and I will give you credit for that!!! I know the feeling personally of fighting a disproportional giant and nobody witnessed me. Slay the dragons.

John is right on many environmental issues, but he is GROSSLY uninformed on nuclear power, repeating others lies, distortions and half-truths despite contrary evidence that he apparently refuses to consider. For facts, and I can provide a lot more, see http://energyrealityproject.com/nuclear-power-climate-change-warrior-for-the-21st-century/

Also see http://youtu.be/FGYQhGNUMCo for examples of the way anti-nuclear zealots work and for the testimony of scientists who understand physics and medicine. Also see www.tundracub.com

Even with half of these being partially true the list of deaths by other energy forms is far greater. Coal, natural gas and even hydro from dam bursting far outnumbers nuclear in causing deaths. The good that nuclear does replacing coal plants saves lives and no other energy source can make that claim. And why is that? Because nuclear plants are able to generate far more electricity from a single plant than a single coal plant.

I forgot to say that coal emissions compared to zero emissions from nuclear plants. No surprise that coal is far worse. Without nuclear you have few alternatives to providing base load power. We are out of waterfall solutions. Natural gas is still emitting CO2 and wind and solar are not base load. Biofuel requires too much feedstock to get a significant amount of fuel.

According to somebody named Ben A. Franklin, "There is no convincing evidence of cancer due to emissions from Three Mile Island." Inside NCR, Vol. 12, No.9, September 12, 1990.

It appears to me that the clear agenda of Mr LaForge is to market fear based on exaggeration more than facts. In response, I refer to Naguib Mahfouz, Nobel Laureate: "Fear does to prevent death; it prevents life."

Please stop repeating the Yablokov falsehood about deaths caused by Chernobyl. The United Nations Scientific Committee on Effects of Atomic Radiation - UNSCEAR - has counted every individual death. 43 people had died as of 2004 as a result of radiation exposure. 28 immediately and clearly from radiation; and 15 more between 1986 and 2004, perhaps medically linked to their exposure.
http://www.unscear.org/docs/reports/2008/11-80076_Report_2008_Annex_D.pdf page 58

Of 134 Chernobyl workers who received a dose between 0.8 and 4.2 sieverts (a large dose), 86 were still living in 2004, 18 years later.

http://www.dirkpublishing.com/dirkpublishing.com/Slideshow_downloads_files/ThoriumNuclearSlideshowWNotes.pdf p. 38, 140 (page 140 for UNSCEAR and WHO document links)

www.dirkpublishing.com

The milkweed isn't harmless, it was one of the most significant weeds in soybean crops until it was finally brought under control in the last 10 years, the only sure way to stop milkweeds in soybeans before that was to physically pull them out by the root

This is the only woman in your entire publication the last several weeks. Some people would call that sexist.

Research on milkweed in Wisconsin would apply to Minnesota as well:

"Surveys I conducted on the importance of perennial weeds in Wisconsin from 1977 to 1994 found that milkweeds were rated as only a slight problem in the majority of both tilled and no-till fields (Doll, 1994). It tends to be more of a problem in no-till fields as expected. In my more than 20 years as an extension weed scientist, rarely has anyone described a situation where milkweeds were an economic problem and sought advice on how to control them. Travels around the state during this period confirm that milkweeds are commonly found but seldom reduce crop yields."

A good article, as usual, Loren, but I really wanted to thank you for last week's article, which explained how Johnson Controls paid good money to score an "Ethical Company" award. At some point, the cynicism of the status quo becomes so thick that everyone involved must be coated with it in some way.

Another excellent well written article Loren!
Maybe they could sell the primo Central site to a local developer (Hmmm...A & L?) for low income housing. You know, $350,000 condos! The tax payers can pick up the tab for utilities etc. Maybe sell it for $1 as Urban renewal?

As far as this dysfunctional Board: The first step in addressing the current problems is to admit there are problems. It appears to me that the Board majority is unable/unwilling to do this. To admit to and address these problems is to admit that mistakes were made in the past. It's either purely about egos, (gets my vote-Rosie!) or the local power brokers don't want their pocket linings inspected too closely. (Could be this)

Donny Ness is the closest thing to a real person (not purely a politician) we are likely to ever get in the Mayor's office. Given the recent exposure (John Ramos Email scandal story) of the cynical and cavalier way he does business (as usual), the monied power brokers will continue to do exactly what they want and continue to keep the real story from the voters. It's disappointing that Washington style underhanded politics are alive and well in our great city.

I certainly hope some ethical people step up to run for the contested seats, If not, our children ,especially those in the west end of town, will continue to get cheated.

Two months ago, I would treat the reader like a piece of junk mail...I would never even consider reading it. Then, I read your your "to sell a project" column and it was so wonderful to read some real investigative journalism. The DNT is a pile of rubbish. They are puppets of pretty much any organization that reaches out to them. Sad, but true. I've been eagerly picking up the reader every week to read what you have to say about different issues.

On another note, do you have any opinions or information about the Superior street reconstruction project? It seems like nobody involved with that project is being transparent at all.

Anyways, thanks so much for putting the time and energy into looking all of the information that you write about. I'm sure a lot of people (count me in!) really appreciate it.

Thanks for the compliment. I've been writing the City Beat column for about 15 months now. You can access old columns here:

http://duluthreader.com/contributors/j/10/110_john_ramos

I don't think the Superior Street project suffers from a lack of transparency, but rather a lack of reporting. There are huge numbers of public meetings that sail by unattended by any media. I am helping to fill the gap somewhat, but I have not written about the Superior Street project in my column. According to the city's website, construction is expected to begin "in 2017 or 2018." It is going to be a big deal.

Project documents and comment forms are available here:

http://www.duluthmn.gov/planning/superior-street/

Good Luck everyone!

In my opinion , one of the the most fun bands on the Iron Range. Love these guys

The housing authority could have converted the Morgan Park School into low income housing and earned the money back within two years. Or, it could have been converted into a median range apartment complex at $600-700 a month.

I find your article very interesting, because the same thing is happening with sulfide mining. A select group of politically elite is promoting the mining of northeast Minnesota at all costs, in denial of long-term effects upon the health of the environment and the people living in these watersheds. The elite and the money interests have the support of the media--including the Duluth News Tribune, the Mesabi Daily News, Hometown Focus, and the TV networks. Meanwhile, the average citizen is depending upon our agencies to make the correct decisions--the agencies who are currently not enforcing water quality standards for the taconite industry, and who are controlled by politically appointed commissioners and a bureaucratic structure that favors loyalty toward commercial and monetary values rather than protecting the environment for the overall good of the general public.
It's time for a total restructuring of the political hierarchy of this country. As citizens, we can stop our mindless consumerism and start demanding accountability from government, corporations, health care systems, etc. The Reader must not be the lone voice crying in the wilderness.

Hi, I am Osa. I would Please, like to know my planet ( Gemini). Thanks!!

Actually it was not unreasonable to force Japan to accept unconditional surrender. Himmler also tried for a conditional surrender and was refused for good reasons. Your assertions about the possible number of american casualties involved in invading the Japanese mainland is also wrong - 200,000 not 1 million an overstatement of *5.

When alpha apex predators are removed, the pack's social structure is fragmented, and the juvenile individuals that remain become antisocial, and habituate to livestock and pets. The Wolf IS our Brother. Why kill an animal you don't eat? Amy K. is wrong again.