All posts tagged: Chanida Phaengdara Potter

Report Card: Year Two of the Trump Administration

Shortly after the elections in November, 2016, Little Laos on the Prairie responded with an article assessing possible implications for the Lao community in the coming years ahead. On January 30th, 2018, President Trump delivered his first State of the Union address following a year that was filled with many challenges from all fronts. Expectations are understandably high, because 2018 is also the year for US midterm elections, which will be hotly contested. On the line are 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives and 33 of 100 seats in the United States Senate, in addition to 39 governorships among other key positions. Under a normal presidency, the President’s party, historically, loses majority control of Congress. This is not necessarily a given in 2018, but current polling suggests that Democrats may be on track to significant victories across the country in November. CNN has called Minnesota ground zero for the midterms, saying “The governor’s office, as many as five House seats and not one but two Senate seats are up for grabs.” And …

Staff Favorites: January 2018 – Childhood Heroes (non-relation)

For the new year, we’re starting something new here at Little Laos on the Prairie. Every month, the staff will unveil our favorites for that month’s theme. It gives us a serious chance to let loose a little–and it gives you the opportunity to get to know us a little better! Besides, does asking “What’s your favorite Lao dish” ever get old? We don’t think so because we never tire of hearing about food! This month, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. we asked our staff about a non-relative that made a profound difference in their childhood. Who were your heroes growing up, and why? –Saysomphorn Sisavatdy, ssisavatdy@gmail.com ~~ Donna Luangmany: As a child of the 90’s, I grew up with Lip Smackers, YTV (that’s a kid’s channel, for all you non-Canadians), and of course, pop music. The first album I ever owned belonged to the original queen of pop: Mariah Carey. I couldn’t get enough of “Daydream”. When I wasn’t listening to it, the album booklet was permanently in my hands. An avid reader from …