MANKATO — Thumbs up: To everyone who attended caucuses on Tuesday. The Republicans were clearly energized, Democrats expressed optimism they’ll see palpable energy in time for head-to-head matchups, while the Independence Party, along with the Greens, looked forward to the future with anticipation.

The caucus is in itself an expression of optimism, where every citizen can feel a real part of the experience politics provides. It takes some energy just to get out in the cold, but by experiencing the process at its most elemental level nobody goes home feeling their voice isn’t heard.

Not everyone who attends a caucus wishes to become a delegate. But we should all be heartened when we hear, as was the case locally on Tuesday, that many who desired to be delegates were young people under 40. Bring in the new.

Elks Center benefits education

Thumbs up: To Minnesota State University’s parks and recreation department working with the city of Mankato to reopen the Elks Nature Center in Rasmussen Woods.

The city had closed the center at the end of the summer because of belt-tightening. Formerly, the city had paid Mankato Area Public Schools $50,000 a year for staffing and programming. MSU will staff the center and create programming at no cost.

It appears to be a win-win arrangement. MSU students will gain experience in running an education center, and the city will again be able to offer its residents nature programs.

In a time when kids are glued to video games and computer screens for many of their leisure hours, it will be good to once again have activities offered that connect kids with nature and teach them how to appreciate their natural environment.

Military leaders see soldiers first

Thumbs up: To a top military officer saying that the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy should be dropped because homosexuals shouldn’t have to hide who they are when in the military.

Adm. Mike Mullen testified in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee this week, saying he is troubled by the fact the U.S. military has a policy that forces young men and women to lie about who they are.

Clearly, the policy is legislated discrimination. Soldier A can talk about his wife, but soldier B can’t admit to having a same-sex partner.

More than 13,000 gays have been discharged since the policy was enacted in 1993, and gay groups cite studies claiming that more than 60,000 gays currently serve.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is a policy that avoids reality. Gays have always been in the military, are in the military now and always will be. Obviously, like all soldiers, they are dedicated to serving their country. This country should proudly recognize that by letting them be themselves.

New animal shelter roars

Thumbs up: Talk about making an impact for stray and homeless pets in Mankato. The Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society’s new facility is among the best anywhere, and the $1.2 million facility was done almost completely with the generosity of donors. No taxpayer money was involved.

Local contractors donated time, Verizon Wireless Center provided used doors, a Lake Crystal nursing home provided windows, Fireside Bank in Minneapolis provided used office furniture, Immanuel St. Joseph’s Hospital donated sinks, Overhead Door Co. donated a garage door, Wired World donated equipment and labor for a computing network and Spectrum Systems donated and installed a fire alarm system. Many others provided help and funding.

It’s a prime example of what can happen when a community works together. At the outset, there were doubters that such a facility could come to fruition. But all those involved made believers out of the community.

If how a community treats animals is a sign of its kindness, then Mankato can be proud that we are an extremely kind and caring community.