Chanhassen Villager - Comments

Over the telephone line on

FAdams — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:16:32 -0500

Over the telephone line on Friday afternoon, Carver County's national Republican delegate K.J. McDonald said he strongly approved of Sen. McCain's choice for the V.P. on his ticket. He referred to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as wonderful. "She's my choice," said McDonald.

Palin is a lifetime member

FAdams — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:05:25 -0500

Palin is a lifetime member of the NRA. She grew up hunting moose with her father in Alaska. She is the first female governor of Alaska, its youngest, and is the first governor born after Alaska achieved statehood.

According to Wikipedia, she was brought to statewide attention in Alaska because of her whistleblowing on ethical violations by state Republican Party leaders. She won election in 2006 by first defeating the incumbent governor in the Republican primary, then a former Democratic Alaskan governor in the general election.

Palin holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Idaho where she also minored in politics. She briefly worked as a sports reporter for local Anchorage television stations while also working as a commercial fisherman with her husband, Todd, her high school sweetheart

Palin authorizes license to

FAdams — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:01:48 -0500

Palin authorizes license to build natural gas link

Bloomberg.com is reporting that TransCanada Corp., the nation's largest pipeline company, won approval from Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to build a $27 billion pipeline to carry natural gas from the Arctic to U.S. markets.

Palin on Aug. 27 signed a bill authorizing the state to award Calgary-based TransCanada a license to build the 1,715- mile (2,744-kilometer) link from Prudhoe Bay to the Alberta Hub in Canada, according to a statement. The license will be granted in 90 days.

The link will ship 4.5 billion cubic feet of gas a day through Canada to U.S. markets.

Pawlenty not selected as

FAdams — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:42:56 -0500

Pawlenty not selected as VP

An official close to Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the governor had been informed he is not McCain's pick.

Sen. John McCain has chosen Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to run alongside him as Vice President. Palin, 44, a self-styled "hockey mom" and political reformer, is a charismatic speaker with a charming personality.

The Draft Palin for Vice President committee has been using the slagan "New Energy for America."

She is energetic and strongly in favor of drilling for more oil as a solution to the nation's energy crisis. It's not the only solution, but it's one that makes logical sense to get started, she says.

Reporter's Notebook Day 5,

FAdams — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:25:20 -0500

Reporter's Notebook
Day 5, morning, about 8 a.m.
Monday, Aug. 4

My grandfather's 80th birthday was on Aug. 1. Sorry I missed it. I remember his 70th birthday like it was last year. We had a surprise party for him at my aunt's house that year. I was living with my grandparents that summer in 1998. It was the summer before I left the country to live in China.

Time flies by in our busy lives.

I was in China most of the time until the spring of 2001. Time passed quickly there because I was busy. It was exciting. I enjoyed myself. I remember it like it was yesterday. Since I returned to the U.S. time has spead up every year, and I always wish I had more of it.

I wonder if people in El Salvador feel the same way about time. I wonder if their days fly by. Do they wish they had more time to get more stuff done? Or are they just happy to get through another day? Maybe they don't even think about it.

Maybe they have a totally different concept of what time is and what to do with it. A lot of the people we're meeting have faith in what they read in the Bible. They live by it. More power to them.

We're a very prompt society in the United States, especially in Minnesota. We're programmed to be on time, monitor our whereabouts and arrive where we're supposed to be when we're supposed to be there. We're efficient and industrious, and we value what we can get done in the time we're given. We wish for more time to get more done. We work, play, meet, program, eat on the run and show up 10 minutes early if at all possible, just to be respectful and get a good start on things.

In El Salvador, if an event is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., it begins sometime between 8:15 and 9:00. The roads are bad. People get where they're going when they get there. They aren't governed by wrist watches or wall clocks or computer clocks or automobile clocks. They finish their conversationss, exchange favors with their friends and neighbors and go to an appointment when they're done doing what they do. It all happens in good time. They're very free in that sense, more free than we are.

We're happy to be here, and they're happy to be. We'll be leaving soon to returm to our structured lives. They'll still be here. We'll be returning to more than enough. They'll be here living on faith.

I'm still having a hard time getting over the story of Romero- the stories of people we're meeting. They were sympathetic to Marxist guerillas, and for that they were enemies of their government and were tortured. Some of their family members were killed. Don't get me wrong. I'm not sympathetic to Marxism, but these people are not power-hungry. They don't think it would be good to install big government in place of God. They aren't atheists.

The people we are meeting just wanted to improve their quality of life, wanted the chance to own land that they could farm, wanted the government to stop killing their friends, to live in a free society, not a fear society. They wanted to live in an economy that would allow them to succeed if they worked hard, not one that would hold them down forever. The capitalistic concept of success through ability and hard work does not apply to the lower class of El Salvador.

The country has free trade rights with the United States, but the peasants who are fortunate enough to have land for growing crops oftentimes can't even afford to export their crops because of all the stipulations attached to foods that the U.S. imports. They can't afford to sanitize the food to the extent that the U.S. requires. The ones making money from this deal are the large land holders who already own most of the land and possess most of the capital in El Salvador already, according to Julie, the 21-year-old who goes to spend time at Casa Concordia every summer.

As the Scriptures say, "No one is good- not even one. No one has real understanding; no on is seeking God; all have gone wrong. No one does good, not even one" (Romans 3:10-12).

Languages and culture, economics and perceptions separate us, but according to that we're all unjust. We're all rotten- rich and poor, timely or random.

There is so much poverty around here. The average home we saw in San Salvador yesterday consisted of a few pieces of corrogated metal. Living in that might be a family of five, seven, nine. Who knows what's behind those metal walls?

There's commerce in the city, and I have a hunch that there's a growing middle class. We went dancing one night with Christian Chavarria. The place was packed with young people. The downtown area was nice. But I wonder how much of it is actually accessible to the people we've been working with.
Commerce behind a fence

We're headed back to the same church we were at yesterday, and I'm curious about the Salvadoran perception of time and propriety as we cruise by in the mini-bus, on our way to arrive there and then distribute backpacks with school and medical supplies in them to lovely Salvadoran children.
Passing by in the van/bus

Graffiti and bricks

The McCain campaign, which

FAdams — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:44:15 -0500

The McCain campaign, which made a point of not leaking their VP candidate to the media prior to, during, or immediately after the address, in order to not steal Sen. Obama's thunder, immediately called the Obama speech "misleading."

Barack Obama DNC, Day 4

FAdams — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:06:04 -0500

Barack Obama
DNC, Day 4

Obama promises to cut taxes,
end dependency on oil from the Middle East in 10 years

Flag-waving supporters, about 84,000 of them, filled Denver's Invesco Field for Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech of the nomination to be the next Democratic president of the United States.

In the speech, Obama referred often to the promise of America. He laid out big ideas and big plans for a better future because he assured supporters that the American dream is in jeaporday and needs saving. In no uncertain terms, he placed the blame for this at the feet of President Bush and by extension Sen. McCain, who he alleged has voted with Bush 90 percent of the time over the past eight years.

"It's not because John McCain doesn't care. It's because John McCain doesn't get it," he said, attaching the idea of trickle-down economics. "Born into poverty? Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. If you don't have boots, good luck. You're on your own."

During the speech, Obama promised much. He promised to fix the nation's tax system and that his tax plan would close corporate loop holes and cut taxes for 95 percent of Americans. He promised to pay for it all without going into deficite spending and also to invest hundreds of millions in new sources of energy without drilling for more oil.

"Now is the time to end this addiction and to understand that drilling is a stop-gap measure," Obama said, promising to find ways to safely produce nuclear power.

He promised to invest in early childhood education, pay teachers more and ask for higher standards and more accountability in the nation's education system. He promised to make sure students who invest in their country would be able to afford a college education.

"Michelle and I are only here tonight because we were given a chance and an education," said the graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School.

He also pledged to pay for his plans by eliminating federal programs that do not work. He promised to change the federal bureaucracy and try to instill in fellow Democrats and all Americans a sense of personal responsibility.

"We must also admit that programs alone can't replace parents," he said on the topic of responsibility and government not being the answer to all problems. "Individual responsiblity and mutual responsibility. That's the essence of America's promise."

He even talked about foreign policy.

"If John McCain wants to have a debate about who has the temperment and judgement to be the next Commander in Chief, that's a debate I'm willing to have," he said, even though he has previously refused to engage with McCain in town hall meetings.

"John McCain likes to say that he'll follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell, but he won't even follow him to the cave where he lives," said Obama, accusing McCain of following the Bush Administration with "tough talk" and "bad policy." Obama promised to end the war in Iraq responsibly and also finish fighting the Taliban.

"I will build new partnerships to defeat the threats of the 21st century," he said, promising to restore America to its standing as "the last best hope."

"These are the policies I will pursue, and in the weeks ahead I look forward to debating them with John McCain," he said, encouraging followers that political discourse ought not to end in character assassinations and challenges of patriotism. "The times are too serious. The stakes are too high for this partisan play-book... The challenges we face require tough choices."

He said the country needs to restore a sense of common purpose. He played the role of a centrist on the issues of immigration, gay and lesbian marriage, second amendment rights and abortion, criticizing people who claim that traditional moral values are under attack as naysayers unwilling to accept new ideas.

He promised that in an Obama Administration change would not come from Washington. It would come to Washington.

"I believe that as hard as it will be, the change we need is coming," he said. "I've seen it in Washington where we worked across party lines."

He invoked Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and said: "America, we can not turn back, not with so much work to be done."

The Senior Commission will

FAdams — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:55:57 -0500

The Senior Commission will hold their 4th Annual open house on Friday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This year’s focus will be health. The Senior Commission partnered with the Healthy Living Education Series for Seniors, CAP Agency, and Carver County. We will have a series of screenings including Osteoporosis, Hearing, Mini-Mental/Alzheimer, Blood Sugar, and Blood Pressure.

Presentations will include:
• Ridgeview Heart Center Update
• Early Warning Signs for Diabetes
• Communities for a Lifetime.

Businesses in the community have donated the following items:

Open House Donations to Date

Establishment Type of Donation Commissioner/Person Responsible Purpose
American Legion 4 $25 Gift Certificates (Total $100) Fred Prinz Door Prize
Chanhassen Cinema 6 Free Movie Passes Barbara Nevin Door Prize
Lake Winds Reusable tote bag and $50 gift Card Barbara Nevin Door Prize
Cub Foods $25 gift card Barbara Nevin Plates and Juice
Seattle Sutton 60 Muffins Virginia Prior Breakfast
Klein Bank 96 Bottles of Water, Napkins, Bags, Cups Charlie Robbins Breakfast
Einstein Bagel Bagels Barbara Nevin Breakfast
Caribou Coffee 5 gallon brewed coffee Barbara Nevin Breakfast
CAP You-The Owner’s Manual Jillian Barth-CAP Door Prize
CAP 4 Achieving a Healthy Balance Certificates Jillian Barth-CAP Door Prize
CAP 60 Free Lunches Jillian Barth-CAP Lunch

Let's take a look at Paisley

FAdams — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:22:44 -0500

Let's take a look at Paisley Park.
Photos by Forrest Adams

Paisley Park

Paisley Park Round Building

That is where the stud-i-os

Andria9992 — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:20:33 -0500

That is where the stud-i-os are located. The artist has many of them... in that building.

Rumor has it that Sen.

FAdams — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:16:48 -0500

Rumor has it that Sen. McCain will try to steal Obama's thunder on Friday by announcing his Vice Presidential candidate.

Reporter's Notebook Day 4,

FAdams — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:13:45 -0500

Reporter's Notebook
Day 4, afternoon

San Salvador-- After we ate tortillas, beans and some fruit at the church in Guaycume, we got back into our mini-busses and returned into San Salvador. The students mostly rode in our bus. The adults rode in the other bus. We're somewhat segregated, like that, but I think it's all for the best. Everybody is happy when we arrive at our destination and see each other again.

We are tired, emotionally spent, tired of eating beans and tortillas at every meal, but thankful for the experience. Everybody is in good spirits, with a few cases of traveling sickness. I don't think they drank the water, but it was something, if you know what I mean.

Back at Casa Concordia, we cleaned up and got back into the buses for a ride downtown to hear about the assassinated Bishop Romero and go through a few churches.

We're in the church where Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated. I've read about this in books. They killed him during Mass. It's surreal to be here. My whole heart cries out against the injustice, yet I sit and listen to Julie describe what happened. They killed him for speaking truth to power.

Inside the church where Romero was assassinated

Amazing churches, amazing stories, and we're off to a second church. This one is Iglesia El Rosario. I'm still stunned and emotionally vulnerable. Enveloped by urban noise, the church is breathtaking. It is magnificent, stunning, the picture of serenity.

Iglesia El Rosario

Sydney Berry, 17, Chaska

From the outside, it appears to be something like an abandoned airport hanger. Hidden away from the grit and grime, noise and pollution of downtown San Salvador, it lies behind doors that open into a vast expanse of open space and orderly church pews. They are sitting under a soaring arched roof that is a series of overhanging steps inset with a rainbow of stained-glass panels.

The interior decor is urban-industrial. The figures on the walls are made of scrap metal, with larger, more detailed stone and metal statues displayed in the wings on either side of the main entrance. It is simply beautiful. Padre Delgado, the father of Central American independence, is buried here.

The following information is from Wikipedia and was gathered after returning from El Salvador...

Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez (August 15, 1917 – March 24, 1980), commonly known as Monseñor Romero, was a bishop of the Roman Catholic Church in El Salvador. He became the fourth Archbishop of San Salvador.

As archbishop, he witnessed ongoing violations of human rights and started a group which spoke out on behalf of the poor and victims of the country's civil war. In 1980, he was assassinated by a right-wing group headed by former major Roberto D'Aubuisson as he held the consecrated host up during a Mass. This provoked international outcry for reform in El Salvador. After his assassination, Romero was succeeded by Msgr. Arturo Rivera.

It is believed that the assassins were members of Salvadoran death squads. This view was supported in 1993 by an official U.N. report, which identified the man who ordered the killing as former Major Roberto D'Aubuisson. He had also planned to overthrow the government in a coup. Later he founded the political party Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA), and organized death squads that systematically carried out politically-motivated assassinations and other human rights abuses in El Salvador. Álvaro Rafael Saravia, a former captain in the Salvadoran Air Force, was chief of security for Roberto D'Aubuisson and an active member of these death squads. In 2004, Mr. Saravia was found liable by a U.S. District Court under the Alien Tort Claims Act ("ATCA") (28 U.S.C. § 1350) for aiding, conspiring, and participating in the assassination of Archbishop Romero. Mr. Saravia was ordered to pay $10 million dollars for extrajudicial killing and crimes against humanity pursuant to the ATCA. Doe v. Rafael Saravia, 348 F. Supp. 2d 1112 (E.D. Cal. 2004) (providing an excellent account of the events leading up, and subsequent, to Archbishop Romero's death).

Romero is buried in the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Salvador (Catedral Metropolitana de San Salvador). The funeral mass (rite of visitation and requiem) on March 30, 1980, in San Salvador was attended by more than 250,000 mourners from all over the world. Viewing this attendance as a protest, Jesuit priest John Dear has said, "Romero’s funeral was the largest demonstration in Salvadoran history, some say in the history of Latin America."

During the ceremony, a bomb exploded on the Cathedral square (Plaza Gerardo Barrios) and subsequently there were shots fired that probably came from surrounding buildings. While no one died from the bomb-blast or the shots, many people were killed during the following mass panic; official sources talk of 31 overall casualties, journalists indicated between 30 and 50 dead. Some witnesses claimed it was government security forces that threw bombs into the crowd, and army sharpshooters, dressed as civilians, that fired into the chaos from the balcony or roof of the National Palace. However, there are contradictory accounts as to the course of the events and "probably, one will never know the truth about the interrupted funeral."

The next president of the

FAdams — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:41:00 -0500

The next president of the United States ought to have a deep understanding of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Plans are being made for

FAdams — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:04:11 -0500

Plans are being made for fire prevention week, which runs nationally from Oct. 5 to 11, and the annual open house at fire station No. 1 on Oct. 12.

This will be the 20th year that the Chanhassen Fire Department works with schools, educating students about the hazards of fire and knowing what to do if they are confronted with a dangerous situation.

Standoff between Rusia and

FAdams — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:07:16 -0500

Standoff between Rusia and U.S.

A U.S. military ship loaded with 34 tons of humanitarian aid docked at a southern Georgian port Wednesday. Georgia's government said its short war with Russia had caused $1 billion in damages, while European leaders called the Kremlin's moves in two breakaway Georgian regions an unacceptable attempt to unilaterally redraw the map of the Caucasus region. In response to the U.S. aid to Georgia, Russia sent three missile boats to another Georgian port, according to an international report.