tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93551452009-02-21T05:28:58.109-08:00A source for news, commentary and conversation on a wide range of politics, public affairs and public policy.Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9355145.post-1110055879723757222005-03-05T12:51:00.000-08:002005-03-05T12:51:19.726-08:00

[Thanks to Dick Bernard for passing this on.]I was going to write a lengthy tirade on the health care system and its rolein burgeoning bankruptcies. But Oliphant's column states it pretty clearly -and now we have yet another reason to work for universal health care, letalone subvert this attack on victims of bankruptcy. Ten years ago I had tofile for Chapter 7, and it ain't pretty and it's no out

Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9355145.post-1109186315859155552005-02-23T11:17:00.000-08:002005-02-23T11:18:35.870-08:00

Reaching me circuitously by way of good progressive friends, this longish, but extraordinary speech by Paul Martin to the lower Canadian House. Why, oh, why can our own nation's promise be so defended by its top leadership? Because we haven't the built-in, daily accountability that comes with parliamentary systems, that's why.Andy--------------------------- Oh Canada!!  What a strong and

Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9355145.post-1108430391058147792005-02-14T17:19:00.000-08:002005-02-14T17:19:51.056-08:00

If only we could all revel so in the upside of our error.Uncle Willie's sonnets can teach us how to love ourselves as well assweethearts on this Valentine's Day.Love to all on this day, yes, but on all days.AndyCXIX. (Sonnet #119)What potions have I drunk of Siren tears,Distill'd from limbecks foul as hell within,Applying fears to hopes and hopes to fears,Still losing when I saw myself to win!

Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9355145.post-1107707939737903532005-02-06T08:37:00.000-08:002005-02-06T08:38:59.736-08:00

The story below - how can I say this - is but one of increasingly frequent ones about the American criminal justice system – the callous and utterly immoral application of barbaric laws that refutes the core definition of justice. We presume ourselves civilized people. We wallow in self-congratulatory plaudits over our body of law and our judicial system as the finest and fairest on the planet.

Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9355145.post-1104953494711078292005-01-05T11:31:00.000-08:002005-01-05T11:31:34.710-08:00

Below is the Executive Summary of the critical Conyers Report on the OhioElections. I post it here to expand its readership as much as possible, soconcerned am I that its contents will be ignored by the mainstream newsorganizations. But we must use it to force one of our senators to stand withthe Black Congressional Caucus and Conyers to challenge Ohio's electors.A personal note here: John

Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9355145.post-1103918477728549332004-12-24T11:54:00.000-08:002004-12-24T12:01:17.730-08:00

"Indefinite internment of prisoners of war is an invitation to abuse and humiliation. Why are we repeating our horrendous mistake of the past?" The question begs the reality that it remains the mission of this administration and its rightwing fundamentalist supporters to keep a demon alive for exploiting that demon's resources for corporate and political profit and power. If Asia proper was

Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9355145.post-1103817972632663692004-12-23T08:00:00.000-08:002004-12-23T08:06:12.633-08:00

">Link Ed. Note: State Senator John Marty issues this occasional essay for his Apple Pie Alliance. The topic obviates too much prelude. This is an issue that should have 100% of Minnesota citizens up in arms over these government giveaways. Andy ---- Government Subsidies & Budget Cuts by Senator John Marty To the Point!** December 23, 2004 Minnesota, like most states, has faced tough

Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9355145.post-1103764200540225472004-12-22T17:10:00.000-08:002004-12-22T17:10:00.540-08:00

Some wisdom from the wisest of progressives. The great historian/advocateremains optimistic, as he must. AndyThe Progressive | January 2005 IssueHarness That AngerBy Howard ZinnIn the days after the election, it seemed that all my friends were eitherdepressed or angry, frustrated or indignant, or simply disgusted. Neighborswho had never said more than hi to me stopped me on the street and

Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9355145.post-1103755373221261652004-12-22T14:42:00.000-08:002004-12-22T15:07:44.070-08:00

The City of Minneapolis and its Charter Commission are studying that city's core form of government. The present configuration is unusual, especially for a city of such size and influence as Minneapolis, in that it is a strong council-weak mayor form, creating of city government a chaotic climate with thirteen ward councilmembers officially in charge of running the city with the mayor somewhat

Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9355145.post-1103303018608067012004-12-17T09:00:00.000-08:002004-12-17T09:08:06.063-08:00

This Friday marks another tragic day in the life of these United States - the day Bill Moyers speaks his last on NOW. The times in the Twin Cities: 9 PM, Channel 2 - repeated at 3 AM in the morning - and at 7 PM Monday, Channel 17. It is my fervent prayer (if praying is in order these days) that the principles and incredible integrity with which Bill has created this milestone in broadcast

Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9355145.post-1102657462618343572004-12-09T21:44:00.000-08:002004-12-09T21:44:22.616-08:00

Yet another story of mistreated Iraq War returnees. Andy This is amazing: “Nearly 300,000 veterans are homeless on any given night, and almost half served during the Vietnam era..” “...as of last July, nearly 28,000 veterans from Iraq sought health care from the VA. One out of every five was diagnosed with a mental disorder, ...” “Brown acknowledged the mental stress of war, particularly

Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9355145.post-1102617425796997242004-12-09T10:37:00.000-08:002004-12-09T10:37:05.796-08:00

...they can’t win in this climate of intimidation. This will be reversed, which almost always happens, but one must wonder how truly stupid the military must be to wield this wimpy hammer at all. The story about poor medical treatment of returning reservists and guardspeople is included below. It’s newspapering as it should be done. Moreover, the question must be asked: if we’re all supposed

Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9355145.post-1102569947376541662004-12-08T21:25:00.000-08:002004-12-08T21:25:47.376-08:00

From my close friend, Charlie Brennecke. Who among us can quibble with thisif they have anything of a mind? This is the toughest Golden Rule I've everread and one that, if essentially followed, could bring peace to all.--Hi, Andy. I think your blogs are most interesting. They certainly stimulate the oldthinking machine and stir up the political compost heap. I¹ve been sortingthru all the junk

Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9355145.post-1102367525285848632004-12-06T13:12:00.000-08:002004-12-06T13:12:05.286-08:00

For readers who may wonder whether I endorse all points of view posted on this blog, let it be know that I do not, by virtue of allowing anyone to post here, support or condemn anyone’s statements. When and if I have a comment in support or rebuttal of a post, know that I will post it here as well. If I find that postings are getting too personal or out-of-hand, I will begin moderating them. For

Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9355145.post-1102290666571869742004-12-05T15:51:00.000-08:002004-12-05T15:51:06.570-08:00

An important step toward World Peace is workable solutions in all theproblem areas.I offer the following plan for the Mid-East and hope many others are postedon this site. Contributers are welcome to add their own plan or expand andcriticize. Plan to reduce Mid-East suffering:One of the kinder things the US can do to help the World solve the Mid-Eastcrisis is to buy 8,000 sq. miles of land in

Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9355145.post-1102280290484053612004-12-05T14:59:00.000-08:002004-12-05T12:58:10.486-08:00

[From a community observer] "Keep in the mind, the budget is set by the legislature - the school board is simply stuck with the frustrating job of dividing up what they get." [Andy] No, it is not true that the Legislature sets budgets for school districts. I really don't know where anyone would get the impression that the state creates a pool from which all districts must divine their share.

Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9355145.post-1102140963784563222004-12-03T12:15:00.000-08:002004-12-03T22:16:03.786-08:00

Today, I had the following conversation with a friend and former classmate of mine at the U. last Spring. His last name will go unidentified, because I really only want to demonstrate what I believe is a narrow view of the world of public affairs, even by a good man, a fine writer and publisher. Or is my view narrow? That’s for readers to determine. I rearranged the order which would normally be

Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9355145.post-1101623279983352292004-11-27T12:24:00.000-08:002004-11-27T22:27:59.983-08:00

It is hard to maintain any sort of decorum or calm after reading the stories below. In truth, I am spitting-fire angry over my country's increasing similarity to history's recorded barbarism as nationhood. We are no better than any of them: Constantine, Alexander, Attila, the Romans, the Crusades, Napoleon, Hitler, Il Duce, Stalin, Milosevic. We kill indiscriminately with a pliant and compliant

Andy Driscollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06949639237048488997noreply@blogger.com0