P-B Advisory Board

Golf course for UMR campus? Absolutely!

By Dave Grimsrud

UMR has much greater potential than to become some vo-tech arm of the Mayo Clinic. The P-B has done a great service to this point, getting people to think on this subject (column on Soldier’s Field Golf and letters in both print and online). This campus could really move the city and region forward.

  Soldier’s Field Golf Course for a U campus may become an easy sell. It doesn’t seem nearly as political as I once thought it would be. Land given to the general population would continue to serve the general population. How could the U say no to this free land near the downtown? It would take some insiders with very self-serving motives to kill a good idea (property owners wanting big prices for their downtown properties).

Government is like NASCAR: Lots of left turns

By Don Flassing

NASCAR and the new Washington administration seem to have a lot in common — both just keep turning left and trying to go faster. Both go in circles and never really get anywhere. Both, however impress their loyal fans and themselves.    

To actually go somewhere, one needs to drive just to the “right of the center line” at the legal speed limit.  It is the surest way to get from Point A to Point B.

  Can we hope the new administration is wrecked by one of their own team mates?  Or hits a wall?  Blows a tire?  Or just runs out of gas?

Let's Fight!

Everybody needs a war? Bush, Jr., course had Iraq as his private war. His dad sponsored the first Iraq war. Clinton had his war in Bosnia, where his wife, Hillary, was (or wasn't) put under enemy fire. At least Reagan had the good sense to attack Grenada, where we were pretty much assured of a win. Johnson had the Vietnam war. In there somewhere we had the Korean War. And of course, many President's dating back to Truman dealt with the "Cold War." Before that, Roosevelt and World War II. So it goes. Now Obama has adopted the Afghan war. Can't our foreign policy focus on something else for a change? Don Flassing Advisory Panel **************Free Credit Report and Score Tracking! Get it Now for $0 at CreditReport.com. (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220474599x1201401934/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.creditreport.com%3Fsrc%3Daolemail%26kwd%3Dmlftrtextlin k)

Bad Investments?

I am a bad investor! Not by choice, mind you. In the last year, I have purchased interests in GM, Chrysler and Ford. These are mismanaged companies whose executives fly around in private jets and whose workers are decidedly overpaid. Not to mention, no one much wants to buy their products anyway. I have invested in AIG, a giant insurance company, which insured nonexistent products to earn fees. And who, while losing $60 billion paid out enormous bonuses. I have invested in Citigroup, Bank of America and others, becoming the proud owner of "toxic" mortgages in California and Florida. I am optimistic, however and invite you to join me in my new enterprise. With my last few dollars, I am starting a pineapple farm right here in Minnesota! Do you realize we don't have any pineapple farms? Because this is a "green" business and will employ large numbers of illegal aliens, we will qualify for government stimulus loans. And should there be a really bad winter when the temperature drops to 32 degrees or something, and we end up with frozen assets, the government will bail us out! Only in America? Don Flassing Advisory Panel **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1219858252x1201366219/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DMarchfooterNO62)

Liberal/Conservative ... does it really matter?

Blog entry # 1

By Gayle Kall

According to a  PB anonymous commenter I am “liberal number 3.” I was introduced by the PB among other things as being a “long time Rochester resident and community volunteer.” Does that make me a liberal? Ask my husband, he’ll tell you I’m “too serious.” Ask my teenagers, they’ll tell you “I’m too conservative,” too “old fashioned” and that I don’t live in the “real world.”  Ouch….that last one hurts!

Does one need to be a “Liberal” or a “Conservative” to care about their community? I am an involved and interested person. People who know me best would tell you that I am a doer.

I am a strong woman who is not afraid to stand up to injustice and I do have opinions, lot’s of them. I’m an extrovert who likes people and the community I live in. In a news story I appreciate reading both the “pro” and the “con,” it seems I learn more that way. Balance is a good thing.

Let us know what you’re thinking and what you care about. I can’t speak for the rest of our Board but I’ll work really hard not to call you any names.