tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132468282012-01-28T12:24:26.598-06:00A cure for <i>communis rixator and communis rixatrix</i>, the common scoldSpothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.comBlogger35881100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-83977509344781182312012-01-27T11:51:00.001-06:002012-01-27T11:51:11.037-06:00

"I like to say Minnesota is three things: timber, taconite, and tourism." - Rep. Chip Cravaack In his Thursday op-ed in the Duluth News Tribune, Rep. Chip Cravaack demonstrated exactly why his economic vision for Minnesota and the 8th District is so stunted and impoverished. By any measure, timber, taconite and tourism are relatively small components of Minnesota's economy. Consider the number

aaronklemzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544556129039817104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-14663436320164378322012-01-26T09:45:00.000-06:002012-01-26T15:22:19.269-06:00

Former MNGOP chair Tony Sutton, that is Ken Avidor cartoon It is becoming more evident with every passing day that the combination bingo parlor, gaming house, and massage salon run by Tony Sutton (and let's not forget Michael Brodkorb, too!) slipped from mere bumbling financial ineptitude into political favoritism and corruption long ago. More evidence of that comes today in Two Putt

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-26813459752760798842012-01-25T09:55:00.006-06:002012-01-25T10:02:22.402-06:00

This morning, Rep. Michele Bachmann announced that she will seek a fourth term in Congress. A sentiment heard among left-leaning politicos after the 2010 election was that the millions of dollars poured into the Tarryl Clark campaign were wasted on a race that wasn't winnable. Two years later, Clark is running in a different district, Bachmann's run for President has crashed and burned, and

aaronklemzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544556129039817104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-63943626949226797162012-01-24T20:37:00.000-06:002012-01-25T14:29:23.724-06:00

Tony Petrangelo (who blogs at Minnesota Progressive Project as Tony "Angelo"), and Aaron Klemz and I (Steve Timmer), who both blog here, have embarked on a new project, a weekly (we hope) political podcast about state politics. We recorded the first episode Sunday night in anticipation of the opening of the legislative session. Since we're new at this, it required some editing by Tony, but here

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-84947636256460367632012-01-24T16:36:00.000-06:002012-01-24T19:39:22.847-06:00

Morrie misunderstands his role in the universe, entirely! Morrie Lanning, a Republican representative from just about as far as you can get from the Twin Cities and still be in Minnesota, had the vapors over Mark Dayton's assessment that the Dome site is the only really viable one: “For those who think that everything has shifted now – Metrodome is it, that’s finished, it’s a done deal. That’s

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-40721240949044870442012-01-24T15:33:00.000-06:002012-01-24T15:33:31.928-06:00

Image Credit: Ken Avidor The Amy Koch "I'm looking forward!" media tour continued Monday, with a series of short interviews in which she "takes responsibility" for somethingsomething that really doesn't matter now, anyway. But whatever that thing was, it was like a "punch in the face." But she wants to "close the book" on it. David Hann says that "if anyone got punched in the face, it was

aaronklemzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544556129039817104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-3517550106246332952012-01-23T14:35:00.000-06:002012-01-23T15:11:04.434-06:00

We're on the eve of the session, too! Ken Avidor cartoon Concentrate now, Amy, and tell me which one it was. I . . . I'm not sure. I do remember that he had these weird chicken feet. Since the fellow is probably still working in the Senate, we have to track him down. No, I'm sorry; I just don't see him.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-4891094469035146342012-01-23T09:34:00.001-06:002012-01-23T10:51:20.927-06:00

The over/under on the number of constitutional amendments on Minnesota's 2012 ballot is 3.5. Do you want the over or the under? We know that there will be one (assuming that the DFL effort to remove the marriage discrimination amendment from the ballot fails), but how many more are on the way? According to Rep. Steve Drazkowski, many more: How many pages will be added in 2012? "We have

aaronklemzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544556129039817104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-17386706149461961572012-01-22T12:51:00.002-06:002012-01-24T15:36:59.840-06:00

UPDATE: Mr. Leafblad has decided against running this year. I hope he'll consider it again in the future. Original Post:  "The most networked man in the Twin Cities," Lars Leafblad, appears to be exploring a run for the seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL - 54B). Leafblad's been talking to other representatives about the possibility. He also lives in Roseville, in

aaronklemzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544556129039817104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-46120971837261027202012-01-21T13:56:00.003-06:002012-01-21T14:02:00.350-06:00

It was Amy Koch Amy doesn't identify the perpetrator by name, but it's not hard to put two and two together. Here's part of what she said in an interview in the Strib: "I have taken a punch to the face and can say, 'OK, that one hurt,' and move forward," she said.  * * *  Koch said she wants to set the record straight on one point: She said her former chief of staff confronted her about the

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-731857556313333632012-01-21T01:00:00.000-06:002012-01-21T01:00:06.055-06:00

Dave Senjem, forward-looking guy! This is a neat piece of video, focusing as it does on Sen. Bakk's comments about what a bunch of scrubs the Senate Republican leadership is if it doesn't conduct an ethics investigation on L'Affaire Koch, Brodkorb, Michel, et al., and then pulling back to show Dave Senjem sitting right next to Bakk. Senjem soft shoes off the stage saying, "We've put it all

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-82844176710051619192012-01-20T19:57:00.000-06:002012-01-20T20:00:29.154-06:00

It's simple corruption Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Sheck and Catherine Richert had an extended piece on the MPR website today about some of the characters who had a hand in Tony Sutton's cookie jar. If you were one of Tony's vassals, life could indeed be very good. One of  Boss Tony's machine members was Dave Thompson, now a state senator from Lakeville, elected in 2010. Apparently Dave was

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-57993236346711681042012-01-20T00:30:00.000-06:002012-01-20T00:30:02.130-06:00

A Mike Dean double feature Yesterday's post featured a video clip of Common Cause Executive Director Mike Dean talking about ALEC's fingerprints all over the Minnesota Capitol. Today, we have another clip from the same interview with Mike discussing the complaint that Common Cause filed with the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board against the Republican Party of Minnesota for multiple

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-37533476555755578182012-01-19T00:04:00.000-06:002012-01-19T09:37:17.335-06:00

Common Cause of Minnesota has been dusting for prints, and it has found ALEC's on more than fifty (I think around sixty, actually, at last count) bills offered in the Minnesota Legislature. ALEC is the American Legislative Exchange Council. The ALEC website calls ALEC an "individual membership" organization, but as you will hear in this video from Mike Dean, that is hardly the case. You can

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-58516505755848517932012-01-18T00:01:00.000-06:002012-01-18T00:01:01.892-06:00

The Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect Intellectual Property Act, (collectively know as the "Turn the First Amendment over to Private Parties Acts") have the support of Minnesota's two senators. The DMCA has already chilled free speech and taken a big bite out of fair use for political comment and parody. The next time that Al Franken talks about his support of "net neutrality," I

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-70333767679574199922012-01-17T14:48:00.005-06:002012-01-17T15:16:36.172-06:00

One million.Opponents of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker have about 1 million signatures on a petition to force a recall election, according to a state Democratic Party news release.If the state’s Government Accountability Board rules that at least 540,208 signatures are valid and any legal challenges fail, Wisconsin will hold the third gubernatorial ouster vote in U.S. history. Update: To put

MNObserverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11773088061559685973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-62350153507261982312012-01-14T22:01:00.000-06:002012-01-17T16:36:48.387-06:00

Dan Nye, who is from my native land -- Edina -- throws down the gauntlet in the Strib, asking six questions of supporters of gay marriage. "Why should I?" Those are word put in Nye's mouth by the writer of the headline, but they reflect pretty accurately the tenor of Nye's questions. Although he doesn't use the "B" word, it is clear that Nye feels the sting of the label "bigot," and it is just

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-33332726502588853892012-01-14T10:14:00.002-06:002012-01-17T17:39:37.962-06:00

In an interview on January 13, 2012, Executive Director of Common Cause Mike Dean offered some remarks on the redistricting process and its current status in Minnesota. Because of the timing of the Supreme Court's decision, Minnesota citizens will attend their caucuses early in February, picking delegates, but not knowing which Senate District convention the delegates will attend; that's

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-82926222450285899532012-01-13T10:08:00.004-06:002012-01-13T10:09:34.756-06:00

And we can buy the whole shebang from Menards! Lost in the shuffle because of competing bid from Arden Hills, Minneapolis, and Shakopee, Bob Roscoe's masterpiece can be built for $301,000, according to a Menards supervisor. Rocket Science (function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "http://www.scribd.com/

aaronklemzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544556129039817104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-38208921986834093442012-01-12T16:14:00.000-06:002012-01-12T16:14:49.948-06:00

Welcome to the post-Citizens United world A Super Pac supporting supporting Newt Gingrich has posted, well, let's let Dangerous Minds describe it: This has to be the single meanest, most vicious political hit piece ever made. It’s a cold, cruel masterpiece of character assassination. It's about Mitt Romney. Yes, "corporations are people" Mitt. Here it is; it's long, but you won't be able to

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-69287393848904483242012-01-12T13:18:00.005-06:002012-01-12T15:51:23.894-06:00

Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, taking a run down the Red Bull Crashed Ice track earlier today. I understand he wiped out on the first mogul.Update: Some of the first footage of the time trials can be viewed here.

MNObserverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11773088061559685973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-90645891326371722242012-01-11T09:30:00.004-06:002012-01-11T18:18:29.051-06:00

"It is ironic that many of the same people who zealously defend the state’s righteous duty to become intimately involved in a woman’s decision to get an abortion are also positively scandalized at the government’s gross overreaching in the area of health care." District Court Judge Sam Sparks, TEXAS MEDICAL PROVIDERS PERFORMING ABORTION SERVICES, et al. v. DAVID LAKEY, M.D., Court File No. A-

MNObserverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11773088061559685973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-69737207219145096592012-01-11T00:04:00.001-06:002012-01-11T10:17:14.038-06:00

James Kunstler collects architectural atrocities. Here's November 2011's pinup: Notice how the crosswalk strides off with great purpose, on a seemingly important mission. When we arrive at the other side, however, the cruel trick is revealed. A good metaphor for the proposed giant honking river crosser, don't you think?

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-54628292216695127902012-01-10T15:56:00.003-06:002012-01-10T15:56:57.478-06:00

From an E.J. Dionne commentary in the Strib: It isn’t every day that political candidates are asked whether the 10th Amendment allows states to nullify federal laws, but that was precisely the question Rick Santorum faced at a forum here a few days ago organized by a libertarian-leaning group.  To his credit, Santorum did not pander to the nullifier. “We had a Civil War about nullification,”

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-1459986506193436822012-01-10T08:50:00.001-06:002012-01-10T08:50:09.832-06:00

Tuesday morning, the US Department of Agriculture announced the closure of hundreds of offices nationwide, including the Food Safety and Inspection Service office in Minneapolis. From Fox News: Other parts of the announcement were a surprise. Andrew Lorenz, deputy district manager for the Food Safety and Inspection Service in Minneapolis, learned his office would be closed, along with those in

aaronklemzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544556129039817104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-57944103626676970292012-01-09T16:19:00.003-06:002012-01-09T16:19:58.198-06:00

Well then, by all means, try to cripple Iran's economy and start a shooting war Posted on the Democracy Now website:

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-69472662621914696762012-01-09T10:50:00.003-06:002012-01-09T15:14:32.252-06:00

 We know, Mitt. We know. By the way, I know this is out of context; you needn't explain that to me. But coming from the mouth of a guy whose advisors adamantly justified quoting President Obama out of context, it's sauce for the goose. Follow me on Twitter @aaronklemz

aaronklemzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544556129039817104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-80553984268940561332012-01-08T14:32:00.002-06:002012-01-08T14:35:14.726-06:00

Come on, Pat, spill God told Pat Robertson who will be elected president this fall. But Pat isn't saying who he was told that the winner would be, coy fellow that he is. Pat did let it slip God told him that President Obama is a radical who will bring on America's economic collapse. Pat's God has a mean streak all right. Pat believes that Hurricane Andrew was visited on Florida because it

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-22625128634767183972012-01-07T23:52:00.000-06:002012-01-08T10:02:47.555-06:00

Ron Paul, the candidate you champion, is a misogynist, a racist, a homophobe, and an anti-Semite. He has a coin dealer's understanding of monetary policy. He named a child "Rand" after the author whose two turgid polemics that have accounted for more anti-social moral ciphers in the 20th century than another other books, perhaps save Mein Kampf. He's as old as dirt. And other than that, there

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-50525499551211181212012-01-07T12:41:00.000-06:002012-01-07T12:41:15.597-06:00

That's the advice for Michele Bachmann on coming out as top crazy. It's too late, I know, but imagine what a campaign appearance by Boomer carrying heat could have done. Did The Media Treat Bachmann Unfairly Because She's An Insane Woman? Thanks to Kevin Hoffman for the link.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-1998578322932932462012-01-07T12:11:00.002-06:002012-01-07T12:12:46.299-06:00

traditio.com The words of Archbishop John Nienstedt: Ich appelliere an dieses Versprechen in diesem Bemühen um die Ehe zu verteidigen. Es sollte nicht geöffnet werden Zwietrachtwerden zu diesem Thema. Wenn keine persönlichen Vorbehaltehaben, will ich nicht, dass sie öffentlich genutzt werden. Wenn jemand im Gewissen glaubt, dass er nicht kooperieren, I will, dass er direkt an mich wenden und

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-26205342356480625242012-01-05T17:52:00.001-06:002012-01-06T09:16:22.304-06:00

Who needs Rosemary Woods with this bunch in charge? THE SEX: at a press conference on Friday, December 16, 2011, then Deputy Majority Leader Geoff Michel, flanked by Sens. Chris Gerlach, David Hann, and (what should we make of this?) new Majority Leader David Senjem (elected in a caucus meeting on December 27th), called for the public stoning of recently deposed resigned Majority Leader Amy Koch

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-54901318545730271382012-01-04T12:34:00.000-06:002012-01-04T12:34:14.174-06:00

Bachmann's hysterial screed against President Obama in her goodbye speech this morning reminded me of the quatrains of hers we discovered a couple of years ago. In the sulfurous year of 2010 If men do still exist by then, The King of Kenya will, I warn ya, leave A mark from Maine to California. In his fetid wake I see A country that looks less like me. Where hate and prejudice once flourished,

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-39250237644951513032012-01-03T23:33:00.000-06:002012-01-03T23:35:37.040-06:00

I know Tony Angelo, Tony's a friend of mine. Tony is wizard with numbers. Here's the rhetorical Tony yesterday: Rick Santorum will win the Iowa Caucuses on Tuesday.  But Tony, no poll has yet shown Santorum in the lead in Iowa and guru of election predictions Nate Silver, currently has him pegged at just a 21% chance to win, behind both Mitt Romney and Ron Paul, why would you be predicting a

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-60705747187319158622012-01-03T20:30:00.000-06:002012-01-04T13:07:25.142-06:00

And now, an ungrateful (and perhaps vengeful) nation sends her back, marked "Refused" Thanks. Really. God decided to step out for a sack of groceries or maybe was playing cribbage with Lucifer, but whatever it was, he (or she, of course!) didn't deliver the miracle that Michele Bachmann predicted in the Iowa caucuses. This is why it is so much better to explain that what happened is an act of

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-6889816955998910592012-01-03T11:09:00.000-06:002012-01-03T11:43:38.057-06:00

This is what a jury looks like when it isn't buying the defendant's final argument NYT photo (in the Strib) The photo accompanies a story that reports that one of the reasons that the caucuses in Iowa are considered important is that voting for a candidate requires a "commitment of several hours." I think that's overblown, both in terms of the time and its meaning. It appears that four in

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-56574550250604100702012-01-02T20:07:00.000-06:002012-01-03T12:11:03.849-06:00

Just a couple of grafs from Andy Mannnix's story (at City Pages) on Meteor Michele and the Smoking Crater: "I don't know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians," Bachmann told a crowd in Sarasota, Florida, perhaps the worst place in America to make light of a hurricane. "We've had an earthquake, we've had a hurricane. He said, 'Are you going to start listening to me here?

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-78103447745886633982012-01-02T19:37:00.000-06:002012-01-02T19:41:11.959-06:00

From Michele Bachmann! Here are parts three and four of The Wit and Wisdom of Michele Bachmann. Part one is here, and two part two is here. This is a reprise of the videos originally posted this fall: quotes of Michele Bachmann "performed" by the Drinking Liberally Players of the Minneapolis - St. Paul Chapter.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-31939779388396548942012-01-01T16:00:00.001-06:002012-01-01T17:36:46.195-06:00

As we bid goodbye to the mess that was the Minnesota Republican Party's 2011, we here at the Stool want to point out one more silver lining in the cloud that will follow the party into 2012. Remember that Federal Election Commission fine (actually it was part of a conciliation agreement, but let's not quibble) of $170,000 that is still hanging over the party? Remember the Matter Under Review

MNObserverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11773088061559685973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-11341981600270507802012-01-01T12:03:00.001-06:002012-01-01T13:10:00.837-06:00

The Cross and the Cuckoo This man will tell you why: Go to Dump Michele Bachmann to see the video of him telling you how she's deficient in the Christian department.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-20361856006155665882012-01-01T11:04:00.000-06:002012-01-01T12:18:25.818-06:00

The audacity of hope Hahahahahah. Didn't somebody write a book with that title? She didn't write the book, but here are a couple of opening grafs of her column on New Year's Day about how goldarn lucky we are to have the thing called hope: We Americans are fortunate that hope is built into the architecture of the cultural world we inhabit. It's an element of the precious patrimony we

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-29367481885903760642011-12-31T15:39:00.001-06:002011-12-31T15:39:50.207-06:00

These are remarks Bachmann made about her scientific credentials some years ago. Constrast this with her recent opinion that the HPV vaccine causes mental retardation. The videos of Michele Bachmann quotes (see them all!) were made by The Drinking Liberally Players from the Minneapolis - St. Paul chapter.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-75773164087903880092011-12-31T10:37:00.001-06:002011-12-31T10:37:10.470-06:00

Quotations of candidate Michele Bachmann about foreign policy: From the Wit and Wisdom of Michele Bachmann series done by Drinking Liberally in Minneapolis - St. Paul.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-59047486397659883622011-12-30T21:46:00.000-06:002011-12-30T21:46:46.305-06:00

Here's part two of The Wit and Wisdom of Michele Bachmann, back again just in time for the Iowa caucuses:

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-36618372877924514702011-12-30T17:34:00.001-06:002011-12-31T11:19:51.721-06:00

From Facebook group Occupy Friendship: Ron Paul with former American Nazi Party member and current KKK Grand Wizard and Stormfront.org webmaster, Don Black.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-39890962474119325102011-12-30T16:35:00.000-06:002011-12-30T16:36:11.101-06:00

Since the Iowa caucuses are nearly upon us, I thought it would be a good time to rerun the Wit and Wisdom of Michele Bachmann videos we made at Drinking Liberally this fall. Here's the first one; look for the rest in coming days. If there's time, I may even cut a new one for caucus day.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-13967422567945065672011-12-29T13:51:00.001-06:002011-12-29T13:51:47.046-06:00

Don Davis reports that new Senate majority leader Senjem thinks that the Koch affair is over: So far, no senator has filed paperwork charging Koch with an ethical violation. On Minnesota Public Radio Wednesday, Senjem said that he does not expect an ethics complaint to be filed. “What happened has happened,” the new majority leader said. “It is over as far as I’m concerned. It is time to move

aaronklemzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544556129039817104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-34792676803948254802011-12-29T09:38:00.000-06:002011-12-29T11:40:56.503-06:00

Also, Jesus said, "Pick Senjem" A Republican senator reports that Amy Koch's presence was felt in the room at Tuesday's senate caucus. And she was "glimpsed" occasionally through an open door. The Apostle Limmer said, "She spake not of her [political] death," but of Republican life. With everybody living and moving and having their being in there, it must have gotten pretty crowded. At least

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-34568407411057957772011-12-28T11:49:00.004-06:002011-12-28T11:49:59.350-06:00

Public Policy Polling released their most recent Iowa caucus poll last night, and Ron Paul leads 24-20. Based on the results PPP declared: Iowa looks like a 2 person race between Paul and Romney as the campaign enters its final week. If Paul can really change the electorate by turning out all these young people and independents who don't usually vote in Republican caucuses, he'll win. If

aaronklemzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544556129039817104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-30153323007986429812011-12-28T07:00:00.000-06:002011-12-28T08:59:26.026-06:00

A serious question for Cal Ludeman Original source unknown Cal, if Michael Brodkorb is not the staffer with whom Sen. Amy Koch had an "inappropriate relationship," does mean that the staffer is still employed by the Senate? And s/he will be there when Sen. Koch returns for the session? Awkward. Ludeman told reporters that Brodkorb was fired because the senate leadership (the then leadership

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-88458665696025993992011-12-27T20:10:00.000-06:002011-12-27T22:33:35.222-06:00

Requiem for a Lightweight Update: I had an attribute incorrectly set for the publication of the video, since it was finished before the post went up, and I didn't want it to be available before the post that went with it. I've fixed it now; if some of you tried to view the video but couldn't (some of you apparently could), I apologize. It works now. In a private ceremony at a secret time and

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-18213067371799492332011-12-27T16:51:00.003-06:002011-12-27T16:51:34.303-06:00

I'm sorry Waiting around for the puff of white smoke will do funny things to you. Thanks to Slate for the link.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-32871750159077364082011-12-27T10:38:00.003-06:002011-12-27T10:45:16.135-06:00

At the Radisson Hotel in Roseville As previously announced, the Senate Republican Caucus will conduct an election to select a Majority Leader today, Tuesday, December 27.  Members of the Senate Republican Caucus will hold a press conference at the meeting location shortly after the conclusion of the leadership election. [If anybody can stay up that late.] That's the proud announcement from

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-65676897957418684372011-12-26T21:36:00.000-06:002011-12-26T23:51:29.893-06:00

It's not who you think NY Sun Here are the opening grafs from an article in Salon.com (the id of Newt) today: On Dec. 14, with Newt Gingrich still leading in most polls of Iowa but a softness in his numbers beginning to show, the former House Speaker made the unorthodox choice to take time off campaigning to deliver a seminar on brain science in the liberal university town of Iowa City. . .

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-8004349878418313902011-12-24T11:49:00.000-06:002011-12-24T11:50:39.188-06:00

Seasoned political operator needs a fresh start Michael Brodkorb is returning to his roots as part of his Phoenix Project. The slogan for his new business is Have Suit, Will Travel. This is another great cartoon from Avidor, who is planning a graphic novel about the life and times of Michael Brodkorb. Look for it in the New Year.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-59526955053932581582011-12-23T22:55:00.000-06:002011-12-23T22:55:56.253-06:00

Cross my heart and hope to die As reported Friday, December 23rd on the MPR website: Cal Ludeman, secretary of the Senate, told MPR News earlier this week that the Senate Republican leadership team's reasons for recommending Brodkorb be fired did not have to do with an inappropriate relationship with Koch.Leadership, according to Ludeman, simply didn't have the "will" to keep Brodkorb on after

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-4366576232851776092011-12-23T09:32:00.001-06:002011-12-23T09:55:16.086-06:00

Strib photo In a front page above-the-fold story in the Strib today, Michael Brodkorb vows to come back: "I've had offers from campaigns and PR firms about work" he wrote. "But my goal right now is my family and health [my emphasis], but like the mythical Phoenix, I will rise up again, but it won't be from any ashes."You can't be the Phoenix, Michael, without the ashes. The ashes are the whole

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-29629327947302485972011-12-22T15:28:00.000-06:002011-12-22T15:28:38.520-06:00

The MNGOP faithful puzzle over changes in the party calendar for the new year Last Friday, in a press conference, Sens. Geoff Michel, David Hann, David Senjem, and Chris Gerlach convened to denounce their recently deposed leader, Amy Koch. But in a startlingly swift turn of events, the denouncers are becoming the denouncees. Party apparatchiks like Sara Janacek and Cyndy Brucato are in open

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-55335838794200100582011-12-22T09:40:00.003-06:002011-12-22T09:54:18.598-06:00

They are liars, and would undoubtedly cheat, too Minnesota Public Radio You've been warned. Bob Collins at MPR asks the classic question, "What did they know, and when did they know it?" The answers are: more than we thought and earlier than we thought. Isn't that just the way it always is with coverups? Contrary to statements of the long faces pictured at last Friday's presser, they

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-46631065581670342902011-12-21T21:45:00.004-06:002011-12-22T09:00:19.839-06:00

If you're a single guy, or a single woman, and you have sex with each other, what is that? Criminal fornication; it's a misdemeanor. What if the guy is married (to somebody else) and the woman is single? Same result under the statue, Minn. Stat. sec. 609.34. Okay, what if the man and the women are each married, but not to each other? Well, that's entirely different! That's criminal adultery,

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-28475837645186497562011-12-21T14:07:00.001-06:002011-12-21T14:26:02.748-06:00

Mr. Greenwood has led an admirable life Yes, and aside from the body parts in his refrigerator, Jeffrey Dahmer was a fastidious housekeeper! But those are the words of then-senator Norm Coleman in support of a pardon for Harold "Hal" Greenwood. Attention has been paid recently to the request by Michele Bachmann and others to get a presidential pardon for convicted money launder and coke and

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-27246416451138573692011-12-21T11:46:00.001-06:002011-12-21T12:26:33.859-06:00

Karl posted a brief comment on Ripple in Stillwater yesterday, writing that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This is terrible news to a lot of us, including the authors here. We all wish Karl the very best and look forward with hope to good news about the progress of his treatment.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-75493891986127092292011-12-21T09:41:00.006-06:002011-12-21T10:17:21.056-06:00

And she doesn't need that bilious boob Bob Vander Plaats to say otherwise From CNN: Des Moines, Iowa (CNN) - Prominent Iowa faith leader Bob Vander Plaats asked Michele Bachmann to dramatically alter her White House plans, according to the Bachmann campaign, including the possibility of dropping her presidential bid altogether. "[Bob] Vander Plaats called us on Saturday and asked us to consider

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-45793768068631563582011-12-20T13:14:00.001-06:002011-12-20T14:24:17.507-06:00

On Monday, Iron Mining Association President and registered lobbyist Craig Pagel from Duluth was appointed as a citizen representative to the Fisheries Oversight Committee by DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr. The Fisheries Oversight Committee is a citizen board charged with overseeing the Fish and Game fund that contains proceeds from license fees and lottery proceeds and making policy

aaronklemzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544556129039817104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-17516598470821534752011-12-19T23:08:00.003-06:002011-12-20T16:35:56.637-06:00

Shown here after helping Michael Brodkorb clean out his Senate office The drawer cleaning and frog march out of the Capitol really occurred after dark. Michael Brodkorb got the news of his, um, separation from service in a meeting in a Mendota Heights restaurant on Friday. Late that night, he was permitted to clear out his personal things under the watchful eyes of Capitol security. The Strib

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-7257808718955758312011-12-19T15:17:00.000-06:002011-12-19T15:17:49.267-06:00

When the back benchers start dreaming of leadership positions.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-11796850460567876412011-12-19T09:04:00.000-06:002011-12-19T09:04:32.777-06:00

MPR photo Thanks to sidekick Aaron for the link to the photo.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-10177628184853347982011-12-18T11:41:00.000-06:002011-12-18T11:41:57.607-06:00

And pick up that last minute gift for the winger in your family, too! And for the ones who can read, you might consider:

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-71189741233685550752011-12-17T09:17:00.005-06:002011-12-17T10:55:04.051-06:00

The opera buffa L'amante (The Paramour) Strib photo In this opening scene, the faithless soprano Ginerva sings of her love for the tenor il Vacario -- the Deputy -- Fredo, who receives the message warmly. In the final stanza of the aria, Il mio amore per te, however, Ginerva reveals that her love is really for the bass, the dark stranger in the back of the hall, Luca Brasi. Upon hearing this

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-49954939427664036162011-12-16T10:54:00.002-06:002011-12-16T11:14:35.852-06:00

Most readers here will remember when President Reagan was shot and wounded outside a hotel in Washington. Some will also remember this:His most famous sound bite came the day Reagan was shot. Haig entered the White House briefing room and announced: "I am in control here." He never recovered from the imagery of a military man seeming to commandeer the government as his commander-in-chief was

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-16641811683121472212011-12-14T19:32:00.001-06:002011-12-14T22:57:28.965-06:00

Although maybe in a funny way, she is In one of the purest and most pious expressions of why the Catholic church should never, ever be in charge of civil law, Katherine Thomas writes in the Strib that the Catholic church not only should not -- it cannot -- ordain female priests. It is, after all, a received truth, and Thomas wants to know and believe what is true. Thomas expresses a fealty to "

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-35383846078699620602011-12-14T11:24:00.002-06:002011-12-14T13:37:04.563-06:00

The sheriff I can report -- with considerable satisfaction -- that Sheriff Rick Stanek & Co., as well as Hennepin County (being responsible for the behavior of the miscreants) have been sued by Melissa Hill for their unconstitutional behavior in ordering her to stay away from the Hennepin County Government Center and Occupy Minnesota and then arresting her for defying the order. City Pages

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-53260667194703561822011-12-13T22:39:00.002-06:002011-12-14T10:21:22.149-06:00

Geoff Michel -- aka the Deputy -- had a vapor lock in the Strib over commercial-industrial property taxes levied by the state. The state has levied commercial-industrial taxes state-wide since the dawn of civilization; it is time to get rid of the anachronism! Right? Well, not exactly. The existence of the state-wide levy of commercial-industrial property taxes is almost exactly co-extensive

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-15628799764359581242011-12-13T07:04:00.000-06:002011-12-13T07:04:40.858-06:00

This about sums it up, doesn't it? It's from Spiegel, via Scott Horton: “Africa is a country. The Taliban rule in Libya. Muslims are terrorists. Immigrants are mostly criminals, Occupy Wall Street protesters are always dirty. And women who claim to have been sexually molested should kindly keep quiet.” Welcome to the wonderful world of the Republican Party. Or rather: to the distorted world of

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-2336718125059294962011-12-12T18:22:00.002-06:002011-12-12T18:23:17.770-06:00

To make extra-damn sure it isn't legally enforceable! Serial adulterer (on left) - Getty Images Newton Gingrich signed Crazy Bob Vander Plaats' pledge. According to Slate: In a letter explaining his support for the pledge, circulated by the Iowa Family Leader, Gingrich wrote, “I also pledge to uphold the institution of marriage through personal fidelity to my spouse and respect for the marital

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-69298086746215872362011-12-11T16:50:00.001-06:002011-12-11T16:54:24.148-06:00

Tune in tonight (10 PM to Midnight) to hear Aaron Klemz and Jeff Rosenberg (MnPublius) take on right-wingers Derek Brigham, Heather Linville, and Jamie Delton. Topics include last night's Republican primary debate, the Minnesota budget surplus, and more! You can listen live on the radio (95.9 FM in the north metro) or streaming here. Follow me on Twitter @aaronklemz

aaronklemzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544556129039817104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-67079120250214500812011-12-11T14:14:00.001-06:002011-12-11T14:16:18.675-06:00

And the sky is falling, too! Strib Opinion Exchange 12-11-2011 Nothing -- absolutely nothing -- scares Jason Lewis more than the specter of economic and social justice. Anybody under the level of corporate v.p. or second-rate talk show host is clearly unworthy of making a living. And yet, there they are, just like that little shit Oliver Twist wanting "some more." If we're not careful, those

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-88037016981861578922011-12-10T13:03:00.000-06:002011-12-10T13:03:53.697-06:00

The Minneapolis - St. Paul chapter of Drinking Liberally will close out its guest programming for the year next Thursday, December 15, 2011 with an appearance by the authors of the recently published book, The Madness of Michele Bachmann: a Broad-Minded Survey of a Small-Minded Candidate (Wiley & Sons, New York). Eva Young, Karl Bremer, and Ken Avidor, who also author the blog Dump Michele

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-9878442380777208392011-12-09T13:29:00.000-06:002011-12-09T13:29:16.709-06:00

From the author of the Ten Cans of Coke® a Day is All You Need Diet, Atlanta native and nutrition expert Annette Meeks writes: Anyone who has ever tried to shed excess pounds can tell you one hard and fast rule of weight loss. It's all about how many calories you consume, not where they come from.Words to live by, indeed. And this why, according to Meeks, it is just plain nonsensical to put a

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-49510494626346861292011-12-08T08:44:00.000-06:002011-12-08T08:44:01.842-06:00

During his remarks at Drinking Liberally last week (December 1st), Javier was asked about SEIU's (he the president of Local 26) efforts to organize child care workers. Here's part of his response. The vote to organize is presently in limbo, due to a court ruling.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-67527241096319053972011-12-07T21:03:00.000-06:002011-12-07T21:03:58.146-06:00

In a poignant and obviously heart-felt op-ed in the Strib, the retired Bishop Herbert Chilstrom of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America makes a plea to the Catholic bishops in Minnesota to reverse their position on gay marriage and the upcoming marriage discrimination amendment. Doing so would mean bucking the Vatican and, inter alia, its principal hitman, Bishop Salvatore Cordileone of

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-89907649980193943652011-12-06T13:23:00.001-06:002011-12-06T13:24:55.436-06:00

Graphic by Tild Thursday night, six to nine, at the 331 Club to be exact. We'll play some classic holiday music. Santa is expected to make an entrance around seven thirty, and believe me, you won't want to miss that. This is our annual Toys for Tots drive, too, so bring a new, unwrapped toy or gift for a youngster or teen. Santa tells me that he'll be collecting cash, too!

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-89362704543583062352011-12-05T17:33:00.001-06:002011-12-05T17:34:20.331-06:00

Describing Amy's hearing charitably Strib photo Kevin Diaz has a post on Hot Dish Politics about a hearing that Amy Klobuchar intends to conduct on televising U.S. Supreme Court hearings: Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar, a member of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, will hold a hearing Tuesday on televising proceedings before the U.S. Supreme Court, which currently doesn’t even allow

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-12740925386941916052011-12-05T13:00:00.001-06:002011-12-05T13:01:27.964-06:00

Michael Brodkorb speaks No, I'm not talking about his remarks about Tom Emmer. Well, not entirely. Here's what caught my eye: Brodkorb said that after Emmer was endorsed by the Republicans in the spring of 2010, he did little to rework his campaign for the general election and became so toxic that GOP phone bankers couldn't mention his name as they made their calls. "That campaign had ample

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-46588445699221981332011-12-04T10:02:00.002-06:002011-12-04T12:27:10.997-06:00

Javier Morillo-Alicea was our guest at Drinking Liberally at the 331 Club on December 1, 2011; he is the president of SEIU chapter 26 and a well-known activist in the Twin Cities. In this clip, he talks about the October "Week of Action" involving SEIU, ISAIAH, Take Action Minnesota, and Occupy Minnesota. The Minneapolis school district is considering the payroll agent change that Javier

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-21325965615437673502011-12-03T12:16:00.002-06:002011-12-03T12:22:29.373-06:00

The Cain campaign used a stock photo - really classy Unmarried women, Herman is sorry to say, May now go about in the middle of the day. If it's not quite enough that we've loosed them to walk, It's an outrage for sure they're permitted to talk. From under the rocks these Jezebels slither, Tempting our Herm with a look of come hither. And who could blame Herm when met with such shrews To

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-30527275985417112182011-12-02T21:32:00.002-06:002011-12-02T21:37:14.433-06:00

Tony Sutton resigned as the RPM chair today: The [resignation] comes a day before a party central committee meeting, where GOP activists plan on scrutinizing the party’s budget and its unmanaged debt. Activists have also recently eyed Sutton’s $100,000 yearly salary, which he recently voluntarily cut to [only] $90,000.But the handwriting has been on the wall over the urinals for a while now. When

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-27629275332644579852011-12-02T13:52:00.002-06:002011-12-02T14:47:05.414-06:00

A poem in progress Unmarried women, Herman is sorry to say, May now go about in the middle of the day. If it's not quite enough that we loose them to walk, It's an outrage for sure they're permitted to talk.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-18193424780137419792011-11-30T21:27:00.004-06:002011-11-30T21:35:52.432-06:00

The Republican field arrayed against Keith Ellison was on display Tuesday night at the VFW hall at Lake and Lyndale in south Minneapolis. There was a debate among the three candidates, Michael Katch, Lynne Torgerson, and Chris Fields, hosted by SD60 and CD5 Republicans with Bob Davis as moderator. Here's a photo, right in front of the stage, shortly after the candidate debate began at seven P.M.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-60338944108379381892011-11-30T20:13:00.000-06:002011-11-30T20:13:32.543-06:00

You really don't have to be a professor of economics to recognize what complete windbags and confidence men the Vikings organization is when it made the "but for" argument about public financing of a stadium in recent days. But it is nice that one did. Joe Kimball recounts the argument at the link; he say this: A blog post by St. Cloud Times reporter Mark Sommerhauser looks at Banaian's objection

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-77277853391013408832011-11-30T11:02:00.000-06:002011-11-30T11:02:57.965-06:00

We have a great guest coming to DL tomorrow night, December 1st, Javier Morillo-Alicea; Javier is the president of SEIU Local 26, the union that represents about 6,000 janitors and private security guards. He's active in a number of progressive initiatives: Minnesotans for a Fair Economy, Minnesotans United for all Families, and he's a champion for immigrant rights, too. Javier is a great

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-74193514787327951892011-11-29T09:51:00.000-06:002011-11-29T09:51:02.694-06:00

Strib photo Who the #$%^&* is Tim Pawlenty? You've probably seen the comment by Timmy. One answer comes from GQ, which finds (according to MinnPost) that Tim Pawlenty is the least influential person on planet earth. As Joe Kimball says, that will leave a mark. But there must be some movie, sitcom or cartoon character that Pawlenty reminds you of. For me, it's pretty easy: Gomer Pyle,

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-30309499035860574992011-11-28T01:00:00.006-06:002011-11-29T09:30:36.893-06:00

Jennifer Rubin of the Washington Post wrote a gushing column on November 27, 2011 about Michele Bachmann's foreign policy knowledge. Many of us in Minnesota know better. Earlier this fall, the Drinking Liberally Players of the Minneapolis - St. Paul chapter of DL got together to read some of Congresswoman Bachmann's memorable quotes, including some that might not be familiar to a wider

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-38680893483359458692011-11-27T12:32:00.001-06:002011-11-28T07:44:08.567-06:00

In yet another ginned-up attempt to create the perception that public employees are overpaid, Sen. Mike Parry says that he'll hold hearings on "excessive vacation and sick time payouts" to retiring state employees. Of course, the usual suspects blame organized labor. But if there's a problem with excessive sick leave payouts to state employees, it is with non-union management, not rank-and-file

aaronklemzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09544556129039817104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-36738580684586008002011-11-26T11:21:00.001-06:002011-11-26T11:23:12.536-06:00

She is, however, a practicing fabulist. You're all familiar with Jimmy Fallon's band's choice of music when Bachmann was on the show this week. And that Fallon and NBC apologized for it. But courtesy of the Dump Michele Bachmann writers (they have a book coming out; it'll make a great gift!) who found a link to the article, you can read about a tale concocted by Bachmann (in her book) about how

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-80050758325227279652011-11-25T18:03:00.000-06:002011-11-25T18:03:52.686-06:00

That's from a bulletin this afternoon at the Strib's website. It is hard to imagine a shopper who happened to show up at midnight who was not there to "take advantage" of the store hours. You mean they're not always open this late? Damn, I lucked out! These people do seem placid compared to the reports of violence around the country. The best headline for the entire sordid, sickening day came

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-89844684765329838352011-11-25T13:57:00.001-06:002011-11-25T13:58:35.505-06:00

The store shelves have been stocked with the classic Bradlee Dean and the Junkyard Prophet Christmas album. Get yours today!

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-8347323650012267422011-11-25T10:56:00.000-06:002011-11-25T10:56:21.820-06:00

I like this video for a couple of reasons. First, for the sentiments about the Occupy movement expressed by some academics in the field of economics. Second, because it is so well shot and produced.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-9116572397869240462011-11-23T09:06:00.005-06:002011-11-24T09:25:05.016-06:00

The boys and girls who write the editorials for the Strib are really on a roll. First, they wail about the "200 to 300 ineffective" teachers in Minneapolis, entirely without foundation, and now they scold a part-time employee (probably part-time so Target doesn't have to pay for health care or other fringe benefits for him) of Target's in Omaha because he isn't crazy about going to work late in

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13246828.post-45170390540806708062011-11-22T19:54:00.003-06:002011-11-22T21:18:14.966-06:00

We have it on good authority. We just don't know which ones they are. Oh sure, we could speculate, at least based in this editorial: Reject status quo in Minneapolis schools. Taking a much-needed break from flakking the sale of some real estate owned by the Strib, the editorial writers turn for relaxation to things like pulling the wings off of flies, and of course, beating up Minneapolis

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0