Twin Cities Daily Planet (https://www.tcdailyplanet.net/category/politics-policy/page/10/)
The year, 2014, has been one for the books. Once again, immigrants, our immigration system, and immigration reform took center stage drawing intense and passionate responses from both sides of the aisle.
Recently, a group of lawyers and community service organizations gathered at Waite House in South Minneapolis to discuss President Obama’s new Executive Orders regarding immigration reform. Many of the attendees had questions about permanent residency in the United States, and one important message of the meeting was a word of caution. It’s too early to apply for a change in status, so potential applicants should be wary of anyone who offers to charge them to fill out papers. KFAI’s Rico Morales was there and filed this report. [Audio below] Continue Reading
The year end edition of Democratic Visions had its cableTV premier in the southwest suburbs the same Sunday evening as Barbara Walters’ annual, celebrity-pandering special that spotlighted her personal selections of the year’s most “fascinating” people. The discussion between Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman (DFL, Champlin) and Democratic Visions host Tim O’Brien, was, according to my wife, the most interesting gab on TV that night. Indeed, the former Anoka-Hennepin School District Board member, first term Minnesota State Senator and suburban dad was more engaging than such Baba Wawa fascinating picks as Taylor Swift, Chelsea Handler, Oprah Winfrey, Scarlett Johansson, George R.R. Martin and David Koch. Yes THE David Koch of coal and ALEC fame.This is a Community Voices submission and is moderated but not edited. The opinions expressed by Community Voices contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the TC Daily Planet.The new edition of Democratic Visions also concerns itself with California’s upcoming ban on plastic bags and my reluctance to hang around DFL politicians and worker bees who seem in constant need of giving and receiving hugs and back pats. Continue Reading
The November 2014 elections already seem ancient history. Yet in barely seven weeks a host of major events have transpired, raising interesting questions about Barack Obama and the future of American politics, both short and long term. Let’s review some of them and see what they potentially mean. Continue Reading
Two years ago, I attended one of the most amazing acts of public expression I think I’ve ever experienced. It was at the Mall of America- a Round Dance held in the rotunda where I witnessed over a thousand people, mostly Native American, sing and dance in a circle as drums played. Not a protest, exactly, it was really more of a healing prayer and a call to action, precipitated by the Idle No More Movement, which got started in Canada over tribal sovereignty issues.Related article: Thousands protest at Mall of America, spark mall shut-down; 12 arrestedI’m not exactly why the 2012 roundy was allowed to occur by MOA security without a hitch when in the following year, a similar action was nipped in the bud. Last year, I reported for The Uptake how Idle No More organizers received letters not to attend a planned action, and were arrested upon arrival. The protest did not take place.It’s possible the 2012 round dance was given prior permission while the 2013 one didn’t. Continue Reading
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Do you want to know which House members will serve on the education committees in the 2015-16 biennium? Who will play roles as members of the agriculture, health and human services or transportation committees?
As you must have seen somewhere, a number of marijuana initiatives passed, including legalization for non-medical use in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington, D.C. Continue Reading
A Black Lives Matter protest planned for Dec. 20 at the Mall of America hit a snag this week when Mall of America officials threatened to remove any protesters and potentially have them arrested. The protest is part of a national movement aimed at raising awareness about police violence against people of color.Related stories: [PHOTOS] #BlackLivesMatter momentum continues, protesters march on downtown Minneapolis[PHOTOS] #BlackLivesMatter protesters halt 35W traffic: “We’re ready for change”A letter, signed by Mall of America Management, was sent by courier to the homes of several of the organizers, saying that advocates were allowed to protest on the Alpha Business Center Lot, adjacent to the mall, but that any protesters inside of the mall would be subject to removal, as the Mall of America is private property.Black Lives Matter organizer Michael McDowell said the letter was delivered to his house by courier on Dec. 12, though he didn’t receive it until Dec. 13. Continue Reading
The thing about inertia is that it isn’t indefinite. It lasts only until acted upon. So sanctions on Cuba have been sustained by inertia, but now have encountered a countervailing force, a realistic president. C-SPAN has President Obama’s statement. Of course, some find it more fun to switch off C-SPAN and watch the nonsense flow on Fox News, where the first reaction when the president was done speaking was that Cuba once pointed missiles at us. Yes, in October 1962. I guess the Cuban Missile Crisis hasn’t ended in some heads. Oh yes, the supported an invasion of Cuba by Cuban exiles the year before, but Fox left that out. Continue Reading