcohol impairs judgement. They know it is against the law to drive while intoxicated, but it doesn't matter to them. It is just as irresponsible as any other drug crime.

Posted by bucksteel (anonymous) on October 26, 2007 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

liteshine - the drinker that drives puts others at risk every time he/she does it - but does not directly affect innocent drivers unless they happen to crash into them. Drug dealers, on the other hand, directly affect the life of the buyer as well as the lives of the family/friends of the buyer, every single time they make a sale. Your statement that drinking/driving is "just as irresponsible as any other drug crime" is just not true.

Posted by bigkahunaburger (anonymous) on October 26, 2007 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think chickens evolved from biped dinosaurs.

Posted by Venti (anonymous) on October 26, 2007 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

liteshine:
Having the intent to drive while impaired is not the same as having the intent to harm another individual. Yes, it is irresponsible, but the "intent" to harm is not implicit in the act. Drug dealers on the other hand, have a very clear intent to effect another person's well-being by providing them with a harmful, often times deadly, substance. I will give you a break and just tell you that if you don't understand the difference, then you don't know very much about the laws in this country. Also, I'm not saying that it's necessarily "just," I'm simply saying that the underlying aspect of "intent" is very important with regards to how any given crime is judged and subsequently punished.

Posted by Norse (anonymous) on October 26, 2007 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The last time I checked driving impaired, intent or not, was illegal. If you are intoxicated beyond the legal limit, then you face the consequences of a stiff fine, and jail time...If you happen to harm someone or someone's property while intoxicated you can and will be held responsible for damages. It is a choice. Alcohol is a dangerous substance, due to pressure from the people, a desire to make money by the manufacturers/bars/restaurants, the revenue for cities like Fergus Falls(Municipal) in taxing and selling the products, and the $'s collected by the courts when human nature puts a drinker beyond the legal limits, it has been deemed 'legal' for those over 21.
However the particular acts that would be similar between drug dealers and bartenders is providing the dangerous substances to people.
Fergus Falls while somewhat Rural is certainly NOT the wild west, and it's citizens are subject to the laws of our state and nation. Just think about other criminals like the BTK in Kansas, he was known as a nice guy, and gave lots to his community, fooled a lot of people. Yet he was still a criminal. Love the person hate the sin!

Posted by Venti (anonymous) on October 26, 2007 at 1:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You've completely missed the point of what was being discussed. There was never any question raised as to whether or not driving while impaired is illegal. Also, the correlation between bartenders and drug dealers, though interesting and worthy of it's own discussion, is, again, completely unrelated. Good day.

I wish Mr. Russell a safe and complete recovery behind bars.

Posted by Norse (anonymous) on October 26, 2007 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Step back into the prohibition years, a bartender providing an illegal substance is no different than a 'drug' dealer of today providing meth, crack, cocaine, mushrooms, hash, pot, or whatever else is offered in Fergus Falls these days.

Don't forget that Brad ran a bar/restaurant as well.

Posted by JL (anonymous) on October 28, 2007 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This whole thing is out of hand...what is going on with our community...do we not want a safe environment for our children????? I sure do.... I hope everybody is on the same page with me about keeping our streets clean for our kids and educating them on the harm drugs can do...and for his family I feel deep sorrow for them and hope they can get through this...I hope Brad can come out of this slump in his life and be there for his family, but don't let him fool us again when he gets out. As for virv I think you hit the nail on the head...right on. I wish more people thought like you.

Posted by doctipster (anonymous) on October 28, 2007 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i worked with brad for quite some time. let me be the one to tell everyone that if you think brad got a raw deal you need to pull ur head out of your butt. Brad made meth. he sold it and he made noney doing it. he knew right from wrong dont let him fool you. he made meth in fish houses and other places and hes just lucky he didnt get caught for that.

Posted by JL (anonymous) on October 29, 2007 at 8:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

right on doctipster....I am glad to see that more people are coming forward and letting the public know exactly what Brad was up to. It wasn't just being a drug addict!!!!!!!

Posted by Brekin (anonymous) on October 29, 2007 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There is nothing worse than the "only human" arguement. Everybody is human. Some of us, however, choose to NOT sell meth to children.

Posted by mrssaf (anonymous) on October 29, 2007 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

AMEN Brekin

Posted by JimBrown (anonymous) on October 29, 2007 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone owning a Fergus telephone book can find Paula Russell's address and phone number. She and her lovely daughters, Hattie and Sophie would benefit from a card, a visit, or a call from anyone willing to be a peace-maker and a comforter. Over 12 years ago, I found out that the man Christ Jesus voluntarily laid down His life for "the ungodly", so that's the only way I know He died for a wretch like me! What could be better than that? How thankful we can be our great God loves the unlovable, yep...even me. Pray for Brad. Pray for his family. And may God bless the citizens of Fergus Falls in moving on, perhaps leaving behind that which has been rehashed to the point of little or no profit.

Posted by Norse (anonymous) on October 29, 2007 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think it would be a good idea for the fine citizens of Fergus Falls to wake up realize that there IS a drug problem and there are likely many more people making meth in fish houses and walking around scot-free selling dope to our kids (and adults). May God Bless Fergus Falls Indeed!

Posted by werty (anonymous) on October 29, 2007 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope Brad never returns to this community nor anyone like him...why? well...he was arrested and convicted for meth! That is a fact! There are many other losers like him around FF. he is no different than a drug dealing gang member in an inner city...probably worse since he hid under the guise of a respectable business man and family man. Accept what he is!

Posted by GEMOM (anonymous) on October 31, 2007 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So...what are your kids doing right now while you obsess about this? These "minors" you keep mentioning, they have parents, right? We wouldn't have these problems if we were tuned in to our kids. Forget the criminals and look in the mirror. Good luck...

Posted by doctipster (anonymous) on November 1, 2007 at 1:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I wonder how many of you who are sticking up for brad and the rest of his kind would actually be doing so if he got your son or daughter strung out on meth or cocaine. Would you stick up for him and say poor him if your son or daughter was six feet under the ground becuase he decided he wanted to make his problem everyone elses. Nobody stops to think that this man sold to anyone who would buy it. He didn't care about age, He is very lucky he didn't get caught making it, Yes I feel sorry for his wife and children. But sympathy is somewhere in the dictionary between sh*t and syphilys and Brad will get none of the above from me. Think about it before you write, how would you feel is your relative or worse yet son or daughter was so screwed up on this crap and it was all because of Mr Russell. There are many of famlies who can say that. HE DESTROYED MANY LIVES>......

Posted by Josephine (anonymous) on November 1, 2007 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Brad's God know what he's done and really He needs to be the only judge. As was said before, Brad knows that he did very wrong and is very remorseful. Too bad he couldn't have been kept here in FF until after his daughters confirmation and then be taken to where ever.