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Gail O'Hare

St. Paul
Commenter for
5 years 24 weeks

Recent Comments

Posted on 07/24/12 at 03:31 pm in response to New marriage-poll results: a dramatic change in voters' views — or a fluke?

I'm thinking polls will get less and less reliable as the electorate grows more impatient with robo-calls. At our house, we simply don't pick up if we don't know the caller. We've had it. So is there another oddball bias creeping in that we'll need to find new ways to combat or over-interpret and misunderstand? One reader mentioned people deliberately giving odd answers - contradictory, mischievous or whatever. That's a possibility, or maybe those who answer just don't have any form of...

Posted on 06/13/12 at 04:38 pm in response to Farmers back Senate plan to cut direct subsidies

I've read that tobacco growers still get crop insurance subsidies.

http://farm.ewg.org/progdetail.php?fips=00000&progcode=tobacco

The whole agri-business Leviathon needs close scrutiny. I don't think we're talking about grandpa's truck farm. Government might have a stake in supporting certain crops and relatively...

Posted on 05/22/12 at 11:20 am in response to Could Photo ID be scuttled even if Minnesota voters approve constitutional amendment?

If we're willing to send teams to every senior residence (not just nursing homes) to take a picture and register voters, then perhaps the question of shut-ins could be addressed. Of course, we would have to provide for disabled citizens, too, perhaps by sending a clear mailing that invites them to make an appointment to have a registrar come to their home. Then there could be instant picture-taking at the polls so everyone who showed up with what has been acceptable verification could get...

Posted on 05/04/12 at 01:48 pm in response to Sister Brigid McDonald calls Vatican's reprimand of U.S. nuns group a 'misuse of power'

It's not a throwaway. It was Jesus's response when asked about the TWO greatest commandments. Modern Ratzingers (and Nienstedts) are the ones guilty of pride.

Posted on 03/30/12 at 02:06 pm in response to GOP legislators suffering from amendment fatigue

All the agitation for constitutional amendments stems directly from the GOP's determination to hamstring the executive branch. In the halcyon years of Bush and Pawlenty, Republicans applauded the heavy veto hand, whether it was used or just threatened. Congress and our Legislature were stymied by the autocratic use of the executive veto. Republicans smirked. Now those Republicans, whining that they're responding to pent-up demand for conservative issues, have found a way to sideline the...

Posted on 03/12/12 at 11:13 am in response to Five things they're not telling you about the Vikings stadium

I am speechless.

Posted on 03/09/12 at 10:01 am in response to Does DFL’s proposed birth-control benefit conflict with Obama’s health care efforts?

Thanks for voicing what seems to be unclear even to prescribing physicians. For many women, the cost of the pill is not the rock-bottom generic cost.
For women with high blood pressure or family history of stroke/aneurysm, the basic pill is dangerous. Moreover, pregnancy itself is dangerous.

I haven't seen much discussion about the coverage for other forms of birth control if no pill is safe for the woman. This IS a health issue and dismissing it with analogies to automobile...

Posted on 02/29/12 at 03:12 pm in response to Minnesota lawmakers lobby colleagues ahead of St. Croix bridge vote

That's what Betty's web site says this indulgence for a very small population of rather privileged people will total.

I'm ashamed of the Democrats (especially Kobuchar and Franken) who've supported this wasteful and behemoth project. There comes a time when "eveyone's on board" is simply Groupthink. The reason it's taken so long toget this far is because it's been riddled with grandiose plans and careless projections. If it's been 60 years, then Stillwater has managed to chug along...

Posted on 02/29/12 at 04:59 pm in response to Minnesota lawmakers lobby colleagues ahead of St. Croix bridge vote

I didn't know anyone was proposing no bridge. The problem has to be fixed - responsibly and with attention to all our transportation needs .

But the prospect of a megalopolis fed by a huge bridge is not appealing. Furthermore, building a bridge that allows more and more people to work in MN and live in WI doesn't seem to serve our state. I'm very concerned about the effects on Hwy. 36 and other communities west of Stillwater.

The Wild and Scenic River Act of 1968 should...

Posted on 02/21/12 at 08:45 pm in response to John Mannillo thinks flawed endorsement process might have cost him council election

I'm not a DFL insider. I count on the Party to work for all Democrats' benefit, not for the benefit of powerful factions. Mayor Coleman and Mike Freeman were allowed to work the convention floor and persuade delegates to vote for Tolbert (who is a decent guy, no doubt). The endorsement process was manipulated so that an inexperienced - and more tractable? - candidate could be assured a place on the City Council. Recall that even Mayor Coleman's brother endorsed John Mannillo.