“Do you really think in 20 years somebody’s going to put on their backpack, drive a half-hour to the University of Minnesota from the suburbs, haul their keister across campus and sit and listen to some boring person drone on about Econ 101 or Spanish 101? Can’t I just pull that down from my iPhone or iPad wherever the heck I feel like it and from wherever I feel like, and instead of paying thousands of dollars can I pay $199 for i-College?”

—Gov. Tim Pawlenty

I listened to Pawlenty, along with many of you, back in June when Pawlenty shared this on the “The Daily Show.”

I’m hoping education across the board will change but I’m not sure how. Brian Fogarty mentions in the Sunday Star Tribune that he believes “a few students will still go to the elite schools — enjoying real interaction with real professors — while the rest are consigned to the discount bin.”

My hope is that Tom Horner will emerge.

In another direction The Austin Daily Herald did a 25-years-later commemorative edition of the Hormel strike. I remember driving between the strikers on one side of the road and replacement workers on the other side coming out of the gate. I’ll never forget that moment.

Paul, a friend I worked with then, went to see ‘American Dream’ something I will never forget.

Today we have a new picture. I remember my early days in the old plant. It was one of the first jobs I had after returning from Vietnam and some psych placements and sliding into depression. I remember nodding out one morning sitting in a chair and watching spam cans pass by, looking for damaged seals. Then there was the night I was called on to move some containers with a forklift I didn’t know how to operate. They had to call in the morning worker if I remember right. Larry Diggins helped pull me through. However my days were numbered then and I missed out on the strike.

Turning back to politics and elections, or “attacks,” wouldn��t it be nice if candidates shared what they intended to do as opposed to confronting one another on what they’re going to do.

Last Saturday I stopped by Grinders after conferring with Susan Stevenson at the Coffee House on Main regarding her recent stay with her parents who are moving on in years and still providing good joy. She also spent a fair share of her time there and appreciated the little children there with their families.

From there I walked to Grinder’s so Casey and I could have something for lunch while Jeanne was in St. Paul. There I was greeted by Betty Benner and Alice Tomaschko. They’ve been having Saturday lunches at Grinders’ Deli for more than 15 years. Betty said the menu and high quality of what’s served has not changed. A good place, she says, to “meet new friends and keep the old…one is silver and the other is gold.”

“The founding fathers were in complete agreement on very little, but they knew that a free and peaceful country required freedom of religion.” Mosques around the country are facing resistance similar to the opposition against a proposed Islamic center near ground zero in New York.

President Obama said: “This is America, and out commitment to religion freedoms must be unshakable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country and will not be treated differently by their government is essential to who we are.”

I found a book by Sasha Abramsky titled Inside Obama’s Brain. It was not written by or authorized by the president. Some quotes: “When things are very difficult, I stay steady. When things are really good, I stay steady.” “Most of my good friends are not in politics.” “I don’t oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war.” “We’ve been warned against offering … false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.” “We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”