"Colleagues and a senior law enforcement official identified the man who was shot as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an intensive-care nurse. Videos analyzed by The New York Times appear to contradict the accounts of federal officials, who said Mr. Pretti approached Border Patrol agents with a handgun and the intent to “massacre” them."
Takk for alt,
Al
"Vice President J.D. Vance was in Minnesota for the administration today, trying to regain control of the narrative about the violence perpetrated there by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). A new poll out today from the New York Times and Siena University shows that nearly two thirds of Americans, 63%, disapprove of how ICE is handling its job, while only 36% approve. Even among white Americans, 57% disapprove, while only 42% approve. Sixty-one percent of Americans, including 19% of Republicans, think that ICE agents have gone too far.
Just hours after ICE agent Jonathan Ross killed 37-year-old Renee Good on January 7, and long before there was any official investigation of the shooting, Vance was out in front of the news, blaming Good for her own death and claiming that the officer was clearly justified in shooting her.
But even MAGA voters don’t buy it. Podcaster Joe Rogan has compared ICE to “the gestapo,” and Greg Sargent of The New Republic noted that a majority of both young voters and those without a college degree, those who tend to be easy for MAGA to reach, disapprove of ICE enforcement. Media Matters reported that the senior judicial analyst on right-wing channel Newsmax, Andrew Napolitano, called the newly revealed secret ICE memo claiming the right to break down doors to arrest people in their homes “a direct and profound violation of the Fourth Amendment, which expressly says people are entitled to be secure in their homes and that security can only be invaded by a search warrant signed by a judge based on probable cause of crime.”
Takk for alt.
Al
This is the front page of tomorrow's Minneapolis StarTribune.
Takk for alt,
Al
The book is almost thirty years old and at last I read it! Its been in my consciousness all that time, too. It was very worth reading and now I understand what all the fuss was about. Made into a movie but that didn't effect me because I'm not allowed to go to movies. The book? you ask? Well ya, Tuesdays With Morrie, by Mitch Albom. Chances are you've both read it.
In case one of you hasn't, and didn't see the movie either, I'll tell a little of it. Morrie was Mitch's favorite university professor. At graduation Mitch promises to stay and in touch but her doesn't. When he sees a Ted Koppel TV show about Morrie, Mitch reconnects. The essence of the TV documentary is Morrie's life with ALS. Mitch then begins visiting with Morrie every Tuesday until Morrie dies. The gist of the story is the profound wisdom Morrie shares with Mitch about life and its attributes. They agree that these sessions will eventually find form in a book.
Tuesdays is exceptionally engaging filled with wit and wisdom. Morrie's point of view challenges the "successful" life Mitch has been leading. Inspiring, too, is the evidence of deep affection between Morrie and Mitch.
If you haven't read it you're in for a treat. Or, if it's been awhile since you read it, why not reread it? Likely you'll be glad you did.
Takk for alt,
Al
A Corvette drove into the church parking lot. Teenage boys said, "Wow, look at that!" A sixty something man stepped out of the car. The boys said "And the driver's too old to enjoy it!"
At the Veteran's Social this morning was a widow of a WWII veteran. She was the oldest of the twelve present. There's one veteran of the Korean era but he was stationed in Germany during the conflict. His claim to fame is he was a scientist working on the Apollo Spacecraft. His stories are fascinating. Nick is two years older than I, and Theresa and I are the same age. The others are all younger. There's an Airforce pilot and two Navy pilots. The majority were in the army.
Takk for alt,
Al
The long awaited judicial intervention finally occurred. A Federal Judge issued an injunction to ICE in Minnesota. They cannot detain motorists for following ICE vehicles. Nor can they pepper spray peaceful protesters. There was more but the essence is that ICE must follow the law. What a concept! Though the head of Homeland Security, which should be renamed Homeland Insecurity, barnyard barbie, dog shooting, noem, advised that citizens must carry I.D.s. Apparently she's never heard of the Constitution's 4th Amendment. "The Fourth Amendment protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government, ensuring privacy in their "persons, houses, papers, and effects," and requires that any search warrant be based on probable cause, supported by oath, and specifically describe the place to be searched and items to be seized. It's a cornerstone of privacy in the U.S., balancing individual rights with legitimate government interests like public safety, and its interpretation continues to evolve with technology, particularly regarding digital data and online privacy." Internet
She's also the one who testified in Congress that habeas corpus is the right of the President
to deport persons.
Takk for alt,
Al
An economist writing in the Strib. Ramstad. pointed out of the loss of immigrants is going to hurt
both the Minnesota and the U.S. economy because of the low birth rate.
MJV sent some news clippings, one was the fascinating story of an Iowa women, who in the 60s, was so good that she toured with the Harlem Globetrotters. Another article featured seniors in an OFH asked what advice they'd give to young people. Much wisdom was shared. Some samples; "Laugh, it's good for the body." "Make sure you do one good deed a day." "If you make a mistake, always apologize." "Mind your own business, too many nosy people in the world." and many more. Perhaps I'll ask that question at dinner sometime.
Over the years I had many associates, colleagues, staff members, interns and students. Some have told me that after they left me they found themselves using "Al-isms." What might those be? Well here are some. There's a common saying "Don't borrow trouble." Jews are more colorful and say "Only a fool picks up a passing dog by its ears." The Al-ism for this situation; "If the bullet doesn't have your name on it, get out of the way." When someone makes a questionable decision the Al-ism "We all make choices." Often that's not well received by the hearer.😀 Another comment that is likely to raise ire, "Self-pity is the least attractive of human emotions."
John and Sally were at another couple's home for a dinner party. Before dinner was served the host's dog made a mess on the carpet. Sally cleaned it up. On the way home John said to Sally, "I was uncomfortable when you cleaned up after the dog." Sally "Why?" "Because it wasn't your house, and it wasn't your party, and it wasn't your dog." For Joanne and I, "Whose dog is it?" became a shorthand for "Whose problem is it?" The reality, of course, is that we can only solve our own problems.
Thanks, MJV!
Takk for alt,
Al
Hitler2 wants chaos...true law enforcement personnel do not wear masks, assault pregnant women, or tear gas babies. Against the Constitution's 4th amendment, barnyard barbie, dog shooting, noem,tells us we must carry proof of citizenship or risk abduction and detention. Minnesota and the Twin Cities Metro area remain invaded.
When will it end?
Al
Willa Cather, 1873-1947, was the author of many books. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1923 for One Of Ours. Peter argues that authors often write an excellent book but don't win the Pulitzer. Then, they get the prize for the next book they publish, thought it may not be the author's best. Perhaps that was the case with Cather.
One Of Ours is an excellent book but many persons think it's not her best. Though I haven't read all of her books, I would agree with popular opinion that My Antonia is the best and it's the best of those I've read. Like so many of her books, it's a pioneer story set in Nebraska. She moved, with her family, from Virginia to Red Cloud, Nebraska when she was 10, thus in 1883. She lived the pioneer experience about which she writes.
Antonia, is the child of Bohemian parents who moved to Nebraska, from Europe, to farm. A neighbor boy, Jim, arrived at the same time. He was an orphan who was sent to Blackhawk (the town in the story) to live with his grandparents. Three years younger than Antonia they were inseparable inhabitants of neighboring farms until he moved, with his grandparents, to town. Antonia's story is told through his eyes.
This was a second reading for me. It's been thirty? years since I read it and it was as engaging and delightful as it was the first time. If it has been awhile since you read it, or if you haven't ever, you'll likely not be disappointed with it.
Takk for alt,
Al
Attending the OFH Social Justice Committee last night one participant made this report. Her granddaughter, let's call her Sue, was driving behind an ICE vehicle. She honked to alert others that an ICE vehicle was nearby. The occupants of the ICE vehicle, stopped them, let's call her male companion Bob, broke into their vehicle, pulled them out and put them into separate ICE vehicles.
They were taken to the ICE detention center in the Whipple Building, near Fort Snelling. During the 8 hours they were detained the were kept sperate. Bob, and American citizen with a Spanish surname, was offered a significant payout if her would reveal the names of persons who are politically active.
One of her captors told Sue, "We thought you would learn a lesson when that F**king lesbian was killed." Sue emerged from her experience with cuts and bruises.
When they were released after eight hours of imprisonment they were miles from their car. They walked out of the Whipple Building just as the assembled protestors were tear gassed so they were also gassed. Protestors helped them back to their car.
This is how the American gestapo operates. Both Care !1. News and Sixty Minutes are in contact with the pair so their experience may reach a larger audience.
Takk for alt,
Al
The Rev. Dr. Oscar C. Hanson, was a wonderful father-in-law. One of his fine characteristics was that he would brook no gossip. If the conversation turned negative about a person who wasn't present he quickly move to stop it. Where, and how, did he learn that? Never, ever did I hear him criticize another.
One of his sayings was "A clean car runs quieter." His cars were always spotless. With that in mind I ran my car through the car wash today. With the temps in the lower 40s it seemed and opportunity. Yes, I know it will not stay clean for long but it certainly was quiet after the wash.
Well, that's about as profound as it gets today.
Takk for alt,
al
Perhaps you'll both tire of me talking about the OFH. It is my reality these days of course. Today a podiatrist was available by previous appointment. When it was announced that one would be here I signed up. Why? So I could have a pedicure and I did. Just another perk of life in the OFH!
There's a poster in the elevators announcing that an optometrist is coming to to the OFH. That's a first, in my experience. It seems on visits to an optometrist they have all these fancy, adjustable lenses, "is this more clear or is this?" Now there's portable vision testing equipment? Who knew? Not I, but I'll pass, though it's tempting to sign up just for the experience.
Perhaps a random photo will add some interest to this blog.
Takk for alt,
Al
Pastor Justin began his sermon this morning by saying that the attack on Minnesota by the Federal Government is not normal. He put on a huge backpack and likened to the burden we all carry because of the current siege happening in Minneapolis. Nixon had his enemies list but that was nothing compared to Hitler2, who not only has a list but sends the Feds to invade. Justin was correct and it was very helpful to name what we're all feeling. Personally, I can only handle so much of this reality at a time and then I have to disassociate for awhile. With that said, let's talk about rhubarb.
On the farm on which I grew up is a huge rhubarb patch. My mother said "When I moved to the farm in 1927 it was in place." It's still there, still thriving and occasionally a bit of it is harvested. All by itself, with no human aid, it has been growing year after year, now for over 100 years. It doesn't spread nor shrink just continues minding it's own business. While I was living in North Dakota our rhubarb plants were flooded and they didn't survive, that's the only ones I've noted to succumb.
In today's Writer's Almanac was this article. "On this date in 1770, Benjamin Franklin introduced rhubarb to America. He was representing the American colonies as an ambassador in London, and sent a crate of rhubarb to his friend John Bartram. The plant, native to central Asia, had been introduced in Europe by traders; the rhubarb that Franklin sent to America had come to London from Siberia. Rhubarb first appeared in American seed catalogs in 1829, and soon became a popular ingredient in pies. John Bartram was also responsible for introducing kohlrabi and poinsettias to America."
Kohlrabi could have been left behind but I didn't know this about rhubarb and poinsettias. Rhubarb is very common in Norway and is a northern plant that doesn't live in warm climates. Near Camp Pendleton in southern CA, where I was stationed in the Marines, are huge fields of poinsettias growing six feet tall.
Takk for alt,
Al
PS Don't forget the suffering caused by Hitler2's vendettas!
Rachel Maddow claims that when 3.5% of citizens take to the street in opposition, no dictator lasts. She didn't reveal the source of her data but she's usually accurate. She also said that America must be approaching that 3.5% point. Since Renee Good's murder by ICE (the American Gestapo) protests and demonstrations anti-Ice have abounded around the metro area and also by the OFH.
Joan's funeral was at noon at Grace University Lutheran. She was a musician at Grace for 30 years and an all-around good person. The church was full as a tribute to her. Attending that kept me off the street. When I returned to the OFH there were several hundred gathered on the corner of Lexington Ave and 7th Street, by the OFH. Many of the OFH residents were among the demonstrators. Driving east on I-94 in St. Paul, I saw an overpass full of anti-ice demonstrators.
Let's hope that Maddow is correct and that America far surpasses the 3.5% mark.
Takk for alt,
Al
This the sign posted in the OFH elevators announcing today's demonstration.
Joanne was right about most things but one thing she got wrong. Recognizing the vast differences in personality between us, she worried about me in her approaching absence. On personality tests all of her checks were in the extroverted box. Over the years she learned to cultivate alone time and the gifts that come from solitude.
In our fifty-three years of marriage there were myriad times when my choice would be to stay home and hers was to go out. Consequently, she worried that, after her death, I'd become a social isolate. Not to worry. This extrovert needs people even as I need time to be alone. My aim is for having at least one social engagement each day. Days when that doesn't work the phone often connects me family and friends.
The OFH is ideal for my needs. With a very nice apartment it's a great retreat when I want to be alone. Ready for social engagement leaving my apartment it is easy to find friends and friendly acquaintances for social interaction. Then, too, having lived in this metro area since 1988 there are friends who are not resident in the OFH.
Very grateful for my life!
Takk for alt,
Al
Minneapolis Public Schools on Wednesday canceled classes district-wide for the remainder of the week “due to safety concerns,” following the killing of a woman Wednesday by an ICE agent. The district said it was acting “out of an abundance of caution.”
The move came after officials at Roosevelt High School said armed U.S. Border Patrol officers came on school property during dismissal Wednesday and began tackling people, handcuffed two staff members and released chemical weapons on bystanders.
“The guy, I’m telling him like, ‘Please step off the school grounds,’ and this dude comes up and bumps into me and then tells me that I pushed him, and he’s trying to push me, and he knocked me down,” a school official, who spoke to MPR News on condition of anonymity said.
“They don’t care. They’re just animals,” the official added. “I’ve never seen people behave like this.”
The school leader said armed officers with apparent Border Patrol insignia on their uniforms arrived at a street near the school in several SUV vehicles during dismissal on Wednesday afternoon. They broke out the window of a vehicle.
“There’s a car that got hit. I don’t know how it got hit. They broke out the window,” the school official said. “Then different Neighborhood Watch, people, everybody, people, the staff in the school came out. And then they started coming on the property of the school and pushing people and tackling people and shooting pepper spray and pepper balls. And they handcuffed two of our employees.”
Video shared with MPR News show armed, masked officers with apparent Border Patrol insignia on their uniforms dragging a person on a sidewalk outside of the high school and tussling with another person as bystanders blow whistles and shout.
The school official said some high school students were involved in altercations with officers. Many sheltered at a nearby library.
Kate Winkel, who lives in the neighborhood near Roosevelt said she saw the Border Patrol agents on her drive home from work and witnessed agents pull a person into one of their vehicles.
In a video shared with MPR News, a Border Patrol official is shown pushing 47-year-old Winkel to the ground after telling her to get out of the street.
Winkel said she witnessed agents in other physical confrontations with school staff and parents on and near school property.
“I think school property should be off-limits. I think our kids need to feel safe at school,” Winkel said. “The federal government doesn’t need to attack schools.”
In an email sent to school families on Wednesday, school principal Christian Ledesma said the school “instituted a lockout due to law enforcement presence outside of our school involving a vehicle that stopped near our building” after the school’s regular dismissal time. Staff and students “witnessed law enforcement engage with people at Roosevelt,” Ledesma added.
He said school counselors, social workers and district personnel would be available to any students who needed support.
Late Wednesday, district officials told staff and families in an email that all district-sponsored programs, activities, athletics and Community Education classes would be canceled and that it would collaborate with the City of Minneapolis on emergency preparedness and response."
This is the high school that Evy attends.
While our current situation has many parallels to Nazi Germany there are three significant factors that give me hope. When the German Hitler was rounding up the Jews there was virtually no protest, today with the American Hitler's Gestapo (ICE), there are massive protests. Second, the German Hitler was very popular with German citizens while Americans largely oppose the American Hitler. Finally, while American news sources are badly fractured since Reagan ended the necessity of broadcasts telling both sides, there still is free press and the Gestapo atrocities are being reported.
It's a terrible time and lives are lost and upended.
Takk for alt,
Al
Seeing my mother's birthdate above you can see it was always easy to track her age. Her middle name is not mentioned because she never liked it. She was the tenth child born to Olai and Minnie Bergh, in Brookings County, S.D. Two sisters were born after her. At her death her grandchildren were surprised to discover that each one was not her favorite. She was a good wife, excellent mother and fine person. So grateful, I am, that she was me mother. Her death came in December 1989, a few days before her 90th birthday.
In response to yesterday's blog about ageing MKV sent me this quote from Pope Francis, "To walk toward the future, the past is needed; deep roots are needed to help live the present and its challenges. Memory is needed, courage is needed, a healthy vision of the future is needed."
Living in an Old Folks Home, as I do, it's impossible to avoid aging. In the years I've lived here other inmates noticeably age. Death, too, is a frequent visitor. When I entered the OFH I was the average of residents, I wonder how I fit now.
Our Norwegian friend, Berger Hareide, sent a New Year's greeting. In it he comments on his own sense of aging, though he's quite a bit younger than I, isn't everyone? Then he includes this quote which I find very helpful.
"Writing about ageing the Danish theologian Theodor Jørgensen does not see what one has to leave behind as a loss, but “'as a door that opens to something new. Every day is no longer a day taken from our life, but a day that is added to our life as a gift. Then we do not focus so much on what is taken away from us as we age, but more on what is still given to us.'" Berger goes on to say "And one of the things that is 'constantly given to us' is the value of contact with family and friends."
Yea and verily I say to both statement and key to a happy life is living with that kind of gratitude. One of the gifts of life in the OFH is being under the same roof with good friends. In addition, there are many 'friendly acquaintances' here.
Takk for alt,
Al
With nothing better to do today I attended the twice monthly Veteran's Group of the OFH. There were nine present which included three Marines; Theresa, Chuck and Al. There was one each from the Air Force and Navy. The remainder from the Army. Len was Army but almost a Marine. When he was drafted, in the 60s, there was a large assembly of draftees. The person in charge told them to number off by 2s. Then he announced, 1s you're in the Army, 2s you're in the Marines.
Several were in Viet Nam. One who's on total disability from Agent Orange was stationed on Johnston Atoll. Barrells of Agent Orange were stacked on the beach leaking into the water. He scuba dived in the ocean three times a week in the water polluted with Agent Orange. All the coral by the atoll was killed.
Bill, the oldest of the group, and the most interesting, was in the Army during Korea. He didn't serve in Korea but was stationed in Germany. He has a PHD from M.I.T. He worked on the Apollo Space Craft and his stories about that, and the astronauts, are fascinating.
The most helpful part is the sharing of tips about navigating the V.A. system. The general consensus was that the Minneapolis V.A., is helpful and well run. That echoes my experience with it.
Takk for alt,
Al
One night Gueterer asked to borrow my toothbrush. Here's the dialog: Al "Gueterer you don't borrow someone else's toothbrush!" G "Why not? I borrowed Bill's last night." Al "Borrow Bill's."
A
This being the nearest Sunday to Epiphany, Grace U. Luth., celebrated Epiphany today. Myriad youth assisted with the leadership of the service. The service was followed by a youth talent show. Many talents were on display to an enthusiastic audience. Then all gathered for a hearty potluck meal. It was balm for troubled souls.
This small congregation is in a building refurbishing mode. It was built in 1915 and the lower level; fellowship hall, library, classrooms, etc. need serious attention. Lutheran Campus Ministry of the University of Minnesota is housed in it. The project will give the campus minister a good office and reception area. A former pastor once said she typically doesn't recognize about a third of the worshippers because they are university students. Grace is the only church building on the campus. A three year fund raising effort to pay for the improvements just started this fall aiming to raise one million dollars over three years. Today, it was announced that almost that amount has already been raised.
Takk for alt,
Al
Vacuum is a description of my mind. When I went to the grocery store yesterday I forgot to bring my shopping list. However, when I returned home and perused the list I discovered I'd purchase 12 of the 13 items on the list. If I can do that why can't I remember to bring the list? Joanne and I used to joke about having only one oar it the water. Together we hoped that our oars were on the opposite sides of the boat. 😀
Sally died yesterday. She, and her husband Greg are (were) next door neighbors. They were among the first inmates I met when I moved in to the OFH. The culture here is that if there's an empty chair at a table in the dining room it's cool to ask permission to join. Sally & Greg were the only diners at a table for four. Gaining their permission I joined them. During the conversation Sally mentioned her retirement. That offered me the opportunity to ask, "From what did you retire?" She replied "I was a church secretary in an ELCA congregation." 😀 Imagine the conversation that ensued. (There are two more ELCA pastors on this wing, one of whom was a bishop.)
Greg, fascinated with my extended absences to South Dakota, teases that he's going to sublet my apartment. Sally suffered from COPD. All the while I knew her she was on oxygen. They moved here from Wisconsin to be near their two daughters. Their grandson is a server in the dining room. Now Greg joins a myriad of us in the land of grief.
Takk for alt,
Al
This morning I watched a little of the Rose Bowl Parade. It was raining. Twice I've witnessed the parade in person though I've only been at the Rose Bowl Game once. It didn't rain either time I was there.
The first time I attended was in 1961. That came at the end of my first year at USMC Camp Pendleton in southern California. Marjorie (Negstad) Dahl, my first cousin, lived with her husband, Jasper, and daughters, Carole and Betty, in Lakewood, CA. which is suburb of Long Beach. They took me to the Parade. Minnesota lost to Washington in the game. Arriving early we had seats curbside for the parade.(Travelling around the L.A. area with them in their Buick Roadmaster, I was the designated driver. Neither Jasper nor Marjorie liked the city driving. Marjorie sat next to me in the front street and navigated as well as a GPS.)
In 1970 we were visiting Rollie and Sherry, who lived in Glendale, CA., at New Years. Rollie went all out arranging our Festival Of Roses experience. It began with his youth group saving curb side seats for us on the parade route. Shortly before the Parade began we were driven near the route and took our seats. When the Parade ended we were driven to Pasadena for lunch at their friend's house. After lunch we were dropped off at the stadium for the game. USC beat Michigan. Following the game we were again picked up and driven to Rollie's house. Yes, we were treated like royalty!
Takk for alt,
Al
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