Minnesota Stories

I invite everyone to check out the daily Minnesota-themed videoblog launched today: Minnesota Stories.

Especially check out highlights from the Minneapolis crime meeeting Lorika and I attended this week. Minneapolis Police Chief McManus, along with two City Council members and others from the city, took a lot of heat from citizens angry about the increase in violent crime and decrease in police officers to handle it.

In spite of much contention, everyone agreed it's all about money and limited resources. In the video you'll see one prominent neighborhood citizen passionately plea: "Count me for $25/month on my property taxes.I want to give you $300/year so the cops got some resources. You are not understanding what the people want by continually underfunding the police department. [...] You need to use your powers to change it, you know - tax us. You know, it's a good thing." And there was much applause. A number of people also targeted Gov. Pawlenty and LGA cuts for the current state of affairs.

I encourage everyone, all political stripes, to pick up a video camera and submit something to Minnesota Stories. Details here.