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Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Ellen Hodgson Brown Web of Debt

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Police targeted minorities in Minneapolis

Metro Gang Strike Force scandal threatens police relations with minority communities -
Review found strike force members targeted minorities
http://www.twincities.com/ci_13180727?nclick_check=1

Probe said to focus on officers from a handful of agencies
http://www.twincities.com/ci_13179614

Ruben Rosario: The 'blue code of silence' is speaking volumes now
http://www.twincities.com/ci_13180726

(Minnesota Pioneer Press, Aug. 22, 2009, Page 1)

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Evidence of police brutality

Brutality by the Minneapolis Police Department has been caught on tape. There was no need to punch and kick this man. In the audio, I hear the victim saying, “I don’t want any problem,” “What did I do wrong?” and “I am not resisting!” I hear the cop saying, “This is not a democracy.”

http://www.startribune.com/local/53308937.html?page=1&c=y

My guess is that the driver had too much to drink and misunderstood the direction to get back in the car, but was sober enough to assert his rights, and fearless enough to challenge the officer.

The cop may argue he was afraid the driver was going to make a run for it. But when backup arrived, we definitely see excessive force. When they have that many cops, they should be able to handcuff a suspect without punching and kicking.

Police Chief Dolan sets the tone for the Minneapolis Police Department. Dolan was appointed by Mayor Rybak, and was approved by Council Members Benson, Colvin Roy, Glidden, Goodman, Gordon, Hodges, Hofstede, Johnson, Lilligren, Samuels, Schiff, and Ostrow.

Let’s do what it takes to get brutality out of the Minneapolis Police Department.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Medicare for all

I’m glad that Obama went to Montana, home of Max Baucus. Looks like Belgrade is somewhat near Helena, and even closer to Butte, Bozeman and Billings.

Since a bipartisan solution is unlikely, hopefully Baucus and other “blue dog” Democrats will go for it and work quickly with the president on an awesome, partisan solution. They need to act as quickly as possible, to give the plan time to work before the next election cycle.

Thom Hartmann recommends fixing the Medicare Part D donut hole, then removing the age requirement, which would reduce the legislation to just 1 or 2 pages.

Obama can help the blue dogs by sharing whatever expertise he can on Internet fundraising. The duty of the blue dogs then will be to cut off the insurance companies all at once, returning contributions if necessary.

Get the physical security in place, break any filibusters, and pass it all at once. Thanks!

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Dolan’s brother charged with drug dealing

While you can’t be held responsible for what your family members do, you can’t help but wonder what the heck is going on...

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_12991494
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=821389&catid=391
http://www.startribune.com/local/52459692.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUHPYDiaK7DUiacyKU7DYaGEP7vDEh7P:DiUs

Since last summer, we’ve had Dolan giving the Medal of Valor to Jason Andersen, Andersen getting arrested for domestic assault, and now Dolan’s brother getting arrested for dealing drugs out of his postal truck!

These stories may all be intriguing, but we should probably concentrate on what council members KNEW when they appointed Dolan. Council members knew or should have known that:

1) Dolan was commander of the Fourth Precinct cops who shot 11-year-old Julius Powell, leading to a major uprising on the Northside, and federal mediation. (8/2002)
http://www.charityadvantage.com/CUAPB/AnalysisofFedMedAgree.asp
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/03/16/interim/
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/12/30/pcrcend/

2) Dolan, as Assistant Police Chief, was believed complicit in awarding a Medal of Valor to Officer Dan May, the cop who shot Tycel Nelson six times in the back in 1990. Police Community Relations Council member Ron Edwards also contended that Dolan posed for photographs with May at the Fifth Precinct. Dolan denied condoning the medal, but MPD awards committee coordinator Lieutenant Richard Thomas did not recall Dolan raising any concerns with him about it. (1/12/2006)
http://www.citypages.com/2006-01-25/news/the-gang-that-shot-itself-in-the-foot

3) Dolan, as Interim Police Chief, allowed Officer Jason Andersen to come back to work three days after he shot Fong Lee, before an investigation could be completed, and before the community’s concerns had been assuaged. (7/25/2006)
http://www.charityadvantage.com/CUAPB/072506Newsletter.asp
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-148633484.html

4) Dolan was Interim Police Chief when Officers Lawrence Loonsfoot and Jason King, responding to a 911 call for help from the family Dominic Felder, shot him seven times when they caught up to him. Felder had suffered from mental illness. (9/21/2006)
http://www.charityadvantage.com/CUAPB/110206Newsletter.asp

5) Dolan, as Interim Police Chief, lifted the suspension of Michael Campion, the city’s police psychologist, the rationale being that “Dolan was unable to find evidence that Campion, whatever his personal views, had treated prospective gay officers unfairly.” Campion had published an article about curing homosexuality through Christian love. (10/4/2006)
http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2006/10/the_mpds_gaydar_detector_dilem.php
http://www.asa3.org/ASA/PSCF/1977/JASA9-77Campion.html

6) Dolan, in testimony before the City Council, made it clear he would not hold himself accountable to the Civilian Review Authority, which investigates claims of police misconduct. Dolan asserted: “I’m going to have discretion I'll use on discipline--I want that.” Dolan added that the mayor, city council, and CRA would not dictate his decisions. (10/11/2006)
http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2006/10/the_struggle_for_tim_dolans_so.php

Saturday, August 01, 2009

Political cartoon



Now that it’s a slap on the wrist to claim an endorsement without written permission…

Minneapolis mayor guilty of forging Green endorsement

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak has been found guilty of claiming that Green Party City Council Member Cam Gordon endorsed him, before receiving written permission.

"The Fifth Congressional District Green Party never endorsed R.T. Rybak. On the police chief, the stadium, the garbage burner, and the library power grab, he is just an awful, awful candidate," said Tom Cleland of the Fifth Congressional District Green Party Steering Committee. “Now Rybak has been shown as a lawbreaker.”

StarTribune article:
Panel finds violation, orders Rybak's campaign to pay $250
By STEVE BRANDT, Star Tribune
Last update: July 31, 2009 - 10:50 PM
http://www.startribune.com/local/52229637.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiacyKUUr