‘Commentary’ Archives
Clean Power?
By Peter Molenaar Tucked in the south-west corner of the Phillips Neighborhood is an impressive facility dubbed the Colin Powell Youth Leadership Center. The Center saw our Congressman Keith Ellison play host to a “celebration of the Clean Power Plan.” Yes, the aggrandizements were well distributed, to be sure. However, my inner voice rudely screamed, over and over: “What”'s the plan for the plan, man, what”'s the plan for the plan?” Let”'s assume, as some people do, that vast wind and solar farms might sustain a modern economy and prevent social disaster. Then, by what source of energy would we arrive at this happy conclusion? Answer: a heavy draw from coal fired plants. (Note: I worked 35 years at Smith Foundry.) Meanwhile, glaciers and icecaps disappear. True, existing coal fired plants might achieve a 30% emissions reduction by switching to natural gas. But, wait. Synfuel, derived from natural [...]
Frank Reflections
By FRANK ERICKSON A retired U.S. official said, “The reality is, we may just have to live with ISIL; they look to be difficult to defeat.” Now, we know what Native Americans had to accept and that which they had to deal. Is this how “war” works, if you can”'t “win” you learn to co-exist with your enemy? Why not just avoid the “wars” and co-exist? “War” still decides the pecking order. What primates we are. Here is our society”'s cold and corrupt answer for the true Native souls of this land who have the police chase them up Lake Street, put up “No Trespassing” signs under the Lake Street-Hiawatha overpass and force then off Target”'s property on Lake Street. The City is not fooling anyone, we know at whom the “No Trespassing” signs at Lake Street and Hiawatha are directed. How dare the White Man be so cold and arrogant; who”'s land is it? The kind hearted Liberals who run [...]
