Twin Cities Daily Planet (https://www.tcdailyplanet.net/author/jeff-strate/page/8/)
AM950 Radio’s Nancy Nelson and Tim O’Brien list the offensive bills introduced by Republican Legislators during the past, regular session. Remember? Many of the bills that were introduced before the shut down by freshman and seasoned Republican legislators were simply NUTS. Take a look at this segment from the current edition of Democratic Visions.
What was it really like for Governor Dayton when he spent time on May 19th with the Republican Caucus? What really happens when fringe, right wingers smell a progressive’s blood in their own caucus redoubt? Timid Video Theater knows and will tell all on the new edition of Democratic Visions which launches next Sunday. Timid Video theater has been producing comedy videos since the late 1970’s with titles that include “Bowling for Tenure,” “The Bionic Governor,” and “Attack of the Burger Pods.” The troop is not very prolific and rarely has a budget but do surface from time to time when world events call for it.Free Speech ZoneThe Free Speech Zone offers a space for contributions from readers, without editing by the TC Daily Planet. Continue Reading
Part 2 of Nancy Nelson’s recent, colorful discussion with Tim O’Brien itemizes the radical right wing bills that were authored by Minnesota’s conservative legislators. Governor Mark Dayton had to veto all of them. The discussion is part of the current edition of Democratic Visions, the public issues program I produce for Senate District 42, Eden Prairie and Minnetonka. Free Speech ZoneThe Free Speech Zone offers a space for contributions from readers, without editing by the TC Daily Planet. This is an open forum for articles that otherwise might not find a place for publication, including news articles, opinion columns, announcements and even a few press releases. Continue Reading
In her current appearance on Democratic Visions, Nancy Nelson joins host Tim O’Brien to take on Minnesota Republican malfeasance at the Minnesota State Capitol. In Part 1, Nancy and Tim focus on the pending shutdown, the inflexible Republican leadership and the pain that a shut down will cause. In Part 2, the two seasoned DFLers revisit the weird nuisance bills crafted by “radical” right wing Republican who now set the tone in the Minnesota Senate and House. I produce the cablecast TV and on-line versions of Democratic Visions for DFL Senate District 42 (Eden Prairie and Minnetonka). This is Nancy Nelson’s third appearance on our public issues series; she is arguably Minnesota’s most informed and ardent liberal.Free Speech ZoneThe Free Speech Zone offers a space for contributions from readers, without editing by the TC Daily Planet. Continue Reading
Tim O’Brien and Minnesota Progressive Project bloggers Tommy Johnson and Joe Bodell take measure of Representative Steve Simon’s compelling testimony against anti-gay legislation on the current edition of Democratic Visions. The trio of well known, southwest suburban Democrats also put Republican local legislators through the grinder for their bad behavior during the current session.Free Speech ZoneThe Free Speech Zone offers a space for contributions from readers, without editing by the TC Daily Planet. This is an open forum for articles that otherwise might not find a place for publication, including news articles, opinion columns, announcements and even a few press releases. Continue Reading
The following commentary was originally published by the Eden Prairie Sun Current and the Eden Prairie News in May 2004. It sits on the shelf on my personal website, but I’m posting it here and now on May 18th because it may have resonance with a broader population of readers.Here’s what I learn about America in Eden Prairie during my Saturday rounds; here¹s what I¹ve seen in my village as our nation hemorrhages in the news, in Washington and the mideast. On my way to the PDQ, I exchange waves with a neighbor mowing his lawn; his family barely escaped the genocidal, Killing Fields of Cambodia in the 1970’s. One of his sons became an Eagle Scout and is now an outstanding student in college.The family down the street is South African of European descent; they¹re kibitzing with a friend who worships in a synagogue. She¹s running a garage sale; a neighbor around the corner speaks Arabic, he’s from Egypt.A bit further on, I pass Somali women boarding a van; they could be going to a local Catholic church which has made room for them to worship. Continue Reading
I’ve expanded my video tribute to the late DFL elder, Dwaine Lindberg with recently taped perspectives by his friend, retired Congressman & Mpls Mayor, Don Fraser. Colleagues Tim O’Brien, Joni Bennet, Del Smith and others speak fondly of this quiet, innovative and can-do, Edina Democrat who was a bike trail advocate and articulately argued for healthy and open communities. The re-fashioned memoriam will be broadcast on DFL SD 42’s public issues program this May. These are the cable channels and times: Comcast Channel 15 – Hopkins, Minnetonka, Edina, Richfield and Eden Prairie Sun. at 9 p.m. and Wed. Continue Reading
The Northside Achievemant Zone (NAZ) is an ambitious educational initiative in North Minnepolis set on getting kids into college. CEO Sondra Samuels tells Democratic Visions host Tim O’Brien the challenges that are being faced by the multi-agency and community organization collaborative. Continue Reading
In the south west corner of Congressional District 3, independents, moderates, progressive Republicans and Democrats are represented by Eric Paulsen in the U.S. House and by such right wing, flat earthers and global warming denyers as Jennifer Loon, Kirk Stensrud and David Hann in St. Paul.The fight for common sense and common ground is tough in the ‘burbs and sometimes the use of a little humor to rouse our sleepy cul-de-sac neighbors, can have a motivational effect. To note, The Junk Yard Democrats say it all in their premier music video. The segment is part of the April edition of Democratic Visions, the public issues cable TV program produced through DFL Senate District 42 (Minnetonka and Eden Prairie). The effort was directed by Timid Video Theater’s Jeff Strate (me) who in the past took blame for “Attack of the Burger Pods,” “Bowling for Tenure,” the “Descent of Man,” and “Godzilla Attacks Eden Prairie.”Free Speech ZoneThe Free Speech Zone offers a space for contributions from readers, without editing by the TC Daily Planet. This is an open forum for articles that otherwise might not find a place for publication, including news articles, opinion columns, announcements and even a few press releases. Continue Reading
DFL Representative Steve Simon makes his debut appearance this month on Democratic Visions. The Hopkins/St. Louis Park legislator feels that too many Republicans are stuck in the past, unwilling to accept Governor Dayton’s counsel for balance and fairness. Republicans, of course, recommitted themselves earlier this week to not compromising as they unveiled their no-tax budget proposals. Free Speech ZoneThe Free Speech Zone offers a space for contributions from readers, without editing by the TC Daily Planet. Continue Reading