The picture to the right is Rep Tony Cornish, R=NRA, taken by Jim Ragsdale, a Capitol Reporter for the StarTribune. Yes, Cornish in addition to his usual lapel cuffs, Cornish now is a sporting new NRA tie and new bling, too: an assault weapon a loop-hole legal machine gun. That picture was taken at a Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee hearing yesterday, where the topic was (gasp!) legislation to improve public safety.
The pictures that follow are screenshots from yesterday on twitter. The first, by State Senator Roger Chamberlain, R=NRA, gives a “hint” of what this “debate” is really all about:
And if it’s *not* about “hunting” what could it possibly be?
The Gasbag Of The Midway, Mitch Berg, responds to my tweet, and makes it VERY clear what it’s all about:
Yep – Mitch says loudly and clearly that he and his ilk need their highpowered and loop-hole legal machine guns to shoot soldiers and cops *they* consider “tyrranical.”
Never one to fail to fall in line with current Right Wing Nut Job non-sense, Dave Thul jumps in:
Say, Dave? I wasn’t the one that said you need your loop-hole legal machine guns to shoot soldiers and cops your ilk tells you (remember, Dave always falls in line); YOU said that – in your own words.
Yes, Dear Gentle Readers, far too many of today’s “No New Gun Laws – PERIOD” deep thinkers (like Berg and Thul, et al; presumably, Cornish and Chamberlain, et al) are “Water The Tree Of Liberty” types, that think they need these loop-hole legal machine guns for the upcoming fight against “tyranny.”
As Thul and Berg clearly demonstrate, what they are saying is that when the day comes, they are willing and want to be ready and able to open fire with assault weapons loop-hole legal machine guns.
Think about it, for a minute – just who do these deep thinkers think will be their “tyrranical enemy” that they’re going to shoot – village dog catchers? City trash collectors? No, Gentle Readers – in their own words, they are willing and want to be able to open fire on soldiers and cops.
And if that doesn’t scare you enough….
… these “water the tree” types of GunNuts will tell you that there’s no reason – none, whatsoever – to ban the “semi-automatic” AR15 (and it’s variations).
Judge for yourself if the AR15 (and it’s variations) is really “semi-automatic”…
It’s scary enough that the crazies that shot up Columbine, Tucson, Oak Creek, Newtown, etc etc etc are out there and are getting acdess to guns.
Now we have to be worried about “water the tree” types, too. Armed, they insist, with loop-hole legal machine guns.
Not to mention, of course, meth-heads & meth dealers & meth cooks, etc etc etc figuring out that loop-hole, too.
The Thompson machine gun was banned decades ago. It’s time to ban these loop-hole legal machine guns too.
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
“Let’s Do The Time Warp Again!”
The call went out, to far and wide (even Facebook!) for The WingNut Faithful to gather at a bar in Arden Hills (where presumably, they didn’t have to tip because Waitrons make $100,000 a year! for a special, heart-searching event: “MnGOP Panel: Where Do We Go From Here? – What went wrong in 2012, and moving forward in 2013″
And what a panel it was! “Moderated” by EXTREME right wingers Mitch Berg and Jeff Johnson, Senator Dave Thompson, Walter Hudson, Andy Parrish, Sarah Janecek, Dan “Dac” Severson, Marianne Stebbins and Mark Westphal were the main draws!
I didn’t go; watching the action on Twitter Hashtags #wdwgfh & #MnGOP13) was entertainment enough for yours truly, the ol’ TwoPutter!
And clearly, these assembled party faithful have not a clue.
Which, for a Progressive, is GREAT news! But, the best news, is the apparent formation of a “Draft Emmer” clown car – here’s the tweet that clued me in!!!
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And here’s the photo in that tweet!
YES!!! That’s THE ticket!!!
Dear Tom Emmer – I hear Brad Biers is available! Of course, that might get Brad in a little hot water with his boss….
In all seriousness, I didn’t catch a tweet that got to the nub of what is wrong with today’s scandal-plagued Mn GOP; especially how you couldn’t trust the GOP then, you still can’t now, and tomorrow won’t be any different – “right”, Senator Hann?
For those that are interested in what’s REALLY wrong with today’s GOP, Hamline Professor David Schultz recently penned “The Moral Crisis of the Republican Party”. I highly recommend those reading this, read it.
Obviously, those in attendence last night hadn’t.
Here’s an example of the candidacy of Tom Emmer in 2010, and why those GOPers that are electable are not endorsable (and those GOPers endorsable are not electable) in today’s MnGOP – via YouTube:
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
Monday morning, we did a post entitled “Attila The Hann’s Comment On His Role In The Pew d’ Etat“. Hann’s comment to the Star Tribune about the sacking of Amy Koch was, basically, “no comment.” And there’s a good reason for that, if you’re David Hann: the story he told at the infamous December 2011 Press Conference doesn’t add up (to put it nicely).
How do we know that? Because Monday afternoon, Minnesota Public Radio (“MPR”) did a story – let’s look!
If it smells like a power play…
Posted at 5:01 PM on January 28, 2013 by Bob Collins (9 Comments)
Filed under: PoliticsFormer Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch told WCCO Radio today she’s never watched (or listened to) the December 2011 press conference at which it was announced she’d resigned her leadership post because of an affair with a staffer.
She says she probably won’t ever watch it. That’s too bad, because looking back at it now, coupled with yesterday’s Star Tribune story, her claim that four of her male colleagues were staging a power play gains at least a fair amount of traction.
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Even before Ms. Koch broke her silence with yesterday’s Star Tribune article, there was a stench around the story and timetable the Republican men — Sen. Chris Gerlach, R-Apple Valley, Sen. David Senjem, R-Rochester, Sen. Geoff Michel and Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie — painted at the news conference announcing Koch’s resignation.
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Compare that to what Sen. David Hann said when he was asked about the news conference announcing Koch’s resignation. “It’s a total surprise,” Hann told MPR News.A surprise? It shouldn’t have been. Hann was one of the men who set Koch up at the Minneapolis Club.
The men insisted it was Koch who brought up the idea of resigning. But in her interview with the Star Tribune, that’s not how she remembers it:
(read rest of the story, here)
We know that at that infamous Gang Of Four (Hann, Michel, Gerlach & Senjem) Press Conference in December 2011, Michel clearly smiled at the cameras and proceeded to lie through his teeth.
Now Hann’s role in The Pew d’ Etat – the sacking of Amy Koch and Michael Brodkorb – is becoming clearer, and it sure looks like Hann smiled at the cameras and pulled a Michel.
GOP State Senator David Hann – the GOP’s Minority Leader in the State Senate – is rapidly becoming Minnesota’s most ethically-challenged politician.
Which, as stated in Monday’s post, should make Attila The Hann a shoo-in for the ethically-challenged MnGOP’s endorsement to run for governor in 2014….
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
“No comment.” Well, to be completely accurate, here’s what it says in the Star Tribune story “Amy Koch: Affair gave GOP foes an opportunity; Ex-Senate leader accuses some of her most trusted allies of back-stabbing, lies.”: “Hann declined to comment for the story,…”.
Now, to me, The Sacking Of Amy Koch – a/k/a, “The Pew d’ Etat” – is NOT a scandal about sex, as salacious as sex is. This scandal is about a political power play – The Sacking Of Amy Koch (well, and Michael Brodkorb, too). And the real scandal is the brazen lying, which Koch talks about in the story. And we know there was lying going on; one member of the infamous Gang Of Four – then-GOP State Senator Geoff Michel(Attila David Hann, Chris Gerlach, and Dave Senjem being the other three) – lied to reporters at the December 2011 Press Conference talked about in the Star Tribune story liked to, above. And we know Michel lied; he later admitted it – basically saying “I only lied because I had to.”
So we know that at least one member of The Gang Of Four is an admitted liar. So we know that when Amy Koch alleges there’s some lyin’ goin’ on, well, we already knew that. And we also knew that David Hann, the now-GOP State Senate Minority Leader, was deeply involved involved with this sordid affair of calling the Press to attend a Press Conference where this Gang Of Four might tell some of the truth, but certainly some stuff that wasn’t the truth.
And Hann won’t comment.
Amy Koch has now commented; as has Michael Brodkorb previously.
Since December 2011, David Hann has been deeply involved in this Pew d’ Etat scandal, the infamous Lunch Hour Lit Drop scandal, and his personal conflict of interest scandal.
Which, of course, should make him a shoo-in for the ethically-challenged MnGOP’s endorsement to run for governor in 2014….
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
RIP, Karl. You will be missed.
Avidor writes here: Dump Michele Bachmann: Karl Bremer 1952 – 2013
Today is the end of Zappadan 2012; it’s Frank’s birthday. Well, and the end of the world too, if ya bought into that Mayan Calendar cr@p. So I figured “Inca Roads” would be a good way to end this year’s #Zappadan2012 series.
And rather than reinvent the wheel, I also figured I’d just repost a #Zappadan2011 post featuring “Inca Roads” – here it is!
Zappadan 2011, Day 6
by: TwoPuttTommy
Fri Dec 09, 2011 at 00:24:00 AM CST
I wanted to start this post out with a video of Frank playing “Inca Roads” – and I searched and I searched and I searched. And what I found was a tasty – TASTY! – version of a guitarist that played for Frank, Mike Keneally. And it’s awesome in more than one way; in this version, there’s just Mike and bassist Bryan Beller – let’s watch!!!
Back in 1991, when Frank was sick and everyone knew his touring days were over, there were two special shows performed and recorded – film, too! – at The Ritz in New York on November 7 and 8, 1991. Frank picked the songs and arrangements – Mike Keneally was the guitarist. The film was used for a PBS documentary; the CD was called “Zappa’s Universe” and it’s great. “Inca Roads” evolved over the years while Frank toured; as most songs did – arrangements depended on who Frank hired for the band. The “Zappa’s Universe” version is one of my favorites, even though it’s Keneally playing and not Frank. I couldn’t find a TouTube of it, or another rocker off that CD, “Hungry Freaks, Daddy.” It’s a great CD, and one every fan of Franks should own.
1988 was a monster year for Frank; he put out the single CD “Broadway The Hardway” – with a guest appearance by Sting and a few not-so-subtle jabs at Jimmy Swaggart – and two double CD’s – “The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life” and “Make A Jazz Noise Here.” All three CD’s are live recordings. It was an incredible band; they played stuff from a reggae version of Johnny Cash’s “Ring Of Fire” to Ravel’s “Bolero” to “Stairway To Heaven.” Here’s Frank’s composition, “Black Napkins.”
Mention “Frank Zappa” to most people, and if they recognize the name they’re more than likely to make a “yellow snow” comment, or some comment on lyrics. Frank more than once said his music didn’t need lyrics, except for one reason: had to have ‘em to sell records. Well, to rip politicians he didn’t like, too. But to his hardcore fans, many of the best songs are instrumentals. If you liked “Black Napkins” go down below and click on the “Watermellon In Easter Hay” link -same band, same venue!
Frank’s son Dweezil has been touring and playing Frank’s music for the past few years; he’s wrapping up a tour in England now and Dweezil’s website says he’s starting to line up the 2012 tour by inking some February shows in California. I’ve been lucky to see Dweezil play here in Minneapolis 3 times; the inaugural “Tour De Frank” at the Orpheum, at First Avenue, and again at the Orpheum. Where ever you are, if Dweezil is playing anywhere near – go see him! More Dweezil, later.
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Previous posts referencing Frank are now in one convenient location, here – the new Zappadan page.
I carry a card in my wallet; it’s a little larger than a business card. The front shows some Founding Father types gathered, discussing trophies mounted on the wall – “bear arms.” Not a trophy buck; not some exotic trophy brought back from an African safari, not… well, not “whatever.” They’re “bear arms.” And I whip it out whenever some gun nut (often, with a tin-foil lined cammo hunting/military cap) starts to go ballistic about liberals/leftists/socialists/french fry eating/UN loving/tree huggers wanting to limit their 2nd Amendment right to own guns.
Here’s what the back of said card looks like. It starts out with the 2nd Amendment, verbatim:
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
Following that:
“Of course it’s clear! Every American has the right to hang a pair of bear arms on their wall. How could that possibly be misconstrued?”
Indeed.
Here’s the point:
People will argue about the semantics of the 2nd Amendment, but what people cannot argue is virtually everyone – even those wearing tin-foil lined cammo hunting/military hats – thatwe ALREADY regulate “arms.”
No one has a right to own a bazooka nor a flame thrower nor a mortar/grenade launcher; not even a machine gun (think Thompson, Uzi, AK47, fully automatic M-16, etc.)
Well “almost everyone.”
But even the extremist Nation Rifle Association isn’t advocating anyone’s right to own a fully automatic machine gun or a couple of live grenades.
And even the 5-4 “District of Columbia v. Heller” decision (2008), via obiter dictum, affirmed the right of the government to ban ban a class of weapons – specifically, machine guns.
So we ALREADY agree (even Supreme Court Justices Scalia, Thomas, Alito, Kennedy & Roberts) that the Feds can impose “regulations” on the lawful ownership of weapons by The People.
What the argument today is, is where that line of regulation is drawn.
I’m saying the banning of assault weapons – including magazines (“clips” if you will) is on the regulatory side of the line government can ban.
Today’s assault weapons, with the capacity for carnage similar to the Thompsons of the 1930′s, can and should be banned.
Now.
Well, more accurately: AGAIN.
Because even though that card I carry in my wallet is a joke, the carnage assault weapons continue to cause is not.
The image to the right is from Republican David Hann’s campaign website (link here for full view). It seems in May 2010, Hann held a Press Conference announcing the beginnings of an ethics complaint about a DFLer who had ethics problems — and is now out of office. This image of Hann’s website shows links to a press conference Hann, along with Republican Senator Geoff “I only lied because I had to” Michel, held — and it’s worth remembering what Hann had to say at that time. Let’s look!
Here’s the transcript:
“I think all of us in public office, we need to exercise the best judgement that we can to make sure that what we’re doing, uh, doesn’t send the appearance to the public that we’re, uh, seeking any kind of special treament or doing things that are of benefit to us personally.” — Republican Senator David Hann, 20 May 2010
OK, why bring that up, now? Well, because of what Hann said about HIS behavior, just the other day:
From Minnesota Public Radio:
“What I did was perfectly legal and legitimate,” Hann said. “I did not have a license at the time I did that, was not contemplating having a license at the time I did that. After the fact, I got a license, [which] would no different than anybody in the state of Minnesota who decided to get a license after the law was passed.” — Republican Senator David Hann
OK, working hand in hand with an owner of an insurance company – John Tyler – while working in the legislature as Chair of the committee that affects said insurance company owner, and then going to work for said insurance company owner after getting legislation passed affecting said insurance company owner may be “perfectly legal and legitimate” – but it sure gives the impression of, as Hann stated in May of 2010: “…doing things that are of benefit to us personally.”
Because, Hann’s behavior reeks of “…doing things that are of benefit to us personally.”
Since December of 2011, Hann has been involved in three things that really reek: the sacking of then-Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch; the infamous Lunch Hour Lit Drop; and now getting licensed to sell health insurance, taking a job with an insurance company who he worked with for God only knows how long on health insurance issues, and taking a board position with a health insurance trade association.
When the Legislature convenes in January, the Senate’s Ethics Committee needs to take a long hard look at David Hann and the timeline of what he’s done.
Assuming, of course, he doesn’t resign first…
After all, if Hann wants to walk through the ol’ Legislator-to-lobbyist revolving door so common today (except in Hann’s case, it’d be “Legislator to now-employee-of-business-owner-he-helped), he shouldn’t let the door smack him on his way out.
I’m thinking if he doesn’t, Hann will get smacked by an Ethics Committee investigation.
The House should take a long hard look at Gottwalt, too.
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Previous coverage of Hann’s latest scandal:
MPR joins Fox9 and Minnpost and investigates David Hann, adds Steve Gottwalt — Monday, December 10th, 2012
GOP legislators who pushed MinnCare cuts under scrutiny for ties to insurers — Monday, December 10th, 2012
State Senate Republicans Double Down On David Hann’s Lack Of Disclosure — Saturday, November 10th, 2012
“Republicans pick the most corrupt Senator to lead them, David Hann” — Friday, November 9th, 2012
“More Questions For The List Of Questions David Hann Hasn’t Answered” — Thursday, November 8th, 2012
MNGOP Sen. David Hann chairs Health Committee, didn’t disclose health insurance job — Friday, November 2nd, 2012
“GOP State Senator David Hann Endorsed For Re-Election – By His Boss” — Tuesday, October 30th, 2012
“BREAKING: David Hann On Board Of Directors For Trade Association He Oversees” — Monday, October 29th, 2012
“BREAKING: David Hann Scrubs His Website, or: “Let The WhiteWash Begin!” — 9:35 pm, Friday, October 26th, 2012
“TV station sees conflict of interest for Sen. Hann, others” — 2:12pm, Friday, October 26th, 2012
“Fox9 News Scandal Coverage: “What does Sen. David Hann do for a living?” — 10:41am, Friday, October 26th, 2012
“What does Sen. David Hann do for a living?” — 7:55pm, Thursday October 25th, 2012
“When is a Conflict of Interest, a Conflict of Interest? You Decide.” — Thursday, October 25th, 2012
“Conflict of Interest? David Hann, GOP Health Insurance Salesman” — 5:00am, Thursday October 25th, 2012
*** related, but not directly:
“Minnesota Senate Republicans Are Out Of Control” — Friday, November 2nd, 2012
“Brodkorb Fallout: Consider The Source” — Monday, October 15th, 2012
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com)
I saw it over at Little Bang Theory, and thought it was too good not to share. I’m embedding the YouTube so you can listen to it, too! It’s from the double CD “The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life”; a Zappa album that, like the rest of mine, I bought at The Electric Fetus.
Here’s what’s written, in the liner notes: “The 1988 road band self-destructed before U.S. audiences in the South, Midwest and West could hear it perform. It was, however, heard and appreciated by East Coast and European audiences during its brief existence (four months of rehearsal in 1987/1988, followed by a tour, February through June 1988), and it is from those performances that this compliation is made. … and there are no over-dubs of any kind.”
It’s a great album; if you’ve ever wanted to hear Johnny Cash’s “Ring Of Fire” played reggae, for instance, or wanted to hear Swaggert roasted, this is it! Plus, it’s got “Inca Roads” and a smokin’ hot “Zombie Woof”!
Here’s “Bolero” –
Previous posts referencing Frank are now in one convenient location, here – the new Zappadan page.
