Over at MnPublius, Jeff wonders “how many (constitutional) amendments they’ll (the GOP) ultimately put on the (Minnesota) ballot” and that by doing so, the GOP is over extending themselves.
Overextending themselves with, for instance, today’s State House Hearing on the GOP’s proposed Constitutional Amendment to use the Constitution to limit freedom and cement RightWingNutBigotry into stone. And that’s just one “for instance.” As bad as the GreedOverPrinciples party is here in Minnesota, we have a Gov. Dayton preventing this state going down the Wisconsin GOPer wHoleBunchOfCraziness.
The image to the right is “Today’s Most Popular Articles” from Madison’s The Daily Page. What started in February, in Wisconsin, is still going strong. Six Wisconsin GOPers face recall action. To be sure, GOPers are targeting Wisconsin Democrats, even going so far as allegedly offering Shots For Signatures. What hasn’t been seen on the GOPer side is people – as in people in the streets. Like at Hudson, on March 15th, and there were hundreds protesting GOPer Governor Scott “Baseball Bat” Walker – and eight – EIGHT – there to support him. People are still out and about and making their voices heard; the following YouTube was made from scenes from the Wisconsin Capitol from April 25th to the 29th. (I got the link from First Draft via email notification Crooks&Liars).
“The future belongs to those who are passionate and work hard.” And what the GOPers have started – in Minnesota, in Wisconsin, in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and elsewhere – is far from over.
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
…”Swimming In A Winter Wonder Land.”
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!
(link here for “swimming in a winter wonder land…”)
(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
Jeff Strate just sent the following note and graphic to the readers and writers of MPP, via email!
“As Minnesota Progressive Project celebrates its second anniversary, the Democratic Visions team hails MPP’s service to progressive thought, comment and action. Many, many thanks.”
Well, thank YOU, Jeff!
IMNSHO, Democratic Visions has become the best locally-produced political television talk show in Minnesota – due to the power of dedicated volunteers and the progressive movement. Democratic Visions is a once-a-month program and a production of DFL Senate District 42 (Eden Prairie & MInnetonka). It’s filmed at Comcast’s Southwest Community Television studio in Eden Prairie.
Joe Bodell and I (MPP) and The Cucking Stool’s Steve Timmer are featured on the current edition of Democratic Visions. Producer Jeff Strate and the Dem Vis crew make us look great on large flat screen TVs. (disclaimer-I’m the deisgnated go-fer “an associate producer”). This edition will only be re-broadcast for another 3 or 4 times before the holidays begin. Check Democratic Visions out on cable TV at the following times and channels:
Comcast Channel 15 – Hopkins, Minnetonka, Edina, Richfield and Eden Prairie Sundays at 9 p.m. and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.
Bloomington Cable Channel 16 – on Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m., Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m.
MTN Channel 17- Minneapolis Sundays at 7 p.m.
Democratic Visions can be seen 24/7 on its YouTube Cnannel at http://www.youtube.com/user/DemocraticVisions.
(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
The following was filmed on November 3d, 2010 – the afternoon after the 2010 Mid-Term Elections for the “Democratic Visions” cable access TV program – produced by the Senate District 42 DFL.
Democratic Visions ON CABLE
Comcast Channel 15 – Hopkins, Minnetonka, Edina, Richfield and Eden Prairie Sundays at 9 p.m. and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.
Bloomington Cable Channel 16 – on Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m., Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m.
MTN Channel 17- Minneapolis Sundays at 7 p.m. When MTN’s webmaster gets around to it, repeats will be posted in “TV Guide” at http://www.mtn.org/.
Democratic Visions has become Minnesota’s best and most supportive broadcast/video venue for Progressives and Democrats. The program is produced by Minnetonka, Eden Prairie and Edina volunteers for DFL Senate District 42.
(segment cross posted from MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
So, I see the tweet, from MudSlingerMike:
mbrodkorb The bad press continues for Congressman Collin Peterson; http://tinyurl.com/m3n23w; #mngop #mn2010
So, I link on the tinyurl, and read this:
But Republicans on Tuesday saw the gaffe as an opportunity to make headway in Peterson’s conservative Seventh Congressional District, which he has securely held for many years. In 2008, he won 72 percent of the vote.
Got that? Less than a year ago, DFLer Colin Peterson won 72% of the vote.
So, what does the intrepid Deputy Chair of the GreedOverPrinciples Party say about Colin Peterson?
“This has really I think energized activists in the area and is going to lend [itself] to a first-tier candidate coming forward to run against him next year,” said Minnesota GOP deputy chair Michael Brodkorb, adding that there has been an “absolute explosion” of interest in the seat in the past 24 hours.” (Strib)
Say, Brodkorb? An “absolute explosion” of interest in taking on a guy that just won with 72 percent of the vote??!?
Yeah, “right.”
And a “first tier” candidate to boot? Not gonna happen – no “first tier” candidates remain in today’s GreedOverPrinciples party. T-baggers and “birthers”? You got pawlenty. “First tier”? Not so much.
Oh, noticed this tweet, from MudSlingerMike, too:
RT @MinnPostRSS: Minnesota GOP ready to launch ad campaign against Peterson remarks: http://bit.ly/DByJR
Say, Mikey? Good luck with that “ad buy” you’re tryin’ to sell. When you say “five figure ad buy” that really means “$999.99 or less” – yes?
Although personally, I wish the GOPers would dump a coupla hundred thousand into the 7th, between now and the new year….
(crossposted from MnProgressiveProject)
Well, it seems that John Kline is outraged – OUTRAGED! – that a candidate is taking footage of Marines in uniform, and using said Marines in an ad. And he’s outraged. Here’s what Blogger Michael Broadkorb is reporting Congressman Kline said, over on M.D.E.:
I am outraged that Ashwin Madia would exploit uniformed Marines to advance his political ambitions. … He should immediately pull down the ad and issue an apology to the drill team and the brave men and women of the U.S. Marine Corps.” (M.D.E.)
Well, one would think, by Congressman Kline’s outrage, that he, himself, would never have used the military, or military veterans, to further HIS “political ambitions”, wouldn’t one? Or, if he HAD used the military, or military veterans, to further HIS “political ambitions”, Congressman Kline would have apologized, right?
Yeah, “right.”
Let’s take a look at a John Kline incident, from just two years ago.
On August 12th, 2006, John Kline attended an event with the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), in St. Paul. Randy Pleva, National President of the PVA, sent Congressman Kline a letter on August 28th, thanking Kline for showing up.
Now, it’s important to remember, that the PVA is a 501(c)3 not for profit.
So, what did Congressman Kline do, with that letter, from a not for profit Veterans Organization?
If you guessed Congressman Kline shamelessly used that letter to further Kline’s political career, you would be correct.
Here’s the entire verbage from the SECOND letter the PVA sent to Congressman Kline, dated 31 October 2006:
Dear Congressman Kline,
I write to you regarding a recent campaign flyer distributed by the Kline for Congress campaign (copy attached) that implies my endorsement, as President of Paralyzed Veterans of America, of your reelection. As a 501(c)3 not for profit organization we are precluded by law from endorsing or opposing any candidate for office. Not only was this language taken out of context and used without our knowledge, the fact is that this may put or organization’s good standing in jeopardy.
The language contained in the flyer comes from a letter (attached I sent you August 28, 2006 thanking you for your attendance at a fund raising event conducted by PVA’s Outdoor Recreation Heritage Fund. I find the selective editing for use in the flyer disingenuous at best.
I would appreciate that you and the campaign cease using this implied endorsement.
Thank you.Sincerely,
Randy L. Pleva, Sr.
National Presidentcc: Federal Election Commission, Office of General Counsel
Here’s the first letter, that John Kline disingenously took out of context:
Here’s the second letter, that the PVA essentially said “cease and desist”:
Now, fastforward to yesterday, and remember Kline demanding someone else issue an apology. Ask yourself this: do you think John Kline ever apologized to the PVA, for shamelessly and disengenuously using Paralyzed American Veterans to shamelessly advance Kline’s career?
If you think Kline did NOT apologize, you would be correct; I know – because I called Randy Pleva, National President, and asked.
John Kline – as usual – is acting like the shameless and disengenuous hypocrite that has caused “GOP” to now stand for GreedOverPrinciples.
“Hypocrisy, thy party is GOP”
(cross posted at MnBlue, originally posted at MnProgressiveProject.com )
