The politics of dumb infrastructure
from streets.mn by Nathaniel M. Hood
We have a political situation in the United States where Democrats are too eager to build anything if it creates a job and the Republicans are too willing to call a project a boondoggle without first investigating its merit.
Fixing the problem of NSA spying
from Brick City Blog by Sean Olsen
There’s been lots of talk about the problem of NSA spying the last few days, and some partisan braying about it. But the real question is: what do we do now? The reality is that the majority of Congress stands overwhelmingly in favor of these programs, and Presidents of both parties have supported these programs, which makes it highly unlikely that they’re going to be stopped completely. What are practical things that can be done to ensure that the privacy impacts of these programs are limited while still giving the government the data it needs to investigate potential terrorist plots?
Brodkorb protective order: We are not amused
from LeftMN by Steve Timmer
Most of you are aware by now of the sweeping protective order entered by Chief Magistrate Boylan in the matter styled Brodkorb v. Minnesota Senate. You’re probably also aware that Brodkorb’s attorneys take a dim view of the scope of the order. Well, maybe you aren’t.
U.S. farm bill would mean loss of food support for thousands of Minnesotans
from Minnesota Budget Bites by Caitlin Biegler
The U.S. House’s 2013 farm bill passed the House Agriculture Committee last month, and will soon be heard on the House floor. This bill would cut the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP, which is also known as Food Support in Minnesota) by more than $20 billion over the next ten years. Nationwide, two million Americans would lose access to food support that makes a real difference to their well-being.
Vesterheim artisans at Gammel Dag Fest in Peterson
from Bluff Country Woman by Beverly Sandlin
The Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum “is a national treasure that explores the diversity of American immigration through the lens of Norwegian-American experience, showcases the best in historic and contemporary Norwegian folk and fine arts, and preserves living traditions through classes in Norwegian culture and folk art, including rosemaling (decorative painting), woodcarving and woodworking, knifemaking, and textile arts.”* And you will be able to meet artisans representing the Vesterheim at Gammel Dag Fest in Peterson!
Russell Bryan and the trailer home that made history, 1976
from MN70s by Dave Kenney
On June 14, 1976, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a landmark ruling in a Minnesota case that laid the legal foundation for the establishment Indian gaming in the United States. The case was brought by Russell Bryan, an Ojibwe who lived with his family in a mobile home on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota.
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