I want to thank Jodi for the wonderful new design and also for fixing my site to reduce comment spam. I am so happy!
This is so freaky. I was just talking about this with the Super Genius. I have a feeling that since the media has become more conservative, the Republicans are going to start going after academia. I just wonder when people will start recognizing what the Conservatives are trying to do. What’s next…the thought police?
I wrote a letter to the reporter who did the story on the Naked Baby photos and here is his sassy response. I am very impressed that he responded.
The point of the story was that there are no well-defined rules or laws regarding when parents should stop taking nude photos of their children. We did not mean to imply that Proex, CPS or MPD did anything wrong. Rather, in a neutral tone, we reported what happened. Then we allowed CPS and MPD to offer advice on this subject to all parents. Personally, I think the story was interesting and informative. Based on their email responses, many viewers agree.
Thank you for your comments and concern,
Mark Daly
KARE-11 News
Homelessness has been a hot topic in MN since they found a young gentleman sleeping in a suburban high school because he didn’t have a home. The Star Tribune has published 2 or 3 great articles bringing the realities of homelessness to light. Here are some facts about homelessness in MN published in todays Star Trib:
Homelessness is on the rise: Over the past 12 years, the number of people experiencing homelessness in Minnesota has multiplied by more than 2
I am a little confused by a story that was run by our local news station. The premise of the story is that this Mom and Dad took a picture of their 7 year old daughter sleeping nude. When they had the film developed the company called the police because of the pictures of daughter. The police contacted the parents and found no evidence of sexual mistreatment or whatnot, but according to their policy they must also contact child protection. Child protection interviewed the child and the parents separately and found no evidence. Case closed. The parents are upset by what happened.
Wal-Mart closing store that’s on verge of getting union contract
Associated Press
February 9, 2005 WALMART0210
NEW YORK — Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Wednesday it will close a Canadian store whose workers are on the verge of becoming the first ever to win a union contract from the world’s biggest retailer.
Wal-Mart said it was shuttering the store in Jonquiere, Quebec, in response to unreasonable demands from union negotiators, that would make it impossible for the store to sustain its business. The United Food and Commercial Workers of Canada last week asked Quebec labor officials to appoint a mediator, saying that negotiations had reached an impasse.
“We were hoping it wouldn’t come to this,” said Andrew Pelletier, a spokesman for Wal-Mart Canada. “Despite nine days of meetings over three months, we’ve been unable to reach an agreement with the union that in our view will allow the store to operate efficiently and profitably.”
Pelletier said the store will close in May.
So our esteemed Senator Mark Dayton has decided to not run for re-election. I can almost hear a collective sigh of relief from many Dems in MN. While Dayton seemed like he was going to be great, he plummeted quickly after the death of Paul Wellstone. It seems as if Dayton needed Wellstone to give him a backbone. Dayton may have done some good stuff, but he has been out of the public eye basically since he was elected. For the last 2 months he has been trying too hard to get into the news. It’s sad really. I am hoping Patty Wetterling will decide to run. She was unable to unseat Mark Kennedy, but I think she could win statewide. I freakin’ hate Mark Kennedy, so if I have to deal with him and Norm I will scream!!!!
Apparently the Super Genius is having a secret affair with author Douglas Coupland. We went to hear him read last night. Of course, I was smart and brought two books and planned on picking up Eleanor Rigby while we were there. She was bitter the whole time because she is the self-claimed Super Genius yet I was the one who planned ahead. So, we make our way to the table to have him sign. Neither of us wanted anything personal (it seems so hokey to have them personalized). Coupland looks up at Super Genius and says “Oh, let me come around the table