Bob CollinsIn search of a voting crime, supporting our signs in Little Falls, Boomtown Girls in Williston, how many computer monitors are on your desk, and why athletes speak in cliches.
Now, really, you know interesting people. It’s time for you to contribute to News Cut’s “The People You Should Meet” series before the series wraps up.If you’re new to News Cut — and even if you’re not — here’s the explanation of what we’re doing:
We’re looking for your nominees! Don’t be shy.
1) IS THERE A CRIME HERE?
James O’Keefe, the activist who’s made a name for himself bringing down ACORN and an NPR executive with his hidden camera, is focusing on Minnesota this time. O’Keefe went to Scott County on Monday to register Tim Tebow and Tom Brady — they’re quarterbacks in the NFL (don’t tell Scott County officials who didn’t recognize the names).
If O’Keefe had actually filed for absentee ballots with the intent to cast an illegal vote, that would be a crime under Minnesota law (described here). The clerks lament that voter fraud in Minnesota is prosecuted after the crime is committed, but what crime isn’t?
In an MPR commentary today, an election judge sees some areas where an actual ID would help, though he says he’s not yet sure what the problem is the proposed law is to solve.
Meanwhile, in South Carolina, NPR reports, the initial claim of voter fraud that ushered in that state’s voter ID law has turned out to be without merit, at least so far.
2) BOOMTOWN GIRLS
It had to happen sooner or later. Reality TV is coming to North Dakota’s Oil Patch. “Boomtown Girls” will follow five sisters from Williston. One met her husband working in the oil field, the Fargo Forum says. Two others chase their dream of driving septic trucks, another sister is a bartender at a strip club; and one is a welder.
Boomtown Girls from Lucky Dog Filmworks on Vimeo.
Williston is where dreams come true.
3) SUPPORT OUR SIGNS?
Now that a woman in Little Falls has been forced to remove her signs from the lawn at her house, attention is focusing on a “We Support Our Troops” sign on a building in the city. Robin Hensel has to take her “Occupy” signs down. City officials said the “request” had nothing to do with what was on the signs, but she said the banner downtown violates a city ordinance, too. At a city council hearing this week, several residents said the banner should stay up.
Says the Brainerd Dispatch today:
Hensel said the issue is not the contents of what is written on her signs or the banner. It’s about the city following its own ordinance. Hensel said she can’t have signs in her yard because it’s against city ordinance, and she said the banner on the bank building also is against the sign ordinance regarding historic buildings. Hensel said the banner should have a permit from the city and it doesn’t; and it also is bigger than what the ordinance allows. Hensel said there also is a requirement that the sign can only be up for a month and it has to be renewed for one or two months if it stays up longer.
When asked if the banner is against city ordinance, Kasella said yes and no. Kasella said the city doesn’t allow banners in historical areas. However, the city’s Heritage Preservation Commission has the right to deviate from the policy. Kasella said the commission is recommending board to the city council and that the city has the ultimate say on what actions would be brought on issues.
4) ARE YOU TOO PRODUCTIVE?
How many computer monitors are on your desk? If there’s more than one, do you have a problem? “There is ‘thought-killing’ going on,” Professor David Meyer at the University of Michigan tells the New York Times today. “Rome crashed and burned because it got too big. Go past that scale and you’re going to wind up like Rome.”
Like Rome?
5) WHY THEY CAME TO PLAY AND REALLY ‘GOT AFTER IT’
Why do pro athletes talk in cliches? Because they can’t remember what just happened in the game, a Chicago researcher says. Stan Beilock at the University of Chicago tells the Sun Times…
”To be able to recall something and talk about it, you have to have been paying attention at the time when it happened. What we think is going on in these elite athletes is that, in the moment and especially when they’re performing at a high level, they’re not focusing on how their skill is unfolding. They might be focusing on the outcome. They might be focusing on one key thing they need to achieve.”
It’s why Giants linebacker Michael Boley wouldn’t have been mistaken for Winston Churchill when he talked about how his team was able to overcome the Patriots on Sunday.
”We play with a lot of poise, and we were able to stay focused and bounce back,” he said.
Added safety Kenny Phillips: ”Our backs have been against the wall [before].”
PICTURE OF THE DAY (SO FAR)
Taken this morning. Uploaded by NASA.
TODAY’S QUESTION
The Republican presidential race focused briefly on Minnesota in the days leading up to Tuesday’s caucuses. Now that the caucuses are over, what are your three most important issues?
WHAT WE’RE DOING
Midmorning (9-11 a.m.) – First hour: Amid escalating violence, the United States has closed its embassy in Damascus, Syria. Global leaders continue to call for the ouster of President Assad, after a double veto at the UN by China and Russia. As the death toll continues to rise, how might this uprising end?
Plus: Yesterday’s court decision on California’s Proposition 8.
Second hour: The number of Americans living in poverty is the highest it’s been in 35 years. In the wake of the recession, Republican candidates have not shied away from telling us their views on the very poor. What is the current state of poverty beyond the rhetoric?
Midday (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.) – First hour: Stephen Smith and Kate Ellis on Black History Month.
Second hour: American Radioworks documentary: Remembering Jim Crow.
Talk of the Nation (1-3 p.m.) – First hour: Political Junkie. Following up on yesterday’s caucus and primary results.
Second hour: TBA
