Monthly memorial to replace individual soldier funeral

Fort Lewis was my favorite duty assignment of all. Not only did I serve in a great unit, the 1st Battalion 23rd Infantry "Tomahawks", but I enjoyed the mild winters and summers, as well as the scenery of Mt St Helens, Puget Sound and other west coast treasures.

Policy change happens in the Army quite often. Good or bad, we dealt with it.

However, recent changes to funeral policy are absolutely horrendous and need to be dealt with swiftly.

Soldiers from Fort Lewis are dying in such high numbers that the post is unable to perform individual ceremonies.

From the Post Commander

“As much as we would like to think otherwise, I am afraid that with the number
of soldiers we now have in harm’s way, our losses will preclude us from
continuing to do individual memorial ceremonies,”

Wow!

I understand that the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood has adopted this policy as well.

Is this the military's version of McDonaldization? Providing a cookie cutter, carbon copy, one stop shop, funeral service for all?

Let's remember that we still don't see the flag draped coffins of our fallen heroes either.

Have we become so numb to this war that a monthly memorial suffices as our way of honoring our fallen?

Military funeral duty was the hardest duty I ever had. As a platoon sergeant, I led a funeral team from my platoon that would travel the region and perform military honors. Whether it was a World War II Vet, Vietnam, Active Duty soldier, the standard was high and the experience was powerful.

We had two groups. The actual funeral detail and the firing squad. The firing squad was off in the distance with one of my team leaders while I was with the funeral detail.

The soldiers on the detail folded the flag with flawless precision every time.

The 21 gun salute that was absolutely crisp, and despite the fact that I would provide the team with a covert signal to perform this right of passage, it always shook me when they fired.

I'll never forget taking that folded flag, with three spent casings in it, kneeling over to a widow, presenting the flag to them, "On behalf of a grateful nation..."

These ceremonies are powerfully personal.

To think that leaders back on my old post are now holding memorial ceremonies in much the same way I received Army Commendation Medals sickens me.

Anti Coleman radio ads on WCCO

Anyone catch these at 1pm? I heard it once on WCCO just after the news but did not catch which group is doing it.

It's not a Vote Vets ad either but equally as powerful. I'll post more when I find who is sponsoring them...unless MN Blue beats me to it!

A soldier speaks out

This kid is going to get an Article 15 for sure...but unfortunately, President Bush will simply play lip service or straight out ignore this young soldier!

Why are we here when this country still to date does not want us here? Why does our president’s personal agenda consume him so much, that he can not pay attention to what is really going on here?

Dissention within the ranks is growing, faster and faster. Soldiers are blogging and writing about their frustrations in Iraq. They provide powerful testimony about the quagmire in Iraq and the lack of any coherent strategy from our military leaders.

No wonder the military elites have worked to silence these hero's. They provide an accurate first person account of what exactly is going on in Iraq. This recent post by Alex provides greater perspective on the clusterfuck in Iraq.

Recently, a general finally manned up and said we need reinforcements in Diyala. There simply aren’t enough guys to control it. Until now, it has been under Mussolini scrutiny. In Fascist Italy, it was said the trains always ran on time, even when they didn’t. Reports sent up here have said what a great job we’re doing and that our manpower was enough to overtake Baqubah. Those reports cost my friends their lives. The day Chevy died, there were Bradleys in front of him. They waited patiently for a Stryker to pass over triple stacked anti-tank mines to see what it would do to a Stryker. The most sophisticated Army in the history of the planet is getting torn up by fifty cents worth of wire and explosives made in a bathtub. We’re expected to intimidate a group of people who are begging to die as martyrs with laser guided bombs and low flying jets. If you shake a fist at a beehive, they’ll sting you regardless.

Yesterday while I watched over the same street where seven men lost their lives, a kid that lived in the house asked me, “Why you come Iraq?” I told him, because they told me to. I didn’t try to explain I was sent by a group of men who didn’t know what it was like to be stung. But we wouldn't go looking for the hive, in a perfect world.

It's nice to see the military regulated like Nortwest Airlines. You know what I'm talking about...airlines are on time if the door is closed for departure, even if you sit 45 minutes on the runway or at the gate. Reports are exaggerated to keep the Generals happy and to make Major's into Lt. Colonels and so on and so forth.

I am proud that these young soldiers are sticking their collective necks out and getting this information to the American public. In light of the Gonzales scandal, Iraq and other Bush Administration mistakes, I'm happy to see the truth out there somewhere, even if we have to dig a bit for it.

Memorial Day 2007

More than 1000 US Soliders have been killed since the last Memorial Day gatherings across the United States. Unfortunately, it appears that we will be holding Memorial Day gatherings over the next few years with soldiers still deployed in Iraq.

At 8am yesterday, Memorial Day festivities kicked off in Cokato with a 21 gun salute of the fallen. By 10am parade units were lined up and ready to go!

While short, the Memorial Day parade in Cokato was well attended. Despite great Veterans centered events all across Greater Minnesota yesterday, I was pre-occupied with thoughts of a story I first read at deadissue.

And after we got here, they told us this time it would be 15 months. Subject to extensions, as well. My contract of enlistment expires in July. This July. I'm being stop-lossed for over a year because the Army is so desparate for soldiers.

This kid is going to get stop lossed for more than a year? I cannot fathom that. My first team leader in the Army, SGT Ward, was the victim of stop loss as well. While he was professional, you could tell he really did not want to be there. Stop lossing soldiers for short deployments is not a good idea. Keeping them for more than a year after their contracts expire is cruel...and status quo for the Bush Administration.

GOP Transportation Bill spin

Transportation issues were at the forefront of the 2006 election cycle. Some estimates had Minnesota more than $30 billion behind in Transportation funding to build, maintain, and repair Minnesota's transportation infrastructure.

The transportation nightmare is evident everyday in the Metro area and growing in Greater Minnesota. Two days ago I was privileged enough to have a 90 minute trek from Maple Lake to St Michael and a three hour tour to St Paul.

While we all understand the importance of providing adequate funds for our states trunk highways, our county and municipal roadways are equally as important. These smaller roads are the ones that link us to our food, fiber, and fuel.

My State Rep, Dean Urdahl, has an explanation for his transportation flip flop in the Annandale Advocate.

Urdahl admits that Governor Pawlenty's proposal shortchanged Greater Minnesota's transportation needs. Therefore, in order to send a message to the Governor, Urdahl voted for the transportation bill.

Six days later, after meeting with the Governor, Urdahl flip flopped on the issue and as we all know, sided with House Republicans in sustaining Governor Pawlenty's veto.

Governor Pawlenty released his budget proposal on January 22nd, 2007. According to Rep Urdahl's letter, he met with the Governor with 6 days before the end of the session to discuss the transportation plight in Greater Minnesota.

Take are give a day, it took Rep Urdahl 115 days ($8,855 in per diem) to express his concern about the lack of funding for Greater Minnesota transportation issues?

Did he approach House Minority Leadership with his concerns in a timely manner?

In the end, the Omnibus Transportation bill failed to override the veto and the "lights on" bill passed.

While the "lights on" bill provides significant funding, it falls significantly short of what Urdahl originally voted for.

The "lights on" bill will provide $270 million less for our states trunk highway system than the bill Urdahl originally supported.

It will provide $162 million less for County State Aid for roads like County Road 6 from Howard Lake to Annandale.

It will provide $35 million less for Municipal State Aid, for roads like Wright County 125 near Cokato.

Transportation issues plague local governments, Urdahl knows this.

Despite that, Rep Dean Urdahl played politics with his vote to support the Governor's veto.

He says his vote sent a message to the Governor.

His vote also sent a message to Greater Minnesota and his constituents.

For 115 days, Rep Urdahl was silent.

He then chose to put politics before the people.

Who does Urdahl serve?

I found the end of Urdahl's letter to be interesting...

Dean Urdahl, R-Grove City, serves House District 18B, which includes most
of the Annandale-South Haven area.

Wow...I would have thought Urdahl served Governor Pawlenty and Minority Leader Seifert...

I'll be scouring the district newspapers for Urdahl's excuse and for a readers reaction.

Urdahl: "Vote Sends a Message"

I should be asleep right now but when I got home I just had to look at a hard copy of the Annandale Advocate.

I read a letter from Dean Urdahl...which leads to our newest edition of "Are you smarter than a 5th Grader...the Dean Urdahl file."

my goal for transportation legislation has been to put money into local
governments in order to fund important road, bridge and transit projects without
raising any kind of taxes.

The first Urdahl flip flop, as he stated in the Association of Minnesota Counties forum in Litchfield that he would support a gas tax increase in order to help pay for roads.

Rep Urdahl had a choice to make and his letter lays it out rather clearly.

The latest version of the Omnibus Transportation bill passed off the floor with
a 5-cent gas tax increase, $1.5 billion in bonding, a wheelage tax, a tab tax, a
motor vehicle lease sales tax, an increased fee for rental cars, driver's
license and plate fee increases and a sales tax increase. Gov. Pawlenty has
repeatedly confirmed that he would veto legislation with any amount of gas tax
increase.

When proportioned out according to the Minnesota Constitution, several million dollars would pour into the House District.

Pawlenty's proposal, on the other hand, offered no bonding money for
Meeker, McLeod, Wright or most counties in Minnesota. With deteriorating roads
and a flat transportation funding rate since 2001, Minnesota's need for
increased transportation funding is serious.

The Governor screwed over Greater Minnesota again in his budget. Despite this fact, the Governor carried these areas by a significant margin as well.

Urdahl had a choice. Support an initiative that could pour millions of dollars into the district for transportation funding or support the Governor who was not supporting his constituents who voted for both of them, in Greater Minnesota.

Tough choice...I know...

My recent vote to support the transportation conference committee report
was cast to make a point to the governor. We must form a plan that addresses
Minnesota's growing need for transportation funding to counties, cities and
townships. With six days left, I have met with the governor's office to discuss
a new transportation bill that reflects the needs of the state and our local
community, without burdening citizens with a multitude of tax increases.

In regard to a veto-override, in the end, my vote will support the governor
and uphold his veto.

His vote to support the transportation bill was "a message" to the Governor? I have known Rep Urdahl for a few years now and for the most part, have found him to be a pretty reasonable guy.

Unfortunately, Rep Urdahl has fallen prey to the tactic of some lifelong politicians.

He put politics before the people.

Now it's time to send Rep Urdahl a message about his vote against transportation.

I know I will actively support Urdahl's opponent in 2008...whoever that may be!

The Ortman mess!

I saw the story in the Strib this weekend and meant to write about it...glad lloydletta got some good stuff out there on this!

I was reminded of this scandal today by the LTE in the Strib.

We all understand that the Minnesota Legislature is intended to be a "citizen Legislature". It's meant to be a part time job. We get it...

What part time job do you have where you get $31,000 a year and $96 a day for food and other expenses, on top of a generous housing expense, paid year round?

Call me a working class Minnesotan from Wright County, but that sounds like a pretty decent full time job out here!

Unfortunately, the LTE writers do not answer the questions raised from the original Strib story.

Ortman was paid by Hennepin County as working on county business from 8 until 10 a.m., while state records show her answering a roll call for the start of the
day's Senate session in St. Paul at 9:20 a.m.

Why was Ortman double dipping? She was being paid by the County at the same time she was at the Legislature.

The timesheets are also disturbing for me.

An initial set of timesheets provided to the Star Tribune by Hennepin County
reflected four additional occasions when Ortman was working for the county and
on legislative business at the same time. But after turning over the timesheets,
Hennepin County amended Ortman's schedule for seven days and provided a new set of timesheets to the newspaper. In explaining the change, the Sheriff's Office
said that Ortman had not been trained on the department's time recording
software at the time, and another employee had recorded her hours incorrectly.

Talking to others that utilize similar time recording software, employee's log in using their employee name and a password. They also confirm that they are punching in and out.

A State Senator that is voting on billions of dollars in budget items is not capable of punching in and out of the Hennepin County time card system?

Are you serious?

Hats off to llyodletta for keeping this story in the public eye!

Good rant!

Check out what our friend Christopher Truscott has to say over at Minnesota Campaign Report!

Urdahl puts politics before the people

Rep Dean Urdahl voted for the Omnibus Transportation Bill before he voted against it.

Constitutionally, the proceeds from the gas tax go directly into our states roads.

The net proceeds of the taxes shall be apportioned: 62 percent to the trunk highway fund; 29 percent to the county state-aid highway fund; nine percent to the municipal state-aid street fund.

That's billions of dollars that could have gone to roads that run across SD 18, like Highway's 55, 24, 22 and 15. Anyone who has driven these roads knows the disrepair many of these major roads have fallen in.

Take a ride down County Road 5 between Annandale and Cokato. You'll see the same problems.

Yesterday I spent more than 4 hours in Twin Cities traffic. An hour and a half from Maple Lake to St Michael!

Urdahl claims to understand that transportation is a significant issue for HD 18B. If that is truly the case, he would not play politics with transportation funding.

He voted for the bill on May 14th because it was a good bill. It would raise taxes, but it would benefit the whole greater than the individual sacrifice, a sign of good legislation.

It was only after a meeting with Governor Pawlenty, and surely some stern discussions with Minority Leader Seifert, that Urdahl folded.

Governor Pawlenty did not elect Dean Urdahl.

Marty Seifert did not elect Dean Urdahl.

The people of HD 18B elected Dean Urdahl and must hold him accountable for putting politics before the people.

So that's how sausage is made!

I've absorbed a lot of the information coming from last nights climatic close to the Legislative Session down in St Paul.

I can't even find the words to express my utter disappointment in what went down in St Paul last night.

Hats off the the Republicans in the Minnesota House. We witnessed a Minnesota Legislative version of Survivor over the past several months and Marty Seifert, Tom Emmer, and the extreme right of the Minnesota House walked away the winners.

They "Out Played, Out Lived, and Out Lasted" the DFL in the House.

DJ at "I Don't Hate America" live blogged the last several hours of both the House and Senate sessions.

It's a great play by play account of the chaos in the House. This was one of the more disturbing entries.

10:50 p.m. Shit is hitting the fan. Speaker Kelliher said that with 84 ayes on
the motion to call the question that it passed. Several members yelled point of
order (as I believe it needs 2/3rds, but I know nothing about Mason’s Manual),
and she ignored it and ordered the clerk to take the roll. The bill was just
totally shoved down the house’s throat by Sertich and Kelliher. It passed 97-37.
I’m not too happy that democracy was stifled by the party I support. Seifert
moved that the bill be reconsidered and it passed. Wow. More to come.

I saw the photos of Rep Paul Kohls with tape over his mouth. Is this really how the public's business is handled? In such an inept way.


The quote by Otto von Bismarck comes to mind.


"Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made. "

Months of legislative work, after months of campaigning, come down to a few leaders on both sides of the aisle chatting over coffee in the Governor's office.


No wonder I don't really like hot dogs!

5-6 elected leaders knew the parameters of this deals made in secret. The deals made by these leaders morph into 500 page bills that are presented in the final 7 hours of session?

It will be interesting to see how this impacts the 2008 elections. Republicans have done a much better job of spin in the media. At every turn, Democrats have had to justify everything, and the leadership has done a poor job of justifying the Democratic agenda.

Seifert and the GOP House Caucus outplayed the Sertich led DFL Caucus. It's clear that many of the issues that were important to people in Greater Minnesota will still be an issue in 2008.

Transportation funding will need some significant progress.
Access to affordable and quality health care for all Minnesotans.
Property tax reform is needed.
K-12 funding reform, the need to address disparities between Greater Minnesota and the urban areas.

It's clear that House leadership simply wanted to avoid a special session. The commentary by DJ at IDHA about Speaker Kelliher's demeanor as the close of session grew closer leads me to that conclusion.

Check out the AP's version of events at the capitol.

As the time window shrank, Kelliher grew increasingly forceful while the
House descended into confusion. There was virtually no time for debate on the
weighty tax bill, causing a chorus of Republican objections and procedural
motions that culminated when Kelliher was forced to proclaim from her rostrum
that her predecessor, former Republican Speaker Steve Sviggum, was out of order
as he complained about the process.

"That was a personally difficult moment for me, gaveling down a former
speaker," Kelliher said.

Several Republicans were still standing and demanding to be
recognized when Kelliher gaveled the session to a close right as the clock
struck midnight. "Welcome to Russia," Republican Rep. Kurt Zellers shouted a
minute later.

We had an opportunity to show conservatives in Greater Minnesota that the politics of the DFL are the politics of the people of this state.

They failed.

They had an opportunity to stand up to Governor Pawlenty and simply chickened out.

Last week I scolded my State Rep, Dean Urdahl for putting politics before people. I stand behind that tongue lashing and issue one for the Democrats who simply folded under the pressure.

Putting politics before people always results in failure.

Minnesota Family Council: Last minute robo calling

Early this morning, at 8:59 according to my caller ID actually, I received a phone call from 712-872-3171. It was a robo call from the Minnesota Family Council urging us to call Governor Pawlenty and support him vetoing "Comprehensive Sex Education" and that it's against our strong Minnesota Family Values.

Why am I getting robo calls from Iowa for legislation in Minnesota? I tried calling the number back but was met with a message stating "this phone number does not accept calls from your area".

Gotta love a group espousing "Minnesota Values" that outsourced its phone calling to Iowa.

Wake Up Wright County: Post Game!

Well over a hundred progressive Democrats met for a buffet breakfast at the Monticello VFW today in the first Wake Up Wright County event.

I must say, the bacon was pretty good.

Al Franken was the show today! I found his mix of humor and policy to be refreshing. As a Veteran, I appreciate Franken's work on USO tours. Since 1999 Franken has been on 9 USO tours. He was quick to point out that these tours are not simply a fly in and fly out kind of gig. He would go to Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan for weeks at a time, talking to the troops.

Senator Coleman goes on the "dog and pony shows" to Iraq. On the 2007 Armed Forces Day, Franken made it crystal clear for those that do not know Coleman's record on Veterans issues...

The Senator sucks on Veterans issues. He earned a D from IAVA and a low rating of 40 by the Disabled American Veterans group.

And Coleman had the audacity to attack Senator Wellstone on Veterans issues.

Which brings me to another excellent point, that Bluewoman pointed out to me as we were drving back from the event.

Franken never mentioned Wellstone until the Q&A session where he received a question about the Iraq War.

I found that to be interesting. He's a guy who is passionate about restoring honor to "Wellstone's seat". Yet, he is working hard to create his own niche in politics. Bluewoman is right...and I liked that aspect of the speech.

It seems it took Franken a bit longer to create his 48 state map today. I had heard through the grapevine that he could do it in under 3 minutes. Lots of heckling going on though...

"Iowa's too big"

"Texas is too big"

It was an excellent map and brought Wright County Democrats nearly $200 in the auction.

Franken did well today. I can't wait to see Mike Ciresi out here as well.

I was also able to talk to Bob Hill today, the only announced candidate versus Congresswoman Bachmann. I did not know a lot about Mr Hill until today and I did walk away impressed. He has a firm handle on the issues that matter most to those of us in Greater Minnesota, is well spoken, and has energy. I could feel the passion coming from him and walked away very impressed.

Otherwise, it was a great day in Monticello for Democrats. The Wright County Convention went very well, we have new officers for the coming 2 years, including myself as the County secretary.

I'm excited to work with the Democrats in 19 to help organize Delano, Buffalo, Monticello, Rockford and other towns to fire Tom Emmer, Bruce Anderson, Amy Koch, Dean Urdahl, and others.

BTW, anyone wanna bet Senator Coleman has no idea what a DFAC is?

Dean Barkley for Congress?

Word on the street is that Dean Barkley may be running for Congress in the 6th, against Bachmann.

There was some speculation that Mr. Barkley may try and run as a Democrat. His electoral history places him in some pretty interesting company as an Independent.

1996 he was an Independent for US Senate in the race of Wellstone versus Boschwitz.

1994 he ran as an Independent for US Senate in the race with Rod Grams and Ann Wynia.

1992 he ran for Congress as an Independent in the old 6th CD, with Rod Grams and Gary Sikorski.

It could be very difficult for Barkley to secure an endorsement in the 6th, no matter who the candidates are. Entrenched DFL delegates would be very unlikely to endorse someone who has an electoral history as an Independent and will be perceived as a spoiler in a few elections.

Some delegates will perceive it to be that simple. Truth be told, it's much more complicated than that.

He's an Annandale guy so that sits well with me.

Ok, seriously though. He's been through this a few times before. He knows the complexities of running a campaign such as this.

Money won't be a big issue in this race. It's there. People want Bachmann beat.

It's going to boil down to message and the organization of the grassroots efforts.

Dean Barkley for US Congress. Hmmm. He kind of sounds like an Elwyn Tinklenberg kind of guy for this race.

I have a few more names that have been floated out there for the 6th as well. I will be trying to put together a more detailed analysis of stregnths, weaknesses and such at a later time.

Just got this info over lunch and wanted to get it out there to see what people thought!

"Support our Troops": Veto any bill impacting them

Governor Pawlenty is playing the young padawan learner (which would explain the mullet a few years ago) to President Bush with the recent veto craze.

T-Paw vetoed the State Government Finance bill, and cited a measure to help soldiers deployed obtain absentee ballots as one reason for his veto.

In the Higher Education Bill, a Minnesota GI Bill plan emerged that would provide a Minnesota Veteran attending school in Minnesota, with up to $1000 per semester to defray the high costs of higher education in Minnesota. This will most likely be in any end of session compromise bill, but you never know.

And now to Pawlenty's dark master Bush (used to be Swiggum).

Think Progress reports that President Bush may veto a military spending package that includes a 3.5% pay increase, an increase in compensation to widows and the soldiers families who are killed, and price controls for prescription drugs under TRICARE.

A 3.5% pay increase vetoed?

Compensation for families vetoed?

WTF?

It's ok for tax cuts for the wealthiest American's but for a Staff Sergeant leading a squad of 11 Infantry soldiers in Iraq, a pay increase from $31,000 to $32,085 is "unnecessary"?

It's still less than the bonuses the VA paid workers! Our friends at A Bluestem Prairie have been relentless on the issue.

I am so tired of watching Chickenhawk Republicans play politics with our soldiers and Veterans. Pawlenty and Bush both love the staged military photo op!

The House passed the bill 397-27. Congresswoman Bachmann voted...Yes? I had to double check to make sure it was not a mistake, but apparently, Congresswoman Bachmann supported the bill.

How will she vote if the House pushes to override a Presidential veto? That will be interesting to follow.

Will Urdahl flip flop?

The Transportation Bill passed both chambers, conference committee's and back to the chambers, where Democrats in the House secured a "veto proof" vote. Veto proof if those who voted for it, stay that way.

I was not surprised to see Rep. Dean Urdahl vote for the bill. He talked about the importance of funding transportation and at one point, was open to a gas tax increase.

At candidate forums across the district, he spoke of the dire need to address transportation issues in Greater Minnesota.

He voted for the 5 cent gas tax increase.

According to the West Central Tribune, Rep Urdahl appears to be backpedaling a bit on his gas tax stance.

Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Grove City, said it was unlikely he would support an
override.

And here we go.

Rep Urdahl is putting politics before people.

I wonder if this was before or after he was summoned to the Governor's office?

This vote pisses me off. I think Dean is a genuinely good guy. I have lobbied him on many issues over the years and have felt he has had the best interests of the people at heart when voting on these issues.

Perhaps multiple terms in the Minnesota House and being in the minority party have changed him.

Minnesota Matters host Mark Heaney spent considerable time last night urging listeners to call into Rep Urdahl's office and leave messages, urging Urdahl to "grow as spine" and support an override.

I tried to call into the radio show but never made it on the air! We'll keep trying though!

Many call our area a conservative area. While I agree that a conservative ideology is dominant, especially on the A side of SD 18, people also want leaders who are principled and genuine.

We seek leaders who make a well reasoned decision.

We support leaders who make that decision and hold to it.

To vote for a gas tax increase via the Transportation Bill and then come out and say that you do not support overriding the Governor's veto shows a strong lack of character.

Paul Wellstone once said, "If we don't stand up and fight for what we believe in, at some point, we must recognize that we really don't believe in it."

Rep Urdahl voted for the gas tax increase.

Will he show character and support an override of the Governor's veto?

Will he fold like a spineless, two faced jellyfish?

Will he put people before politics?

Democracy at Work

I don't recall if I have promoted this blog as of yet, so...

Larry Schumacher, political reporter for the SC Times, has a blog that follows the issues I try to follow, in much less partisan manner.

It's always nice to read the work of those "in the trenches"!

Check out Democracy at Work!

Here is a recent "gem".

Mark Olson is always good for a comment!

"I haven't even studied this extensively. I just became curious about it. And I
have received good evidence that it is false ... The national media is known for
wanting to tear down this country. They're known for wanting worldwide
redistribution of wealth. They're known for wanting a global government. In
general, not all of them. They're known for having an agenda."

Will Olson still be around for the 2008 session? I would have guessed he would have been expelled by now. However I also did not expect so many delays in the legal process.

3rd Vote Vets ad

We'll see Norm Coleman's version here as well!

16 years later...Veterans exposed to sarin gas

This comes out about our Veterans who were exposed to sarin gas during the first Gulf War.

Scientists have found evidence that the kind of low-level exposure to sarin gas
experienced by more than 100,000 U.S. troops in the first Gulf war can cause
"lasting brain deficits,"

Chris Lavone shared stories like this at St Cloud State a few years ago. An 82nd Airborne "All American" Infantry paratrooper, showed us photos from a US airstrike near An-Nassariah in 1991. Plumes of smoke rose from the bunkers of ammunition US forces destroyed.

No one had their chemical detection equipment working, the war was "over".

Unfortunately, they did not inform units in the area of this operation and thousands of our troops were exposed to sarin gas.

Chris got a letter in the mail from the VA several years later telling him he was probably exposed to sarin gas and to go to the nearest VA for an examination and possible treatment.

This letter answered a lot of questions about how Chris felt, about the effects of Gulf War Syndrome from which Chris suffered from.

Beyond the suffering from GWS, it began his nearly decade long battle with the VA.

Reading the story today and knowing the inefficient bureaucracy led by Jim Nicholson, the VA, it leaves me pondering many questions.

First and foremost in my mind is...

What will we find out about the suffering of our Veterans 16 years after this war ends?

I shudder at the possibilities.

Ready 4 K ad and other Strib bits!

Anyone catch the 1/4 page ad from Ready 4 K in the Strib today? Check out page A9! Thanks BK!

It's a doozy! The ad is signed by 6 major President's and CEO's of major Twin Cities companies, 12 law enforcement leaders, and 9 religious leaders.

The message is really simple.

Invest more in our kids preparation for Kindergarten and the return on investment that pays off immensely in the future.

Kids perform better in school.

They get better jobs.

They get off of social welfare programs.

Less crime.

These kids become engaged in society, building stronger and safer communities.

Only a few more days remain until we learn if our state's leaders had the intestinal fortitude to do the right thing...invest in our kids.

We all know how Congresswoman Bachmann votes when it comes to the kids!

Another item of note from today's Strib was the photo of President Bush. Under the headline "In the line of duty" you see the President leaning over a steel barrier talking to widows and family members of law enforcement officials killed in the line of duty.

Interesting.

He needed no barriers when talking to Focus on the Family czar James Dobson and other leaders of the religious right...and spent 90 minutes discussing Iran with them.

Was Bachmann there?

I wish we could hear 90 minutes of explanation...nevermind, I already listened to 3 hours of crap!

Wake up Wright County!

Just a friendly reminder of the inaugural "Wake up Wright County" event, this coming Saturday at the Monticello VFW.

Progressive Democrats across Wright County are continuing to organize! We will continue to organize to expel ineffective local legislative leaders like Bruce Anderson, Tom Emmer, Amy Koch, Dean Urdahl, and Michele Bachmann.

Armed Forces Day, 2007 brings the inaugural "Wake up Wright County" event.

Saturday May 19th, a breakfast buffet will be served from 8:30 to 10 a.m., and then a short 15 minute program, a 30-minute speech from US Senate Candidate Al Franken, and a 15-minute Q & A will follow.

The event will be held at the Monticello VFW. There will also be a silent auction with the proceeds going to the Fisher House.

I will see if I have the capabilities to live blog the event!

The deadline for tickets has come and passed. Contact Sue Rego for tickets at regofam@earthlink.net, but I believe the event may be sold out.

As a note, this post does not constitute an endorsement of any DFL candidate. We will promote all DFL activities within the 6th CD and local Senate Districts.

SC Times Daily Poll

How would you Michele Bachmann's performance in Congress?

Front page and on the lower right.

As of noon, 843 votes

35.8% A
7.4% B
8.9% C
12% D
35.9% F

Love her or hate her I guess...

Bachmann in the SC Times

The SC Times has a story about Congresswoman Bachmann's topsy turvy first year in Congress.

The Bachmann agenda?

A former federal tax attorney, Bachmann also wants to reform the tax code
and repeal the alternative minimum tax and estate taxes.

She wants to have a national tax debate but declined to say what
specific reforms she would support.

As a member of the Republican Policy Committee, she is working on a
Taxpayer Bill of Rights to boost U.S. competitiveness by lowering taxes and
advocating a fairer and simpler tax code.

You would think as a "former federal tax attorney" that the Congresswoman would be pretty open about the reforms she would support.

And who could forget Bachmann's fetish with the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

The Congresswoman still does not understand Higher Education funding.

Bachmann has strayed from the GOP on only a few votes. One was legislation
to reduce the interest rates on student loans that passed the House in
January.

"That vote actually won't bring down the costs of tuition," she said.
"It's a very expensive proposition. It just lowers that interest rate in half
for six months. ... It's not really addressing the essence of the problem. The
essence of the problem is that tuition is far exceeding the rate of
inflation."

How could we expect the Congresswoman to understand who sets tuition? She only served 6 years in the Minnesota Senate and she did nothing for higher education.

Her justification for her vote in this piece of legislation plays upon the naivete of the voter. Tuition is set by the various systems across the state, after an appropriation from the State Legislature. The Federal Government has little to no influence on the tuition at Ridgewater College.

But they can help out students seeking lower cost student loans, which Bachmann failed to support.

Iran is still her mind. Perhaps she has heard John McCain sing "Bomb, bomb, bomb...bomb, bomb, Iran" a few too many times.

She said she has learned some lessons when she misspoke in a podcast
interview with the St. Cloud Times. Her remarks that Iran was planning to
partition Iraq and turn it into a "terrorist haven" made headlines.

"I made a misstatement. I did that, but my remarks were widely
misconstrued," she said. "What it taught me is that this is a serious position.
I need to be especially careful about the remarks that I make," she said.

Bachmann also said there is a double standard in the media because it
tends to have a "leftist bias."

"A pass can be given to a different point of view than mine," she said.
"I've had a lot more scrutiny than people who come from a liberal
persuasion."

Wow.

She despite changing her story at least three times in regards to the Iran issue, she is holding true to the "my statement was misconstrued line".

Gotta love the lefty bias card too. For the record, if Patty Wetterling or John Binkowski kissed the President or made the statements about Iran, I am sure the media would have ripped them to shreds as well.

But then again...neither of these two individuals would have made excuse after excuse and changed their story...again and again.

Pawlenty's lip service to the military

I hope you heard the interview with America Votes on Minnesota Matters last night!

If not, it was a very interesting interview.

About 20% of active duty soldiers deployed vote. I was shocked by that figure, those that are fighting for this country are not voting? It seems in some states, the election laws make it very difficult to obtain absentee ballots.

The Pentagon, in an effort to lessen the burden on our soldiers, came forth with a program to enable more soldiers to vote.

Legislation has been passed in 35 states, making the soldiers access to absentee ballots easier, some now even have the ability to fax in verification forms, speeding the process.

But Governor Pawlenty vetoed the State Government Finance Bill (SF 1997). A T-Paw veto? Imagine that.

The veto is a bit more disturbing though as the Governor cited the "Military Voting Bill" in his 5 page veto tirade.

He cited the need for more research on the issue.

What?

35 states have passed this language. He could call one of his Governor buddies and find out more about the issue.

Hell, when the Governor was on one of his McCain events across the nation recently, he could have asked the Senator himself about the need for soldiers to have proper access to an absentee ballot.

I remember the fun I had to endure to get my absentee ballots in 92. It was tough in Germany!

I wonder if the National Guard men and women from Minnesota knew that Governor Tim "photo op" Pawlenty would be the bureaucratic roadblock impeding their ability to vote, when he snapped smarmy photos with them in Iraq and Afghanistan?

The lip service to our state's soldiers and Veterans continues from Governor Pawlenty. Embedded in many of the bills the Governor has vetoed are great initiatives that will help our state's Veterans and deployed National Guard men and women.

I wonder what Timmay's buddy Senator McCain would think about this?

Are you smarter than a 5th Grader? Wright County Edition

Welcome to the inaugural edition of "Are you smarter than a 5th Grader: Wright County"

I could not resist responding to a piece at Wright County Republican, a piece that outlines that...

Since Governor Pawlenty beat Mike Hatch by 21,000 votes in a statewide race...

AND

taking 19 close House and 11 close Senate races that did not "go red", with totals that shockingly add up to less than 21,000...

THEREFORE

T-Paw has a mandate to do whatever he wants. A mandate greater than the Legislature's

Really?

Comparing a statewide race to SELECT individual House and Senate races is comparing apples and oranges. Both are fruits, but are otherwise completely different.

I was working on a more comprehensive post outlining the numbers from each House and Senate District, showing the statewide support for Democrats and the issues Democrats campaigned on.

201 House and Senate seats is a lot of work! So, check out the comparison maps over at MPR.

Gaining 19 seats in the Minnesota House and 6 seats in the Senate is a stronger mandate than T-Paw squeaking out a 21,000 vote win with more than 2 million votes cast.

Despite Mike Hatch's mistakes in the final weeks, a 21,000 vote victory and capturing 46.7% of the vote is not a mandate.

If Governor Pawlenty has a mandate, then why post less than 24 hours later a prediction that Gov will back down to the DFL, despite having a mandate less than 24 hours earlier?

Dobson gets face time with the Prez

deadissue and Think Progress have posts up about Focus on the Family emperor, James Dobson's meeting with the President.

meet with President Bush in the White House along with 12 or 13 other leaders of
the pro-family movement

Pro-family movement? Is there an anti-family movement?

Why was he meeting with the President over Iran? How many families has this war destroyed?

We know he was not meeting with Bush to advocate for a speedy withdrawal of troops. That would be focusing on families...not what Focus on the Family truly stands for.

Equally as disturbing for me was they got 90 minutes with the President to discuss Iran and Iraq.

Too bad the families who have suffered in this war can't get 30 seconds with the man who put their loved ones in harms way...

Compassionate Conservatism at its finest

Think Progress has the scoop on Dr Laura dissing the troops and their families.

she was tired of hearing the complaints of lonely and overwhelmed military wives
whose husbands are deployed. ‘He could come back without arms, legs or eyeballs, and you’re (whining)?‘ Schlessinger asked before taking the stage at the base theater to host her daily program on ethics, morals and values. ‘You’re not dodging bullets, so I don’t want to hear any whining — that’s my message to them.’”

How much you wanna bet Dr Laura has a big ol yellow ribbon on the back of that SUV of her's, her right wing badge of support.

Gotta love compassionate conservatism...

2nd Vote Vets Ad

New Vote Vets Ad!

Tom Emmer: Al Gore's Climate Porn

Saw the video at MN Publius.

It's a must see.

T Paw the fisherman

Across the Great Divide has a great post up about Governor Pawlenty's fishing trip and his quote about "catch and release".

Catch and release doesn't mean gutting the fish and throwing the chum back in
the water.

Excellent work!

No one has an advantage with a Special Session looming!

The Strib has a piece this morning with the headline "GOP has the edge at start of final week".

Call me a pessimist, but I doubt this is the "final week".

The headline and the story itself force me to question whether or not the GOP truly has the edge or not.

Back in November Minnesota's voters sent a resounding message to our elected officials. It led to the political tsunami that elected strong DFL majorities in both the House and the Senate.

Some have been listening to the concerns of the majority of Minnesotans.

No one campaigns on tax increases. I was asked this question at several forums across our district. At that time, I honestly stated that I saw no real need to raise taxes but thought we could generate more revenue for the state by taxing the highest income earning Minnesota's at a higher rate, depending on revenue forecasts and the expense of responding to the concerns of constituents.

In reality, less than 1/2 of 1 percent of Minnesotans would be asked to pay a higher tax.

It may be 6 months since the election and it would appear as some down in St Paul and the Startribune, have forgotten the core issues at hand.

Property tax increases have squeezed working and middle class Minnesotans.

Access to affordable and quality health care squeezes these same families tighter and tighter. While most Minnesotans are insured, the vast majority are also under-insured.

Because of high property taxes, school operating levies are failing at more and more schools across Greater Minnesota. The need for funding reform has been evident for more than a decade now, with little to no help for small districts like Atwater Cosmos Grove City and McLeod West.

Special education costs cut deeply into the General Operating Funds for these schools and others across Greater Minnesota.

Higher education tuition has skyrocketed under Governor Pawlenty and GOP rule.

Our lakes and streams are becoming more and more polluted.

Our roads are becoming more congested and falling in deep disrepair.

In response, the DFL put forth bills to begin to reverse Governor Pawlenty's damage from his "no new taxes" pledge, and someone has to help pay for it.

Despite all of these concerns, obstructionists like Tom Emmer, Marty Seifert, Ron Shimanski, Amy Koch, Bruce Anderson, Dean Urdahl, Laura Brod, Mark Olson and others have sided with the Governor and slowed any significant progress on the issues that matter most to Minnesotans.

Which leaves me to believe that no one has the advantage down in St Paul.

When this state moves towards another Special Session, voters around the state will once again be outraged. Outraged that elected leaders across both sides of the aisle have failed once again.

Failed to get their work done.

Failed to end the partisan staring contests.

Failure to solve the problems Minnesotans want solved.

I would be incredibly naive to think that the GOP would simply roll over and give Minnesotans and the DFL what they want.

Nor should they really.

Now, perhaps this has been covered on other blogs, but I have not seen it yet...so here goes.

What happened to the $300-$500 million the state could recoup by simply enforcing the tax code? I know Mike Hatch and others campaigned with this chip back the 06 election cycle.

Was this real or was this a ruse? Why hasn't anyone talked about this? Will this become a political chip in this "final week"?

If the GOP has an advantage in the "final week" it is a very slight advantage. The DFL still has a greater long term advantage though. They have produced quality legislation that does not coincide with the priorities of Governor Pawlenty and his small group of hatchet men and women.

The GOP has failed to respond to concerns around property taxes, health care, higher education, transportation, veterans issues and many others.

Until they do so, and stop protecting the top 1% while sacrificing the latter 99%, a GOP advantage may be shorter than any of us think.

Saturday fun! Will Farrell as Chuck Berry, USC Strength coach

Before I head out to do some shopping with my girlfriend (nice little day at Home Depot, maybe Bed, Bath and Beyond, I don't know if we'll have enough time) and maybe hitting a few golf balls, I wanted to post a Will Farrell video

This is for all the draft rubes out there, like me. Funny, funny stuff!

Mark Olson: God, Global Warming and general insanity...

General Insanity, you know...the cat running the war in Iraq now. (insert rimshot)

Thank you, thank you...I'll stick to my day job.

I Don't Hate America scoop on Mark Olson making some pretty insane comments about God and Global Warming.

On the floor of the House, Olson discussed whether or not you believe in God makes a difference whether or not you believe global warming is an issue with merit. Also he talked about how he was reading the Bible, and that scriptures he read made more sense to him regarding global warming than science did.

DJ astutely points out that this is the same man crying and clutching a bible as he left the Sherburne County Jail after he was released for beating his wife.....ahem, allegedly.

So Olson skated by this session. If he is found guilty...I know I'll make my way up to Big Lake to door knock for Jim Huhtala. I hope Kiffmeyer runs too...

Let's find the video of Olson making an ass of himself again!

Kucinich for President

Talking to several Democrats over the past few days, about all things from who I support for President, to Ciresi v. Franken, the prospects of a special session and many other things.

It was my answer to the Democratic race for 2008 that elicited the greatest surprises.

I would love to see Dennis Kucinich as our next President.

After they stopped laughing, I shared the reasons why Kucinich is a logical choice to fix the clusterfuck and restore dignity to the most powerful position in the world.

Why Kucinich?

He has opposed the aggression against Iraq since the start.

He opposed the Patriot Act.

He has been a vocal leader in Congress for higher education, strongly opposing the Budget Reconciliation Act of 2006.

He supports legalizing same sex marriage.

He supports a nationwide single payer, universal health care system for all Americans.

He supports impeachment of the Vice President and possibly the President.

Remember, he got 17% in the 2004 Minnesota caucus.

Is it the popular choice? Absolutely not.

But Dennis Kucinich has never wavered on the issues that matter most to me on a National Level. Others cannot say that...and integrity carries a lot of weight in securing my support.

I love email lists

As I say, revenge is a dish best served cold.

The last few years, I have played jokes on some of my conservative friends, putting them on email lists for the "30 something Democrats" and other mainstream progressive groups.

Revenge has been bestowed upon me.

My SCSU email account is filled with stuff from Ann Coulter, the Minuteman Project, Conservative Singles, and many others.

Today, Newt Gingrich emailed me. Yeah...the guy who cheated on his wife while questioning Bill Clinton's morality.

It was interesting though...

Dear NRCC supporter,

American voters sent a clear message to Congress last fall: solve the
problems that are plaguing our nation and return to conservative ideals.

Um, excuse me Newt. I am quite certain that was not the clear message Americans sent Congress.

Americans are fed up with how the leadership in Washington was leading this country.

Iraq has been mismanaged from the start. 3400 American soldiers are dead and more than 25000 wounded. Yet, "Mission Accomplished" occurred 4 years ago.

Americans are tired of the scandal plagued executive branch and the conservative representation that defends every misstep of this administration.

They are tired of the divisive nature of identity politics, segmenting America by their beliefs on same sex marriage and abortion rights. When working and middle class Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, the corporate whores are living the high life.

And that's not the beer commercial either.

The message to Congress is clear. That's why numerous Republicans met with the President yesterday, discussing his lack of movement on Iraq policy. The longer the President waits, the more harm he is doing to his party.

I don't really care about that though...

The longer he waits, the more soldiers and Veterans he screws over.

Moorhead students bold statement on smoking bans

For months, the Legislature squabbled over restrictions to a statewide smoking ban.

Could someone still smoke in a bar but not a restaurant?

Smoke in a tractor or a big rig?

In the end, it would appear as though a tough statewide ban will be in place on August 1st.

Students at Minnesota State University, Moorhead "one upped" the legislature.

They banned smoking on all 440 acres of campus, inside and out. Faculty and staff overwhelmingly support the ban with 66% very likely supporting the ban.

Students were supportive as well, with 43% being very likely to support the ban.

Kudos to all those involved.

I can recall the heated conversations about closing the smoking room in Atwood, at St Cloud State. I spent a few minutes in that room one day to check it out and see what the fuss was about.

Wow...the smoking room was absolutely disgusting! I am not sure if I was dirtier from spending 45 days out in Yakima Washington or 5 minutes in the smoking room.

Ultimately, students decided to close this room. The same students who decided we wanted to pay for a foot washing room for our Islamic students.

Too bad we can't get enough of these students, full of wisdom, to replace some of the "old guard" down in St Paul!

We'll be working on that for 08!

Smoking ban out of conference committee

Truthsurfer has the scoop...and it's good news!

Highlights...

Conference Committee Report (Senate File 238)
a.. All indoor public places, workplaces, bars and restaurants are smoke free
b.. Very limited exemptions exist for tobacco retail shops and "over the road" truck cabs
c.. The bill is silent on all outdoor air and patios
d.. The language is not preemptive
e.. Implementation date August 1, 2007

Nice work!

Vote Vets Ad! Targets Norm Coleman

From the Vote Vet's folks, they are airing a series of three ads in states of Members of Congress who have flip flopped or are close to parting ways with President Bush's Iraq policy.

Wake up Wright County!

Progressive Democrats across Wright County are continuing to organize!

We will continue to organize to expel ineffective local legislative leaders like Bruce Anderson, Tom Emmer, Amy Koch, Dean Urdahl, and Michele Bachmann.

Armed Forces Day, 2007 brings the inaugural "Wake up Wright County" event.

Saturday May 19th, a breakfast buffet will be served from 8:30 to 10 a.m., and then a short program, a 30-minute speech from US Senate Candidate Al Franken, and a 15-minute Q & A will follow.

The event will be held at the Monticello VFW. There will also be a silent auction with the proceeds going to the Fisher House.

Tickets are $20, but the of Monday May 14th is approaching fast. Contact Sue Rego for tickets at regofam@earthlink.net


As a note, this post does not constitute an endorsement of any DFL candidate. We will promote all DFL activities within the 6th CD and local Senate Districts.

Boundary Waters Blog

I love the BWCA. Words cannot begin to explain the beauty of the BWCA. Northern Lights take on a different view. The water is clear and pure. The air is crisp. The memories are vivid.

The fires on the Gunflint this year evoke memories of one of our best trips up there. We went in on Round Lake and spent several days camped out on Peter Lake. We had a kick ass camp site and saw no one for 4 days. It was pretty surreal...watching satelites cross the sky at night.

I came across the Boundary Waters Blog looking for stories on the fire up there.

Check it out...it's a first hand account of what's going on up there!

T-Paw speaks on Higher Ed: "Underwhelming, uninspiring and devoid of reforms..."

This is how Governor Pawlenty describes the higher education bill that was passed in both the House and the Senate by large margins (44-21 in the Senate and 85-46 in the House).

Governor Pawlenty has threatened to veto this bill as well.

House and Senate conferee's already disposed of controversial "Dream Act" language to secure the Governor's vote.

Despite that, he chides the legislation as "underwhelming, uninspiring and devoid of reforms".

T-Paw, as we like to call him in the rural outposts here in Wright County, has never been a friend of higher education.

The two previous higher education bills under T-Paw's reign of terror have had an adverse impact on higher education.

Back in 2003, then Senator Steve Kelley and other DFL leaders had a vision for higher education, that would have still called for tuition increases, but significantly smaller than the GOP versions.

In the final versions, MnSCU was cut by more than $191 million. $178 million in tuition increases closed the gap with the remaining money getting cut from Student Life programs and Academics around the state.

At St Cloud State, we witnessed deep cuts at the Women's Center, Multi-Cultural Student Services, Public Safety, Student Health Services, and other student services.

The cuts in academics are still being felt. In some programs, cuts have resulted in significant backlogs in students access to classes they need to graduate. Demand exceeds supply significantly.

Republicans at the time defended their actions by pointing out that enrollment at MnSCU campuses was higher than usual and continuing to rise.

Well, when the economy sucks and jobs are hard to come by, people tend to go back to school to obtain more skills, making them more desirable in the competitive job market.

Besides, as I pointed out in testimony before House and Senate committees and the MnSCU Board of Trustee's, the numbers behind enrollment increases are deceiving.

While enrollment of students rose, actual number of credit hours decreased.

At St Cloud State, we have increased by 150 students.

Actual credit hours taken decreased by more than 2500 hours.

Students were feeling the burden of multiple 15% tuition increases under Governor Pawlenty's "inspiring" higher education plan.

As a compromise, the House and Senate moved $40 million back into the Minnesota Office of Higher Education budget, earmarked for the State Grant Program ($20 million for MnSCU and $20 million for the U of M).

The majority of that $40 million was taken back...

During the 2005 session, students across the state organized to combat the Governor's "inspiring" higher education plans. Students at the Minnesota State University Student Association (MSUSA) and Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA) combined forces with union partners and lobbied MnSCU and the legislature for a two year "Tuition Freeze".

This session Governor Pawlenty announced his initiatives for Rochester and "Centers of Excellence" in higher education. These centers would focus on areas which could place Minnesota in a better place strategically in the future, focusing on nursing, technology, engineering and other growing fields.

At the time, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development figures showed that Minnesota would experience deep shortages in many fields outside of the Governor's grand strategy, such as in both K-12 teaching and higher education. Our pleas were heard, but never addressed.

In concept, I supported these initiatives, with the caveat that core academic areas on our campuses would not be cut or impacted by these initiatives. While these initiatives are still moving forward, they are now embedded in MnSCU budgets and under the purview of their campuses and the system.

The 2005 session ended with the trend of high tuition increases continuing.

How high have tuition increases been?

For our 4 year schools, the 68% increases have ranked us as the 8th highest increases across the nation since 2002.

The state of our 2 year schools were worse off. These students witnessed nearly an 80% increase, or the third highest increases in the nation under this time.

Gotta love no new taxes.

So, what's at jeopardy with a Governor's veto?

Hold tuition increases to 3-4 percent for Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities system.

Out-of-state tuition eliminated at St. Cloud Technical College in work
force retention gambit.

$10 million for Minnesota GI Bill for $1,000/semester education benefits to
veterans, surviving spouses and children of those who served on or after Sept.
11, 2001, or Guard members with five or more years experience.

$500,000 for textbook disclosure, pricing and access pilot program in MnSCU
campuses.

'Nuff said about tuition increases.

The Minnesota GI Bill is a great idea, that if vetoed and left out of the final version of a higher ed bill will have an adverse impact on generations of Veterans coming back to Minnesota.

Textbooks? We have opined on that before as well. IDHA has a great piece on it as well.

DJ would like to remind you that this same Governor wants to provide textbook publishers with tax incentives to "expand" in Minnesota.

Is Governor Pawlenty simply trying to protect the price gouging actions of his friends?

Governor Pawlenty campaigned on higher education issues. One of his solutions to high tuition was to provide the top 25% in high school classes with more aid.

Now I call that "underwhelming, uninspiring and completely devoid of reforms".

Want to help?

Email Governor Pawlenty

Discuss: There are two main points that must be covered in the emails; funding MnSCU to keep tuition low and funding HEAPR (Higher Education Asset Preservation and Restoration) projects. The reason for funding HEAPR is because if the state does not fund the projects, then funding for those projects could come from students. As you might have heard, Governor Pawlenty has already vetoed the public works bill, which contained the HEAPR projects.

Walz on VA bonuses

Our friends at Bluestem Prairie, Minnesota Campaign Report and I Don't Hate America all have posts up about Congressman Walz' reaction to large VA bonuses in the face of large budget shortfalls and even larger backlogs in patient care.

I am appalled that a young soldier, fighting for an entire year in Iraq, still could not make $33,000 a year, much less as a bonus!

MCR points out...

We're still feeling the effects of that incompetence, that cronyism, that greed,
and those hollow promises. Luckily we have a Democratic Congress that can
exercise oversight on these issues for the sake of our veterans and our entire
country, and not just those who can afford to keep lobbyists on staff in D.C.

Exactly! For the past 4 years we have heard this mantra that only Republicans support our troops.

Who isn't profiting off of this war? Seriously!

We have the defense industry that is fielding new weapons and different versions of ammunition, costing the tax payers billions.

No bid contracts for construction projects, which according to the 60 Minutes report, 7 of 8 they could inspect have failed.

We have the private defense contractors who provide security and perform other missions in Iraq, making 5-10 times more than an enlisted soldier could get paid to do the same military mission.

Iraq is the testing ground for the neo-con military industrial complex. While the vast majority of Americans support a speedy withdrawal from Iraq, these groups that profit heavily coerce Congress to stay.

Greed...

And to answer the question who isn't profiting, it's the soldier and their families. Go read the military blogs linked to the left of this text. The young soldier at Army of Dude was extended for another few months in Iraq. The soldier at Burst Asunder was involuntarily extended for an entire tour in Iraq, which will now be 15 months!

Bluestem Prairie has the text of Congressman Walz' statement.

"I have lost confidence in Secretary Nicholson and a number of the VA's senior
officials," said Walz. "I intend to give the Secretary a chance to explain
himself to the Veterans' Affairs Committee this week. If the Secretary
cannot prove that those bonuses were based on significant documented successes
that I am currently unaware of, then Secretary Nicholson should step down."

Ollie Ox points out Nicholson's history as the head of the Republican National Committee, raising money for Bush. We would indeed like to see someone qualified to oversee a large bureaucracy, versus someone who can raise lots of money for Republicans.

Lastly, our friends at IDHA have posted on Congressman Walz' statement as well.

Think Progress has a post up about the length of time it takes for a Veteran to receive benefits in the VA system.

Length of backlog veterans face when filing disability claims with the Veterans
Affairs Department — “about six times longer than is typical in the private
sector.” VA records show that “pending disability claims with the VA take an
average of 177 days to process,” but “for some, the wait time is almost a year".

And for that, you get a $33,000 bonus.

Un-natural disasters impact on natural disasters

Tornado season is upon us once again. Kansas and South Dakota were two of many states that have seen significant tornado activity just this past weekend.

I heard the Governor of Kansas, Kathleen Sebelius, speak on CNN this weekend about the tragedy that struck. Traditionally, the National Guard is used in cases like this to provide law enforcement and engineering (clean up) support.

Since more than half of the troops and equipment are deployed to Iraq to Bush's un-natural disaster, responding to our nations natural disasters becomes pretty difficult.

I can't imagine what would have happened 10 years ago in Grand Forks during the flood of the Century. What if most of the NG equipment were in Iraq then? The troops too?

The suffering simply magnifies as public officials scrounge for equipment and personnel to assist in the relief efforts after a natural disaster.

We cannot surrender to tornadoes and other natural disasters. We cannot afford the price of cutting and running from Iraq.

We must stay in Iraq in perpetuity to fight these natural disasters, before they follow us home to places like Kansas and South Dakota.

The psychological impact of this war

The Washington Post has a story up detailing some disturbing trends for soldiers and Marines who are serving or have served in Iraq.

-More than one-third of U.S. soldiers in Iraq surveyed by the Army said they
believe torture should be allowed if it helps gather important information about
insurgents

-Four in 10 said they approve of such illegal abuse if it would save the
life of a fellow soldier.

-About two-thirds of Marines and half the Army troops surveyed said they
would not report a team member for mistreating a civilian or for destroying
civilian property unnecessarily. "Less than half of Soldiers and Marines
believed that non-combatants should be treated with dignity and respect," the
Army report stated.

The Surge will have a positive impact as well...

-the more often soldiers are deployed, the longer they are deployed each
time; and the less time they spend at home, the more likely they are to suffer
mental health problems such as combat trauma, anxiety and depression. That
result is particularly notable given that the Pentagon has sent soldiers and
Marines to Iraq multiple times and recently extended the tours of thousands of
soldiers to 15 months from 12 months.

-the strains placed on troops in Iraq are in some ways more severe than
those borne by the combat forces of World War II. "A considerable number of
Soldiers and Marines are conducting combat operations everyday of the week,
10-12 hours per day seven days a week for months on end," wrote Col. Carl Castro
and Maj. Dennis McGurk, both psychologists. "At no time in our military history
have Soldiers or Marines been required to serve on the front line in any war for
a period of 6-7 months."

-soldiers be given breathers during combat tours and intervals of 18 to 36
months between such tours, substantially longer than they are allowed now.

-more than 40 percent of soldiers reported low morale in their units.

But the news gets better for families back home right?

-about 20 percent of soldiers said they were planning a divorce or
separation, up from 15 percent in the previous year's survey.

-Marital problems seem to grow with the length of a deployment, the survey
found. Ten percent of soldiers deployed for less than six months reported that
infidelity was a problem in their marriage, compared with 17 percent among those
who had been in Iraq longer than that.

To be honest, none of these figures are shocking to me. I wish more American's realized the impact of this war on the families as well as the soldier. While public opinion strongly supports withdrawal from Iraq, the President and those in the 28% club are slowly but surely destroying our nations military.

Army of Dude

I have spent a bit of time this weekend reading this blog.

I plug this blog because he does provide a pretty comical view of what's going on in Iraq and the bureaucratic bullshit many of these lower enlisted soldiers have to endure. As a former Platoon Sergeant, I was pretty much anti-bullshit and did everything I could to stop the flow of it from my level.

Secondly, he's a Fort Lewis guy! I was a 1st Bn 23rd Infantry Tomahawk for almost 5 years. Fort Lewis was by far the best military post I have ever served at.

From Army of Dude

this is not a blog to sing the high praises of my chosen profession, but rather
a tool of expression for my disdain for the day in and day out mountains of bullshit and mundanity that I climb every day of the week dear reader, and it is a shame I didn't begin this along with my career. There is an endless amount of moments that could have been recorded that would make the average Joe Taxpayer shake his head in shocked disbelief.

Indeed! I am sure AoD has spent many times shooting off ammo the last month of the fiscal year, ensuring that his unit would receive the same allocation the coming years. We used to call these bullet, missile and mine-a-poloza range days "mad minutes". For about a minute, you just fire everything you have at targets.

He highlights the wisdom behind not allowing our soldiers to purchase their own body armor for protection. He even details the threats that life insurance policies will not be paid if a soldier is wearing "illegal armor".

Under the new banned armor directive, we cannot wear the vests I have praised
because it qualifies as third party armor, though it is merely a shell and still
holds the actual armor we'd be wearing anyway. We were told if we were killed
wearing the new vests, our families wouldn't get the $400,000 life insurance
policy because we weren't wearing Army issue equipment. A most subtle blackmail
I'd say. And people like Colonel Spoehr sit back in comfort, far removed from
the patrols in the streets of Ramadi, Mosul and Baghdad, and decide I am too
irresponsible to choose how to protect my own life, that it's out of my hands.
This is where the bar has been set, to a new level of shame and reckless
abandon.

We used to call people like Colonel Spoehr REMF's.

AoD opines on the realities of war in Iraq as well as Naval Officers priorities.

But even a good deal of people here dwell 24/7 within the safety of 'the wire,'
the perimeter of walls and fences around the base, rarely venturing out in the
dangerous city, if at all. I was waiting for a bus back to our tent yesterday
after a souvenir binge, and I overheard a conversation a lady was having on her
cellphone (which is outlawed where I'm from, but I digress). She was explaining
to her friend back home how she felt about Iraq. Her words were "This place is
hell on earth. We walk with the devil." I couldn't help but notice her M-16 was
in flawless, pristine condition and her uniform, clean as the day it was made. I
can only imagine her idea of hell was discovering the Baskin Robbins here serves
only six ice cream flavors instead of the expected 31.

A friends dad who is a Vietnam Vet chided how coddled many of these soldiers are as well. He'd go out on two week long ambushes and come back to warm beer and no way to talk to anyone back home. Slept in varmint infested bunkers.

He opines on Walter Reed...

The money is there, obviously. It's just not being well spent. At this very
moment, I'm up late at night in a heated bay in Taji, Iraq with an internet line
hooked right up next to my bed. Tomorrow I have the option of either going to a
well stocked chow hall or to one of several fast food joints, like Subway or
Taco Bell. Down the street, KBR employees are getting paid very little to do our
laundry as Dick Cheney, former CEO of KBR's parent company Halliburton, gets
paid a six figure severance per year. Round and round the tax money goes, where
it stops, nobody knows. Especially not Walter Reed.

And the impact of a tour of duty extension...

I promise you all, there's no method to the madness. I put my life on hold
for another four months for nothing. Can you imagine? I know soldiers fighting
in previous wars had it a lot tougher. Kurt Vonnegut had it tougher in World War
II. But at the very least, they had a goal, a promise of a bright new world free
of Nazism. Brave men literally fought for freedom, because if they didn't, the
world was going to be in the hands of Germany and Japan. That was the light at
the end of their tunnel. Do you know what the light at the end of the tunnel is
for us?

Food.

Yeah, food. When we're on patrols and house clearing missions, what's
keeping us going is not the promise of freedom and democracy in Iraq. It's the
vision of hamburgers, fries and ice cream. I can live without a market based
economy in the Middle East, but I can't live without a toasted ham sandwich.
Several times we have raced back to the base to get to the dining hall as it
closed. Something to eat is the high point of the day. Imagine the low
points.

As Kurt Vonnegut suggested, our morale is shot to pieces. The few tattered
remains left were eviscerated when they extended us four months. The most
devious trick the media and the government has pulled in the last ten years is
suggesting to the public that the soldiers believe in the mission and the war
itself. In my unit that is definitely not the case. We just fight for food and
friends, and the hope of getting home. I know a few people who still believe in
the cause. I would know one more, but he died when I was on leave.


Earlier editions of this blog have mentioned the date in which I separate
from the military, November 24, 2007.That is merely symbolic now. After coming
home, you must stay for three months so they determine you're not crazy and all
that. Our return home date is October 15. So that means I'll be held against my
will again, until January 2008 it seems.

So Lauren, my sweetheart, I won't get to go on summer walks and picnics
with you. I hope Pike's Market is nice in the winter. Mom, I won't be there for
your birthday. Yours either Dad. Can't forget Andrew's. And Albert's. Won't be
making your wedding either, Albert. To the students of my high school, I won't
get to thank you in person for the letters and packages you sent until November
at least.Readers, fear not! Despite the caustic undertone of this entry, I am
glimmering with hope. The dining hall opens in ten minutes for breakfast, and
they make some killer omelettes.

I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody
tell you different. -Kurt Vonnegut

Thanks again to deadissue for pointing this blog out! I have no idea who Alex H. from Frisco Texas is. Despite not knowing Alex, reading his blog brings me back to my times in the Army as a Bradley Master Gunner. I chewed a lot of the same turf Alex chewed out in Yakima, Fort Lewis, and other fun filled sandy places. I wore the same 2ID Indianhead on my sleeve for more than 5 years.

I don't know Alex...but I do.

Tinklenberg out

As reported by MN Publius earlier in the week, the SC Times is reporting that Ellwyn Tinklenberg will not run against Congresswoman Bachmann in 2008.

With Tinklenberg out and Tarryl Clark leaning towards not running, 2008 will be even more interesting than I first expected.

Bob Hill is the only candidate that has come forward thus far.

To be fair, I do not know a lot about Mr. Hill. I'd never heard of Tim Walz 18 months before the 2006 elections either!

I must say I am disappointed that Tinklenberg is not taking another shot at the 6th. He is a socially moderate Democrat who could have tapped into some of the moderates that Bachmann swung to her side.

He actually could do well against Bachmann.

As we have discussed on many occassions in the past, it's gping to take a great candidate, an organized field campaign, great fundraising, and some luck to beat Bachmann in 2008.

It's not impossible, but it will be difficult.

Great stuff from military bloggers

H/T to deadissue for pointing out some of the great work by these military bloggers. It's no doubt that soliders like this, exposing the realities of the occupation of Iraq, are the ones targeted for censureship.

The soldier blogger at Burst Asunder is Segreant Justin Thompson. He is a soldier who was supposed to get out quite some time ago, June of 2006. He was "involuntarily extended" (stop lossed) and deployed for a 15 month deployment the day after he was supposed to be discharged.

He writes some powerful stuff...,

After two tours in Iraq, a "hero" is the last thing I'd call myself. When you kick open an Iraqi's door in the middle of the night, wake up a family, watch the children cry and listen to the women scream, the last word that goes through your head is "hero." When you arrest the family's father because he's a suspected IED maker, who you know is most likely innocent, and hand him to the Iraqi Army who will beat a confession out of him, "hero" isn't as accurate as "state-sponsored terrorist." When the streets are flooded as far as you can see with protesters demanding that the United States end it's operations in Iraq, you don't exactly feel like you're "liberating" anyone.

As Al reported at deadissue, his stuff about the Iraqi Army is moving as well.

We went from house to house with similar results. There were many quarrels between the people of the neighboorhood and the Iraqi Army. I came to find out that we were in a Sunni neighborhood and that the Iraqi Army was mostly Shiite. As we walked from house to house, the IA guys would periodically point their weapons at people and yell at them. When we entered a house, the IA guys had no respect for their belongings. All day there were reports of IA personnel stealing from the people and being violent. It seemed as though they were "casing" the houses for a later visit to the neighborhood. All of us could feel it. It was very uncomfortable.

I encourage everyone to read the stuff at Burst Asunder, its some really great work!

Another great military blog I have come across, again, thanks to Al at deadissue, is Army of Dude.

Let me give you a little backround if I haven't already. I joined the Army out of half patriotism, half desperation in 2004. I was still angry about September 11 and I totally fucked up school. I barely made it out of there with a diploma, and I knew it was because I had no discipline or direction. I thought the Army would be a magic bullet for all of those problems. The war was going on for a year when I joined, and I thought it was just and right at the time. Flash forward to 2007, and please, let's be grownups now. There were no weapons of mass destruction found, reason one. Reason two, the connection between Saddam and Al-Qaeda, which is largely unfounded. So why did we attack Iraq in response to September 11? It was like getting stung by a bee in your house and responding by going outside and kicking over an anthill.


I promise you all, there's no method to the madness. I put my life on hold for another four months for nothing. Can you imagine? I know soldiers fighting in previous wars had it a lot tougher. Kurt Vonnegut had it tougher in World War II. But at the very least, they had a goal, a promise of a bright new world free of Nazism. Brave men literally fought for freedom, because if they didn't, the world was going to be in the hands of Germany and Japan. That was the light at the end of their tunnel. Do you know what the light at the end of the tunnel is for us?

These are some of the best blog posts I have read from soldiers in Iraq. We'll keep tabs on these blogs and see what the impact of the ban on military bloggers has on these and other military blogs.

These two sites tell a story that the mainstream media in the US fails to discuss. Let their voices be heard!

Who supports our Troops?

I don't have a yellow ribbon on my car.

I don't have a "Liberate Iraq / Support our Troops" sign in my yard.

Maybe I am a bad Democrat...

The post war issues impacting Veterans is something that concerns me. We all have loved ones who have suffered after World War II, The Korean War, Vietnam, and the first Gulf War.

The Iraq War is no different.

The Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health released a blistering summary today.

The task force found 38 percent of soldiers and 31 percent of Marines
report psychological concerns such as traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic
stress disorder after returning from deployment.

Among members of the National Guard, the figure is much higher — 49
percent — with numbers expected to grow because of repeated deployments.

Almost half of our National Guard members suffer from PTSD upon their return!

Despite any of these facts, chickenhawks in Washington, members who have never even considered serving a day in our nations military (Norm Coleman, Michele Bachmann), continue to hurl neo-con rhetoric about the Iraq War issues and the support of our troops.

Both the VA and the Pentagon in recent weeks have acknowledged a need to improve mental health treatment. Jan Kemp, a VA associate director for education who works on mental health, has estimated there are up to 1,000 suicides a year
among veterans within the VA system, and as many as 5,000 a year among all
living veterans.

1,000 suicides per year in the VA and many of the administrators got bonuses, some as high as $33,000?

I can't even find the words right now to express my outrage...

Bachmann votes against the kids

Dump Bachmann also has a post up about this issue.

Lost in all of the Iraq war funding discussions, HR 1429, was passed in the US House by a vote of 365-48.

HR 1429 is the improving Head Start act of 2007, an important piece of legislation

Why was this legislation important?

(A) while the steady economic growth and low inflation in the United States
has yielded unprecedented prosperity, many children and families in this country
have not benefited from this prosperity and continue to be socioeconomically
disadvantaged,

(B) many community- and faith-based organizations have expertise in
moving individuals and families from dependency to self-sufficiency by providing
families with the tools and skills they need to participate in the community and
contribute to our economy,

(C) the Head Start Act was established to help prepare low-income young
children to succeed in school and in life by addressing the needs of the whole
child and providing comprehensive services such as health and nutrition,

(D) research confirms that children who attend Head Start programs enter school better prepared than low-income children who do not attend the program, are less likely to need special education services, to repeat a grade, or commit crimes in adolescence, and are more likely to graduate from high school,

(E) community- and faith-based organizations have participated
in Head Start programs since the enactment of the Head Start Act in 1965 and
continue to serve more than 90,000 children and their families,

(F) parents have an integral role in the development and implementation
of Head Start programs, community- and faith-based providers of Head Start
services employ parents and encourage parents to volunteer in the programs
because parents are children's most important and influential teachers,

(G) community- and faith-based providers of Head Start services not
only serve the needs of low-income children and their families but enrich,
strengthen and reflect the diversity of the communities wherein they reside, and

(H) the Head Start Act is a critical component of America's civil
rights platform, and community and faith-based organizations have been leaders
in the civil rights movement in the United States,

Head Start is a vital program within our communities. It provides children from lower socio-economic background the opportunity to enter the education system with the same advantages as other children from more affluent backgrounds.

Education has been and will continue to be America's great equalizer.

Congresswoman Bachmann's vote against this legislation continues her inaugural run at opposing every piece of Democratic legislation, not matter how much sense it makes and irregardless of who it hurts.

Focus on the Family, the group that loves me and I love them back, strongly opposed the legislation.

The legislation does not allow a religious institution to take religion into account when hiring.

In my humble opinion, it makes a lot of sense. Head Start is funded through public funds.

Why should their be a religious test for work funded by taxpayers?

This is exactly why the Congresswoman voted against this bill. I find it somewhat ironic that the self proclaimed "friend of the taxpayer" and strong advocate for the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) would fail to support a system of checks and balances ensuring that public funds are used fairly and responsibly.