http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/mn-news/ en-us Fri, 1 Jan 2010 12:57:12 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418901/posts Racial tension has been building at Owatonna High School this week after a fight broke out Monday between white and Somali students, prompting heightened police presence, backpack searches and widespread parental worries. Owatonna Police Chief Shaun LaDue said between six and 15 officers have been assigned this week to the school, which usually uses one liaison officer. Principal Don Johnson said the problems began when two white students wrote papers in recent weeks that were "inflammatory and very disrespectful." One student handed out copies of his paper to friends, while the other posted his on a class blog. Both were... Star Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418901/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 12:57:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418820/posts When a child doesn't finish his homework, who's at fault? The Race, Culture, Class and Gender Task Group in the University of Minnesota's teacher-education program wants every teacher blaming things like "white privilege, hegemonic masculinity, heteronormativity and internalized oppression." Those who don't, these professors believe, are unfit to be teachers. These professors plainly want everybody to share their ideology. Fair enough. But they don't want to limit themselves to persuasion -- they want to use the university's power to demand that all teachers conform to their political litmus test. Thus the task group's "final report" recommends ideological screening of applicants... ny post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418820/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 05:20:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417312/posts In a nod to the growing Hmong populations in Minnesota and Wisconsin, the states’ four U.S. senators teamed up in a joint statement Tuesday opposing the Thai government’s plans to forcibly repatriate more than 4,000 Hmong refugees back to Laos. The four Democrats, Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken of Minnesota and Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, say they “strongly condemn” the Thais’ decision, which they say ignores the objections of the United Nations, the U.S. Government, and international human rights groups. The statement reads in part: “We share the concern of many of our Hmong-American constituents whose loved... StarTribune.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417312/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:49:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416411/posts Minnesota’s next U.S. Marshal will be Minneapolis’ openly gay Assistant Police Chief Sharon Lubinski. Her confirmation by the U.S. Senate was announced Monday morning by Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar, who recommended her. Lubinkski was formally nominated for the post in October by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in a flurry of pre-holiday legislative activity last week. StarTribune.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416411/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:39:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416005/posts Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, considered a possible 2012 Republican presidential candidate, is calling for strict spending limits as states and the federal government confront enormous deficits. Mr. Pawlenty has proposed an amendment to the Minnesota constitution that would limit spending during any two-year budget period to the amount of revenue collected during the previous budget cycle. At a Republican fund-raiser in New Hampshire on Dec. 16, the governor also pushed the idea of an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would force Congress to pass, and the president to sign, a balanced budget. "Government spending in the country and in... Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416005/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 01:57:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415793/posts When Sen. Al Franken, Minnesota Democrat, was a comedian, he was never that funny. Take the title of his book "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot" - that's some high-quality humor there. Clever, daring and yet so second grade. But when Minnesotans elected him to the Senate, Mr. Franken promised that those days were behind him and that he would work hard to win over his colleagues. So far, his presence in the Senate is making it a less civil place. If the old Mr. Franken were to write a book about it, the title might be "Al Franken... Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415793/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:37:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415650/posts Michele Bachmann Is Welcome At Tea Parties The Republican congresswoman from Minnesota has become a rare elected official to be embraced by the vocal small-government activists. And the GOP is taking note. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) has been criticized by both parties for hyperbole, but has developed a rapport with anti-establishment conservative groups. Kathleen Hennessey December 27, 2009 Reporting from Washington - When Michele Bachmann took the podium at a rally against health legislation this month, she dutifully hit the highlights of the Republican argument against the bill: It's too expensive, it will depress wages, it punishes the middle class.... LATimes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415650/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 07:38:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415602/posts BASRAH — Soon, doctors from southern Iraq may be able to travel to study with their counterparts at the University of Minnesota through a partnership program. Col. Michael Rath, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division surgeon, said he has been in talks to create a program between the University of Minnesota Academic Health Centers and the Basrah Medical and Nursing Schools here. The partnership program would allow doctors from Basrah to travel to U of M facilities for one or two weeks at a time to "scrub in and learn the latest advances in surgical technique," Rath said. The proposed program... Multi-National Force-Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415602/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 04:12:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415495/posts Twice recently, Mr. Franken's obnoxiousness was on public display. On Dec. 14, after having missed most of a talk by Sen. John Thune, Mr. Franken tore into him, time after time accusing the South Dakota Republican of being dishonest by claiming that the Senate bill would hike taxes immediately while delaying the "spending benefits." Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415495/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 23:03:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414728/posts CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq, Dec. 24, 2009 – Mention “Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar” around a native Minnesotan in Iraq, and you’re almost guaranteed a glazed-eyed expression and rambling murmurs of longing. Volunteers in Minnesota show off a bucket of cookies over Skype to Army Spc. LaFena Washington Dec. 19, 2009, at Contingency Operating Base Basra, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin R. Kibbey   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Say “10,000 cookies” right after, and you might need to find them a chair. Yet, that’s the number of cookies volunteers from several charitable and patriotic organizations –... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414728/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 23:10:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414060/posts [Chuckles @ LGF] Johnson’s comment seems to me radically unfair. Pawlenty is a model of sensible modern conservatism. His answers to Newsweek’s barbed questions indicate an instinct for practical compromise, even as he eschews any personal support for creationism. That said, the interview – and Johnson’s reaction – bespeak a religious problem for Pawlenty that will require much tact on his part and that of his campaign team. Pawlenty now attends an evangelical church, but he was born and raised a Roman Catholic. He changed denominations at marriage, accepting his wife’s evangelical faith. Without pretending any insight into the souls... Frum Forum http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414060/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:36:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413888/posts Al Franken, the Democrat from Minnesota who won election to the Senate after a successful career as a comic and author, has begun to show the sharp-tongued side of his personality by ripping into GOP staffers behind the scenes. Franken has worked diligently to keep a low public profile in Congress while focusing on wonky policy debates. But he has been unable to completely repress the fiery passion that made him a hero of the Democratic Party’s liberal base. Franken has teamed up with GOP colleagues to introduce a variety of legislation, something that may surprise fans who read his... The Hill http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413888/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:10:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413370/posts Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) — so fond of accusing the Obama administration of foisting socialism on an unwilling America — has apparently been the recipient of about a quarter of million bucks in government handouts. Liberal site Truthdig links to an Environmental Working Group analysis of federal agricultural subsidies and found that the Bachmann family farm, managed by her father-in-law until his recent death, received $251,000 in farm payments between 1995 and 2006. Bachmann’s financial disclosure forms indicate her stake in the Wisconsin farm is worth up to $250,000. Her income from the farm has grown from $2,000 a year... Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413370/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:33:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413283/posts Clay County prosecutors say the Moorhead man who shot and killed a 17-year-old who entered his apartment on June 20 was acting in self defense and will not be charged with a crime. The Forum http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413283/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:28:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412713/posts After nearly a year away from their families, 1,200 members of the Minnesota National Guard will soon be coming home from Iraq. The 34th Infantry Division, known as the Red Bulls, won't be home for the holidays, but they will arrive not long after the new year. The first wave of men and women will start coming home next month. By the end of February, they should all be home. Theresa Nace is counting the days. Her husband Specialist Timothy Nace, is one of the guardsmen returning home. She said, "It's very helpful knowing that once 2010 comes then we're... KSTP.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412713/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:20:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412525/posts Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty in a Newsweek interview expressed regret over a 1993 vote he took as a House member prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. The vote dealt with the Minnesota Human Rights Act. In the interview, Pawlenty is quoted as saying the statute was “overbaked.” “I said I regretted the vote later because it included things like cross-dressing, and a variety of other people involved in behaviors that weren’t based on sexual orientation, just a preference for the way they dressed and behaved,” Pawlenty is quoted saying. “So it was overly broad. So if you are a third-grade... http://www.hometownsource.com/ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412525/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:29:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412493/posts Congress has been working on a health care bill for the better part of a year. The coverage of the legislation inevitably takes on a day-to-day, blow-by-blow account of the political machinations in Washington, D.C. The public option is in, then it's out, then maybe it's in with a trigger, then it's out, then maybe Medicare is expanded to include some as young as 55, then that's out. The legislation will have changed more between the time we write this and you read it. Anything to come up with 60 votes in the Senate in a big hurry. What's easy... Pioneer Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412493/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:36:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411737/posts The neediest among us have been writing letters to the editors of the local papers lamenting the absence of Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who occasionally travels out of the state. I guess it makes the letter writers nervous or edgy if they don't have the state's chief executive at the ready to do — I don't know what exactly; maybe come out and shovel their walk. Personally, it doesn't bother me if an elected official is doing something other than governing. If they aren't governing, they aren't fouling anything up, and along those lines, we will be far better served if... St. Paul Pioneer Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411737/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:53:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411252/posts 18 states allow for recall votes on US Senators. The 18 states allowing for recall are as follows: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin. The Senate oath of office is: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well... Vanity http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411252/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:02:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411258/posts The following letter to the editor was in yesterday's Minneapolis StarTribune. It's funny, has a holiday angle and more importantly, is completely accurate. Twas the night before Christmas, when all through D.C., Democrats were scheming how to abuse their constituency. Cap and Trade, ObamaCare, Bailouts - which one shall we do? And then they cried "We'll do them all - the people are fools! We can call it a "crisis" and "too big to fail". Anyone else doing this would end up in jail. But not us, because we write all the laws. Golly, we're wonderful. We're our own Santa... Minneapolis StarTribune (aka The Red Star) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411258/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:12:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410420/posts When family members decided Monday's burglary of 75-year-old Frank Dusenka's home in Chisago City, Minn., was an inside-the-family job, they didn't wait for police to investigate, according to court documents filed this week. Instead, Dusenka's son, Bradley Anthony Dusenka, and son-in-law, Marcus Lee Clay, allegedly took matters into their own hands. Specifically, they're accused of taking an ax handle and a boat oar into their own hands, kidnapping their 25-year-old nephew and beating him so severely that he spent most of this week in the hospital. mpls star & sickle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410420/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:34:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409944/posts A man has been charged with killing a cab driver in Apple Valley in August, according to the Dakota County First Judicial District Court. Court documents allege that 18-year-old Abdirahman Abdiwahab Abdikarim of Apple Valley killed 41-year-old Michael Allen Palm, a Suburban Taxi driver, during the course of a robbery. Palm, who also went by "Cabbie Mike," was found dead the afternoon of Aug. 1, 2009 in his cab in the parking lot of the Commons II building on the 15000 block of Glazier Avenue. Witnesses said the van had been parked there with the driver's door open since at... WCCO.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409944/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:03:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409943/posts Democratic Sen. Al Franken took the unusual step Thursday of shutting down Sen. Joe Lieberman on the Senate floor. Lieberman, a Connecticut independent, currently is the target of liberal wrath over his opposition to a government-run insurance plan in the health care bill. Franken was presiding over the Senate Thursday afternoon as Lieberman spoke about amendments he planned to offer to the bill. Lieberman asked for an additional moment to finish — a routine request — but Franken refused to grant the time. "In my capacity as the senator from Minnesota, I object," Franken said. "Really?" said Lieberman. "OK." Minneapolis StarTribune (aka The Red Star) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409943/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:01:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409877/posts WASHINGTON – Democratic Sen. Al Franken has taken the unusual step of shutting down Sen. Joe Lieberman on the Senate floor. Lieberman, a Connecticut independent, currently is the target of liberal wrath over his opposition to a government-run insurance plan in the health care bill. Franken was presiding over the Senate Thursday afternoon as Lieberman spoke about amendments he planned to offer to the bill. Lieberman asked for an additional 30 seconds to finish — a routine request — but Franken refused to grant the time. AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409877/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:31:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409207/posts WASHINGTON, D.C. — “It's the charge of the light brigade!" Rep. Michele Bachmann yelled to an assembled crowd of tea party activists in Upper Senate Park Tuesday, which responded with rapturous applause. Little did they -- or Bachmann -- apparently know that she had just compared them all to a unit about to die in battle in one of the most spectacular blunders in military history. Informed of that comparison by MinnPost today, Bachmann backed off. "Oh, what did I say this time?" she asked with a laugh. The infamous "Charge of the Light Brigade," immortalized in a poem by... MinnPost http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409207/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:23:33 GMT