From lethargy to apoplexy

Definition from The Political Dictionary: PERSONAL CONVICTION, a strong, firmly held principle that guides a politician’s actions and decisions until it becomes politically expedient to adapt a new conviction. See Flip Flop.

Now it seems DC is a hotbed of flip-flopping apropos of the, dare I say it, Epstein files. Congress has stirred itself from a lethargy of do-nothing to a apoplexy of leaping from one conviction to another. Often claiming otherwise. A common congressional response is “Oh no, not me. Why, I’ve always supported full disclosure,” as if lapsed memory were a chronic condition of the populace. This deluge of flipping, over a file that may be so redacted by persons of money, power and influence as to be nothing more than a Maltese Falcon. What Alfred Hitchcock called a MacGuffin. A dramatic device, never disclosed, the sole purpose of which is to drive the plot’s action.

As in the action of our current Congress. Much sound and fury, likely to signify nothing. I only wish they had as much enthusiasm in asserting the rights, power and purpose of a constitutional branch of government.

Bob Emery, Mendota Heights

 

They knew, but didn’t say anything

Democrats loudly and publicly declare that Trump is a threat to our democracy. They call him a fascist and a would-be king. They criticise every action he takes and try to block his every move.

Interestingly, not one Democrat spoke out during Biden’s administration, calling him a threat to democracy when they knew he was incapable of being president, due to his dementia. We do not know to this day who was making executive decisions.

After he was no longer in office, Democrats wrote tell-all books about his declining mental capacity. This proves they were aware of his inability to run, but wanted to retain their power. Their silence was a threat to our democracy.  It seems they only break their silence, when they think their power is being challenged.

Vicky Moore, North St. Paul

 

The Code

If the Secretary of Defense had not dismissed so many JAG officers, one might have informed the Commander-in-Chief that the Uniform Code of Military Justice requires a soldier to refuse an illegal order.

Andy Lynn, Mendota Heights

 

Dogged

While there may be some legitimate reasons for the Trump administration launching multiple attacks on Venezuelan boats in the Caribbean, there has been scant evidence presented of any criminal wrongdoing justifying the fatalities that have been inflicted.

The Trump administration seems to be chafing for a military engagement with that country. The timing has a certain “Wag the Dog” appearance as a distraction from the president’s other predicaments, especially the Jeffrey Epstein saga. It’s reminiscent of the Robert De Niro-Dustin Hoffman 1997 movie by that title in which the crafty staff of a beleaguered president drums up a phoney military conflict to create a positive aura to bail the president out of political hot water. Many thought that device was used by President Bill Clinton at the height of the Monica Lewinsky contretemps when he ordered air attacks on terrorist operations in Afghanistan and Sudan.

President Trump, who was a reality TV star before entering politics, knows the value of a compelling cinematic theme, which might form the foundation for the Venezuelan initiative in these trying times that are dogging him.

Marshall H. Tanick, Minneapolis

 

Sainted

This is the month of Thanksgiving and I’d like to say I’m so thankful for my church St. Paul Lutheran in Stillwater.  Last Sunday’s worship service was so filled with praise that I wanted to publicly thank our Pastors Nathan Baker-Trinity and Laurel Halvorson Bernard and Youth Director Jenny Brelje.  Their messages were so inspiring, encouraging us to give glory to God, imperfect as we are, He loves us all. Andy Peterson, our talented musician and music director planned a service filled with music including pianist and worship director Karen Hillman, soloist Kim Alswager, songs performed by the wonderful choir, accompanied by the bell choir, and a special thank you for the talented flutist Sue Benson.  As we sang the hymns and worshipped together one couldn’t help but be filled with gratitude for our staff and members. We are so blessed!

Karen Celski, Oak Park Heights

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Sophie Hart posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead Minnesota past Samford, 77-40, on Monday night at Williams Arena.

Tori McKinney had 13 points plus four assists, four steals and two blocks, and Niamya Holloway added 10 off the bench for the Gophers (6-2), who started the game on a 16-0 run and led 25-9 at halftime.

Avary Brewer had 17 points off the bench to lead the Bulldogs (4-6) of the Southern Conference. Minnesota outrebounded Samford 53-27 and turned 19 offensive rebounds into 27 second-chance points.

Up next, Minnesota begins its Big Ten schedule on Sunday against No. 7 Maryland (9-0). Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. at Williams Arena.

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U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday said his department is investigating a claim that money stolen from the state of Minnesota through fraud helped fund a Somalia-based terrorist group.

An unconfirmed report from a conservative think tank published earlier this month alleged that some of the hundreds of millions of dollars stolen from Minnesota in recent years ended up in the hands of the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab, which the U.S. State Department has designated as a terrorist organization.

Soon after that report was published on Nov. 19, President Donald Trump ended temporary legal protections for hundreds of Somali immigrants in Minnesota.

State Republicans then called on federal officials to investigate in letters to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Now there is a cabinet-level response.

“At my direction, (the U.S. Treasury Department) is investigating allegations that under the feckless mismanagement of the Biden Administration and Governor Tim Walz, hardworking Minnesotans’ tax dollars may have been diverted to the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab,” Bessent wrote in a post on X.

Bessent said his department would share findings as the investigation continues.

Fraud cases

Former Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson has said fraud in recent years could top $1 billion. Beyond the nearly 80 charges in the Feeding Our Future case, which involved federal dollars handled by the Minnesota Department of Education, the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s office also is prosecuting fraud cases in autism and housing stabilization service programs funded by Medicare and administered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

It’s never been proven if any money stolen from Minnesota in recent fraud cases, such as the $250 million Feeding Our Future scheme where scammers claimed reimbursement for meals they never served to children during the pandemic, ended up funding terrorism. Though money has ended up overseas, according to authorities.

Citing unnamed sources and a former counterterrorism investigator, writers for City Journal, a publication of the Manhattan Institute, claim that some money sent back from Minnesota to Somalia through informal networks likely would have benefited Al-Shabaab, which controls large swaths of Somalia.

The report shows no definite link between hundreds of millions of dollars in fraud this decade in Minnesota and terrorist groups, though it asserts that al-Shabaab received cuts of money transferred from the U.S. to Somalia through the hawala system, an informal money transfer network used by the Somali diaspora.

Prior claim of fraud funding terror groups

It’s not the first time there have been allegations of a link between fraud in Minnesota and terrorism.

The same premise was at the center of a similar 2018 local news story that spurred action at the state Capitol and a nonpartisan state investigation that found no definitive connection.

KMSP-TV, or Fox 9, reported that money from day care fraud in Minnesota transferred to areas controlled by al-Shabaab in Somalia. An agency whistleblower claimed $100 million in stolen tax dollars had gone overseas.

A subsequent report by the nonpartisan Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor couldn’t substantiate claims that money went to terrorist groups. The 2019 report found fraud, though no evidence that it reached $100 million.

OLA did acknowledge, however, that money obtained through fraud sent overseas could end up going to terrorists.

Walz on federal scrutiny: ‘I welcome it’

Last week, the office of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said it had not heard anything from state or federal law enforcement regarding the allegations. The Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

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Speaking with reporters at the Capitol last Wednesday after presenting Minnesota’s Thanksgiving Turkey, Walz said he was open to federal scrutiny on fraud. Though he added he was worried the allegations were being used to paint the Somali community in a negative light.

“I welcome it. I think it’s the right thing to do. I don’t know if they’ll find the connection,” he said. “But what I will tell you is unhelpful is — do not paint an entire group of people with that same brush, demonizing them, putting them at risk when there is no proof.”

The roller coaster ride that Wild rookie forward Danila Yurov is taking took another dip on Monday. The Russian rookie, who has gone from much-hyped newcomer to healthy scratch to bottom six forward to top line center is now dealing with a health problem that will keep him out of the lineup on Tuesday when Minnesota visits Edmonton for the first time this season.

Yurov, who turns 22 this month, was injured last week in the Wild’s overtime win at Chicago, but had played last weekend versus Colorado and Buffalo. He did not skate in the team’s Monday morning practice, before they boarded a plane for the Oilers home rink.

Minnesota coach John Hynes did not offer any details on the nature of the injury, but classified Yurov as day-to-day. With normal top-line center Marco Rossi injured, Yurov had been playing in the middle on Minnesota’s top line between Mats Zuccarello and Kirill Kaprizov. The rookie has posted three goals and four assists in his first 21 NHL games.

The Wild have extra forwards like Hunter Haight and Ben Jones, both of whom missed the Buffalo game, who could play versus Edmonton.

Veteran consistency sought

On Black Friday, Ryan Hartman made an emphatic return from a lower body that had sidelined him for the previous four games. Versus the high-flying Avalanche, Hartman made a highlight-reel set up play on Minnesota’s second goal, sending a wraparound pass to the slot in front of the Colorado net, where Kaprizov slammed it home.

One night later, in a shootout loss to Buffalo, Hartman was notably quieter, managing just one shot on goal in more than 17 minutes of ice time. Hynes admitted that the veteran’s hot and cold streaks have been an issue.

“I think he had a good first game there. I just want to see consistency,” Hynes said. “Be an impact every night with your ability to make plays offensively, strong in the faceoff circle, skating and moving his feet, have some edge to his game, lead with physicality and net-front play. I think when he does those things, he’s very effective.”

Hartman has four goals and four assists in 22 games this season.

Wallstedt just having fun

Wild rookie goalie Jesper Wallstedt mostly brushed off the criticism he got for celebrating his shootout win versus the Avalanche, offering a reminder that hockey, and victory, are supposed to be enjoyed.

Wallstedt celebrated with his signature archer-style move following stopping Colorado stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar in the shootout that gave the Wild a 4-3 win on the day after Thanksgiving. It was a “little much” in the social media words of Avalanche radio man Conor McGahey, who criticized Wallstedt for celebrating “like he’s won the Stanley Cup.”

Not really wanting to get into a war of words with a Central Division rival, Wallstedt nonetheless noted that it was all in good fun.

“I thought that was ridiculous. Hockey’s supposed to be fun. I think everyone’s supposed to enjoy it,” said Wallstedt, who improved to 7-0-2 with the win over Colorado.

Wallstedt noted the brutal start to the season he had while playing for the Iowa Wild a year ago, and said that if people like McGahey understood all he had been through to get to this point, they might understand his celebration a little better.

“And maybe if I was wearing a purple sweater instead of a Wild sweater, I think he’d enjoy it more,” Wallstedt said. “It was weird. We’re having fun. We (celebrated) in front of our own fans. They liked it. Hockey can be boring too, but I’d rather make it fun.”

Hynes said Wallstedt will get the start versus the Oilers on Tuesday.

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