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First step on path of democracy tonight

Tonight is precinct caucus night in Minnesota. Political parties will be meeting, precinct by precinct — the smallest political subdivision. Neighbors will get together with like-minded neighbors to discuss issues, offer resolutions, consider candidates and elect delegates to represent them in upcoming political conventions. Within a few months, their input, along with the input of precincts around the state, will give guidance to their parties and help select candidates who will represent them. That’s the theory, at least. Precinct caucuses work best with a big turnout from the ...

Cooking with gas

There used to be a saying that indicated approval of someone’s successful efforts — “Now you’re cooking with GAS!” We suppose it was a reference to the old wood-fired cook stoves, which were much more difficult to use than the new-fangled gas-fired ranges and ovens. But today, “You’re cooking with GAS!?” might be an exclamation of horror by those who are concerned about our carbon footprint and global warming. A study, published in Thursday’s journal Environmental Science & Technology, indicates that gas stoves contribute significantly more to greenhouse gases because ...

Consider MN State’s request for a slice of the pie

Minnesota State Chancellor Devinder Malhotra invited the Independent to a video conference session last week to state his case for a $60 million slice of the $7.7 billion state budget surplus pie. “While it sounds like a lot, $60 million represents less than 1% of the state’s total surplus,” Malhotra said during the session. Malhotra listed a number of reasons why colleges and universities need the extra funding. The impact of the pandemic topped that list. He said about $30 million would be for campus support. About $25 million would offset a tuition freeze for the upcoming ...

Breyer’s retirement won’t change court

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is retiring sometime this year, according to numerous sources, giving President Joe Biden his first chance to nominate a replacement with a majority, however slim, in the Senate to confirm his choice. A year from now, he might have a tougher time as the Republicans are considered favorites to take back control of the Senate in the November elections. Biden has vowed to place the first Black woman on the court, and the speculation on who that might be has already started. Biden’s nomination, whoever it is, won’t change the solid 6-3 ...

The case for more education spending

Gov. Tim Walz revealed another part of his spending plans for the coming budget season. He knows one thing is true — if you are going to propose billions of dollars in spending, it’s best to propose spending it on schools, education and our kids’ future. Walz’s spending proposal, which he announced Tuesday, would come to $5.1 billion over three years, and includes expanding access to child care, funding for pre-K for 6,000 children, and $183 million for free meals for kids, according to the Associated Press. These are issues it is hard to argue with. The need for decent, ...

Telescope a marvel before first picture

The James Webb Space Telescope, launched a month ago, has reached its destination, a million miles away from earth. That is a marvel of engineering and planning, even before it has taken its first look into the farthest reaches of the universe. Just think of what NASA’s engineers have done so far. They have designed and built a space telescope that had to be folded up for launch, then carefully had to unfold its protective sun shield over several days, then unfold and lock into place the gold-covered mirrors that will collect more light than the Hubble space telescope. With that ...