MPR News Reflections and observations on the news

Archives for October 2008

Birth of a boondoggle

Bob Collins October 27, 2008, 1:59 PM Oct 27, 2008

7

The giant bailout package is being used in way we were never told about.

The housing business

Bob Collins October 27, 2008, 1:43 PM Oct 27, 2008

New home sales picked up in September, but not int he Midwest.

Surveys and trivia

How much do you love your cellphone?

Bob Collins October 27, 2008, 12:41 PM Oct 27, 2008

2

Are there times when it’s best to let the phone go?

Free software

Bob Collins October 27, 2008, 11:55 AM Oct 27, 2008

3

A St. Paul company is paying off on a bet that gas prices wouldn’t drop.

Puppies

Bob Collins October 27, 2008, 11:48 AM Oct 27, 2008

2

No matter what the question is in the news business, the answer “puppies” usually fits.

CBS: The bet that blew up Wall Street

Bob Collins October 27, 2008, 11:13 AM Oct 27, 2008

1

A congressional bill that set the stage for the economic meltdown was embraced by the Minnesota delegation in 2000

News Agenda – Monday October 27, 2008

Bob Collins October 27, 2008, 7:54 AM Oct 27, 2008

1

Surprisingly, perhaps, not all the news is about politics.

Is Twitter a terrorist tool?

Bob Collins October 26, 2008, 8:48 PM Oct 26, 2008

6

The Army says the microblogging service could be used by extremists. Like vegetarians.

Al Franken’s lousy weekend

Bob Collins October 26, 2008, 10:10 AM Oct 26, 2008

13

The Star Tribune, said to be the worst friend the Republicans have had since Checkers the dog, has endorsed Norm Coleman.

Pawlenty 2.0

Bob Collins October 26, 2008, 9:44 AM Oct 26, 2008

1

Compared to his visibility before Sarah Palin was selected as John McCain’s running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been invisible since the Republican National Convention ended.

Nuclear middle age

Bob Collins October 26, 2008, 8:57 AM Oct 26, 2008

If the effort to deter countries from joining the ‘nuclear club’ isn’t working, that also means the United States strategy for possessing nuclear weapons isn’t working either.

Geography of politics – Part 2

Bob Collins October 25, 2008, 9:43 AM Oct 25, 2008

Sorry, no stories about crazed supporters, personal stylists, or stupid gaffes.

Surveys and trivia

Absence of trust

Bob Collins October 24, 2008, 4:57 PM Oct 24, 2008

2

Nearly half of U.S. doctors are deceiving their patients, according to a new study.

The house loses

Bob Collins October 24, 2008, 3:07 PM Oct 24, 2008

1

Canterbury Park announces layoffs. The bad economy is hitting gambling.

Regional history

Revisiting the Wellstone memorial service

Bob Collins October 24, 2008, 1:25 PM Oct 24, 2008

8

The memorial service changed the outcome of an election.