Mn-prog-events Mailing List: Progressive Calendar 12.06.05

[David Shove (shove001]

             P R O G R E S S I V E   C A L E N D A R     12.06.05

1. Women/Capitol    12.07 9:30am
2. Biology/law      12.07 11:30am
3. Women's health   12.07 12noon
4. Writer's rights  12.07 1:30pm
5. Building dreams  12.07 4:30pm
6. Quality care     12.07 4:30pm
7. Radical shopping 12.07 5pm
8. Jordan park      12.07 5:30pm
9. Taxes/stadium    12.07 5:30pm
10. Somalia         12.07 5:30pm
11. Pearl/Hiroshima 12.07 6:30pm
12. NWsub/C4peace   12.07 6:30pm
13. Labor/Argentina 12.07 7pm
14. Anti-torture    12.07 7pm
15. MNSOAwatch      12.07 7pm
16. IRV voting      12.07 7pm

17. Doug Grow    - Small town doughnut kremes Goliath
18. John Nichols - An antiwar challenge to Hillary Clinton
19. Ed Begley Jr - Take back our communities from polluters

--------1 of 19--------

From: Bharti [at] mnwomen.org
Subject: Women/Capitol 12.07 9:30am

Minnesota Women's Consortium!

Please join the Consortium for "Women Come to the Capitol:  The Prequel,"
on Wednesday, December 7, 9:30 to noon at the Minnesota Women's Building,
550 Rice Street, St. Paul.

Speakers from the Children's Defense Fund, YWCA-Minneapolis, Minnesota
Women's Political Caucus, Legislative Office on the Economic Status of
Women, and OutFront Minnesota will explain strategies for talking to
legislators before session begins, and identify hot issues coming up in
2006.  Rep. Katie Sieben and Sen. Ellen Anderson will discuss
legislator/constituent relationships.  There is no cost for the great
information, food, and the opportunity to gather as powerful activist
women.  Whether you are completely new to the process, or a veteran
lobbyist, you will find these connections helpful.

Space is limited, so please be sure to reserve your place by sending your
RSVP to Bharti [at] mnwomen.org (yes, you can just press the reply key).  You
may also call Bharti at 651/228-0338 if you need more information.


--------2 of 19--------

From: Consortium <lawvalue [at] umn.edu>
Subject: Biology/law 12.07 11:30am

The Implications of Behavioral Biology for Law: Evolutionary Perspectives
- Prof. Owen Jones on 12/7/05

The Lecture Series on Law, Health & the Life Sciences will present Prof.
Owen Jones, JD (Vanderbilt University) on Wednesday, December 7, 2005 from
11:30am-1:00pm in the Mississippi Room at Coffman Memorial Union.

Prof. Jones will lecture on "The Implications of Behavioral Biology for
Law: Evolutionary Perspectives."  Profs. Susan Wolf, JD (Law School,
Medical School, Center for Bioethics) and David W. Stephens, PhD (Dept. of
Ecology, Evolution and Behavior) will offer commentary after Prof. Jones'
lecture.  Continuing education credit is offered (see below). The series
is cosponsored by the University of Minnesota's Consortium on Law and
Values in Health, Environment & the Life Sciences
(www.lifesci.consortium.umn.edu) and Joint Degree Program in Law, Health &
the Life Sciences (www.jointdegree.umn.edu).

Abstract:  Society uses law to encourage people to behave differently than
they would behave in the absence of law.  This fundamental purpose makes
law highly dependent on sound understandings of the multiple causes of
human behavior.  The better those understandings, the better law can
achieve social goals with legal tools.  In this lecture, Prof. Jones will
argue that many long-held understandings about where behavior comes from
are rapidly obsolescing as a consequence of developments in the various
fields constituting behavioral biology.  By helping to refine law's
understandings of behavior's causes, he will argue, behavioral biology can
help to improve law's effectiveness and efficiency.

Owen D. Jones is Professor of Law and Professor of Biological Sciences at
Vanderbilt University.  Prof. Jones specializes in issues at the
intersection of law and human behavioral biology, subjects on which he has
written and spoken widely, and on which he has taught courses in both law
and biology curricula.  His numerous publications have appeared in
journals of the Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Michigan, Cornell, University of
California-Berkeley, and Northwestern law schools, among others.  He is
also the founding President of the Society for Evolutionary Analysis in
Law (SEAL; www.sealsite.org) - an interdisciplinary scholarly
organization, whose several hundred members, from 24 different countries,
focus on issues at the intersection of law, evolutionary, and behavioral
sciences.  In 2004, The Gruter Institute for Law and Behavioral Research
awarded Prof. Jones the Bene Merenti Award, for distinguished achievements
in law and biology.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required if you
wish to receive continuing education credits (CLE, CME or CNE). RSVP to
lawvalue [at] umn.edu or 612-625-0055. Coffman Union parking is available in
the East River Road Garage on Delaware Street behind Coffman Union. Maps
may be found at http://onestop.umn.edu/Maps/index.html.

This lecture is intended for students, faculty, researchers, scientists,
policymakers, patients, health care professionals and organizations, and
interested community members.  Following this lecture, participants should
be able to:

* Articulate findings in behavioral biology that are relevant to law.

* Describe how a biological understanding of human behavior can make law
more effective.

The University of Minnesota is accredited by the Accreditation Council for
Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical
education for physicians.

The University of Minnesota designates this continuing medical education
activity for a maximum of 1 category 1 credit toward the AMA Physician's
Recognition Award per lecture. Each physician should claim only those
credits that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.

This activity offers 1.20 contact hours of continuing education and is
designed to meet the MN Board of Nursing criteria for mandatory continuing
education for licensure renewal.

Continuing legal education credit (CLE) for attorneys will be requested
(1.5 hours).

This lecture is the second in the 2005-06 Lecture Series on Law, Health &
the Life Sciences.  This year's Lecture Series focuses on the implications
of neuroscience.  For more information on upcoming events, visit
http://www.lifesci.consortium.umn.edu/news_and_events/#events.

Thanks to Consortium member Prof. Michael Georgieff (Center for
Neurobehavioral Development) for taking the lead in planning.


--------3 of 19--------

From: humanrts [at] umn.edu
Subject: Women's health 12.07 12noon

December 7 - For the Health of Women, For the Health of the World: No More
Violence.  Time: 12:00 pm.

Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights and Hennepin County Medical Center
Education Department invite you to a speaker presentation as part of the
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence November 25 December 10, 2005

The Beijing Platform for Action (1995) states Violence against women is an
obstacle to the achievement of the objectives of equality, development and
peace.  Violence against women both violates and impairs or nullifies the
enjoyment by women of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Violence against women is both a cause and a consequence of the HIV/AIDS
pandemic.  Our speakers will explore the complex connections between women
s human rights, violence against women and women s health, with a special
emphasis on the links between violence against women and the HIV/AIDS
pandemic.

Speaker biographies

Diane Knust, LISW currently works at Hennepin County as the Ryan White
Title I Quality Management Coordinator. She is also adjunct faculty at the
University Of Minnesota School Of Social Work, and has worked as a
training and education consultant with the Midwest AIDS Training and
Education Center. She teaches an undergraduate course on gender violence
in the global perspective where the relationship between HIV infection and
violence against women is a primary theme. Prior to her work at the
University, she was Program Manager for case management at the Minnesota
AIDS Project for 4 years and has been personally and professionally
dedicated to HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic.

Monica Yugu, MD, MPH works as a Case Manager at HCMC. She has extensive
experience in public health, HIV/AIDS education, emotional support,
counseling, training, outreach, project designing and advocacy both in
Africa and the U.S.  She is an active faith-based volunteer facilitator
for women s empowerment in her own community in Minnesota.

Please RSVP by Monday, December 5th to Mary Hunt at 612-341-3302, ext. 107
or mhunt [at] mnadvocates.org.  This is a brown bag presentation; drinks will
be provided.

For more information on the 16 Days campaign, visit the Center for Women s
Global Leadership at http://www.cwgl.rutgers.edu/16days/home.html.
Location: Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, 650 3rd Ave. S., Suite
550, Minneapolis, MN


--------4 of 19--------

From: lynette <lynette [at] prettyhorses.net>
Subject: Writer's rights 12.07 1:30pm

Wednesday, December 7

Stand Up for Your Rights, presented by the National Writer's Union
Journalism Division, 1:30-2:30 pm at the Linden Hills Community Center, on
the northwest corner of South Xerxes and West 43rd Street, Minneapolis.


--------5 of 19--------

From: Philip Schaffner <PSchaffner [at] ccht.org>
Subject: CCHT Building Dreams 12.07 4:30pm

You're invited to a free, one-hour information session provided by Central
Community Housing Trust. "Building Dreams" is on hour of inspiration and
information about the Twin Cities affordable housing crisis and the
mission of Central Community Housing Trust. You'll learn how affordable
housing is defined; how hard it is for a family to get by in the Twin
Cities on a low income; and how CCHT's high-quality, long-term approach to
housing helps solve the Twin Cities' housing crisis. We've limited each
session in size so you can meet and talk with CCHT leadership and get to
know other community members who care about housing.

Wednesday, December 7, 4:30 - 5:30pm, Brownstone Bldg, 849 University Ave.
Room 106, St. Paul.  For more information, visit: www.ccht.org/bd

Philip Schaffner Fund Development Manager Central Community Housing Trust
612-341-3148 x237 pschaffner [at] ccht.org


--------6 of 19--------

From: Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council <kyle [at] mplscluc.com>
Subject: Quality Care 12.07 4:30pm

Twin Cities hospital workers kickoff a new campaign Wednesday

Hospital workers from across the Twin Cities and the state of Minnesota
are launching Together for Quality Care, a new campaign to improve the
quality and affordability of health care for their patients, their
families, and their communities.

Members of SEIU Local 113 will be joined at their kickoff rally by
Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch, St. Paul Mayor-Elect Chris Coleman,
former LPN and retired member of Local 113 State Representative Patti
Fritz (DFL-Faribault), and SEIU International Executive Vice President
Mary Kay Henry. Join them!

Together For Quality Care
Campaign Kickoff Rally!

Wednesday, December 7
4:30-6:30pm
Bethany Lutheran Church
2511 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis

Together for Quality Care is a campaign of SEIU Local 113, which includes
more than 14,000 hospital, clinic and nursing home workers across the
state of Minnesota. SEIU is comprised of nearly one million health care
workers nationwide and is a powerful voice for working families. For more
information, call Local 113 at 612-331-4690 ext. 129

Want to know more? Read a new report by SEIU, "Twin Cities Hospitals Flat
Line on Health Insurance" by going to www.seiumn.org .

For union news and information, go to www.minneapolisunions.org .


--------7 of 19--------

To: Samantha Smart <speakoutsisters [at] earthlink.net>
Subject: Radical shopping 12.07 5pm

Wednesday, December 7
Ten Thousand Villages 5-8pm
Grand Ave. & Victoria in St. Paul - inside the Bread & Chocolate building

Organizational Shopping Night for Speak Out Sisters!
help support the Radical Women's Economic Justice project!

Do some fabulous fair-trade holiday shopping at this globally friendly
store and a portion of the proceeds will benefit SOS! and our attempts to
build a matriarchal economy !

Shop til you drop in a lusciously beautiful environment - what could be
more fun??!!!


--------8 of 19--------

From: Todd Heintz <proud2liveinjordan [at] yahoo.com>
Subject: Jordan park 12.07 5:30pm

The Mpls Park And Rec Board will hold a Public Hearing to receive public
comment on the proposed Design for playground improvements at Jordan Park.

Park Board Staff will present the community and staff recommended design
during the Planning Committee Meeting on Wednesday December 7Th at 530 pm
at Mpls Park And Rec Board 2117 West River Road 2ND Floor Board Room
Minneapolis, Mn 55411

For more info on the Design for playground improvements or Public hearing
call Park Board Staff : Emily Ero-Phillips 612.230.6468 or Deb Boyd
612.230.6460

I am hoping to see a packed house!!


--------9 of 19--------

From: Ron Holch <rrholch [at] attg.net>
Subject: Lino/taxes/stadium 12.07 5:30pm

The Lino Lakes City Council will take up the issue of a resolution
supporting the State required referendum for Taxes to pay for a Vikings
Stadium(see below):

Wednesday December 7, 2005
5:30 pm Work Session

Monday December 12, 2005
6:30 pm City Council Meeting

At Lino Lakes City Hall

We need all those who can be there to show support.  You can speak on the
issue for 4 minutes if you want to.  There is no need to preregister.  If
we are successful the resolution which has already been introduced may be
voted on or tabled for the next regular City Council Meeting and be voted
on by the Council.

Please tell everyone you know.  You can forward this email as well.
If you have any questions email or call me
651-642-9717
Or call City Council member Donna Carlson
(651) 429-1372

STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF ANOKA
CITY OF LINO LAKES

Resolution
 WHEREAS, Anoka County and the Minnesota Vikings are proposing to
construct a sports stadium in the City of Blaine; and
 WHEREAS, Anoka County is proposing to financially fund a portion of the
stadium with a County-wide sales tax and other fees which will be paid by
taxpayers, and
 WHEREAS, Anoka County and others are in favor of bypassing a state law,
which requires a referendum in order to increase taxes to fund a stadium.
 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lino Lakes City Council, which is
the representative government body of the residents of Lino Lakes,
supports the necessity of a referendum, as it is required by law.

Ron Holch Organizer Tax Payers Against an Anoka County Vikings Stadium


--------10 of 19--------

From: humanrts [at] umn.edu
Subject: Somalia 12.07 5:30pm

December 7 - Somalia - a Viable State: What Does this Mean to Minnesota
and The World?.  Time: Registration 5:30 p.m.; program 6:00-8:00 p.m..
Cost: Free and open to the public..

Public forum hosted by the Minnesota International Center.  On December 7,
the Minnesota International Center will present a panel discussion on the
situation in Somalia with a panel of high-ranking representatives from the
U.S. State Department, United Nations and U.S. Congress, and Somalia
statesmen.

Panel members will include: Ambassador Jendayi Frazer, Assistant Secretary
of State for African Affairs; Norm Coleman, Minnesota Senator; Ali
Galaydh, former Prime Minister of Somalia and faculty member of the Hubert
H. Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs; and Dr. Elmi Ahmed Duale,
Ambassador of Somali to the United Nations.

"As Minnesota is home to the largest population of Somalis living in the
U.S. (estimated at 60,000), it is only fitting that our state should be
hosting a forum of this caliber," commented MIC President Carol Byrne.
"We hope to provide an opportunity for the general Twin Cities public to
learn more about the situation in Somalia, and broaden public awareness of
the important issues facing Somalis today."  It will also be a time to
hear various perspectives, discuss challenges and share hopes for
Somalia's future.

Advance registration is required due to limited seating.
Call 612.625.4421 or register online at www.micglobe.org

The Minnesota International Center (MIC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan
member- supported organization dedicated to inspiring our community to
understand global issues and cultures in an ever changing world.  Since
1953 MIC has been creating conversations across cultures in communities
throughout Minnesota. Last year MIC organized more than 1,000
intercultural activities that were attended by more than 30,000 people.
Location: Coffman Memorial Union Theater, First Floor, University of
Minnesota, 300 Washington Avenue S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455


--------11 of 19--------

From: Lisa Ledwidge/IEER <ieer [at] ieer.org>
Subject: Pearl/Hiroshima 12.07 6:30pm

Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima: The Connections

·   Why did the Japanese bomb the U.S. fleet at Pearl Harbor?
·   Why was the fleet moved there in 1940?
·   Was there a connection between those events and the bombing of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki or even the development of nuclear weapons?
·   Did U.S. decision-makers like Secretary of War Henry Stimson believe
that, with the "proper use" of the atom bomb, "civilization can be saved"?

Arjun Makhijani, Ph.D. - author, nuclear physicist, and president of the
Maryland-based Institute for Energy and Environmental Research - posits
that the answers to such questions are essential to understanding
present-day threats in the post-9/11 world and to developing a strategy
for universal elimination of the role of nuclear weapons in modern
military and political thinking.  Dr. Makhijani's talk, scheduled to
coincide with the 64th anniversary of the Japanese bombing of Pearl
Harbor, will be followed by audience questions and discussion.

Wednesday December 7, 6:30pm
Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
511 Groveland Ave., Minneapolis, at Lyndale and Hennepin Aves. Directions:
<http://haumc.org/map.asp>http://haumc.org/map.asp
FFI: 612-722-9700

About Arjun Makhijani
Arjun Makhijani, Ph.D., is one of the one leading experts on all aspects of
nuclear weapons and nuclear war planning.  He is the president of the
Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, a non-profit technical
institute based in Takoma Park, Maryland.

Dr. Makhijani is a prolific writer.  He has authored and co-authored
numerous articles, reports and books on nuclear weapons and nuclear-weapons
related issues, including Target Japan, about the U.S. decision to bomb
Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  He is the principal editor of the Pulitzer
Prize-nominated book, Nuclear Wastelands: A Global Guide to Nuclear Weapons
Production and Its Health and Environmental Effects, and the principal
author of Mending the Ozone Hole, both published by MIT Press.  Dr.
Makhijani is the principal author of the first study ever done (completed
in 1971) on energy conservation potential in the U.S. economy.  He is also
the author of Ecology and Genetics, a new theoretical exploration of the
connections between the genetic structures of living beings and the
ecosystems they need to survive.  Dr. Makhijani is currently writing a book
on the quality of science in the nuclear weapons establishment from past to
present.

Dr. Makhijani has testified numerous times before the U.S. Congress,
written for a variety of publications, including the Washington Post, New
York Times, and Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, and appeared on national
television and radio programs, including CNN, 60 Minutes, CSPAN and
National Public Radio.  He earned his Ph.D. from the electrical engineering
department of the University of California-Berkeley where he specialized in
plasma physics as applied to thermonuclear fusion.  Dr. Makhijani has
visited communities at every nuclear weapons site in the United States and
many in other countries, including Britain, France, India, and Russia.

For more information about Dr. Makhijani and the Institute for Energy and
Environmental Research, visit <http://www.ieer.org/>http://www.ieer.org

Lisa Ledwidge Outreach Director, United States, and Editor of Science for
Democratic Action Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER)
PO Box 6674 | Minneapolis, MN 55406 USA tel. 1-612-722-9700 | fax: please
call first | ieer [at] ieer.org | http://www.ieer.org


--------12 of 19--------

From: lois swenson <swenson2206 [at] yahoo.com>
Subject: NWsub/C4peace 12.07 6:30pm

Wed Dec 7, the newly organized NORTHWEST SUBURBAN CITIZENS FOR PEACE will
be meeting for their second time, at the Rockford Road Public Library, at
6:30pm, Crystal Mn.


--------13 of 19--------

From: Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council <kyle [at] mplscluc.com>
Subject: Labot/Argentina/film 12.07 7pm

Labor and Community Film Series presents
"The Take"
(Filmmakers: Naomi Klein & Avi Lewis, 2004, 87 min.)
Wednesday, December 7,
7pm
UAW-Ford-MnSCU Training Center (in the St. Paul Ford Plant)
The event is free and open to the public.

In the wake of Argentina's spectacular economic collapse in 2001, Latin
America's most prosperous middle class finds itself in a ghost town of
abandoned factories and mass unemployment. In suburban Buenos Aires, 30
unemployed auto-parts workers walk into their idle factory, roll out
sleeping mats and refuse to leave. All they want is to re-start the silent
machines. But this simple act - the take - has the power to turn the
globalization debate on its head. For more information on the film, or to
see a trailer, go to www.nfb.ca/webextension/thetake/ .

Sponsored by the University of Minnesota Labor Education Service. For more
information and directions, or to see the schedule for upcoming films, go
to www.laboreducation.org .

For union news and information, go to www.minneapolisunions.org .


--------14 of 19--------

From: Dave Bicking  <dave [at] colorstudy.com>
Subject: Anti-torture 12.07  7pm

Please note change in time and location!

This Wednesday 12/7, and every Wednesday, meeting of the anti- torture
group, T3: Tackling Torture at the Top (a sub-group of WAMM).  We are
changing our meeting time to the evening in order to accomodate the
schedules of our growing membership.  This week, and for the next few
weeks until we find a suitable public space, we will be meeting at 7pm in
the home of Dave Bicking, 3211 22 Av S Mpls (lower duplex).  (2 blocks
south of Lake St, just west of the LRT stop)  Anyone interested in
stopping torture is welcome.

For just this week, to accomodate those members who can not meet on a
Wednesday night, we will also have a short meeting at the old time and
place:  3pm at St. Martin's Table

Dave Bicking 612-276-1213


--------15 of 19--------

From: Charles Underwood <charleyunderwood [at] hotmail.com>
Subject: MNSOAwatch 12.07 7pm

Wednesday, 12/7, 7 pm, MN SOA Watch monthly meeting. Holy Trinity Lutheran
Church, 2730 31st St, Mpls. Enter east doors.  www.circlevision.org


--------16 of 19--------

From: Michelle Lee <angrypeanut77 [at] yahoo.com>
Subject: Instant runoff IRV 12.07 7pm

INSTANT RUNOFF VOTING
MINNEAPOLIS CHARTER AMENDMENT CAMPAIGN

Learn about the emerging charter amendment campaign to adopt IRV in
Minneapolis and how you can help get it on the ballot.

Arise Bookstore - 2441 Lyndale Ave So. Wed. December 7th, 7:00 p.m.

For more information about the Minneapolis IRV campaign, go to
www.fairvotemn.org/minneapolis. E-mail: MplsCharter [at] FairVoteMN.org

Imagine a voting system that:

-Eliminates low-turnout local primaries and ensures majority rule in just
one election
-Allows voters to rank their choice of candidates in order of preference
-Is cheaper, easier and more convenient than traditional runoff voting
-Maximizes voter participation in the outcome of the election - the
decisive election takes place when turnout is highest
-Assures that low-turnout primary elections won't eliminate candidates
who could win in a high-turnout general election
-Ends the "spoiler" problem - when voting for the candidate you like
best may split the majority and help elect the candidate you like least
-Allows third parties to run on their issues and get an accurate tally of
their support
-Empowers voters to vote sincerely without the need to worry about
"wasting" their votes
-Ensures winners have a mandate from the voters
-Reduces negative campaigning
-Invigorates campaign discourse by bringing multiple viewpoints into the
debate
-Increases voter turnout and the legitimacy of the whole process

Come and find out how Instant Runoff Voting does all of this.


--------17 of 19--------

Small town doughnut kremes Goliath
Creaming of Krispy Kreme in Winona is a tasty win for small business
everywhere
Doug Grow, Star Tribune
December 5 2005

This one's for all the neighborhood grocery and hardware stores that
have been blown away by the big chains in recent years.

In Winona, mighty Krispy Kreme has lost to the hometown doughnut created
at Bloedow Bakery since 1924.

Krispy Kreme products arrived in Winona stores to some fanfare a couple
of years ago. The North Carolina-based corporation left town quietly
last month.

Insufficient sales, a spokeswoman for Glazed Investments, which owns
Krispy Kreme franchises in Rochester and Onalaska, Wis., told the
Associated Press.

"To be honest, it didn't seem like that big a deal," said Mary Polus,
who along with her husband, Hugh, owns Bloedow Bakery. "I've tested
their [glazed raised] doughnut. There's no comparison. Ours is bigger,
better and we charge less. The only thing that surprises me is all the
media attention this is getting."

But why not attention? After all, this is a saga about loyalty, goodness
and doughnuts. It doesn't get better than that.

I admit, there's also a personal aspect to the Bloedow Bakery triumph
for me. Somewhere out there beyond the chain stores, I figure, my pop's
smiling.

When I was a kid, my father, along with a couple of my uncles, owned a
small print shop in South Dakota.

In the early 1960s, a national drugstore chain moved to the main street
of my hometown.

There was much excitement in the community about this arrival.
Wow, a chain store. It was as if we'd been discovered.

My father, a community booster, didn't share the excitement. Our family
would not be shopping at a chain store, he said. We'd be loyal to the
people who lived in our community.

My father, my uncles and the print shop are gone. And my hometown looks
like every other town in the country, a collection of national chains.
But in Winona, Bloedow survives to bake another day.

Hugh and Mary Polus, in their mid-30s, bought the bakery last January.
But they know their doughnuts. Hugh's been baking at Bloedow's since he
was 15.

The big problem for the bakery, Polus said, hasn't been Krispy Kreme so
much as low-carb diets.

But people in the Winona area clearly haven't given up all the sweetness
of life.

Making all those doughnuts

On Saturdays alone, Hugh Polus, who arrives at work at 12:30 a.m., leads
an effort to crank out from 300 to 500 dozen glazed doughnuts and
maple-covered long johns (Krispy Kreme produces 2.7 billion doughnuts a
year). The Bloedow doughnuts are not only sold over the counter at the
downtown bakery -- 45 cents apiece -- but delivered to stores around the
area.

Tom Thompson, co-owner of Midtown Foods, understands the war against
chains. He and his partner, Ernie Gorman, own two grocery stores that,
combined, have half as much square footage as the grocery section of the
big new Wal-Mart store in town.

"But we're holding our own," Thompson said. "The secret is to know your
customers and offer service, service, service."

Thompson did let Krispy Kreme set up displays in the Midtown Foods
stores two years ago. But the customers let their actions speak for
them. They didn't bite on Krispy Kremes.

About a year ago, Thompson sent Krispy Kreme packing and today offers
Bloedow's products.

And now, "Everybody's happy," Thompson said.

How sweet it is.

<http://www.startribune.com/dynamic/mobile_story.php?story=5765443>
Doug Grow <http://www.startribune.com/stories/465>
http://www.startribune.com/stories/465/5765443.html


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An Antiwar Challenge to Hillary Clinton
By John Nichols
The Nation
Monday 05 December 2005
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?bid=1&pid=41233

Former National Writers Union president Jonathan Tasini, one of the most
outspoken progressive activists in the U.S. labor movement, is expected this
week to launch a Democratic primary challenge to New York Senator Hillary
Clinton on a progressive platform that features a call for bringing U.S.
troops home from Iraq.

Tasini has scheduled an announcement for Tuesday morning in New York City,
setting up a campaign that could put unexpected pressure from the left on
Clinton, the unannounced frontrunner for the 2008 Democratic presidential
nomination who until recently has been one of the strongest Democratic
backers of the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq.

Tasini plans to campaign in support of the call by U.S. Representative John
Murtha, D-Pennsylvania, for the rapid withdrawal of U.S. troops from that
Middle Eastern country.

"Senator Clinton is out of step with the values of a majority of New
Yorkers. While a majority of New Yorkers support an end to the war, Senator
Clinton has repeatedly voiced her support for a war that continues to
accumulate unacceptable costs, in terms of American and Iraqi lives and our
own government spending," explained Tasini, decribing a central theme of a
campaign that is also expected to advocate for fair trade, economic reforms
and universal health care.

Clinton has felt little heat so far from her most prominent Republican
challenger, Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro, whose
campaign so far has been so hapless that some top Republicans are now
calling for her to quit the race and instead run for state Attorney General.

But Tasini, who served for more than a decade as head of a national union
and has since worked as president of the Economic Future Group, poses a far
different and potentially more interesting challenge to Clinton. An author
and frequent guest on television public affairs programs, Tasini runs a
well-regarded progressive blog, Working Life, at his www.workinglife.org
website, where his reviews of trade, health care and labor policy issues
have drawn a broad following.

Unlike Pirro, Tasini understands the issues, he's quick on his feet, he
knows his way around the state's union halls and he recognizes that
Clinton's greatest vulnerability is a cautious centrism that has frequently
put her at odds with grassroots Democrats.

Striking a chord that may well resonate with Democratic activists, Tasini
says, "My candidacy will borrow a phrase from the late Senator Paul
Wellstone, asking New Yorkers to'vote for what you believe in.'"

Even in liberal New York, a Tasini win in next September's Democratic
primary would be a huge upset.

Clinton has a deep-pockets campaign treasury, a solid Senate record and an
appeal to many Democrats who see her as both an heir to her husband Bill
Clinton's legacy and potentially the best candidate to carry that legacy
forward as a 2008 presidential contender. She also has an approach to even
the most critical issues of the day that might charitably be referred to as
"flexible."

In 2002, Clinton broke with more progressive Democrats such as Wellstone,
the late senator from Minnesota, Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy, West
Virginia Senator Robert Byrd and Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold, to support
authorizing President Bush to use force in Iraq. And during the 2004
presidential campaign, she echoed the sentiments of the most hawkish
Republicans when she criticized Bush for not sending enough troops to Iraq.

But, as the war has lost popular appeal, Clinton has begun to blur her
position. In a November 30 letter to constituents, the senator seemed to
back away from her support of the 2002 resolution, writing, "I voted for it
on the basis of the evidence presented by the Administration, assurances
they gave that they would first seek to resolve the issue of weapons of mass
destruction peacefully through United Nations sponsored inspections, and the
argument that the resolution was needed because Saddam Hussein never did
anything to comply with his obligations that he was not forced to do. Their
assurances turned out to be empty ones, as the Administration refused
repeated requests from the U.N. inspectors to finish their work. And the
'evidence' of weapons of mass destruction and links to al Qaeda turned out
to be false. Based on the information that we have today, Congress never
would have been asked to give the President authority to use force against
Iraq. And if Congress had been asked, based on what we know now, we never
would have agreed, given the lack of a long-term plan, paltry international
support, the proven absence of weapons of mass destruction, and the
reallocation of troops and resources that might have been used in
Afghanistan to eliminate Bin Laden and al Qaeda, and fully uproot the
Taliban."

Clinton stopped short of admitting that her 2002 vote was "wrong," which is
what former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, another prospective
candidate for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, did in a recent
Washington Post opinion piece.

She has also refused to side with another backer of the 2002 resolution,
Murtha, who is now pushing for a quick exit strategy. Clinton claims that,
"I do not believe that we should allow this to be an open-ended commitment
without limits or end." But, she adds, "Nor do I believe that we can or
should pull out of Iraq immediately." And a close read of her letter reveals
that, while the senator is quick to criticize Bush, she is still in the camp
that says America has "a big job to do" in Iraq.

That's the opening that Tasini will attempt to exploit. It will not be
easy -- even some of his old allies in the labor movement will be slow to
officially embrace his challenge to one of the most prominent and powerful
Democrats in the country.

But frustration with Clinton runs deeper among activist Democrats than is
often noted in the media.

Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a slain soldier in Iraq whose August protest
outside George Bush's ranchette in Crawford, Texas, made her one of the
country's most prominent anti-war advocates, has been almost as vocal in her
criticism of the senator as she has been of the president. "Hillary Clinton
is the leader of the pack" of pro-war Democrats, says Sheehan, who recently
joined the board of the anti-war Progressive Democrats of America group. In
an open letter posted in October on filmmaker Michael Moore's web site,
Sheehan wrote of Clinton: "I think she is a political animal who believes
she has to be a war hawk to keep up with the big boys."

Sheehan added that, "I will resist (Clinton's) candidacy with every bit of
my power and strength."

That line led some New York activists to suggest that Sheehan should move to
the state -- as Clinton did before her 2000 Senate run -- and run against
the incumbent.

That's not going to happen. Rather, Sheehan has issued a letter of support
for Tasini's challenge to Clinton, which you can read on Tasini's website.


--------19 of 19--------

Ed Begley Jr
Together we can take back our communities from polluters

Rachel's News -- Helping community activists, local officials and small
business owners protect nature, human health and democracy

Help us raise $100,000 to expand Rachel's News and outreach programs
Together, we can take back our communities from the polluters!

Be one of 2,000 supporters to make a $50 donation to help us achieve our
goal of $100,000.

Make a special donation today by going to www.rachel.org and clicking on
the 'donate now' button in the top right corner.

     "The natural world is deteriorating and human health is declining
     because those who make the important decisions aren't the ones
     who bear the brunt. Our purpose is to connect the dots between
     human health, the destruction of nature, the decline of
     community, and the rise of economic insecurity that allow us to
     be divided and therefore ruled by the few."
     --Peter Montague, Founder & Executive Director

2006 Marks The 20th Anniversary of Rachel's Democracy & Health News!

Dear Readers,

Rachel's Democracy & Health News (www.rachel.org) is the backbone of our
program to strengthen grass-roots activism, to affect national policy and
most importantly, to change American culture. We aim to affect the same
kind of change the abolitionists did (1775-1865) -- by making certain
ideas and practices repugnant and unthinkable.

Thanks to you and the thousands of activists we support, the Precautionary
Principle is steadily catching on! We began writing about it in 1991 and
since then we have been one of the nation's leading advocates for
precaution. In September we published our first issue of Rachel's
Precaution Reporter (RPR) to spread the word about how precaution is being
discussed, put into practice and relentlessly attacked by the critics. You
can find the latest issue at www.precaution.org.

We need your financial support to keep these publications free and to keep
real freedom of information alive! You can help us raise $100,000 to
expand our readership and outreach programs helping community activists,
local officials and small business owners protect nature, human health and
democracy. Please make a special donation online today at www.rachel.org
(click on the 'donate now' button in the top right corner). Or call
888-272-2435 to donate by phone. For a printable form that you can mail or
fax see below.

With your help we will achieve our three overarching goals: for society to
incorporate the precautionary principle, the public trust doctrine and
sustainable development into all of its institutions and ways of achieving
'success' so that future generations can have life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness. Please support building a vibrant democracy today
and make a special donation online today to help us raise $100,000 and
reach these goals.

We have big plans for the new year and with your help we will:

 ** Continue publishing Rachel's Democracy and Health News every two
weeks.
 ** Publish Rachel's Precaution Reporter weekly.
 ** Help plan, and participate in, a national "Promoting Precaution"
conference during 2006.
 ** With the Science and Environmental Health Network (www.sehn.org), we
will continue to put on workshops on precaution for governments and
community groups.
 ** We will continue to "answer the critics of precaution." We analyze how
the precautionary approach is denigrated, so that "our side" can develop
and use effective counter-arguments FOR precaution.

The list of our activities for 2006 continues below, but suffice to say
that we need your support to make all of this happen. If 2,000 readers
donate $50 each, we will achieve our goal of $100,000. Please make a
special gift today. And thank you for your continued support and
readership.

Sincerely,
Ed Begley, Jr.              Peter Montague
President of the Board      Executive Director

Our work will be complete only when it is unthinkable to pursue our human
interests in ways that degrade the environment and human health. In the
twenty years that we've been publishing Rachel's News we've learned that
the problems of modern life are related and must be worked on together:
deteriorating environmental conditions, worsening human health, the loss
of good jobs with benefits, increased insecurity for individuals and
communities, and low voter turnout indicating loss of confidence in
democratic institutions. We exist to support the people who stir things up
and eventually transform our society -- but only with your help. Please
make a special gift today to support the environment, health, jobs and
democracy. Or call 888-272-2435 to donate by phone. See below for a
printable form that you mail or fax.

Privacy Policy: Environmental Research Foundation keeps your contact info
strictly confidential.

Here's more of what we are up to in 2006...with your help:

** We are continuing to develop our web-based database of grass-roots
organizations to help groups answer two questions: (a) who else is
organized and working in my geographical area? and (b) who is working on
my issue no matter where they are located geographically?

** We are continuing to develop the "What's Working Now" section of our
web site, to give communities and community activists good ideas of what's
possible, what's being done elsewhere. These real-world projects will
begin to appear in Rachel's Democracy & Health News.

** Give talks and speeches, mainly on precaution, but also weaving in the
bigger picture of what kind of deep cultural change we are all seeking and
how such change has occurred in the past.

** Writing a Peoples' Guide to Risk Assessment, including "alternatives to
risk assessment for decision-making."

** Providing specific information to people who are stirring things up:
answering phone calls and emails from activists, journalists, librarians,
and government officials seeking help with specific problems.

** Local work on environmental justice: To keep our work grounded in the
real world, we will continue to work locally in New Jersey, promoting a
precautionary approach actively within the Environmental Justice Alliance.
This local work provides a place for us to advocate for precautionary
approaches, which gives us direct feedback. It also helps develop an
inter-racial coalition, which is essential for creating the deep cultural
change we seek.

** Organize a conference on steady-state economics for 2007.

Precaution is an idea whose time has come!
When San Francisco (city and county) adopted the precautionary principle
in 2003, they cited our book as their main source of ideas and
inspiration. (See Mary O'Brien, Making Better Environmental Decisions. MIT
Press, 2001; ISBN 0262650533.) Since that time, Portland, Oregon and
Seattle, Washington, have taken steps to embed precautionary approaches
into municipal policy. Towns in Texas, Florida and New Jersey have adopted
precautionary approaches to pest management in schools, minimizing the
exposure of children and staff to toxic chemicals. Precaution is an idea
whose time has come!

Call 888-272-2435 to donate by phone.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION www.rachel.org
P.O. Box 160, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0160


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