|
April 23, 2021
Quote of the Week: “I grew up in the era of actual, legalized institutional racism. I grew up in the Deep South in Tallahassee, Florida in the 1960s during the days of the KKK, Jim Crow, and segregation. I sit today before you as someone who has lived the American Dream, as have millions of other Americans of all races from every background. This is due to our country’s mission statement that all men and women are created equal.”
Quote of the Week: “What I find extremely offensive is the narrative from the Left that black people are not smart enough, not educated enough, not desirous enough of education to do what every other culture and race does in this country, get an ID. True racism is this: It’s a projection of the Democratic Party on my proud race. It’s called the soft bigotry of low expectations.”
In This Issue:
VACCINATION HESITANCY Minnesota, and the nation, is quickly reaching a pivot point regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. Soon, vaccine stocks will start to out-number those who want the vaccine. Put another way, simply, supply will start to overtake demand. This has implications for the fight against the China virus (or can we only cite geography when referring to the “U.K. variant” or the “Brazil variant”?), as herd immunity may not be reached. Now, the Watchdog has no opinion regarding vaccination. That’s a personal choice. But we have seen, and will see, is a nasty attack on those who are skeptical of the efficacy of the vaccine, regardless of manufacturer. Of course, those who are skeptics have been derided as ignorant, uncouth “Trumpers” who lack the understanding and intelligence to comprehend basic science. Huh. What could make so many Minnesotans and Americans suspicious of the vaccine and those touting it? Consider the following. How it started: The virus will kill 22,000 Minnesotans by July 2020 How it’s going: 7,000 have died thus far, with a dispute ongoing as to how many of those 7,000 died “because” of COVID or died “with” COVID. How it started: We need restrictions for two weeks to flatten the curve. How it’s going: Governor Walz has exercised unilateral, plenary powers for over 400 days. How it started: We need kids at home “learning” online because of the virus. How it’s going: Lockdowns were unnecessary. Distance learning has harmed our kids in ways we are just beginning to understand. How it started: We need to shut down businesses and kill jobs to halt the virus. How it’s going: Lockdowns were unnecessary. How it started: The virus remains active on surfaces for hours and is a threat. How it’s going: The virus dies quickly on surfaces. How it started: Our lockdown is based on a sophisticated model. How it’s going: Two grad students at the U concocted the model over a weekend. How it started: The state needs to spend $7 million on a morgue to house the bodies. How it’s going: Just kidding. But now taxpayers own a crappy building with a leaky roof. How it started: The vaccines are completely safe. How it’s going: J&J and Astra Zeneca are two vaccines under scrutiny. How it started: Trump is delusional. A vaccine will never be delivered that quickly. How it’s going: Man, Joe Biden did a great job getting the vaccine to market. And we wonder why people are expressing hesitation to get vaccinated. It’s not ignorance. It’s not superstition. If the government wants more people to get vaccinated, answering rational, reasonable questions is the way to do it. Ridicule and condescension won’t cut it. A NATION OF LAWS The trial of officer Derek Chauvin resulted in a verdict of “guilty” on all three counts. To many legal experts, the verdicts weren’t surprising. The real question is what happens on appeal, which most assuredly will happen. This was, of course, a very high-profile trial that took place in the era of high tech, where news and information is spread instantaneously around the world. Throughout the trial, the jury wasn’t sequestered, making it almost impossible for the jury to follow instructions not to consume news related to the trial. There are a number of issues that could be raised on appeal. The jury could have been unduly influenced by a number of developments, starting with the City of Minneapolis granting a $27 million civil law settlement to the estate of George Floyd. Or it could have been the killing of Daunte Wright just 10 miles away in Brooklyn Park. Or the comments of Rep. Maxine Waters, who urged rioters to become “more confrontational.” Or the president of the United States, who publicly prayed for the “right” verdict. This exposure also raises the appeal of issue of not only sequestration but also venue. It’s a bit surprising that for this type of case, the trail wasn’t moved out of Minneapolis with a sequestered jury. Moreover, there could be grounds for appeal based on the prosecution’s closing arguments, which violated rules of the court by offering belittling and negative descriptions of the defense’s closing. Finally, there could be grounds for appeal on the third-degree murder charge. There is an ambiguity in the law that can be read to apply the charge only when multiple people are at risk, not just one. It will be interesting to see how it plays out, but there can be no doubt that many elected officials sullied and disrespected the sacred process of a criminal trial by jury with their pronouncements of “murder’ and “guilt” before Chauvin was even charged. It was a mob mentality, stoked by Biden, Walz, Waters, and a host of DFL legislators. The rule of law has an important place in our society. They trashed it with their irresponsible rhetoric and possibly have jeopardized the verdict rendered this week. There was a time when we expected more from our elected leaders. Not anymore. |
 Harold Hamilton
Welcome to my web site!
I created this website in response to governmental waste and abuse in Anoka County. Many taxpayers don’t know that our local governments spend millions of tax dollars every year on things like public relations teams, lobbyists, and junkets to places like Hawaii. Since there seemed to be no place to turn for the “other side” of these issues, I created the Anoka County Watchdog. My intent is to create a one-stop-shop where concerned taxpayers can find fact-supported information and other resources to counter the governmental machine. Many people want to confront their elected officials regarding waste and abuse but feel they don’t have the information they need to make an effective argument. This web site offers that information. Some of our elected officials in Anoka County have become arrogant and unresponsive, forgetting that they work for the very people who put them in office. It’s high time to hold them accountable for their decisions. Sincerely, Harold E. Hamilton (harold@anokacountywatchdog.com) Email: harold@anokacountywatchdog.com
US Mail: Anoka County Watchdog C/O K Solutions LLC 3083 Victoria Street Roseville, MN 55113 (Anonymous submissions accepted!) |