NewsNight Minnesota; 4004; NewsNight Minnesota Episode from 09/05/1996; SD-Base

Tonight on NEWSNIGHT the reaction to the controversy surrounding Vikings coach Dennis Green a former state senator gets a federal sentence. And the Twin Cities gets ready for the second annual Black Film Festival. Those stories and more coming up on NEWSNIGHT Minnesota. Night's broadcast of NEWSNIGHT Minnesota is presented in part by Piper Jaffrey and its employees looking toward the future since 1895. Good evening NPR. The words are and welcome to NEWSNIGHT. We've got what shipping up to be a really good show tonight. We'll begin with Ken Stone in a summary of the day's news. Thanks Kathy it's a bad enough the Minnesota Vikings had a little fan support last week they were able to fill up the dome for the season opener. Now the head coach is having major problems are not on the field but off a report on KSTP TV last night accused Dennis Green of having an affair four years ago and later begging the woman to have an abortion after she became pregnant. It's been suggested that someone in the Viking organization helped pay the woman to keep quiet. At a hastily called news conference in Minneapolis this afternoon Greene called most of the claims false.

And he says he's now suing those involved to set the record straight. What we'll do is if we feel that we've given you a statement. We also feel that that at this time that has to be sufficient. We cannot take any more questions I wish we could. I really do I would love to talk about this. The statement clearly states our position and as soon as we can we will have more on this a bit later on in our program. Skip then is going to jail. Today he and two former members of the Leech Lake band were sentence for taking part in an insurance scam. The first Native American ever elected to the state Senate was given 57 months in jail three years probation a $100000 fine and ordered to serve 300 hours of community service on a reservation. Finn said that he was sorry he hurt the people of Leech Lake but he stopped way short of a confession. I'm not guilty of any crime. I may be guilty of transgressions of my lawyers responsibilities that I may be guilty as a judge and a kid of some ethical the obligations that I have violated.

But I did not commit any crimes and I would never and I repeat that I would never intentionally do something knowingly do something that would be harmful to Leech Lake or its people. Well I think what we heard in court today was a partial apology. He said he was sorry for the pain and anguish that he had brought to his family and to the band. And if he'd stopped there that would have been one thing but he went. Talk about how he did everything in good faith. He never misled anybody. And so this is clearly a very difficult day for a very intelligent man who's trying to come to grips with what he has done he isn't there yet. But we all hope that that happens. Finn says he will appeal his conviction. Prosecutors are going to ask that can pay restitution of one million dollars that they say he took in the insurance scam. As for the other two men sentenced former tribal chairman Alfred Tig Pemberton was given 33 months in jail plus two years probation and ordered to pay sixty six thousand dollars in restitution. Secretary Treasurer Daniel Brown was given one year of house arrest he'll have to wear an electronic ankle bracelet.

Now today's sentencing wasn't Porton and not just because Finn used to be a state senator but because of an ongoing power struggle on the Leech Lake reservation that power struggle could cost 900 Ciena workers their jobs a little bit of background. The reform minded chairman was recently elected but allies of the three men convicted are still in control of the Leech Lake Tribal Council. The chairman wants the council to resign and he apparently has the support of the majority of tribal members. So. The council asked federal regulators to examine the tribes casinos. The council hopes the regulators will close the casinos and the resulting financial squeeze will force the chairman and his supporters to back off on those regulators were at the casino today there's no word on what they've decided to do. Now despite all that U.S. Attorney David hog says today sends a message to all tribal governments but some of the leaks like members who attended today's sentencing aren't sure this verdict and the why the university as well and also the very significant sentence given to state senator Finn and to Chairman Pemberton today should be a

real strong incentive for tribes to clean up their government and open government and financial accountability that's the message of the sentence today that's not held nothing. No. Dan Brown still finds resolutions on our reservation a convicted felon he's still making resolutions on our reservation. You know nothing. It's worse. He will continue to go on and tell I don't know what people have a say in their own government. We get on saying our government then things will change or it is not by the five man r b c they've done us wrong they've done nothing but hurt our children. Yet the judge says he's going to order skip Finn to come work with our children. Well I hope it's not our reservation because I don't want him working with our children. He's not a role model for our children. Corruption thievery bribery. None of that is for our children. I hope he goes to a different reservation not back to leech like are any

Minnesota Chippewa Tribe reservation. Oh Milt take notice of what happened and be afraid to keep the dollar corruption they're going to stop they're going to be stopped. Only other tribes are taking arms. They're tired of it. It's been happening too long too many years. Finn will report to prison on October 3rd. Today in Duluth a number of community organizations met to plan a ceremony of healing to help the city deal with the violent murder of a 17 year old. Five men have been charged in the killing of John in tonnage. A complaint alleges that the man attacked in tonnage after he rear ended their car. The brutal nature of this third murder of the year has shaken the city of Duluth. Even folks in the city's homicide division say they've never encountered anything like it. And a news conference earlier this week Mary Gary Dodi appeared visibly shaken. We have a report on community reaction from reporter Kim Steiner from NBC station K.B. Jr.. This murder is unusually frightening because the victim and the

alleged murderers were strangers and met only by chance. All of the suspects have been apprehended. It does little to ease their fears. Duluth Mayor Gary Dodie says we shouldn't let this tragedy create another tragedy of mistrust in our community. He says we should not let this incident affect the way we treat our neighbors. But some citizens are now more concerned and more cautious and I think people just have to be careful and you can't trusts trust anybody anymore. So anyway I hope I hope the police deal with it and the justice system as well I hope they deal with it. I think in any city at everything. Anything can happen at any time. Just have to be careful. You have to be cautious when you're driving no matter where you are. It's a story and that's cool. Man you're bored through work. Then there are people all through that you do something to take advantage of you in any situation. Joe Kelly is with men as

peacemakers it's a dilute organization working on next week's healing event. Thanks for coming in. Welcome. Two or three murders a year are typical for Duluth and almost always there between people who know each other domestics that kind of thing. Tell me what one of these quote senseless acts of violence is doing to the community. I think it's generating a lot of fear as you saw in the piece there is a lot of grief. There's a lot of anger Unfortunately there's a lot of ugliness coming out of it to a lot of racist backlash because the five men who have been taken into custody are all Native Americans. And I think there's a lot of reaction from people broad brushing all Native Americans as being responsible for this murder when they're not. How do you deal with the racism issue if you don't talk about it. Certainly other people are. Well people are talking about it. And that's one of the things we're trying to do with the healing. Ceremony we're having next week it's an interfaith event. It's going to be held Tuesday night and a large number of people from the Native

American community have come together with people from the majority community to plan the service as a way of expressing our grief and our anger and our sadness but also as a way of moving beyond it in a constructive way to have healing and reconciliation within the community. I think part of part of what's happened with this reaction is it's exposed our vulnerability to violence into Luth people think of those as a violent community. But in some ways it is just like any community. You heard those people on the tape saying it can happen anywhere and I guess you know just our turn to happen here. And that's true and I think that one of the challenges we face as a community is to look at the root causes of violence and to look beyond this one tragic tragic senseless case and to look to where does that violence come from. I was struck by something that your group said and some written material saying that 20 years ago drunk driving wasn't considered a bad thing and society has changed on

that and you're hoping to do the same thing about violence once you talk about that a bit. Well because I think we have to get to a point where particularly men have to say that violence is no longer acceptable as a way to resolve conflict in our lives. There's just no excuse for it. The same way that we now say there's no excuse for driving when you're drunk. It's just not acceptable in our society anymore. Used to be. It's not anymore. I think we need to take more responsibility as men with dealing with that men commit most of the violence in our community. Women are doing most of the work to clean up the damage. It's time for us as men to take more responsibility that's what men as peacemakers is about. And it part of it is it's awareness within ourselves and it's also a community action. It's looking at our own attitudes and it's taking steps and that's the next time you get into a fender bender your first reaction isn't like a punch like that. Your first reaction might be to do that because that's what you know we've kind of been trained to do as guys. But the challenge for us is to look at that and think why do we have that reaction. Why is it

acceptable for us to kick our dog or slap our wife. All sorts of things and and that's going to be the challenge for our community is is to to to move to other ways of solving our conflicts. Good luck with that. Thanks for joining us. That's it for me Kathy take it away. All right thanks can. As Ken reported earlier Vikings coach Dennis Green held a news conference this afternoon to address allegations revealed in a report aired last night on KSTP TV in the Twin Cities. A lawsuit brought by Jane Doe against John Smith is no longer pending. That lawsuit involved two counts of breach of contract and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Miss Doe herself voluntarily dismissed her breach of contract claim and the other count was dismissed by the presiding judge. However my action is Jane Doe is still pending and I look forward to my day in court. Further my attorneys are

evaluating the possibility of seeking sanctions and pursuing claims against others for initiating what we believe was a frivolous lawsuit which has now been distorted by the media. I have been unfairly criticized by certain individuals who use excerpts contained in an untaught document which was mostly false and went well beyond the court rules. Indeed as noted previously the lawsuit against me has been dismissed. Not said. Joining us to discuss the green situation are Larry Fitzgerald who covers sports for the Minneapolis spokesman and the St. Paul recorder newspapers. And David Brower of KSTP AM radio. Well Larry what's the story here is if Denny Green did anything illegal. I think the media is making too much out of this. I think this is an ethical situation I think the KSTP went overboard.

We're getting close to the sweeps time and they saw an opportunity to try and initiate the pushing of Dennis Green off the ledge I think the media has gotten to an extent over the last four years with Dennis Green and the Vikings and Roger Hedrick where they have poisoned the waters of the 10000 lakes. And I believe that some of the fans have drank some of that poison and it's led to a scenario where KSTP feels like they can move. Number of people to an outraged state of mind where they can pushed in his green literally out as a head coach. Well when you say poison the waters here Larry what are you talking about sports columnists. I'm talking about columnists basically who don't have a relationship with Dennis Green and have not had one with him from day one. It started when Sid Hartman made a tremendous outburst that was embarrassing on day one of Dennis Green's hiring when he was introduced to the Twin Cities he did that because he was upset personally because his man didn't get the job. And I think from that point on his brother and in the media and the commissariat have taken initiative to

backs it up by attacking Dennis Green. Well David Broder what do you think of this. Well that's right. I think I think we're a little bit away from the rating period I don't speak for the TV side but there's no doubt that by running the story KSTP TV got a lot of viewers. I don't I don't want to get away from from one thing that Denny Green has a history in his actions of doing things that have caused his reputation in the community to be called into question sexual harassment allegations a couple of them and. I do I think that as much as as people in the media may not have a relationship with Denny Green I think in large part that has to do with any greens actions as well. This is not somebody who's cozied up the media not that he has to but he's not someone that lets a lot of people know him and when there are tough questions about Denny Green there tend to be the circle the wagon mentality I think most people remember the press conference from the bunker somewhere in Winter Park the videotape thing right where no reporters were around responding to the earlier claims of a Vikings employee who had been sexually harassed.

The fact that he won't go before the public answer the questions appear to be open appear to be honest and straightforward I think creates an impression that allows people to pile on. Now that said if KSTP is goal in this was to provoke public outrage I don't think they succeeded on my show this morning I asked people Do you think this is something Denny Green should be fired for should he lose his job. Are you outraged. No the response was Well I turned on the TV I want to know what was going on but once I heard about it I kind of went through and thought it was a private matter. Well do you think that in let's be honest here is there an element of racism involved here when it comes to some of the women and men in sports media towards Denny Green he's a black head football coach is that play into it Larry Fitzgerald the motive is there. I think that's part of it. He's one of only three and one of the three. You know basically came from him not Tony Dungy. And I was a dozen people who hopes that Tony Dungy didn't replace Dennis Green before he was hired by Tampa Bay but the problem there is a lot

of people felt like well if we replace Dunn as Green would Tony Dungy prove there were not races. Well to me that doesn't prove anything. I don't think so. I mean I think the Denny Tony Dungy thing I would offer up as being partial proof of that but the other thing I would say is I was thinking to myself today when one of your researchers asked me that question if some if a Viking football coach had gone over three in the playoffs which let's face it performance is a big factor here. If they had had two sexual harassment allegations if they had shown the kind of again resistance to being open and let's let's not forget Denny Green was the one that went into court to get the confidentiality order the now he says prevents him from talking about it and clearing his name. If a white coach had take had had all those things happen to him in 1906. I think the same sort of media swirl would be there. Maybe the only thing that I that I will offer up though is that it may be more difficult for a black head coach in this town to cozy up with a lot of white media figures and sort of help them maybe cover up for him as some white coaches I think have done in the past that is one thing I'm willing to I'm willing to grant.

This is your laughing Larry. Closing out like they were sucking up was the other way I guess a strong one here kind of more like broader question here should players and coaches be held to a different standard of behavior than the rest of us. I don't think so but I think society because of the billions of dollars that are generated in the sports industry and because the athletes and coaches are thrown at us literally and I'm speaking from a fan standpoint on television in commercials and that type of thing that that issue comes up. I don't think an athlete is any more of a role model than a teacher or an educator or parent but because of the fact that they happen to be ENDA limelight. You would think that is the case. Public figures are generally treated different in the court system there's different standards about how are you acting and we don't know KSTP TV didn't know when they started to report the story exactly what was in that lawsuit whether there was something involving a prominent organization in this town the Minnesota Vikings and their conduct which we still actually don't have proof about as to

whether they helped any greens you know Vikings should resign or should be fired. I think that if the Vikings hadn't fired him before for allegations involving their own employees that they should fire him now. Larry you know that assuming he's not going to be fired I don't think you should resign. I think you're going to see that in this means going to fight this to the end. All right gentlemen thank you very much. Thank you. Well Labor Day 1996 will be remembered for a number of reasons. The last weekend of summer. Al Gore's visit to the state fair and the final congressional citizens forum a forum sponsored by Katie CATV the Star Tribune and WCCO radio gave citizens of the state fair the chance to talk to the candidates for Congress in all eight districts. Tonight's installment features the candidates from southeastern Minnesota. The first congressional district. I guess my question would be sort of a bounce off of Governor Carlson support for his idea about school vouchers how do you feel about them and the national level. What

what can the national government do or should do in relative to. Options in education. There is no argument that I've ever heard against allowing poor children some form of scholarships and we had a very heated debate both on the Washington D.C. Oversight Subcommittee and in the Congress this year as to whether or not the federal government could not permit some some poor families the same kind of choices the wealthy families have in Washington D.C. And that is the option to choose private schools. And so we try to set up a scholarship program that would have given poor families about $3000 which they could have used to send their kids to private school. I'm a strong supporter of public education and I think that we built this nation with public education. It has given everybody in the nation you know a real strong chance to get started. And I think we have to focus our efforts on trying to help and improve public education. And there are certainly problems there there's no doubt with dealing with the deficit you want to cut in all

sorts of areas I understand that I do support that. But I'm wondering how would what kind of efforts would you support as far as giving more benefits or tax credits to families because yes we are getting some. But there are a lot of holes that we're not we're not meeting the needs. How would you address that if you were elected. You know some people are saying that this is a debate about how much we're going to spend on children or how much we're going to spend on education how much we're going to spend on nutrition. I would say this is not a debate about how much we're going to spend on any of those things. It's really a debate about who gets to do the spending. I know the federal government. I know the federal bureaucracy and I know the family and I know the difference. And I believe in the long run. Families will spend that money more efficiently in their communities in their neighborhoods. We will get stronger economic growth. And so I do support that the notion of reducing taxes on American families. I've taken a pledge no tax cuts until we balance the budget I think that we've got to be firm about that.

But I think there are ways that we can help working families either through you know there's this program that helps children in daycare that they have food subsidies that help the daycare mothers and helps keep the cost down for the working families. I think we have to emphasize education at every and every band. And for me education is one of the places you absolutely don't cut. What is your position regarding campaign reform campaign finance reform you have any clear thoughts on that. I think we should have campaign finance reform but I think it ought to be simple it ought to be understandable and frankly the big issue that a lot of people want that I simply do not support and that is I don't I do not believe in taxpayer funded congressional elections. Well if we could get public financing I think that would be the way to go. And the way we have it here in Minnesota where where you have the managing funds you write out your hundred dollars or your $50 per person and then you get it back from the state and then you have to put caps on how much you can spend. I think it's a good model and I'd like to see us try something like that at the federal level.

Watch for other citizens forum events in the weeks leading up to the election including a debate between the candidates for U.S. Senate. Oh sure. You know I mean just you know summer is to build a new window new life. We're happy to tell you we have a truly statewide arts event to share with you on this Thursday evening. If you're watching tonight means that you're not at the gala opening of the second annual Twin Cities Black Film Festival. The event includes more than two dozen screenings over a two week period including a children's film festival and a festival in the loop as well. Tonight's featured screening is the acclaimed Once upon a time when we were colored Here's a clip. Hanging out in the small towns of

America sucks in the years before the big city began the loop spankie to a people held tight away like the essential workers that get a pleasure thanks to you and for our time the quick test their courage. But he blew that and change their lives forever. Our get the more benefit from a highly acclaimed classic. Oh it's an intimate and he she the word might be best.

And we're happy to welcome Janice lane you were to a stepped away from tonight's gala to join us she's on the film festivals board of directors Janice welcome. Thank you for having me this is a pretty wide ranging event time certainly a senate saw the second annual event with over 33 films. And we're actually happy to say that the festival has grown to the point where now the organization has gone to a not for profit status and will be programming films throughout the year. Is it important to be in Duluth as well. I think so. This will be the first time that the festival will be interlude on the 10th and 11th. And there are a variety of films showing there as well so you can see them here or you can take a little side trip to the do it. What is different about African-American film. Well I think what we want to highlight in this particular case are the films are made by independent directors directors who are not often seen on the so-called big screens not part of the Hollywood hoopla. And they need to be seen because the distribution outlets are not

as massive or as well-known. These films range from directors from Australia Brazil Tunisia South Africa Canada as well as the United States. What's the gamut of film that would say oh you could say something for children on Saturday at the Minnesota Children's Museum a film such as dreadlocks and the girl and the three little bears. Or you could say something a little more serious like a man by the shore which is a recent release by Raoul Peck. It came out in New York about two months ago and had rave reviews in New York and this is the first time it will be seen in the Twin Cities. And you talked about nurturing independent filmmakers in the Twin Cities area Minnesota in general fairly nurturing place for black film Oh yes I think so some of the films that you see through this festival will be from black film directors. And I believe that the Twin Cities is growing in that area particularly with the film school at the U. And with the opportunity to have your film shown through this festival as well as

locations throughout the city. Now given those location there's three of the really nitty That's right tonight's opening it's at the Parkway theatre and will be there through Tuesday then to Duluth on Thursday opens at the Oak Park cinema. And there will be a Haitian night with a celebration and a procession will. Fabulous music and food. So you don't want to miss that. And then Saturday this Saturday at the Children's Museum and that starts at 12:00 p.m. all right to have a number for information. I certainly do that number's 8 2 5 1 4 8 6. Just have a great time. Thank you thank you. Well now finally tonight tomorrow's weather forecast expect some thunderstorms are going to be in the northern third of the state if you're anywhere else in this land of 10000 Lakes it will be partly to mostly sunny highs will range from the upper 70s up north to the upper 80s down cell and that's what we call a full show. Be sure to tune in for all men act tomorrow night at 7:00 and our politics public affairs an arugula and me two feet of it on.

NEWSNIGHT Minnesota he's made possible by the contributors to the power of two campaigns program fun with major brands from the blindman Foundation and the Knight Foundation. Tonight's broadcast of NEWSNIGHT Minnesota presented in part by Piper Jaffrey. It's employees looking toward the future. Since the plane landed. Art's reporting on NEWSNIGHT Minnesota has made possible with grants from the National Endowment for the arts and from Target stores they then moved to the Dayton Hudson Bondy.