< A 'misassigned Minnesotan's' last shuttle mission | Main | When television lies >

Collateral damage of a state shutdown (5x8 - 7/8/11)

Posted at 7:28 AM on July 8, 2011 by Bob Collins (14 Comments)
Filed under: Five by 8

Could the shutdown last into January, why are we so fat, where to draw the line on presidential letters, Field of Dreams 2, and there's something about band directors.

1) HOW LONG COULD IT LAST? HOW ABOUT JANUARY?

One reason there may not be a bigger outcry against the current state shutdown is its immediate impact has mostly affected people in the margins, people who have been ignored even in the best of times. It may still affect Main Street in big ways, but it's only been a week and these things tend to creep along.

Close a state park and ruin a July 4th weekend, and there's a good chance people will have something to say about it. But there's only one July 4th weekend and after it passes, and people generally survive, people move on. Yesterday's big news was an open-air concert in Minneapolis would be cancelled because of the shutdown. Annoying, disappointing, but hardly life and death.

People in need of mental health treatment have been generally ignored even in the best of times. Madeleine Baran reports that Bridge House, a crisis facility in Duluth, has closed even though a judge ordered the state to spend money on state programs for the mentally ill, but this one apparently didn't qualify for reasons that nobody is giving.

"Being routed to a state agency by an automated machine might be enough to put (some people) over the edge," a woman with a traumatic brain injury said. "I mean it's possible people could die because of this, and I think it's very serious."

Another group that's already bearing a noticeable burden: prisoners.

We heard from a state worker in the Department of Corrections yesterday about the impact of the shutdown: "No visiting, no library, no closed-circuit movies, severely reduced religious services, outside recreation only (no gym),etc." But who expects sympathy for prisoners? Still, cooped-up prisoners is a bad thing for people who work in prisons, too.

Of course, it would be easy to blame one side or the other for this collateral damage, but the reality is that even if both sides got exactly what they wanted today, many of them would still be hurt because both sides in this mess are proposing cutting services, and they're not saying -- yet -- what that will look like for the people who need them.

After the shutdown is over, we may get around to asking what is to happen to them in the new reality of Minnesota and its unsustainable -- under the current system -- spending. It's more than an economic and political discussion. It's also a discussion on what -- if any -- is the impact of not immediately caring what the answer is.

Meanwhile, reader Doreen Clark, who wrote a letter "firing" the state of Minnesota a week ago, has written the great state another letter:

Dear "State Leaders,"

Last week, before the shut-down, I fired you. I had asked you to "play nice on the playground, do the job you were hired to do and apologize to the state of Minnesota for having to listen to your childish squabbles at our expense" - yet, I still see the aftermath of your mess and I am currently thinking about possibilities for your replacement.

I am frustrated by your disregard for our state, for your lack of interest in our workers and their family and I am sick and tired of the utter immaturity you have shown during this time. I feel sorry for those that voted for you. You pretend like you understand us and even worse yet, you pretend like you are us. I am sure your replacement will be coming.

Today, in the midst of this shut-down, I see your true colors. You must believe that you are superior - you are not. You created this situation and the people of Minnesota should not have to clean up your mess or pay for your mess. Your replacement will be coming.

Do you think about the workers that are afraid? Afraid of how long you will continue this childish behavior, how long they will have to shuffle their budget to pay their bills and the fear that they feel when they go to sleep at night? Have you no compassion for the people of this state? I am sure you will be replaced.

There is no political speech that will make me believe that this is about the budget. It is Minnesota Chess - What I now call "Mess." The game needs to be over, as I do not want to be your political pawn. Your actions are leaving a negative footprint on this state that will be hard to forget - but I will move on.

You have failed at your job, leaving Minnesotans to wait and wonder... Even the basics have not been met, things that we all have to do every day: good work ethic, determination, perseverance and playing nicely with others. You missed the mark on these things - I am sure your replacement will not.

You already left us when we needed you. So, just keep walking.... I hope your replacement will be here soon.

In the letters section of the Star Tribune today, Sean Novack of Coon Rapids writes his own letter to Minnesota:

Some of you seem to have a hard time understanding what is going on with the government shutdown. You see, it is the job of a representative to vote according to the desires of the majority of those who put him or her in office. That's the point of a representative democracy, or "republic," as it is properly known.

Here in District 49, we had a senator who was not voting the way we were asking her to, and because of this she did not receive the primary nomination. We nominated a new candidate with a specific mandate (do not raise taxes, stop the spending). She won the election, and she is doing precisely what we have asked.

Many other districts did exactly the same thing we did, and their representatives are also doing what they were told to do by their constituents. Because we have a governor who is determined to raise taxes, they cannot come to an agreement.

How long will this last?

"If it (the shutdown) goes another two weeks it will be tough," Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker tells the Brainerd Dispatch. "If it goes to State Fair time, I see it going to January."

It seems entirely possible that the shutdown will extend into fair season. If services to the mentally ill and the treatment of prisoners isn't enough to get people stirred up, the inability to buy a corn dog may be.

2) WHY ARE WE SO FAT?

It's official. Again. Wisconsin is more obese than Minnesota. Yesterday, the Trust for America's Health released its 8th annual assessment of obesity in the country. Minnesota ranked 38th. Wisconsin ranked 25th. That's a fairly wide -- no pun intended, really -- disparity between two states so geographically close, and culturally similar.

But Minnesota is getting fatter, too. The report found the state's combined obesity and overweight rate is 63 percent. Fifteen years ago, the rate was 50 percent. It's diabetes rate has risen from 4.5 percent in 1995 to 6.3 percent today.

Wisconsin's combined rate is 64 percent.

How bad is it getting. Today, the state with the lowest adult obesity rate -- Colorado -- would have had the highest rate in 1995. Mississippi is the most obese state now.

Here's the full report.

Have you ever noticed you don't see many obese people on bicycles?

Given the week we've had, and the fact people are making jokes about us, here's some more facts about Minnesota to make us all feel better. When it comes to physics, we rule.

A new ranking of how well the United States' schools are preparing students for science and engineering careers shows most states are doing a poor job of educating students. Minnesota, on the other hand, ranks second, behind Massachusetts. The states doing well are mostly in the northeast. The states doing the worst are in the south.

Mississippi -- stop me if you've heard this before -- is last.

3) WHERE TO DRAW THE LINE ON PRESIDENTIAL LETTERS?

President Barack Obama this week changed military policy and now will send letters of condolence to families of (added) soldiers who kill themselves. But the family of Air Force pilot Capt. Eric Ziegler of West Fargo won't get one because the policy hasn't changed for members of the military killed in training accidents. The line has to be drawn somewhere, apparently.

Last evening, dozens of people showed up at a memorial service for Capt. Ziegler, lightning lanterns and sending them into the sky. He was killed last week when his F-18 crashed in Nevada, the Fargo Forum reported.

Ziegler was an instructor pilot and was handpicked to be an operational test pilot for the "Green Bats." He earned a number of awards and recognitions as a pilot in the Air Force and during his two deployments to Iraq.

Capt. Ziegler's funeral will be held today.

4) VIRAL VIDEO: THE FIELD OF DREAMS 2

Field of Dreams 2: NFL Lockout with Taylor Lautner from Taylor Lautner

5) WHO KILLED THE SPACE PROGRAM?

A former administrator of NASA really gave it to the Obama administration today over the end of the shuttle program, saying "the policies of this administration" have destroyed America's space program.

The facts: President Bush ordered the retirement of the shuttle program by 2011. He did so in 2004.

Here's his full speech, including this segment:

To meet this goal, we will return the Space Shuttle to flight as soon as possible, consistent with safety concerns and the recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. The Shuttle's chief purpose over the next several years will be to help finish assembly of the International Space Station. In 2010, the Space Shuttle -- after nearly 30 years of duty -- will be retired from service.

Our second goal is to develop and test a new spacecraft, the Crew Exploration Vehicle, by 2008, and to conduct the first manned mission no later than 2014. The Crew Exploration Vehicle will be capable of ferrying astronauts and scientists to the Space Station after the shuttle is retired. But the main purpose of this spacecraft will be to carry astronauts beyond our orbit to other worlds. This will be the first spacecraft of its kind since the Apollo Command Module.

Bonus: A former band director in Alabama wanted to create a small community band in his little town. It'd be an impossible task were if not for the love of his former students.

Bonus II I have no reason for including this. I just can't stop watching it.

TODAY'S QUESTION

The state government shutdown is a week old. The Democratic governor and Republican leadership in the Legislature remain deadlocked over the budget deficit. Today's Question: After one week, how is the state shutdown affecting you?

WHAT WE'RE DOING

Midmorning (9-11 a.m.) - First hour: As the the state government shutdown enters its second week, politicians are throwing sharper jabs, tourism is losing more money and the stalemate has no end in sight.

Second hour: The future of e-books.

Midday (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.) - First hour: Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute joins Midday to discuss the budget and debt negotiations in Washington, and the efforts to negotiate a budget solution in Minnesota.

Second hour: Broadcast of the Westminster Town Hall Forum, featuring Krista Tippett, host of the APM program, "On Being".

Science Friday (1-3 p.m.) - First hour: The science behind the perfect
porterhouse.

Second hour: A look at San Antonio's plan to change its energy future

Comments (14)

More collateral damage: we went to the new pizza joint down the street last night: no beer or wine until the state reopens so the restaurant can get the relevant tax paperwork. (Review: Palumbo's: good pizza, excellent gelato)

Posted by fasolamatt | July 8, 2011 8:12 AM

Somebody should tell the District 49 Strib letter writer that Governor Dayton got voted in by the people based on his platform too, and that he's just doing the job that the people that voted for him wanted him to do.

Posted by ctiller | July 8, 2011 10:25 AM

Speaking of space, Bob, you might want to look into the James Webb space telescope. It was slated to be the replacement for the Hubble, and is in the process of being completely cancelled.

Posted by Tyler | July 8, 2011 11:15 AM

//in the process of being completely cancelled.

The space situation is a microcosm of our national mood, isn't it? We're not really a people anymore -- if we ever were -- that's willing to invest and sacrifice today for a payoff that might not come for generations.

It's about the right now, right now.

Posted by Bob Collins | July 8, 2011 11:37 AM

I think that if you affect, (get 'em where it counts), the wealthy Republicans who are dead set against raising taxes you might get quicker results. A conservative (cough cough) engineer of Israeli descent once told me that when trying to seperate a material that seems to be indestructible, the best plan of attack is to find the weak spot and then apply pressure until it breaks.

As it is right now the only people who suffer are those who rely on assistance. And why is that? What happened to the economy to cause them to loose jobs, How was that huge Gap created between the wealthy and the poor? might be the questions you might ask yourself. Most importantly I would ask myself if this was part of a grand plan to get a better control on the people.

Miss Doreen is correct in saying: A mess. A huge mess.

Posted by Lucy | July 8, 2011 11:40 AM

I hope it was just for brevity's sake that the link label indicates the President will send letters of condolence to soldiers who kill themselves. Kind of a logistical headscratcher, yes? On the other hand, the families of the deceased might appreciate receiving such acknowledgement.

Posted by KTFoley | July 8, 2011 11:41 AM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think some blame for the death of the space program should lie with the Obama administration. Bush killed the space shuttle, this is true, but Obama killed with shuttle's replacement.

Posted by Tom | July 8, 2011 11:54 AM

There was never going to be a replacement for the shuttle. NPR's coverage of the launch today was very informative in this regard. The shuttle was designed as a heavy transport vehicle but it became apparent over the years that it was inefficient.

The military, for example, went back to using rockets.

We're really talking about two separate functions here: one is a space program and one is a MANNED space program.

A lot of this gets focused on the "vehicle," but very little gets focused on the mission.

For example, are we to explore? Explore what? Obama increased funding for space exploration while cancelling the Constellation program.

The debate should be over this question of exploration of the solar system vs. low-earth orbit. It should be whether this can be done with humans, or with robots.

But a lot of the space program has always been about national pride. There really wasn't a good reason to go to the moon, other than to show the rest of the world we could get there. That's one of the reasons why we started going around and around the earth again; to figure out what would be needed to get somewhere else.

One thing Paul Dye mentioned yesterday was the need for a new propulsion system and that's one of the areas the Obama strategy focused on too. But that sort of research isn't very sexy.

Still, doesn't it make sense to figure out how to make a vehicle move before deciding what the vehicle is?

Posted by Bob Collins | July 8, 2011 12:25 PM

Bob, don't you consider the canceled Constellation program a replacement for the shuttle? Obviously it isn't the same kind of vehicle, but I remember it being portrayed as the replacement when the plans were first unveiled.

Posted by Tom | July 8, 2011 1:19 PM

Re: How long will it last? ... There's an excellent "Your Insights" commentary on MPR's website today. He describes the budget impasse as a hostage situation, and also comments on how the news media play an important role in keeping The People from being truly informed. MPR could take a lesson from this guy:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/07/08/hanson/

Posted by Jamie | July 8, 2011 2:53 PM

Can somebody please explain to me why these politicians who are elected by fairly slim margins think they have some great mandate or that once elected, they only represent the people who voted for them? I'm so tired of hearing Michele Bachmann talk about her mandate from the voters of the US 6th district to repeal health care reform, etc. Same applies for MN state legislators. Gov. Dayton seems to get that he represents the interest of all MN when he offers compromise proposals. Why such a stark difference w/ Koch & Zellers, et al?

Posted by Jeff | July 8, 2011 2:56 PM

". If one party is corrupt or extreme, the reporter must show that both parties are corrupt or extreme; otherwise he is charged with bias."

Because the entire commentary is based on this premise, there's hardly any point in reading the rest of it.

First, "corrupt" and "extreme" are not the same thing. So explain to me why they're lumped in together as if they are?

I've been in this business in markets from nowheresville to New York since 1975 and not once have I ever heard or scene any legitimate reporter -- which most are -- feel or be compelled to suggest one party is corrupt because he/she/it suggested another party is corrupt.

From reading his bio, I can find no evidence that the author has any expertise inside a newsroom or the news business, but perhaps he left that out.

It's a perfect example of creating a convenient reality without busying oneself to obtain them, because facts can ruin a good previously-held belief.

I aprpeciate your suggestion, but there's nothing MPR can learn from that.

Posted by Bob Collins | July 8, 2011 2:59 PM

Bob, I hear it all the time! And I’ve given MPR many examples over the years in my complaints. In both news reports and in discussion shows like Midmorning and Midday with the political science guest/experts MPR CHOOSES to give time to, you present the issues and the state of things as though there’s an equivalency in the policies/desires/thinking of the (mostly) two sides. One of the main ways you do this is by saying “Side A says This,” and “Side B says That,” seldom explaining how what Side A says is unsupported by facts, or outright untrue, or empty extremist rhetoric from Grover Norquist’s daily talking-points e-mail.

// "First, "corrupt" and "extreme" are not the same thing. So explain to me why they're lumped in together as if they are?" //

I don't read that as saying they're the same thing at all. He was just giving a couple examples.

Posted by Jmaie | July 8, 2011 5:17 PM

While I realize that it sounds cruel, the only way to end the state shutdown is to actually shut the state down - provide the care need for the people that the state is responsible for - wards of the state and 3 meals and a cot for prisoners, but NOTHING else. As long as we allow some portions of state services to function nothing will be resolved. And the most important thing that we need to prevent this in the future is term limits - we elect our representatives to represent us - not get re-elected.

Posted by Joey Ray | July 10, 2011 6:22 PM