Why do we allow Race Baiting?

I was going to blog today about Rep. Akin not getting out of the race after his remarks on "illegitimate rape" but I found this article: http://www.theroot.com/blogs/paul-ryan/does-paul-ryans-black-girlfriend-matter

Keli Goff goes down an interesting path with this article in determining if the fact that Rep. Ryan dated a black girl or the fact that he has black sister-in-law. I understand bringing up race, to some, is no place for a white middle class male living in the Midwest since that equates to a life of privilege and open doors. Yet, I will do it anyway because it's important to discuss race in most contexts.

Ms. Goff does raise a valid point if ones views or belief accurately reflect their actions. Now, I have always been told that actions speak louder than words but that aside. The article goes right up to the edge of calling Rep. Ryan a racist since his minority friends are the exceptions to the rule. Ms. Goff writes, "Research has shown that those who hold stereotypes about a particular group of people are unlikely to have those stereotypes altered merely by encountering someone who defies that stereotype. Instead, they are likely to view that individual defying said stereotype as an exception." Here is the research: http://www.faculty.umb.edu/lawrence_blum/publications/publications/A48.pdf

When did stereotypes become racist? Everyone generalizes to a point until they do encounter people from said group. The media loves to paint with the broad brush and so do many on the blogsphere; I will admit I do it from time to time as well. Ms. Goff ends with, "No, I am not calling Ryan a racist, I am saying, however, that if you want to know where a politician's heart lies when it comes to a particular community, it may be best to look at that person's polices..." I.E. voting record.

To this point I completely agree with Ms. Goff that we need to vet our candidates for higher office instead of focusing on stereotypes. Race shouldn't be a factor for anyone casting a vote but we all know that it is unfortunately - both for or against. Trouble is that if one uses race to vote against a candidate its racism but if they vote for the candidate based on race alone it's historic. They both are example of racism. To Ms. Goff's question - What do you think? - No, we should be talking about the race of one's girlfriend or wife or husband or candidate. The focus should be on the issues and if one disagrees with another it can be because of a difference of opinion on how to solve the issues of the day and not the color of the skin of the other person. Ms. Goff says that white folks use "I have black friends" as a cover for racist action if that is really the case then it is equally the case that calling another black an "Uncle Tom" is also a cover for racist action.  

Hamburg City Council Agenda - August 16, 2012

HAMBURG CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

AUGUST 16, 2012

1.  Call City Council Meeting to Order

• Pledge of Allegiance

2. Public Comment (Individuals may address the City Council about any non-agenda item(s) of concern.
Speakers must state their name, address, and limit their remarks to three minutes. The City Council may not
take official action on these items and may refer the matter to staff for a future report or direct that the matter be scheduled for a future meeting agenda.)

3. Agenda Review (Added Items) and Adoption

4. Consent Agenda (NOTICE TO PUBLIC: All those items listed as part of the Consent Agenda will be
approved by a single motion, unless a request to discuss one of those items is made prior to that time. Anyone present at the meeting may request an item to be removed from the consent agenda. Please inform the Council when they approve the agenda for this meeting.)

• Approve Minutes for July 10, 2012
• Municipal Boundary Adjustment Unit (Joint Resolution for Orderly Annexations – Gamber Property & Storm Water Pond Parcel)
•  Local Government Aid for 2013
• Time-off Request for Sue Block
•  Mediacom Video Rate Adjustments
• Carver County Sign Replacement Project
• MNSPECT Minute for August 2012
• June Cash Flow Statement
•  Water Wells Usage/Water Consumption Reports for July 2012
• Delinquent Utility Bills Report
• Employee Project Lists

5. Fire Department Report – Chief Brad Droege

• DNR Grant Application
• National Night Out – August 7th, 2012
• Memorial for Public Servants (Protective Services) Update
• Decorative Fountain for Park Pond (Donations)
• Hamburg Fire Department Relief Association – Gary Marquardt
• 2011 Reporting Year Forms (Notice from State Auditor)
• Purchase New Flags ($1,600)
• HFRDA Pension Increase

6. Parkside Tavern – Brian Eggers

• Request to Close Part of Railroad Street for Bars 5th Anniversary

7. Justin Black – City Engineer (S.E.H.)

• Street Repairs for 2012
• 2012 Seal Coating/Crack Filling Project – Review Quotes (4)
• Overlay of County Road 50 – Punch List Items
•  Sanitary & Storm Water Improvement Project
• Final Check/Punch List Items/Final Payment
•  Private Property Service Lines (Illegal Connections/Replacement)

8. Old City Business (Memo)

• City Clean Up Day (Fall 2012)
• 2010 Census Count/Met Council Population Estimates (April 1, 2011)
• Community Center Closet Door (Replace)
• Sign for City Hall/Township
• Use of SHIP Monies (Handicap Access to Parks)
• Revised NIMS Training Program (Requirements)

9. Public Works & Utilities Department Report

• Liftstation Repairs
• Dialer
• Pumps
• Community Center (Paint)

10. City Clerk/Treasurer Report

• Insurance Claims from June 18th & 19th Storms
• Sewer Back-ups
• HFD Sign & Baseball Park Fence
• Primary Election – August 14th, 2012
• Policing Cost for 2013
• Tax Forfeited Lot on Brad Street
• Assessments on Parcel
• Property/Casualty Insurance Renewal
• Monetary Limits
• Liquor Liability
• Budget Workshop Meetings
• August 28th, 2012 @ 7:00 PM
• September 4th or 5th or 6th @ 7:00 PM
• City Council Meetings for 2012/2013
• One Meeting a Month

11. Approve DEBIT Payment for June 2012 Claims ($229.00)
Approve Payment of Added July 2012 Claims ($14,318.08)
Approve Payment of August 2012 Claims ($93,692.34)

12. City Council Reports

• Councilmember Mueller Report (Sewer & Water)
• SAFL Baffle
• Councilmember Lund Report (Streets)
• Councilmember Trebesch Report (Buildings
•  Councilmember Barnes Report (Parks)
• Mayor Malz Report

13. Adjourn City Council Meeting

AUGUST 5 – Park Rental (Wroge)
7 – National Night Out
15 – Boy Scouts (Park)
18 – Wedding Reception (Panning/Schwalbe)
18 – Emanuel Lutheran Ribfest
20 – Hamburg Lions Club (Park)
26 – Park Rental (Schmidt)
COMMUNITY CENTER (FIRE HALL) ACTIVITIES
AUGUST 6 – Hamburg Lions Club
6 – HFD Training
14 – State Primary Election 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
16 – Hamburg City Council Meeting – 7:00 PM
18 – Community Center Rental (Moreno)
27 – Hamburg Fire Department (HFDRA)
28 – 2013 Budget Workshop (?)

Intolerance - Who owns it?

Recently the CEO of Chick-fil-a voiced his opinion on same-sex marriage. An opinion that is not in favor of same-sex marriage. It prompted several Mayors to say that they would not allow a Chick-fil-a to be opened in their city. Why? Because of the view of the CEO that is against same-sex marriage. Naturally the CEO is being lambasted in the media, a few exceptions, as intolerant or a bigot because of his religious view.

While I don't agree with same-sex marriage, I do recognize that government has no reason to dictate to me, or anyone, on who they can or cannot live their life with. That aside, the question that sticks in my craw is: Why is voicing ones religious views considered ignorant; yet another can voice their view that runs counter to another's religious view and its considered enlightening?

ABC draws possible Tea Party connection with alleged Aurora shooter

ABC draws possible Tea Party connection with alleged Aurora shooter

Yellow Journalism is alive and well at ABC. What prompted ABC to search for Jim Holmes and Tea Party? Brian Ross is suppose to be the  Chief investigator at ABC. Why on Earth does the main stream media feel the need to speculate? I am all for doing the heavy lifting in order to get a scoop and trying to determine if the shooter has ties to a larger group of people. But don't report on it if all it is a speculation! Brian Ross and everyone on set at the time should be fired and never allowed again to report the news.

Student Loans or Tuition?

On Friday President Obama signed into law HR 4348 (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr4348enr/pdf/BILLS-112hr4348enr.pdf) to continue federal funding of highways and subsidizing of student loans for college students. President Obama said, "For months, I've been calling on Congress to take half the money we're no longer spending on war and use it to do some nation-building here at home. There's work to be done building roads and bridges and wireless networks. And there are hundreds of thoughts of construction workers ready to do it." Yet President Obama won't allow the Keystone Pipeline but I digress. President Obama continued to say, "The same thing is true for our students. The bill I'm about to sign is vital for millions of students and their families. But it's not enough to just keep their student loan rates from doubling." (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0712/78193.html)

The President is correct when stating that keeping "student loan rates from doubling" is not enough. The trouble with higher education is the cost/benefit relationship. Granted students can be their own worse enemy by going into a major that has no future or little chance of assisting in repaying loans taken out. The average cost for a 4-year public institution is $12,804 while private institution is $32,184 which have both increased by 37 percent and 25 percent respectively since 1999.(http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=76).

During the debate on subsidizing student loan rates reports of students leaving school with $100,000 in debt and not being able to find jobs to help repay them. When did it become a right to be given a job after one graduates from college? Perhaps these students that come out with over $100,000 in debt should ensure the degree or career path they seek exists. Former Secretary of Education William Bennett views the student loan subsidy as the next bubble the United States will face. While Mr. Bennett does believe that rates should remain low for part of society that doesn't include the middle or upper class. Mr. Bennett poses this question, "If we keep interest rates low, will colleges reciprocate and by keeping tuition low?" (http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/higher-education-bubble-bennett-says-u-govt-stop-124251984.html).

I don't think so Mr Bennett. Unfortunately, the higher education system offers classes and degrees that are obsolete or little demand for them. Then again, as I stated above, students going to school need to use their brains when choosing their degree or career path. If one is going to spend $60-$100K on a higher education then one best learn a skill set that will garner a job that makes $60-$100K a year. Trouble is that entry level positions don't pay that. Right now we have $1T in student loan debt outstanding. The dirty little secret is that if one hangs onto their subsidized student loan it will be forgiven after 20 years. Then who is left on the hook?

Hamburg City Council Agenda - July 10, 2012

1.         Call City Council Meeting to Order

·         Pledge of Allegiance

2.         Public Comment (Individuals may address the City Council about any non-agenda item(s) of concern. Speakers must state their name, address, and limit their remarks to three minutes. The City Council may not take official action on these items and may refer the matter to staff for a future report or direct that the matter be scheduled for a future meeting agenda.)

3.         Agenda Review (Added Items) and Adoption

4.         Consent Agenda (NOTICE TO PUBLIC: All those items listed as part of the Consent Agenda will be approved by a single motion, unless a request to discuss one of those items is made prior to that time. Anyone present at the meeting may request an item to be removed from the consent agenda. Please inform the Council when they approve the agenda for this meeting.)

·         Approve Minutes for June 12, 2012

·         MNSPECT Minute for July 2012

·         May Cash Flow Statement

·         MN DNR Statewide Shoreland & Floodplain Management

·         Carver County 2 Year Assessment Service Agreement Increase (5%)

·         Carver County Water Resource Management Ordinance Amendments

·         Animal Impound Contract with Countryside Veterinary Clinic

·         Adopt Carver County Hazard Mitigation Plan

o       Adopt Resolution Number 2012-05

·         Water Wells Usage/Water Consumption Reports for June 2012

·         Delinquent Utility Bills Report 

·         Employee Project Lists

5.         Fire Department Report – Chief Brad Droege

·         DNR Grant Application

·         Memorandum of Understanding (Minitor V Pagers)

·         Memorial for Public Servants (Protective Services) Update

·         Decorative Fountain for Park Pond

6.         Justin Black – City Engineer (S.E.H.)

·         Comprehensive Street Inventory Report (Street Management Plan)

o       Street Repairs for 2012

o       Overlay of County Road 50

§         Joint Powers Agreement w/ Carver County

·        Sanitary & Storm Water Improvement Project

o       Final Check/Punch List Items

o       Private Property Service Lines (Illegal Connections/Replacement)

7.         Old City Business (Memo)

·         City Clean Up Day (Fall 2012)

·         2010 Census Count/Met Council Population Estimates (April 1, 2011)

·         Park Food Stand (Re-Siding)

·         Sidewalk Replacement (Henrietta Ave)

·         Community Center Closet Door (Replace)

·         Sign for City Hall/Township

·         National Night Out (August 7^th) – Committee Meeting June 26^th

o       Next Meeting Scheduled for July 17, 2012 @ 7:00 PM

·         Use of SHIP Monies (Handicap Access to Parks)

·         Revised NIMS Training Program (Requirements)

8.         Public Works & Utilities Department Report

·         Liftstation Repairs

o       Dialer

o       Pumps

·         Community Center (Paint)

9.         City Clerk/Treasurer Report

·        Insurance Claims from June 18^th & 19^th Storms

o       Sewer Back-ups

o       HFD Sign & Baseball Park Fence

·        August 14^th City Council Meeting

o       Move to August 16^th

10.    Approve Payment of Added June 2012 Claims

Approve Payment of July 2012 Claims

11.    City Council Reports

·         Councilmember Mueller Report (Sewer & Water)

o       SAFL Baffle Estimate

·         Councilmember Lund Report (Streets)

·         Councilmember Trebesch Report (Buildings)

·         Councilmember Barnes Report (Parks)

·         Mayor Malz Report

11.     Adjourn City Council Meeting

                                                                    

COMMUNITY HALL & PARK ACTIVITIES                                                             

JULY                                                    13 – Wm. Mueller & Sons (Park)

                                                            16 – Hamburg Lions Club (Park)

                                                            21 – Parkside Tavern Yard Olympics (Park)

                                                        23-24 – Fahey Inc Auction

                                                            28 – Wedding Reception (Neubarth)                 

AUGUST                                                 5 – Park Rental (Wroge)

                                                              7 – National Night Out

                                                          6-10 – Community Education Park Program

                                                            15 – Boy Scouts (Park)

                                                            18 – Wedding Reception (Panning/Schwalbe)

                                                            18 – Emanuel Lutheran Ribfest

                                                            20 – Hamburg Lions Club (Park)

                                                            26 – Park Rental (Schmidt)

COMMUNITY CENTER (FIRE HALL) ACTIVITIES

                                                                                               

JULY                                                      2 – Hamburg Lions Club

  2 – HFD Training

  4 – Independence Day – City Offices Closed

10 – Hamburg City Council Meeting – 7:00 PM

10 – Young America Township Board Meeting

16 – Hamburg Lions Club

17 – National Night Out Committee Mtg. – 7:00 PM

21 – Community Center Rental (Eggers)

30 – Hamburg Fire Department (HFDRA)

31 – National Night Out Committee Mtg. – 7:00 PM

AUGUST                                                 6 – Hamburg Lions Club

  6 – HFD Training

14 – State Primary Election 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM

16 – Hamburg City Council Meeting – 7:00 PM (?)

27 -  Hamburg Fire Department (HFDRA)

28 – 2013 Budget Workshop (?)                                   

                       

Happy 4th of July!!!

I know I am a day early but I won't be near a computer on the 4th of July. Take time tomorrow to reflect on what it means to be an American. What is means to have the American Spirit. What is means to be free. Most of all be safe on the 4th of July and enjoy the day of celebrating the birth of a Nation that has offered so much opportunity to people.