Minnesota to become 12th state to legalize gay marriage

 

Amid roaring chants from supporters and tears from opponents, the state Senate took a historic, final step Monday to legalize same-sex marriage in Minnesota.

The 37-30 vote came after a failed, last-ditch attempt by opponents to scuttle the measure.

“I’m going to be a married man in Minnesota!” DFL Sen. Scott Dibble, the Senate’s only openly gay member, proclaimed to supporters after emerging from the chamber.

One Republican, Sen. Branden Petersen, joined a majority of DFL legislators to make Minnesota the 12th state to legalize gay marriage. Three DFLers voted against the measure.

Sen. Dan Hall, R-Burnsville, pleaded with colleagues to vote the bill down: “Don’t vote what you know is morally wrong,” said Hall, a former CEO of Midwest Chaplains. “May God help us.”


Minnesota to become 12th state to legalize gay marriage | StarTribune.com

Two Minneapolis police officers shot

 

Two Minneapolis police officers were wounded and a suspect killed Friday afternoon at 2717 Bryant Avenue, police spokeswoman Cyndi Barrington said.

The officers were listed in stable condition with gunshot wounds at Hennepin County Medical Center, police said.

Also, an officer responding to the shooting incident hit and killed a male motorcyclist at 26th Street and Blaisdell Avenue. A female passenger on the motorcycle was injured when the squad car hit the back of bike, throwing both riders off.

Enrique Martin, a witness, said police were heading west on 26th Street and the motorcycle was going south on Blaisdell Avenue. Another witness, Ben Coffman, said the woman was taken away in an ambulance.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Police Chief Janeé Harteau arrived at the hospital shortly after the shooting and Harteau spoke briefly, confirming that the officers were stable and one man was dead. Investigators are not looking for any other suspects, she said.

“This is a very tough day for the Minneapolis Police Department,” Harteau said.
Two Minneapolis police shot and taken to Hennepin County Medical Center | StarTribune.com

Turn in your guns.

Slap Yo Mama Oven-Baked Fried Smart Chicken

Oh My! This is a "Slap Yo Mama" recipe for delicious southern "fried" chicken. You get the taste of fried Smart Chicken without all the mess; plus you get the added benefit of it being so much healthier for you!

4+ cups Rice Krispy cereal, crushed in food processor, blender or in a zip-lock bag, use more if needed*
1/2 package Hidden Valley Original Ranch Seasoning Mix, optional
Or
3 Tablespoons Hidden Valley Original Ranch Seasoning Mix, optional
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 stick unsalted butter, melted, or more if needed

1 package Smart Chicken, your choice of pieces (thighs, drumsticks, breasts, etc.)

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a small bowl, place melted butter. Line baking sheet with parchment paper to aid in clean up. Set aside.
• In a gallon-size zip-lock bag, add crushed cereal, powdered ranch seasoning, if using, and salt and pepper. Dip Smart Chicken pieces in butter and place in zip-lock bag. Shake well. For extra-crispy Smart Chicken, repeat process. You can dip the Smart Chicken in a container filled with crushed cereal.
• Place Smart Chicken pieces on baking sheet. Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes. With a fork or pair of tongs, turn Smart Chicken over and bake approximately 20 more minutes, or until a digital thermometer reads at least 170 degrees F. Remove and place on serving platter or plate. Serve.

Serves 4.

Note: The drippings and crunchies found in the bottom of baking sheet can be added to your homemade gravy recipe.

Note: Because the Smart Chicken pieces are already rinsed for you, you do not have to rinse them again, unless you feel it is absolutely necessary for your peace of mind.

Slap Yo Mama Oven-Baked Fried Smart Chicken - KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - News, Weather & Sports

PoliceOne's Gun Control Survey: 11 key lessons from officers' perspectives

 When asked what they believe is the biggest cause of gun violence in the United States, officers place most of the blame on the decline in parenting and family values. They also feel criminals are released onto parole too often and too early, while others receive inadequate sentences to begin with.
The full breakdown on this section reads:

• Decline in parenting and family values: 38 percent
• Parole, early release, and short sentencing for violent offenders: 15 percent
• Pop culture influence (violent movies, video games):14 percent
• Poor identification of mentally ill individuals: 10 percent
• Guns are too prevalent and easy to obtain: 4 percent
• Economic factors/income quality: 2 percent
• Other: 14 percent
• Unsure: 2 percent 

It would seem that officers responding to the survey believe that increased numbers of dysfunctional families and an increasingly-violent culture increases the risk that unstable individuals may resort to mass murder.

PoliceOne's Gun Control Survey: 11 key lessons from officers' perspectives

Minnesota House abandons plans to vote on gun legislation this year

 
 House Speaker Paul Thissen

The Minnesota House will not vote on expanding gun background checks to private sales or on any other gun legislation this year, House Speaker Paul Thissen said Wednesday.
Coping with a deeply divided DFL caucus, Thissen told the Star Tribune that despite months of work, legislators and advocates remain too polarized to allow any compromise.
“Neither side has been willing to come to an agreement,” said Thissen, a Minneapolis DFLer. “Because of the intensity on both sides of the issue, even some common-sense solutions can’t be agreed upon right now.”
His decision left those who had been working for passage steaming.
“I’m very disappointed, very angry,” said Rep. Michael Paymar, the committee chairman who shepherded the gun measures through tough, emotional hearings. The St. Paul DFLer said Thissen had pledged to him that “he wanted to do something about gun violence. He committed to me we would have a vote, we would have a debate on the floor.”