Commentary
Raise a glass to deregulating the beer industry | Review
The pandemic continues to strip Minnesotans of health, happiness and many of the forms of social cohesion that we and our neighbors take for granted. That’s why the latest release from the Minnesota Historical Society Press is a breath of fresh air or, rather, a sip of freshly brewed beer. Pints North by Katelyn Regenscheid […]
Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem ‘The Hill We Climb’
Amanda Gorman delivered her poem “The Hill We Climb” at the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Gorman, 22, is the youngest person to recite a poem at a U.S. presidential inauguration. She wrote “The Hill We Climb” after the siege of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Watch her recite […]
Excerpts from President Joe Biden’s inauguration speech
Below are excerpts from President Joe Biden’s inaugural address, following his swearing-in as the nation’s 46th president: We’ll press forward with speed and urgency, for we have much to do in this winter of peril and significant possibilities. Much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build, and much to gain. Few […]
12 years later, still hopeful, if more clear-eyed about it all | Opinion
Twelve years ago this week, I attended the inauguration of President Barack Obama. I traveled with two friends with whom I’d made a pact during long days of door-knocking for Obama and dozens of legislative and local candidates, many of whom rode the Democratic wave into office. Our pact was simple and reflected the seemingly […]
Minnesota is obligated to provide adequate health care to people who are incarcerated; here’s some first steps
In review of the operations of Kandiyohi and Freeborn County jails in August and September of 2020, the ICE Office of Detention Oversight identified numerous compliance violations that place detainees at risk and violate Minnesota law. (See here for Kandiyohi. And here for Freeborn.) They found that detention officers without medical training were completing the […]
Republican politicians’ praise of Martin Luther King will sound even more hollow now | Opinion
There’s a long list of Republicans who ought not part their lips this holiday weekend to praise Martin Luther King Jr., to quote from his most famous speech or suggest in any way that they know anything about content of character. That list includes the 138 Republicans in the U.S. House and the six Republicans […]
A contract for care workers that honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. | Opinion
As we celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an event from this past weekend made me think about how so many of us are continuing his fight every day here in Minnesota. 2020 made clear just how much work we need to do to address racism in our […]
Former Minnesota GOP operative: It’s time to rid the party of dangerous crackpots | Opinion
As the U.S. Capitol was under attack by domestic terrorists, I stood in my living room and watched President Donald Trump’s supporters engaged in an insurrection. The images saddened me, but I was not surprised. Although not a Trump voter, I’m the former deputy chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota. For years, I’ve seen […]
A Republican on the future: We need a grand new party | Opinion
It is time to build a grand new party. A party based on individual rights, economic freedom, common sense and market-based solutions to our most pressing problems like the environment, inequality, education. But before we can rebuild, we must acknowledge the grandest problem of the Grand Old Party. The party leadership — I struggle to […]
Praise the Lord and pass the pipe bomb
Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker singing “Praise the Lord” on the TV was the soundtrack of my childhood. As I’d get ready for school or play, Tammy Faye and her big fake eyelashes, painted-on eyebrows and glowing tan cheeks would grin and sit next to Jim, who looked like he belonged in the principal’s office. […]
Let’s not get fooled again: Fight the lies by learning to recognize the truth
We have a crisis of credulity in this country. We’ve become a nation of dupes. The inability of far too many Americans to separate fact from fantasy, and the people who are eager to take advantage of that failure, are the root of the rot in our country. The consequences, long evident, should now be […]
You’re fired! Now what?
The catchphrase — “You’re Fired!” — well associated with Donald J. Trump the real estate celebrity, is now the practical problem for Americans, the bosses of Donald J. Trump our outgoing President. But the question is no longer whether to fire him but how to best handle it. If you’re fired, you don’t usually stick […]