Free Republic

Minnetonka Moccasin Co., a local footwear company, is acknowledging and apologizing for Native American culture appropriation over the last 75-plus years. The company dropped the "moccasin" from its logo in 2008, and has removed the word from the majority of its corporate messaging and will now refer to only "Minnetonka" going forward. "We (Minnetonka) deeply and meaningfully apologize for having benefited from selling Native-inspired designs without directly honoring Native culture or communities," the statement reads on the company's website. It also states, "we are dedicated to honoring our commitment to Native American communities with our actions going forward." The business...

Sen. Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, promised in column released tonight that he will introduce an amendment to the budget repair bill that would restore collective bargaining rights after 2013. "I agree with the long-term goal to have balanced state budgets without tax increases, transportation fund raids, and excessive borrowing. We can achieve that goal and preserve the Wisconsin community we want without having to eliminate collective bargaining in perpetuity," Schultz wrote. "With collective bargaining, Wisconsin residents have enjoyed high-quality and uninterrupted public services for decades. Our thinking and our decision about collective bargaining in Wisconsin should revolve around what is...

A leading legislative critic of illegal immigration said Monday that he's willing to shape key parts of new legislation against illegal immigration in ways intended to help get it signed by Gov. Janet Napolitano, who has already threatened a veto if one possible provision is included. Formal introduction of the legislation being assembled by Rep. Russell Pearce and other Republican lawmakers for consideration by the House has been delayed while lawmakers work out its provisions. Pearce, a Mesa Republican, said he's willing to have a provision dealing with increasing the National Guard presence on the U.S.-Mexico border changed so that...

WASHINGTON, January 14 (IslamOnline.net) - The largest US Muslim civil liberties called on the State Department to issue a report on Islamophobia across the world, as American Muslims have complained of more anti-Islam TV rants. The proposal was made when the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and several other Muslim and Arab-American groups met Thursday, January 13, with top State Department officials to discuss a number of issues related to American foreign policy, according to CAIR’s Web site. CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad presented in the meeting -- attended by Assistant Secretary Patricia de Stacy Harrison, Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher...