COMMUNITY VOICES | Only compromise will stop Minnesota’s mining range war

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 Like the range wars once fought over water and grazing rights in the western U.S. in the 1800’s, Minnesotan environmentalists and mining supporters are waging a modern-day range war. The Minnesota Range WarEnvironmental and tribal organizations warn that expanded mining in northern Minnesota will harm wild rice and exacerbate mercury pollution in lakes and rivers. They point to evidence of dwindling wild rice and to DNR listings of dozens of endangered lakes where residents are advised not to eat the fish because of high levels of mercury contamination. Environmentalists suspect the state will not enforce strict environmental mining controls if Polymet Mining and Duluth Twin Metals mines are permitted to start operations in the Mesabi Range and fear that a wilderness area of the state will be ruined for future generations. On the other side of this battle are 70% of the residents in northern Minnesota, who support mining the world’s largest undeveloped deposits of copper, nickel, platinum, palladium and gold located within the Mesabi Range as their future, if not their birthright. The Polymet proposal is to mine copper, nickel and precious metals for 20 years, although there are proven reserves to continue mining the Northmet project for another 20 years or longer. Continue Reading

COMMUNITY VOICES | Honoring sacrifices requires more than a memorial

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On June 4th there was a groundbreaking ceremony for the Minnesota Military Family Tribute (read=”memorial”) at the Minnesota State Capitol.  And it was a nice occasion; speakers included Gold Star parents Ken and Julie Drevnick, Major General (Ret) Harry Sieben, Congressman Erik Paulsen and Governor Mark Dayton. All spoke of the sacrifices military service has on the home front. “When a soldier is deployed, an entire family is deployed. The mother is sitting home watching the news like she’s never watched it before, wondering if her son or daughter is there.” remarked Major General (Ret) and Mn Dept of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Shellito. Continue Reading

COMMUNITY VOICES | Jim Oberstar remembered by Senator Al Franken

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Hours before Senator Al Franken was to address the convention of Minnesota Congressional District Three Democrats at Maple Grove Junior High School, he learned that his adviser and friend, former Congressman Jim Oberstar had died at home in Maryland, peacefully in his sleep.  Saturday May 3rd was to have been just a rip-roaring, lets-get ’em fired-up for the coming election rally and endorsement fete.  With the endorsement of Sharon Sund to dethrone Eric Paulson, it certainly was that.  The convention also became a venue of tribute to and affection for one of the most effective, citizen-centered politicians to ever come from Minnesota and to ever sit in The House.  Jim Oberstar from Chisholm had served 17 successive terms in Congress and was one of the world’s foremost authorities on transportation.Legendary columnist and sports writer Jim Klobuchar (also from The Range) shared his thoughts and read a letter to the gathered about Jim Oberstar sent by his U.S. Senator daughter, Amy.  Southwest suburban DFL leader Steve Kelley and others payed their respects.   When Al and Frannie Franken entered the auditorium, the cheers and applause swelled, tapering off a full minute later.  The junior senator from Minnesota, searched for words and then, after a pause, found them.  This video will appear on the next cable cast version of Democratic Visions in a few weeks. Continue Reading

COMMUNITY VOICES | Gripping collection transcends domestic life: Event features volume that is “gift to women’s history”

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Miriam Barber Judd was a prolific letter writer. She could pour out her feelings and experiences much more easily on paper than propriety allowed her to in daily life. The result is an amazing collection of letters (she left almost 2,000) and private writings that give a real-time, first-person account of the life behind a public servant. The Pioneer Press calls it “a gift to women’s history.”Now her daughter, Mary Lou Judd Carpenter, has put these together in a volume called Miriam’s Words: The Personal Price of a Public Life. This selection gives a chronological, well-written, insightful account of the life of the spouse of a public servant, Dr. Walter Judd, who was a medical missionary to China in the 1920s and 1930s, a 20-year Congressman and a delegate to the United Nations. Continue Reading

COMMUNITY VOICES | Breaking News! Obama is not a candidate for anything.

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Shocking isn’t it? Barack Obama is running for no office, has no expressed political ambitions, and likely will never be a candidate again. But, you would not know it from those who have attacked him personally, often unfairly,  and in some cases with unrelenting scorn.The common allegations claim he is a Communist (and turning our country into a Socialist)  state…was not born an American citizen and is an illegitimate President (yes those guys are still out there)…is a closet Muslim (but still under the influence of Pastor Wright)… that he is an agent of the Anti-Christ … and there is even a tiny “impeach” contingent that works tirelessly on their fruitless agenda. Continue Reading

Israeli Apartheid Week 2014

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Israeli Apartheid Week this year is February 24 through March 2. IAW is the annual event to educate Americans about the reality of the situation in Israel/Palestine. Some events are planned across the state include film showings and panel discussions. Since the week overlaps with the end of African American History Month, there are also events planned to celebrate both African Americans and Palestinians.Educating Americans about Israel/Palestine has always been an uphill battle. The facts have been out there, but the media, academia and government have ignored all but a single narrative. Continue Reading

COMMUNITY VOICES | Video: MN Precinct Caucuses – Be heard on Feb 4

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Minnesota’s precinct caucuses will be held on Tuesday February 4.  I’m hoping you attend and nudge your friends to attend.  I have produced the accompanying Democratic Visions video to help.And I here share with you a portion of a January 18 letter-to-the editor of The Journal, a New Ulm, Minnesota newspaper.The letter is co-signed by the Brown County Chairs of the Republican and DFL Parties.  That would never happen in Senate District 48 (Eden Prairie/Southern Minnetonka).  The political culture here in the southwest suburbs may be trending blue, but right wing activists continue to dominate the local Republican Party and, given early PAC mail attacks on moderate, frosh Representative Yvonne Selcer (DFL, HD 48A), party lefties aren’t likely to co-author with the righties any love-notes about the democratic process. But its damn comforting to know that political party folk elsewhere in Minnesota are in tandem, making a good case for caucus attendance. “As leaders within our political parties in Brown County, we would like to personally encourage you to attend your precinct caucus on Tuesday, Feb. 4.The precinct caucus is a gathering of your friends, family, and neighbors to exercise your rights in the American political process. It is your first opportunity during an election year to talk about issues, learn about the candidates running for statewide and local office, make recommendations for changes in your party’s platform, and choose delegates to represent you at upcoming county conventions and beyond.You are welcome to express your opinions on important issues, or you can come just to listen and observe. The atmosphere is similar to that of a neighborhood town hall meeting where the exchange of ideas is encouraged and all participants are treated with fairness and respect, regardless of whether you are expressing your opinion or just listening to others.The caucus system in Minnesota is a unique system in the United States, where ordinary citizens have the opportunity to participate not only in the selection of the candidates who will represent your political party but also in defining the issues and positions under which those candidates will run in elections. It is participation citizen democracy in action.Jim Hahn-Chair, Brown County, Republican CommitteeLori Sellner-Chair, Brown County DFL Committee” Democratic Visions is handcrafted by Eden Prairie, Minnetonka and Edina Democrats and has a YouTube Channel and can be seen has the following Cable Channels –Hopkins, Minnetonka, Edina, Richfield and Eden Prairie – Comcast Channel 15 – Sundays at 9 p.m., Mondays at 10:00 p.m. and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.Bloomington – BCAT Cable Channel 16 – Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.; Fridays at 9:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.Minneapolis – Minneapolis – MTN Channel 16 -Sundays at 8:30 p.m.; Thursdays at 2 a..m. Continue Reading

COMMUNITY VOICES | Southwest Suburban Democrats parading and picnicking

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 Over the past year, I carried my video camera to many DFL events staged in a civic arc that stretches from Bloomington to Eden Prairie to Hopkins and Brooklyn Park.  I’ve stitched various clips from these get togethers into a fun kind of review of the past year for the current edition of Democratic Visions.   This is not a definitive review, but it does reflect some of what I lensed in a congressional district (CD 3) that ranges from red to purple and is trending blue.Democratic Visions is handcrafted by DFL volunteers from Eden Prairie, Edina, Minnetonka and Minneapolis.  The show looks good on large, home flatscreens via various community access channels.  Here’s the schedule -Minneapolis – MTN Channel 16 -Sundays at 8:30 p.m.; Thursdays at 2 a.m. 8 a.m. & 1 p.m.Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Edina, Richfield and Hopkins – Comcast Channel 15 -Sundays at 9 p.m.; Mondays at 10 p.m. & Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.Bloomington – BCAT Cable Channel 16 -Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.; Fridays at 9:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. Continue Reading