Your Voices features unique perspectives from members of your community. Here you’ll find commentary on current events, public issues and day-to-day life in Minnesota. This is a home for lively conversations and respectful debates. Comments are moderated and will appear after review by editors. If you have feedback or want to join Your Voices, send your thoughts to yourvoices@startribune.com.
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Go-Go gone-gone
Twins general manager Bill Smith's No. 1 offseason goal: Sign soon-to-be MVP Joe Mauer to a long-term deal. Mauer, undoubtedly, will not do so until seeing what other moves Smith makes over the next three-to-four months. So far, so good with Friday's acquisition of former All-Star J.J. Hardy. The shortstop, who is under team control for two more years, is a plus-defender, with a good bat. To get Hardy, Smith gave up a tantalizer, but seemingly a career backup -- center fielder Carlos Gomez.
Tooting our tech horn: 10 years of the Tekne Awards
The Tekne Awards honor amazing companies and people, present and past, who have made Minnesota a thriving innovation culture. They're a good excuse to turn away from the economic gloom and doom and remember why Minnesota is a great place to grow and launch ideas.
Muslim American Organizations Condemn Shooting Incident at Fort Hood
The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Muslim American Society (MAS), the Muslim Public Affairs Council-DC (MPAC-DC), the Islamic Society of North America Office for Interfaith and Community Alliances (ISNA) and the American Muslim Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Council (AMAFVAC) and many others have denounced the shooting at Ft. Hood, Texas as a barbaric act of violence.
More heated rhetoric from the Bachmann brigades
With the vote on health care reform looming this weekend in the U.S. House, our own Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann brought her “Hands Off Our Health Care” rally to Washington, D.C., Thursday to protest the Democratic proposal. But the overheated rhetoric misses the point of reform.
St Paul's Rogers to fight Russian superstar Saturday
The national spotlight will be on St Paul heavyweight fighter Brett Rogers as he steps into the cage against Russian great Fedor Emelianenko on Saturday night. Who is this Fedor guy anyway and what makes him so great? Plus an update on Brock Lesnar's health issues which will cause another delay to his next title defense.
Mission Miami very possible thanks to Childress's personnel decisions
Brad Childress, even with a 14-3 record in his last 17 regular season games, can be questioned for his in-game decisions (the 3rd-and-9 play in the Baltimore game comes to mind). Where he can't be questioned: His personnel moves. Childress, the quasi-general manager, has been right far more than he's been wrong, and for that he deserves to be lauded.
For St. Paul schools' superintendent: think local
When selecting a new leader for the St. Paul schools, picking a hometown candidate is not always considered the best choice. Outsiders, after all, can bring fresh ideas and a new leadership style to deal with serious problems such as an achievement gap between white students and students of color; declining enrollment; budget shortfalls and strained relations with staff. But this time may be different.
Reconnecting Minneapolis' Seven Corners and the West Bank
Community representatives and urban planners have envisioned tying Seven Corners and the West Bank back together by redesigning Washington Avenue.
A healthy 'green' home
Having a green home boast several perks that can be cost-effective and eco-friendly without having to sacrifice personal style.
Depending on the Kindness of Strangers
The remaining weeks of the year are a critical time for Minnesota nonprofits as they struggle to balance their budgets. A new online giving program, GiveMN.org, will help turn kindly strangers into generous donors.
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