Minnesota Report
June 14th marks the one year anniversary of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, husband Mark and their dog Gilbert’s assassinations at the hands of now, convicted assassin and Christian Nationalist Vance Boelter. Additionally, he shot state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette multiple times.
This tragedy highlights the current crisis in the state of our politics and is a result of the divisiveness of our political system which started initially with Richard M Nixon (R), was exasperated by US House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R), then was further fomented by the bigotry expressed in response to the election of Barack Obama (D) and ultimately expressed in both elections of Donald J Trump (R) as a malignancy to our Democracy and a direct affront to our Constitution.
The continual bevy of lies, misstatements, name calling and downright graft and corruption we see emanating for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is a constant and steady assault on our collective sensibilities and faith in our government.
Melissa was a refreshing breath of air in this toxic environment, and her untimely departure leaves many who knew her with a clear sense of loss and yearning for a return to later days.
She is missed and will be for many years to come, but her fingerprints have given back to Minnesota in the trees which are planted in her name and the service dogs, especially golden retrievers, who will be symbols of her impact on others.