Frat Boy Pranks by MNPublius

Miscellaneous In the past Doug has defended the antics of the junior high-like crap posted over at MNPublius. I wonder if he is going to defend them now? They somehow hijacked the old DvK blogspot and posted this garbage.

As you likely know, our blog Dayton v. Kennedy(daytonvkennedy.blogspot.com) underwent a major challenge several weeks ago when we came to the realization that we are huge douches.

For the last several weeks we have persevered by calling ourselves'The Blog Formerly by Big Douches' or simply TBFBBD'.

Real Class from MNPublius

I'm not sure what the problem is with the kids at MNPub, they have been attacking (here, here, here, etc.) KvM and Kennedy for weeks now. Then today after MDE challenged one of their Kennedy posts, they start going after him with the same level of class as they did to KvM. All this blog attacking blog stuff is idiotic because it reveals the sad fact that some bloggers have this twisted view of how important they might be. (I clearly understand my small, or insignificant level of importance in the sphere.) Having said that, it still is a free blogosphere and the children at MNPub can do what they want. I guess my point is that I do not ever want to hear them claim the high road and rip on conservative bloggers (like MDE) that dish out the nasty dirt, because they sunk to the same level today.

It is clear all this is just a desperate attempt to get people to pay attention to their little blog. Congrats, enjoy your fifteen minutes.

UPDATE: The apology is nice, but your idea of a joke still is a bit off. What is the deal with Matt and the word "douche" anyway? I thought using that was an 80's thing?

UPDATE #2: Apparently Matt spent a great deal of time attempting to recover all the content he could for the old DvK. I can respect him for that, but I'm still confused by the "douche" thing.

Civil Revolt in Canada

Miscellaneous The Canadian Parliment tossed out their Prime Minister today. I confess that I do not understand how their form of government works besides what I learned in this article, however it gives a novice in Canadian politics plenty of information. Currently, there are four ruling political parties and the party with the most seats in the house of commons also chooses the Prime Minister (I think).

Harper would become prime minister if the Conservatives receive the most seats in Parliament.

According to the article, there is corruption within some levels of the current leaders of the Liberal Party and while the Prime Minister was absolved of it, but some in the New Democratic party not believe the Prime Minister acted quickly enough to clean up his parties act. So when the vote of "no confidence" was raised for a second time this year, the Liberal Party did not have enough support from any of the other three parties to hold off the vote as it did earlier this year. If you read the article, you will see that some experts believe that the Canadians will largely ignored the special election until after Christmas, then it will be a three week sprint between the Progressive Conservatives and the Liberal Party. I'm sure the Captain has something to say about this. I know he does many posts on our friends to the north.

Desert Fun

The buggy,
originally uploaded by sd63.

Last week I mentioned I spent a few hours in the desert having fun. Here are a few shots of me with my uncles gear. Driving this buggy with a VW engine is indescribable, at one point I had it airborne. You are strapped in and virtually indestructible thanks to the five-point harness and roll cage.

Old News x 2

Miscellaneous This is old news in more ways than one, first it is old news because the left just cannot stand MDE and second, because this story "broke" about 5 days ago. A quick scroll will show that I've been out of the game a bit, but I missed a big event in the MN blog scene. I have plenty of excuses, but what is the point? I do not have much to add to the discourse on this topic because by my count I will be about the 28th blogger to comment. I feel a special kinship to MDE simply because for a brief 12-24 hours I was MDE, or was accused to be. So please just send moral support or a gift to my... er MDE's legal defense fund. I also suggest you read the original plea from MDE or any of the other bloggers who have commented (this list includes at least five bloggers who lean strongly to the left). Kennedy vs. The Machine, Kool Aid Report, Pair 'o Dice, Bogus Gold, Psycmeistr's Ice Palace, Residual Forces, Coldhearted Truth, Former Representative John Jordon, Cake Eater Chronicles, EckerNet, Republican Minnesota, Fraters Libertas, MN Lefty Liberal, North Star Politics, Almost on the Range, Savage Republican, Shot in the Dark, Always Right, Usually Correct, First Ringer, Shock and Blog, Minnesota Blue, People's Republic of Minnesota, Northern Debater, Around in the World in 80 Days, Martin Andrade, My old friend Trillin

Hoover, Desert & Vegas

Just back for a trip to the Hoover Dam, a few hours of fun in the desert and a 100th anniversary celebration party in Vegas. The anniversary was for my company and it was an excellent event. I may post more on this later, but I thought I'd just offer reasons why it has been quiet here.

Friday Fun

Rohirrim To which race of Middle Earth do you belong? brought to you by Quizilla

Even Normandale Has 'em

Miscellaneous A blog I frequent, CDNV, links to his sister's post about a Normandale Community College instructor abusing his position. This guy teaches a class on Shakespeare and he proceeds to link President Bush to Henry V and this starts a pig pile on our president. The whole time he appears to not only allow, but encourage the class to continue to hammer the president.

Honestly, why do Normandale teachers have to be so full of crap? I was sitting in my Shakespeare class yesterday, waiting for it to be over ((as I usually am)) when out of no where my teacher just absolutely starts ripping on George W. Bush. Maybe it's because I was only half listening to what he was saying before, but I found no connection between his bashing Bush and Henry V. I was slightly more interested in what he had to say, and as he went on I'm just going "Yea, yea, yea...uh-huh...typical Normandale." But then, he got the whole class going except for myself and about 2 other people. And whatever reach of a connection he had before completely fizzled away into a full fledged Bush bashing marathon. I was getting a little upset, but I didn't get super angry until my teacher asked some question relating to conservatives and the girl behind me answered: "Because they're crazy f***ing conservatives."

Hm. What an intelligent answer. These liberals, I tell ya.

We have come to accept this type of behavior at the more elite schools like the U of M, Harvard, Berkeley, etc., but it is sad to see it at little Normandale in Bloomington, MN. However, while I write this I wonder why I am so surprised because I had two very disturbing cases happen to me at Mankato State (that is what it was called then) back in '89 and '90. In '89 I was 17 and going to college on the PSEO program and I had this ECON guy who dressed in flannel and bib overalls each day and as I look back it is clear he was a socialist or a union/labor guy run amok. He would regularly go off on tangents blaming the Rockefeller's for suppressing new technology for cars. Of course he didn't hand out any proof of his accusations, instead he used his position to try to indoctrinate all of us. He forgot he had a podium, not a pulpit. I will spare you the details of the second experience.

Weak and Oversimplified

Miscellaneous Checks and Balances tries to explain (reg req) Mayor Kelly's loss to us, but oversimplifies things in the process. (emphasis added)

Throughout the election Kelly maintained his party affiliation to Democrats in spite of a cozy relationship with President George W. Bush (R), U.S. Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Governor Tim Pawlenty (R). The endorsement of Bush by Kelly last summer is still baffling to most political observers. What Kelly saw as an act of patriotism and support for a unified nation during a war effort was seen as support for a President who misrepresented the cause to go to war. In effect, Kelly became a local scapegoat for Bush. Source: Checks and Balances - What the Electoral Results Mean 11/14/05

To boil the endorsement of President Bush down to supporting a war built on lies is a horrible misrepresentation of Kelly's position. The truth is Kelly supported the president because given his two options he believed the president was the better of the two options to lead our country through the next four years. Some excerpts from his endorsement speech follow, if you read them it is clear to me that Kelly endorsed Bush out of principle and regardless of politics.

The war in Iraq was won in blinding speed — the peace has been a much greater challenge....The reality is: almost 150,000 of our troops are in Iraq today. We'll get them home a lot sooner and with a better outcome if we don't try to bring in a whole new leadership team to run the show. We must stay the course. I agree with the President that we must see this thru and not turn tail and run, and give our enemies the message that we lack resolve. And the war on terror is a huge, ongoing struggle. If we changed presidents at this juncture, there is just no question that it would confuse our friends and encourage our enemies. In a war, you just can't afford to do that. Continuity and resolve is critical. ...The common good will be better served on the path we're on than with an abrupt change of direction, especially one paved in part with political hatred. ...I am more determined than ever to send the message to my sons — and to the sons and daughters of other Moms and Dads in St. Paul, Minnesota and America — that we can, we should and we must stop — now — this poison partisanship that threatens to destroy the national will to come together to win the War on Terror here, at home, and across the world.

Some will next point out that he was rather cozy with certain elements of the Bush administration and national Republican party over the past 14 months, all this illustrates to me is that Kelly probably realized he was in trouble for '05 (see highlight section below). In hindsight, I respect his act of principle, but if I was him I would have issued the statement endorsing the president and left it at that. Damage control might have been easier if he were to not introduce the president at the Xcel Center and stumped for him, instead just put his name behind it and then start mending fences after the election.

...Americans are looking for strong, steady, and principled leadership. They crave politicians who stand for something, rather than rally us against someone. The American people I know — the ones I represent in St. Paul — care about leaders who stand steady in difficult times, who do not waver nor bend to the wind. They want strong, determined leadership — and, I believe George Bush provides us that leadership today at this point in our history. I’ve been a Democrat all my life and after this announcement I’ll continue to be a Democrat. But I believe I have a higher loyalty to what's best for my country and our city than to party. So this November, George W. Bush has my endorsement for President of the United States. ...Whatever the cost of this decision is to me, the expense of remaining quiet in this election year is of far greater consequence to me.

Kelly proved he was a man who lived by his convictions regardless of the personal cost to himself. All I can say to my Democrat and left leaning friends is you may not like it, but if you do not respect him, then I have no respect for you.

Finally, this analysis by C&B proves one of two things, the thought and analysis is weak or else they are just eager to push the current Democratic Party mantra about how the war in Iraq is built on a lie. So which is it? Weak analysis or is the statement below not quite accurate.

The methodology employed in our unique style of political reporting readily develops a strong relationship with our readership. They know where to find the most interesting political information and that is in Checks & Balances. We are willing to present issues with all of their political points intact giving the reader the ability to decide the correct side of an issue. We rely on the intelligence of our audience.

My vote is weak analysis, afterall this is the same site the claimed (or here) I was MDE based on Blogshares data. Click Here To Vote!

Sabo Against Private Property Rights?

2006 Elections, Federal Hat tip to ARUC on his post regarding CD5's Rep. Sabo voting against HR4128, the Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2005. Remember this act is the answer to the disaster known as the Kelo decision. ARUC is seeking an explanation for the vote. If he get's an answer and posts I'll link to it.

CD6 Candidate Forum

2006 Elections, Federal SD51 is hosting a candidate forum for the CD6 candidates. Kudos to SD51 and AAA for arranging this. Check out the link and if any of you SD63/CD5 people have the time, go check out what they have to say.

Start of Something?

Federal Senator Conrad from North Dakota met with Judge Alito yesterday and says it is unlikely he would support a filibuster.

"I think it is unlikely, absent some new information, some bombshell that comes up in the process, that I would support a filibuster," Conrad said Wednesday, after meeting with Alito in his Washington office.

Conrad is up for election in just in '06 and it seems he has come to his senses about the Alito nomination. The cynical side of me thinks he realizes supporting a filibuster could spell troubles or at least a good talking point for an opponent the next 361 days, however the optimist in me hopes that it is a combination of this fact plus he realizes that Judge Alito is an excellent judge who will not legislate from the bench even if this leads to a decision that may be contrary to his own personal views. Is this the start of the moderates sending a message to their party that a filibuster is not the answer? We can only hope so.

Bloomington "at-Large" Prediction

Bloomington The polls will be closing in about 70 minutes, my prediction (guess) is Loren wins 57-43%. UPDATE: Sadly I had the numbers right, but the wrong winner. I know it is dangerous to compare primary results to the actual election numbers, but I find this result a bit surprising. If you look just at those numbers it seems she was able to get most of the Harden and Haes votes into her column. Loren would have been a great councilman, I believe this is a loss for Bloomington in the long run especially when they lose their one reasonable voice next year.

Bloomington Council At Large - Precincts Reporting: 32 of 32 (100%)

Candidate          Votes   Per Karen Nordstrom    5,585   56% Loren Klassen      4,282   43%

So Sad

2006 Elections The Wetterling campaign reaches serious desparation level (H/T MDE). Some genious thought ths would be real creative, but failed to understand how ridiculous it looks especially when your candidate is behind Bell (click on Minnesota). Here are a few choice lines from the latest fundraising letter:

When it comes to fighting for a cleaner environment, safer neighborhoods, and a shared sense of community, she is really representing all of us. So, I figured I would offer a helping paw.

Halle's Letter

One Yes, One No on Tuesday!

Richfield On Tuesday the voters in Richfield will be asked if they wish to renew an existing ISD #280 levy and support a new levy for additional school funding. I'm sure by now most already know if they will vote and what their vote will be. Here is the link to information on the official school district website. The ballot will have two questions, #1 is to renew an existing levy that expires due to a new state law that forces levies to expire (this is an excellent law). This would maintain the additional levy support to supply $546.28 per pupil with an estimated $2.6 million per year. Question #2 is a levy asking an additional $252 per pupil or $1.3 million. I am voting YES on question #1 and NO on question #2 because removing that $546 would most likely decimate our schools, however do they really need another $252 per student? I urge all readers to go read all the data on the ISD #280 website. When you are reading this remember who put the site together. I'm not accusing them of lying or even misleading, if anything they might only be guilty of the of omission. This PowerPoint presentation offers me a chance to prove my point. On slide #5 they compare the level of state funding versus the consumer price index since 1990.

• 2.06% - Average annual increase in per pupil funding since 1990
• 2.55% - Average annual increase in Consumer Price Index since 1990
• Many cost increases exceed the rate of inflation

What did they omit? Well, our state lawmakers also passed a law in the recent past that removed a cap on the amount our property tax could be increased. In the past, it was not uncommon for the taxable property value to be $10-15,000 behind the real market value on a house. As recently as 2004 mine was $19,000 off, but in 2005 they are the same thanks to the new law. If you add the boom of the real estate market for the last decade, what do you get? That's right, increased revenue. My taxable market value for my home has averaged a 10.38% increase per year for the last six years (see Chart 1 below). Now let's compare the 2.06 and 2.55% number with 10.38%. Let's say the existing levy (Q1, which I support) is 0.2% of your taxable property value. On a $100k house in 2000 you would pay $200, but in 2005 that same house on the same levy would net $327, or 10.38%.

Chart 1

So where is all this money going? The PowerPoint has a long list of costs that are outpacing inflation, but I will let you go read it. If it wasn't for the dramatic increase in real estate values, I might be more willing to add that additional $252 per student, but the fact that my taxes going to ISD #280 is double the amount I paid in 2000 leads me wanting more proof that my money is not being wasted. One more tip, try doing what I did. I took all my Hennepin County Property Tax statements I could find (2000 to present) and put it into a spread sheet. It provides some interesting data. I hope I can track down the previous four.