Congratulations to Jennifer and David on the birth of Sage Elizabeth, 6 lbs, 10.5 oz. May she grow to be as good-looking, bright, strong, and courageous as both her parents, as kind as her grandmother Darlene, and as dedicated to community and country as her late grandfather Steve.
Iraq and Afghanistan aren't the only place where Americans serve. About 400 Minnesota National Guard members are helping to keep the peace in the newly-independent nation of Kosovo. The Albert Lea Tribune tells the story from the perspective of guard members stationed in Vitina. A very interesting read; the soldiers are highly regarded by local people:
NATO soldiers met with local officials prior to the declaration on the importance of keeping Kosovo peaceful when in the world spotlight.
Overall, he said, the presence of the troops have been well-received in Kosovo. He said the soldiers are “well-respected” by the Serbians and “much more well-respected, even revered” by the ethnic Albanians.
He said when the independence was declared the soldiers made sure Serbs were protected while Albanians celebrated.
The Mankato Free Press reports Local troops calm Kosovo tensions.
Congressman Walz worked hard last March to make sure the Guard in Kosovo kept receiving imminent danger pay.
In Fighting to improve US economy, a column published in today's Winona Daily News, Walz concludes:
In the past seven years, Bush has added an incredible $4 trillion to our national debt. I’m pleased that Congress, under its new leadership, has started to get a handle on spending by passing pay-as-you-go budget rules that require new government spending to be paid for. This is a good start, but more needs to be done.
With the passage of this stimulus package, it seems that Congress and Bush have begun to realize that we’re all in this together. The stimulus package is one example of the good things that can happen when Congress and the president work together, but we can’t stop there.
Next, we need to build on that accomplishment, set aside our differences and take some hard steps to balance the budget and reduce our national debt. It won’t be easy, but the work we do now will have a lasting impact on the economy and the types of economic opportunities our children have available to them.
The Owatonna People's Press looks at the economic and politics of ethanol in two stories: Corn prices tied to the crude oil rollercoaster and Ethanol's environmental impact under debate.
Walz, Betty McCollum, and Colin Peterson are among 52 Members of Congress [who] Press Secretary of State To Challenge Azerbaijan's Threats of Renewed Aggression:
More than 50 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives called upon Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Friday to challenge Azerbaijan's threats of renewed war against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, and to take concrete action to hold leaders in Baku accountable for actions that directly undermine the Administration's policy of fostering peace and stability in the South Caucasus region, reported the Armenian National Committee of America.
The letter, initiated by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairmen Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ), cited specific recent threats by Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and stressed that, "these fear tactics and threats of war go directly against the United States' goal of peace and stability in the South Caucasus region. Azerbaijan has been threatening war with Armenia for years. However, these recent public comments made by high-ranking government officials prove that their rhetoric has turned into a very real and dangerous threat."
The Winona Human Rights Commission extends A diversity training invitation for Drazkowski, as well as offering a civics lesson:
Drazkowski expressed his concerns in an opinion column Feb. 6 about the budget difficulties in our courts. As our representative in the Legislature, he should have that concern.
He is also concerned about the high cost of administrative services within the court system. This is a legitimate concern. Among these costs is the cost of interpreters for those who don’t speak English or do not speak English well.
Drazkowski seems to be proposing that non-English speakers no longer receive the assistance of an interpreter within the state court system unless they bear the cost of interpretation themselves.
The Winona Human Rights Commission is concerned about such a proposal because it stands in direct contravention of existing law, specifically the United States Civil Rights Act, a law that requires an interpreter be provided in this setting.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act is the “Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons.” For guidance, see www.hhs.gov/ocr/lep/revised lep.html.
The Waseca Historical Society presented a program about Waseca's Black History remembered. Interesting snapshots from history; we find the story of the three African-American baseball players on the town's 1900 state championship town to be especially ironic in light of the knuckleheaded racist remarks former Twins owner Calvin Griffith made to the Waseca Lions Club in 1978..
The Owatonna People's Press reports that his late grandfather's need for blood transfusions has inspired Joe Gibson to work to for change in Blooming Prairie teen behind bill to lower state's blood donor age to 16.
He had contacted state Rep. Patty Fritz with a petition and just expected to have his idea turned down. Instead, Fritz met with him to work on the bill's language. Both Fritz and Gibson expect it to pass. More in the Rochester Post Bulletin story, Teen on quest to lower blood-donor age to 16. Kids these days!
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