rssPosts by Blake de Pastino
Denver Cops Stocking Up on “Less-Lethal” Guns
When it comes to Denver’s security plans for this summer’s Democratic National Convention, the silence has been deafening. But a giddy weapons manufacturer apparently couldn’t hold its fire. Colorado-based Security With Advanced Technology issued a release this week announcing it has sold 88 Mark IV rifles to Denver Police, More…
How Russert Got to “Meet the Press”
As political watchers mourn the unexpected passing of NBC’s Washington bureau chief Tim Russert, Iowa Independent’s Douglas Burns recalls the role of Iowan Michael Gartner — the former Des Moines Register editor who became president of NBC News — in giving Russ his shot at hosting "Meet the Press."
Fear and Tasering in St. Paul
When your racket is shilling weapons, it’s awful hard to find good product placement. But Minnesota-based Taser International has found a ready market in St. Paul, where the police department has purchased 230 of Taser’s non-lethal stun guns for this summer’s Republican National Convention. Minnesota Independent’s Molly Priesmeyer looks at More…
‘O’Reilly Factor’ Drops Botched Moyers Ambush
Many of you saw yesterday’s video, posted at our sister site the Minnesota Independent, of the verbal wrestling match that took place between Bill Moyers and a producer from Fox News’ "O’Reilly Factor" at last weekend’s media-reform conference More…
What You Didn’t Know About Pawlenty
In the GOP veepstakes, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is considered an almost universal contender for the short list. But what can he bring to John McCain’s presidential bid beyond some possible blue-state votes? As Andy Birkey reports at our sister site, More…
Re-birth of Minnesota Independent
TWI’s sister site in Minnesota has been reborn with a new look and a new name. On its first day in its new incarnation, the Minnesota Independent has the latest on Al Franken’s official anointment as More…
Denver Lags Behind St. Paul in Security Details
A security gap of sorts has emerged between the hosts of this summer’s dueling national political conventions, the Colorado Independent has found. City officials in St. Paul, site of September’s Republican convention, have released its plans for permitted parade routes, purchases of non-lethal weapons for use in crowd control, and More…
