A story somewhat removed from today's snow-laced prairie strikes our fancy. In reading mnpACT! analysis, Rep. Garofalo Wants to Can the "Hip-Hop", we find it's clear that the suburban legislator Pat Garofalo doesn't care for the rap music. From the Pioneer Press:
A Republican state lawmaker wants to scrap integration aid given to some school districts and redirect the funds to other education programs.
Rep. Pat Garofalo of Farmington said given Minnesota's budget deficit, it's more important than ever to reprioritize spending. His proposal would give all districts a 1 percent increase in funding and boost the state's school lunch program by $12 million.
"There is simply no excuse for state government to be spending money on a six-step hip-hop program or a kindness retreat," Garofalo said, criticizing actual programs districts use the money for.
MnpACT! Dave Mindeman points out that Garofalo's own county is experiencing a significant demographic shift:
In short, Dakota County may be an ideal test-ground for the outreach Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele outlined in February to the Washington Times:
Newly elected Republican National Committee Chairman Michael S. Steele plans an “off the hook” public relations offensive to attract younger voters, especially blacks and Hispanics, by applying the party's principles to “urban-suburban hip-hop settings.”
The RNC's first black chairman will “surprise everyone” when updating the party's image using the Internet and advertisements on radio, on television and in print, he told The Washington Times.. . .
”There was underlying concerns we had become too regionalized and the party needed to reach beyond our comfort” zones, he said, citing defeats in such states as Virginia and North Carolina. “We need messengers to really capture that region - young, Hispanic, black, a cross section ... We want to convey that the modern-day GOP looks like the conservative party that stands on principles. But we want to apply them to urban-surburban hip-hop settings.”
We'll ask the obvious question. Why does Pat Garofalo hate the Republican Party? Why does he want deprive conservative school children of the very tools that will let them rescue the RPM from becoming a regional relic?
Will Steele slam Garofalo, recreating his recent trouncing of Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert?
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Conservative Rap Battle - Michael Steele's Response | ||||
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Grandmaster Garofalo at the podium, lay it down.
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