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Trick or Treat at Governor Dayton’s House

November 2, 2011 by Jacob Wheeler Minnesota, Political Comedy Comments Off

Click Photo for Video of Gov. Dayton Greeting Trick or Treaters

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton hosted trick-or-treaters in front of the governor’s mansion on Summit Avenue on Halloween evening.

Dressed as an everyday Minnesotan, the Governor offered handshakes and smiles — in contrast to the frightening ghouls, goblins and monsters across the street.

Children and adults in all sorts of costumes wandered the streets of Saint Paul — dressed as super heroes, zombis, man-sized bunny rabbits. The late Libyan dictator Colonel Gaddafi also made an appearance and hijacked an UpTake video camera Monday night to make his foray into video journalism.

Comedian Julianna Forlano: “A ‘Boehner’ is still a Boner”

June 19, 2011 by Jacob Wheeler Netroots, Political Comedy Comments Off

New York-based comedian Julianna Forlano joked about Congressman Anthony Weiner’s distasteful demise during an interview with The UpTake at Netroots Nation, adding that “there are still plenty of dicks left in Congress.” As for House Speaker John Boehner, Forlano pulled out the German accent as she quipped, “A ‘Boehner’ is still a boner, no matter how you spell it.” Asked about Michele Bachmann, Forlano joked that the Minnesota Congresswoman has no inner monologue and probably calls up the Koch brothers for guidance.

Peace Activists Take FBI Witch Hunt to May Day Parade

May 5, 2011 by Bill Sorem Immigration, Labor/Unions, Political Comedy, War/Peace Comments Off

Peace activists targeted by the FBI raids on September 24, 2010 and their friends joined thousands in the annual May Day Parade last Sunday as the first group in the Free Speech Zone. They parodied the FBI raids with an FBI puppet and a covey of witches. This parade brings out marchers on stilts, oversize puppets, loud bands, politicians and lots of wild costumes. The nine Minnesotans are joined with 14 others, mostly from Chicago all of whom have been subpoenaed at various times to report to the Federal Grand Jury in Chicago. All 23 have refused to appear and they are awaiting further action. A number of those targeted have children and they have been forced to work out temporary custody arrangements. Patrick Fitzgerald, the US Attorney in Chicago has also refused joint legal representation so each of the targets have had to employ their own attorney. Stop FBI web site.

Obama Trumps The Donald At Press Dinner

May 1, 2011 by Michael McIntee DC, Political Comedy Comments Off


President Obama has a lot of fun at Donald Trump’s expense during the 2011 White House correspondent’s dinner.

Wisconsin Gov. Walker Tells “David Koch” He Won’t Budge

February 23, 2011 by Jacob Wheeler Campaign Finance, Labor/Unions, Political Comedy, Wisconsin Comments Off

Yesterday morning, Ian Murphy, editor of the Buffalo Beast — an online newspaper founded by now Rolling Stone contributor Matt Taibbi — posed over the telephone as David Koch and had a 20-minute phone conversation with Scott Walker, the upstart Republican Governor of Wisconsin who has come under fire for attempting to gut public-sector union workers’ rights. The Koch brothers were major funders of the Republican legislative victories in November, including Walker’s gubernatorial win in Wisconsin. Watch parts 1 and 2 of the videos below:

During the call, Walker tells Koch that he and the state’s GOP leadership are exploring ways to bring the wayward Senate Democrats back home that includes stopping the direct deposit of their paychecks. Walker also says that he plans to threaten thousands of state workers with layoffs, and says, “this is our moment” to spread the union busting efforts to other states. The call ends with Murphy-as-Koch promising, “once you crush these bastards, I’ll fly you out to Cali and really show you a good time.” “All right,” the Governor answers, “That would be outstanding.”

In a statement, Walker spokesman Werwie said today, “Throughout this call the Governor maintained his appreciation for and commitment to civil discourse. The phone call shows that the governor says the same thing in private as he does in public and the lengths that others will go to disrupt the civil debate Wisconsin is having.”

McCain Arrives For The RNC in Minneapolis-R Rated Version

August 29, 2008 by admin Political Comedy Comments Off


(Beware, this contains naughty language!) With no fanfare “John McCain” has arrived at the site of the Republican National Convention. The UpTake’s Ken Avidor followed the Senator around and got an exclusive interview on the low-tech way McCain will use to announce his Vice Presidential choice.

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DC

Obama announces Housing Settlement with banks

Obama on Landmark Housing Settlement with Banks

The federal government and 49 state attorneys general have reached a landmark $25 billion agreement with the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers to address mortgage loan servicing and foreclosure abuses.

President Obama announces exemptions from "No Child Left Behind" law

States Get Exemptions To “No Child Left Behind” Law

President Obama announces ten states have agreed to implement bold reforms around standards and accountability will receive flexibility from the most burdensome mandates of the federal education law known as No Child Left Behind.

Obama helps with marshmallow launch at White House Science Fair

Marshmallow Launch at the White House Science Fair

The President meets an 8th grader named Joey from Phoenix, AZ at the White House Science Fair and the two launch a marshmallow across the state dining room with Joey’s science project – an air cannon.

President Obama delivers his weekly address

Obama’s Fair Fix For Responsible Homeowners

The housing crisis has been the single largest drag on America’s economic recovery. President Obama wants to fix that fairly for homeowners who have been responsible, but not the ones who took out huge mortgages or bought multiple homes.

Netflix General Counsel David Hyman testifies to a US Senate committee

Netflix Facebook App Would Be Legal In US

Netflix’s top lawyer tries to convince a US Senate committee that laws need to be changed so it can offer a video sharing app on Facebook. A University of Minnesota Law Professor says that’s not so.

Senator Al Franken

Who Should Know Which Videos You Watch?

A bill recently passed in the US House could make it easier for video companies to disclose viewer information. Who should know what you’re watching? Senator Al Franken leads a hearing.

President Obama blasts Utah Senator Mike Lee in his weekly address

Obama Blasts Utah Senator For Causing Gridlock

“One senator gumming up the works for the whole country is certainly not what our founding fathers envisioned.”— President Obama about Utah Senator Mike Lee in his weekly address

President Obama Speaks at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Replay-Obama’s Blueprint For Keeping College Affordable

President Obama unveils his proposal to keep college costs lower and provide students with enough financial aid so they can attend. He speaks at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

President Obama on his State of the union tour

Obama’s State Of The Union Tour Hits Five States

President Obama is on a five state tour promoting the economic proposals he made in his State of The Union address. He started in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at Conveyer Engineering and then into Arizona to an Intel plant. Thursday he want to Las Vegas and Denver.

Click on photo to hear President Obama's speech in Arizona

Obama Praises Gabby Giffords In Arizona

Representative Giffords recently resigned from congress to focus on her recovery from an assassination attempt last year.

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MN

2012  MN Legislative Session

MN Legislative Leaders React To Dayton Veto

Governor Dayton announced he is vetoing a set of Republican authored bills aimed at making it harder to sue in court. Legislative leaders react to the Governor’s veto.

Joe Webb says budget cuts are preventing his mentally ill son from moving closer to home

Mental Health Budget Cuts Costing MN More (CC)

Joe Webb wants his mentally ill son to live closer to home. But cuts made last year in Minnesota’s mental health budget are preventing that.

Senator Barb Goodwin objects to gun bill

Objections To MN Gun Bill Fail

Senator Barb Goodwin raises objections to H.F. 1467 Defense of Dwelling and Person Act.
She says it should have another hearing since a New York Times article showed that Minnesota has problems with felons easily getting back their firearms once they are released from prison.

Senator Julianne Ortman

Unsure, MN GOP Senator Votes To Limit Your Right To Sue

Senator Julianne Ortman’s bill to shorten Minnesota’s statute of limitations passes despite her saying some of the issues in it could go back to the Judiciary committee

DFL SD 42 Caucus Goer

DFL Caucus Goers Want Jobs and Personal Freedom

Hear what DFL caucus goers are concerned and optimistic about.

Larry Pogemiller answers questions during confirmation hearing

Vouchers For College? MN Education Head Says Maybe

Vouchers for college? Minnesota’s Higher Education Director Larry Pogemiller says he’s open to the idea.

TakeAction Minnesota's Dan McGrath Diagrams how bank money goes to Republican legislators

Banks Backing GOP Attempt To Suppress MN Votes

TakeAction Minnesota releases a report outlining Minnesota-based financial interests behind efforts to secure a photo ID amendment on the state’s November 2012 ballot.

Pastor Grant Stevens

Religious Leaders Jam Senator’s Office On MN Voter Photo ID

It’s not often that a half dozen religious leaders come calling with a cadre of television cameras in tow to Senate Majority Leader David Senjem’s office.

Religious Leaders Opposing MN Voter Photo ID

Religious Leaders Oppose MN Voter Photo ID

Religious leaders of various faiths hold a press conference at the Minnesota State Capitol voicing their opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment requiring a photo ID for the purpose of voting.

Newt Gingrich's strange take on the "death tax"

Gingrich: Hard Working Dead People Should Keep Their Money

“We would abolish the ‘death tax’ permanently because we believe that it is very, very important that people who work hard are allowed to keep what they earn.”—Newt Gingrich

Sustaining Solutions

Sustaining Solutions

Click on Photo to View Video of Northside Economic Opportunity Network

Northside Economic Opportunity Network Boosts Business in North Minneapolis

The Northside Economic Opportunity Network works with small businesses and micro-businesses in North Minneapolis to help them achieve success.

Workers' Rights Supporter In Madison Wisconsin

2011 UpTake Stories With The Most Impact

If we didn’t cover these stories, who would have?

City Pages Cover-The Forgotten Neighborhood

The Forgotten Neighborhood

As we’ve been reporting for the past six months, many tornado victims who need help still haven’t gotten it.

Click on Photo to View Video of Occupy MN in Monique White's Home

Occupy MN Moves into Foreclosed Home in North Minneapolis

Occupy MN is occupying Monique White’s house at 3310 N. 6th St. in the city’s downtrodden North Minneapolis neighborhood. In doing so, Occupy MN instantly made itself more diverse, and more relevant.

Click on Photo to Watch Video About Campaign to Save North High School

Saving North High School, Preserving a Community Stalwart

When administrators revealed a plan last spring to shut down North High School — one of only two public schools on Minneapolis’ embattled north side — MN Neighborhoods Organizing for Change and other activists answered the call.

Click on Photo to View Kindred Kitchen Video

Kindred Kitchen Empowers North Minneapolis Through Food

North Minneapolis food entrepreneurs use Kindred Kitchen to learn about starting their own business, making their food safely and legally in a commercial kitchen, and marketing it within the community.

Citizen participates in Draw The Line Minnesota session

Citizens, Not Politicians Drawing Redistricting Lines

Voters should pick their politicians, not the other way around. That’s the thought behind Draw The Line Minnesota, a citizen group that is working to draw the maps for congressional and legislative districts.

FLOW: Northside Arts Crawl

FLOW Shows Bright Future For Tornado-damaged Northside

This year’s FLOW art crawl was all about recognizing thousands of volunteers that helped with the clean-up and recovery efforts after the May 22nd tornado. Leaders hope the positive can-do attitude of the cleanup can power a rebirth of the Northside.

Click to watch Stories of Need: Dennis

“We’re Treated like Bums” Despite Holding Jobs, Paying Taxes

After their home in North Minneapolis was destroyed by the May 22 tornado, Dennis and Deborah were forced to seek refuge in the local Armory and at the North Commons Recreation Center. For weeks, they and their five children slept on cots on the floor of a gymnasium.

Click on Picture to View Video of Joyce Chineth

“I’m sure I need it worse than you, because I have nothing.”

Her home destroyed and now condemned, north Minneapolis tornado victim Joyce Chineth feels abandoned by the system.

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