On Saturday, March 12th, there was an explosion at the double-whammied Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Japan. On Sunday, a local RightWingNut Blogger that tells so many whoppers that a fellow progressive blogger created a tag just for him (“Gross Inaccuracies”) ripped Senator Klobuchar with this headline:

Sen. Klobuchar Picking Winners & Losers

Sen. Klobuchar has joined with Tim Johnson to co-sponsor legislation that picks economic winners and losers:

Mr. Gross Inaccuracies finishes his rant with:

Nuclear power plants, oil refineries and new oil rigs won’t get built because organizations like MCEA won’t let them get built.

If Sen. Klobuchar was interested in proven solutions, she needs to ignore these special interest groups when their agenda runs contrary to the needs of We The People.

Here’s what Mr. Gross Inaccuracies forgets: when, in 1957, Congress enacted the Price-Anderson Nuclear Industries Indemnity Act – Congress picked nuclear power to be a “winner”.

Yes, that same industry Mr. Gross Inaccuracies is championing now – nuclear power – is only around because over 50 years ago, Congress passed a law saying – in essence – that since nuclear power cannot (at ANY price) obtain liability insurance for it’s operation, if there’s an accident, the kind and generous and good ol’ USofA TaxPayers would pick up the cleanup tab.

No only is Mr. Gross Inaccuracies today’s example of “Those that forget the lessons of history tend to vote GOP” – he’s also a prime example of “Republicans are against federal handouts (except when they’re not).”

Handouts, such as 1957′s Price-Anderson Nuclear Industries Indemnity Act…

(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)

I saw the link in Politics In Minnesota’s Morning Report; a story written by one of the mutts over at “Freedom Dogs”. Quite certain it was filled with typical republiCon bull(chips), I clicked on the link. I, of course, was correct – complete tripe, and simply another example of “Republicans are against federal handouts (except when they’re not)”

The issue this time, from the mutts, was nuclear power. Let’s look at just one line (I could rip more, but I’m really rather busy to waste too much time on these mutts):

“Nuclear power is safe, efficient, cost-effective, and it’s what the fast growth countries have been doing for years.”

Yeah, “right”. It’s so (cheney)in’ safe, that Xcell Energy mailed out the following calendar to those in the immediate fall-out zone, in 2009:

MONTICELLO EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDE AND CALENDAR 2009

Those beyond the immediate fall-out zone? Well, if you are it sucks to be you, but: “sucks to be you” really is the mantra in today’s GreedOverPrinciples party so no surprise there!

Here’s the part, that really, Really, REALLY tells me that nukes are safe:

In the unlikely event of a nuclear generating plant accident, how would you be notified?

If the public needs to take shelter or evacuate, warning sirens will sound.
Weather-alert radios will also activate and you will hear a message.
Listen for a steady siren tone lasting 3 minutes. In areas not served by sirens, slow-moving law enforcement vehicles or state helicopters will warn citizens using sirens and loudspeakers.

Now, no one ever accused those mutts at “Freedom Dogs” of bein’ none-too-bright. Lemmings? Yep. Bootlickers? Of course! Flat-out liars? Well, click on the link above, and judge for yourself.

Here’s the kicker: mutts like the Freedom Lemmings “Dogs” love – LOVE – to claim that they’re “free-marketeers” that hate – HATE – “government handouts.”

Folks, the simple fact is, there would be no – NONE – nuclear plants now in operation, had not the nuclear industry been given the federal handout known as the Price-Anderson Nuclear Industries Indemnity Act.

In a nutshell, The Price-Anderson Act says that if, as stated in the Excel Calendar above, there’s an “unlikely event of a nuclear generating plant accident” and there’s a whole bunch of damages, Excel isn’t on the hook for the damages – YOU are. Me, too. Well, EVERYONE is. That’s right; nuclear plants don’t have to buy no stinkin’ liability insurance; the nuclear industry instead will stick the taxpayers with the tab if there’s a meltdown.

“Too big to fail” ring a bell?

Here’s why the nuclear industry puts the cost of a (cheney)up meltdown on the American Taxpayers: it’s because no insurance company in their right mind would ever – EVER – insure a nuclear plant for liability. So, to make the buck, the nuclear industry has to put the good ol’ USofA taxpayers on the hook. If they had to buy liability insurance in the open market (“Hello, Allstate?”), and factor that cost into the end price customers paid, other technologies would suddenly look mighty cheap in comparison. You know, like solar? Hydro? Wind? Yada, yada, yada?

Price-Anderson, Gentle Readers, is a Federal Handout – something today’s alleged “conservatives” claim they are against.

Can anybody reading this, tell me one other industry that doesn’t have to provide liability insurance for their operations; one other industry that has to have – HAS TO HAVE – the American Taxpayers on the hook, in order to be economically viable?

As far as I know, nuclear is the only one that fits both of the above.

I’d bet the mutts over at Freedom Dogs never thought of that, before they decided to (once again) play bootlicker for the GOP’s benefactors (this time, the nuclear industry). And I’m certain they never figured out that although they claim (loudly and often) that they want LESS Government, expansion of nuclear power would require MORE government: more regulators/more inspectors/more fire/more police/more emergency responders/more yada, yada, yada.

Unless, of course, they’re advocating MORE nuclear power with LESS government regulations and oversight and evacuation plans, yada, yada, yada.

If they are (and don’t put anything beyond the realm of those mutts), I’m certain they’d have no problemo if said new nuclear plant were built upwind from them by a company run by, say, Ken Lay Jr., or, perhaps, a Charles Keating The Third, or say, the next Tom Petters?

At any rate, the whole sorry saga of alleged “conservatives” advocating for more nuclear power is also another example of:

“Hypocrisy, Thy Party Is GOP”

(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)

“Mother” Jones (1837-1930) was a tireless union organizer in the Appalachian mining states. For this, that era’s Boardroom Tycoons labeled her “the most dangerous woman in America.” In 1970, in her honor, Mother Jones Magazine was formed. One of their stories that recently caught my eye is about a small union town in West Virginia that today, is really small – and headed for extinction. You can (and should) read about it; it’s called “First Big Coal Broke the Union. Then It Broke This Town.”

Here’s a teaser:

The (town of) Twilight (West Virginia) area’s first coal mine opened in the 1940s. For a while, money from the mines seemed to coat the town as easily as the black dust that blew off the coal trains. Due in part to the efforts of the fiery turn-of-the-century labor organizer Mary Harris “Mother” Jones, the roughly 1,000 union workers who toiled underground during the height of the mining boom of the late ’70s enjoyed some of the best benefits in the country. At one time, the Twilight area boasted two grocery stores, a company store called the Robin Hood, a movie theater, and a mine-sponsored softball league. That’s all gone now. Lora can’t even buy a loaf of bread in Twilight anymore. (MotherJones.com)

So, you’ve read that whole story, and now you’re asking: “Hey TPT, it looks like you’re rippin’ on “The Koch Whore” (a/k/a Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, R=BoughtAndPaidFor; on twitter, a/k/a #KochWhore) and The Sons Of The John Birch Society, especially David Koch; that story isa bout the notorious Massey Energy – whose blatant disregard for mining safety regulations allegedly led to 31 miners dying at Massey’s Upper Big Branch Mine.”

That, Gentle Reader, is true; that’s exactly what that story is about. But what’s not mentioned in that story is Koch Industries’ involvement in West Virginia coal production (because that’s not the main thrust of that story). And IMNSHO, the Sons Of The John Birch Society’s involvement in coal production in West Virginia is just as insidious as the Koch Bother’s (especially David Koch) involvement in the attack on union workers in Wisconsin.

From a ThinkProgress.com story, on 27 Sept 2010, entitled Koch-Funded Book Argues Against Mine Safety Laws In West Virginia:

The Koch-funded think tank recently started a phony news service in West Virginia, called the “West Virginia Watchdog.” Americans for Prosperity, the fake grassroots group founded and financed by David Koch, has been running television ads in West Virginia attacking progressive reforms.

TV ads, financed by David Koch, in West Virginia?

Kind of reminiscent, say, of this ThinkProgress.org story, from just the other day: Koch Industries Front Group Americans For Prosperity Launches Ad To Support Walker’s Union Busting:

Today, the Koch group Americans for Prosperity announced that it will air an ad smearing the protesters in Madison and calling on the state to support Walker’s power grab. As we noted on Friday, Koch has demanded that collective bargaining rights be curtailed for both private and public sector unions, a step beyond Walker’s already extreme move. The ad disparages the pro-labor protesters for allegedly bringing in “out of state political protesters.” In fact, the small pro-Walker demonstration orchestrated by Koch operatives last Saturday included a number of out of state conservative activists, including Herman Cain (from Georgia), Jim Hoft (from Missouri), and Phillips (from Virginia). Watch the ad: YouTube

UPDATE It appears the AFP ad has been taken down. The YouTube video now displays only a black screen with words, “This video has been removed by the user,” and the ad is seemingly vanished from AFP’s website. It’s missing from the ad’s announcement as well.

Make no mistake – what’s happening in Wisconsin is NOT about a “budget deficit” – it’s about breaking the state – killing off the unions, and then plundering the people’s property. Except those assets won’t be sold to the highest bidder; they’ll be given away to corporate friends “sold via no-bid contracts” in such a way that might even cause Haliburton to blush.

I often referred to the misAdministration Of Bush The Lesser as Boy Blunder And The Plunderers.

I’m beginning to think those thieves were pikers, compared to what this gang has planned.

Because if they succeed in breaking Wisconsin, which state is next? And just why might they pull it off?

Where, your guess is as good as mine; as for why, here’s what I often say: “Those that forget the lessons of history tend to vote GOP.”

Oh, and where is the John Birch Society’s headquarters, these days?

Appleton, Wisconsin.

(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)

A lot of people know I’m a “snow plow jockey” – I’m in the snow plowing business. Of course, for essentially the last decade, that’s been theoretical; it simply hasn’t snowed much. This year? We’ve gotten essentially a season’s worth of snow in a month and a half. And that season’s worth of snow has come down in basically three big dumps: the November 13th blizzard (which was really wet snow), the December 3rd thru 4th storm, and December 10th thru 11th blizzrd, the 5th largest dump in Minnesota history. What is notable about these three storms that were all over 8 inches in depth, is (according to the Univ. of Mn) we only average a greater than 8 inch snowfall every other year.

Through recorded history, Minnesota’s snow came mainly in the form of “Alberta Clippers” – which are fast moving storms that dump a quick inch, two, even up to four inches of light powdery fluff that’s easy to plow, easy to shovel, and generally are more of a nuisance (for those that don’t ski, snowmobile, or otherwise play* in the snow. The last decade or so? Not so much; it’s these big dumps we’re getting. From someone in “da bidness” – let me tell you, I’d much rather have five two inch snowfalls, than one ten inch snowfall.

Those big dumps are a lot of work and they are hard on equipment. Dangerous, too. I’m kind of caught up on sleep; still sore all over. Most (nobody makes everybody happy) of the ol’ TwoPutter’s customers are happy over the service they received; we’ll see how happy they are when they get the bill….

So it was nice to see MN2020.org give a shout-out to Plow Jockeys – even if they were talking about the guys that drive the really, Really, REALLY big trucks that keep the Interstates, the State Highways, and County and City roads open. They really, Really, REALLY did a fantastic job during this last record-setting storm. From MN2020′s “For Those About to Plow, We Salute You”:

Despite steady, predictable conservative policy rants declaring that government is failing, city, county and state snowplow drivers achieved an impossible level of street clearing in a remarkably short of amount of time. Government did this, acting on our collective directive to maintain safe, free-flowing and commercially vital transportation infrastructure. As a consequence, emergency calls were answered, people traveled safely to and from work, and Minnesota quickly returned to the business of Minnesota prosperity.

They nailed that one – even if they didn’t mention the small guys with trucks (like me!) that also did yeoman’s work. That said, Gentle Readers, after finishing the work of cleaning up that storm, yours truly, the ol’ TwoPutter, decided to relax with a quick dip to refresh myself. You may have noted the asterisk above, behind “play.” Unbeknownst to me, my wife decided to take a picture of me at play – the link is below.

Winter weather does strange things to tundra trudgers up here in the frozen north. And quite frankly, if you’re gonna live here, you gotta figure out how to love the snow. That said, I’d like to remind our Gentle Readers that while driving during snowfalls – SLOW DOWN. Oh – and “Happy HanaRamaKwanzMas” to you and yours!

* those easily offended, or that can’t take a joke, shouldn’t look at the link. You’ve been warned!

(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)

Well, most o’ the maybe 20 or so that might vouch for the ol’ TwoPutter were in the crowd that packed the Chan Legion last Saturday night for “Prairie DawgFest 2010″ – headlined by local dawg David K with other denizen dawgs playing along. Local dawg Ricky Ybarra’s band was alternating sets. Ricky might vouch for me. Well, maybe David, too. Ricky’s wife? Prolly not; we went to Prom together…

Anyway, David sang a song that had me ROLFMAO. I sent him an email that night (from the bar; before I forgot), asking for the lyrics ’cause when I’ve had a cocktail or twelve, and there’s a karoke machine around, I’ve been known to belt out a Buffet song or two ’cause since Buffett always ad libs with his songs in concerts (and I know, from experience), I figure it’s ok to ad lib on ‘em during karoke; but: that’s a tangent. Back on point: David not only replied with lyrics (below the fold), he also gave me a link to footage they shot from the fest. Silly me; I figured that the guy with the camera was just another pathetic GOPer tracker… So, the YouTube is up, and I hope the regular readers and (im)posters here at MPP enjoy it too…

The Gulf Oil Spill
Lyrics David K to the tune of Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett

- music by Jimmy Buffet, lyrics by David Keiski

nibblin’ on spongecake, smells like an oil rake
all of those beaches are covered with oil
strummin’ my G string, while they clean off a bird wing
southern boy tempers beginnin’ to boil

WASTIN’ AWAY AGAIN DOWN IN THE OIL SPILL
LOOKIN’ FOR MY PET DOLPHIN NAMED WALT
SOME PEOPLE CLAIM THAT PRES’DINT BAMA’S TO BLAME… BUT I KNOW
THAT IT’S BP’S FAULT

Stepped on a tar ball, as big as a baseball
slipped and I slided right back to the bar
lit up my cigar, drop my match on my foot tar
went up in smoke and it left a big scar

WASTIN’ AWAY AGAIN DOWN IN THE OIL SPILL
LOOKIN’ FOR MY PET DOLPHIN NAMED WALT
SOME PEOPLE CLAIM THAT PRES’DINT BAMA’S TO BLAME… BUT I KNOW
THAT IT’S BP’S FAULT

I don’t know the reason, for this oily season
nothin’ to show but this pile -uh- goo
yeah it killed the beauty, a beach fool -uh- doodie
tar balls and Pelicans pissed off at you

WASTIN’ AWAY AGAIN DOWN IN THE OIL SPILL
LOOKIN’ FOR MY PET DOLPHIN NAMED WALT
SOME PEOPLE CLAIM THAT PRES’DINT BAMA’S TO BLAME… BUT I KNOW
THAT IT’S BP’S FAULT

I blew out my shrimp boat, stuck in oil it won’t float
it’s gummed up and rusty for a boat it don’t pass
there’s oil in the blender ~ can I return to sender
BP you suck you can kiss my fat ass

WASTIN’ AWAY AGAIN DOWN IN THE OIL SPILL
LOOKIN’ FOR MY PET DOLPHIN NAMED WALT
SOME PEOPLE CLAIM THAT PRES’DINT BAMA’S TO BLAME… BUT I KNOW
THAT IT’S BP’S FAULT

(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)

AM950: Minnesota’s Progressive Talkers

Minnesota’s Public Defender Crisis

Willard Munger Legacy

Link here for previous episodes, featuring guests such as:

Steve Kelley
Amber Greves
Mark Dayton
Maria Ruud
Ron Case
John Marty
Paul Thissen
Terri Bonoff
Ahmed Tharwat
Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer

“Democratic Visions” – watch it!

(originally published at MnProgressiveProject.com)

Mr. President, Ms. Vice President, Commissioners: My name is Tommy Johnson. Most of you know me as TwoPutt Tommy. I am a blogger at MNProgressiveProject. I am here to speak about blogging, ParkWatch, and a little bit about Crown Hydro.

MNProgressiveProject is a group of bloggers that speak for no one but ourselves. We cover issues all over the state of Minnesota. Like all reputable blogs, we try to follow something loosely called the Blogger’s Code of Ethics. There are two basic elements we go by.

First, be honest in gathering, reporting and interpreting information. This means checking facts. One of the tenets of this guideline is to distinguish between advocacy, commentary and factual information. Even advocacy writing and commentary should not misrepresent fact or context.
Second, be accountable. We admit our mistakes, and correct our posts.

In the course of my blogging, I covered the issue of Crown Hydro, and became aware of ParkWatch. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is covered extensively by the blog ParkWatch, and they are also activists against certain projects, such as Crown Hydro. On June 17th a blogger from ParkWatch addressed the Park Board and posted said comments on their blog.

I made a brief blog post about this on Friday, June 19th – I brefly touched on Park Watch’s comments, but didn’t get into specifics. Tonight, I’d like to.

On June 17th, a Park Watch member, Arlene Fried, made the following comments:

She said, and I quote: “We know that the public will lose control over St. Anthony Falls to a private developer and the FERC. No one can predict water flows over the next 50 to 100 years, and an EAW will not enlighten you on this topic. The FERC will have the authority to let the Falls run dry in order to produce energy.”

This is completely at odds with what the FERC License says. The FERC license Article 309 requires Crown Hydro to work with the other water users on a flow plan. (1) They did this. (2) There are 4 water users at this elevation, the City, the Army Corps and Xcel Energy. Crown Hydro has last use. First to turn off, last to turn on, and will never run at times of low flow. Article 404 (3) requires them to have a plan to implement this. And finally, the lease terms negotiated by the Park Board indicate the Park Board has control of water diversion when flows are at 1000 cfs or below. (4) This lease term becomes part of the FERC license, in essence, fully enforceable federal law. Some people might call what Ms. Fried said untrue; I’ll simply say the license contradicts what she said.

The second statement she made, and I quote: “We know that a FERC hydropower license will preempt local control of historic preservation issues.”

Again, completely at odds with everything I’ve read. This is local park land, on a federal waterway, in part of a national park. The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation office will work with the State Historic Preservation Office and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to create a Programmatic Agreement that addresses historic preservation issues. Some people might call what Ms. Fried said untrue; I’ll simply say the record contradicts what she said.

I hope the ParkWatch blog accepts these fact corrections and edits their blog accordingly.

***
1 – pages 10 and 17 of FERC License, 19 March 1999
2 – System-Wide Low-Flow Management Plan, Mississippi River above St. Paul, revised 11 March 2004
3 – pages 10 and 20 of FERC License, 19 March 1999
4 – Crown Hydro Proposed Lease Term Sheet

Quite frankly, the Park Watch people don’t source their work and for the most part their work is junk. When people have to make stuff up to make a point, their point isn’t worth making.

Recently, I mocked, ridiculed, and scorned the ParkWatch folk. Shortly thereafter, I recived an e-mail, notifying me of a new blog, Minneapolis Park Watch Watch, which is now mocking, ridiculing, and scorning the Park Watch folk.

FOR THE RECORD: I was not involved in forming the Minneapolis Park Watch Watch blog, I have not been invoved, nor am I now involved. But, I’d like to think that my mocking, ridiculing, and scorning of the Park Watch folk was part of the inspiration to the people that did. And who knows? Down the road, I might just make a post or three or more over there…

(crossposted from MnProgressiveProject)

It’s important to note that after all their “due diligence” – according to them – the Sierra Club decided to oppose the Crown Hydro project on the basis that “a fifty year lease (of a parking lot) isn’t really a ‘lease’ – it’s a ‘sale’.”

Here’s the money quote from the Chapter’s State Director, Maragret Levin:

“After careful consideration, the Sierra Club is opposing the Crown Hydro project due to what amounts to, legally, as a “sale” of public parkland (the proposed 50-year lease, with a right to renew for an additional 50 years). The Sierra Club North Star Chapter has long expressed concern about the sale of public park land to a private enterprise.”

Now, one way to look at that opposition is this: since after all that “careful consideration” the only – ONLY – reason the Sierra Club opposes the project is the length of the lease, it must be a pretty dam(n) good project.

But, what did ParkWatch testify to the Minneapolis Park Board, just the other night? Let’s look!

Protecting Parkland

The following speech in opposition to Crown Hydro’s proposed hydropower project on park land was given at the June 17, 2009 Park Board meeting during Open Time.

June 17, 2009

Commissioners:

First I would like to thank you for your previous decisions not to spend any further time or resources on the Crown Hydro project. Now, Crown is back with a renewed request for environmental review of its proposal. Nothing material has changed, and I urge you reject this project once and for all.

On its face, an EAW may sound appealing. Why not support a fact-finding exercise? Well, there are many reasons, and the main one is that you already have more than enough information to make a decision on this proposal.

1. We know that the Park Board mission is to “permanently preserve, protect, maintain, improve and enhance its natural resources, parkland, and recreational opportunities for current and future generations.”

2. We know that the public will lose control over St. Anthony Falls to a private developer and the FERC. No one can predict water flows over the next 50 to 100 years, and an EAW will not enlighten you on this topic. The FERC will have the authority to let the Falls run dry in order to produce energy.

3. We know that a FERC hydropower license will preempt local control of historic preservation issues.

4. We know from experience that this particular developer is willing to breach agreements when it serves its interests.

While it’s true the DNR concluded that there are two mandatory EAW categories that could apply to this project, the DNR did not conclude that an EAW must be done. If there is no project, then there is no need for an EAW.

I urge you to stand by your earlier decisions and follow your mission: say no to Crown Hydro. Protect the Falls and this parkland for future generations.

Sincerely,

Arlene Fried Co-founder of Park Watch

Posted by Liz Wielinski on Thu, 06/18/2009 – 10:55pm

I can fisk this at great length, and will.

And I’ll do it on Monday; I got stuff to do today, such as attend the send-off ceremony for the Minnesota troops of Alpha Company 452nd Combat Support Hospital – they’re being deployed to Afghanistan.

For those interested, it starts at 10 in Building 505 at Fort Snelling.

Come Monday, though, it’ll be time to rip Parkwatch a new one.

And why will the ol’ TwoPutter rip ‘em a new one?

The old-fashioned reason, Ladies and Gents: they’ve EARNED it.

For now, though, consider this, from the extremists at Parkwatch: They’re agitating to save a parking lot, and they claim, above, several times that: “we know….”

No, they DON’T know – and they don’t need no stinkin’ facts that an EAW would determine.

Actually, they don’t WANT facts.

The funniest/saddest thing about that ParkWatch post, on the ParkWatch website?

That “we don’t need no stinkin’ information” is just below this post:

Mprb Unalloted $2.5 Million For 2010 Budget

During the MPRB meeting of June 17th as part of the Superintendent’s budget wrap up for 2008 he discussed the expected LGA ( Local Government Aid) unallotment allocations for the MPRB for 2009 and 2010 based on the current plan proposed by the governor.

Posted by Liz Wielinski on Thu, 06/18/2009 – 11:21pm

For you Minneapolis voters, remember next November that Liz Wielinski is a candidate for Park Board. And perhaps you might want to ask her, why roughly $300,000 per year from Crown Hydro – for rent of a parking lot – is such a “bad thing” when Governor T-Bag is looking to cut the Park Board’s budget by $2,500,000?

Here’s Liz’s website:

http://www.lizforparks.com/Site/Home.html

(crossposted from MnProgressiveProject)

In a passing reference to offshore drilling, Paulsen said this:

“We have seen even in tragedies like Hurricane Katrina where there have been environmentally sensitive areas that have been protected, where oil was not spilled and some of these catastrophic challenges that faced the United States. These are critical areas that we need to tap additional reserves and sources for our own energy sources here in the United States.”

… and with that Paulsen stepped into a potential political spill of his own, one that seems to have gummed up the works of several other candidates. Presumptive Republican Presidential nominee John McCain spoke out a townhall meeting on July 15, saying Katrina and Hurricane Rita “did not cause any real difficulties.” McCain’s senior policy advisors have said the same thing.

The talking point has been repeated and massaged. It all may come down to the Clintonian question of what the meaning of the word “is” is. But Paulsen is clearly stretching reality if you take away from his statement that no oil was spilled offshore as a result of Katrina or Rita.(StarTribune)

Ladies and Gentlemen, a Star Tribune reporter, any reporter, saying a politician “is clearly stretching reality” is Reporterese for “he flat-out told a whopper.”

And Paulsen telling this particular whopper is an appropriate time to point out Eden Prairie GOPer Mayor Maybe, er, ‘scuse me, “Phil Young”, had a similar problem with what the meaning of “help” is.

Both Paulsen and Young, elected GOPer officials, offer stark reasons why reasonable people no longer can reasonably trust elected Republicans to tell the truth. Both were caught telling whoppers; both refused to ‘fess up and move on.

Mayor Young survives his whopper for now; he’s not up for re-election for another two years and he’s hoping voter’s memories are short. Will Paulsen may survive his latest whopper? He told it on a Friday which PR Flacks would tell you is a good day to hide stuff. Not as good as a Sunday, but still pretty good. And I bring up “Sunday”, because it was on a Sunday, when very little coverage could be expected, that Paulsen announced his campaign for congress, and announced he was moderate candidate, like Frenzel and Ramstad. One thing Paulsen said that is true, is Paulsen promised in this race, he wouldn’t be out-hustled.

Ladies and Gentlemen, like Mayor Maybe in 2006, Erik Paulsen is trying to hustle the electorate. Thirty-four years ago today, Richard “I am not a crook” Nixon resigned, because he didn’t tell the truth. Thirty-four years later, Erik Paulsen has not learned that lesson, and hustles onward, hoping voters won’t notice a whopper told on a Friday.

(cross posted at The Eden Prairie News)

(originally published at MnBlue.com)