Minnesota Independent

Lynne Torgerson to again challenge ‘radical Islamist’ Keith Ellison

By Andy Birkey | 06.24.11 | 11:00 am

Lynne Torgerson announced on Thursday that she intends to challenge Rep. Keith Ellison for Congress in 2012 and noted that she based her decision on Ellison’s Muslim faith. Torgerson became a lightning rod in the 2010 campaign cycle for her controversial statements about Islam. Calling Ellison a “radical Islamist” yesterday, she announced her intention to run for the seat on Tea Party Nation.

Bradlee Dean giving the May 20 invocation in the Minnesota House

Upset by Ellison’s criticisms, Bradlee Dean says Muslim Democrat wants to overthrow Constitution

By Andy Birkey | 06.06.11 | 9:07 am

Bradlee Dean of You Can Run But You Cannot Hide ministries lashed out at Rep. Keith Ellison on his Sons of Liberty radio program on Saturday after Ellison called Dean “extreme” in an interview two weeks ago. Dean claimed that sodomy is illegal, that Ellison wants to overthrow the U.S. Constitution, and that the Fifth District Democrat disrespected America when he took the oath of office on Thomas Jefferson’s Koran. Criticism against Dean has mounted in recent weeks after he was invited by Republicans to give the opening prayer in the Minnesota House and took a swipe at Obama.

Ellison, McCollum express concern about expansion of Keystone pipeline

By Paul Schmelzer | 06.02.11 | 12:01 pm

Minnesota Reps. Keith Ellison and Betty McCollum are among 34 Democrats expressing concern over an expansion to the Keystone pipeline, a 1,700-mile pipeline that’d carry some 700,000 barrels of oil extracted from Canadian tar sands from Alberta to Texas each day. In a letter to Environmental Protection Agency head Lisa Jackson and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the legislators asked for a meeting with State Department officials over concerns with the environmental impact of the line.

City officials say 100 homes and countless trees were damaged by the tornado. Photo: Amanda Hankerson

Politicians, community respond to Twin Cities tornado damage

By Andy Birkey | 05.24.11 | 1:18 pm

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Keith Ellison toured parts of North Minneapolis and Fridley on Monday following a tornado that ripped through the area leaving two dead and two dozen injured. Minnesota’s elected officials have offered their support in the wake of the disaster, and community organizations have outlined ways that Minnesotans can help those affected.

Rep. Michele Bachmann. Photo: Photo: Gage Skidmore

Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain to attend Ralph Reed conference

By Ashley Lopez | 05.03.11 | 1:09 pm

Rep. Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain have confirmed — Cain only yesterday — that they will be attending Ralph Reed’s Faith and Freedom conference in June. The conservative conference is held every year in Washington, D.C.

Ellison, Muslim community applaud elimination of bin Laden

By Paul Schmelzer | 05.02.11 | 2:40 pm

Calling Osama bin Laden a “truly evil man,” Rep. Keith Ellison commended the U.S. military, American intelligence officers and President Obama for the raid yesterday that killed the al Qaeda leader. Meanwhile, Muslim groups locally and nationally also applauded the military raid.

Minnesotans react to bin Laden death

By Paul Schmelzer | 05.02.11 | 9:48 am

Minnesota’s congressional delegation, as well as its likely presidential candidates, responded to last night’s news that al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has been killed in an American surgical raid near Islamabad. Reactions ranged from thanks to the military and calls for continued vigilance against the terrorist threat to rare kudos for President Obama from former Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Ellison visits Turkey, Saudi Arabia on trade mission

By Andy Birkey | 04.25.11 | 12:57 pm

Rep. Keith Ellison was in Turkey and Saudi Arabia over the last week with a delegation of business leaders, including the head of the Minnesota Trade Office. Ellison praised Turkey as a Muslim country that has a successful democracy, and he also said business relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia continue to improve.

Hannity and Ellison tussle over Fox’s portrayal of Muslims

By Andy Birkey | 04.21.11 | 12:16 pm

Conservative Fox News commentator Sean Hannity went after Rep. Keith Ellison in an interview Wednesday evening, criticizing the Minnesota congressman for saying Fox News has contributed to the scapegoating of Muslims. “I don’t apologize for it,” Ellison said. “If you are telling me you are going to be more even-handed on issues of religious tolerance, that’s a good step, and I thought that by inviting me here, I thought that’s what you were trying to do.”

Is being called a socialist an insult?

By Andy Birkey | 04.18.11 | 8:10 am

Democratic members of Congress balked at being called socialists during a debate on Friday over the Republicans’ proposed budget and the Progressive Caucus’ proposed budget. Republican Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama accused the progressives in Congress of being socialists who are putting America “at risk.” Rep. Keith Ellison asked that Brooks retract the word “socialist” from his remarks.