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Daniel Olson

Minneapolis, MN
Commenter for
2 years 6 weeks

Recent Comments

Posted on 03/07/13 at 06:54 pm in response to Skateboarding videos create 'a mental and visual map' of the city

As a mostly-retired skateboarder I really enjoyed this article. I've always thought skateboarders brought beauty and art to bleak utilitarian spaces. It's one thing to walk down a set of stairs holding a handrail, it's quite another to kickflip half way down the star case 5-0 the handrailing on your back truck. There's no utilitarian purpose for getting down the stairs that way, it's only for the pleasure and challenge.

And what matters is good style. Was it smooth with a clean...

Posted on 01/08/13 at 03:07 pm in response to How cycling can be dangerous to your health

I see your point, but isn't the real danger the activity that produces pollution in heavily populated areas? If emissions from cars, buses, or burning coal will be enivitably inhaled by everyone around, just more deeply by those getting exercise, does the problem really lie with those who dare exercise in urban areas? If we all protected ourselves by driving instead of biking or taking transit, wouldn't the underlying problem just get worse?

I think the real dangerous activities are...

Posted on 12/07/12 at 03:12 pm in response to Can you pass the mathematics GRAD test for high-school students?

"I do take exception with question 15, though. I believe the correct answer is not available. I believe it should be 69, not 71."

I got 69 also. I guessed 71, though since it wasn't an option.

Posted on 11/21/12 at 03:55 pm in response to Montana ads add a genuine regional flavor to the urban landscape

As much as I generally despise advertising and go out of my way to avoid it, I love the Montana ads. When I see the startingly beautiful photo of a skier ripping fresh powder down a big mountain, I can't help but think, WHAT AM I DOING HERE?! How did my life go so wrong that I'm walking through an indoor rat race maze wearing a suit and tie? My thoughts are generally more towards buying a one-way ticket than taking a vacation. If you think this is all a bit dramatic, then you probably were...

Posted on 11/09/12 at 12:12 pm in response to Post-election wish list for Twin Cities metro area

Marlys wrote: "The federal government will pay 90 percent of the $1.25 billion cost; the state has to come up with the other 10 percent."

Not true. The feds will pay 50%, not 90% of SW LRT. The state pays 10%, CTIB (regional sales tax) pays 30%, and Hennepin County pays 10%.

Posted on 09/06/12 at 01:28 pm in response to Companies, groups can spend to affect MN elections without disclosure, appeals court rules

Where does it say in the constitution that corporations can anonymously spend unlimited money to influence elections? If money is speech, wouldn't we know who the "speaker" is?

Posted on 09/07/12 at 12:59 pm in response to Companies, groups can spend to affect MN elections without disclosure, appeals court rules

They didn't write the Constitution to limit political speech, but bribing politicians is not political speech, it's corruption. Any corporation is free to say what they want. Chick-Fil-A can say they oppose gay marriage, General Mills can say they support it. They have to deal with any fall-out, but that's there right to speak their corporate minds. What isn't protected speech is donating gobs of money to a candidate or running ads on their behalf. Money buys political access, which allows...

Posted on 09/07/12 at 01:04 pm in response to Companies, groups can spend to affect MN elections without disclosure, appeals court rules

Consumer power can be a good tool, but is mostly limited to pressuring retail companies such as Target. Just try to boycott Cargill or Goldman Sachs. We need enforceable laws to take back democracy. Purchasing power is a valuable tool, but can only take us so far.

Posted on 06/14/12 at 06:25 pm in response to Minnesota Senate to get hit with another Brodkorb defense legal bill

Dimitri said, "...but it's terrible for their image to be using tax-dollars to fend off a legal attack from their former favorite pit-bull."

Danie said, "Watch your fingers when you feed the pitbull. You LOVED Brodkorb attacks until he bit the hand that fed him."

I agree with the points you're making, but must you denigrate pitbulls? Pitbulls are loving, loyal, sweet, and have excellent temperments. Brodkorb shares none of these qualities. Even those pitbulls who are sadly...

Posted on 06/01/12 at 02:40 pm in response to Should you be scared to go downtown? Not really

My goodness. Their hats were pointed toward where? Any other fashion criticisms? "Thug" pants perhaps? And they obstructed your most direct path to your vehicle without even paying you mind? Can you imagine if those kids would have looked at you? Or *gasp* spoken to you? I'm sure you were right "they had no useful purpose on Nicollet Mall". I always make sure to judge other folks useful purpose after just a glance.

This is what bothers me about the "real problem" of the perception of...