Check out Bluestem Prairie! Tim Walz appeared on PBS Newshour last week and was his same amazing self!
Good work Ollie!
Monday, July 30, 2007
Great post at MN Publius!
MN Publius has a great post up about the fight for Steve Swiggum's old seat down in 28B.
I choked on my coffee as I read this line!
Good work!
Ollie Ox at Bluestem Prairie and Joe at Minnesota Campaign Report provide more in depth coverage of the race.
Perhaps some of us out here in Wright County ought to head down into Southern Minnesota to give Linda Pfeilsticker some support!
I choked on my coffee as I read this line!
Steve Drazkowski: Because Mark Olson Just Isn’t Crazy Enough.
Good work!
Ollie Ox at Bluestem Prairie and Joe at Minnesota Campaign Report provide more in depth coverage of the race.
Perhaps some of us out here in Wright County ought to head down into Southern Minnesota to give Linda Pfeilsticker some support!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
More on Pat Tillman
Once again, its been a busy week!
2300 pages of testimony surrounding the death of Pat Tillman were released this week through a Freedom of Information Act request.
The facts outlined in the report are shocking.
So, while hindering an investigation into the possible murder of a soldier, Army attorney's congratulated themselves?
It's a mere shadow of the Army I served in from 1990--2001.
Now this is disturbing. After being told Tillman died in a firefight of epic proportions, we find out that, actually, no one was hit by enemy fire and that the highly trained rebels were unable to even hit a piece of equipment, much less a solider? Really?
Iraq War Veteran Jon Soltz ponders if there was a nefarious plot hatched to off Tillman. From Think Progress...
To be clear, no one is accusing the White House of conspiring to kill Tillman. But with the White House citing "executive privilege" as their reason for not turning over records on the death of Pat Tillman, it makes you really wonder what the hell is going on here?
Seriously!
Name any Veteran who has died in which any "White House" has offered "executive privilege" when pressed for details on their death.
On the heels of yet another Soldier/Veteran suicide here in Minnesota, the treatment of our troops and Veterans is more and more important.
The death of Pat Tillman was tragic.
The cover-up and distortion of facts by Army leadership and the White House is criminal.
2300 pages of testimony surrounding the death of Pat Tillman were released this week through a Freedom of Information Act request.
The facts outlined in the report are shocking.
The doctors - whose names were blacked out - said that the bullet holes were soIt was noted that Tillman was killed by 3 gunshots in the forehead.
close together that it appeared the Army Ranger was cut down by an M-16 fired
from a mere 10 yards or so away.
In his last words moments before he was killed, Tillman snapped at a panicky comrade under fire to shut up and stop "sniveling."
Army attorneys sent each other congratulatory e-mails for keeping criminal
investigators at bay as the Army conducted an internal friendly-fire investigation that resulted in administrative, or non-criminal, punishments.
So, while hindering an investigation into the possible murder of a soldier, Army attorney's congratulated themselves?
It's a mere shadow of the Army I served in from 1990--2001.
The three-star general who kept the truth about Tillman's death from his family and the public told investigators some 70 times that he had a bad memory and couldn't recall details of his actions.Of course not! The Attorney General defense plays out well here. Keep saying "I can't recall" and it will be alright! After all, accountability is a mantra of the Bush Administration.
No evidence at all of enemy fire was found at the scene - no one was hit by enemy fire, nor was any government equipment struck.
Now this is disturbing. After being told Tillman died in a firefight of epic proportions, we find out that, actually, no one was hit by enemy fire and that the highly trained rebels were unable to even hit a piece of equipment, much less a solider? Really?
Iraq War Veteran Jon Soltz ponders if there was a nefarious plot hatched to off Tillman. From Think Progress...
We know he was a free thinker. But it leads you to think was this guy killed possibly by people that didn’t like his political views or was he killed accidentally? We had a time in the war when the Abu Ghraib scandal broke in April 2004 in Iraq; we had basically the Iraqi Tet offensive where the Shiite militias rose up and the contractors were burned at the stake; the President was facing the election and he decided not to go into Fallujah for six months. Did they use him to justify, politically, bad policy in Iraq?
To be clear, no one is accusing the White House of conspiring to kill Tillman. But with the White House citing "executive privilege" as their reason for not turning over records on the death of Pat Tillman, it makes you really wonder what the hell is going on here?
Seriously!
Name any Veteran who has died in which any "White House" has offered "executive privilege" when pressed for details on their death.
On the heels of yet another Soldier/Veteran suicide here in Minnesota, the treatment of our troops and Veterans is more and more important.
The death of Pat Tillman was tragic.
The cover-up and distortion of facts by Army leadership and the White House is criminal.
One of the best letters I have ever seen
In the comments section over at Think Progress.
Love the definition of Chickenhawk as well!
A chickenhawk is also one who calls for war or the continuation of a war that he himself would not fight in. He calls on you to do what he himself would not do. It’s not just relevant to someone who has never fought in a war but also for someone who won’t fight in a war yet still clamors for everyone else to do it
Sounds a lot like Michele Bachmann...
Wow!
A call to Congressman Turner and all his “chickenhawks” friends:
Although I retired from the Army in 1983 and will be 69 in 4 days, I am heeding President Bush’s call to join the surge and fight “evil” in Iraq. I have good skills. In Vietnam I fought in the middle of a civil war, was ambushed, had friends killed by IEDs and was on the receiving end of rocket and mortar attacks numerous times.
Because I am overage, and need a waiver to return to active duty, I will appeal directly to President Bush with this letter.
Dear Mr. President,
You have convinced me that if we fight terrorism in Iraq long enough we will win militarily. I know we are shorthanded because you are calling up an additional 12,000 National Guard troops this summer. So I am prepared to return to active duty immediately. Given my prior service and age, I have several requests I hope you will see fit to grant.
While I retired as a lieutenant colonel, I want to return as a sergeant so I can lead a squad in combat. I also want to stay not for a year, but until we achieve victory. I should live long enough. My Dad, a WWII vet, died at 88.
I want my squad to consist of personnel committed to the war. Your neoconservative co-conspirators, who supported the war with Iraq as early as 1992, will undoubtedly enthusiastically volunteer to join me. Pugnacious Bill Kristol, who called for attacking Iran to free the British sailors, will be my point man on patrol. Dick Cheney, a deadeye with a lifetime of hunting experience, will be my sniper. Doug Feith, who prepared the “intelligence” which got us into the war when he was head of the Office of Special Plans will, of course, be in charge of intelligence. John Bolton, a superb diplomat, will be responsible for liaison with the Iraqis and remaining members of the “Coalition of the Willing”. Paul Wolfowitz, architect of the Bush Doctrine which resulted in the Iraq invasion, will be in charge of mission operations to insure that financial support for our efforts is siphoned off to Halliburton. Scooter Libby, a fixer for Vice President Cheney, will maintain our equipment (if you pardon him so he can enlist). Entrepreneurial Richard Perle will be our quartermaster. I’m sure he will keep us well provisioned. And last, but not least, I want Fred Kagan, who, lacking military experience and knowledge of the Middle East, nonetheless devised the surge, our key to success in Iraq. He will be the machine gunner in the open turret of our lightly armored Humvee.
We don’t ask for special treatment, only that which you afford all soldiers and Marines. Pre-deployment training will be abbreviated. We won’t be trained in insurgent tactics until we arrive. Our equipment will come from the squad we replace. (I’d rather not use hand-me-downs in combat, but it is more important to fund Halliburton rather than using funds to procure equipment for the troops.) As Secretary Rumsfeld said, “You go to war with the equipment you have.”
In Iraq, we’ll serve on convoy duty, to participate in the IED and ambush “experience” first hand. We will go on nightly raids where we knock down doors and take the men away. Doug Feith will interrogate them according to rules you and Alberto devised. Then we will be assigned to work in Sadr City with Iraqi police of unknown allegiance. Living with them should be quite interesting as we are exposed to death and dismemberment from rocket and mortar attacks, the occasional sniper, IEDs, and suicide bombers, not to mention the hostile Shiite populace.
We will undoubtedly suffer casualties, even men killed in action. I only ask that the dead be buried in Arlington Memorial Cemetery with full military honors, presided over by you, our Commander-in-Chief. I am sure our wounded will receive excellent treatment at the VA. Please hire additional VA administrative personnel, so we don’t have to wait for 18 months before receiving our benefits as at present. And please expand the definition of PTSD so we all qualify. It really doesn’t take too many IEDs, rocket attacks and views of the carnage when the bad guys blow up schools and markets for us to return home with serious issues which need to be resolved.
In conclusion, I am sure that sometime in the next 10 to 15 years you will be extremely proud when those of us who survive return home to report to you “Mission Accomplished.”
Very respectfully,
Fred Seamon
Lieutenant Colonel
U.S. Army, Retired
Love the definition of Chickenhawk as well!
A chickenhawk is also one who calls for war or the continuation of a war that he himself would not fight in. He calls on you to do what he himself would not do. It’s not just relevant to someone who has never fought in a war but also for someone who won’t fight in a war yet still clamors for everyone else to do it
Sounds a lot like Michele Bachmann...
Wow!
A call to Congressman Turner and all his “chickenhawks” friends:
Although I retired from the Army in 1983 and will be 69 in 4 days, I am heeding President Bush’s call to join the surge and fight “evil” in Iraq. I have good skills. In Vietnam I fought in the middle of a civil war, was ambushed, had friends killed by IEDs and was on the receiving end of rocket and mortar attacks numerous times.
Because I am overage, and need a waiver to return to active duty, I will appeal directly to President Bush with this letter.
Dear Mr. President,
You have convinced me that if we fight terrorism in Iraq long enough we will win militarily. I know we are shorthanded because you are calling up an additional 12,000 National Guard troops this summer. So I am prepared to return to active duty immediately. Given my prior service and age, I have several requests I hope you will see fit to grant.
While I retired as a lieutenant colonel, I want to return as a sergeant so I can lead a squad in combat. I also want to stay not for a year, but until we achieve victory. I should live long enough. My Dad, a WWII vet, died at 88.
I want my squad to consist of personnel committed to the war. Your neoconservative co-conspirators, who supported the war with Iraq as early as 1992, will undoubtedly enthusiastically volunteer to join me. Pugnacious Bill Kristol, who called for attacking Iran to free the British sailors, will be my point man on patrol. Dick Cheney, a deadeye with a lifetime of hunting experience, will be my sniper. Doug Feith, who prepared the “intelligence” which got us into the war when he was head of the Office of Special Plans will, of course, be in charge of intelligence. John Bolton, a superb diplomat, will be responsible for liaison with the Iraqis and remaining members of the “Coalition of the Willing”. Paul Wolfowitz, architect of the Bush Doctrine which resulted in the Iraq invasion, will be in charge of mission operations to insure that financial support for our efforts is siphoned off to Halliburton. Scooter Libby, a fixer for Vice President Cheney, will maintain our equipment (if you pardon him so he can enlist). Entrepreneurial Richard Perle will be our quartermaster. I’m sure he will keep us well provisioned. And last, but not least, I want Fred Kagan, who, lacking military experience and knowledge of the Middle East, nonetheless devised the surge, our key to success in Iraq. He will be the machine gunner in the open turret of our lightly armored Humvee.
We don’t ask for special treatment, only that which you afford all soldiers and Marines. Pre-deployment training will be abbreviated. We won’t be trained in insurgent tactics until we arrive. Our equipment will come from the squad we replace. (I’d rather not use hand-me-downs in combat, but it is more important to fund Halliburton rather than using funds to procure equipment for the troops.) As Secretary Rumsfeld said, “You go to war with the equipment you have.”
In Iraq, we’ll serve on convoy duty, to participate in the IED and ambush “experience” first hand. We will go on nightly raids where we knock down doors and take the men away. Doug Feith will interrogate them according to rules you and Alberto devised. Then we will be assigned to work in Sadr City with Iraqi police of unknown allegiance. Living with them should be quite interesting as we are exposed to death and dismemberment from rocket and mortar attacks, the occasional sniper, IEDs, and suicide bombers, not to mention the hostile Shiite populace.
We will undoubtedly suffer casualties, even men killed in action. I only ask that the dead be buried in Arlington Memorial Cemetery with full military honors, presided over by you, our Commander-in-Chief. I am sure our wounded will receive excellent treatment at the VA. Please hire additional VA administrative personnel, so we don’t have to wait for 18 months before receiving our benefits as at present. And please expand the definition of PTSD so we all qualify. It really doesn’t take too many IEDs, rocket attacks and views of the carnage when the bad guys blow up schools and markets for us to return home with serious issues which need to be resolved.
In conclusion, I am sure that sometime in the next 10 to 15 years you will be extremely proud when those of us who survive return home to report to you “Mission Accomplished.”
Very respectfully,
Fred Seamon
Lieutenant Colonel
U.S. Army, Retired
Saturday, July 28, 2007
The Wright County Fair with "the Bob's"
What a great day!
I just got back from spending about 8 hours at the Wright County Fair in Howard Lake and it was a great day!
It was great seeing Chris Brazelton from Delano interacting with people about the issues that matter to them. Whether it was transportation, health care, or education, more and more people were sharing their displeasure with elected obstructionists like Tom Emmer and Dean Urdahl.
The booth had a high level of activity throughout the day, people coming by for the free balloons and Ciresi bumper stickers! Even more came by for some engaging conversations.
In my opinion, we had more activity this year than last year, although it was about 15 degrees cooler this year as well.
The highlight of the day was my "meeting with the Bob's". Bob Hill and Bob Olson, both candidates to unseat Congresswoman Bachmann and send her back to her IRS Tax Enforcement Agent days.
Both campaigns had staff members their for the majority of the day, which was highly appreciated!
Both Hill and Olson came in from the Stearns County Fair in Sauk Centre to visit with people sweating it out in Howard Lake.
One of Hill's biggest strengths is his ability to put people at ease with a bit of humor mixed with a powerful and positive message of hope. I witnessed several conversations where Hill mixed a dose of humor with solid public policy discussion while engaging voters.
Giving kids kazoo's with the Bob Hill for Congress logo didn't hurt either! While meant for the kids, I can't even begin to count how many parents were playing with those things all throughout the fairgrounds!
Olson was impressive as well. I will cover a discussion I had with Olson in another dairy on the blog.
Olson and I had a lengthy discussion about Iraq and the issues behind the Military Industrial Complex and how groups like Vinnell, DynaCorps, Blackwater, United Defense and others, are profiting over this quagmire in Iraq, paying their workers 4-10 times what a typical enlisted soldier performing the same duties would earn, and sleeping every night under that same soldier's protection.
With all of the talk of Linda Pfeilsticker "dodging a debate" in Southern MN, I wonder how the righties will react when Bachmann, Kline, and Coleman duck forums this summer set up to discuss the quagmire in Iraq.
More to follow on those...
Olson left to go to the Anoka County Fair as well, Hill stayed a few more hours and chatted with more and more people. It was great that I was able to chat with Hill in between visitors to the booth and Hill's time spent walking amongst the fairgoers, finding out what was on their minds. Whether it was a discussion of health care, transportation, or Veterans issues, Hill was well versed and had strong positions on all of these issues.
It was a great opportunity for the voters in Wright County and the 6th CD to meet both Hill and Olson, as well as engaging Chris Brazelton, candidate for the House Seat in 19B. While Olson made at least one trip to the fair, and Hill at least two, Bachmann was notably AWOL.
I just got back from spending about 8 hours at the Wright County Fair in Howard Lake and it was a great day!
It was great seeing Chris Brazelton from Delano interacting with people about the issues that matter to them. Whether it was transportation, health care, or education, more and more people were sharing their displeasure with elected obstructionists like Tom Emmer and Dean Urdahl.
The booth had a high level of activity throughout the day, people coming by for the free balloons and Ciresi bumper stickers! Even more came by for some engaging conversations.
In my opinion, we had more activity this year than last year, although it was about 15 degrees cooler this year as well.
The highlight of the day was my "meeting with the Bob's". Bob Hill and Bob Olson, both candidates to unseat Congresswoman Bachmann and send her back to her IRS Tax Enforcement Agent days.
Both campaigns had staff members their for the majority of the day, which was highly appreciated!
Both Hill and Olson came in from the Stearns County Fair in Sauk Centre to visit with people sweating it out in Howard Lake.
One of Hill's biggest strengths is his ability to put people at ease with a bit of humor mixed with a powerful and positive message of hope. I witnessed several conversations where Hill mixed a dose of humor with solid public policy discussion while engaging voters.
Giving kids kazoo's with the Bob Hill for Congress logo didn't hurt either! While meant for the kids, I can't even begin to count how many parents were playing with those things all throughout the fairgrounds!
Olson was impressive as well. I will cover a discussion I had with Olson in another dairy on the blog.
Olson and I had a lengthy discussion about Iraq and the issues behind the Military Industrial Complex and how groups like Vinnell, DynaCorps, Blackwater, United Defense and others, are profiting over this quagmire in Iraq, paying their workers 4-10 times what a typical enlisted soldier performing the same duties would earn, and sleeping every night under that same soldier's protection.
With all of the talk of Linda Pfeilsticker "dodging a debate" in Southern MN, I wonder how the righties will react when Bachmann, Kline, and Coleman duck forums this summer set up to discuss the quagmire in Iraq.
More to follow on those...
Olson left to go to the Anoka County Fair as well, Hill stayed a few more hours and chatted with more and more people. It was great that I was able to chat with Hill in between visitors to the booth and Hill's time spent walking amongst the fairgoers, finding out what was on their minds. Whether it was a discussion of health care, transportation, or Veterans issues, Hill was well versed and had strong positions on all of these issues.
It was a great opportunity for the voters in Wright County and the 6th CD to meet both Hill and Olson, as well as engaging Chris Brazelton, candidate for the House Seat in 19B. While Olson made at least one trip to the fair, and Hill at least two, Bachmann was notably AWOL.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
The Iraq Summer Campaign
With the quagmire in Iraq being the focal point of discussion for most Democrats, discussion of the Iraq Summer Campaign merits its own post, separate of the 6th CD Garden Party.
Representatives from the Iraq Summer Campaign attended the Garden Party this past Saturday in Otsego and engaged many of us who walked the cozy confines of the Mick Raeker and Gabe Davis home.
Word on the street is that an event is coming together for Wednesday where some local Veterans will call for Senator Coleman and Congresswoman Bachmann to stand with the majority of Minnesotans and vote for a responsible redeployment.
I'll post a time and location when it is solidified! Feel free to add a comment with details if they come out before I get home tonight!
A look at some numbers behind the quagmire in Iraq.
With no end in sight...
Representatives from the Iraq Summer Campaign attended the Garden Party this past Saturday in Otsego and engaged many of us who walked the cozy confines of the Mick Raeker and Gabe Davis home.
Word on the street is that an event is coming together for Wednesday where some local Veterans will call for Senator Coleman and Congresswoman Bachmann to stand with the majority of Minnesotans and vote for a responsible redeployment.
I'll post a time and location when it is solidified! Feel free to add a comment with details if they come out before I get home tonight!
A look at some numbers behind the quagmire in Iraq.
$567 billion – Cost of the war through 2008, according to a June analysis by the Congressional Research Service, which exists to provide nonpartisan advice to lawmakers and congressional committees.
$350 billion-$700 billion — Estimated lifetime care for wounded and disabled veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a study by Linda Blimes of Harvard University. The numbers vary depending on the duration of the war and the troop levels.
$100 billion — The potential additional costs through 2014 even if most combat troops come home next year. Retaining 30,000 troops per year — about a fifth of the current force level in Iraq — would cost about $21 billion a year, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates. So, if troop levels were reduced to 30,000 by 2010 — the first full year after the next president takes office — it would cost about $100 billion to keep them there until 2014.
$22 billion — Economic value of lost lives.
Economists and government agencies value the earning and production potential of the average American male in his prime at roughly $6 million. Using that figure, the economic value of the 3,613 lives lost as of July 16 is $21.7 billion.
$390,000 — Estimated cost to deploy an American soldier to Iraq for a year, according to the Congressional Research Service.
3,636 killed as of today.
26,800 wounded, with estimates as high as 100,000.
With no end in sight...
Congresswoman Bachmann and Senator Coleman are simply wrong on the issue, and are moving down the same popularity road President Bush.More than 60% of Americans oppose this quagmire in Iraq. Polls also indicate that the people support Congress over the President with regards to Iraq, even though Congressional approval ratings are low. Other recent polls have shown Bush's approval rating below 30 percent and Congress even lower. But on the issue of Iraq, the Post/ABC poll showed that the public stands with Congress. Fifty-five percent said they trusted congressional Democrats on the war, compared with 32 percent who said they trusted Bush, the Post said.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Education benefits for Minnesota National Guard Veterans being withheld?
This was in the Saturday Strib, I am surprised that I didn't catch this earlier!
It would appear as though Minnesota National Guard members are struggling with the VA now that they are back from Iraq. It would appear as though a dispute over how the VA is counting service time for these members has arisen, which is causing a lower benefit payment to soldiers enrolled in college. The difference being more than $500 per month.
Bureaucracy behind the GI Bill has been around since the implementation of the benefit. I waited 6 months at St Cloud State before my benefits kicked in, racking up some late charges and fun stuff like that...even though my paperwork was in months before I started.
Once again, Veterans across the state struggle for access to their benefits. It was a very common story last summer out on the campaign trail. It's a sad state of affairs when Veterans have to fight harder for their benefits than they did defending this nation!
It would appear as though Minnesota National Guard members are struggling with the VA now that they are back from Iraq. It would appear as though a dispute over how the VA is counting service time for these members has arisen, which is causing a lower benefit payment to soldiers enrolled in college. The difference being more than $500 per month.
Bureaucracy behind the GI Bill has been around since the implementation of the benefit. I waited 6 months at St Cloud State before my benefits kicked in, racking up some late charges and fun stuff like that...even though my paperwork was in months before I started.
Once again, Veterans across the state struggle for access to their benefits. It was a very common story last summer out on the campaign trail. It's a sad state of affairs when Veterans have to fight harder for their benefits than they did defending this nation!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
A Kucinich Healthcare video
It's pretty sweet! Takes a few shots at Bill and Hillary, but it's fun nonetheless!
The tale of two members of Congress: Teleconferences vs. Office Hours
The conversation Democrats and others in the 6th CD had with Congressman Tim Walz yesterday left me wondering why we never see Congresswoman Bachmann doing townhall forums and other sorts of constituent outreach.
Take a look at what Congressman Walz is doing down in the Fighting 1st!
The Congressman held office hours yesterday in Mankato. From noon til 2, and I would be willing to bet, probably later, the Congressman met with anyone and everyone who wanted to ask him a question, regardless of the subject.
He hosted a Veterans Affairs meeting with Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif in Rochester.
He hosted an economic summit in Austin this past Friday, covering issues around health care, transportation, education, renewable energy/farm policy and other issues.
Check out the great set of panels set up for this event!
He also had public listening sessions on July 5th and 6th, all across the Fighting 1st.
For more, check out Bluestem Prairie!
And what has Congresswoman Bachmann done for her constituents?
We got a teleconference on June 27th.
Bachmann took a few minutes to answer questions on "No Child Left Behind" and tax increases.
Interesting. Was she insinuating that she was going across the street to vote on the Amnesty Bill? In fact, the Senate was voting on the bill at this time.
Secondly, the largest tax increase ever? Really? Here is what FactCheck.org has to say about that.
So, teleconferences heh. Really? Is that how we want our member of Congress to communicate with us?
John Kline seems to favor these things as well, although he even recanted and had an "open forum". Although I am not sure how open it really was.
If used properly, teleconferences can bring thousands of people together at one time in a positive free exchange of ideas. However, they also have the ability to screen every question and caller as well. They can include or exclude individuals at any time.
The real question is how will the Congresswoman reach out to her constituents? Thus far, she could use a lesson from Congressman Walz, who has reached out in an inclusive manner to those in the Fighting 1st.
Will we ever have an open forum where we can ask Bachmann the tough question?
Will she have office hours?
Constituent outreach is something Congressman Walz takes very seriously and it shows. For Congresswoman Bachmann, it shows that she simply does not care.
Or could it be her work ethic? Some will cite her work ethic in the Minnesota Senate as cause for concern. Walz serves on the House Agriculture Committee, Veterans Affairs Committee, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Bachmann?
She simply serves on the Financial Services Committee, her only committee assignment.
Despite having 1/3 the committee assignments of Congressman Walz, she spends considerably less time on constituent outreach. You'd think it would be the complete opposite of that.
Yesterday, people in the 6th CD witnessed a truly genuine leader at his finest!
It's time to lift the bar off the ground and set it a bit higher for Congresswoman Bachmann!
Take a look at what Congressman Walz is doing down in the Fighting 1st!
The Congressman held office hours yesterday in Mankato. From noon til 2, and I would be willing to bet, probably later, the Congressman met with anyone and everyone who wanted to ask him a question, regardless of the subject.
He hosted a Veterans Affairs meeting with Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif in Rochester.
He hosted an economic summit in Austin this past Friday, covering issues around health care, transportation, education, renewable energy/farm policy and other issues.
Check out the great set of panels set up for this event!
He also had public listening sessions on July 5th and 6th, all across the Fighting 1st.
For more, check out Bluestem Prairie!
And what has Congresswoman Bachmann done for her constituents?
We got a teleconference on June 27th.
Bachmann took a few minutes to answer questions on "No Child Left Behind" and tax increases.
(MB) “ Yes, there's absolutely truth to that. Um,I'm glad that you brought that up because and again, I don't fee lthat to be partisan at all, all I'm doing, and I don't think you are either, we're just giving facts out. The new Democrat majority has proposed the largest tax increase in American history together with the largest spending increase in American history. And what that means is all of the growth and the gains that we've had for about the last, oh I would say, we've had tax cuts in oh-one and oh-two and oh-three and since that time over 8 million jobs have been created in the private sector, the stock market has been through the roof, um, you know, some industries aren't fairing as well right now. For instance the construction industry, um, houses aren't moving real fast, but over all there's pretty low unemployment, and uh, the economy has really been humming. We're gonna lose a lot of that prosperity I'm afraid, if we raise taxes to a really high level. That would be kind of scary and I oppose that. So I've been working very hard um to make sure we bring taxes down not up so I- I just want to thank you it, it is so wonderful that you have all been calling here this evening and uh right now I'm, I'm here in my office and, uh, I'm sorry to have to end this call so soon. I have to go now, there's this call, and vote, for me it's across the street - go over to the capitol and do some votes.
I just want you to know, before you hang up now, that I'm talking to you live here from Washington. I'm going to oppose this illegal immigration amnesty bill, you can count on that. You can also count on the fact that I am going to oppose increasing your taxes.
Interesting. Was she insinuating that she was going across the street to vote on the Amnesty Bill? In fact, the Senate was voting on the bill at this time.
Secondly, the largest tax increase ever? Really? Here is what FactCheck.org has to say about that.
The Democrats are correct in saying that their budget does not envision any taxWith Bachmann, it's all spin and no truth.
increases – compared with current law. However, Bush’s tax cuts include a “sunset provision” stipulating that they expire after a set time period. The major 2001 and 2003 tax reductions are set to expire in 2011. If the Democrats take no action, taxes automatically revert to pre-2001 levels. It’s a question philosophy majors could spend hours discussing: If you fail to prevent something, are you therefore causing it? It is worth noting that the sunset provisions were devised by Republicans who wanted to make their 2001 and 2003 cuts appear less expensive and who gambled that they would eventually be able to make them permanent.
So, teleconferences heh. Really? Is that how we want our member of Congress to communicate with us?
John Kline seems to favor these things as well, although he even recanted and had an "open forum". Although I am not sure how open it really was.
If used properly, teleconferences can bring thousands of people together at one time in a positive free exchange of ideas. However, they also have the ability to screen every question and caller as well. They can include or exclude individuals at any time.
The real question is how will the Congresswoman reach out to her constituents? Thus far, she could use a lesson from Congressman Walz, who has reached out in an inclusive manner to those in the Fighting 1st.
Will we ever have an open forum where we can ask Bachmann the tough question?
Will she have office hours?
Constituent outreach is something Congressman Walz takes very seriously and it shows. For Congresswoman Bachmann, it shows that she simply does not care.
Or could it be her work ethic? Some will cite her work ethic in the Minnesota Senate as cause for concern. Walz serves on the House Agriculture Committee, Veterans Affairs Committee, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Bachmann?
She simply serves on the Financial Services Committee, her only committee assignment.
Despite having 1/3 the committee assignments of Congressman Walz, she spends considerably less time on constituent outreach. You'd think it would be the complete opposite of that.
Yesterday, people in the 6th CD witnessed a truly genuine leader at his finest!
It's time to lift the bar off the ground and set it a bit higher for Congresswoman Bachmann!
CD 6 Garden Party Fund Raiser
Yesterday, the 6th CD DFL had a fundraiser / garden party at the home of Mick Raeker and Gabe Davis, in Otsego.
What an amazing place! More than 500,000 day lillies and a wide assortment of other flowers and plants.
Hats off to all those in CD 6 and SD 19 who worked so hard putting that event together. The event ranks highly as one of the funnest DFL events of the year!
Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Bob Hill, Al Franken, and Mike Ciresi had tables at the event.
The Wellstone bus was also at the event. I gotta say I had some major goosebumps walking through that bus and taking some pictures!
Stump speeches were delivered by candidates for the US Senate and Congress, as well as some local candidates as well.
Bob Olson delivered a speech about his run against Michele Bachmann and issues around energy independence.
Franken delivered a shorter version of a speech he gave in Monticello. He nailed it once again!
Jim Cohen delivered a speech in which he spoke of not being beholden to special interests, after he spoke of his time as a lawyer for the Sierra Club. He appeared a bit irritated as well that he would not be given as much time as he had wanted for his stump speech.
Jack Nelson Pallymeyer was very impressive. He delivered a very impassioned speech and was right on time! He stopped Bluewoman and I as we walked around the cozy confines and engaged us in a 15 minute conversation, asking us what the most important issues were in our opinion. Bluewoman cited education and I, of course, cited Veterans issues and the quagmire in Iraq. He was very engaging and I was absolutely impressed!
I had also not had the opportunity to see Mike Ciresi speak before this event. Ciresi gave the most interactive and impassioned speech of the day. I also had an opportunity to speak to him before the end of the event as well.
With all of the passionate speeches I witnessed, no one was able to top Congressman Tim Walz, the keynote speaker for the event.
Congressman Walz did not speak to us or at us, which is significantly different than most other politicians. The Congressman engaged us in a conversation. It was a conversation about Iraq, Healthcare, earmarks, Transportation, and many other issues.
The audience was engaged throughout. I guess it's because our elected representative in Washington is AWOL. People wanted to engage with our elected leaders and get hear a frank discussion of what is really going on. Something we rarely get here from Congresswoman Bachmann.
Does Congresswoman Bachmann hold high quality townhall meetings like Congressman Walz, where your party affiliation determines whether or not you will get in?
Does Congresswoman Bachmann hold "office hours" in which anyone can see her?
Congressman Walz does. In fact, he did so earlier Saturday morning.
If she really cared about what constituents in the 6th thought, she'd hold at least one of these sorts of forums in the district. In stead, she holds phone teleconferences.
Congressman Walz was very frank and candid about what's going on in Washington. That's why I have a great deal of respect for the man.
Hands down, the line of the day was stated by Congressman Walz.
When talking about the culture shock of being a member of Congress he stated, "After the first couple of days you wonder 'How'd I get here', but after a few weeks, I started to wonder 'How'd they get here!'"
Indeed Congressman Walz...we're still trying to figure it out here too!
Since Bluestem Prairie asked the question, I'll answer it.
Congressman Walz did note that decorum normally dictates that members of Congress don't spend a lot of time at events outside of their district, fundraising against other candidates.
The 1st and the 6th have a lot in common. Most pundits would predict that a Democrat couldn't win in either area. They were proven wrong this past November.
With those commonalities, the Congressmen stated that he wasn't sure that our current elected official represented the district in the most effective manner. He did not agree with many of her votes in Congress. He said so, with the caveat that Bachmann would surely say the same about himself.
Another rumor was that since Walz had travelled into the 6th to fundraise for Democrats, that Bachmann would travel into the Fighting 1st to fundraise for Republicans.
It brought a great deal of laughter.
Please do Congresswoman Bachmann...please do.
What an amazing place! More than 500,000 day lillies and a wide assortment of other flowers and plants.
Hats off to all those in CD 6 and SD 19 who worked so hard putting that event together. The event ranks highly as one of the funnest DFL events of the year!
Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Bob Hill, Al Franken, and Mike Ciresi had tables at the event.
The Wellstone bus was also at the event. I gotta say I had some major goosebumps walking through that bus and taking some pictures!
Stump speeches were delivered by candidates for the US Senate and Congress, as well as some local candidates as well.
Bob Olson delivered a speech about his run against Michele Bachmann and issues around energy independence.
Franken delivered a shorter version of a speech he gave in Monticello. He nailed it once again!
Jim Cohen delivered a speech in which he spoke of not being beholden to special interests, after he spoke of his time as a lawyer for the Sierra Club. He appeared a bit irritated as well that he would not be given as much time as he had wanted for his stump speech.
Jack Nelson Pallymeyer was very impressive. He delivered a very impassioned speech and was right on time! He stopped Bluewoman and I as we walked around the cozy confines and engaged us in a 15 minute conversation, asking us what the most important issues were in our opinion. Bluewoman cited education and I, of course, cited Veterans issues and the quagmire in Iraq. He was very engaging and I was absolutely impressed!
I had also not had the opportunity to see Mike Ciresi speak before this event. Ciresi gave the most interactive and impassioned speech of the day. I also had an opportunity to speak to him before the end of the event as well.
With all of the passionate speeches I witnessed, no one was able to top Congressman Tim Walz, the keynote speaker for the event.
Congressman Walz did not speak to us or at us, which is significantly different than most other politicians. The Congressman engaged us in a conversation. It was a conversation about Iraq, Healthcare, earmarks, Transportation, and many other issues.
The audience was engaged throughout. I guess it's because our elected representative in Washington is AWOL. People wanted to engage with our elected leaders and get hear a frank discussion of what is really going on. Something we rarely get here from Congresswoman Bachmann.
Does Congresswoman Bachmann hold high quality townhall meetings like Congressman Walz, where your party affiliation determines whether or not you will get in?
Does Congresswoman Bachmann hold "office hours" in which anyone can see her?
Congressman Walz does. In fact, he did so earlier Saturday morning.
If she really cared about what constituents in the 6th thought, she'd hold at least one of these sorts of forums in the district. In stead, she holds phone teleconferences.
Congressman Walz was very frank and candid about what's going on in Washington. That's why I have a great deal of respect for the man.
Hands down, the line of the day was stated by Congressman Walz.
When talking about the culture shock of being a member of Congress he stated, "After the first couple of days you wonder 'How'd I get here', but after a few weeks, I started to wonder 'How'd they get here!'"
Indeed Congressman Walz...we're still trying to figure it out here too!
Since Bluestem Prairie asked the question, I'll answer it.
Rumor has it that in DC, Congresswoman Bachmann asked Walz what he was doing in her district. Perhaps he'll share the story in his remarks.
Congressman Walz did note that decorum normally dictates that members of Congress don't spend a lot of time at events outside of their district, fundraising against other candidates.
The 1st and the 6th have a lot in common. Most pundits would predict that a Democrat couldn't win in either area. They were proven wrong this past November.
With those commonalities, the Congressmen stated that he wasn't sure that our current elected official represented the district in the most effective manner. He did not agree with many of her votes in Congress. He said so, with the caveat that Bachmann would surely say the same about himself.
Another rumor was that since Walz had travelled into the 6th to fundraise for Democrats, that Bachmann would travel into the Fighting 1st to fundraise for Republicans.
It brought a great deal of laughter.
Please do Congresswoman Bachmann...please do.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
More on the MinnCan pipeline
It's been a long week at work, I have not had a lot of time to post or respond to what's going on lately...but nothing like going back to another good ole MinnCan / Koch Industries pipeline story.
The SC Times has a story today about an appeal to the Minnesota Court of Appeals regarding the pipeline being forced down their throats in Greater Minnesota.
Some seem to think that 165 landowners should simply roll over because nearly a thousand did. If you have checked out previous posts here about the pipeline, you will read about extremely coercive tactics used by Koch Industries / MinnCan pipeline folks.
Regardless, nearly 6 months later, the pipeline cutting through the heart of Greater Minnesota still remains an incredibly important issue, especially for our farmers.
We'll continue to follow the story!
The SC Times has a story today about an appeal to the Minnesota Court of Appeals regarding the pipeline being forced down their throats in Greater Minnesota.
Some seem to think that 165 landowners should simply roll over because nearly a thousand did. If you have checked out previous posts here about the pipeline, you will read about extremely coercive tactics used by Koch Industries / MinnCan pipeline folks.
MPIRG attorney John Carney said the landowners' due-process rights were violated because:
» Many landowners never received notification of the pipeline, while others received notice too late to have any meaningful participation in the process.
» The PUC didn't follow a Minnesota Supreme Court decision requiring that new utilities follow existing routes when possible.
» The PUC didn't properly evaluate whether a new crude oil pipeline is needed in Minnesota. Other alternatives weren't considered or were rejected without proper analysis, the landowners contend.
» The environmental review wasn't adequate for a project of such magnitude and impact.
Regardless, nearly 6 months later, the pipeline cutting through the heart of Greater Minnesota still remains an incredibly important issue, especially for our farmers.
We'll continue to follow the story!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
After collecting the bucks, Kiffmeyer passes them
The Big Question has Kiffmeyer's reaction to her misdealings as the Secretary of State.
Simply put, she passed the buck.
Former Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer said Monday that staff members in her office were responsible for overpayment's to staff and herself during her last two years in office.
Instead of taking responsibility, she pushed the blame on new staffers, in her office.
Her statement contradicts the findings of the Legislative Auditor, which stated
The audit did not cite a rate issue, it cited inaccuracies in mileage.
And about those pay raises...
The former Secretary of State complaining about "so many rules". Nice!
Glad to hear that the former Secretary of State, who's job entails being the keeper of the original chapter laws passed each legislative session and signed by the various officers of the Legislature such as the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, Chief Clerk of the House and Secretary of the Senate as well as the Secretary of State and (in most cases) the Governor, gets bogged down by "so many rules".
You can't even make this stuff up anymore!
Whether Kiffmeyer knew about the pay raises or a rogue SoS employee played Santa to loyal employees, the issues at the SoS offices show Kiffmeyer's incompetence in leading an office as important as the Secretary of State.
It shouldn't surprise us though. Cases like this were status quo when Republicans were in control of both Houses of Congress and in control in Minnesota as well.
Passing the buck and stating "I cannot recall" have become strategic necessities for Bush era Republicans, and a detriment to the American way of life.
Simply put, she passed the buck.
Former Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer said Monday that staff members in her office were responsible for overpayment's to staff and herself during her last two years in office.
Instead of taking responsibility, she pushed the blame on new staffers, in her office.
“I had a new staff person who miscalculated the [reimbursement] rate,” Kiffmeyer said. “It was something she did. I’m giving [the SOS office] clarifying information and will give them whatever they need so this will be acceptable.”
Her statement contradicts the findings of the Legislative Auditor, which stated
Kiffmeyer's travels and mileage, the audit found that she had been overpaid an
unspecified number of times by charging for trips from her home in Big Lake to
destinations, instead of from her office on the State Capitol campus.
The audit did not cite a rate issue, it cited inaccuracies in mileage.
And about those pay raises...
“She used that authority without telling me things were beyond the contract. She
didn’t inform me, verbally or in writing. There are so many rules, we’re
dependent on HR giving us advice. I acted on what I knew.”
The former Secretary of State complaining about "so many rules". Nice!
Glad to hear that the former Secretary of State, who's job entails being the keeper of the original chapter laws passed each legislative session and signed by the various officers of the Legislature such as the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, Chief Clerk of the House and Secretary of the Senate as well as the Secretary of State and (in most cases) the Governor, gets bogged down by "so many rules".
You can't even make this stuff up anymore!
Whether Kiffmeyer knew about the pay raises or a rogue SoS employee played Santa to loyal employees, the issues at the SoS offices show Kiffmeyer's incompetence in leading an office as important as the Secretary of State.
It shouldn't surprise us though. Cases like this were status quo when Republicans were in control of both Houses of Congress and in control in Minnesota as well.
Passing the buck and stating "I cannot recall" have become strategic necessities for Bush era Republicans, and a detriment to the American way of life.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Kucinich rips Edwards and Clinton
"Politics is not about power. Politics is not about money. Politics is not about winning for the sake of winning. Politics is about the improvement of people's lives. It's about advancing the cause of peace and justice in our country and the world. Politics is about doing well for the people."
Paul Wellstone
Perhaps those in the lead for the Democratic nomination for President should reflect back upon these words. Clinton and Edwards both served with the great Senator from Minnesota and perhaps some humility is in order now.
Dennis Kucinich ripped Hillary Clinton and Jphn Edwards yesterday for their plot to exclude other Presidential candidates from future debates.
Kucinich's rant came after Clinton and Edwards were caught after a NAACP forum in Detroit, conspiring to exclude the likes of Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich, Bill Richardson and others from future debates.
Trivialized the discussion? I think answering questions in a debate by stating "I do not engage in hypothetical questions", trivializes debates, much like Hillary Clinton did in a recent debate.
When confronted, Clinton passed the buck.
Edwards back pedaled.
Edwards told reporters in Iowa that he wasn't in favor of barring anyone from future gatherings. Rather, he said he wanted to see them separated into two groups of four each, chosen randomly. "The result would be that we would have a much more serious discussion and people would actually be able to see what the differences are between us," he said.
Check out the video of the forum. Go about 55 seconds into the video and you be the judge of what Clinton and Edwards are talking about.
Sounds like Clinton and Edwards are attempting to create their own Roman Triumvirate.
The discussion of Clinton and Edwards tactics reminds me of Joe Bodell's discussion of progressive vs. liberal, posted at Minnesota Campaign Report.
Minnesota Progressives in the mold of Paul Wellstone. Clinton and Edwards are neither progressive nor liberal, by most standards.
Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd blasted Clinton and Edwards as well.
Candidates like Clinton and Edwards want true progressives like Kucinich and Richardson excluded from future debates because they pose questions and provide responses that seek to hold candidates accountable for their voting record and other actions.
When Congressman Kucinich, who was right about the war in Iraq long before it even started, questions Clinton and Edwards on their voting record, they become uneasy.
It's much easier for them to exclude true progressives than to answer tough questions. By doing so, they can continue the trend of "cookie cutter" debates, which do nothing for Americans who actually want to make a choice before the 2008 elections, and not have the outcome already decided.
Paul Wellstone
Perhaps those in the lead for the Democratic nomination for President should reflect back upon these words. Clinton and Edwards both served with the great Senator from Minnesota and perhaps some humility is in order now.
Dennis Kucinich ripped Hillary Clinton and Jphn Edwards yesterday for their plot to exclude other Presidential candidates from future debates.
"This is a serious matter and I'm calling him on it," Kucinich, an Ohio
congressman, said in a telephone interview Friday. "Whispering, trying to rig an
election, then denying what's going on and making excuses. It all reflects a
consistent lack of integrity."
Kucinich's rant came after Clinton and Edwards were caught after a NAACP forum in Detroit, conspiring to exclude the likes of Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich, Bill Richardson and others from future debates.
"We should try to have a more serious and a smaller group," Edwards said, and Clinton agreed.
"Our guys should talk," Clinton said, complaining the format had "trivialized" the discussion.
Trivialized the discussion? I think answering questions in a debate by stating "I do not engage in hypothetical questions", trivializes debates, much like Hillary Clinton did in a recent debate.
When confronted, Clinton passed the buck.
"I think he has some ideas about what he'd like to do," she said, adding she liked participating in the forums.
Edwards back pedaled.
Edwards told reporters in Iowa that he wasn't in favor of barring anyone from future gatherings. Rather, he said he wanted to see them separated into two groups of four each, chosen randomly. "The result would be that we would have a much more serious discussion and people would actually be able to see what the differences are between us," he said.
Check out the video of the forum. Go about 55 seconds into the video and you be the judge of what Clinton and Edwards are talking about.
Sounds like Clinton and Edwards are attempting to create their own Roman Triumvirate.
What modern scholars call the First Triumvirate was an informal political alliance of two rival generals, Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great representing the popular viz. senatorial party, with the extremely wealthy businessman Marcus Licinius
Crassus. This fell apart after the death of Crassus, and the two other triumvirs fought a civil war, during which Pompey was killed and Caesar established his sole rule as perpetual dictator.
The discussion of Clinton and Edwards tactics reminds me of Joe Bodell's discussion of progressive vs. liberal, posted at Minnesota Campaign Report.
Walz is a moderate Democrat and Ellison a more classic liberal. What unites them is their progressive streaks -- each publicly puts the interests of the people he represents above those of omnipresent lobbyists and monied special interests.
Minnesota Progressives in the mold of Paul Wellstone. Clinton and Edwards are neither progressive nor liberal, by most standards.
Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd blasted Clinton and Edwards as well.
"Celebrity and money are not going to decide this race," he said. "People take some offense at it in these early primary and caucus states."
Candidates like Clinton and Edwards want true progressives like Kucinich and Richardson excluded from future debates because they pose questions and provide responses that seek to hold candidates accountable for their voting record and other actions.
When Congressman Kucinich, who was right about the war in Iraq long before it even started, questions Clinton and Edwards on their voting record, they become uneasy.
It's much easier for them to exclude true progressives than to answer tough questions. By doing so, they can continue the trend of "cookie cutter" debates, which do nothing for Americans who actually want to make a choice before the 2008 elections, and not have the outcome already decided.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Senator Vitter and Family values...
A must read at Jon Swift!
Great work! Check it out in its entirety.
"The Hollywood left is redefining the most basic institution in human history, and our two U.S. Senators won't do anything about it. We need a U.S. Senator who will stand up for Louisiana values, not Massachusetts's values. I am the only Senate Candidate to coauthor the Federal Marriage Amendment; the only one fighting for its passage." Vitter once compared the devastation of gay marriage to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which as someone from Louisiana should know is pretty destructive, and said during the debate on the amendment, "I don't believe there's any issue that's more important than this one."
Great work! Check it out in its entirety.
Kiffmeyer robs the taxpayers!
For Big Lake Republicans, the week just continues to get a bit worse.
The Startribune reports that former Secretary of State, Mary Kiffmeyer not only overpaid her staff the final two years of her reign as SoS, was also overpaid for mileage reimbursements and asked for reimbursement on at least 17 occasions where such reimbursement was not appropriate.
No one disputes the value of the great staff at the Secretary of State offices, but Kiffmeyer took a page out of the GOP playbook and disregarded standard protocols.
We've never heard that one before...
Even more disturbing, Kiffmeyer sought payment for travel she was not authorized for, not just once...but 17 times!
In her defense, perhaps she was travelling to the various Indian Reservations across the state in an effort to patch things up after suppressing their vote in the 2004 election.
Former State Auditor, Pat Anderson, noted that current Secretary of State, Mark Ritchie, was fulfilling the requirements for these pay increases.
The Kiffmeyer case adds some drama to the GOP dealings in 16B. While Mark Olson has said he will not resign following being found guilty on one count of domestic assault, he will have a difficult time maintaining his House seat in the 2008 elections.
Mary Kiffmeyer was rumored to be a suitable replacement...but that seems to be tarnished right now as well.
It could be worse for Big Lake Republicans though...we could have a Senator Vitter situation to deal with!
The Startribune reports that former Secretary of State, Mary Kiffmeyer not only overpaid her staff the final two years of her reign as SoS, was also overpaid for mileage reimbursements and asked for reimbursement on at least 17 occasions where such reimbursement was not appropriate.
In dollar terms, the most significant finding involved 16 department employees who were hired at a pay rate that exceeded their collective bargaining agreement by as much as $11 an hour, costing the state $160,000.
After a 17th employee was promoted, the employee was overpaid by $11,000.
No one disputes the value of the great staff at the Secretary of State offices, but Kiffmeyer took a page out of the GOP playbook and disregarded standard protocols.
We've never heard that one before...
Even more disturbing, Kiffmeyer sought payment for travel she was not authorized for, not just once...but 17 times!
In her defense, perhaps she was travelling to the various Indian Reservations across the state in an effort to patch things up after suppressing their vote in the 2004 election.
Former State Auditor, Pat Anderson, noted that current Secretary of State, Mark Ritchie, was fulfilling the requirements for these pay increases.
The Kiffmeyer case adds some drama to the GOP dealings in 16B. While Mark Olson has said he will not resign following being found guilty on one count of domestic assault, he will have a difficult time maintaining his House seat in the 2008 elections.
Mary Kiffmeyer was rumored to be a suitable replacement...but that seems to be tarnished right now as well.
It could be worse for Big Lake Republicans though...we could have a Senator Vitter situation to deal with!
Friday, July 13, 2007
Bachmann on Iraq
The SC Times has commentary on Congresswoman Bachmann's vote to continue the quagmire in Iraq.
What has the Republican plan been for the past 5 years?
Seriously?
President Bush comes out to defend progress with the troop surge and performance of the Iraqi Government.
Think Progress has a great post up telling the "other side".
Kind of puts a different spin on the glowing review the President portrayed.
Despite fighting Al-Qaeda for half a decade, the group continues to grow.
Bachmann compares withdrawal strategy to a football game. In doing so, she continues to show just how disconnected to reality she really is.
True. We want to maintain OPSEC (Operational Security) and ensure that those we are fighting have no idea what's going on.
However, football games also have scoreboards with pertinent info. The score, time remaining etc...
In case we have forgotten, 3,611 is on one side of the "scoreboard".
In the eyes of the American public, time has expired.
What "playbook" were the Republicans running the show under when they controlled both houses of Congress?
It's pretty clear that through the US Attorney Scandal, Walter Reed, Iraq, wiretapping, that the "playbook" the Republicans are using does not sit well with the majority of Americans.
"There was no plan in the bill, it does nothing," Bachmann said. "There was no plan to leave Iraq, no plan for success in Iraq. No plan to move forward."
What has the Republican plan been for the past 5 years?
Seriously?
President Bush comes out to defend progress with the troop surge and performance of the Iraqi Government.
Think Progress has a great post up telling the "other side".
CLAIM: “The Government of Iraq has made satisfactory progress toward forming a Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) and then completing the constitutional review.”
FACT: “The Committee was originally scheduled to complete its work by May 15. Instead, it delivered a draft that did not address many of the key issues.” One CRC leader recently said, “We have not committed to doing it by September.” [LINK]
CLAIM: “The Government of Iraq has made satisfactory progress toward establishing supporting political, media, economic, and services committees in support of the Baghdad Security Plan.”
FACT: Such public services committees have “had little impact on Baghdad’s population which still lacks access to many basic services like water and electricity.” [LINK]
CLAIM: “The Government of Iraq has made satisfactory progress toward providing three trained and ready Iraqi brigades to support Baghdad operations.”
FACT: According to the Defense Department, “the three brigades that came to Baghdad were understaffed and poorly trained causing a major delay in Baghdad security operations.” Only “one-half to two-thirds” of the promised 330,000 Iraqi security forces have arrived. [LINK]
CLAIM: “The Government of Iraq with substantial Coalition assistance has made satisfactory progress toward reducing sectarian violence…”
FACT: According to the Brookings Institute, “sectarian violence has remained constant despite the ’surge.’” [LINK]
CLAIM: “The Government of Iraq — with substantial Coalition assistance — has made satisfactory progress toward establishing the planned Joint Security Stations in Baghdad.”
FACT: Iraqis living nearby such “Joint Security Stations” say they “feel less safe now, because many of the bases have quickly become magnets for rocket and mortar attacks.” [LINK]
CLAIM: “The Government of Iraq has made satisfactory progress toward ensuring that the rights of minority political parties in the Iraqi legislature are protected.”
FACT: “The Sunnis — one of the largest and most important minority groups — are currently boycotting the government. [LINK]
Kind of puts a different spin on the glowing review the President portrayed.
Despite fighting Al-Qaeda for half a decade, the group continues to grow.
Bachmann compares withdrawal strategy to a football game. In doing so, she continues to show just how disconnected to reality she really is.
"If you set a date certain on withdrawal, it's kind of the military equivalent of a football team giving the opposing team the play book," she said. "Why would you signal your endgame to your opponent?"
True. We want to maintain OPSEC (Operational Security) and ensure that those we are fighting have no idea what's going on.
However, football games also have scoreboards with pertinent info. The score, time remaining etc...
In case we have forgotten, 3,611 is on one side of the "scoreboard".
In the eyes of the American public, time has expired.
What "playbook" were the Republicans running the show under when they controlled both houses of Congress?
It's pretty clear that through the US Attorney Scandal, Walter Reed, Iraq, wiretapping, that the "playbook" the Republicans are using does not sit well with the majority of Americans.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Bachmann votes against College Students
H/T to my favorite paid political operative. You know who you are!
Congresswoman Bachmann voted against the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007. I'll give you two guesses to figure out who the second Minnesota Congressional member to vote against this legislation was...but you'll probably only need one...
Congressman Kline voted no too...
I wonder if Bachmann consulted Luke Hellier before yet another disastrous vote in Congress?
So, what did Congresswoman Bachmann oppose?
HR 2669 would
Provide significant increases to Pell Grants, increasing the maximum award by $500 over the next five years. The Pell Grant is the nation's premier college access program but has remained stagnant in recent years even in the face of rising college cost. About 6 million low- and moderate-income students would benefit from the legislation. Combined with other increases, the College Cost Reduction Act will help the maximum Pell Grant reach $5,200 by 2010.
Link loan repayment to income for all borrowers allowing them to make payments based on their capacity to pay. Income-based repayment will protect a variety of students from unmanageable debt: those who want to pursue critical low-paying public service careers or non profit work, and graduates who face a change in their life circumstances such as having children or dealing with grave illness will see relief.
Lower interest rates for low and middle-income borrowers from 6.8% to 3.4% over the next five years. It has been reported that this measure would save the average borrower $4,400 over the life of their loans.
Increase the income protection allowance for all students. This change removes disincentives for students to work while in school, enabling them to make better financial choices while they are in college.
The legislation would also prevent student borrowers from facing unmanageable levels of federal student debt by guaranteeing that borrowers will never have to spend more than 15 percent of their yearly discretionary income on loan repayments and by allowing borrowers in economic hardship to have their loans forgiven after 20 years.
Invest in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions and minority serving institutions.
Colleges and universities would also be directly impacted by the bill, it includes "state maintenance of effort" language that addresses state appropriations levels for colleges and universities, and creates a system by which colleges would be added to a list if their tuition increases exceed a certain level, with a few exemptions. There is also a new incentive program established in the bill that creates a new grant for Pell Grant recipients if they attend an institution whose net tuition increase is equal to or less than the percentage change in the higher education price index.
Why is Bachmann against Historically Black Colleges and Universities?
Why doesn't she support our students in need of Pell Grants?
Why doesn't she support manageable interest rates for lower and middle class Americans attending colleges and universities?
It's time for constituents in the 6th CD to wake up! Congresswoman Bachmann has failed to represent the interests of this district and its constituents time and time again.
I'm excited to see Bob Hill push the Congresswoman on all of these issues!
Congresswoman Bachmann voted against the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007. I'll give you two guesses to figure out who the second Minnesota Congressional member to vote against this legislation was...but you'll probably only need one...
Congressman Kline voted no too...
I wonder if Bachmann consulted Luke Hellier before yet another disastrous vote in Congress?
So, what did Congresswoman Bachmann oppose?
HR 2669 would
Provide significant increases to Pell Grants, increasing the maximum award by $500 over the next five years. The Pell Grant is the nation's premier college access program but has remained stagnant in recent years even in the face of rising college cost. About 6 million low- and moderate-income students would benefit from the legislation. Combined with other increases, the College Cost Reduction Act will help the maximum Pell Grant reach $5,200 by 2010.
Link loan repayment to income for all borrowers allowing them to make payments based on their capacity to pay. Income-based repayment will protect a variety of students from unmanageable debt: those who want to pursue critical low-paying public service careers or non profit work, and graduates who face a change in their life circumstances such as having children or dealing with grave illness will see relief.
Lower interest rates for low and middle-income borrowers from 6.8% to 3.4% over the next five years. It has been reported that this measure would save the average borrower $4,400 over the life of their loans.
Increase the income protection allowance for all students. This change removes disincentives for students to work while in school, enabling them to make better financial choices while they are in college.
The legislation would also prevent student borrowers from facing unmanageable levels of federal student debt by guaranteeing that borrowers will never have to spend more than 15 percent of their yearly discretionary income on loan repayments and by allowing borrowers in economic hardship to have their loans forgiven after 20 years.
Invest in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions and minority serving institutions.
Colleges and universities would also be directly impacted by the bill, it includes "state maintenance of effort" language that addresses state appropriations levels for colleges and universities, and creates a system by which colleges would be added to a list if their tuition increases exceed a certain level, with a few exemptions. There is also a new incentive program established in the bill that creates a new grant for Pell Grant recipients if they attend an institution whose net tuition increase is equal to or less than the percentage change in the higher education price index.
Why is Bachmann against Historically Black Colleges and Universities?
Why doesn't she support our students in need of Pell Grants?
Why doesn't she support manageable interest rates for lower and middle class Americans attending colleges and universities?
It's time for constituents in the 6th CD to wake up! Congresswoman Bachmann has failed to represent the interests of this district and its constituents time and time again.
I'm excited to see Bob Hill push the Congresswoman on all of these issues!
MnSCU Trustee appointments: Ezra Kazee speaks!
As you know, a few weeks ago the King and the Korb blasted me on the 5000 watt flamethrower, AM 1280 "The Patriot". They interviewed Luke Hellier about his candidacy for the 4 year student trustee to MnSCU.
Adam Weigold also made his case that day as well.
But no one has heard the opinion of the third candidate, Ezra Kazee. I have known Ezra for several years as well and know that he would represent students very well as the student trustee.
Here is Ezra Kazee, in his own words. Responding to questions I posed to him regarding his qualifications, desires and motivations for this post as the 4 year student trustee to MnSCU.
Over the past several months, the process of selecting the next MnSCU Board of Trustee for the four-year university student representative has been going on. This is an astronomically huge position, as this is the students’ voice at MnSCU and on the Board of Trustees for MnSCU.
This is a position that will help and explain to the rest of the Trustees what students are going through, as they are in all likelihood going through it his or her self. This is an advocate for students, an advocate for the future workforce of the state, and an advocate for the future students of our MnSCU institutions.
I have decided to seek this position because I believe in the MnSCU system and the institutions of MnSCU. I believe that we can have the best system when it comes to public higher education in the country. I believe that not only can we have the best system in the country; we can also do it in the most affordable way for students and taxpayers. Our higher education system already provides the state of Minnesota with the highest level of nurses, law enforcement personnel, and educators. These are the people who will be teaching our children, protect our families, and keep us in good health so that we may experience all of those important things that everyone wants to experience.
And I want to see this trend continue on into the future. I want to see the system kept affordable for students. And I want to see the system run efficiently and be accountable to everyone as citizens of Minnesota and students of the system. For if it isn’t, then we have just given a blank check to those in charge, and that is, in almost all cases, bad.
Since I have been at Winona State University, I have been involved in Student Government at many different levels. I have served on the Winona State University Student Senate as a Freshman Senator. I have served as President and Secretary within the Inter-Residence Hall Council as well. I served as the Co-Chair on the Winona State University All-University Cultural Diversity Committee, which developed the Winona State University Cultural Diversity Plan.
I served the students of the 7 State Universities in a wide array of positions in the Minnesota State University Student Association, first as the Student Services Coordinator, then as the MnSCU Policy and Procedure Facilitator, and finally as an at-large board of director. I have also served on a technology task force as well as a task force to develop the website for people with Disability through MnSCU. Through out my service to the students, I have not only gained invaluable experience, I have also seen the inner-working of MnSCU, am intimately familiar with the policies and procedures of MnSCU, and have developed a very good relationships throughout the system, especially with Chancellor McCormick and Vice Chancellor Franz.
However, above all of that, the reason that I am the best person to serve in this position is because I believe in being out-spoken, especially in things you don’t agree with, and giving a straight and honest opinion on anything that I am asked. I believe in listening to everyone’s opinion, and making a determination on what is best. My service will show that I have always stood up for what I believe, and always stood up for what I believe is right. And finally, it is the way I make decisions that makes me the best candidate for the job. A mantra that I believe in was much in the same way the Theodore Roosevelt believed, and that is decisions must be made for the greatest good for the greatest amount of people for the greatest amount of time.
Originally, MSUSA endorsed two candidates at its Spring Delegates conference, myself and Adam Weigold. At the request of St. Cloud State University, a third candidate was introduced after the deadline. Dana Kutcher was given consideration at a conference call, and ultimately rejected from the recommendation. During this process, since both myself and Mr. Weigold were currently on the Board of Directors, the body responsible for making the decision, we both appointed proxies for these decisions.
Our names and information was then forwarded on by MSUSA, interviews took place around the beginning to middle of June. Shortly there after, I found out about a third candidate, Luke Hellier. I don’t know Mr. Hellier personally, but apparently from passing in his involvement with his fathers wrestling promotion in which I was a spectator and he was a referee. I do know some stuff about him, from research I have done. He is a graduate of a private 4 year university up near St. Cloud who is enrolled part time at Minnesota State University-Mankato for his Graduate degree. OK fine. Strictly speaking, by the letter of the law, he does qualify. Granted, he didn’t go through the MSUSA recommendation process as is prescribed, but ok. There have been other trustees who haven’t.
I do have some concerns with his experience and knowledge of the system. If Hellier is appointed, he is going to be on such a steep learning curve that I have concerns over how long it would take for him to truly be effective. Mr. Weigold and myself have both been in the public system for many years, have worked within student government, and are exponentially more experienced when it comes to the MnSCU system then Mr. Hellier is. There are also some concerns about statements he has made about putting liberal professors on the defensive.
Universities should be about open exchange of ideas, not about putting one side or the other on the defensive.
But here is my biggest concern. Those who know me will probably always remember me for my work within the arena of diversity. I have always been an advocate of diversity, and will always work to try and improve diversity. It is my belief that diversity not only enriches all of us as student, but also prepares us for an ever changing world in which globalization is quickly becoming a key element. And we must become open and willing to explore diversity, to embrace diversity, and to make sure that diversity is something that we all understand.
It has been reported that Mr. Hellier has used some rather derogatory terms towards diversity, more specifically towards members of the GLBT community. The specific incident that I am referring to can be found at is at http://community.livejournal.com/csbsju/9909.html. (Thanks to Lisa M. Pintok’s live journal) The words are right there, and Helliers response is that "In the heat of the moment things are said and possibly the homophobic remarks came from them, I would hope that would never happen again." Now, I know a lot of things can be said in the heat of the moment, but how often to discriminatory and homophobic slurs come up. I’m not normally the language police, but at some point we have to say something. To his credit, he at least apologizes. I can’t help though but question his sincerity in these comments though. And I can’t help but wonder if something like this doesn’t say something about his character and his concern toward a system which thrives on diversity.
I just want to make this very clear. This isn’t a Republican-Democrat thing. This isn’t a conservative-liberal thing. Mr. Weigold is a very qualified conservative and republican whom I’d be very honored to have chosen over me. While I don’t always agree with his views, I feel that he is a very qualified candidate and a candidate that the association can be proud of. Even a look into my own political affiliations, you would find that the two recommendations by MSUSA would be a Republican and an independent. (I use the small I in independent so as not to confuse anyone with thinking I’m affiliated with the independent party.)
Let me finally just say that I am always open to discussions and talking. Feel free to e-mail me at either my school address (ejkazee0250@winona.edu) or at my personal address (e_kazee@yahoo.com.)
Thank you for your time in reading this and allowing me to give some of my own personal thoughts on the current situation.
Excellent job Ezra. Shoot him a note if you have any further questions! He's a great candidate and would serve students across Minnesota in a honorable and consistent manner.
Adam Weigold also made his case that day as well.
But no one has heard the opinion of the third candidate, Ezra Kazee. I have known Ezra for several years as well and know that he would represent students very well as the student trustee.
Here is Ezra Kazee, in his own words. Responding to questions I posed to him regarding his qualifications, desires and motivations for this post as the 4 year student trustee to MnSCU.
Over the past several months, the process of selecting the next MnSCU Board of Trustee for the four-year university student representative has been going on. This is an astronomically huge position, as this is the students’ voice at MnSCU and on the Board of Trustees for MnSCU.
This is a position that will help and explain to the rest of the Trustees what students are going through, as they are in all likelihood going through it his or her self. This is an advocate for students, an advocate for the future workforce of the state, and an advocate for the future students of our MnSCU institutions.
I have decided to seek this position because I believe in the MnSCU system and the institutions of MnSCU. I believe that we can have the best system when it comes to public higher education in the country. I believe that not only can we have the best system in the country; we can also do it in the most affordable way for students and taxpayers. Our higher education system already provides the state of Minnesota with the highest level of nurses, law enforcement personnel, and educators. These are the people who will be teaching our children, protect our families, and keep us in good health so that we may experience all of those important things that everyone wants to experience.
And I want to see this trend continue on into the future. I want to see the system kept affordable for students. And I want to see the system run efficiently and be accountable to everyone as citizens of Minnesota and students of the system. For if it isn’t, then we have just given a blank check to those in charge, and that is, in almost all cases, bad.
Since I have been at Winona State University, I have been involved in Student Government at many different levels. I have served on the Winona State University Student Senate as a Freshman Senator. I have served as President and Secretary within the Inter-Residence Hall Council as well. I served as the Co-Chair on the Winona State University All-University Cultural Diversity Committee, which developed the Winona State University Cultural Diversity Plan.
I served the students of the 7 State Universities in a wide array of positions in the Minnesota State University Student Association, first as the Student Services Coordinator, then as the MnSCU Policy and Procedure Facilitator, and finally as an at-large board of director. I have also served on a technology task force as well as a task force to develop the website for people with Disability through MnSCU. Through out my service to the students, I have not only gained invaluable experience, I have also seen the inner-working of MnSCU, am intimately familiar with the policies and procedures of MnSCU, and have developed a very good relationships throughout the system, especially with Chancellor McCormick and Vice Chancellor Franz.
However, above all of that, the reason that I am the best person to serve in this position is because I believe in being out-spoken, especially in things you don’t agree with, and giving a straight and honest opinion on anything that I am asked. I believe in listening to everyone’s opinion, and making a determination on what is best. My service will show that I have always stood up for what I believe, and always stood up for what I believe is right. And finally, it is the way I make decisions that makes me the best candidate for the job. A mantra that I believe in was much in the same way the Theodore Roosevelt believed, and that is decisions must be made for the greatest good for the greatest amount of people for the greatest amount of time.
Originally, MSUSA endorsed two candidates at its Spring Delegates conference, myself and Adam Weigold. At the request of St. Cloud State University, a third candidate was introduced after the deadline. Dana Kutcher was given consideration at a conference call, and ultimately rejected from the recommendation. During this process, since both myself and Mr. Weigold were currently on the Board of Directors, the body responsible for making the decision, we both appointed proxies for these decisions.
Our names and information was then forwarded on by MSUSA, interviews took place around the beginning to middle of June. Shortly there after, I found out about a third candidate, Luke Hellier. I don’t know Mr. Hellier personally, but apparently from passing in his involvement with his fathers wrestling promotion in which I was a spectator and he was a referee. I do know some stuff about him, from research I have done. He is a graduate of a private 4 year university up near St. Cloud who is enrolled part time at Minnesota State University-Mankato for his Graduate degree. OK fine. Strictly speaking, by the letter of the law, he does qualify. Granted, he didn’t go through the MSUSA recommendation process as is prescribed, but ok. There have been other trustees who haven’t.
I do have some concerns with his experience and knowledge of the system. If Hellier is appointed, he is going to be on such a steep learning curve that I have concerns over how long it would take for him to truly be effective. Mr. Weigold and myself have both been in the public system for many years, have worked within student government, and are exponentially more experienced when it comes to the MnSCU system then Mr. Hellier is. There are also some concerns about statements he has made about putting liberal professors on the defensive.
Universities should be about open exchange of ideas, not about putting one side or the other on the defensive.
But here is my biggest concern. Those who know me will probably always remember me for my work within the arena of diversity. I have always been an advocate of diversity, and will always work to try and improve diversity. It is my belief that diversity not only enriches all of us as student, but also prepares us for an ever changing world in which globalization is quickly becoming a key element. And we must become open and willing to explore diversity, to embrace diversity, and to make sure that diversity is something that we all understand.
It has been reported that Mr. Hellier has used some rather derogatory terms towards diversity, more specifically towards members of the GLBT community. The specific incident that I am referring to can be found at is at http://community.livejournal.com/csbsju/9909.html. (Thanks to Lisa M. Pintok’s live journal) The words are right there, and Helliers response is that "In the heat of the moment things are said and possibly the homophobic remarks came from them, I would hope that would never happen again." Now, I know a lot of things can be said in the heat of the moment, but how often to discriminatory and homophobic slurs come up. I’m not normally the language police, but at some point we have to say something. To his credit, he at least apologizes. I can’t help though but question his sincerity in these comments though. And I can’t help but wonder if something like this doesn’t say something about his character and his concern toward a system which thrives on diversity.
I just want to make this very clear. This isn’t a Republican-Democrat thing. This isn’t a conservative-liberal thing. Mr. Weigold is a very qualified conservative and republican whom I’d be very honored to have chosen over me. While I don’t always agree with his views, I feel that he is a very qualified candidate and a candidate that the association can be proud of. Even a look into my own political affiliations, you would find that the two recommendations by MSUSA would be a Republican and an independent. (I use the small I in independent so as not to confuse anyone with thinking I’m affiliated with the independent party.)
Let me finally just say that I am always open to discussions and talking. Feel free to e-mail me at either my school address (ejkazee0250@winona.edu) or at my personal address (e_kazee@yahoo.com.)
Thank you for your time in reading this and allowing me to give some of my own personal thoughts on the current situation.
Excellent job Ezra. Shoot him a note if you have any further questions! He's a great candidate and would serve students across Minnesota in a honorable and consistent manner.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Breaking: Students confront Pawlenty over Hellier
I received word late last night that college students in Southern Minnesota confronted Governor Pawlenty at a GOP fundraiser this weekend, grilling him over Luke Hellier.
More to follow...
More to follow...
More on Olson and Bachmann
I was "out of the net" most of the day yesterday.
Congresswoman Bachmann came back from Iraq. Apparently some haven't figured out that the "Surge" is not working.
Perhaps she should have spoken to lower enlisted soldiers about the war, like Army of Dude!
Congresswoman Bachmann came back from Iraq. Apparently some haven't figured out that the "Surge" is not working.
Perhaps she should have spoken to lower enlisted soldiers about the war, like Army of Dude!
His caption on this photo states "the roads are too dangerous to drive on, so we must resupply using push carts. Baqubah, Iraq."
Dump Mark Olson is covering the Olson trial and the Rep's newest accusation, that he was in fact the subject of spousal abuse.
With is previous fits of rage documented at Dump Mark Olson, I do have a hard time believing that his abusive past did not play a significant role in the alleged abuse of his current wife.
Keep up with this story via updates at Dump Mark Olson.
Bush to veto VA Budget?
Support our Troops!
Too bad it does not extend into their lives as a Veteran.
The President is set to veto a $3.8 billion increase in the VA's budget.
So, not only has he sent hundreds of thousands of our nation's finest into harms way without just cause, he fails to support them when they become injured and in need of future care.
Gotta love compassionate conservatism.
Too bad it does not extend into their lives as a Veteran.
The President is set to veto a $3.8 billion increase in the VA's budget.
So, not only has he sent hundreds of thousands of our nation's finest into harms way without just cause, he fails to support them when they become injured and in need of future care.
Gotta love compassionate conservatism.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
More on Hellier
The cool cats at I Don't Hate America have a great posts up about Luke Hellier's candidacy on the MnSCU Board of Trustee's.
The King and the Korb make this out to be a partisan witch hunt. I remind the readers that the segment before King lost his top, they were talking about Barkley's Match.com profile and the need for Republicans to do everything they can to secure elections.
Katherine Kersten has a different opinion of Match.com and dating sites.
Being conservative does not disqualify Hellier to serve on the MnSCU Board.
His lack of experience in a public higher education setting make him unqualified.
DJ has been doing an excellent job covering Minnesota politics, especially the whole controversy surrounding Luke Hellier. I served in the student organization (MSUSA) which endorsed candidates Ezra Kazee and Adam Weigold. I can personally attest to the quality of both men who serve students at MnSCU schools with passion. To see our Governor show interest into a candidate not even at a MnSCU school displays the lack of commitment to the reason a student representative serves on the board of trustees in the first place. Students need proper representation from someone who knows what they are going through and has a record for doing everything they can for student interests. Adam and Ezra both fit the profile, Luke does not.
The King and the Korb make this out to be a partisan witch hunt. I remind the readers that the segment before King lost his top, they were talking about Barkley's Match.com profile and the need for Republicans to do everything they can to secure elections.
Katherine Kersten has a different opinion of Match.com and dating sites.
I've regaled my kids with tales of the sometimes hair-raising experiences I had
with men I encountered while searching for a mate in younger days.
My eyes are still burning a bit...
Back to Hellier...Being conservative does not disqualify Hellier to serve on the MnSCU Board.
His lack of experience in a public higher education setting make him unqualified.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Army of Dude strikes again! Re-enlistement horror stories!
The best blog coming out of Iraq, hands down.
It would be interesting if Congresswoman Bachmann ran into Alex from AoD while she was on her Middle East swing.
I'm sure Congresswoman Bachmann will be full of great soundbites like...
"The Surge has been highly successful."
"The mainstream liberal media is not telling the complete story about Iraq."
Back to AoD!
Alex is spot on about Army life. I read his posts and recall my time on active duty. "That was me!" I chant! He writes extensively today about the recruiting and retention efforts in Iraq.
OCONUS sounds a lot like stateside recruitment.
My Division Commander and Sergeant Major told me the same thing many years ago. "You'll be begging to come back here..."
Alex's insight on married soldiers staying is sad but true.
President Bush and his lack of any sort of plan for Iraq have simply destroyed our military. How many billions will we have to spent to simply refit the Army. The military industrial complex will be making a killing.
Perpetual war to fill the coffers of groups like Honeywell, DynaCorps, Vinnell, United Defense, etc.
Seems the recruiters are getting more and more desperate.
Wow. Deja vu here. Major Deja vu.
I got a call from a recruiter in St Cloud about 4 years ago now. I was told that I could enlist with a National Guard unit in the local area, and deploy to Iraq with locals I would probably know...
or
Risk being called up through the Inactive Ready Reserves and deploy to Iraq with a bunch of people I don't know...people who had been out longer than me.
The recruiter was a tool, and I abused him on the phone that day. Having served 11 years, I have no obligation to the Inactive Ready Reserves. He hung up on me when I informed him of this. I called him back to chew his ass and he hung up again. So, I reported his scheme.
Alex has a powerful post that speaks to the corruption within the recruiting ranks and the exploitation of our soldiers, to further an unjust war. I encourage those reading this blog to read Alex's post in its entirety.
I cannot do this great post justice, other than to link to it and let you read it.
Great work Alex, I'm buying you a drink once you get back from Iraq.
It would be interesting if Congresswoman Bachmann ran into Alex from AoD while she was on her Middle East swing.
I'm sure Congresswoman Bachmann will be full of great soundbites like...
"The Surge has been highly successful."
"The mainstream liberal media is not telling the complete story about Iraq."
Back to AoD!
Alex is spot on about Army life. I read his posts and recall my time on active duty. "That was me!" I chant! He writes extensively today about the recruiting and retention efforts in Iraq.
Ask anyone besides Donald Rumsfeld about the progress of the war and they’ll tell you: it’s going badly. Every month the bombs in the road get bigger, every month the enemy gets wise to our tactics and exploit them, to the chagrin of colonels with slipping track records. People with sixteen, seventeen years in the Army are getting out a few years short of retirement. They’d rather not risk another deployment that is now fifteen months long, because you can’t enjoy retirement benefits when kids are stomping on what used to be your intestines after a five hundred pound bomb disintegrated the Humvee you were in because, oh beans, the Army thought it was too expensive to put armor underneath it. That money was better spent putting Velcro pockets on our new uniforms.
OCONUS sounds a lot like stateside recruitment.
We roll our eyes every time we hear the term ‘re-enlistment brief.’ Ugh. Since before we deployed, we’ve been collectively forced to attend a meeting every few months where some dude lays out the news: stay in the Army, and you’ll be handsomely rewarded. $15,000, college time, Airborne school, the works. Serve your country for a few more years, come on. They have a big sheet with everyone’s name, kind of like a grocery list. They check yes, no or maybe next to your name. When you tell them no, it was always the same chilly reply: you’ll fail on the outside. You’re just a vet with no skills, who would hire you? Before we left we must have had the lowest re-enlistment rate in the division. The only people convinced to re-enlist were those with families, who couldn’t risk getting out and suddenly not having a monthly check and health insurance.
My Division Commander and Sergeant Major told me the same thing many years ago. "You'll be begging to come back here..."
Alex's insight on married soldiers staying is sad but true.
Four years of war and this Army is a skeleton of its former self. Equipment is broken or obsolete, thousands are dead and wounded and many of us can’t wait to get off the Hindenburg.
President Bush and his lack of any sort of plan for Iraq have simply destroyed our military. How many billions will we have to spent to simply refit the Army. The military industrial complex will be making a killing.
Perpetual war to fill the coffers of groups like Honeywell, DynaCorps, Vinnell, United Defense, etc.
Seems the recruiters are getting more and more desperate.
Before we left Baghdad, the re-enlistment briefs got a little more disturbing. Instead of letting you know what a bum you’ll become if you leave the Army after your enlistment, they put it in simple terms: if you don’t re-enlist, you’ll be thrown in 5th Brigade, the Stryker unit on Ft. Lewis that was being stood up, and yes, they were deploying as soon as they could. So you might as well stay where your friends are and come back to Iraq with them. Otherwise, you’ll be taking your chances by getting your ass stop-lossed and sent to Iraq in as little as six months to a year after you returned. Better off with the sure thing.
Wow. Deja vu here. Major Deja vu.
I got a call from a recruiter in St Cloud about 4 years ago now. I was told that I could enlist with a National Guard unit in the local area, and deploy to Iraq with locals I would probably know...
or
Risk being called up through the Inactive Ready Reserves and deploy to Iraq with a bunch of people I don't know...people who had been out longer than me.
The recruiter was a tool, and I abused him on the phone that day. Having served 11 years, I have no obligation to the Inactive Ready Reserves. He hung up on me when I informed him of this. I called him back to chew his ass and he hung up again. So, I reported his scheme.
Alex has a powerful post that speaks to the corruption within the recruiting ranks and the exploitation of our soldiers, to further an unjust war. I encourage those reading this blog to read Alex's post in its entirety.
I cannot do this great post justice, other than to link to it and let you read it.
Great work Alex, I'm buying you a drink once you get back from Iraq.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Pawlenty's student appointments
Here's a look at the Governor's previous student appointments to the MnSCU Board.
Tyler Despins
Press release date of July 29, 2003.
He was a late appointment by the Governor.
He was replaced by Michael Boulton.
Press release date, June 17, 2005.
He continues to serve while the Governor stalls on his appointment.
Carol (Ley) Wenner represents Technical College students on the board. IMHO, she has been the best student trustee I have worked with.
According to her bio, her term ended June 30, 2006.
Governor Pawlenty is a year late in announcing her replacement, after appointing her late.
Caleb Anderson represents Community College students on the board.
Press release date, August 31, 2006.
He'll serve through June 2008, and was a late appointment by the Governor.
Christopher Schultz
Press release dated June 30, 2004.
Schultz was replaced by Anderson, who was appointed late.
Note the trend in service with each of these appointee's. Strong backgrounds in student governance, with the 4 year students, ties to the 4 year student association, and non-student governance leadership positions in non-political organizations.
While Weigold and Kazee pass this litmus test, Hellier fails...miserably.
Also of note, the Governor has been late with his appointments on four occasions. Having appointed 5 with 2 pending, that's not a positive track record.
I hold the MnSCU Board in high regards. Having testified before them on countless occasions, I have developed a great deal of respect for what they do. Members like Ruth Grendahl, David Olson, Duane Benson, Tom Renier and others provide a great deal of experience and knowledge to the board. Student members supplement that experience with current perspectives on how these issues impact students they represent.
Hellier has no experience in a public college setting. How can he represent me? Other 4 year public college students?
My prediction? Hellier will be appointed, but the Governor will continue to wait on the matter, letting the controversy behind Hellier's candidacy die down.
And the righties called me a coward!
Tyler Despins
Press release date of July 29, 2003.
Despins, of Winona, is a student at Winona State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree. He also attended Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) from 1999-2001. He has served as State Legislative Affairs Coordinator for the Minnesota State University Student Association. He also served as both President and Vice President of the Student Senate at RCTC. Despins is appointed to the position for a State University student. He will serve a two-year term ending June 30, 2005.
He was a late appointment by the Governor.
He was replaced by Michael Boulton.
Press release date, June 17, 2005.
Michael Boulton, of Porter, is a May 2005 graduate of Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) in Marshall. He received a B.S. degree in Political Science and Business Administration. This coming fall, Boulton will start classes toward a Master's of Arts in Urban and Regional Studies degree at Minnesota State University-Mankato. He is expected to graduate with his M.A. degree in May 2007.
Boulton served on the board of directors for the Minnesota State University Student Association in 2004-05. He served as a president (2004-05) and senator (2002-04) for the SMSU Student Association. Boulton also served as president of the SMSU Political Science Association from 2002-03 and as a member of the SMSU Pep Band from 2002-04.
He continues to serve while the Governor stalls on his appointment.
Carol (Ley) Wenner represents Technical College students on the board. IMHO, she has been the best student trustee I have worked with.
Carol C. Ley, of Alexandria, is a currently enrolled as a full-time student at Alexandria Technical College. In May 2005, she is scheduled to receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in Marketing and Sales Management. Ley has been named to the Dean's List and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for two-year colleges. She has also served as a Vice President of Business Partnerships for the Minnesota chapter of Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX). Ley is a member of her Student Senate and participated as a student representative on the search team for a new college president at Alexandria Technical College.
According to her bio, her term ended June 30, 2006.
Governor Pawlenty is a year late in announcing her replacement, after appointing her late.
Caleb Anderson represents Community College students on the board.
Press release date, August 31, 2006.
Caleb J. Anderson, of Maplewood, is pursuing an A.A. degree from Century College in White Bear Lake. He currently works as a lifeguard and swimming instructor at the Maplewood Community Center. Anderson also works as an assistant pre-school teacher at the Maple Tree Child Care Center in Maplewood. He is the co-founder and co-owner of Mason-Anderson Professional Cleaners LLC. At Century College, Anderson is involved in the student senate, debate team, theater, and honor society. He is appointed to the board seat for a community college student and will serve a two-year term which ends June 30, 2008. Anderson replaces Christopher Schultz on the board.
He'll serve through June 2008, and was a late appointment by the Governor.
Christopher Schultz
Press release dated June 30, 2004.
Christopher Schultz, of Plymouth, received an A.A. degree with high honors from Normandale Community College in May 2004. This fall he will be continuing his studies at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. While at Normandale, Schultz served as Treasurer of the Student Senate. He is appointed to the Board seat for a Community College Student. Schultz will serve a two-year term which ends July 31, 2006. He replaces Shaun Williams on the Board.
Schultz was replaced by Anderson, who was appointed late.
Note the trend in service with each of these appointee's. Strong backgrounds in student governance, with the 4 year students, ties to the 4 year student association, and non-student governance leadership positions in non-political organizations.
While Weigold and Kazee pass this litmus test, Hellier fails...miserably.
Also of note, the Governor has been late with his appointments on four occasions. Having appointed 5 with 2 pending, that's not a positive track record.
I hold the MnSCU Board in high regards. Having testified before them on countless occasions, I have developed a great deal of respect for what they do. Members like Ruth Grendahl, David Olson, Duane Benson, Tom Renier and others provide a great deal of experience and knowledge to the board. Student members supplement that experience with current perspectives on how these issues impact students they represent.
Hellier has no experience in a public college setting. How can he represent me? Other 4 year public college students?
My prediction? Hellier will be appointed, but the Governor will continue to wait on the matter, letting the controversy behind Hellier's candidacy die down.
And the righties called me a coward!
Monday, July 02, 2007
Media bias in campaign contributions
Brodkorb got me thinking a bit on his recent post about Alix Kendall, Fox 9 News Morning co-anchor.
Apparently she did not know that her contribution to the Franken campaign would be public knowledge. Fair enough. While MSNBC is concerned about who is reporting the news and their political leanings, I am more concerned with the ownership of mainstream media and their political leanings.
Enter Stanley Hubbard.
Hubbard started Hubbard Broadcasting Corporation and owns television and radio stations across 4 states.
In Minnesota his company owns KSTP Channel 5 in the Twin Cities, KSAX Channel 42 in Alexandria, KRWF Channel 43 in Redwood Falls, KAAL Channel 6 in Austin/Mason City, Iowa, WDIO Channel 10 in Duluth, WIRT Channel 13 in Hibbing, and KSTC Channel 45 in the Twin Cities.
Radio stations owned by Hubbard Broadcasting Corp include local talk radio giant AM 1500 KSTP St. Paul, Minnesota, KS95, an adult contemporary FM station, WFMP 107.1 FM – Coon Rapids, Minnesota/Twin Cities, talk radio for women and WIXK 1590 AM, New Richmond, Wisconsin, Country music.
Apparently she did not know that her contribution to the Franken campaign would be public knowledge. Fair enough. While MSNBC is concerned about who is reporting the news and their political leanings, I am more concerned with the ownership of mainstream media and their political leanings.
Enter Stanley Hubbard.
Hubbard started Hubbard Broadcasting Corporation and owns television and radio stations across 4 states.
In Minnesota his company owns KSTP Channel 5 in the Twin Cities, KSAX Channel 42 in Alexandria, KRWF Channel 43 in Redwood Falls, KAAL Channel 6 in Austin/Mason City, Iowa, WDIO Channel 10 in Duluth, WIRT Channel 13 in Hibbing, and KSTC Channel 45 in the Twin Cities.
Radio stations owned by Hubbard Broadcasting Corp include local talk radio giant AM 1500 KSTP St. Paul, Minnesota, KS95, an adult contemporary FM station, WFMP 107.1 FM – Coon Rapids, Minnesota/Twin Cities, talk radio for women and WIXK 1590 AM, New Richmond, Wisconsin, Country music.
As the President for Hubbard Broadcasting Inc, Hubbard has been a large political campaign contributor. While he has given to Senator Klobuchar, Jim Oberstar and others, the vast amount of Hubbards contributions go to Republicans.
Since 2002, Hubbard has given at least:
$50,250 to the National Republican Congressional Committee
$42,500 to the National Republican Senate Committee
$15,800 to Congressman John Kline
$15,100 to Congressman Mark Kennedy
$11,200 to Senator Norm Coleman (not including $18,000 to Coleman's Victory Committee non-federal account)
$10,900 to Congressman Gil Gutenecht
$4250 to Congressman Jim Ramstad
$4600 to Rudy Giulani
and
$6,600 to Congresswoman Bachmann.
No wonder KSTP was all over the Hatch comments before the 06 elections!
So, while some may worry about how newscasters such as Alix Kendall, and whether or not she has the ability to remain impartial (which I believe), I am more concerned with those at the top, and their influence over Minnesota's political scene.
The numbers do not lie, Stanley Hubbard has significant influence, over both the media, and the political scene in Minnesota.
Potatoes before students?
Governor Pawlenty took the time to reappoint a member to the Area One Potato Research and Promotion Council.
The reappointment provides greater fuel to the Pawlenty's Vice Presidential candidacy as he speeds past Dan Quayle status and can actually spell "potato".
Don't get me wrong...I love a good potato.
But I'd rather see a good student appointed to the MnSCU Board. Technically, Mr Boulton continues to serve as the Trustee until the Governor makes his decision.
I wonder what's taking the Governor so long on this?
The reappointment provides greater fuel to the Pawlenty's Vice Presidential candidacy as he speeds past Dan Quayle status and can actually spell "potato".
Don't get me wrong...I love a good potato.
But I'd rather see a good student appointed to the MnSCU Board. Technically, Mr Boulton continues to serve as the Trustee until the Governor makes his decision.
I wonder what's taking the Governor so long on this?
Sunday, July 01, 2007
A letter to the Governor
An excellent letter from a student at Metropolitan State University.
29 June 2007
Office of the Governor
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Martin Luther King Dr.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
Dear Governor Pawlenty,I am a student at Metropolitan State University, just a stone’s throw from your office at the Capitol. I am the type of non-traditional student that Metro State was designed for. I have worked full time for Hennepin County Human Services for the past nine years. I started back at Metro in the fall of 2005 declaring a major in Social Science.
I recently became aware of the candidate that your office has apparently selected for the seat on the MNSCU Board of Trustees to represent students at four-year public colleges/universities in the MNSCU system.
Including students at the Trustee level is an excellent way to provide some insight for the other board members into student thinking and a wonderful opportunity to have a student’s voice heard. However, it appears that rather than appoint a student who can represent ALL students, you have chosen a partisan, radical political kindred spirit of yours instead.
This is quite discouraging, to say the least. Though your selection may meet the basic criteria (I heard he is going to attend Mankato State via “distance learning” part-time), Mr. Hellier hardly represents the “average” student that attends a MNSCU school. That he recently graduated from a private school is even MORE troubling.
Aren’t there other opportunities to reward political loyalists? Mr. Hellier’s efforts for GOP candidates and ideologies are certainly worthy of reward, but why at the expense of the average student that attends a MNSCU school?
I served on the board of directors for the Minneapolis / Saint Paul Church of Christ for two and a half years, only recently relinquishing that position. My input on the board was appreciated since my background and experiences have been socially and economically diverse.
Not to cast aspersion upon Mr. Hellier’s character, but one who has apparently been beating the drum for politicians who prove their distaste for public education institutions like Michelle Bachmann and Mark Kennedy is hardly a suitable choice to represent students.
I ask that you please reconsider your choice and NOT appoint Mr. Hellier to the MNSCU Board of Trustees as a representative of students.
Please review the candidates that were recommended by the students who serve in MSUSA. If those recommended candidates are not satisfactory to you, then perform another search and/or work directly with those who serve in MSUSA to select a more suitable candidate.
Sincerely,
Robert W. Velez
29 June 2007
Office of the Governor
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Martin Luther King Dr.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
Dear Governor Pawlenty,I am a student at Metropolitan State University, just a stone’s throw from your office at the Capitol. I am the type of non-traditional student that Metro State was designed for. I have worked full time for Hennepin County Human Services for the past nine years. I started back at Metro in the fall of 2005 declaring a major in Social Science.
I recently became aware of the candidate that your office has apparently selected for the seat on the MNSCU Board of Trustees to represent students at four-year public colleges/universities in the MNSCU system.
Including students at the Trustee level is an excellent way to provide some insight for the other board members into student thinking and a wonderful opportunity to have a student’s voice heard. However, it appears that rather than appoint a student who can represent ALL students, you have chosen a partisan, radical political kindred spirit of yours instead.
This is quite discouraging, to say the least. Though your selection may meet the basic criteria (I heard he is going to attend Mankato State via “distance learning” part-time), Mr. Hellier hardly represents the “average” student that attends a MNSCU school. That he recently graduated from a private school is even MORE troubling.
Aren’t there other opportunities to reward political loyalists? Mr. Hellier’s efforts for GOP candidates and ideologies are certainly worthy of reward, but why at the expense of the average student that attends a MNSCU school?
I served on the board of directors for the Minneapolis / Saint Paul Church of Christ for two and a half years, only recently relinquishing that position. My input on the board was appreciated since my background and experiences have been socially and economically diverse.
Not to cast aspersion upon Mr. Hellier’s character, but one who has apparently been beating the drum for politicians who prove their distaste for public education institutions like Michelle Bachmann and Mark Kennedy is hardly a suitable choice to represent students.
I ask that you please reconsider your choice and NOT appoint Mr. Hellier to the MNSCU Board of Trustees as a representative of students.
Please review the candidates that were recommended by the students who serve in MSUSA. If those recommended candidates are not satisfactory to you, then perform another search and/or work directly with those who serve in MSUSA to select a more suitable candidate.
Sincerely,
Robert W. Velez
No appointment yet...
It's July 1st, do you know who your new student trustee to the MnSCU Board is? Governor Pawlenty has not made an announcement yet.
One interesting item I stumbled across this past weekend...
Hellier was paid more than $16,000 for his work with Congresswoman Bachmann in the past election cycle.
Are we ready for a private college, political operative to represent 4 year students on the MnSCU Board?
Another interesting tidbit...
We all know the controversy surrounding the Koch Industries / MinnCan pipeline being forced down the throats of Minnesota's farmers.
In Minnesota's Congressional Delegation, Koch Industries is a top contributor to both Congresswoman Bachmann and Congressman Kline.
Looking at the map, it's no wonder why Koch Industries would want to buy off Congresswoman Bachmann and Congressman Kline, the pipeline runs through the heart of each of their districts.
One interesting item I stumbled across this past weekend...
Hellier was paid more than $16,000 for his work with Congresswoman Bachmann in the past election cycle.
Are we ready for a private college, political operative to represent 4 year students on the MnSCU Board?
Another interesting tidbit...
We all know the controversy surrounding the Koch Industries / MinnCan pipeline being forced down the throats of Minnesota's farmers.
In Minnesota's Congressional Delegation, Koch Industries is a top contributor to both Congresswoman Bachmann and Congressman Kline.
Looking at the map, it's no wonder why Koch Industries would want to buy off Congresswoman Bachmann and Congressman Kline, the pipeline runs through the heart of each of their districts.
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