Lost Lake Tribune September 12th Full Text

Obama and McCain Speak at Forum about Voluntary Service. -Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain spoke at a forum sponsored by TIME magazine and ServiceNation hosted by Columbia University. The forum was designed to not be a debate but rather a series of questions and answers about volunteerism is the US. John McCain took the first few questions. He was asked why the memory of September 11, 2001 was fading in the minds of Americans. His answer was “We needed at that time [September 11, 2001] to take advantage of the unity in the United States of America,” he said. “We weren’t Republicans on September 11. We weren’t Democrats. We were Americans". He went on to say that Americans do not trust their congress anymore and that they want change just like both candidates do. McCain was then asked about how the federal government relates to private, public and military service. McCain answered by giving credence to the Peacecorps and AmeriCorps and saying that the government should not infiltrate private volunteer services but should give more honor to them. McCain said that he wants to shy away from making the government bigger. Then McCain took a tougher question about his running mate's comments against Obama's volunteer service as a community organizer. McCain said that Obama made it hard when Obama turned down the town hall meetings in which McCain wanted to have both participate. McCain finished by saying that Obama's service was "outstanding". Obama fielded the same questions next. Obama said “America is the greatest country on earth but it didn’t just happen on its own,” and he stated that not always do just the rich people give service to the government. Obama stated that on Friday he plans to start a volunteer program for youth who want to do what he did in Chicago. Obama went on say that “When a hurricane strikes as it did with Katrina, we have to have a FEMA that works which means we should be encouraging young people to get involved as civil servants” but “That doesn’t crowd out the Red Cross or thousands of church groups that went down there [to New Orleans],” he continued. “The Peacecorps does not crowd out need for [other] service overseas.” The forum was held on September 11th in the evening after John McCain spoke in Shanksville, Pennsylvania in the morning and both candidates went to Ground Zero in New York City later. Information borrowed from http://www.youdecide2008.com/2008/09/11/video-mccain-obama-at-the-911-presidential-forum/ Palin Appears on ABC with Charles Gibson. -Governor and Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Sara Palin was interviewed by Charles Gibson of ABC on Thursday. She answered questions on experience, credentials, religion, national security, Israel, 9/11 and the Bush Doctrine. On experience she said "on January 20, when John McCain and I are sworn in, if we are so privileged to be elected to serve this country, will be ready. I'm ready." On credentials she answered that she has one very important ceredential among others and this is on the subject of "energy independence". She said that she has much experience on this because she has worked on the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which supervises energy development and energy increase for the US. Palin was asked about national security and if she had ever met a head of state and she answered that most vice president candidates have not met a world leader and that the nation needs to remember that this election is about chnge and not a "big fat resume". Palin continued on national security by stating that Ukraine and Georgia should join NATO and that Russia should be ready to be attacked by the US if it invades another nation. Palis was also asked if she said that the Iraq war was "God's will" and she answered that she was misquoted and she corrected Gibson by saying "I believe that there is a plan for this world and that plan for this world is for good. I believe that there is great hope and great potential for every country to be able to live and be protected with inalienable rights that I believe are God-given, Charlie, and I believe that those are the rights to life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Palin then answered questions on Israel and Iran by saying "I believe that under the leadership of Ahmadinejad, nuclear weapons in the hands of his government are extremely dangerous to everyone on this globe, yes....We have got to make sure that these weapons of mass destruction, that nuclear weapons are not given to those hands of Ahmadinejad, not that he would use them, but that he would allow terrorists to be able to use them.So we have got to put the pressure on Iran." She also said that Israel has a right to defend its nation against Iran. On the subject of the 9/11 attacks, Palin said that few Muslim actually hate the US and the West. She said that the Bush doctrine is to get rid of terrorists and to liberate those who lose the presence of terrorists. Palin finished by saying that "I believe that America has to exercise all options in order to stop the terrorists who are ... bent on destroying America and our allies. We have got to have all options out there on the table." Information borrowed from http://sharoncobb.blogspot.com/2008/09/transcript-of-sarah-palin-with-charlie.html Sports Page 2 This article is borrowed from the Pioneer Press because of its exceptional representation of the situation which cannot be replicated without plagiarism. Colts coach Tony Dungy remains true to his school and his many friends in Minnesota: The Colts' coach remains true to his school and his friends in Minnesota By Sean Jensen sjensen@pioneerpress.com Article Last Updated: 09/11/2008 11:36:20 PM CDT Given his popularity in Minnesota, Tony Dungy will be overwhelmed with requests and visitors this weekend as his Indianapolis Colts prepare to play the Vikings. University of Minnesota athletics director Joel Maturi will not be among them. "I'll text him, but I understand what a coach's life is like," Maturi said. "He's going to have lots of people who want a piece of him." Although Dungy, a 1978 University of Minnesota graduate, hasn't worked or studied in Minnesota for more than a decade, he still maintains many relationships here with friends, former Vikings, former Gophers teammates, neighbors and his brother Linden, a dentist in Farmington. He returns often during the offseason and drew more than 3,000 people to his keynote address at the University of Minnesota Alumni Association celebration in May 2007, months after he coached the Colts to victory in Super Bowl XLI. But his goal on this weekend's trip is clear. "It is always fun going up there," Dungy said. "Really, this is going to be more of a quick business trip, though." Dungy said he planned to speak with many of his well-wishers during the week, especially because the Colts don't arrive until Saturday, then leave right after the game Sunday afternoon in the Metrodome. Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier isn't sure when he will get a chance to visit and catch up with his friend. "It is really tough," said Frazier, who coached on Dungy's staff for two seasons before joining the Vikings last season. "It is hard to do because of our schedules. It's just really tough to be able to do, so we end up conversing by phone more so than face to face." That so many people like Dungy doesn't surprise Maturi or former Gophers teammate Keith Fahnhorst, who lives in Eden Prairie. "It goes to show the kind of respect he's always carried, from everyone he's had contact with," said Fahnhorst, an offensive lineman who played 14 years for the San Francisco 49ers. "I know from time to time he was pursued as a head coach but also pursued as far as advice on head coach searches. "That goes to show you that he hasn't burned any bridges, like some people can do," Fahnhorst said. "But that's the way Tony always has been. Every place he's been, he's been respected." In 1973, when Fahnhorst was a senior and Dungy a freshman at the U, the veteran Gopher was impressed with the team's young quarterback. "I knew he was smart. You could tell a smart guy, football-wise and otherwise. And he was both," Fahnhorst said. "I'd like to say he was going to be a Super Bowl winning coach someday. But he was a student of the game, he was always a real humble guy, and always a leader." Even then, Dungy was as calm and cool as he appears to be now. "He was always like that, which is incredible," Fahnhorst said. "I was shocked he was such a good coach, because sometimes you expect a coach to go crazy and kick some [one]." "But Tony never had to do that." Dungy is one of the few Gophers quarterbacks to lead his team to a winning record during his tenure, he was a two-time team MVP, and he left the school as the all-time career leader in passing yards, completions and touchdowns. Then, even after landing his first head coaching job at Tampa Bay, Dungy always made time to help the University of Minnesota, especially as the school rallied support and money for a new on-campus stadium. "Tony is a great Gopher," Maturi said. "He cares about the university deeply." Dungy taped a segment for the university to use. He encouraged them to use his name in letters. And he chaired a fund-raising effort. "He's very passionate about the university, and he wants to see football back on campus, so he wanted to contribute where he could," Maturi said. His willingness to help has paid dividends. "Any time someone as visible as Tony Dungy is supportive of a cause, other people have a tendency to listen," Maturi said. This weekend, though, Dungy has business to take care of. "The fact that we are 0-1 and really need a win, it makes it all that more important," Dungy said. "It is a great area with great memories for me, so I'm excited. "I'll be excited this weekend." Monday, September 8, 2008 Ryan Grant does it again for the new era Packers! Ryan Grant broke through a gap in the normally tight Vikings run defense on his way to a 57 yard run all the way to the 2 yard line in Lambeau field, Monday. The Grant scamper was the deciding factor in a hard fought game. Aaron Rodgers passed for 178 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for the winning score set up by Grant's big run. That touchdown by Rodgers gave the Packers a 24-12 lead with 6:03 to go in the game.The Vikings would not give up, though. They worked an 11 play drive that produced a three yard touchdown run by Adrian Peterson. The touchdown left the Vikings with 2:39 to go in the game. The Vikings' onside kick went out of bounds and gave the Packers the ball. The Packers could not move the ball and had to punt with 1:51 remaining in the game. The Vikings started driving up the field and were past the 50 with less than a minute to go. Then Atari Bigbie, the man the Vikings fear the most, intercepted a TJack pass and clinched the victory for the Packers. Rodgers won his first game as a starter and is glad to have that monkey off his back. Colts Lose 29-13. -The Jeff Saturday-less Indianapolis Colts (0-1) lost to the Chicago Bears (1-0) 29-13 Sunday Night. This game was the very opposite of the Super Bowl XLI victory by the Colts over the Bears in Feb. of 07. This time the Colts allowed the Bears defense to dominate and slow down the Colts attack. The Bears even scored a TD on defense in the 3rd quarter. Bears rookie RB Matt Forte rushed for 124 yards and a TD as the Bears outplayed the Colts.The Colts drew first blood with a FG on their second possession. But the Bears answered with a 50 yard scamper by Forte for TD. The teams then traded FGs and the score was 10-6 midway through the 2nd quarter. Then the Bears forced the Colts deep in their own territory and the Colts surrendered a safety for a 12-6 Bears lead. The Bears added another FG at the end of the half. In the second half the Colts made their best progress of the season by capitalizing on good field position and scoring a TD to make the score 15-13. But after forcing a Bears punt, the Colts fumbled a complete pass and the Bears took the ball back for a 25 yard defensive score. Chicago later added another TD for good measure as they sailed to their first road win of the season. Minnesota Pawlenty to Decide on Bridge on Monday. -Governor Tim Pawlenty and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybeck will be meeting with construction officials and city officials on Monday to decide the actual date to open the I-35W Southbound bridge over the Mississippi river. The St. Anthony Falls bridge, as it is also known, will replace the bridge that collapsed on August 1, 2007 and killed 11 people. The new freeway bridge began to be constructed on November 1, 2007 and was slated to be finished Christmas Eve, 2008 but it may open as early as Tuesday, September 16th. The bridge will not have a walkover by the public since it is a freeway and no sidewalk is provided. The very important bridge will open with less fanfare than the usual within several days. Editorial Letters to the Editor. -"The truth about MN bridges saddens me. What everyone in MN needs to realize is that they live in a [bad] state and need to move. Their colleges have poor education and their seminaries are even worse." David Craig Ankeny, Iowa. The LLT reserves the right to edit or delete any letter given to the LLT. Send your 300 words or less letter to benfugate2005@yahoo.com. Editorial. -It has now been seven years since September 11, 2001 when 19 Muslims hijacked 4 planes and crashed three major buildings in the United States. These Al Qaida operatives entered this nation by VISAs and other ways. Then they learned how to fly a plane but not how to land it because they did not need to know that. They took box cutters and other knives onto four planes and forced the plane staff and pilots to hand over the control of the plane. Then before Air Force planes could force the terrorists to land their planes safely, they crashed the World Trade Center towers in New York and stunned the world more by hitting the Pentagon. But an act of bravery by men including Todd Beamer, a Minnesotan, forced a plane to crash in a small town near Washington, Pennsylvania instead of Camp David or the Capitol. Yet today %35 of self-described democrats say the attack was staged and planned by George W. Bush instead of by terrorists and Osama Bin Laden. I have one question for them: what about the handcuffs found on the airplane staff after the World Trade Center fell? Instead though we missed the point almost entirely. I said then and I say now that we must shut down our borders permanently. I have a plan for this that would get legal, healthy and peaceful immigrants in the nation and leave others out. First, set up several refuge centers in MEXICO and CANADA in cities like Monterrey and Toronto. Then take every immigrant applicant through that highly secured building. Take pictures, fingerprints, and hair samples of each applicant. Put the applicant through every criminal database possible to see if he/she is a fugiitive. Then ask them for a name and attach that name to those samples so that every time this applicant is found breaking US law an immediate history comes up about them. Then give the applicant a shower and every immunization needed if he is healthy. Then give the applicant an ID card with all the information needed for them to do business. Then ask the person which company he wants to work for and where he wants to live under mild security. Then let the applicant BARTER for his wages with the employer. Then escort the applicant to a well secured bus that takes then to the city that they chose. The applicant would be given up to twelve months to prove his worth to his employer and the US and then he is sworn in as a citizen on JULY FOURTH and he pays taxes just like you and me. What do you think of that? Please send your comments, questions, or disagreements to benfugate2005@yahoo.com. This is the opinion of editor, Benjamin Fugate.