A new beginning for St. Joe’s?

I have a dream for a positive new beginning for St. Joe’s.

I am a psychologist who has been on staff at MHealth, Fairview Health, and Health East for many years. At one point I did psychological evaluations at St. Joe’s when they had a Child/Adolescent Mental Health unit. I continue on the professional staff and have seen the merger and hopes for the future.

Earlier this month I was asked to do a Diagnostic Assessment at “Higher Ground” in St. Paul (Catholic Charities). While I have been involved in this program for several years through Behavioral Health Home I had never been there. I met two social workers and a resident and realized first-hand how important these programs are for the people they serve.

I have a dream that James Hereford (CEO MHealth), the Honorable Melvin Carter (Mayor of St. Paul), and the Board of Catholic Charities could come together so that St. Joe’s could be given to Catholic Charities to develop an “Opportunity Center” for people to transform their lives. The hospital has beds; nursing stations (resource centers); cafeteria; and meeting rooms. It could have a medical clinic like Dorothy Day Center. It could have built-in social services and job training programs. It could become a hub for people to create a “New Beginning.”

I am not a program developer but a psychologist who grew up in St. Paul and wishes this resource could continue to have an Important future.

Jonathan Hoistad, St. Paul

Where’s the crime?

A commercial from decades past portrayed a crusty, older lady, looking at a competitor’s hamburger, and proclaiming: “Where’s the beef?” In fact Walter Mondale used this in a debate for president against his opponent.

Whether you like Donald Trump or not, the question you must ask yourself is: “Where’s the crime?” Impeachment is for high crimes and misdemeanors, meaning such crimes as treason, bribery (quid pro quo), or extortion. They didn’t have these, so they went for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, which are not crimes. The latter refers to use of executive privilege which is a safeguard built into the Constitution, in denying access to Congress or others. All presidents have used this at varying times. For example in the aftermath of Fast and Furious, Obama denied access to information for months and months. The remedy for Congress and the president being at loggerheads over whether a subpoena must be abided by, or not, is to turn to the judiciary for resolution. They chose not to do this, so how can they now claim abuse of power?

With respect to the former, one must assume that there was nothing in the transcript of the president’s conversation (which is available to all) to warrant a charge of bribery, or they would have done so. Whatever may have preceded the release of the money to Ukraine, it was in fact released without an investigation of the Bidens taking place: No quid pro quo. If you can pursue an impeachment despite that, then what about Obama refusing aid to Ukraine for three years, and then not giving them the weapons to resist Russia that Trump did? Or that video of Obama telling the Russian president to: “Tell Vladimir that after I’m re-elected, things will go easier between us.” Do we really want to be put through this every time a majority in Congress disagrees with or doesn’t like the president?

I get that you don’t like Trump and his policies, and think they are harmful, but is that a justifiable reason to impeach a sitting president? That’s why we have elections. Again I ask: “Where’s the crime?”

William Hess, Inver Grove

Tinted

Where are all the officers lately?

I see so many people on their phones texting and driving. It seems they are doing this more since the law passed.

Also isn’t there a law about really dark-tinted windows? Maybe they tint them so you can’t see their phones!

Kathy Saiko White Bear Lake