"Culture" Tangent

Gary has a good post about a blogger job for pay where the blogger has to watch the Dukes of Hazzard. I loved that show as a youngun', then I watched it a few years back again. After watching for 5 minutes I called my dad and apologized to him for making him watch that show every Friday. Yes, I did have a Catherine Bach poster like most adolescent boys at the time, wasn't it the a little less popular 80's version of the Farah Fawcett poster? I can't wait for the movie, with people like Willie Nelson (Uncle Jesse), Burt Reynolds (Boss Hogg) and Wonder Woman herself even has a part.

Dayton Affect

Immediately following the announce by Senator Dayton it was mentioned that the decision will have trickle down affects in the DFL. It has started and it is likely it will affect SD63 in the '06 election. Here is a possible scenario:

1. Klobuchar runs for Senate seat
2. State Senator Ranum runs for Hennepin County Attorney
3. State Rep. Thissen (63A) runs for State Senate - District 63

If this were to happen, those of us in 63A would have an election without an incumbent for both of our state representative seats. It is still an uphill battle in SD63 for Republicans, but an election without a DFL incumbent would be good news to any candidate.

Hero In Our Midst

Richfield and SD63 are home to a hero that raised the first flag at Iwo Jima. As anyone who watched a little TV knows, today was the 60th anniversary of the event. I salute Charles Lindberg and all his brothers and sisters who served so valently during WWII and all other conflicts. My kids may hate me for it when they are young, but make no mistake about it, they will read and learn about the sacrifices of people like this man. UPDATE: Check this out.

Raising First Flag Under Enemy Fire

I'm Back and Annoyed

Why do I even read dribble like this. I don't have the time to comment on all of it because it is so full of misleading comments or blantant lies, but let me just comment on this piece (emphasis added).

I know the Morals & Values folks want us to take time out of the school day for prayer and the Ten Commandments and abstinence training and at least two theories of evolution -- the one agreed upon by every scientist in the world and the one that involves naked ladies and snakes

The comment illustrates that Bill is either ill-informed or in complete denial. There are plenty of scientists who question or do not subscribe to the THEORY (Yes, it is still a theory and has enough gaps that require as much faith or belief as intelligent design does.) of evolution. Scientists fall on all sides of the debate. I'll leave it at that because I don't want to wander in the territory of blogs like this one.

'Net Break

I'll be offline until Monday 2/21. Have a great weekend!

If It Aint Broke...

Feeling left out, the Richfield City Council entered the fray of illegal immigrants. OK, they didn't do it voluntarily, but an advocacy group did by orignating a proposal for a new ordinance. It would "codify" an already unwritten policy where the police do not ask the immigration status of people reporting crimes. This move has Richfield hitting the immigration news map in San Francisco even. The Richfield Sun-Current has a couple of quotes that lead me to think just leave it alone.

Ordinance proponents said they have anecdotal evidence that some immigrants are reluctant to approach police.

“I like less government, not more, and I don’t want to pass anything without evidence that there’s anything going on,” Councilmember Wroge said. “We’re [looking at] making an ordinance, and it hasn’t been proven that there’s a problem.” Kilian agreed. “I would like to see something that’s more objective instead of something that is a feeling,” he said.

Clerk typist Jennifer Romo, who works as a Spanish language translator for Richfield police, said officers she has worked with have never asked about documentation in the more than 20 years she’s worked for the department. Romo said she has not encountered people who are afraid to come forward and give a report. Director of Public Safety Dan Scott and a Sgt. Dave Kromschroeder also said that they have not noticed a fear of police among immigrants.

Don't get me wrong, I certainly do not want justice, but would this really fix something that might not be broken anyway? Besides this point, passing this ordinance essentially diminishes our immigration laws to being merely a suggestion rather than a law. The council eventually agreed to discuss the issue further within the city's Human Rights Commission. I guess I'd just like to see the problem proven to exist before we put another ordinance on the books.

Work, Service & Family

Work + Volunteer Service + Family = NO POSTS. Life has me going like mad lately. I haven't felt very inspired until today to post anything anyway, but now today I definitely want to post stuff. Maybe tonight?

Help Me Rhonda

Rhonda makes sure both sides of the issues are heard. Peter Hovde Rhonda Silence: ATVers want places to ride legally February 12, 2005 There are so many insensitive and exaggerated comments in Peter Hovde's Jan. 22 Counterpoint, I won't even try to answer them all. But I would like to ask Hovde to have a little respect for his fellow Minnesotans. Just because my family and I enjoy riding a four-wheeler to go to our favorite fishing spot, or blueberry patch, or for a quiet picnic, doesn't mean we are destroying the forest. Hovde says the All Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota (ATVAM) has rejected legislation increasing penalties for off-highway vehicles in favor of rider education. That is true, but he's simplifying ATVAM's proposal and insulting ATVers. Believe me, if anyone gets upset at idiots who spin tires and tear up trails, it is the average ATVer. We want to ride our wheelers, and we know that sort of behavior reflects badly on all of us. Just as snowmobilers fought to get riders to stay on designated trails 20-plus years ago, we are working to educate ATVers on responsible riding. We don't mind seeing people fined for breaking the law. The Thissen-Marty bill calls for confiscation of an ATV in cases of repeated offenses. Well, if the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) tickets me more than twice for the same offense, it can take my machine. I'm not that stupid -- and neither are any of the ATVers I know. However, ATVers want more than enforcement -- we want places to ride legally! We feel as if we're being forced to be outlaws. In most of the state, there are no designated ATV trails. The U.S. Forest Service and the DNR are working on setting up trail systems, but until then, ATVers are riding on old logging roads, snowmobile trails and county roads, without clear direction of where it is or isn't legal to ride. If the Forest Service and DNR were allowed to do their job and create a network of ATV trails, many of the current problems would go away. When trails are designated, then the proper drainage and erosion control measures can be taken. And enforcement would be much easier. Just as it was for snowmobiles once there was an adequate and enjoyable system of trails throughout the state. Finally, I would like Hovde to consider how he would feel if his favorite hiking or cross-country ski trail were suddenly closed. Because that is what is happening all across Minnesota. As I said, most folks who ride four-wheelers ride them on old logging roads or on trails that ATVs have traveled on for years. The Forest Service and DNR are closing those trails -- not just by putting up signs, but by taking bulldozers and destroying them. We can no longer ride those trails -- and moose, deer, bear and wolves can no longer follow them. So much for protecting our forest and wildlife. Hovde urges Minnesotans to support the Thissen-Marty bill because the survival of our forests and our Minnesota quality of life are at stake. I would urge Minnesotans to ask that the bill be accompanied by a serious plan for creating trails for ATVs for those same reasons. Rhonda Silence, Grand Marais, Minn., is editor of the Cook County Star.

Almost, But Not Quite

Dayton answered some questions for the Red Star today (rumor has it he only made himself available to the two big papers, local TV and the almight NPR, no others).

Q: It was a mistake? A: It was an error of judgment on my part. I think he's been a good mayor of St. Paul, and he called me on Monday, and I wasn't expecting the call. But he asked me to support him….I'm reminded daily of my fallibility. It's like being a hockey goalie - one goes between your legs, and the red light goes on, and you kick yourself. "How could I have not made that save; I've done it a hundred times." But you just have to go on.”

Wow, this is a first for me, I actually like something Dayton said. His "hockey goalie" story was actually a fairly intelligent analogy, I know because I am a (older, slower and less agile) hockey goalie. Of course, the analogy runs into trouble because he is assuming we believe he did a lot of intelligent moves or "saves" as it were, but the problem is the one between his legs made the score about 99 to 1, not in his favor.

Ranum Town Meeting

SD63 Second Saturday Town Meeting Hosted by: State Senator Jane Ranum When: Saturday - February 12, 2005 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Where: Mayflower Congregatinal Church - 106 E Diamond Lake Road, Minneapolis I will not be able to attend due to parental responsibilities (swimming lessons) so if anyone else attends this meeting, please email me notes from the meeting.

MDE Not a Good Boy

First there are rumors Franken is in, then he is out. Our friends at MDE must be a bad boy because he did not get his Christmas wish.

Santa Claus, if you are reading my blog, all I want for Christmas is for Al Franken to run for the U.S. Senate.

To bad, Franken running would have been wonderful. I guess we'll have to wait two years to see if he goes after Senator Coleman.

Welcome SD63 DFL

Our friends on the other side joined the blogosphere. At the risk of being arrogant, I find it interesting that SD63DFL appeared 12 days after SD63 and I find the templates chosen very similar. I also noticed the official site for the SD63 Democrats was modified to use the very same template in the last couple weeks. UPDATE: It appears to be pure coincidence. The blogger template just seems to be popular.

"Mayor" Surfs MDE

"The Mayor" was surfing MDE's Alary's posts live on the air between 4:30-5:00 p.m. yesterday. He never mentioned Hatch's name, but the site was mentioned several times. He enjoyed the photos... even calling the "rook" from his studio to his to view them. Nicely done MDE and whoever tipped-off the Mayor.

DvK Wins!!!

Dayton didn't even make it to the election Gary! You were successful in your quest!

OK, I'm trying to help boost my friend's spirits. Dayton caves under the pressure. Go read about it here ... the list would be endless if I posted all the places commenting. The blogosphere is buzzing. This post was the scariest though. The state of Minnesota wins because Senator Dayton will return to the lands of the idle rich, but now us "right-wing" bloggers all lose a great source of material.

Signs of the Times

Why Are They So Special Paul?

I have a question for Mr. Paul Thissen, what makes a Minneapolis teach so special that they alone should be exempt from a Teacher Tenure Act? Here is a bill just introduced by Mr. Thissen today. I sent a quick email to him tonight...

From: Jerome Plagge, Jr. Sent: Monday, February 07, 2005 11:48 PM To: 'pthissen@mn.rr.com' Subject: HF 802 What is the reasoning and purpose behind this bill? Why should a Minneapolis teacher be exempt and a Richfield teacher should not? Jerome Plagge, Jr.

I'll be sure to share his answer when/if it comes. UPDATE: Mr. Thissen responded to my email the next day. It is a long email and I won't get at it tonight. I'll post it and comments after I have time to read through it.

Bridge Over Highway 62

So if this tax increase goes through, will more of my friends in the northern part of SD63 cross over the great bottleneck to purchase goods and services in Richfield and Bloomington? Come and support our businesses and save the 1% while doing it.

DFL Math Problems or Deceptions?

Apparently Michael did not read the full word problem when coming up with his little example chart which proposes to illustrate how the people who earn less are paying a bigger tax burden. Even commenting on this may be giving it more credit than is worthy, however I must. In his example, he claims that a person earning $150k and $49k would experience the exact same property tax increase of $200, does that not seem odd? Call me crazy, but I suspect the person earning $150k would probably live in a house that would be valued a bit higher and therefore cause his property tax increase to be more than the guy making $40k. The math, or more precisely, the assumptions behind it just do not work. One questions Michael intends to deceive or just doesn't get the complexity of the issue. There is even more irony involved here though. Michael also runs a site called "Where's the Truth" in which he claims you can "See and hear how to rebut right-wing lies, myths..." He must suffer from the same thing as his guy Mr. Dayton. Check out what DvK says on the subject:

The irony of Mark Dayton lecturing the President of the United States on running and hiding was apparently lost on the Senator.

Shocking Election Report!

Someone actually paid money to basically learn that Bush won the votes and hearts of more conservative or "traditional" "religous" people. You can see an AP story about it in the Red Star today. I guess you have to do it to prove what everyone knows anyway? The poll would be better if it even drilled deeper into the beliefs held by the Catholics that supported the Chameleon (aka Kerry - he didn't flip-flop, he morphed to match what the current audience wanted to see).

MDE Hit a Nerve?

I'm not sure, but I think our friends at MDE hit a nerve with this post about Mr. Hatch. When you go to Alary's website, this is what you see now:

Just a coincidence?

Voices of SD63 Heard

I selectively read the Red Star and missed your letter on Monday Rob. But I was pointed to it today. Nicely put.

Democracy 1, Fascism O What a great day for democracy in Iraq! With more than 60 percent of Iraqis voting, I believe we can finally declare victory over fascism. Thank you, George W. Bush, for having the courage to stand up against world opinion. Thank you for having the foresight to do the right thing in Iraq. Thank you for promoting liberty and freedom throughout the world! Because of his leadership, the world will sleep better tonight. Rob Hewitt, Richfield.

NY Times Gets "S" for Today

Remember getting "S" for Satisifactory on your report card in certain subjects? Yes, I know some schools give out "S" or a "P" instead of grades now days (can't hurt Johnny or Susie's feelings ya know), but that is a subject for another day. Today I give the NYT a "S" for one of their stories. I have and will rip on MSM (Mainstream Media) here, I point this link up just to be fair. It is nice to see this story (reg req) appear in the NYT. It is about one way pro-life groups are using technology to demonstrate to women that it really is a baby, not a mass of cells.

Chili and Friends

I had a great time at the SD63 Chili Dinner last night. It was great meeting a few of the local workhorses for the Republican party. I thoroughly enjoyed the insights provided by Hennepin County Sheriff, Patrick McGowan. We are lucky to have him in this position. I was especially impressed by the fact that he was one of the key initiators of two anti-terrorism events that were done PRIOR to 9-11. This shows some impressive foresight on his part.

More comments later if I can find some time.

Apologies Campbell

I believe I owe her an apology for previous comments. It is not nice to draw attention to a person's physical features (especially when my nose is the antithesis of hers - yes, wide as a bus). Saturday morning she was out in Iraq in one of the more dangerous areas getting the story. According to what I saw Saturday morning on the Today Show, she went out at the request of the unit so that they could show her some of the "good news" stories from Iraq (amazing, remember this is one of the networks).