Minnesota must reform its criminal expungement system
The process for obtaining criminal expungement is an obstacle course. It is in many ways designed to make the re-entry of individuals with criminal records impossible.
Opinion
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On police training and attitudes: Jesus vs. the ‘bulletproof mind’
Over the past decade, training to develop “bulletproof/warrior minds” has invaded police departments.
U.S. should not cut foreign aid spending
The international affairs budget offers an opportunity to protect the national security of the United States without the burden of putting U.S. soldiers’ lives on the line.
Peacefulness, COVID-19 and the killing of George Floyd
The first factor impeding U.S. peacefulness is inequality. A second factor is the militarization of foreign policy and domestic policing.
From outrage to disinformation: It’s time to reform social media
Online outrage has exploded on platforms like Twitter and Facebook, where there’s no shortage of partisan smearing. So has disinformation about social and political issues.
Protect our kids from Betsy DeVos
DeVos has led the Department of Education to change Title IX in order to loosen efforts to protect children from abuse and to increase protections for the abusers.
When electoral politics disappoint, uprisings are our Option C
People all over the country are embracing option C because they do not trust our institutions and leaders to look out for us.
Looks like a Trump campaign against the media, not Biden
Below is an actual “survey” of views of the news media, emailed recently by Trump Headquarters to its supporters.
Your vote is the best tool for lessening gun violence
Underlying any efforts must be legislative measures, such as universal criminal background checks and red flag laws — thus the importance of the vote.
Twin Cities statues: ubiquitous but ‘not at the forefront’ of public art
“Public art has really moved away from that,” says Colleen Sheehy, executive director of Public Art Saint Paul.
A new birth of freedom: Why current American pessimism is misplaced
The people now assembling in the streets are not demanding that we overthrow our original ideas; they are demanding that we live up to them.
Safety is rooted in everyone having enough resources
What keeps our communities safe is providing the circumstances and tools for well-being. Together we can tackle the root causes of crime.
Observations on the media: judge of its own fallibility
The press isn’t perfect, and if it understands that fact, perhaps the press will do a better job the next time — if so, we’ll all benefit.
Though problems mount, there is an effective way to offer a hand-up to youngsters
Oprah Winfrey, based on her own experiences, said “a mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.”
Rose Garden diatribe had fact-checkers categorizing a barrage of lies
The serious, scary question is, do the Trumpsters not know that he lies constantly, or do they not care?
How supporting my neighborhood has put me at risk of being sued
Thankfully, Congress can take action to provide reasonable liability protection for essential businesses.
Investing in personal care assistants is critical to health care in Minnesota
Because the health care coverage our clients receive is through Minnesota’s Medicaid program, the rate which the state will pay for services is capped by the Legislature, and these rates are barely enough to cover the cost of care.
Racial issues and the Trump-Biden contest: U of M panel explores the dynamics
Panelist Ashley Jardina said racial issues affect many aspects of the contest, creating an “enormous partisan divide.” LaFleur Stephens-Dougan said the Biden campaign is “not immune to losing support over race among white reactionaries.”
Twin Metals and PolyMet: Why is one mine objectionable and not the other?
The Minnesota Supreme Court has a chance to promote environmental justice in the question of copper sulfide mining in Minnesota; let’s hope the court rises to the occasion.
Scientific literacy is critical to our nation’s well-being
Although the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have made mistakes, the value of science is that it works over time to self-correct.
