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There’s evidence that the Sixth District DFL Congressional leadership is going to wage a battle royal to defeat Rep. Michelle Bachmann next year .
Her latest statement on the House Floor about sex clinics is an embarrassment to citizens of the district.
When she visits her district, she listens and talks rationally.
But. . . Read more »
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This week I plan to write about the need to pass school levy referendums in November.
We have a number of them in the Twin Cities area and superintendents are already bemoaning they have to pass them or cut millions of dollars for next year’s kids’ education.
Frankly, I see no need for referendums. Let the school boards take the hit if they approve spending the money. Read more »
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The drums are beating for a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings. It’s either build a stadium or we’re leaving – and we’re taking Brett Favre with us.
What? No Vikings in Minnesota? Read more »
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The No Child Left Behind Law needs to be repaired or scrapped because its message is misleading and undermining public education in Minnesota.
Headlines telling that about half the schools in Minnesota not making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind Law at first glance lead one to believe the public school system deserves a low grade.
That simply is not the case, because a school can fail to make AYP if students in just one of nine subgroups or categories fail either the reading and math tests.
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Where is the outrage?
How can Americans stand by and let organized mobs shout out and drown out the information on the proposed medical plan the congress is considering.
Anyone who cares about the First Amendment should be opposing these outbursts that are making a mockery of town meetings.
Granted, this same First Amendment provides that our country should have free speech.
Read more »
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High school students are working their tails off so they can earn money to keep their choir, dance line, debate team and track team going.
Because of budget cuts, the so-called extra curricular program funding is being sliced.
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Cancellation of the July 4th fireworks celebration in Elk River raised questions in that community about the value of having fireworks to celebrate the nation’s independence.
The Elk River Chamber of Commerce, sponsor of the celebration for years, decided not to sponsor the July 4th celebration this year due to the rising costs and the major effort required.
The City of Elk River, citing revenue problems, said it would contribute $6,000 for fireworks, but could not afford the full cost.
Read more »
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The new Minnesota seat belt law is causing more motorists and passengers to fasten their seat belts, particularly after hearing that the fine and court costs for each unbelted person in the car could be over $100. In Anoka county, for example the fine and courts costs for each unbelted person total $110.
The new law allows a law officer to stop a car if he is sure the driver is not belted. Once the car is stopped, the officer can tag anyone who is unbelted and may check for drivers license, drunkenness and possession of drugs.
The Minnesota Legislature passed the more restrictive seat belt law after hearing from mothers of injured victims, looking at the data and taking advantage of $3.4 million in federal funds.
Minnesota’s Department of Safety says that of the 325 fatal auto crashes in 2008, 178 involved belted drivers and passengers.
Read more »
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I had reservations about the new Minnesota seatbelt law, until I talked to my local Police Chief Jeff Beahen.
Personally I find it a nuisance to buckle up, and the other day I almost hit a car when I tried to fasten my seatbelt, as I saw a police car approaching.
Then, there’s the whole argument about my right to drive without the government telling me to buckle up or it will cost me $25. Read more »
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My Congresswoman, I’m sad to say, is Michele Bachmann whose remarks about who is a true American are chilling.
Bachmann has started a firestorm since she appeared on National Television’s liberal show “Hardball”
She said she’s very concerned that he, Obama, may have anti-American views. And she went on that the media should look at the views of the people in Congress and find out if they are Pro America or Anti-America?
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With the belief that covering office holders throughout the year is a strong qualification, ECM Publishers, Inc.’s Editorial Board believes in endorsing candidates during this election season.
The Board also believes in interviewing each candidate personally, while also analyzing incumbents’ voting records.
With the country reeling from a financial crisis and from a controversial war, electing the most qualified candidates is paramount in this election.
Panels of editors are interviewing congressional candidates and making recommendations to the Editorial Board. Candidates for the U. S Senate have been interviewed and the board will vote by secret ballot on that endorsement.
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My ECM editorial for this week is on the question of raising the drivers licensing age from 16 to perhaps 17 or 18.
I think this is a good topic because the number one cause of teenage deaths is a car crash.
In a two-year study, 2005 and 2007, eighty-one 16 and 17-year olds were killed and 363 injured in car crashes. Drivers 16-19 were involved in crashes resulting in 270 deaths and 1,160 serious injuries.
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These are hard times for journalists in the Twin Cities area.
While readers turn to their Web sites for news, features and particularly to buy on Craig’s List, Google and Ebay, the StarTribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press are cutting news staffs to the bone. Newspapers throughout the state sadly are reducing staff or not filling vacancies.
Another round of cuts was announced recently at the StarTribune, because in this business, management has to discharge people to make the numbers work. They can’t cut delivery or printing. They are reluctant to trim good salespersons.
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I often wonder about the justification of law enforcement shooting someone with a gun or thought to have a gun.
We read about officers who fired shots into the body of a man who had no gun. And we read about someone killed only to find he had a play gun.
So when Gordon Wheeler, Sr. a disturbed businessman, was shot in the Morrison
County commissioners meeting room, because he had a gun and was threatening to use it, I dug into that story.
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Rep. Michele Bachmann wouldn’t allow the media to use video cameras or tape recorders at the Sixth District Republican Convention where she was endorsed by acclamation Saturday in Blaine.
What’s behind that?
Perhaps she doesn’t want people to know what she thinks, or at least how she says it. For example, she told the Republicans at the Sherburne County convention: “The big thing we are working on now is the global warming hoax. It’s all voodoo, nonsense, hokum, a hoax.”