RNC Eve: Police Make Arrests, Confiscate Urine, Feces, Paint, Old Tires
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Urine, Feces, Paint, and old tires. Those are some of the things police confiscated on Saturday August 30th when they raided the Minneapolis Monica lived in. She had told her father, Dave Bicking that the evening before police vehicles with blacked out windows had been driving by slowly and taking pictures. She had considered this police intimidation since she is an organizer for the RNC Welcoming Committee, but did not think she was in danger of arrest. Monica was arrested and may be held through Wednesday at noon because of the Labor Day holiday. Continue Reading
Police Detain Journalists-Amy Goodman Jumps Fence To Question Cops
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Sat. Aug 30, 2008. Saint Paul, MN Police Department raids a home at 951 Iglehart Avenue at gunpoint. The journalists include a contributing photojournalist with “Democracy Now”, whose host Amy Goodman appears in this clip jumping a fence to question police officers. This is part of a series of police actions on the eve of the Republican National Convention in St. Continue Reading
Blessed are the peacemakers
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The RNC is coming to town. The action inside the Xcel Energy Center is predictable. But what about outside, in the streets? As the Republican National Convention (RNC) approaches, the Minnesota Women’s Press sat down with three Minnesota women who are using the RNC as a framework for peace. These are their stories. Continue Reading
Three-legged 58B race is jumpin’
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In the shadows of former state representatives Richard Jefferson, the Rev. Randolph Staten, Gregory Gray, Keith Ellison, and current Rep. Augustine Dominguez, Minnesota House District 58B has a legacy of strong leaders of color. Following the district convention in March, two DFL candidates and one Republican remain in the race to represent one of the most diverse districts in the state. Next week: Bobbie Joe Champion discusses how he would address the district’s issues as its state legislator. Regardless of the winner, the area, which is 50 percent Black and over 75 percent persons of color, will once again send leadership of color to the state capitol. At this stage of the contest, DFL-endorsed candidate Bobbie Joe Champion and Republican Party candidate Yoman Brunson are challenging incumbent Augustine “Willie” Dominguez, who is completing his first term in the district. Continue Reading
Health care labor shortage: Fact or fiction?
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Minnesota is on course for a health care workforce shortage never before seen in our state’s history. A reported reduction in some job vacancies in 2004 and 2005 has led to speculation that health care workforce shortages are over. This is not true; in fact, it’s worsening. Minnesota’s health care community is on a demographically induced collision course defined by an increase in retirees and fewer workers coupled with a growing demand for healthcare services. These in-demand services will be across-the-board, affecting almost all employment sectors in the healthcare field and all Minnesota communities. Continue Reading
Another big lie
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One of the salient policy “advocacy” developments of our time has been the far right’s enthusiastic adoption of tactics once associated with the radical left. For example, conservatives now dominate the field of agit-prop political theater and imagery, such as waving tire gauges to mock a part of Barack Obama’s energy conservation proposals. Still, it’s a surprise when the right resorts to the Big Lie, once the exclusive tool of the Worldwide Communist Conspiracy. But there it is in a recent email newsletter from the merry pranksters at the anti-tax, anti-government Minnesota Free Market Institute/Taxpayers League, headlined “Transit Costs More Than You Think.” It claims that Metro Transit riders pay only 20 percent of the cost of bus and light-rail service. Continue Reading
Freewheelin: Getting in gear for the RNC
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Picture one thousand Republican delegates, press members, volunteers, protesters, and Twin Cities residents on one thousand free bikes during the Republican National Convention. Humana, a healthcare company and Bikes Belong, a nonprofit bike advocacy group, are peppering the Twin Cities and Denver with free bikes throughout both conventions. Cyclists can use the bikes between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. by presenting identification and a credit card as collateral. Interested bikers can also pre-register for bikes online at Freewheelin. Freewheelin wannabes should also know that the bikes come with free Twin Cities tours. Continue Reading
Inside the Daily Planet, 08/14/08
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Southern board rejects call for independent evaluationby Jay Gabler, TC Daily PlanetThe board of the Southern Theater has rejected a call by the Southern Community Working Group to allow an independent evaluation of the board’s decision to suspend artistic director Jeff Bartlett, the group has announced.Citizen lobbying at the state legislatureby staff, Minneapolis Television NetworkFood and Restaurants The Favor Cafe: Miami Vice to Southern Friedby Jeremy Iggers, The RakeIt’s a scene enough to bring tears to a restaurant owner’s eyes. As we dined Friday night at the new Favor Café (the former Restaurant Miami), 913 W. Lake St., one party after another walked in the door – mostly young women dressed for a night of partying. Some of them sat down at tables, while others headed straight for the bar. And each time, the owner or a waiter had to inform them that, even though there was a well-stocked bar in plain sight, they could not order a drink – the restaurant is still waiting for its liquor license. (Our waiter said he hoped it would arrive in a week or two.) SerenTori: Laotian, Vietnamese, Thai and Moreby Jeremy Iggers, The RakeI was by myself the other day when I stopped in for lunch at SerenTori restaurant, 5748 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis, so I could only try one dish, which made it kind of a tough choice. Continue Reading