Rage rear-ended by hope
On Dec. 11, I was driving back to my home on the West Side of St Paul — a predominantly Latino neighborhood that I’ve lived in for over 20 years.
As I was approaching the main intersection of Caesar Chavez and George Street, my car was blocked by a St. Paul Police SUV. I saw a few SUVs ahead and a small group of people gathered and my heart began to sink. Not in my neighborhood. Not on a quiet Thursday night during Advent. With daily ICE raids infesting the city, I felt a burst of anger and wanted to get out of my car and scream.
Soon the SUV pulled back to let me through and I saw that what was ahead was a processional. A group of about 60 people, flanked by St Paul Police cars, making their way down Caesar Chavez with an illuminated image of the Virgin Mary leading the way.
The emotional whiplash was too much in that moment. Rage rear-ended by hope in the middle of a St. Paul intersection. The faithful were processing to church on the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with police escort.
I had to weep as I pulled into my driveway with the moment sinking in, trying to process the cruelty, beauty, violence and transcendence of these days we are living in. May hope find its way even on the darkest of nights.
Peace to all,
Jeffrey Zupfer, St. Paul
Was there outside inteference? By whom?
So Minnesota will now have a Fraud Czar? If that’ll solve any of the current or future problems, I’ve got a bridge from Halifax to Nuuk to sell you — cheap.
(Official announcement): “Minnesota (BCA) Bureau of Criminal Apprehension establishes a centralized fraud investigation unit” to “create programs to prevent fraud”? That’s not their job. The BCA is the investigative arm of our state government and should have been, and in the future must be, notified by auditors or department supervisors and administrators of problems on an ongoing basis. And it’s already in their mandate to investigate this — beginning immediately, without interference by anyone. Or is somebody afraid of a potential BCA report?
Minnesota already has a fully functioning “State Auditor’s Office” under a duly elected official that is responsible for functions of process integrity including an “annual audit of all Federal programs administered by the state.” We have heard nothing from that office that I am aware of. Where are those reports? From prior years?
Some of those 37,000 or so state employees were receiving the money from the feds and others were shoveling that money out the door. And they were working in a department that had procedures — this isn’t new stuff. And it’s up to the Administration Department directly under the governor to assure that procedures are followed.
At this point, before rules are changed, it’s the job of the BCA to ascertain: What rules were in place? What was the departmental performance against those rules? By whom? Internal communication? Was there outside interference? By whom? Where was Administration?
Something nobody has mentioned: According to public statements, the state is responsible for the funds it handles. Could the Feds claw back that $1+ billion?
Does anybody think Amazon operates like this? Or Wal Mart?
Art Thell, West St. Paul
Solid advice for St. Paul
Larry Jacob’s op-ed is wonderful (“For Kaohly Her’s first 100 days as St. Paul mayor, action and clear ambition,” Dec. 14); sadly, St. Paul will never listen to solid advice. Rent control has decimated this city. Paperwork and, as Larry states, “St. Paul’s lackadaisical permit process,” sadly will never be pro-business. For example, completing the forms to request an increase of rents by 3 percent is so shortsighted when inflation is killing landlords.
Patrick C. Smith, Mendota. The writer is an attorney and real estate broker
Extreme narcissism
It will be impossible for Donald Trump to back-pedal from his ridiculous declaration that the death of Rob Reiner was due to his affliction with Trump Derangement Syndrome (excessive criticism of the president). He cannot erase the real malady that he himself possesses – extreme narcissism. It does not require a medical degree to recognize the pathology of his most recent misbehaviors: intolerance of criticism, rampant belittling of others, and need for constant attention.
But his pathology extends to his claim of unimpeded entitlement, evidenced by his unilateral decisions dismissive of Congress, the courts and the Constitution. Further, his need for glowing admiration is recognized by videos of cabinet meetings showing one member after another dutifully praising his efforts without any challenge, and also visiting dignitaries presenting him with lavish gifts of gold. Worst of all, this superiority complex, besides distancing our allies and our own citizens from our government, is the issue of placing our country at unnecessary military risk.
As much as Joe Biden was appropriately questioned for his mental health as he considered a second term, so also Trump should be questioned now for his personality disorder; brain health in any president should not be a private matter.
James R. Carey, Little Canada
‘Guardrails’
The word “guardrails” has jumped into the Minnesota lexicon these days. Who knew they were so linked to the recent Covid experience? Our governor was busy enforcing Covid stuff like closing businesses and schools and setting up the infamous “snitch on your neighbor” call-in number. He just plain overlooked any rules for the number of generous giveaway programs he helped institute.
Lou Matis, Roseville
An embarrassment
Are you kidding me? Donald Trump blames Rob Reiner and his wife’s death on their political views? This president has done nothing but embarrass our country with every single thing that has come out of his mouth. And now he blames a man’s cause of death on the fact that he didn’t agree with Trump’s views? When will this narcissistic man be stopped? He’s an embarrassment to this country and the things he continues to get away with saying are unbelievable. Shame on him and anyone who lets him get away with it.
Cathy Ferrazzo, Mahtomedi
TIF for developments that don’t need it
The tax increment financing proposal for Grand/Victoria is unwise, unfair and unaffordable. TIF is an important but overused tool in St. Paul. It’s meant to spur development in blighted areas by using property taxes to pay for the development’s city services. Our taxes are already too high. It insults our neighbors living in poorer areas of the city who could really benefit from TIF investment in their neighborhoods instead of the city’s wealthiest. It will harm existing businesses who don’t enjoy TIF benefits yet have to compete with a developer who does. And it will put the city in a bind, having established a precedent for using TIF for developments that don’t need it. It will become even harder to attract non-TIF development to St. Paul. The council should reject this proposal outright or table it until the new mayor can weigh in.
Ellie Garrett, St. Paul
All that, and yet …
I like to keep informed with regard to what’s happening in my community, nation, the world. In the past reading the Pioneer Press while having my morning coffee was an enjoyable way to start the day. But recently reading the news has left me feeling both angry and sad. For those of you who follow current events, you know what I’m referring to. Tragedy seems to prevail.
But yet, I encounter positivity while meandering through my days. The young cashier at the supermarket who is juggling two jobs to keep financially afloat who always greets me with a warm hello and radiant smile. The senior citizen working at the drugstore. In spite of her own health issues, she puts flowers in her hair and shows up for work and is always pleasant to the customers. And if I can solve the puzzles in the morning paper correctly, yeah! Happy Holidays!
Ursula Krawczyk, St. Paul
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