TRUMP vs SCOTLAND’S PRISTINE SEASCAPE

“The worst environmental crime in the United Kingdom’s history,” is how filmmaker Anthony Baxter described Donald Trump’s golf course development on Scotland’s pristine coastline, leveling 4,000 year old sand dunes and endangering wildlife and habitat. 

Trump’s Scottish campaign is detailed in Baxter’s award-winning documentary, “You’ve Been Trumped,” available on DVD.

Even American golfers, who are the target market for this venture, reacted negatively to the golf course which they said is “gaudy” and not in Scotland’s tradition where golfing started.

The farm of longtime Aberdeen, Scotland, resident Michael Forbes, who Trump said “lives like a pig,” was targeted by the billionaire for removal because, along with windmills, it “ruined the view from the golf course.”  

When Scotland’s Parliament refused to order the removal of the eco-friendly windmills, Trump scrubbed plans to build a hotel on the site.  Also, Trump canceled plans to seek compulsory orders to remove local residents from their properties.  Residents prevailed over Trump even though the golf course was built, but it was difficult because the ruling elites sided with Trump while local property owners suffered the turmoil caused by Trump’s ill conceived scheme. http://www.nationalreview.com/article/431694/donald-trump-global-bully

Historic St. Paul Tour 2016

HISTORIC SCHOOL

During a stop at St. Joseph School on Summit Hill, St. Paul, I met several fellow students in the U of M OLLI program who hail from Bloomington.  One lady was raised on the east side and moved to prestigious West Bloomington — the American dream fulfilled.  Another, like myself, was on staff at Normandale Community College for a short time and knew Dave Doctor of the music department (his son Pete is a famous Pixar film producer.)

ST. PAUL’S FAMOUS SWEENEY’S BAR

We stopped for cheese and crackers at this Victorian like setting.  Last time I was here in the 1980s this Selby Dale neighborhood was treacherous at night but now it is a magnet for young professionals.  TOP PHOTO

NOT OVERLOOKED AT THE PARK

In  the background at Overlook Park is the University Club in the 1920s which was a magnet for Scott and Zelda Fitzgrald. (Fitzgerald lived in house on left.)  It is at the top of a steep hill that hindered city development in the early days.  A streetcar tunnel solved the problem.  The tour on Friday was through the U of M OLLI program and the Minnesota History Center with an informative tour guide.