SCHMID: LOOKING BACK FROM THE LEFT COAST - DECEMBER 17, 2015
REALLY! “The road is straight and nearly clear for the attorney general.” -- A Forum editorial predicted that ND Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, who has declared for governor, will have an easy run.
NO TRACTOR DRIVERS NEEDED A Fargo company is taking the next step in self-driving farm tractors. Autonomous Tractor Corporation has developed a tractor with no cab -- it has only a boxy engine compartment atop a pair of tracks. The tractor and its cameras are operated from afar with a smartphone or tablet. It’s less costly and more efficient than a regular tractor. One person can operate several tractors -- early models become available next year.
LOST OPPORTUNITY “It was both a surprise and a major disappointment to read the Nov. 4 Forum news story that the Research Center had been shut down two months earlier.” -- Former U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan referring to the closing of the Center for Nanoscale Science at NDSU. He said, “That view suggests a lack of leadership and vision. NDSU had an opportunity that is available to very few universities.” Dorgan’s comments in a letter to the Forum are thought to be a shot at NDSU President Dean Bresciani. Dorgan helped NDSU obtain $140 million in federal funding to establish the center.
ND STICKS OUT It is the least energy efficient state, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy’s 2015 rankings, and has a pollution impact out of proportion to its size. ND emission per capita is 78 tons compared to a national average of 17 tons and a global average of 5 tons. Wyoming leads at 117 tons.
CRUEL AND UNUSUAL A flash mob consisting of 15 Grand Forks seniors gather in retail stores and astonish shoppers with a display of dancing and singing. They present Christmas songs “to surprise unsuspecting people around town” and are suspected of being under the influence of Elton John.
ONE MORE TIME “Bennett Brien produced the Fighting Sioux logo that became, arguably, the most loved and recognized college athletic logo in the nation.” -- From a letter to the GF Herald. The writer said, “I have every confidence that Brien could work his artistic magic to produce a Fighting Hawks logo that again would inspire tremendous pride.”
“HEITKAMP is a Democrat of another generation. You might think of her as ‘Your Daddy's Democrat.’" -- Mike Jacobs in his weekly GF Herald Column. He said U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp represents an earlier Democratic Party that “existed before today's emphasis on political correctness, the nanny state and environmental purity.”
MANSION MONEY A few ND officials are concerned that the design for the new governor’s mansion is not sufficiently iconic or stately. It wasn’t clear what they meant. State Rep. Jerry Kelsh thought he knew. He said “the residence shouldn’t be gaudy or excessively fancy.” Meanwhile, fund raisers have obtained pledges for private donations of $300,000 -- construction can begin once $500,000 is raised.
NO TRACTOR DRIVERS NEEDED A Fargo company is taking the next step in self-driving farm tractors. Autonomous Tractor Corporation has developed a tractor with no cab -- it has only a boxy engine compartment atop a pair of tracks. The tractor and its cameras are operated from afar with a smartphone or tablet. It’s less costly and more efficient than a regular tractor. One person can operate several tractors -- early models become available next year.
LOST OPPORTUNITY “It was both a surprise and a major disappointment to read the Nov. 4 Forum news story that the Research Center had been shut down two months earlier.” -- Former U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan referring to the closing of the Center for Nanoscale Science at NDSU. He said, “That view suggests a lack of leadership and vision. NDSU had an opportunity that is available to very few universities.” Dorgan’s comments in a letter to the Forum are thought to be a shot at NDSU President Dean Bresciani. Dorgan helped NDSU obtain $140 million in federal funding to establish the center.
ND STICKS OUT It is the least energy efficient state, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy’s 2015 rankings, and has a pollution impact out of proportion to its size. ND emission per capita is 78 tons compared to a national average of 17 tons and a global average of 5 tons. Wyoming leads at 117 tons.
CRUEL AND UNUSUAL A flash mob consisting of 15 Grand Forks seniors gather in retail stores and astonish shoppers with a display of dancing and singing. They present Christmas songs “to surprise unsuspecting people around town” and are suspected of being under the influence of Elton John.
ONE MORE TIME “Bennett Brien produced the Fighting Sioux logo that became, arguably, the most loved and recognized college athletic logo in the nation.” -- From a letter to the GF Herald. The writer said, “I have every confidence that Brien could work his artistic magic to produce a Fighting Hawks logo that again would inspire tremendous pride.”
“HEITKAMP is a Democrat of another generation. You might think of her as ‘Your Daddy's Democrat.’" -- Mike Jacobs in his weekly GF Herald Column. He said U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp represents an earlier Democratic Party that “existed before today's emphasis on political correctness, the nanny state and environmental purity.”
MANSION MONEY A few ND officials are concerned that the design for the new governor’s mansion is not sufficiently iconic or stately. It wasn’t clear what they meant. State Rep. Jerry Kelsh thought he knew. He said “the residence shouldn’t be gaudy or excessively fancy.” Meanwhile, fund raisers have obtained pledges for private donations of $300,000 -- construction can begin once $500,000 is raised.
“THIS TIME, PEOPLE SAY, IT FEELS DIFFERENT.” -- A StarTribune description of the downturn on the Minnesota Iron Range which closed half of 11 major mines. The unemployment rate in Hibbing is 9 percent. Iron ore prices are at a 10--year low and a glut of foreign steel makes a quick recovery unlikely. The economy in the remainder of Minnesota is strong.
"IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT A MEETING. We want him to take action that President Bush took, that President Reagan took. This is a very precarious situation and if we tip this industry over the brink it is virtual impossible to bring it back.” -- Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton who wants a meeting with President Obama to discuss safeguards to protect the steel industry and the Minnesota Iron Range from foreign steel.
INTROSPECTION “In short, the world was learning, perhaps for the first time, that progressive Minnesota is a great place to be white, but not such a great place to be black.” -- Jon Tevlin, StarTribune columnist. The Tribune said, “Some black community members say they hope the shooting (of a young man by police) will finally get the attention of state leaders, whom they say have allowed Minnesota’s racial disparities to fester for decades.” Facts of the shooting have not been ascertained.
"IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT A MEETING. We want him to take action that President Bush took, that President Reagan took. This is a very precarious situation and if we tip this industry over the brink it is virtual impossible to bring it back.” -- Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton who wants a meeting with President Obama to discuss safeguards to protect the steel industry and the Minnesota Iron Range from foreign steel.
INTROSPECTION “In short, the world was learning, perhaps for the first time, that progressive Minnesota is a great place to be white, but not such a great place to be black.” -- Jon Tevlin, StarTribune columnist. The Tribune said, “Some black community members say they hope the shooting (of a young man by police) will finally get the attention of state leaders, whom they say have allowed Minnesota’s racial disparities to fester for decades.” Facts of the shooting have not been ascertained.
DakotaBeacon