It's 1984 in Minnesota

WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH

Those quotes are from George Orwell's 1984 and apparently, they're a source of inspiration for a Minnesota state representative.

The Minnesota House has voted to put on the ballot in 2012 a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

While gay marriage is already illegal in the state, apparently there's a fear that pesky judges or lawmakers might try to overturn the ban. So Minnesota needs an extra layer of "protection."

(Either that, or someone is hoping for a big turnout of conservative Republicans for the 2012 election. Nah, politicians couldn't be that cynical, could they? I mean, they wouldn't try to whip up irrational fear and hatred of a minority group just for votes, would they?)

I could not believe this quote from Rep. Steve Gottwalt, a St. Cloud Republican and the bill's sponsor:

"This is not about hatred. It is not about discrimination or intolerance," he said during Saturday's debate.

Well, you can frame it any way you want but that is exactly what the proposed amendment is about. Even if it's not what you intended, the measure will enshrine in the state Constitution discrimination against decent, hard-working, law-abiding, tax-paying Minnesota citizens who happen to be gay or lesbian.

Saying it's not about hatred or discrimination or intolerance doesn't make it so.

Don't take my word for it. Here are the more eloquent words of Republican Rep. John Kriesel, a veteran who lost his legs in the Iraq war:

"This amendment doesn't represent what I went to fight for. This doesn't represent that. Hear that out there?" he said, referring to the hundreds of protesters in the hallways of the Capitol, "That's the America I fought for, and I'm proud of that."

The Honeycrisps are here

There are two seasonal foods I look forward to every year: blueberries in the spring and Honeycrisp apples in the fall.

If you've never tried a Honeycrisp, please do your taste buds a favor and head to the nearest market as soon as possible. The harvest season is roughly from mid-September to mid-October and they don't seem to hang around for very long.

I'd never heard of the Honeycrisp until a couple of years ago, when I saw a big pile of them stacked up at Whole Foods, and figured I'd give them a try. Just the name: honey and crisp, sounded appealing.

It's been tough finding the perfect eating apple.

I'd had my fill of Galas and Pink Ladies and Braeburns and McIntoshes. Sometimes they were great, other times they were kind of soft and mushy tasting. A lot of apples raise expectations, only to dash them once you take a bite. (I'm talking about you, Red Delicious.)

But the Honeycrisp was different, right from the start. It was so tasty and absolutely true to its name - firm and crispy and crunchy and sweet and tart. Honestly, I don't think I've ever had a bad one. This is an amazing apple.

And who do I have to thank: researchers at the University of Minnesota. Another reason to love the Land of 10,000 Lakes! They developed the Honeycrisp by cross-pollinating two other varieties, the Macoun and the Honeygold. The new apple made its debut in 1991.

Horticulture Prof. Jim Luby says the Honeycrisp is "the best, most exciting apple we've ever introduced." I would have to agree.