The Forrestor Troubadour

https://dafoh.org/interview-minnesota-state-senator-jim-abeler/                 MINNEAPOLIS- In previous reporting, I had a chance to share with readers the situation of Falun Dafa persecution by the national government in China. Here, global activists and human rights monitors have accused the government of harvesting organs from prisoners.             A large number of prisoners in China in recent years have been those practicing the discipline of Falun Dafa, a peaceful spiritual exercise, in public. It’s been reported since the 2000s in international media outlets that it appears the Chinese government worries about the prospect of large gatherings and subversion, and feels the need to limit the popularity of the exercise.             For added context, in this second piece I’ve included an interview state senator Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) gave last summer about his concerns on organ harvesting by the Chinese government. The link for the full interview is above.        

Visit this website for background on the persecution of Falun Dafa/Gong: DAFOH.org Some names have been altered for political safety             MINNEAPOLIS- Not too long ago, a colleague of mine at work told me about a connection Minnesota and China shares: Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong.             “We have a small group here in Minnesota while probably a lot more Chinese people are Dafa practitioners,” she explained. “This is a long term challenge, and we will continue our efforts based on our teaching principles of truth, compassion and tolerance.”             What Falun Dafa means for Chinese citizens, and the connection it has to Minnesota, is eye-opening. Spirituality, organs, and relations             Falun Dafa is a “self-cultivation practice of the Buddha School”, explains an informational website . In China, growing numbers of citizens began to publicly follow and exercise these teachings in amounts that made the Chinese government nervous.  

GoodReads photo of a great book. Available for sale online or rent in the Ramsey County library system             MINNEAPOLIS- Happy festivus!             Going into the holiday break, I was stoked because I’d have a chance to read a book that caught my eye recently: “The Night the Sirens Blew” by Allen W. Taylor. He’s a local author and instructor that in 2008 wrote a blow-by-blow of the 1965 Twin Cities tornadoes.             With some time to myself, I could probably spend the entire holiday weekend reading it, be ready to return it to the library by New Year’s.             NOPE. I couldn’t put it down. By Christmas Eve, I was already finished.             Speaking of weather: As I was reading in Minneapolis, light snow was falling and the temperature dropping like a rock from about 20 degrees. During the holidays last year? It was about 40 degrees and a thunderstorm was passing through. Photographer John Croft captured a tornado closing on Moore Lake in Fr

            The latest JFK files, released yesterday by the National          Archives:  https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/nr18-16        I recently read two JFK assassination books for background to the 2017 JFK Files release             MINNEAPOLIS- I love the library.             For years, they have been a great source of refuge and calm from the rigors of everyday life. I feel fortunate that I was able to access the Ramsey County Library system growing up. I still use my library card very often, and so many books are available for rent.             Low-cost, high value as the saying goes.             I returned to the public library recently as the Trump administration released some of the JFK files. One of the things I’ve learned as a journalism major is that print media is often more in-depth and contextual for finding information compared to broadcast media. The major television networks ran with the partial JFK files release. Some of

DCCC letter and survey sent to me MINNEAPOLIS- Call me, maybe? This time, it isn’t the University of Minnesota Alumni Association wanting to know my opinion of the organization while I donate to the cause . Last week, it was the national Democratic Party, taking opinions on what is important right now and how to stop President Donald Trump’s agenda. The letter and survey the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) sent includes a reading of the Trump presidency so far from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. The Democratic leader laments the Republican efforts so far to remove Obama Care, weaken Wall Street financial reform, and enact tax cuts that are obviously meant for the wealthiest families in the United States. So far, so good. The Democratic Party leader shows the reason of the letter and survey by stating: “But, I need you to join us. That’s why I’ve included you in a select group of local Democratic Party leaders who are participating in

Rose Roach, executive director of MNA. Photo from MNNurses.org             Several weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a public discussion on the concept of single-payer healthcare. The St. Paul meeting had around 100 citizens, some well-versed in public health policy, but many more that were like myself: eager to learn more.             I’m still in awe that government-subsidized healthcare is a form of public health policy many industrialized nations have long ago adopted-but not the United States. The United States spends roughly $3 trillion per year based on our private health insurance-driven system, according to a 2015 Center for Medicare and Medicaid study.             After the discussion, Rose Roach of the Minnesota Nurses Association agreed to an online interview. Roach, a St. Paul native, serves as the group’s executive director and was in attendance that day to help answer questions from the audience. Interview edited slightly for length