Four states, Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont and Wisconsin, held primaries on Tuesday. Besides those primaries, we got a concession from one of the undecided elections from last week. Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer conceded the election to Trump backed State Attorney General Kris Kobach. Colyer conceded Tuesday night, hours after a tally of provisional ballots in Johnson …
Tag: Minnesota
Aug 14 2018
2018 Elections: Four State Primaries
Four states are holding primaries today: Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont and Wisconsin. Connecticut: Governor Danal Malloy (D) is retiring after two terms. The Republicans are looking for a win here due to Malloy’s unpopularity. There are five candidates for the nomination Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton; former Trumbull First Selectman Tim Herbst; Steve Obsitnik; Bob Stefanowski; and …
Jul 08 2016
None of These People Needed To Die
Last night in Dallas, Texas, at the end of peaceful protest over the shooting deaths of two black men by police in Louisiana and Minnesota this week, a lone gunman opened fire on the Dallas police. He killed five officers, wounded seven others plus two civilians. None of these people should be dead but they …
Sep 28 2013
Assumptions
Assumptions can be dangerous to people who are habitually marginalized. One of the big assumptions that people make about the concept of “transgender” is that transgender is a subset of homosexual. It is not. I do not have data to turn to, but I have heard, as I shared in a diary last week, that about 1/4 of transgender people are gay or lesbian, 1/4 are heterosexual, 1/4 are bisexual and 1/4 are asexual.
What exactly that says about the influence of the normalized control of gender and sexuality by our culture is something I’ll let other people discuss.
But the assumption has a large impact on the everyday lives of gender-variant people. Even scientists studying sexually-transmitted diseases jump to the conclusion that transgender women are “men who have sex with men.” And even direct evidence to the contrary often does not dissuade people from adopting the assumption.
Tonight I have two cases in point.
Apr 07 2012
MN federal judge rules that DOMA does not apply to trans marriages
Chief US Judge for the Minnesota District Michael J. Davis has ruled that Minnesota’s DOMA law does not apply to legal marriages entered into by transgender individuals and that therefore a union health care plan could not drop Christine Radtke from coverage under her husband’s health benefits.
Having transitioned from male to female between 1986 and 2003, Christine married Calvin Radtke in July of 2005 in Goodhue County in southeastern Minnesota. Calvin works for UPS and is therefore a member of Miscellaneous Drivers and Helpers Union Local #638 and he enrolled himself and his new bride in the union’s Health, Welfare, Eye and Dental Fund (hereinafter, the Fund) plan.
In 2008 Christine’s physician mentioned her transgender status. Someone at the Fund didn’t like that. The Radtke’s were informed that as of April, 2010 Christine would be dropped from the health care plan.
The Fund has learned, for the first time, that Christine underwent a male to female sex reassignment surgery prior to your marriage.
In reviewing the terms of the Fund, it is the judgment of the Claims Administrator that despite the amendment of Christine’s birth certificate and your subsequent marriage, the basis for your marriage is not one that is currently recognized under any express provisions of Minnesota Law. Accordingly, Christine is not an eligible dependent under the Fund.
–health care fund administrators
Oct 24 2009
Pawlenty says Minnesota will Opt Out of Public Option if he has his way
Crossposted at Daily Kos
Today on ABC’s Top Line, co-host David Chalian asked Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) if he would “opt-out” of the public option for his state if the measure passed. Pawlenty dodged: “Well, I don’t know if we would opt out but I personally would like to opt out because I don’t like government run health care.” But Chalian persisted, and ultimately, Pawlenty said that he would oppose the public option for Minnesota:
CHALIAN: But you would lead a charge in your state to opt out if that was an option available?PAWLENTY: I think so because I don’t like government run health care.
Sorry Minnesota. Looks like your Asshat Governor wants you to buy for profit insurance and like it, if you can afford it.
More, with analysis and my take on the Faux Reform that is the Opt Out Cop Out below the fold.
Jun 12 2009
What are Progressive Values?
| Progressive Values? Howard Dean – Fairness, Responsibility … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v… |
What does the Democratic Party stand for? Howard Dean lists these “Core Values” of the Democratic Party 1) Fairness and Equal Rights for all 2) Strength and Toughness 3) Fiscal Responsibility These are demonstrated by providing Health Care for all. Dean stresses the urgent need for us to express these values, on an emotional level, and not just in Policy Statements. “People vote on their Values — NOT on Position Papers!” |
Sep 07 2008
St Paul, Repression, Solidarity and Diversity of Tactics
As a witness to some of the events this past week in St Paul, I wanted to write about it. As well as having friends who were arrested, in jail and looking at prison sentences, I took it more personal.
I’ve thought about the fact of how many have brought up how they’ve been arrested and/or fellow comrades and how that may take away from the movement and any issues going on in the world. However, I think that bringing that up is so important because of the police repression that happened in Minnesota this past week, simply for organizing, protesting with a WIDE variety of tactics (whether that is deemed legal or not) and other things that “apparently” people arrested did.
The Welcoming Committee brought up the diversity of tactics for other groups of all kinds on the left to sign on to, as a lesson to the WTO Protests in 1999 in Seattle. Of course, not everyone is going to agree on what Anarchists do and what Liberal kids do … I certainly don’t agree that voting is the change of everything or signing petitions in mass numbers will do much. However, I can agree it may work better at a local level.
An article from May of 2008 (about Diversity of Tactics):
Simply put, “diversity of tactics” means that activists will respect each others’ methods of protesting, allowing each other time and space in which to conduct their protests. Many cited the World Trade Organization demonstrations in Seattle as a successful protest from which lessons on mass mobilization should be drawn. Others spoke of their experience as anti-war activists during the Vietnam War.
Aug 08 2008
St. Paul’s yanked our Permits (RNC)
On March 5th, dailykos denizen norahc (Ben Plunkett) obtained permits in the name of “Swift Students for Truthiness” from the St. Paul Parks Department for use of Hamm’s Plaza for non-partisan issue oriented expressive activity on Sept. 3d and 4th, 8AM to 8PM. Planned, a Shutdown Guantanamo Stop Torture event the 3d, Stop Government Spying on the 4th, both starting at 4:00. I’m co-ordinating the “spying” event.
Hamm’s is tiny, not much more than a traffic island, so the limit of 91 in attendance at any time was acceptable.
Yesterday, Ben received a Certified Mail from the Parks Department, dated August 5th, indicating that the permits had been revoked, offering alternative space at Ecolab Plaza or Mears Park, both much less visible. Hamm’s is 2 blocks from the Convention site at the Excel Center, and faces the St. Paul Hotel, a major delegate hub. I’ve just lined up an attorney, we’ll be seeking a Temporary Restraining Order directing that the Parks Dept. honor the original permit.
Mar 11 2008
Congressional races round 2: Minnesota
Continuing through the alphabet….
Minnesota has 8 representatives: 5 Democrats and 3 Republicans
Filing deadline is July 15, primary is Sept. 9
District: MN-01
Location Southern MN, bordering WI, IA, and SD
Representative Tim Walz (D)
First elected 2006
2006 margin 53-37
2004 margin NA
Bush margin 2004 51-47
Notes on opponents Walz ousted Gutknecht while raising $500 K less
Current opponents Dick Day, Mark Meyer, Brian Davis
Demographics 77th most rural (43.5%), 31st fewest Blacks (1.0%)
Assessment Somewhat vulnerable; Superribbie ranks this the 17th most vulnerable Democratic seat; still, Walz has to be favored.
District: MN-02
Location Southern suburbs and exurbs of twin cities
Representative John Kline (R)
First elected 2002
2006 margin 56-40
2004 margin 56-40
Bush margin 2004 54-45
Notes on opponents In 2006, Collen Rowley raised $700K to Kline’s $1.5 million; in 2004, Teresa Daly raised $1.2 million to Kline’s $1.6 million
Current opponents Steve Sarvi
Demographics 36th highest income (median = $61K), 10th fewest in poverty (3.9%), 60th fewest Blacks (1.6%)
Assessment Possible. Superribbie calls the 69th most vulnerable Republican seat. I think it might be more vul. than that. Kline’s winning percentage isn’t rising with time, he did barely better than Bush in 2004.
District: MN-03
Location Suburbs of the twin cities
Representative Jim Ramstad (R) possibly retiring
First elected 1990
2006 margin 65-35
2004 margin 65-35
Bush margin 2004 51-48
Notes on opponents Neither recent opponent had money
Current opponents :
Terri Bonoff
Ashwin Madia
and former Repub: Jim Hovland
Demographics 26th wealthiest (median income = $64K), 5th fewest in poverty (3.5%), 80th fewest Black (3.8%)
Assessment So far as I can tell, Ramstad is retiring, making this a prime pickup opportunity; superribbie ranks this as the 12th most vulnerable Republican seat.
District: MN-04
Location St. Paul and suburbs
Representative Betty McCollum (D)
First elected 2000
2006 margin 70-30
2004 margin 57-33
Bush margin 2004 37-62
Notes on opponents In 2004, Patrice Bataglia raised $200K to McCollum’s $700K; in 2006, Obi Sium raised $75K to McCollum’s $600K
Current opponents John Mayer, possibly others. Mayer seems to have no website, others’ sites are down
Demographics Not unusual on what I track
Assessment Safe
District: MN-05
Location Minneapolis and suburbs
Representative Keith Ellison (D)
First elected 2006
2006 margin 56-21 (remainder to an independent)
2004 margin NA
Bush margin 2004 28-71
Notes on opponents Tammy Lee actually raised more money than the Republican (Alan Fine) and got almost the same number of votes. Each raised about $200K, Ellison raised about $800K
Current opponents Apparently Barb White, who also might be running in MN-04, or maybe not running at all
Demographics 45th most Democratic, per Cook PVI
Assessment Safe
District: MN-06
Location Mostly in central MN, but extending east and south to the WI border
Representative Michele Bachmann (R)
First elected 2006
2006 margin 50-42 (remainder to John Binkowski)
2004 margin NA
Bush margin 2004 57-42
Notes on opponents Bachmann beat out Wetterling for an open seat. Each spent about $3 million – Bachmann a little less, Wetterling a little more
Current opponents :
Bob Olson and
Elwyn Tinklenberg
Demographics 53rd highest income (median = $57K), 18th fewest in poverty (4/7%), 18th most Whites (94.9%), 28th fewest Blacks (0.9%), 42nd fewest Latinos (1.3%)
Assessment We have definite possibilities. superribbie (link above) ranks this the 45th most vulnerable Republ
District: MN-07
Location Western MN, bordering SD and ND and Canada
Representative Collin Peterson (D)
First elected 1990
2006 margin 70-29
2004 margin 66-34
Bush margin 2004 55-43
Notes on opponents In 2004, David Sturrock raised $125K to Peterson’s $500K. In 2006, Michael Barrett raised little
Current opponents None declared
Demographics 6th most rural (66%), 22nd most Whites (93.1%), tied for fewest Blacks (0.3%)
Assessment I don’t call a lot of people DINO, but Peterson is a DINO. Still, he wins, he doesn’t use a lot of money, and he lines up on the D side, and this is a Republican district
District: MN-08
Location Northeastern MN, bordering WI, Lake Superior, and Canada, including Duluth and International Falls
Representative Jim Oberstar (D)
First elected 1974
2006 margin 64-34
2004 margin 65-32
Bush margin 2004 46-53
Notes on opponents In 2006, Rod Grams raised $500K to Oberstar’s $1.4 million; the 2004 opponent raised little
Current opponents None declared
Demographics 12th most rural (62.6%), 34th most veterans (16.2%), 20th most Whites (94.6%), 11th fewest Blacks (0.5%), 11th fewest Latinos (0.8%)
Assessment safe