Minnesota
updated
10:48 p.m.
Erik Paulsen proudly issued a Press Release when he introduced legislation to address a critical concern of the Republican-controlled House … the “strip club loophole“. This loophole currently allows individuals to access welfare benefits at ATMs in strip clubs, liquor stores, and casinos. This provision insists that all States take steps to end this abusive Follow this link to ...
MN Political Roundtable - 8:00 p.m.
An anti-Bachmann activist I used to work with once cautioned me against coming down too hard on Bachmann. "She doesn't kill people," the activist told me. No, she doesn't kill people. Her rhetoric does; the rhetoric she takes from her mentor in the national religious right. Rolling Stone: One Town's War on Gay Teens In Michele Bachmann's home district, evangelicals have created an extre...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - 1:01 p.m. - 2 clicks 
John Kline (R-MN-02) had a bad Wednesday. Chairman Kline’s Education and Workforce Committee held a hearing on entitled “Expanding Opportunities for Job Creation” with invited guests that prompted coverage in the Connecticut Mirror newspaper. It was the tale of two governors. Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, a Democrat, was expected to provide stark contrast to Michigan Follow this link to r...
MN Political Roundtable - 11:03 a.m. - 12 clicks
Watching the excellent PBS series Nature the other night reminded me how much I miss my parents. I would have loved to call them on the phone and tell them to turn on channel 2. The episode that aired locally the day before yesterday was entitled: "Wolverine: Chasing the Phantom". http://video.pbs.org/video/1558511285 The reason I wish my parents had lived to see this documentar...
The Great Roll Call: a journal of American political thought - 6:46 a.m. - 9 clicks
The worst athletic director in the history of Golden Gopher sports, Joe Maturi has resigned. Not since Hosni Mubarek resigned have we seen a bigger despot leave the world stage! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! ...
The Great Roll Call: a journal of American political thought - 5:47 a.m.
by Dave Mindeman The Secretary of the Senate felt that we were now in lawyer land . Senate Majority Leader Dave Senjem How does one get to "Lawyer Land"? Well the GOP Senate caucus is taking us there whether we like it or not. And we go there without a clue as to why. Leader Senjem thinks we should just move on....leave this mess behind us. But that's not just "lawyer la...
mnpACT! - Thu 11:21 p.m.
by Dave Mindeman You have to somewhat admire the audacity of the power grab. Minnesota's Republican legislature has decided to move their agenda with blitzkreig speed; in the face of declining public opinion, around the DFL governor, and in spite of scandals and leadership division. It's like they have decided to gorge themselves in the face of their last meal....or checking off all the items o...
mnpACT! - Thu 2:27 p.m. - 22 clicks
Even before she was first elected to Congress, Bachmann opponents were talking about the possibility that she'd ultimately be eliminated via congressional redistricting. At the Minnesota Progressive Project blog, we were talking about redistricting the other day. It's coming up, this month. Minnesota blogger "the Big E" noted that current proposals for redistricting--the district maps proposed...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Thu 12:24 p.m. - 14 clicks
Etiquette states that the two subjects which should never be discussed in public conversation are politics and religion, the Republican Primary has rejected that practice … actually advocating mixing to the two subjects regardless of religion (sorta … as long as it is a longstanding American mainstream religion) with two point men – Newt Gingrich Follow this link to read more of: Did God W...
MN Political Roundtable - Thu 10:00 a.m. - 14 clicks
Indiana became the 23rd state to institute a so-called “right to work” law yesterday. Across the country these laws have depressed wages for union and non-union workers alike, and have contributed to unsafe working conditions. Unfortunately, anti-worker forces in other states are looking to follow Indiana’s lead. In Ohio: An Ohio group has been cleared to continue its effort to push...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Thu 8:29 a.m. - 16 clicks
Bill Pulkrabek was the go-to guy for national reporters seeking information about Bachmann's early political career. Mary Divine in the PiPress: reports on Pulkrabek's sentencing for disorderly conduct: Pulkrabek, 42, entered an Alford plea to an amended charge of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor. Such a plea means the defendant does not admit guilt but agrees that the state has enough evid...
Dump Michele Bachmann - Thu 7:46 a.m. - 3 clicks
Scrolling through my Facebook wall late yesterday afternoon, I noticed this post by a state representative: During our extended floor session, Rep. Cornish sends photo to all DFL representatives with subject: Crime Bill on My Desk. It contains only a photo of a gallows with two empty nooses. Yet another way to fostering the bipartisanship the public so desires, as well as promoting public confiden...
Bluestem Prairie - Thu 5:02 a.m. - 14 clicks
by Dave Mindeman Among the myriad of potential amendments being floated around by the GOP legislature is a "right to work" amendment. A not so veiled attack on unions in Minnesota. The conservative think tank, the Center for the American Experiment released a study that, they say, proves that right to work states do better and that Minnesota would have increased per capita income by...
mnpACT! - Thu 1:02 a.m. - 28 clicks
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my site. My blog is somewhat unusual: I comment on a very wide variety of issues, people and events. I frequently defend unpopular viewpoints. My comments section remains uncensored. I don't engage in cheap shots. I let the people I criticize have full access to my readers--so that they can respond as they wish. ...
Gavin Sullivan's blog - Wed 10:04 p.m. - 3 clicks
I have three important bits of news concerning the campaign to stop the cynically named "Sanctity of Marriage" constitutional amendment that Minnesota Republicans put on the 2012 ballot. If we can beat this ballot measure, this may be the last defensive measure we all have to fight. The tide is turning and it might just turn in Minnesota. Two are about fundraising. One is about a petition b...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Wed 5:23 p.m. - 16 clicks
January 24 marked the launch of the Un-Fair Campaign here in the Twin Ports (Duluth, MN and Superior, WI), an educational campaign intended to draw awareness to and promote discussion of issues related to institutional racism and white privilege. The most visible element of this campaign is a series of four billboards with the tag-line “It's hard to see racism when you're white.” The campaign ha...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Wed 9:43 a.m. - 14 clicks
Taking my seat, someone nearby describes this evening's topic 'intriguing.' Another neighbor tells her guest--apropos of what, I know not--'...it's never quite so black and white as...' When active MPR listeners want to talk about nothing and feel good about themselves, they hold 'civility' events. Fear not, nothing gets decided. Sometimes people benefit from e...
Gavin Sullivan's blog - Tue 10:23 p.m. - 16 clicks
Loyal fans of Emo Senator, southern Minnesota's most beloved telenovela, will remember that Mike Parry's congressional campaign stops are drawing voters like Limburger cheese attracts the ladies. In Emo Senator: lost episode shocks Mike Parry fans, the Austin Herald reported that two men gathered for coffee with the Belle of Waseca County. It's looks like his campaign checkbook is just as attracti...
Bluestem Prairie - Tue 9:07 p.m. - 14 clicks
Devin Henry at MInnPost: Michele Bachmann's presidential campaign is more than $1 million in debt, according to a Federal Election Commission filing. Bad news for her congressional campaign: Contributions and debt are transferable between presidential and congressional campaigns, meaning Bachmann will start her re-election bid nearly $450,000 in the red. All is not lost. Bradlee Dean g...
Dump Michele Bachmann - Tue 1:01 p.m. - 4 clicks
John Kline (R-MN-02) held a Public Town Hall meeting at the Shakopee Junior High School yesterday … what a prefect venue — a taxpayer-funded public school … a place where 99% of us know only too well … an appropriate place for taxpayers to hear the accomplishments and goals from their elected Representative while they Follow this link to read more of: MN-02 : Kline Achieves Fundraising Rec...
MN Political Roundtable - Tue 11:27 a.m. - 18 clicks
In a blog post on the Levins Publishing Website by Andy Timming and Richard Levins they try to help us understand what this policy is about: What, exactly, is Right to Work? One thing for certain: it is NOT what it sounds like. The name “right to work” is a clever scam to mislead [...]...
MN Representative David Bly, District 25B - Tue 8:49 a.m. - 2 clicks
by Dave Mindeman Revenge is a dish best served cold.... And the votes are in. PUC Chairwoman Ellen Anderson is out and the utilities rates are now safe again and will never go up. At least I think that is why the Republicans in the Senate voted to not confirm her. Senator Joe Gimse put it this way... Its not a payback. I resent that implication, Gimse said. Its purely about rate payers ...
mnpACT! - Tue 7:45 a.m.
On the eve of the biggest prize yet in the Republican presidential sweepstakes, the candidate a drunken imbecile fool of a media personality (Glen Beck) once dubbed "a Churchill for our times", was seen emanating from a seedy movie theater in the Southwestern Minnesota town of Luvurne yesterday. Made famous by newspaper columnist Dan Savage in his column Savage Love, this ob...
The Great Roll Call: a journal of American political thought - Tue 5:47 a.m. - 17 clicks
Like Gov. Mark Dayton , I believe primaries often help determine the best candidate, within our party . Some hold we should allow party insiders to select our candidate for the United States House of Representatives. They want our congressional district convention's decision--on April 28, 2012 --to be accepted as final by all participants. To do so is to allow a tiny minority--les...
Gavin Sullivan's blog - Mon 9:45 p.m. - 20 clicks
Earlier today Minnesota's Republican Senate voted 29-37 (strictly along party lines) to reject the nomination of former DFL state Sen. Ellen Anderson to the post of Public Utilities Commission chair. Since Anderson was a recess appointment of DFL Gov. Mark Dayton last spring, the GOP majority essentially fired her today. I generally expect to disagree with the GOP on issues, but this action is...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Mon 9:45 p.m. - 17 clicks
South Dakota and Minnesota are poised to join Wisconsin, Ohio, New Hampshire and Indiana on the list of states in which the 2010 elections led to Republican politicians waging all-out war on unions and working people. In Minnesota , Republicans are gearing up an attempt to put something they're calling the "Employee Freedom Act" on November's ballot as an amendment to the state constituti...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Mon 2:09 p.m. - 13 clicks
Minnesota State Senator Dave Thompson (R-District 36) of Lakeville has announced via social media that he intends to introduce a bill called the “Employee Freedom Act” which will amend the state’s constitution. Despite its misleadingly positive name, there is nothing positive about the “Employee Freedom Act” which moonlights as a “Right-to-Work” law. With a Republican led House and Senate in M...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Mon 1:08 p.m. - 2 clicks
Michele Bachmann makes an interesting point on Page 106 : Core of Conviction – My Story “The politicians and bureaucrats in both Washington and St. Paul were using our tax money to make our problems worse. I asked myself: What is wrong with this picture? What terrible thing they are doing with our taxes.” It’s Follow this link to read more of: MN-06 : Bachmann Asks : What...
MN Political Roundtable - Mon 9:22 a.m. - 20 clicks
We hear it all the time. I even hear it from my closest friends, people who I genuinely like and respect constantly say: "Oh they all do it" or "There is no difference between the two" or "They're just alike". Sometimes I think my friends say it just to get a rise out of me because they know nothing exasperates me more than this misinformed cop out. No matter how many times I point...
The Great Roll Call: a journal of American political thought - Mon 6:24 a.m. - 4 clicks
Want the scoop on hot races around the country? Get the digest emailed to you each weekday morning. Sign up here . Leading Off : • TX Redistricting : Could Redistmas come twice in the Lone Star State? Perhaps the Grinch has reformed: Cameron Joseph at The Hill reports that defendants (i.e., Republicans) in Texas's redistricting litigation are in serious settlement talks with plaintif...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Mon 5:09 a.m. - 3 clicks
Finding a genuine-feeling register in which to address one's fellow citizens is one of the great challenges facing the good-willed congressional candidate. When I first encounter a heretofore-stranger in the political arena, I extend the hand of friendship--and to no one moreso than to my Republican friends: You are the heirs to one of America's noblest historical legacies. &...
Gavin Sullivan's blog - Sun 10:05 p.m. - 2 clicks
Chatting with an ultralib friend the other day, I mentioned in passing I find the idea of POTUS Newt Gingrich vastly more horrifying than the Romney alternative. Newt Gingrich is engaging in vile rhetoric--he's half Nixon half McCarthy. I assume he'd be the far riskier pick, for the GOP, as I sense his intra-party opposition very adamant and well-connected; he of course makes libe...
Gavin Sullivan's blog - Sun 7:42 p.m. - 3 clicks
Chairman John Kline (R-MN-02) of the House Education and Workforce Committee issued a statement reacting to President Obama’s State of the Union address with a brief mention of the prime area of his Committee’s responsibility by slamming the President actions by stating “the audacity to circumvent the people’s elected representatives by granting No Child Left Follow this link to read more o...
MN Political Roundtable - Sun 4:02 p.m. - 16 clicks
(crossposted from Buffalo Ridge Blog ) Yup, this is Florida's week in the sun(?), as the four survivors of the seven dwarfs AKA the republican presidential candidates are making the rounds. The other day we were underwhelmed with Newt, today it was Mitt's turn to enable noontime napping...Too bad there wasn't anyplace to lay down at the event. Let's set the scene: Downtown Naples, home to ...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Sun 1:45 p.m. - 16 clicks
by Dave Mindeman I sat down with 37B DFL candidate Jeff Wilfahrt and his campaign manager, Phil Sterner, last week to get introduced and see how things are starting out. Jeff is an impressive individual. A loose translation of Jeff's German last name is "the Journey" and that is precisely what he is embarking on. More than once he dubbed himself a "reluctant candidate" and ...
mnpACT! - Sat 12:05 p.m. - 32 clicks
by Dave Mindeman There is a reason we have representative democracy. Republicans always talk with reverance about the Founding Fathers as if they are infallible and their words are gospel. Yet, the framers of the Constitution did not trust the voting ability of the general electorate. They refused to allow direct election of the President and it wasn't until 1913 that we started voting directl...
mnpACT! - Sat 9:28 a.m. - 3 clicks
The home page shows an image of self-described Iowan Michele Bachmann superimposed on a image of the Stillwater lift bridge, the bridge she has trash-talked to support the megabucks boondoggle replacement. The "About Michele" page is a real hoot - who doesn't know about the real Michele Bachmann by now? True to form, "About Michele" tells a bunch of whoppers and leaves a lot out about the 6...
Dump Michele Bachmann - Sat 8:04 a.m. - 19 clicks
by Dave Mindeman Public Policy Polling released the rest of their Minnesota polling data today and it had a lot of good news for Democrats.... Mark Dayton's numbers have improved since PPP last polled Minnesota in May and he's one of the most popular Governors in the country. A little belated birthday present for Mark. Dayton has an approval rating of 53%, while disapproval is at 34% -- a 19...
mnpACT! - Jan 27 - 22 clicks
Long time Washington Post political reporter Thomas Edsall's new book "The Age of Austerity: How Scarcity Will Remake American Politics" beautifully summarizes my observations of the body politic in this formerly great country of ours. Wait a second, did you say formerly great? Yes I did. Well then, you admit that President Obama has been the direct cause of the decline of American civiliz...
The Great Roll Call: a journal of American political thought - Jan 27
Fans of Emo Senator, southern Minnesota's most beloved telenovela, weren't surprised to learn that Senator Mike Parry's amnesia had returned and the Belle of Waseca had forgotten that he doesn't have a boss who forces him to take vacation time. More shocking? The lost episode of Emo Senator a reader dug up in the Austin Herald. The day before Parry's grandstanding performance in Emo Senator: Amnes...
Bluestem Prairie - Jan 26 - 7 clicks
The incumbent seeks to repeal ObamaCare --and has frequently mentioned negative effects he believes the policy will cultivate, when fully implemented. Rep. Erik Paulsen often issues monarchical-sounding, dubious economic predictions--with his inimitable prophet's mien. He'll cite an interested party's statistics--even when few general readers have any basis for ev...
Gavin Sullivan's blog - Jan 26
Depending on the outcome of tonight's GOP debate, every dollop of data that is linked below may be absolutely obsolete by Sunday morning. Such has become the nature of this Republican primary, where the GOP electorate has shown all the loyalty of an indecisive teenager when confronted with multiple date prospects on a Saturday night. In Florida, after swooning for Newt Gingrich for what ap...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Jan 26 - 4 clicks
Mary Divine at the PiPress: A case involving Stillwater Township writer and photographer Karl Bremer, who in November sued the New Republic magazine for unfair competition, was settled Thursday just before a scheduled hearing in Washington County Conciliation Court. The case was resolved "to the mutual satisfaction of both parties," Bremer said. He said he could not disclose any details of th...
Dump Michele Bachmann - Jan 26 - 3 clicks
And the Award for Best Voting Reform goes to . . . preferential voting (or as we know it, Ranked Choice Voting)! That’s what the Academy of Motion Pictures decided three years ago when it switched to a more broadly representative method of determining the year’s Best Picture. read more ...
FairVote Minnesota - Jan 26
The Chaska Herald is reporting that the Chaska Rex movie theater closed yesterday. The Rex was part of the Five Star Cinemas group which also operates theaters in Chanhassen, Buffalo, and Excelsior. Per the company’s website, gift cards and rewards cards will be honored at those theaters. This is another tough blow for the downtown [...] ...
Brick City Blog - Jan 26 - 4 clicks
Last year, Representative Steve Drazkowski (R-ALEC) ran as a foe of job-killing regulations. He told the Post Bulletin: We must address the pandemic of uncertainty facing Minnesota businesses. Forcing government to live within its means and eliminating business-killing regulations will send positive signals to Minnesota’s job creators. Once confidence is restored, our state’s entrepreneurial spiri...
Bluestem Prairie - Jan 26 - 2 clicks
In Part 1 , we looked at how FEC Tony Sutton's (pictured, right) MN GOP couldn't (wouldn't?) accurately report to the FEC how much they owed a vendor they hired to ensure accurate FEC reports. In Part 2 , we noted there are now 2 citizen watchdog groups looking into the MN GOP's Cooked Books -- Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington - which nailed 'em last tim...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Jan 26
by Dave Mindeman Sometimes I think that Republicans just want to oppose anything that is proposed by a Democrat....just because. Gov. Dayton's bonding proposal can be argued on its merits or on what's in it. But the House GOP is trying very hard to limit its ability to be jobs effective. I think that the GOP legislature is in agreement with Dayton that jobs should be a priority. And "t...
mnpACT! - Jan 26 - 2 clicks
Gregg writes: Mr. Sullivan maybe you should learn how to give a speech without reading it directly from a piece of paper if you want to represent our nation, just a suggestion. Ps. I still intend to keep you in my prayers. Thanks for your comment, Gregg--and for so politely entertaining my improbable-sounding idea. Your suggestion is completely correct, and I shall heed it goin...
Gavin Sullivan's blog - Jan 25
Thank you for your reply, Dr. Flanders. I am interpreting your statement to indicate that you do not regularly publish on any topic. If you can direct me to any exception, by all means let me know--I'd like to take a look. To be frank, the question I am asking myself is, 'Does Dr. Flanders hold any interesting viewpoint--as regards " education, religion, and the...
Gavin Sullivan's blog - Jan 25
The letter isn't addressed to anyone. It is addressed to everyone. Defending the notion that the civil rights associated with marriage should be preserved according to religious doctrine, 30 religious organizations representing various Roman Catholic, Latter Day Saints (LDS or Mormon), Lutheran, Wesleyan, Evangelical and Pentecostal, Baptist and Southern Baptist churches and organizatio...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Jan 25
Well, that Newt Gingrich surge was fun, wasn't it? The bombastic former House speaker may still manage to pound Mitt Romney on his way to an upset in the GOP presidential nominating fight, but there is a little bit of statistical evidence on this Wednesday to suggest that Mitt Romney might be weathering the Newt assault. The proof of the pudding is in both national polling and Florida po...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Jan 25 - 3 clicks
(crossposted from Buffalo Ridge Blog ) Greetings from the swamp AKA greater Naples, in Collier County, so named because they actually sold the naming rights to the county to wealthy Barron Collier back in the 1920s. Naples is another republican homeland, and a wealthy one at that- Naples citizens have already showered the republicans with over a million dollars this election cycle, and ...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Jan 25
Inspired by user bjssp, I've decided to do a diary on why Michele Bachmann's district, while winnable against her, is not a district we can hold in the future. First, her district: By my estimation, the blue parts are suburban/exurban, while the green parts are rural (or the St. Cloud area, which is I guess a micropolitan area, but which for these purposes don't count as suburbs). Po...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Jan 25 - 6 clicks
by Dave Mindeman Well, she's back. Michele Bachmann is going to come slinking back to Minnesota and, in theory, take her seat back....so.... ..is she now a Minnesotan or an Iowan? ..is she ready to cast votes again? Note: (from an Oct. 2011 report) - Since announcing her campaign on June 13, Bachmann has voted 54 percent of the time. Comparably, since announcing his candidacy on May 13, Te...
mnpACT! - Jan 25 - 3 clicks
It’s that time again: Feb. 7 is precinct caucus night – Minnesota’s kickoff of the 2012 political process. read more ...
FairVote Minnesota - Jan 25 - 2 clicks
...but who knows, sometimes she says stuff and it just doesn't happen, right? That was the case when she said she was staying in the race after primary failure--ten minutes later, she announces she's getting out. She's "kooky," that way. Too. Here's her announcement (link below.) Michele Bachmann says she’ll seek 4th term in House By DOUG GLASS Associated Press January 25, 2012 9:54AM Mi...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Jan 25
UPDATE: The AP is reporting that Bachmann will run again for her no-show job ( The Hill says she is backtracking) . Will the local media allow her to campaign without asking her about her support for Bradlee Dean and Jake and other controversial subjects? Read on... Bradllee Dean's sidekick recently tweeted this " Because I believe that abortion is murder, I also believe that force is justi...
Dump Michele Bachmann - Jan 25
by Dave Mindeman I realize that there is little stomach from either side of the aisle regarding an ethics complaint toward Amy Koch. The Republicans want to put it in the rear view mirror as quickly as possible and Democrats are trying to juggle a push for a Vikings Stadium and a furthur push for more Constitutional amendments. But something bothers me in all this that really requires an explan...
mnpACT! - Jan 24 - 3 clicks
Of several obvious alternatives, which is the ethically correct way to comport oneself? That's a central theme you'll notice if you review my most beloved public scrapes, over the years. And so today we here note: Rep. Erik Paulsen has publicly called attention-- multiple times now--to the great platonic intimacy he feels he shares with Rep. Gabrielle G...
Gavin Sullivan's blog - Jan 24
"Doggone it, people like me." Public Policy Polling (PDF). 1/21-22. Minnesota voters. MoE ±2.8% ( 5/27-30 in parentheses): Amy Klobuchar (D-inc) : 54 (54) Tim Pawlenty (R) : 39 (41) Undecided : 7 (5) Amy Klobuchar (D-inc) : 58 (57) Michele Bachmann (R) : 35 (37) Undecided : 7 (5) Amy Klobuchar (D-inc) : 55 (56) Dan Severson (R) : 32 (28) Undecided : 13 (16) Amy K...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Jan 24
Public Policy Polling: Michele Bachmann and Tim Pawlenty's Presidential bids appear to have done serious damage to their future political prospects in Minnesota. Bachmann comes home to only a 34% favorability rating, with 57% of voters seeing her negatively. Only 37% of voters statewide think she should run for reelection to her House seat, while 57% believe she should step down. The local ...
Dump Michele Bachmann - Jan 24 - 2 clicks
In Part 1 , we looked at how FEC Tony Sutton's (pictured, right) MN GOP couldn't (wouldn't?) accurately report to the FEC how much they owed a vendor they hired to ensure accurate FEC reports. In Part 2 , we noted there are now 2 citizen watchdog groups looking into the MN GOP's Cooked Books -- Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington - which nailed 'em last tim...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Jan 24
In a column on reform--not just reform, but the lovely 2005 urban slang Reform 2.0 favored by those hep cats in Kurt Zellers's caucus--Steve Drazkowski notes: America is changing. Minnesota is changing - and it's clear we aren't keeping up. We're in the middle of the pack when it comes to student reading test scores. Our current state education model came about before we put a man on the moon. Yes...
Bluestem Prairie - Jan 24 - 4 clicks
I am taking a peremptory strike here and admitting I took a little journalistic license in my last post. My dear sister who I dismissively labeled as "red state" is actually a bastion of beauty and intelligence in what at times can seem like an ugly and ignorant setting. I mean their legislature did not have the smallest amount of constitutional knowledge that it would pass the most rid...
The Great Roll Call: a journal of American political thought - Jan 24
It's wrong to put civil rights up for a vote. Oh well. There are potentially going to be a lot of wrongs come November, 2012. What's a few more? How much would YOU pay for a marriage equality ballot initiative? You probably read about The Washington State Senate today getting its needed 25th vote for marriage equality, and that the Washington State Assembly should hav...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Jan 23 - 3 clicks
Let's get serious for a minute. I know, I know, it's not easy when a national humor magazine ran a faux headline last week: "Minnesota Braces for Bachmann 's Full Attention". As if on cue, Bachmann, not exactly Minnesota's shrinking violet, made her first public appearance in Minnesota in over a year at the annual Roe vs. Wade protest at the State Capitol proclaiming that at this time next ...
The Great Roll Call: a journal of American political thought - Jan 23 - 2 clicks
It looks like Bachmann is running again for her no-show job. Short WCCO video clip of Bachmann at a theocrat rally in St. Paul: More interesting are the comments at the WCCO web page - a sample: Why is this a news story? Who cares? She should finish out the rest of her term in Congress and retire from public life and further embarrassment. She had her 15 minute+ of notoriety. Ad Nausea...
Dump Michele Bachmann - Jan 23 - 4 clicks
In In Part 1 , we looked at how FEC Tony Sutton's MN GOP couldn't (wouldn't?) accurately report to the FEC how much they owed a vendor they hired to ensure accurate FEC reports. In Part 2 , we noted there are now 2 citizen watchdog groups looking into the MN GOP's Cooked Books -- Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington - which nailed 'em last time (the MN GO...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Jan 23
It's not just smiley faces at the Senate Majority Caucus anymore. Earlier this month, the hiring of Former Minnesota House Speaker, Pawlenty commissioner, and current Regent Steve Sviggum as communications director/ Senjem's executive assistant at $102,000 a year by the Republican Senate Majority Caucus fueled a bonfire of criticism mixed with the tinder of praise and expanding the emoticon univer...
Bluestem Prairie - Jan 23 - 4 clicks
As we tune in to the latest episode of Emo Senator, Southern Minnesota's most beloved online telenovela, readers will be distressed but not surprised to see a relapse of our hero's amnesia. Earlier last summer, loyal fans will remember, Senator Mike Parry forgot that he owns and operates a Godfather's Pizza in Waseca, and so was forced to accept the maximum in-session per diem, or see his family s...
Bluestem Prairie - Jan 22 - 4 clicks
The 2012 Legislative session is just around the corner, due to start on Tuesday. Both sides seem eager to make it a historically short session so that campaign preparations can begin in earnest once the new district maps are released Feb. 21st. On the docket for consideration and debate are the Vikings Stadium question, a [...]...
MN Representative David Bly, District 25B - Jan 22 - 3 clicks
The Eastern Carver County School District (District 112) released the results of its demographic study this week. The results show projections of essentially stable enrollment over the next decade. That doesn't mean, however, that the District doesn't face some challenges going forward. ...
Brick City Blog - Jan 20
At 10:30 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, I will deliver a brief speech at the Eden Prairie Library 's 'Conference Room.' The public is invited. ...
Gavin Sullivan's blog - Jan 20
Two seemingly disparate news items suggest some shifting ground in the Minnesota political landscape, a place where ordinary geology tends toward erosion and collapse, rather the earthquakes suggested by headlines the day after elections. Witness the victory of Chip Cravaack over Jim Oberstar in a congressional district where political currents pulled away the riverbank from the under the Democrat...
Bluestem Prairie - Jan 20
By Karl Bremer The words still stare back at me from the yellow legal padon my desk: pancreatic cancer . I scrawled them out as I was talking to mypersonal physician about the results of a CT scan earlier that day, December 8.You kind of know something is up when you go from a stomach scan to anultrasound to a CT scan within the course of three days. Still, nothing everquite prepares you f...
Ripple in Stillwater - Jan 19 - 2 clicks
"Neut", short for neutered Gingrich, is up to his old tricks. Tonight America will learn more about this paragon of conservative and Republican virtues. We'll hear all about his two divorces, womanizing and request for an open marriage with wife number 2. While this should render his campaign dead, since he is relying on the Evangelical Christian vote to win. However, I noticed a clever ploy u...
The Great Roll Call: a journal of American political thought - Jan 19
Today, Minnesota Republican legislative leaders rolled out their "Reform 2.0" agenda. Here's a look at some of the good ideas in the plan. ...
Brick City Blog - Jan 19
Today's Star Tribune reports in Chamber, Vikings lobbyists among Capitol’s big spenders: Nearly 2,000 lobbyist-spending disclosure reports are expected to be turned in this week to meet the board's deadline for reporting activity from June to December of last year. The Strib reports that the Vikes spent more than $350,000 on lobbying in the second half of last year, while the Chamber parted with $...
Bluestem Prairie - Jan 19
For geofft. I began as a seedling, high in the Sierras of Nevada. With the nourishment of the clean, fertile soil of the earth, and the nutrition of the clean air and soothing rains, I grew into a sapling. I was protected by the driving snows from the howling winds of Winter, knowing within myself that I was destined for greatness as a strong and mighty tree. For years, I grew. Left to that ...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Jan 18 - 7 clicks
Steve Sviggum is off to a great start as Senate Republican Caucus Communications Director. He's managed to make himself the story. A spate of news stories illustrate how this is the work of a consummate professional. Unfortunately for the Senate Republican comm office, Sviggum is in the wrong profession. The MNDaily's Greta Kaul reports in Board will examine Sviggum’s Senate role for conflict of i...
Bluestem Prairie - Jan 18
After receiving criticism from Republican rivals as well as Democrats, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has agreed that he will release his 2011 tax return after it is filed in April. Romney estimated that personal effective tax rate would be around 15 percent: “What’s the effective rate I’ve been paying? It’s probably closer to the 15 percent rate [...] ...
Brick City Blog - Jan 17
Governor Mark Dayton today revealed his proposed bonding bill for the upcoming legislative session. Dayton proposes $903 million in state funding, $775 million of which is general obligation bonding. The total plan includes an additional $575 million in federal or local matching funds, which would result in an estimated 21,000 new jobs. Some of the proposed [...] ...
Brick City Blog - Jan 17 - 8 clicks
MIT economist Jon Gruber, who served as an advisor to both former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama as they devised their respective health care reform plans, has created a video that explains the basic mechanisms of the Affordable Care Act in a little over three minutes: An excellent and easy-to-follow explanation! ...
Brick City Blog - Jan 17
Check it out at the New York Times . The story quotes the usual suspects including the FRC's Tony Perkins, who is well known for purchasing David Duke's mailing list. The leading theocrats met in Texas to discuss stopping Romney's campaign and coming to a consensus. The theocrats were concerned about Newt Gingrich's multiple marriages and attacks on Bain Capital. They really don't have anywhe...
Dump Michele Bachmann - Jan 15
At the Catholic church I attend, a submerged ideological tension exists: The self-flattering ultralib wing is opposed by a conservative bloc. A couple of times I've heard people saying that when Archbishop Nienstedt sent out his anti-gay dvd they mailed it back to him. Snap! Glancing at Strib headlines I see Priests told not to voice ...
Gavin Sullivan's blog - Jan 15
" ...a Truth that must be permanently shielded from contradiction or probing inquiry. An Ivy League-pointing community which values submission and not asking questions ." Mr. Sullivan, have you heard the comments numerous current and former students of Providence have posted that say the exact opposite sentiments about PA that you express in this statement? If not, please hear...
Gavin Sullivan's blog - Jan 15
Bachmann may be out of the race for the White House, but she is still a (mostly non-voting) congress member and GOP diva. Are any candidates still in the race asking for her support? If the candidates read our book "The Madness of Michele Bachmann" , they'd likely welcome a Bachmann endorsement as they would a bite from a rattlesnake. Mitt Romney is under attack from Newt Gingrich and others fo...
Dump Michele Bachmann - Jan 14
There's a post-mortem of Bachmann's doomed Iowa campaign in the Des Moines Register that leaves out the biggest reasons why Bachmann lost - she's a serial liar, she's a hypocrite and a coward, she's mean and nasty, a warmonger... and just freakin' weird as this recently posted You Tube video shows: And what effect did the ubiquitous, flamboyant Marcus have on the campaign? Still photo f...
Dump Michele Bachmann - Jan 13
I saw a post about a Virginia Republican legislator, Bob Marshall, that ThinkProgress claimed was "easily one of the worst lawmakers in America." It got me thinking about who would be Minnesota's worst legislator. My immediate reaction was to nominate Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa). Both Marshall and Draz are delusional and have both offered a plethora of mind-bogglingly stupid/crazy bill...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Jan 13
Monday January 16th is Martin Luther King Day. I just got an email in the ol' in box - let's look! "(W)e refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation." We've come a long way since Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke those words on a fateful summer day in 1963. But des...
DailyKos (Minnesota) - Jan 13
During recent discussion of Providence Academy, evolution has ignited an occasional spark. Providence instructors teach evolution while imparting that--due to 'academic freedom'--students are within rights to decide 'No, evolution is not true--I do not believe in evolution.' Such a view completely misunderstands 'academic freedom.' Within elite research biology labs, there is...
Gavin Sullivan's blog - Jan 12
