Free Republic

State Sen. Pat Pariseau began her long political career on a lark. Her husband "was the one interested in politics — especially Barry Goldwater" in the 1970s, she said, and he attended a Republican caucus with some high school buddies. Over breakfast the next morning, Ken Pariseau had a surprise. "He said to me, 'You're a delegate,' " she recalled last week from her St. Paul office. "I said: 'What on earth are you talking about? What am I going to do? ' " Despite her misgivings, she went to that year's Republican convention. "He thought I might enjoy it,"...

Lawmakers seek to expand self-defense rights Associated Press ST. PAUL - Several Republican lawmakers are introducing legislation to expand the right of citizens to use deadly force against attackers. Court rulings in Minnesota have already recognized what's known as the Castle Doctrine, which is the notion that a person's home is their castle and they have a right to defend it against an imminent threat. But Representative Tony Cornish and Sen. Pat Pariseau want to enshrine that right in state law. They also want a broader definition of castle that includes personal vehicles, businesses and even public places. The lawmakers...