Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Crazy Flood Letter of the Day

It's actually a couple of days old now, but nonetheless, it's crazy!
Flood punishes the sins of Fargo

The Red River is predicted to go higher than it did in 1997 and second highest to 1897 and, Lord willing, it won’t be an unmanageable flood.

By: David A. Habiger, Amenia, N.D.

The Red River is predicted to go higher than it did in 1997 and second highest to 1897 and, Lord willing, it won’t be an unmanageable flood.

I am one of many who believe the flood of ’97 and the flood to come and our crumbling economy is our punishment for the horrible sin of abortion – the terrible cruel taking of our innocent precious brothers and sisters.

These floods are Fargo’s punishment for allowing that abortion mill to continue to operate a half-block from The Forum. We hopefully will hold the floodwater back this time, but not forever to once again get God’s blessings and rid America and Fargo of the likes of these abortionists and support Rep. Dan Ruby’s 1572 Bill to save the child in its mother’s womb to challenge Roe v. Wade. God will punish all for the terrible sin of abortion.
Wow...

A little Google search of David Habiger brought some rather disturbing stories.

From an Eight Circuit Court of Appeals Judgement rejecting Habiger's appeal for an arrest after his violation of a temporary restraining order.

In its opinion, the North Dakota Supreme Court described the events leading up to the issuance of the TRO:

Since 1981, the Fargo Women's Health Organization

has operated a clinic which provides a full range of

gynecological medical services including first trimester

abortions. Approximately 75 demonstrations by

anti-abortion protestors have been held in the vicinity

of the clinic. It appears that most of these

demonstrations were peaceful, consisting of picketing,

leafleting, and speaking to people in the area near the

clinic. Beginning March 29, 1991, the character of the

protests changed. On that day, 26 people stormed the

clinic, broke down a door, occupied its rooms, and locked

themselves together using bicycle locks. The

demonstrators refused to leave, were arrested, and were

removed by Fargo police after their locks were removed by

a locksmith.


On nine other occasions in the ensuing seven months,

demonstrators were arrested for criminal acts committed

in conjunction with anti-abortion protests. As a result

of these actions, patients were confronted and jostled as

they attempted to walk to the clinic. Some patients were

able to reach the clinic only with the assistance of

volunteer "escorts" or professional security officers who

walked them through groups of hostile, screaming

protestors that surrounded them, stood in their way,

forced leaflets into patients' hands and otherwise

impeded patients' access to the clinic. Protestors

struck, pushed, and threatened escorts and guards with

physical harm. One protestor was arrested trying to

climb the clinic's fence in order to reach a patient

using the clinic's rear entrance.


Patients who attempted to drive to the clinic were

confronted at the entrance to the clinic parking lot.

Protestors stood in the way of the cars, climbed onto the

vehicles' hoods or under the cars. Some protestors

attempted to fasten themselves to the frames of cars in

order to delay their removal from the site. On one

occasion, protestors placed blocks against the tires and

attempted to cut a cable in order to disable a car after

they succeeded in stopping it in the clinic's driveway.

On another occasion, protestors waited across the street

from the clinic for a car to approach the parking lot at

which point they rushed into the street, stopped the car,

and blocked the public road. As a result of these

tactics, the clinic was effectively blockaded; patients

and staff could not enter or leave the clinic for hours

at a time.


The protestors called these blockades "rescues." At

anti-abortion rallies held after the "rescues" began,

spokesmen for the associations asked volunteers to

participate by being jailed for rescuing babies. The

rescues were to be part of a two-year campaign to force

the clinic to close.


Away from the clinic, protestors followed clinic

staff members in cars, and into grocery stores, airports,

and other public buildings. Their activities were

particularly intense against one of the clinic's doctors.

During a five month period, groups as large as 30

demonstrated at the gate of her home, congregating in

predawn hours, shouting and honking car horns, and

attempting to block the departure of the doctor and her

family members. Some protestors roamed on the doctor's

property, leaving a banner draped over a car, a baby

stroller and basket on her porch. During times when the

protestors were near the site, the doctor's house and

garage were vandalized. Protestors followed the doctor

in cars as she drove to Fargo or to the airport. Groups

waited for the doctor in airport parking ramps and rushed

at her, yelling and flashing cameras. They leafleted

cars at the school of the doctor's daughter, and two

protestors were asked to leave the school building when

they attempted to obtain a photo of her daughter. A car

full of protestors also followed the daughter of one of

the clinic's volunteers.

Just reading through all of this stuff sent shivers up and down my spine. It's chilling the great lengths Habiger and his cronies went to terrorize the people of Fargo.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Klobuchar, Peterson Visit Moorhead

They held a press conference yesterday up in Moorhead that was live on WCCO radio.

The Startribune has a brief write up
about it...
Some government leaders cut the tension with humor. U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., flew over the area with Gov. Tim Pawlenty and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. "I was telling Amy on the way over here," Peterson said, "that our solution to get the money we need is to just declare that we're a bank."

Like most residents, the politicians were waiting to see what Sunday brings, when the Red is expected to reach its highest point in recorded history. And all are hoping for the best.

"It was somewhat eerie," Klobuchar said of the scene from above. "You know there was water in those yards, but it was all covered by a white blanket of snow.

"This is a time when the forces of nature of the Red River will meet the forces of the human spirit - this community."
The Startribune failed to report the stern nature of the conversation between Congressman Peterson and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

Congressman Peterson was adamant that Federal flood relief funding be equal across both sides of the river, that one side shouldn't be short changed just because they are a small rural community.

South Park Explains the Bailouts!

Bachmann for Governor? US Senate?

An interesting Bachmann story over at Fox News.
Bachmann told FOXNews.com her ultimate goal in Congress is to overhaul and simplify the tax code, while fighting the efforts of the Obama administration to expand government and increase the tax burden. She said President Obama has gone on a spending "blitzkrieg," and she argued that the recent flap over AIG bonuses is just another sign that Washington needs an exit strategy for its financial intervention.

As for her re-election last year, she said it was just proof of her appeal.

"The fact that people knew that I am who I say I am and I'll vote the way that I vote and do so unapologetically, that's one thing people appreciate," she said. "You know, we're the state that voted in Jesse Ventura."

"The nation needs all the conservative fighters we can get in D.C.," she added.
And they discussed the 2008 election win...
Political analysts pointed to a few factors that gave her the victory: First, Minnesotans have a soft spot for third-party candidates, and Independence candidate Bob Anderson took 10 percent of the vote -- drawing away from the anti-Bachmann sentiment that Tinklenberg would have enjoyed.

Second, Tinklenberg's surge in fundraising came too late in the game.
Ok. 1. Tinklenberg was endorsed by the IP, Anderson appeared on the ballot because someone cannot appear on the ballot in two spots. Anderson virtually had no campaign. Tinklenberg didn't do enough to persuade these voters. In my humble opinion, his voter outreach in Greater Minnesota, specifically Wright County was lacking.

As for the fundraising, it's obvious that Tinklenberg had no vision for how to spend that amount of money. They had no plan in place...and that's a campaign failure.

And then they move towards speculation on where Bachmann will go next. Governor? US Senate?
"Having won that re-election ... I don't know she'll ever have a challenger of strength. She can probably hold that seat forever," said Bob Meek, a commentator who used to work for Minnesota political icons Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale.

But Meek said he suspects Bachmann is looking to higher office in the near future.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is talked about as a potential GOP candidate for president in 2012, and he could step down in 2010 to concentrate on a national campaign and avoid a potentially bruising re-election fight in Minnesota.

If that happens, "I don't know why [Bachmann] wouldn't run for governor," Meek said.

Though Bachmann would surely draw stiff opposition from Democrats, Meek said she could forge a path to the state capital if there's a third-party candidate in the race to split the vote, as in her last re-election campaign.

Meek and others also suggested she might challenge Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
She won't make the same mistake Mark Kennedy made...

Can you imagine a Minnesota under Governor Bachmann?

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Obama meets with Peterson, Klobuchar and North Dakota delegation

From the Fargo Forum
“As we go through this, he’s prepared to stand with us to make sure we have full recovery,” Conrad said. “We’ve got full support now of the Obama administration.”

The federal aid will cover 75 percent of the costs incurred by state and local government from flood-fighting efforts. And it could include more.

“What the total costs are at this point are dependent on the outcome of the fight,” Conrad said.

Their 15-minute meeting with the president Wednesday, which took place in the ceremonial vice president’s office at the Capitol, also included North Dakota U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan.

“He’s pledged all of the support of his administration and indicated he’s prepared to do whatever is necessary to help the region recover from this flood,” Dorgan said.

Minnesota U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Collin Peterson also were at the meeting, though the federal disaster aid is directed at North Dakota

Westboro Baptist Chuch Thankful for North Dakota Flooding

Yep, the same group that protests at military funerals because they claim that America embraces a "homosexual agenda".

It's absolutely ridiculous...

“God sent the flood waters to cover the evil people of Bismarck and Fargo, ND, where you flipped off God and raised your hands against His anointed by criminalizing WBC’s gospel preaching against” gays and their supporters, declared a statement released Wednesday by the church, which is in Topeka, Kan.
Now that pisses me off...

This must mean the bus from Westboro Baptist Church will not be arriving any time soon in order to assist with sandbagging efforts.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Senator Dorgan Press Release on North Dakota Flooding

With the Red River predicted to crest at near-record levels earlier than anticipated, Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad and Congressman Earl Pomeroy today mapped out a strategy with top federal, state, and local officials to help protect homes and businesses in the Red River Valley from major flooding.

At an emergency meeting convened in the Capitol Hill office of Senator Conrad, the delegation was joined by Gov. John Hoeven, Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker, North Dakota National Guard Adj. Gen. Dave Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota Director of Emergency Service Greg Wilz, as well as Lisa Konwinski from the White House, Maj. Gen. Bo Temple from the US Army Corps of Engineers, David Garratt, Acting Deputy Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Tom Graziano and Mark Frazier of the National Weather Service. Officials either joined in person or via videolink.

The focus of the meeting was to coordinate information and flood preparations among state, federal and local agencies. While Fargo and Wahpeton are of the most immediate concern, the delegation pressed to get updates on flood preparations up the Red River Valley and across the state.

“The Red River Valley learned a very painful lesson in 1997, but by enduring that tragedy we are better prepared to meet this challenge,” the delegation said in a joint statement. “We know the focus now must be on putting all our effort into protecting our towns, which will require a significant number of volunteers to help sandbag. As we do that, we must also begin preparations for the recovery effort.”

The National Weather Service had predicted that the Red River is expected to crest at 40 feet in Fargo on Saturday, March 28. However, yesterday the NWS pushed the crest date back to between March 28 and April 1.

Construction efforts on emergency levees began Thursday and will continue around the clock until completed. The St. Paul District Army Corps of Engineers office has indicated it has the resources and the man power to get the job done in Fargo and other communities that have requested assistance. In addition, Mayor Walaker estimates about 1.5 million sandbags will be needed to protect the city if it reaches 39 feet. If the crest is 40 feet, about 3 million sandbags will be needed. The Corps will also be working on building emergency levees in Harwood and Wahpeton.

North Dakota Flood Watch


I've seen a few of these in my life, having grown up in North Dakota. I've been checking out the Fargo Forum and Grand Forks Herald looking to get constant flood updates.

Fargo area predictions and levels


The Red River topped 29 feet early today in Fargo, with a reading of 29.06 inches at 3:15 a.m, according to the National Weather Service. The river is forecast to reach 40 feet by 7 a.m. Friday.

Other river observations and expected crests include:

- Red River at Hickson, 32.99 feet at 2:45 a.m., no crest info available but river above bridge deck

- Buffalo River in Sabin, 18.02 feet at midnight, 19-foot crest expected at 1 p.m. Wednesday

- Buffalo River at Dilworth, 25.21 feet at 2:30 a.m. today, 26.2-foot crest expected at 1 p.m. Wednesday

- Sheyenne River at Harwood, 887.15 feet above sea level at midnight, 892.2 crest expected at 1 p.m. Friday

- Wild Rice River at Abercrombie, 25.6 feet at 3:15 a.m., 26-foot crest expected at 7 a.m. Thursday

- Red River at Wahpeton, 17.42 feet at 3 a.m., 19-foot crest expected at 7 p.m. tonight

Up in the Grand Forks area...

Flood prediction: The National Weather Service has released the following observations and predictions for the Red River in Grand Forks:

- Monday: 32.6 feet (observed in evening).

- Today: 34.7 feet (predicted at 7 a.m.).

- Wednesday: 39 feet (predicted at 7 a.m.).

- Thursday: 43.3 feet (predicted at 7 a.m.).

- Friday: 46.9 feet (predicted at 7 a.m.).

- Saturday: 49.2 feet (predicted at 7 a.m.).

- Sunday: 50.4 feet (predicted at 7 a.m.).

- Monday: 50.9 feet (predicted at 7 a.m.).

The crest is expected to be up to 52.5 feet at some point on Monday.

Bachmann's Insanity Hits Wonkette

Wow, just when you think Congresswoman Bachmann couldn't top her last media snafu, she goes and exceeds all of our expectations.

From the comments at Wonkette.

My God Minny? Really??! This what you freakin’ elected? You guys really need a timeout something a remedial course in not voting in the first insane person that walks by. And Minny this isn’t your first dipshit rodeo. don’t think we have forgotten you elected a freakin cross dressing wrestler as your Gov. Or that coleman/franken horror show. Minny i am so disappointed in you, really look just go away come back when you find someone to lead your state that isn’t a looney tune or a devil worshiper or Stalin in training
But this may be my favorite comment thus far
This Michelle dame and that Sarah Palin gal are like the Thelma and Louise of the Republican party.
The Bachmann quote:
"I want people in Minnesota armed and dangerous on this issue of the energy tax because we need to fight back. Thomas Jefferson told us ‘having a revolution every now and then is a good thing,’ and the people – we the people – are going to have to fight back hard if we’re not going to lose our country. And I think this has the potential of changing the dynamic of freedom forever in the United States.”
What she meant... (from the Wonkette comments)
“I think that every Minnesotan should get out there and start bombing public gatherings, just as Thomas Jefferson did.”
I cannot believe the stuff that comes out of the mouth of this Congresswoman...

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Stop Loss To End

It's about time!
"Stop-loss," the unpopular U.S. Army practice of forcing soldiers to remain in military service beyond the end of their enlistment period, will be phased out and ended completely by the end of 2012, according to the Department of Defense (DoD).
The first regular (active-duty) Army units to not include stop-loss members will be deployed overseas in January of 2010. Unless required to continue it because of a national emergency, the Army plans to eliminate the stop-loss practice completely during 2012, states the Pentagon.

Soldiers forced to remain in the Army under stop-loss will receive an additional $500 per month until the program is terminated. This payment, says the DoD, “will serve as an interim measure to help mitigate its effects.”

“Stop Loss disrupts the plans of those who have served their intended obligation. As such, it is employed only when necessary to ensure minimal staffing in deploying units, when needed to ensure safe and effective unit performance,” said Bill Carr, deputy under secretary of defense, in a press release. “It is more easily rationalized in the early stages of conflict when events are most dynamic; but tempo changes in this war have frustrated our efforts to end it altogether.”

The growth in the number of troops retained by stop-loss has been attributed to the Iraq war “surge,” which saw an additional 30,000 troops deployed to Iraq during 2007.

According to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, more than 13,000 troops are currently serving under the stop-loss program, or about 6,000 more than when he took over his post in December 2006.

“I felt particularly in these numbers that it [stop-loss] was breaking faith,” Gates is quoted as saying in the Kansas City Star. “To hold them against their will is just not the right thing to do.”
Stop loss creates significant morale problems.

My first team leader ever in the Army, Sergeant Ward, was a victim of stop loss during the first Gulf War. Let's just say that Sergeant Ward was not pleased at all with the fact that he spent an additional year on active duty. I still vividly remember how he's spray paint his boots black every Sunday night and then not touch them for a week.

The fear of stop loss is real and exacerbated by recruiters. Back in 2002 I had a rather aggressive recruiter who kept telling me that if I didn't sign up for Reserve or National Guard duty that I would be stop lossed and sent to Iraq or Afghanistan with some rag tag unit.

Fortunately, I had served 11 years on active duty and could not be stop lossed. It didn't stop the recruiters from trying to intimidate me. I heard from other friends in the Veterans community that they received similar threats.

Without the threat of stop loss, these low life recruiters will have to resort to other methods to deceive recruits.

RSU: The AIG mess

I laugh too hard at these guys!

Friday, March 20, 2009

We're not going anywhere soon...

Caught the Startribune story on the House DFL budget proposal this morning.

To say the least, I'm not impressed.
House Democrats would raise taxes by $1.5 billion over the next two years, cut spending by $843 million and employ a larger accounting shift than Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposes in an effort to balance the state's budget without resorting to borrowing.
Note the "larger accounting shift than Gov. Tim Pawlenty".

More budget gimmicks? Surely this is the equivalent of another "shot fired across the bow" but where is the leadership here?

We learned that when Governor Pawlenty called his new taxes fee's that regardless of the rhetoric, the burden fell back on working and middle class Minnesotans.

Stop the rhetoric. If we're going to raise taxes, tell us we need to raise taxes and give us the "who, what, when, where, why and how".

As we know the state constitution limits the Legislature to meeting 120 legislative days during each biennium. In addition, the Legislature may not meet in regular session after the first Monday following the third Saturday in May of any year.

The clock is ticking...lets get something done!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

On Obama's NCAA Picks

Apparently, some people are pretty ticked off that President Obama took 10 minutes of his time and made some NCAA predictions.

Get over it.

When "W" was filling out his NCAA brackets over the past 8 years, he ran with his Number 1 seeds like, God, Big Oil, 9-11, and Compassionate Conservatism, while things like the middle class, the Constitution, and our nations Veterans made early exits.

I think President Bush spent more time reading "My Pet Goat" than President Obama spent picking his NCAA brackets...

Who Leads the Republican Party?

Anyone ever check out Red State Update?

Hilarious stuff as usual...

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Free Tickets for VP Biden St Cloud Event

Free tickets will be available Wednesday for Vice President Joe Biden's town-hall forum in St. Cloud the next day.

Ticketing will be distributed first-come, first-served from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the reception area of the visitors' entrance to the New Flyer bus plant in St. Cloud. The plant is located at 6200 Glenn Carlson Dr.

Biden and members of the White House Middle Class Task Force will appear at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the plant.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Will Ferrell as Bush

Hilarious...although he's no Mugatu but it's pretty damn funny!

Check out the video over at Raw Story!

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Gruenhagen wrong again

Reading Glen Gruenhagen's letters to the editor is always a joy, especially since he tends to distort facts to justify his own political agenda.

The McLeod County Chronicle posted a response to yet another reduced fact Gruenhagen LTE.

While it is always nice to have your work recognized, Mr. Gruenhagen missed a few things in his recent letter ("Thoughts of global warming, Big Stone II delays," March 4).

He lamented that it took the Public Utilities Commission more than three years to approve the power lines for the Big Stone II coal-fired power plant and blamed it on us. He also was sure that the cost of the plant had skyrocketed because of this delay.

If he's concerned about the costs, he should be on our side. A study done by an independent consultant, hired by the commission, stated the utilities had consistently underestimated the costs of the power plant.

The reason it took 3-1/2 years to get approval was because halfway through, two of the utilities pulled out of the project. Great River Energy and Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency decided the plan did not make economic sense.

Of course, we had been arguing that from the beginning, that building a huge coal-fired power plant in this day and age would stick the electricity customer with much higher bills than using cleaner alternatives.

Once those two partners left, the remaining utilities had to shrink the power plant's size and go through the process again. It was the utilities and the marketplace, not the environmental groups, which caused the delay.

Finally, we did not just "pop up," as Mr. Gruenhagen suggests. This year, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy is proudly celebrating 35 years of being the legal and scientific guardian of Minnesota's environment.

Mr. Gruenhagen said much more that we could argue with, but as he freely admits in the second paragraph, he's guessing. It's safe to say that the rest is equally short on facts and long on misplaced blame.
Perhaps Glen ought to spend less time guessing and more time knowing.

Ron Paul on Militarism

Imagine -
By Congressman Ron Paul
March 9, 2009

Imagine for a moment that somewhere in the middle of Texas there was a large foreign military base, say Chinese or Russian. Imagine that thousands of armed foreign troops were constantly patrolling American streets in military vehicles. Imagine they were here under the auspices of “keeping us safe” or “promoting democracy” or “protecting their strategic interests.”

Imagine that they operated outside of US law, and that the Constitution did not apply to them. Imagine that every now and then they made mistakes or acted on bad information and accidentally killed or terrorized innocent Americans, including women and children, most of the time with little to no repercussions or consequences. Imagine that they set up check points on our soil and routinely searched and ransacked entire neighborhoods of homes. Imagine if Americans were fearful of these foreign troops, and overwhelmingly thought America would be better off without their presence.

Imagine if some Americans were so angry about them being in Texas that they actually joined together to fight them off, in defense of our soil and sovereignty, because leadership in government refused or were unable to do so. Imagine that those Americans were labeled terrorists or insurgents for their defensive actions, and routinely killed, or captured and tortured by the foreign troops on our land. Imagine that the occupiers’ attitude was that if they just killed enough Americans, the resistance would stop, but instead, for every American killed, ten more would take up arms against them, resulting in perpetual bloodshed. Imagine if most of the citizens of the foreign land also wanted these troops to return home. Imagine if they elected a leader who promised to bring them home and put an end to this horror.

Imagine if that leader changed his mind once he took office.

The reality is that our military presence on foreign soil is as offensive to the people that live there as armed Chinese troops would be if they were stationed in Texas. We would not stand for it here, but we have had a globe straddling empire and a very intrusive foreign policy for decades that incites a lot of hatred and resentment towards us.

According to our own CIA, our meddling in the Middle East was the prime motivation for the horrific attacks on 9/11. But instead of re-evaluating our foreign policy, we have simply escalated it. We had a right to go after those responsible for 9/11, to be sure, but why do so many Americans feel as if we have a right to a military presence in some 160 countries when we wouldn’t stand for even one foreign base on our soil, for any reason? These are not embassies, mind you, these are military installations. The new administration is not materially changing anything about this. Shuffling troops around and playing with semantics does not accomplish the goals of the American people, who simply want our men and women to come home. 50,000 troops left behind in Iraq is not conducive to peace any more than 50,000 Russian soldiers would be in the United States.

Shutting down military bases and ceasing to deal with other nations with threats and violence is not isolationism. It is the opposite. Opening ourselves up to friendship, honest trade and diplomacy is the foreign policy of peace and prosperity. It is the only foreign policy that will not bankrupt us in short order, as our current actions most definitely will. I share the disappointment of the American people in the foreign policy rhetoric coming from the administration. The sad thing is, our foreign policy WILL change eventually, as Rome’s did, when all budgetary and monetary tricks to fund it are exhausted.

Barkley on the budget woes

From the Startribune

The Legislature and the Governor have been playing "budget games" with Minnesota's budget since 2002. The last Governor that proposed a real budget fix was Governor Ventura. Sadly, his proposal was ignored by the Democrats and Republicans in 2002 and the state has been playing the shift and borrow games for seven years. Maybe our elected leaders will actually do something this year that will bring about a long term solution.

The piece of the puzzle that was ignored in 2002 was Ventura's proposal to broaden the sales tax to services. Service have become a larger part of our economy every year but we refuse to adjust our tax policy to reflect this reality. The first thing that I would do would be to expand the sales tax to services.

The next thing that needs to be done is to do an across the board reduction of 5%. We have all had to cut back our spending in this economy and it is about time the State Government followed suit.

The shift is the payments to schools should be used. Yes, this is an accounting gimmick but it is the one gimmick that I can live with.

We should then restore the income tax level for the upper wage earners to its 1999 level.

This would be a great way to actually provide a more stable income source to balance our budget not only for the next two years but into the future.

Friday, March 13, 2009

So...

Two things real quick.

One blog will debut here real soon, post publicity stunt...

We dedicate this video to the blogosphere newcomer.



Secondly...there may be another joint venture blog in the making...

Stay tuned

Bachmann Lies About Earmarks

Think Progress has a fun post up about Congresswoman Bachmann's lying ways.

CLAMAN: How about a no-pork bill? Will that ever be a reality?

BACHMANN: I think it is possible. I took a pledge in my own district. I have not taken earmarks in the last three years that I have been in Congress because the system is so corrupt. It’s possible to make that pledge.
The truth:
In fact, according to Legistorm, Bachmann has requested 7 earmarks in Fiscal Year 2008 costing tax payers a total of $3,767,600. Some examples:

- $94,000 for Sheriffs Youth Program of MN
- $335,000 for Equipment Acquisition for Northland Medical Center
- $803,000 for Replacement Small Buses, St. Cloud Metro Bus
These aren't earmarks to be distraught over. It would appear that these are legitimate needs for the district, yet Bachmann flat out lies about the earmarks.

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

MIchael Steele is having a bad week...

First he gets mocked by our own Congresswoman, Michele Bachmann.

"Michael Steele! You be da man! You be da man," she said.

Awesome...simply awesome Congresswoman Bachmann.

Then, RNC Chair Michael Steele gets his ass handed to him by Rush Limbaugh and then apologizes to Rush!

The racial overtones here are disturbing. It feels like the national Republican party is trying to harness the same aura of Barack Obama.

Congresswoman Bachmann's statement is a more subtle form of racism. It feeds the stereotype of an uneducated African American. These subtle forms of racism are often more damaging then the attack by Rush Limbaugh.

Neither are acceptable and should be met with outrage.

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Muse responds to Crown Hydro Objections

Good post Muse!

Caucus for Clark tonight!

Minneapolis caucuses are this evening and Doron needs you support.

Ward 1 Caucuses (all precincts)
March 3 7:00 pm
Northeast Middle School
2955 Hayes Street NE

Can’t attend? Download the absentee letter and a volunteer supporting Doron Clark will pick it up. Call 612.987.8142 or email volunteer@doronclark.com to ask someone to pick it up.

Having been recently endorsed by AFSCME, the Stonewall DFL caucus, and Minnesota ACORN, Doron and the campaign is gaining significant momentum.

You can help Doron build on this tremendous momentum by supporting him at the caucuses tonight.

Monday, March 02, 2009

Doron Clark Endorsed by Minnesota ACORN

Got a text from Doron's campaign manager earlier today. A formal announcement came via email later...

Minnesota ACORN PAC Endorses Slate of Candidates

Minneapolis candidates commit to fight for working families

Minneapolis, Minn. – Members of Minnesota ACORN Political Action Committee endorsed a slate of candidates for Mayor and city council in Minneapolis. The endorsements come a day before the March 3rd precinct caucuses and sets the candidates on the path to win critical support from other organizations that work for social justice.

ACORN PAC's Endorsed Candidates:

Mayor: RT Rybak
City Council:
Ward 1 - Doron Clark
Ward 5 - Don Samuels
Ward 6 - Robert Lilligren
Ward 9 - Gary Schiff
Ward 10 - Matt Filner
Ward 11 - John Quincy

“These candidates are committed to fighting for working families,” said Sunday Alabi, the Chair of ACORN’s Political Action Committee. “From fighting predatory lenders and preventing foreclosures to creating living wage jobs and workplace dignity, these candidates have worked hard to help low and moderate income communities. We’re proud to send them to City Hall.”

Winning the endorsement of an organization that serves low- and moderate-income communities and addresses issues such as affordable housing, health care, and poverty may help the candidates gain the endorsement of the Democratic Farmer-Labor Party.

I'll never eat at McDonald's again...

Caught this story on WCCO radio a week or so ago, while I shouldn't be surprised, I'm a bit shocked at this.

A 1996 McDonald's hamburger
, that because of all the "crap" in the burger, is well preserved.

Wow...

Doron Clark Endorsed by Stonewall DFL

On the heels of an AFSCME endorsement and a great fundraising period, Clark has tremendous momentum going into the caucuses and the convention.

STONEWALL DFL ENDORSES DORON CLARK FOR CITY COUNCIL

“I’m honored by Stonewall DFL’s endorsement,” Doron Clark stated in accepting the group’s endorsement. “I fundamentally believe that basic civil rights must be extended to all members of the GLBT community.”

David Degrio, Clark’s GLBT Outreach Director shared, "Doron is a true advocate for all neighbors living in Northeast and Southeast Minneapolis. Stonewall’s endorsement shows that Doron will fight for equality and fairness for all people on the East Side.”

Clark’s campaign manager, Nolan Pitlick added, “Stonewall DFL thoughtfully considers all candidates in a race. Their endorsement shows the depth of knowledge Doron holds on a diverse spectrum of topics.”

Sunday, March 01, 2009

CPAC Presidential Poll

Not that I really care about CPAC...but the results are in.

Mitt Romney - 20 percent
Bobby Jindal - 14 percent
Ron Paul -13 percent
Sarah Palin - 13 percent
Newt Gingrich -10 percent
Mike Huckabee - 7 percent
Mark Sanford - 4 percent
Rudy Guiliani - 3 percent
Tim Pawlenty - 2 percent
Charlie Crist - 1 percent
Undecided - 9 percent

Pawlenty's dismal performance isn't really a big deal in my opinion. CPAC Presidential Polls are not good indicators of electoral chances.

1995: Phil Gramm won the poll, received less than 1 percent of the 1996 presidential primary vote.

1998: Steve Forbes, won only two delegates in 1996, dropped out after taking 3rd in Delaware in 2000.

1999: Gary Bauer, dropped out after New Hampshire primary.

2000: Bush won

2005: George Allen, lost to Senator Jim Webb

2006: George Allen, lost to Senator Jim Webb

2007: Mitt Romney, conceded at the 2008 CPAC

2008: Mitt Romney

2009: Mitt Romney

And Bobby Jindal coming in second at 14%? CPAC attendees obviously didn't watch his craptastic response to President Obama's address to Congress last week. Pawlenty is far from being done...

But then again, as evidenced by Bush's 8 year term in the White House, they don't always like the best orators.

More GOP fake outrage

Caught this over at the Eagle's Nest.

Republicans are outraged over this cartoon.

Enter Minnesota's sharp tongued House Minority Leader Marty Siefert.

Back in 2006, when a large budget surplus was announced, Seifert took a shot at DFLers with a drunken sailor reference of his own.

MDE loved Seifert's misguided commentary
.

I love the hypocrisy here. Virtually zero outrage when Marty Seifert makes a drunken sailor reference but when the Republicans are implicated as a drunken sailors, all the sudden were offended by said reference.

Yawn...

As a Veteran, I don't really get offended by stuff like that. I get more offended when Veterans can't access their benefits or when my friends and former soldiers are put in harms way based on a lie.

But...to each their own...

President Obama's weekly address

You have to love this. He's pretty aggressive here...