“Home” for my entire life has been North Dakota or Minnesota. In these precincts, “summer” is usually the time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day. In Minnesota, today is always the last day of the State Fair. Those who follow my “life” know that this has not been a routine “summer”. (Yes, I did […]
Today is the last hurrah for John McCain. I won’t review what has already been on the tube, in the papers and on the internet. Among many such weeks in the past two years, the week just passed has been an exceedingly odd one, politically. * I’m reminded today of ten years ago – September […]
The Veterans for Peace National Conference is in St. Paul this week. Here are details, including a pdf of the Program Booklet. I’ll be there for at least the day sessions Thursday and Friday. I’m a longtime member. Across town, in Minneapolis, this week, is the National American Legion Convention. This year is the 100th […]
This column is about the Democrat (DFL) side of the political conversation. Doubtless there is similar discussion in the Republican universe. Today, the DFL (Democrat) Central Committee is meeting to decide how to approach the 2018 General Election in Minnesota. Its agenda is as agendas always appear: bland and boring. Looks can be deceiving; I […]
POSTNOTE: I noticed, here, that three of my four statewide candidates won in yesterdays Minnesota Primary election. There’s much to learn from the results for all candidates. Now, more or less 80 days to the main event, Nov. 6. More at the end of this post. * Before yesterday’s Primary I outlined what follows below. […]
Today’s mail brought the first letter from Grandson Spencer, now, about three weeks into U.S. Marine Bootcamp at Camp Pendleton, California. The contents are between he and I. It was great to hear from him. Next letter to him I’ll use the WWI stamps I bought this week. The sheet headline: WORLD WAR I *TURNING […]
A friend asked who I plan to vote for in the Minnesota Primary Election Tuesday, August 14. More on that towards the end of this post. If you’re Minnesotan, here’s the page to find the candidates who are on the ballot in your precinct for the primary. Some personal observations: It is easy to complain […]
Today, we leave for the annual week up north; the internet stays behind. I leave, for reflection, the below photo of an 8×10″ poster recently found in her home closet by Barbara, an active activist I’ve known for years. (The words, “active activist”, are intentional. Barbara always “walks the talk”.) This memento, by Robert Mulder, […]
“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with them. Then he becomes your partner.” Nelson Mandela Sometimes I stumble on things, such as last night at the Minnesota Orchestra. We were unable to attend the last program in our subscription series, and had a deadline of August 1 to […]
Yesterday I was primarily involved in family matters related to the induction of Grandson Spencer into the U.S. Marines. At the induction at the Henry Whipple Federal Building in Bloomington, the backdrop was this map of the world. Spencer and about 20 others recited the oath of enlistment. It was a powerful time, plenty of […]