Domestic Partners, the Debate and a Film Festival: Feedback Friday

Each week, Patch users contribute numerous insights, opinions and observations. The following is a collection of the most thoughtful, moving, controversial or just plain funny comments that appeared on Patch sites in Eden Prairie, Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Richfield, Shakopee, Plymouth, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Click on the headline to read the full story and join in the conversation.

(The comments below are not meant to reflect the opinions of Patch or its staff.)

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Who Won the Presidential Debate?: Twin Cities Patch Reacts

The two candidates for President of the United States addressed issues of foreign policy. Who presented his case better, President Barack Obama or challenger Mitt Romney? You tell us.

Scott Martinson may have most accurately answered the question "Who Won?"

I did. I didn't watch. According to my liberal FB friends, Obama won. According to my conservative FB friends, Romney won.

Obama & Romney Showdown: 2012 Presidential Debate Schedule

With President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney going toe-to-toe in the final debate of the election season Monday, many were predicted who would win and shared their thoughts on the candidates.

Millie said:

Obama is just a for show president. I just prayer that Romney wins so that we can get out of the wrost economic mess that this country has ever been in since the great depression. He became president when we hit rock bottom and mr Obama managed to find a new rock bottom. Now we have the wrost deficit in our history. It looks like Obama just wants to take us on the road to Greece or Spain. Please let's go back to being the best country in the world. I'm sure that Obama is a nice guy in his personal life, but he cannot lead a country. He's a prosecutor not a business man who knows how to bring jobs to our country and lead us in the world.

2012 Edina Film Festival Taking Place this Weekend

Local film aficionados are in for a treat this week, as the second annual Edina Film Festival runs Oct. 25-27 at 50th & France's historic Edina Cinema.

Coming off the success of 2011's maiden voyage, this year's Film Festival is a three-day event designed as a fundraiser for the Edina Art Center. John Swon, chair of the Art Center Board's Film Festival Committee, said this year's slate of films includes everything from powerful documentaries to snappy shorts to golden oldies.

"We were very fortunate to have such a variety of films showcasing local filmmakers, including students," Swon said.

Patch user Barbara La Valleur said she was looking forward to attending the second iteration of the Film Festival:

Really excited to attend the Edina Film Festival again. Congratulations to John Swon and the festival committee for all the work in bringing these films to our community.

Hopkins Domestic Partner Registry Rarely Used

Just four couples have used Hopkins’ domestic partner registry, a way for unmarried couples to certify their relationship with the city. Two of those couples were heterosexual, and two were homosexual.

Arturo Schultz said there’s a good reason why the response has been so low:

It's because nobody wants a Domestic Partner " Registry" .. We want Marriage, we don't want to joint the American Kennel Club.

Kirk Stensrud Issued 'Cease And Desist' Letters from Hennepin County And Eden Prairie

The city of Eden Prairie and Hennepin County sent letters to Minnesota House District 48A Rep. Kirk Stensrud after his campaign used the government entities' logos on a brochure for an event this month. There has been a spirited debate on Eden Prairie Patch about whether or not the event was a campaign event. The "Tommy" in the quote is Tommy Johnson, who posted a blog about the Stensrud incident.

David, one of Stensrud's supporters, said:

And Stensrud has released its letter in response showing the Hennepin Cty attorneys didn't bother to check the statute before issuing their letter. I wonder why they didn't do their due diligence which would have shown Tommy's assertion to be the false claim it is. Perhaps because Freeman is a bit partisan? "In response to your letter. . . the Senior Expos sponsored by Rep. Stensrud was a constituent services event, not a campaign event. ... As you may know, sixty days after the Minnesota Legislature adjourns sine die all expenses for constituent materials are treated as campaign expenditures by the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. See Minn Stat. 10A.01, subd. 26. For this reason, and out of an abundance of caution, the standard disclaimer was included on the expo brochure. Additionally, the use of the Hennepin County service mark was only for identification purposes for those attending the event." Thus putting the lie to Two Putt's claim it was a campaign event. No campaign laws were broken and a mea culpa has been given to the EP Council for our city's logo being on the brochure. If this is the best Tommy and the DFL have to distract voters from the tax and spend DFL Yvonne Selcer, then it's gonna be a tough November for them.

On Oct. 23, Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe and former Chief of Staff for Rep. Michele Bachmann exchanged barbs over the marriage amendment on Twitter.

Susan said the verbal fight didn't help to prove a point:

Kluwe has indeed been outspoken, but I wish he would realize that the bad language, although it will rile up those already opposed to the amendment, is not helping his/the case, it only gives ammunition to the opposition. Use your voice and position in a positive way and you will be taken more seriously - as it is now, he looks to be a representative of the opposition, and he makes us all look like ranting, foul-mouthed, hot heads. Logical and rational arguments are more likely to persuade than bad language and an aggressive attitude.

UPDATED: Fatal One Vehicle Crash on Highway 169 and County Road 21 in Shakopee

A 26-year-old Shakopee woman, died when she lost control of her car on the wet ramp and crashed into a tree. Later reports made the correction that the accident occurred on the eastbound Hwy. 101 ramp. The 4-year-old child passenger suffered minor injuries.

Travis offered his condolences and suggested that ramps need added safety measures:

I saw the Fire Trucks and Police out there today and said a Prayer, hoping everyone was O.K. There should be Guards Rails on those cloverleafs. Its very steep out there especially with winter coming on and possibility of Black Ice. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with the Family and Friends of Trachanda Hamilton at this sad and difficult time.

Another accident left two people dead in St. Michael over the weekend. Victims of the crash were identified by the Wright County Sheriff's Department on Monday. 

Kimberly offered her condolences to the victims, a man from Plymouth and a woman from Buffalo. 

Prayers to everyone involved!! what a tragic story!! Hold your loved ones extra tonight..and every night..you never know what tomorow may bring!