A Bluestem Prairie

"Pawlenty's Katrina": Myron Schober reacts to special session

In Mixed Reactions to Flood Relief Bill, KAAL-TV interviewed Myron Schober:

But some said the response should have come a little sooner.

"We called Rushford Pawlenty’s Katrina because of the politics," says Myron Schober owner of Tri-County Publishing who lost thousands of dollars in inventory. "It seemed long for us because we knew our situation and it took them a little extra time to decisions.”

Now that a decision has finally been made, Schober is still waiting to see when the aid will actually be made available.

"They still have to decide the rules of the application and we still have a responsibility on our end."

The Strib picks up on Schober's column in today's editorial, A strong state hand for flood victims:

The financial lifeline the Legislature tossed early Wednesday morning to Rushford, Stockton, Minnesota City, Goodview and other Bluff Country towns may have come in record time, by legislative calendars. But for real people with flood-wrecked lives, it came not a moment too soon.

Take the word of Rushford Tri-Couny Record editor Myron Schober last Saturday, in a powerful appeal for state help headlined, "Rushford: Pawlenty's Katrina."

He wrote: "Decisions are being made now, and quickly, whether homeowners and businesses should fix up, rebuild or walk away. ... What southeast Minnesota and particularly Rushford need is action that leads to genuine pump-priming of an economy that is at a standstill."

UPDATE: The Pionner Press's editorial, Politicians missed an opportunity, also brings up the phrase, "Pawlenty's Katrina":

Pioneer Press reporter John Brewer said some residents nicknamed the flood "Pawlenty's Katrina."

Mention the word "Katrina" these days and politicians take notice. No one wants to be seen as being as inept as the federal government was in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina's assault on New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in August of 2005.

Gee, do ya think?

KTTC-TV travels to tiny Utica to report on a town Left Out Of The Big Picture.

Rochester Post Bulletin: Largest, quickest flood relief package in state history

While the flood relief is great for Southeastern Minnesota, other pressing transportation, local government aid, and property tax needs have been neglected. The very stones above the graves of the victims of the I35 bridge collapse must cry out, and we imagine there will be a few tears when property taxpayers open their bills as well.

Not that we think that the flood relief is a bad thing--especially given the coming cold weather--but we're among those who think that the governor should call a special session to deal with infrastructure and property tax relief.

The Rochester Post Bulletin reports Largest, quickest flood relief package in state history:

Acting with uncommon haste, the Legislature rushed passage of a $157 million package of relief funding to flood-ravaged southeastern Minnesota in a one-day special session that concluded this morning.

The largest flood relief package in the state's history passed the last legislative hurdle in the Senate early today. Pawlenty put his signature to the bill at around 2:40 a.m.

"I'm just absolutely relieved and thrilled to be able to go back home tomorrow and tell people without homes that help is on the way," said Sen. Sharon Ropes, a Winona Democrat.

As the legislation passed off the House floor, Jim Hoiness and other Rushford residents affected by the flooding watched from the House gallery. The flood on Aug. 18 and 19 submerged Hoiness's grocery store, Rushford Foods, destroying his equipment and inventory. The bill's passage gave him reason to hope that a better future awaited him, Hoiness said.

"We don't expect to be made whole, but to get a portion of what we would have to borrow (to rebuild) in cash assistance is extremely helpful," Hoiness said. "It will be more than we would have expected." . .

The Bulletin includes a paragraph about the area's criticism of the governor:

. . .Pawlenty had come under criticism for not calling a special session earlier. Indeed, the weekly Rushford newspaper, in a recent headline, chided Pawlenty for what it considered his slow response to the flooding by referring to the disaster as "Pawlenty's Katrina."

The Post Bulletin fails to note that the Rushford editorial had been reprinted in the Winona Daily News and the Spring Grove Herald as well. The PB paragraph continues:

But Pawlenty said the bill represents the largest and fastest disaster relief legislation in the state's history.

Once the good people of Rushford and Southeastern had said goodbye to Minnesota Nice and lit a fire beneath the governor's seat.  Ask the people of Minnesota concerned about bridges and roads or local officials seeking property tax relief  how well playing nice works with this guy.

Wednesday morning news digest: special session edition

The Pioneer Press reports In Rushford, all eyes on St. Paul:

"The Root River community lobbied hard for a special legislative session to secure emergency funding to help rebuild. Some residents even went so far as to nickname the flood "Pawlenty's Katrina." "

Like the town's newspaper editor.

"On Tuesday night and into today in St. Paul, the Legislature worked on passing a multimillion-dollar flood and disaster relief package during a special session called by Gov. Tim Pawlenty - with almost all money directed at southeastern Minnesota and communities like Rushford.

Earlier Tuesday in Rushford, people continued cleaning up and drying out."

The Strib reports Pawlenty signs flood relief bill at 3 a.m.:

Working past midnight Tuesday and into this morning in an unusual special session, the Legislature passed a $157 million disaster relief bill for flood-ravaged southeastern Minnesota.

The House and Senate overwhelmingly passed the legislation early today, more than seven hours after the special session started, and Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed it shortly before 3 a.m.

Absent from the disaster relief package is any notable state funding for transportation, a cause that gained traction last month after the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge.

Local legislators speak their minds:

Members from the flood-stricken areas took the opportunity to remind others of the capricious nature of the disasters.

"What happened in Rushford and Goodview could happen in any of our districts," said Rep. Ken Tschumper, DFL-La Crescent. "All the dependability and reliability and predictability can be gone one day when it starts raining." . . .

. . .Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona, said the aid comes not a moment too soon. "These people have nothing," she said. "We're real resilient people. We may be homeless. Carless. Clothesless. Jobless. But we are not hopeless."

There's also a nice picture of Gene Pelowski, DFL-Winona getting a hug from House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher after the House adjourned.

The Caledonia Argus notes that Ken Tschumper receved a crash course in disaster management during his first term in Legislators gets first-hand look at damage in Hokah. Sixty percent of the flood damage occurred in his district. Some of the most dramatic damage--mudslides--is recounted in Brownsville firemen recall the events of August 19 flash floods. The tides of mud sucked boots off the rescueworkers' feet, but one victim survived a head wound when mud sealed his injury.

Twin Citians aren't the only ones to be ticked at a limited special session.  The Mankato editorial board opines Roads need special session.  The Marshall Independent takes a more conciliatory tone in Build longer unity out of short session:

Yet, there’s got to be some hope in the fact that a special session was called at all. That at least says the two parties can sit down to fix something that needs fixing, even though it is something so obvious as flood-relief that got them together.

In our view, issues like roads and bridges and local government aid are also clear cut and essential. If they can do it once, lawmakers certainly can do it again — maybe no longer in a special session, but certainly at the beginnning of the next regular session.

The Rochester PB chastizes Pawlenty and the legislature in Grandstanding and flood relief don't mix.  Earlier, the paper had praised Pawlenty for leadership on the flood issue, but now takes it back.

Too bad the lege and Pawlenty couldn't take up propert tax relief: the Winona Daily News reports Floods could result in higher property taxes.  Meanwhile, Flooded business owners look to state for help and Flood victims slow to apply for loans.  A reader asks What do we do when we’re broke?:

Reshuffling or reprioritizing funds is conservative speak for: “Rob Peter to pay Paul.” What do we do once Peter is cleaned out and Paul spent all of the money?

DJ Danielson: MN Legislature Special Session for flood relief liveblog at IDHA

D.J. Danielson cut his chops as an announcer for pro wrestling, as good training as anything for MN Legislature Special Session for flood relief liveblog.   Go over  to I Don't Hate America and read all about and give the pesky Winona State graduate your deepest gratitude. He's right when he writes:

You all owe me BIG TIME for sitting through this.

I'll bring you some hotdish some day soon.  Or tomatoes. Meanwhile, a LaCrosse radio station reports Congressman Tim Walz Glad Governor Pawlenty Has Called A Special Session On Flood Aid.

Rochester Post Bulletin: Walz unswayed by Petraeus' testimony

The Rochester Post-Bulletin picks up where Hardball left off in Walz unswayed by Petraeus' testimony:

. . .Walz, who ran for office as an opponent of the war, said the assessments of the progress in Iraq by Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker were more candid than the Bush administration has offered in the past. Still, he said, Petraeus and Crocker did not offer much new information and didn't make the case to his satisfaction that Iraq will stabilize politically any time soon.

"The strategy was to try and get the Iraqis to try and have some peace and quiet over the summer, where they could try to work out their differences and start to have some real progress. They have failed almost exclusively across the board on that," Walz said.

Walz also discounted the suppression of al Qaida terrorist activity in Anbar province, which has been hailed as a positive military development in Iraq. He said it was not an outcome of President Bush's boost in troop strength by about 30,000, but a spontaneous local event. He said more progress would come through the use of timelines and benchmarks that tie American military support to Iraqi political progress. . . .

The article cites a snippet from last night's Hardball interview:

"We've created a dependency and a welfare state in Iraq, in that they're letting kids from Minnesota do their fighting for them while they're bickering over small little turf wars. It's unacceptable and weakening our national security."

The transcript of Monday's Hardball is now online.

MPR also reports Walz's reaction:

Democratic Rep. Tim Walz represents voters in southern Minnesota's 1st District. Walz said the lack of political progress is proof the surge is not working.

As for the notion that withdrawing several thousand troops in the near term will send a signal the U.S. commitment in Iraq is not open-ended, Walz said the troop drawdown comes as no surprise.

"All of us knew that was planned anyway," Walz said. "We all knew that the troop surge could not maintain the rotation pattern that we had set up. It was as simple as that, so I don't think it's going to send them any message whatsoever."

"Most of us thought if you put in 30,0000 troops you'd get a little bump in security, and you'd see no progress on the political front in Iraq, and that's exactly what happened," Walz added.

Rushford Tri-County News: new issue online

Myron Schober's passionate (and effective) editorial, Rushford: Pawlenty's Katrina, is now online at the paper's web site, along with other articles about the town and pdfs of the paper. Schober and his staff deserve a standing ovation for keeping the paper going even after the office--like most businesses in Rushford--was destroyed by flood waters. 

And they deserve praise for speaking plainly and forcefully about the situation in Rushford and Southeastern Minnesota.

The Winona Daily News and Fillmore County Journal also deserve kudos for their flood coverage and fearless editorials. This is why we have a free press, folks, which is more than I can say for the fashion appreciation purple prose being written today.  Joe Bodell also praised the locals at Minnesota Monitor and Minnesota Campaign Report.

Remembering
Right about this time six years ago, I was sipping coffee and enjoying a sunny room with two cats. Going upstairs to get a book, I heard MPR say something about a plane and the WTC. Downstairs, I turned on the tube to watch a jet plow into a building.  Forget? Not a chance.

AP: Minnesota Democrats not impressed with plans for troop withdrawal

Via the St. Louis Examiner, Frederic Frommer of the AP reports more of Tim Walz's reaction to Petraeus's testimony:

Minnesota congressional Democrats were underwhelmed with Gen. David Petraeus' testimony Monday in which the top U.S. general in Iraq outlined plans to withdraw 30,000 troops by next summer, while the state's Republicans gave Petraeus high marks.

Rep. Tim Walz, a Democrat and National Guard veteran, said he wasn't surprised by Petraeus' announcement about withdrawing troops.

"We just don't have any more troops," Walz said. "And with the strain on the military, we were going to have to see a reduction, because our readiness was going to be shaken to the breaking point."

The troop reduction would return the U.S. force to levels in place when President Bush ordered a buildup last winter, or surge.

"This whole surge strategy was simply a means to an end, and that end was to get the Iraqis to make progress," Walz said, "which they have failed on, and failed almost in a dramatic fashion."

The Strib reports Walz's reaction as well:

Minnesota Democrat Tim Walz, elected as an anti-war veteran, said nothing in the general's report made him change his position on a troop withdrawal, which he said will happen inevitably with a military so over-extended.

"Our forces, quite frankly, are stretched to the breaking point," Walz said. "The general can say all he wants, but he knows, we know and any single person that looks at the classified documents or knows military readiness knows that we can't maintain this."

Tim Walz on Hardball: Petraeus reaction

The video of Walz and Sestak is available here by clicking on the link at Hardball: Should we continue the Iraq War?

We'll post the transcript here when it is available, as well as a YouTube as soon as one is online.

Hat tip to D Day (we were driving home and missed it).

News release: Walz calls on Pawlenty to convene a special session

This release was just sent to Walz's press list:

In a letter sent today, U.S. Congressman Tim Walz called on Governor Tim Pawlenty to build on the “quick and efficient” initial response of state and local officials and emergency personnel to the floods in southeastern Minnesota by calling the Minnesota Legislature into special session.

Walz, who represents all seven of the flood-affected counties, relayed concerns from local officials who are eager to begin rebuilding their communities, but who are having difficulty doing so without “a clear message from the legislature about the nature and extent of the state’s commitment to the recovery.”

Walz said that the uncertainty about the state’s role in the rebuilding has made it more difficult for local officials to plan for the future. For example, he noted that many federal aid programs require matching funds from state or local governments before any federal funding can be provided. Without clear direction from the state as to whether financial assistance will be forthcoming, Walz said, local governments are unable to move forward with their recovery plans.

“The initial local, state and federal response to this disaster was strong and well-coordinated,” said Walz. “That makes it all the more important that the rebuilding phase begin immediately. It is imperative that the state legislature move quickly to decide what will be the extent of the state’s assistance to these seven counties, and I urge Governor Pawlenty to call the legislature back to work to make those critical decisions.”

Download the text of the letter here

Agweek: Harkin circulates draft of Senate Farm Bill

Agweek reports that Senator Harkin, chair of the Senate Ag Committee, is circulating a draft of the Senate version of the Farm Bill.  A taste:

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, would limit total commodity subsidies to $250,000 per farm household, would not allow spouses to qualify for farm benefits and would ban commodity subsidies for households making more than $500,000 per year, according to a farm bill commodity title draft Harkin circulated Sept. 5 to farm policy experts.

The 128-page document, which was written in legislative language, also contained Harkin's proposal to change the countercyclical payments program from one that pays farmers when prices are low to one that pays farmers when national revenue for a crop goes down. It also would set marketing loan rates at a five-year olympic average of prices, but would not allow an increase or decrease of more than 1 percent for the loan rate for the preceding year. Agweek obtained a copy of the draft.

Both Senator Amy Klobuchar and Norm Coleman sit on the Senate Agriculture Committee.

KEYC: Walz family uninjured in three car accident

KEYC-TV reports that Gwen, Hope and Gus Walz were involved in a car accident yesterday on Highway 169. Fortunately, none of the family members were hurt, and the one injured driver has been released from the hospital:

No apparent injuries in a three vehicle accident involving the wife and two children of Congressman Tim Walz.It happened on highway 169 on the Le Sueur Bridge.The state patrol refers to the accident as a three-vehicle rear end collision.One driver was treated and released.Authorities say 41-year-old Gwen Walz, 6-year-old Hope Walz and infant Gus Walz suffered no apparent injuries. Authorities did close the bridge--which had already been reduced to two lanes because of construction--and sent detoured drivers through Le Sueur.The bridge is back open at this hour.

Carrying capacity: the case of Minnesota's ethanol industry

Around the nation, ethanol's critics have severely scrutinized the biofuels industry's need for water, while criticizing the use of food for fuel. However, the more thoughtful also acknowledge the industry's own recognition that water issues must be resolved through better technology and conservation, while applauding the development of cellulosic ethanol. 

Yersterday, the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin contained news of yet another ethanol project in Minnesota: An ethanol plant in Eyota? Developer applies for permits.  The article mentions concerns about the project by local residents, as does a news report on KAAL-TV, Neighbors Concerned about Possible Plant.  While odors are one concern, most of the opposition centers around water issues.

[Eyota Township Board Supervisor Jim Schumann] says by looking at the big picture the plant could bring in more economic means for the community, although he's still aware of it's negative impacts.

"People are wondering about water quality,” he says. “That's probably one of the largest one."

Nonetheless, the developers are going ahead and applying for permits.

There are signs that the ethanol industry is growing more cautious. In West Central Minnesota, the Benson-based Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company has put its plans for expansion on hold, the West Central Tribune reports today.

The cooperative told members Thursday that conditions weren't right to green light the project.   The paper reports:

In a news release announcing the decision, Tolifson and general manager Bill Lee cited three main concerns. They said the boom in ethanol construction around the country has driven up construction costs to "unfeasible levels.’’ They also expressed concerns about the likelihood for decreased margins in the industry as a wave of new ethanol reaches the markets. They believe that the increased ethanol capacity will enter the market faster than current gasoline markets can absorb.

Tolifson said Friday they are also concerned about what happens after the nation “hits the wall,’’ or produces the renewable fuel capacity sought by states and the federal government. There is no “clearly defined path to significantly higher ethanol volumes beyond the 10 percent blend markets,’’ they stated in the news release.

Tolifson said Friday that the company would like to see the infrastructure of E-85 filling stations in the nation developed to help assure a strong market.

Many in the industry are also waiting for new technologies to emerge for ethanol production, he added. There is a demand for technologies that reduce water needs and make cellulosic ethanol economical to produce.

Many believe the industry is reaching the point where it must move beyond corn as the primary feedstock for ethanol production, he said.

This news mirrors what we have been hearing in farm country about the growing economic risks for investing in ethanol production. Despite the stereotype of whole counties being consumed by corn planting, the farmers we know talk about how more corn doesn't pencil out; what's more, we've been seeing a lot of corn being cut for silage.

Minnesota's congressional delegation and others talk about the need to invest in the research to develop cellulosic ethanol.  Walz has requested an earmark for cellulosic research at MSU-Mankato.

Just last week, the Audubon Society's magazine arrived; inside was the article "Grass is Greener," which discusses replacing corn ethanol with cellulostic ethanol drawn from switchgrass, or better yet, the mixed prairie grasses known in ag talk as "Tilman blends."  The term is drawn from a state researcher's work:

Help could come from  research conducted by the University of Minnesota’s David Tilman and colleagues. They’ve found that if degraded agricultural lands were planted with a diverse mixture of prairie species, including western wheatgrass, big bluestem, and little bluestem; vascular plants such as sundial lupine and rounded-headed bush clover; and forbs such as rigid goldenrod and tall blazing star, the energy yield could exceed that from switchgrass alone by more than 200 percent. “Our research shows that biofuels made from a diverse mix of prairie plants can eliminate about 15 to 25 percent of the global warming problem the world faces,” Tilman says. At the same time, these cultivated prairies would feature greater biodiversity,providing even better habitat for many animals.

Until the breakthroughs come, ethanol industry insiders see the boom cooling, the West Central Tribune reports:

There are definite signs that the rapid expansion in ethanol is slowing down nationwide, according to Aaron Fagen, chief operating officer for Fagen Inc. “We are (seeing it),’’ he said in an interview Friday. “The boom is ending sooner than anyone predicted.’’

Fagen said the company has strong orders for ethanol plant construction through the end of next year, but sees a slowing of demand after that. The company has been anticipating the trend and is focusing its strategies accordingly, he added.

He said the company is researching new ethanol production technologies. It is also concentrating on its core business of constructing industrial plants of all types.

He agreed with Tolifson’s assessment that the production of corn-based ethanol is reaching its plateau. Many in the industry are now waiting for “what comes next,’’ Fagen said.

Fagen Inc. is a leading ethanol construction plant based in Granite Falls, Minnesota.  It was a sponsor of polar explorer Will Steger's Expedition 2007 to promote awareness of global warming.

Photo: illustration from the Aubudon Society's magazine article "Grass is Greener." In June, I flew to Washington for grassroots training by the Audubon Society and lobbied members of Minnesota's congressional delegation on the Senate and House Ag committees. One requests was for increased research monies for "polyculture" cellulosic ethanol--i.e., the Tilman grass blends.

Rushford Tri-County Editor: Rushford is now Pawlenty’s Katrina

Yesterday, we posted about the fascinating long article from the Fillmore County Journal about Pawlenty's childish behavior in Rushford last week. In today's Winona Daily News, the editor of the Rushford Tri-County News is far more forceful in guest column: Rushford is now Pawlenty’s Katrina.

Myron Schober, who has heroically published the local paper after losing its office to the flood, writes about the need for a special session [emphasis added]:

. . . Improved figures corroborated from several sources now indicate $35 million losses in residences, $27 million in businesses, and $15 million in public costs for a current total of $77 million. A preliminary judgment ranks it a

200- to 500-year flood that damaged 490 of 766 homes and businesses with 60 homes likely lost; 58 of 70 businesses impacted and 463 of 600 jobs affected. No business receives any form of FEMA grant.

The staggering losses have impressed the most veteran Red Cross, FEMA, Salvation Army workers on site. Yet one Red Cross worker said Rushford is a model of recovery and how it should be done. You are so resilient said another worker from Tennessee in his 17th Red Cross disaster. Rushford has never begged; it is used to being independent and self-sufficient.

No longer.

“We have done all we can and now we need help,” said Ted Roberton the head of one of the two banks that flooded. Banks are ineligible for SBA loans.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Services is a 40-year-old multi-service agency, including a nursing home. While above floodwater, it became an evacuee center and still doesn’t have drinkable water; no one in the city does because there is e-coli in the water system. Administrator Dennis Reiman says there were many costs and damages as a result of the flood, and people came to work in their pajamas because 17 employees were victims of the flood.

To legislators he said, “We need you to do everything you can to help us because we are the largest employer, and if we don’t exist, it will affect a lot of people.”

Rushford has become a pawn in the political in-fighting of St. Paul, a kicking under the table we do not understand and do not want to understand. What southeast Minnesota and particularly Rushford needs is action that leads to genuine pump-priming of an economy which is at a standstill.

“I have grave concerns about the survival of our business community,” said Lee Humble, president of the local Chamber of Commerce as he addressed the legislators. “I hope you carry these words to the governor. We will be watching what you do and we will spread the word around the state through our chambers of commerce so they can know what to expect if it ever happens to them.” . . .

It's time that Governor Pawlenty quit listening to the likes of Grover Norquist and Margaret Martin, and start listening to local officials, business people and citizens in Southeastern Minnesota. This isn't about public relations or ideology, but the need for real help. 

Schober is direct:

. . .Rushford is in crisis.

“Without help, this could be another Katrina, people will walk away,” said Chuck Ness, a new employee in the area.

Thousands of volunteers and millions of dollars of goods and services have helped cleanup, but funding is needed for recovery.

“We need money,” said a county commissioner. . . .

The board of the Winona Daily News gets Schober's back on this one in today's editorial, Special session long overdue, governor.  Some choice bits:

Myron Schober knows what he’s talking about. For the past three weeks, he’s relived the floods personally and professionally.

In addition to the floodwaters wiping out his newspaper office, the editor/publisher has heard the tales time and time again from the community he’s covered for nearly three decades. And after three weeks of waiting, and as he sees neighbors and businesses leave Rushford without coming back, he’s calling this Pawlenty’s Katrina. . . .

. . .There is but one man who could make a difference and that’s Gov. Tim Pawlenty. And as hundreds of Minnesotans’ suffering slowly boils into rage, Pawlenty has been doubly bad.

His trips to the affected areas now number in the double digits. He’s talked to those who have lost everything. He’s seen the tears, promised a special session. And it seems like every time he wanders back to St. Paul, he intimates that a special session will not have to be called.

We have to wonder what beyond petty political motives is going on here. Is it because of some worry he might be forced into signing a tax increase? Well, if it’s an increase in taxes to help our fellow Minnesotans rebuild their lives, it’s money well spent. It seems like Pawlenty cares more about political ideology than people. . . .

Unless those people are ideologues; they seem to have the governor's ear when it comes to action.  And the paper metaphorically horsewhips the governor for his latest "help" on Friday:

This leaves us with only one conclusion: It is cruel and heartless not to help those who need it. Pawlenty should borrow an idea championed by his own party and put a little compassion into his conservative beliefs.

Yet what may be the most amazing part of the conspicuous absence of state money is what Pawlenty did Friday. By administrative order, he reshuffled funding of different agencies, something he, as the chief executive of the state, has the right to do.

While $32 million will come to southern Minnesota, this isn’t new money. It’s just taking it from already cash-strapped state agencies. It’s robbing other Minnesotans and playing politics in St. Paul.

It won’t be long before these agencies, some of which will have millions shifted around, will report their inability to provide essential services to other residents. That’s more than unfortunate; it’s unfair.

The board concludes:

Since Pawlenty seems impervious to the tearful residents who have lost everything, since he’s been unwilling to listen to local leaders, maybe the message needs to be sent a little more clearly: Money talks, governor. We trust you know what walks.

Please go over to the Winona Daily News and read the full text of both columns. We're starting to be reminded of 2006, when SE Minnesota's newspapers led the way in calling a spade a spade, while the Twin Cities media was clueless about public sentiment in southern Minnesota.

Saturday morning news digest: of water and "The War"

It's a beautiful late summer day in this best of all possible worlds, and we're scheduled for more canning, then a National Guard soldier's welcome home party near Courtland.

The Fulda Free Press reports USDA awards 12.5 Million for Red Rock Rural Water System Expansion:

A $12.5 million loan/grant from Rural Development in the United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) will aid in expanding the Red Rock Rural Water System service to new areas in Jackson and Nobles Counties. $8.5 million of the funding was made available through a low-interest loan, and the remaining 4 million is in the form of a grant. . . .

. . .U. S. Representative Tim Walz stated, "These issues of rural water are incredibly critical." He continued by recognizing and thanking several individuals and agencies who have continued to work to improve the the rural water supply. "This is the way government should function. Several people have determined a need, and worked together to seek the best way to deliver the service before they put the plan into action. The bottom line is improved quality of life,” he said.

People working together seems to be a major headache for Rushford right now, according to the Fillmore County Journal.  In a long and interesting article, Politicians squabble while Rushford waits, we read about the drowned town's situation:

. . . residents, business-owners and government workers, with the help of hundreds of volunteers, have pumped-out basements, scooped tainted muck out of bedrooms and garages, tossed entire inventories, stripped buildings down to the studs, and "threw away," as the young poet [quoted in the lead] said, "everything," lifetimes of accumulated possessions and memories. They piled it at the curb and waited for the machines to come and crush it all before burial.

The Damage Done

The City of Rushford has spent approximately $1-million just on clean-up. Another million to purify City wells and repair the badly-damaged waste treatment plant. Wednesday, the City advised residents that boiling water for 1-minute would kill bacteria, making water safe to drink again.

Despite the best efforts of the Red Cross, the volunteer cooks and servers at Montini Hall, and scores of others who've donated meals, money, succor and time, people living in the area, many of them idle from flood-damaged workplaces, are spending money hand-over-fist for water, food, gasoline, temporary housing, rents, clean-up costs, restocking inventories, replacing equipment, and on, and on.

Seven counties were affected by the historic rainfall of August 18-19, causing millions-of-dollars of damage due to flooding, washouts, mudslides and rock-falls. In Rushford alone, residential losses are estimated at $31.5-million. Direct business damages, that is buildings, inventories, equipment and clean-up costs, total an estimated $27.6-million. And that's not counting those workers idled by the flood. Of the 58 businesses with significant flood damage, 272-fulltime and 191-parttime employees are out-of-work.

That's nearly $60 million in losses in Rushford alone, with the meter rising as people and businesses are idled. And their frustration builds as they wait for Governor Pawlenty to call a special session, since they feel that they and volunteers are doing what they can, but the town won't get back on its feet without significant support from the state. 

Elected officials are feeling the heat. Local state rep Ken Tschumper met with angry business leaders and the Minnesota House Bonding Committee held a town meeting at the high school--and Governor Pawlenty slipped into town for an unannounced meeting at City Hall:

Reiterating what he had said over-and-over at Wednesday's town meeting in the Rushford High School gym, Tschumper said, "We need a special session. No big strings attached by the Governor. We don't have to have every-damn-nickel identified. We need to get a bill out so that people understand they can get the help they need knowing that the businesses are going to stay in town and rebuild."

Insult and Injury

Tschumper describes his proposed $100-million aid package as a starting point. "The draft bill will change," he said. "Maybe we can do better. But I'm advocating, now, for a safety net. That would be up-to and not-to-exceed $100,000 for each claim: business, home-owner."

After explaining this to the Rushford business community at the high school, Duane Ostrem, meeting facilitator and vice-president of Rushford State Bank, bluntly told Representative Tschumper, "Offering $100,000 to a business that needs $2-million to rebuild is insulting."

Business leaders would like to see a block-grant mechanism amended to any disaster bill, on the order of $30-million earmarked for Rushford economic reconstruction. "I'm willing to consider a block grant," Tschumper replied. "Put it down on paper and I will consider it."

Last Wednesday it was hot and humid, the high school gym ceiling fans seemed a little too far away to cool the community waiting for House Bonding Committee members to arrive on a chartered, air conditioned bus at 12:30 or so. "I hope the committee members will get off the bus and look inside these homes and businesses to see the Herculean-effort that's been made here already to clean-up from the flood," interjected former Mayor Ted Roberton, "We haven't been sitting around on our hands waiting for help to arrive. But I think we've done about all we can do. We need help."

Word quickly got out that at almost the same time as the bonding committee bus arrived outside the high school, Governor Pawlenty and his State Patrol escort also arrived - more or less unannounced; word leaked out the night before - at City Hall. . . .

The politicians' sparring angered residents:

. . .Someone at Montini Hall asked the Governor if he'd seen any of the flood damage. "This is my third-or-fourth visit, including an airboat tour on the day of the flood. There has been a massive amount of damage, physical and psychological. Now that you have survived, the frustration begins to set in. It's challenging. But we can't just press the reset button and change everything," Pawlenty told a lunch crowd packed into the church meeting hall. "I will call for a special session as fast as the State Legislature is willing to focus on flood relief. That won't include any proposals for expanding the Mall of America."

"I've heard that there's been some misinformation out there," said DFL state representative Alice Hausman of St. Paul, chair of the 17-member bonding committee, formally known as Capital Investment Finance Division, assembled at the High School for a listening session after their bus tour. "The Mall of America is not a priority, not even for committee members representing that district. Misplaced priorities is not an issue here today." . . .

. . . Tom Witt, owner of the flood ravaged pharmacy sharing Norsquare with Rushford Hardware and the Southeast Minnesota Development Corporation, seconded the need for the state to step in with an aid package. "We need help. We don't need any more of that crap like we saw today between the Governor and Gene Pelowski!"

Witt was referring to Pawlenty's brief stop at the high school after leaving Montini Hall only minutes before the bonding committee bus returned for the town meeting. Pelowski, District-31A DFLer from Winona, where flood damage spread across the county he represents, asked the Governor if he would set a date for a special session. Pawlenty countered that there would be no date as long as Mall of America projects were included in proposed legislation. When Pelowski suggested calling a special session for mid-September, the Governor abruptly left. . . .

. . ."I was just getting back from the bus tour," Tschumper remembered. "I saw the Governor leaving and I went right up to him and I invited him to stay. But he was all upset. Said he had to get back to St. Paul. "

House Speaker Margaret Kelliher addressed the crowd. "I admire you for sticking with your homes, sticking with your hometowns. Thank you for digging-in and cleaning-up this horrible mess. We need to get money to you, on the ground. We can do it in a special session on the 11th, on the 17th, but we need to put politics aside and get this special session done."

Judging from the story, it looks as if the bonding committee arranged a tour and meeting, then Pawlenty scheduled a last-minute trip to Rushford to whine about the Mall of America. Won't it have been better to lay aside politics and listen?  Hearing about the circus, Walz suggested as much:

"I want to set a tone of partnership with the State," Congressman Walz said in response to my question about partisanship and bickering between the Legislature and Governor of the state he represents in Washington. "I praise the Governor's initial response. But I watch with caution now. We need to be creative. The State has the flexibility the Federal Government does not have. We need a partnership. I absolutely believe appropriation earmarks are appropriate for this situation. We can rebuild infrastructure. That helps free-up State funds that can then be transferred for disaster relief. And my office is here to help people, like the woman from the trailer park, who are having problems with FEMA or the SBA. There's an appeal process. If you are unhappy, I urge you to appeal. Contact my staff and we will try to help."

Restoring the business community is a top priority for the Congressman:

"I can't tell you how concerned I am - seeing the Rushford business district flooded," remarked First District Congressman Tim Walz in a conference call from Washington. "We need creative ways to find the resources to rebuild business communities, especially in Rushford. If we rebuild the infrastructure and the homes, without the businesses, the City will be difficult to restore."

Go read the entire article. The papers also reports Ropes calls on governor to hold special session. Sharon Ropes is traveling the district with Assistant Senate Majority Leader Tarryl Clark:

"We don't need new money," Clark said, referring to the present state surplus. She noted that the governor is limited to what he can do on his own, as the legislature is the only one who can authorizing funding.

Senator Ropes said that legislative leaders have united behind a narrow agenda for a special session.

"We need a day or two to get this done," Ropes said. "There is no disagreement between Republicans and Democrats over the need for special session. The conflict is between the legislature and governor."

"The time for talking is over," Clark said.

The editor of the paper, too, calls for a special session in Pawlenty, get'r done!:

. . .Since August 19, Rushford has been our own ground zero as volunteers have showed up to offer assistance - helping to clean out the muck, knocking down old drywall, hauling debris out into the streets. They have stood back to back with their neighbors in Rushford, moved out of a sincere compassion to lend a helping hand.

They have been young and old, men and women; in some cases whole football teams and offices of workers. They have been Jewish, Mormons, Buddhists, Lutherans, Baptists, Amish and others whose faith calls for charity in difficult times.

They have come not so much because someone asked them to, but because they were moved to respond out of their own sense of humanity.

Others have given money or donated food and equipment or provided a necessary service.

And the leadership on the ground has been profound. Les Ladewig, the mayor of Rushford has stood strong these last three weeks giving direction and leadership, standing next to every Rushford citizen. He has been carrying that city on his back for three weeks now.

But he isn't the only one. All of Rushford and their community of neighbors who have come to help have stood along side Ladewig these last three weeks.

Unfortunately, the only no-show has been our state government. Rushford needs their help, and they need it now. They need to call a special legislative session immediately to respond to the emergencies Minnesota has faced this summer, namely the I-35 bridge disaster and the floods in southeast Minnesota. Governor Tim Pawlenty's executive funding actions announced on Friday fall far short of what is needed.

Politicians were in Rushford again last Wednesday. Democrat Rep. Ken Tschumper talked at the high school about the legislation he will propose for Rushford. Later a House Bonding Committee delegation toured the city.

Meanwhile Republican Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty visited City Hall and later Montini Hall. But Pawlenty needs to do more than make the rounds.

Pundits say that Pawlenty wants a deal cut with legislative leaders before he calls a special session, so that he can limit the scope of any legislation.

A woman at Montini Hall told the governor on Wednesday that a special session should be called and that legislators should volunteer their time and do it for free.

That's a good idea. Better yet, Pawlenty should convene the session in Rushford, or Stockton, or Hokah, so that every citizen will see first hand how our politicians plan to work on their behalf.

Mr. Pawlenty, it's time to act like our governor. The people of southeast Minnesota can't wait any longer for state politicians to get their ducks in a row before calling a special session. It's time to get'r done.

Not everyone in the state thinks a special session or any government aid is needed in Rushford, and some of them are willing to politicize the heroic volunteer effort and private contributions.

FEC Update: Conservative ‘Club’ Clipped by Big FEC Fine

One standard that could be used to judge Congressman Walz's performance in his first term is the Beltway adversaries that he's earning by representing the people of the First in DC. 

His vote for the CHAMP-Act, a bill endorsed by the AMA, AARP, the American Nurses Association, and dozens of other groups that work for kids and seniors, garnered attack ads. His response is now cited a model for fighting back against industry front groups.

His work on behalf of First District farmers and agriculture  earned him attacks from the ideologues at Cato and the Club for Growth.   We've reported a couple of times about the FEC's lawsuit against Club for Growth, as well as the feud between it and Walz over the Farm Bill. "The Club" didn't like it that Walz listened to his constituents at those 14 district listening sessions; he's also a target on "The Club's" jimmied-up, MNGOP-sanction "repork card." 

But "The Club" itself is no model for transparent, grassroots-up government; rather, it in itself is a symbol of the Beltway culture that stymies so many ordinary citizens' voices.

Looks like "The Club" settled that lawsuit, and will pay "the largest civil penalty the FEC ever collected after an enforcement case has moved to litigation," according to CQ Politics' article Conservative ‘Club’ Clipped by Big FEC Fine.  The entire article is packed full of "The Club's" various maneuvers.  Some highlights:

Citizens Club for Growth Inc., a highly visible conservative activist organization, agreed to pay a $350,000 penalty to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for failing to register with the agency as a political committee and report its contributions and expenditures.

The group, which has recently undergone a reorganization, is one of a number of groups that organized with the Internal Revenue Service under Section 527 of the tax code primarily to conduct “issues advocacy,” but have drawn loud criticisms for running independent advertising during political campaigns that appeared clearly aimed at persuading viewers to vote for or (more often) against a candidate — a form of electioneering communication that comes under the regulatory purview of the FEC and the fundraising limitations under federal campaign finance laws. . . .

. . .The agreement announced Wednesday would end a pending court case between the two parties, and if the deal is approved, it would be the largest civil penalty the FEC ever collected after an enforcement case has moved to litigation. . . .

. . .The court case stems from complaints and an investigation in which the FEC determined that Citizens Club for Growth Inc. accepted more than $10 million in contributions between 2000 and 2006 that exceeded the statutory limit of $5,000 per individual contributor, while also receiving more than $93,000 in corporate contributions, which FEC-regulated political organizations are barred from accepting. The commission also took issue with $15.1 million in expenditures by the organization between 2000 and 2004, which the agency states were connected to federal elections.

And this kind of rebranding does a lot for those fat cats who want to conceal the strings they pull, but does nothing for restoring public confidence in the process:

As the FEC made the agreement public, the “new Club for Growth” issued a press release stating it is a completely separate legal entity from the Club for Growth that was subject to the legal action, “is not a party to the settlement, and will not be affected by this settlement or any other anti-527 actions that may be taken by the FEC or Congress.”

The penalty agreement was not an admission of wrongdoing, according to David Keating, executive director for Club for Growth, who added that Citizens Club for Growth Inc. would be responsible for paying the fine.

Earlier this year, Citizens Club for Growth “sold its name and non-monetary assets to a new group” that currently calls itself Club for Growth, according to a recent press release. Keating explained Citizens Club for Growth is a Section 527 organization, while the new Club for Growth is organized under Section 501(c)4 of the tax code.

The new Club for Growth will continue to take part in various policy initiatives “never touched by Citizens Club for Growth,” according to the new Club for Growth’s release today. One of those initiatives listed includes “new congressional lobbying efforts on private equity and other vital economic issues.”

Club for Growth State Action registered as a lobbying organization in August 2006, and has spent at least $20,000 to lobby Congress to “oppose legislation to regulate 527 groups.” The group terminated its lobbying at the beginning of 2007, according to disclosure documents filed with the Senate.

We hope that passage makes everything about the "old" Club, the "new" Club and the "Citizens" Club for Growth clear. Right?

Thursday news digest: DM & E sale and other news edition

The DM & E story dominates headlines across the district this morning.  It does seem that Canadian Pacific's management understands community relations better than Kevin Schieffer ever did. Whether this diplomacy will make a difference if and when communities are faced with increased coal train traffic remains unsettled.

Nonetheless, the headlines are mainly optimistic.  The PB reports DM&E sale seen as a 'fresh start' by Rochester leaders. In the Mankato Free Press, we read Merger makes coal line more viable (some city officials are wary) and DM&E proponents thrilled by merger.  The New Ulm Journal notes Canadian Pacific to buy DM&E.

In Winona, Sale of railroad stirs old concerns, according to the Winona Daily News.  The sale may raise Winona's profile in DM & E news:

Winona officials and residents may revive their concerns about a controversial plan to ship up to 37 coal trains per day through the city.

The plan-- which could cost up to $6 billion--may have found financial footing, following an announcement late Tuesday that Canadian Pacific Railways plans to purchase the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad Corp.

If the coal-shipping plan moves ahead, Mayor Jerry Miller said Wednesday, city officials would approach Canadian Pacific with concerns about safety, noise, dust and property devaluation.

“We’re going to press the issue,” Miller said. . . .

If the Powder River plan is fully implemented, the tracks will carry 100 million tons of coal per year, or roughly 37 trains a day.

Miller said Winona wasn’t able to present its concerns about the plan to the STB in 2002 because the DM&E line doesn’t enter city limits. It connects with the Canadian Pacific line near Minnesota City.

“The argument always was that the DM&E didn’t have to negotiate with us,” Miller said. “Now, in my view, that has changed.”

In 2001, Marsha Neff organized Citizens Concerned about Coal Trains, a Winona group opposed to the coal-shipping plan. Neff noted Wednesday that other communities have mobilized against it--with a particularly vocal outcry from Rochester, Minn.

Winona has more buildings located near the rail line than Rochester does, Neff said.

“If they say this is terribly dangerous for Rochester, I’d say it’s as dangerous or more so for Winona,” Neff said.

In Iraq War news, the WaPo says Experts Doubt Drop in Violence in Iraq and Report: Iraqi Army Can't Displace Terrorists.  There's some ethanol news as well: Cultivating a Crop of Hope, an article about switchgrass in Virginia.  While switchgrass is a promising feedstock for ethanol production, we're big on the polyculture of Tilman blends ourselves.

The PB reports First FEMA mobile homes arrive in southeastern Minnesota.

The Madelia Times-Messenger offers a Younger Brothers Capture schedule of events. Those Younger boys will get caught again on Saturday.

Kevin Diaz notes that Walz has not taken a position on raising the federal gas tax in Gas-tax increase to fix bridges is a tough sell.

Netroots
Doug Johnson, media tech director for the Mankato Schools, reflects on End of summer Start of school at his Blue Skunk Blog. (We wish we would have thought of that name!). He writes:

US Representative Tim Walz re-joining us to offer a heart-felt thanks for our work in getting him elected to Congress last year. Tim, a social studies teacher from the high school across the alley from my office, is the only elected teacher serving in Congress. He also seems to be one of the most articulate and value-driven. Any surprise?

MnpACT spots Tim Walz on Norm Coleman's web site in Minnesota GOP: Spinning Their Way Forward.

"The War": Luverne's big day

Today, Luverne, a small town on Minnesota's southwestern prairies, will host the world premiere of Ken Burns' "The War."  And while the swank opening is at the town's historic movie palace, the Strib points out that the real premiere is being offered to a more exclusive audience in Luverne GIs rise to a teachable moment:

They have the red carpet out at the refurbished Palace Theater in Luverne tonight for what's billed as the world premiere of "The War," a 14.5-hour, seven-part Ken Burns documentary about America's experience in World War II, set to air on PBS beginning Sept. 23.

That billing fudges a little -- fittingly so. The real debut of Burns' spectacular contribution to America's understanding of its role in humankind's worst war will take place a few hours earlier in Luverne, at the Minnesota Veterans Home. There, a number of the soldiers who shared their stories with filmmakers Burns, Lynn Novick and their crew will get a richly deserved preview showing.

Nice.  A schedule of events beginning today in Luverne, from the Rock County Herald:

Thursday eventsFrom 2 to 3 p.m. Burns will address students and the public at the Luverne Cardinal Gymnasium.

At 3 p.m. veterans will enjoy their own World Premiere showing of "The War" at the historic Palace Theatre.

At 4 p.m. a community picnic will be served at the Minnesota Veterans Home (a meal ticket is required).

At 7:15 p.m. World War II memorabilia and vintage cars will be displayed on the Rock County Courthouse lawn. This event is free and open to the public.

At 7:30 p.m. there will be a parade from the Rock County Courthouse to the historic Palace Theatre.

At 8 p.m. the world premiere showing of "The War" will start at the Palace.

Tickets for all events are available at the Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce, 507-283-4061 or 888-283-4061.

Also on the schedule:

Weekend showings of "The War" at the Palace Theatre will be at 7 and 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 7 and 8, and at 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9. More showings may be added if demand proves necessary.

Professional opera singer Emily Lodine will sing wartime classics from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, in Hilger Commons, on Cedar Street across the street from Holy Trinity Church. Pie and coffee will be served. The public is welcome and donations will be accepted.

War display at Carnegie Cultural Center

In honor of the PBS documentary series of "The War," the Carnegie Cultural Center will display items from the World War II era.

The public contributed military memorabilia, uniforms, medals, papers, pictures, ladies' clothing, furniture and art work to stir memories and illustrate life from 1939 to 1945. It's open until 7:30 p.m. today.

Read a lot more about "The War" at the Rock County Herald.

Live in the metro area? Want to help with Southern Minnesota flood relief?

The victims of August's deluge still need help. If you want to donate, Minnesota's unions are helping organize an opportunity today and tomorrow:

Help Minnesota Unions Fill the Truck for Victims of the SE MN Flooding!

Where
Lakes & Plains Regional Council of Carpenters
710 Olive St., St Paul MN 55130

When
Wed Sept 5 & Thurs Sept 6
7:30am-5:00pm
Drop off items at the Southeast loading dock.

MUCH NEEDED ITEMS:
Gatorade/Iced Tea*Long Heavy Duty Gloves*Heavy Duty trash bags*Lysol/Air Freshener/Oust*Hornet/Bee repellant*N-95 Mold Protective Face Masks*Diapers (all sizes)/Baby Wipes*Hammers/screw-drivers/nails*Toilet paper*Scrub Brushes*Empty Spray Bottles*First Aid Bandages*5 Gallon Buckets*Mops*Flashlights with batteries*Rakes*Sun Screen/Fly Swatters*Shaving Cream/Aspirin/Q-tips*Hoses/Spray Nozzles*Plastic totes*Rubber Boots (men’s & women’s sizes 5-12)*Men’s and women’s socks (still in packages)*Disposable cameras*Light Bulbs*Pet Food*New Bath/Hand Towels*
***Please supply a box with the donated items***

Mankato Free Press LTE: Walz voted for us, not Big Business

Mel Strand, a retired reader from Waseca, writes in about last week's ads attacking his congressman:

The full-page ad running in this newspaper since last Friday is an example of dishonest manipulation of information by organizations backed by Big Business concerned not about us, the ordinary citizens, but about their increasing profits.

The Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care and the American Health Care Association are primarily concerned about increasing their incomes by taking advantage of government handouts. Both these groups paying for the ad represent the industry and the largest nursing home chains in the country.

Our congressman, Tim Walz, voted against the provisions that would not benefit Medicare patients and the elderly. He supported provisions endorsed by AARP, the organization to which many of us belong.

Whom would you rather have working for you and your health care, AARP or the two organizations that deliberately twist figures to increase their profits? Walz voted to extend the life of Medicare by eliminating overpayments to HMOs and private insurance companies represented by the two groups that paid for the full page ad.

His vote would save Medicare $150 billion over 10 years and decrease the amount seniors are paying out-of-pocket.

Walz is working for his constituents, not for private companies trying to profit by charging the government huge fees. Walz wants to protect Medicare from privatization and promote fiscal responsibility by reducing overpayments to private plans. The Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care and the American Health Care Association are worried about cutting $2.7 billion because it will reduce their profits.

Do as the ad says, call Walz — but thank him for voting for us, his constituents, and not for Big Businesses taking advantage of government programs.

Papers praise leaders' response to flood

The Rochester Post Bulletin and the Winona Daily News both have run editorials today praising the response of state and local officials to August's deluge in Southern Minnesota.

The Post Bulletin writes in Leaders are standing tall in time of crisis:

It's unfair to compare the Katrina disaster, which occurred two years ago, to the flooding in southeastern Minnesota.

Katrina was the most devestating storm to hit our country in recorded history, while last month's flood was contained to a much smaller area and affected far fewer people.

Nonetheless, southeastern Minnesota should feel fortunate that state and local officials -- unlike those along the Gulf Coast in 2005 -- appear to have done nearly everything right in the aftermath of the storm.

Led by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, government officials in our state have acted quickly to get flood victims the help they so desperately need. . . .

. . .Gov. Pawlenty, Rep. Tim Walz and Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Norm Coleman visited the flooded areas within hours after the rains stopped. Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff was also in the region. . . .

Yesterday's paper featured two articles about Walz's response: Flood dominates Walz's focus and Walz helps constituents weather the storm. Judging from some of the comments, Rochester area Republicans can't stand seeing any good press about Walz.

In the Winona Daily News, another editorial pats state and local leaders on the back in Elected leaders deserve thanks for service.  Speaking for the board, the online editor writes:

. . . Over the past two weeks, Pawlenty was hardly alone, making his way through the mud and debris.

Sens. Coleman and Klobuchar, Rep. Tim Walz, state representatives Pelowski, Drazkowski and Tschumper and state senators Murphy and Ropes, local mayors, council members and county commissioners have spent untallied hours with flood victims on the phone and face-to-face meetings to cope with the immediate crisis and plan for the rebuilding that has only begun.

We’ve heard the dismissive comments, “That’s supposed to be their job,” “That’s what we elected them for,” “It’s about time they got off their dead backsides and did something,” “ ... just running for re-election � ”

And while it’s hard to find folks more jaded about politicians than journalists, all we can say is, in this case, they’re cheap shots, unfair and just plain wrong. Disasters of this magnitude humble the best efforts of individuals; only government can marshal, organize and allocate our collective resources and the burden of that task falls on the men and women who have been elected to make the decisions that will guide the recovery.

We know that those decisions won’t suit everyone, and that in a time of crisis, nothing seems to be enough or go fast enough. But we’d be hard pressed to fault any for a lack of effort, a lack of dedication or a lack of personal compassion.

We’d like to take a moment to thank them all. Through their effort, they’ve earned our respect and gratitude.

Meanwhile, there are a couple of good articles that bring home the power of the flood.  In the WDN, we read Labor Day no vacation for some: Many around area busy cleaning up from floods.  Remember the picture of the house swept onto the railroad tracks?  The PB reports on its end in Demolition ends what flood began.  The Strib tells one family's story in After the flood ... Where to begin?
.