Free Republic

Law enforcement and local politicians from around our region sat down Thursday to talk about the sensitive issue of gun violence, or more importantly, how to stop it. The Summit to Combat Gun Violence was actually planned a year ago, but it couldn't have been more timely in light of the mass school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak called the gathering a "midwest discussion" that brings "midwest values" to a national debate. Held at the Depot Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, those assembled were a who's who of Minnesota leadership. Also in attendance: their counterparts from Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri...

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison appeared on TPT's Almanac tonight to discuss the shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut. During the interview, Ellison argued for greater gun control measures. "The NRA (National Rifle Association) is strong and many of them (members of Congress) take the position that any gun position is going to lead to the position of taking away of all guns," Ellison said. "This is not rational. We need sane, sensible gun regulation and we need it now." Ellison says his top initiatives would be to address high capacity clips that hold multiple rounds of bullets and greater...

Congressman Keith Ellison warns Netanyahu to not insert himself in American elections

Gathering his teenage players around him, the high school basketball coach urged them to take notice. "This is a moment in history," he said. "This is the first Muslim, and the first African-American from Minnesota, to represent you in Congress."Keith Ellison looked uncomfortable. He is indeed poised to become the first follower of Islam to enter the United States House of Representatives, but he feels that the focus on his religion has become a distraction from what he wants to achieve as a politician. "I'm not really enamoured with the whole 'first' stuff," he told The Sunday Telegraph. "I'm not...