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MN Red Bulls Looking Forward To Coming Home In 2012

January 1, 2012 by Michael McIntee Iraq, War/Peace Comments Off

Red Bulls, National Guard troops from Minnesota, celebrate the new year

Click photo to watch the Red Bulls ring in the new year from Kuwait

After months of being deployed in Kuwait, members of Minnesota’s “Red Bulls”, the 1-125 Field Artillery of the Minnesota National Guard, are looking forward to heading home soon. The thoughts of going home buoyed the troops as they rang in the new year from Camp Patriot, Kuwait.

1st Sgt. James Benson and his fellow soldiers symbolically burned their Christmas trees as midnight approached.

“Another new year and we’re really looking forward. We’re hitting that benchmark to start looking at heading on back home and getting all that stuff. So (burning the) Christmas trees kind of signify moving on and moving forward”.

Even though the Iraq war officially ended in December, about 2,600 Minnesota National Guard troops remain on duty in the region until May 2012.

Round the clock work to prepare for going home
… Continue Reading

Last US Troops Out Of Iraq- Interviews With The Greywolf Brigade

December 26, 2011 by Michael McIntee Iraq, War/Peace Comments Off

The last of US Troops leave Iraq

Click on photo to watch interviews with the last US troops to leave Iraq

Interviews with the troops of the last unit out of Iraq. The last unit is the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division, also known as the Greywolf Brigade.

In this video: interviews with PV2 Adam Hendrix & Pfc. Sean Deranger, Combat Engineers, Charlie Co, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division; Staff Sgt. Donald Clark, Combat Engineer, Charlie Co, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division; Sgt. Daniel Martin, Heavy Construction Equipment Operator, Charlie Co, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division; Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Ochs, Platoon Sgt., Charlie Co, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division; Maj. Gen. Kenneth S. Dowd, Commanding General, of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command and Maj. Gen. Mohammad Al Yosef Al Sabah, Assistant Under Secretary of the Interior for Border Security.

Producer of video: Spc. Kelsey Jeffers

Iraq War Over. Troops Home By Holidays

October 22, 2011 by Michael McIntee DC, Iraq, Libya, War/Peace Comments Off

President Obama talks about the end of the Iraq war during his weekly address

Click Picture to watch President Obama's weekly address.

President Obama says that the death of Moammar Qadhafi in Libya and the announcement that troops from Iraq will return home by the end of the year are strong reminders that the United States has renewed its leadership in the world.

He says the role of our brave pilots and crews has given the Libyan people a chance to seek a democratic future for their children, and after a decade of war in Iraq, the United States is moving forward and focusing on strengthening the economy and security at home.

That is why President Obama is calling on Congress to pass the American Jobs Act to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, give working families a tax break, and put teachers back in our classrooms and cops on the beat.

He says we must bring the same sense of urgency to revitalizing our economy that our troops took to their fight, which is why President Obama is urging Republicans and Democrats to work together to pass the American Jobs Act now to put the American people back to work.

Full Text of President Obama’s weekly address. … Continue Reading

Life In Iraq Today

August 4, 2011 by Bill Sorem Iraq, Minnesota, War/Peace Comments Off

Life in Iraq

Click picture to watch video about life in Iraq

Luke Wilcox of the Iraqi American Reconciliation Committee recently returned from Najaf, Iraq and surrounding areas where he had spent five weeks working with Sami Rasouli and the Muslim Peacemakers teams. Speaking at St. Joan of Arc Church in Minneapolis, he tell us about life in Iraq today as well as the new water for peace campaign.

More information available at http://reconciliationproject.org/

Mustafa Returns Home With New Leg, New Hope

February 14, 2011 by Bill Sorem Health Care, Iraq, Minnesota, War/Peace, World Comments Off

By Bill Sorem

Mustafa Al-Tameeni, an energetic 8-year old, returned to his home in Najaf, Iraq, and to his father and five siblings. Mustafa has a new leg and a new hope for his life in the war-torn country. He and his mother, Shaymaa Hasan, came to Minnesota last September for help in repairing his body. His departure was delayed two days until a friend from Iraq went to the airport in Dubai, and bought him two tickets for the final leg from Dubai to Baghdad. Delta Airlines needed proof that Mustafa and Shaymaa had ongoing passage from Dubai before they would let them board in Minneapolis. While here, Mustafa captured the hearts of all who met him, and his bubbling personality denied the severity of his physical damage. However, a one-legged man faces a grim outlook in today’s Iraq.

In 2009 Mustafa was injured in an electric fire caused by Iraq’s crumbling power grid — collateral damage from the U.S. war there. He was treated by the decimated Iraq medical system (more collateral damage) and his right leg was amputated, he lost two toes from his left foot, and his left arm was severely damaged by the fire and the care he received afterward. … Continue Reading

US Military Equipment Leaving Iraq

August 30, 2010 by Michael McIntee Iraq, World Comments Off

As U.S. troops leave Iraq, the equipment that has sustained and protected them is being moved out as well. However, millions of dollars of equipment is being left behind, donated to Iraq’s military.

Vice President Biden In Iraq For End Of Combat Ceremony

August 30, 2010 by Michael McIntee DC, Iraq, World Comments Off

Vice President Joe Biden- File photo

According to the White House, Vice President Joe Biden has arrived in Iraq to participate in a Change of Command and Change of Mission Ceremony, fulfilling the commitment made by the President in his first month in office.

A White House press release says this is the Vice President’s sixth trip to Iraq since January 2009. The United States ends its combat mission in Iraq on August 31st, having drawn down to fewer than 50,000 troops from approximately 144,000 troops in January 2009. The remaining troops will advise and assist Iraq’s security forces, conduct partnered counter-terrorism operations, and protect U.S. civilians. In accordance with an agreement between the U.S. and Iraqi governments, all U.S. forces will leave Iraq by December 31, 2011.

President Obama will deliver a National Address on Iraq on August 31st. The Vice President’s visit at this juncture will reinforce the long-term U.S. commitment to Iraq. The Vice President will meet with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, Vice President Adil Abd al-Mahdi, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the Iraqiyya coalition Ayad Allawi, Chairman of the Islamic Supreme Council Ammar al-Hakim and other political leaders to discuss the latest developments in Iraq and to urge Iraqi leaders to conclude negotiations on the formation of a new government.

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DC

President Barack Obama signs the Payroll Tax Cut Extension in the Oval Office, Feb. 22, 2012

President Obama Signs Payroll Tax Extension

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Rep. Michele Bachmann

Rep. Bachmann On Medicaid Fraud

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President Obama delivers weekly address from Boeing plant in Everett, Washington

Obama:No Tax Breaks For Outsourcing US Jobs

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President Obama at the Boeing Facility in Everett, Washington

Public Pressure Helped Obama Win Payroll Tax Cut

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President Obama speaks at Master Lock in Milwaukee

Milwaukee Co. Example of “Insourcing” Jobs Says Obama

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President Obama urges Congress to pass the payroll tax cut

Obama Warns Congress:No Drama On Payroll Tax Cut

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Obama announces Housing Settlement with banks

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Obama helps with marshmallow launch at White House Science Fair

Marshmallow Launch at the White House Science Fair

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President Obama delivers his weekly address

Obama’s Fair Fix For Responsible Homeowners

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Latest MN

MN

Senator Mike Parry

MN GOP Narrowly Limits Debate On Voter Photo ID

Senator Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul) said without additional legislation detailing how voter photo ID would work, the bill was a “pig in a poke”.

Carolyn Jackson, ACLU of Minnesota

Expect Costly Lawsuits With Voter Photo ID Says ACLU of MN

Minnesota will be creating a “cottage industry of voting lawsuits” if the current proposed voter photo ID amendment becomes law says Carolyn Jackson, Lobbying Coordinator with the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota.

Click on photo to watch Senator Jeff Hayden try to repeal an anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment slated to be on the fall ballot.

Second Attempt To Repeal Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment Fails

DFL lawmakers make a second attempt to repeal the Minnesota constitutional amendment on marriage that is on this fall’s ballot, this time to “pay for” the unknown cost of the voter photo ID constitutional amendment.

Click photo to watch Senator Bakk call out Senator Michel for distorting Governor Dayton's Jobs Bill

Business Property Tax Relief Would Add To MN Deficit

A proposal to give Minnesota businesses property tax relief would add $126 million to a already expected $1.3 billion state deficit says Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk.

Ebony Harris of Minnesota Coalition For Peoples Bailout

Class Warfare Could Kill Poor People

“Mean spirited” and “humiliating” to poor people is how Ebony Harris describes a Minnesota proposed law requiring 60-days residency to qualify for welfare benefits.

2012  MN Legislative Session

Revamped Voter Photo ID Gets Narrow Senate Hearing

Hundreds of people are expected to show up to this afternoon’s hearing on a proposed constitutional amendment requiring Minnesotans to present a photo ID to vote. However, it is unlikely they will be able to talk about the potential voter suppression effect the amendment would have.

Senator Tom Bakk

Untargeted Business Tax Cuts Won’t Create Many Jobs Say DFL Senators

Untargeted business tax relief that would go to out of state retail corporations such as McDonalds and Costco would be a “race to the bottom” says Senator Scott Dibble (DFL- Minneapolis)

Representative Mindy Greiling

Drawing Line Between Free Speech And Politics At MN Schools

A bill now heading to the Minnesota House floor bans public school employees from using district resources to advocate a political agenda.

Jan Alswager of Education Minnesota

GOP Teacher Layoff Law An Invitation To Lawsuits Says Union

Education Minnesota says a proposed law that allows high seniority teachers to be laid off first will create a “lot of chaos, a lot of grievances, (and) possible lawsuits.

Carri Rocha website owner

“Amazon Tax” Could Wipe Out Some Businesses

A website owner from Maple Grove tells the House tax committee that trying to make Amazon.com charge sales taxes for goods sold in Minnesota will not bring in revenue and will put her out of business.

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.

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City Pages Cover-The Forgotten Neighborhood

The Forgotten Neighborhood

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

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

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Click on Photo to View Kindred Kitchen Video

Kindred Kitchen Empowers North Minneapolis Through Food

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Citizen participates in Draw The Line Minnesota session

Citizens, Not Politicians Drawing Redistricting Lines

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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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