In Part 1, we looked at how FEC Tony Sutton’s (pictured, right) MN GOP couldn’t (wouldn’t?) accurately report to the FEC how much they owed a vendor they hired to ensure accurate FEC reports. In Part 2, we noted there are now 2 citizen watchdog groups looking into the MN GOP’s Cooked Books — Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington – which nailed ‘em last time (the MN GOP got smacked with a near-record $170,000 fine), and Common Cause MN. In Part 3, we looked at how a payroll deductions “no, NO!” that got the MN GOP in trouble last time seems to be a pattern. In Part 4 we looked at the MN GOP using a strange address for one of it’s fundraisers.
In Part 5 we looked at at the official FEC Complaint – filed 12 Jan 2012 – by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (“CREW”). In Part 6 we looked at the MN GOP misrepresenting their expenses. In Part & we looked at how the MN GOP categorized pay for a guy that they very well may have been paying to run for state senate – Lakeville’s Dave Thompson in SD-36.
Today in Part 8 of the continuing Cooked Books Series we’re going to take a look at a MN GOP Campaign Finance Report line item that begs the question: did the State GOP pay for a lawyer for a State Representative’s lawyer in a drunk driving case?
Here’s the background: endorsed GOPer 2010 candidate for Governor Tom Emmer’s campaign was getting hammered over alcohol related incidents, including a certain paid campaign staffer that happened to be Emmer’s kid. The campaign did NOT need any more alocohol-related incidents. Apparently, campaign “consultant” Mark Buesgens, state rep from district 35-B, didn’t get the memo – he got caught driving drunk with an open bottle of vodka.
Team Emmer’s Drinking Team promptly dumped Buesgens. Note the “note” at the bottom of the last entry: “final payment.”
Now, the “official story” put out by Team Emmer’s Drinking Team was: “Hey! It’s just a coincidence, but: just the day before Buesgens got caught driving drunk into the ditch, we ditched him and he went to work for the State GOP!!!”
Yeah, “right.”
Let’s take a look at the timeline, as reported on Buesgen’s court records:
September 18th, 2010 – Busgens gets caught in a ditch with an open bottle of vodka; blows a .16 blood-alcohol content.
September 24th, 2010 – Buesgens cited in Wright County
November 5th, 2010 – Guilty plea entered, case all but settled (final disposition November 23rd, 2010.
Now, remember how in the scramble to distance themselves from the guy in the ditch (with an open bottle of vodka), Team Emmer’s Drinking Team said “Hey! Buesgen’s isn’t OUR bad boy; he’s the GOP’s!!!”
Well, Buesgens does indeed show up on the State GOP’s state Campaign Finance Report for 2010:
Five days after blowing a .16, Buesgens has the good fortune of getting a check from the State GOP for $2,584.62.
Five days before his drunk driving & open bottle case is all but over, Buesgens pulls another check from FEC Tony & Co for $8, 615.38 — for a grand total of eleven grand: $11,000.00.
Coincidences? Or, do those checks look like “retainer & final payment” to defend a drunk driving & open bottle case?
At any rate, it sure looks like a sweet deal for Buesgens; he goes from about $7k a month with Emmer to $11k with the GOP!!!
I’d ask the State GOP for an explanation of why Buesgen’s $11k paydays – in about a month – was for actual work, and not just a pass-through to Buesgen’s lawyer, but: it’s not like they really like to talk to the ol’ TwoPutter. Not that I – or anyone else for that matter – would/should believe ‘em; after all: reasonable people no longer have any reason to believe anything a GOPer official – party nor elected – has to say.
The State GOP needs to prove that the $11k Buesgens got was for actual work – because it sure looks like it simply paid a defense attorney for the actual work of defending one of their own.
If I were a GOPer, I’d be mad as (heck) to think my political donations went to a defense attorney for a guy that drove drunk into the ditch with an open bottle of vodka.
As a progressive, I’m simply not surprised. After all, today’s GOP is morally bankrupt, intellectually dishonest, and institutionally corrupt.
There’s a LOT more, in the GOP’s state and federal financial reports so:
Stay tuned!
And, let’s hope some prosecutor, somewhere, is thinking: “Isn’t it about time to get a Grand Jury together, and do a little digging ourselves?”
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
In Part 1, we looked at how FEC Tony Sutton’s (pictured, right) MN GOP couldn’t (wouldn’t?) accurately report to the FEC how much they owed a vendor they hired to ensure accurate FEC reports. In Part 2, we noted there are now 2 citizen watchdog groups looking into the MN GOP’s Cooked Books — Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington – which nailed ‘em last time (the MN GOP got smacked with a near-record $170,000 fine), and Common Cause MN. In Part 3, we looked at how a payroll deductions “no, NO!” that got the MN GOP in trouble last time seems to be a pattern. In Part 4 we looked at the MN GOP using a strange address for one of it’s fundraisers. In Part 5 we looked at at the official FEC Complaint – filed 12 Jan 2012 – by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (“CREW”). In Part 6 we looked at the MN GOP misrepresenting their expenses.
Today in Part 7 of the continuing Cooked Books Series we’re going to take a look at how the MN GOP categorized pay for a guy that they very well may have been paying to run for state senate – Lakeville’s Dave Thompson in SD-36.
Long story, short: for over 7 years, Thompson was a RWNJ Shock-Jock on AM radio in the Twin Cities. Looking for a better gig, he decided to run in 2009 against FEC Tony (pictured above) for state GOP Party Chair. Thompson lost; as best as I remember it, it really came down to this: Thompson wanted the $100k (+/-) that came with the job; ol’ FEC Tony would do the gig for free. Why would FEC Tony do the gig for free? That, gentle readers, is a story for a later day! At any rate, FEC Tony beats Thmpson for party Chair. Here’s where it gets interesting….
According to media reports, shortly after winning, FEC Tony & Dave Thompson agreed to a contract wherein Thompson would do consulting for GOP candidates. All told, the number being reported is Thompson has taken home a cool $70k.
Here’s the kicker: that $70k being reported, is being reported as coming from FEC reports. Because, the MN GOP hasn’t reported any dough being sent Thompson’s way on their State Campaign Finance Reports.
Which means for the MN GOP to NOT have any more FEC problems than they already have, ALL of the dough better have been spent for Thompson “consulting” for Federal Candidates only.
Stay tuned!
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
In In Part 1, we looked at how FEC Tony Sutton’s MN GOP couldn’t (wouldn’t?) accurately report to the FEC how much they owed a vendor they hired to ensure accurate FEC reports. In Part 2, we noted there are now 2 citizen watchdog groups looking into the MN GOP’s Cooked Books — Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington – which nailed ‘em last time (the MN GOP got smacked with a near-record $170,000 fine), and Common Cause MN. In Part 3, we looked at how a payroll deductions “no, NO!” that got the MN GOP in trouble last time seems to be a pattern. In Part 4 we looked at the MN GOP using a strange address for one of it’s fundraisers. In Part 5 we looked at at the official FEC Complaint – filed 12 Jan 2012 – by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (“CREW”).
Today in Part 6 of the continuing Cooked Books Series we’re going to take a look at the MN GOP misrepresenting what one of their expenses was for – let’s look!
OK, everybody got that? “Cadfael Investigative, Inc” & “”Office Copies” & “$5,000.00″ that’s a line item on the MN GOP’s state Campaign Finance Report.
That one jumped out at me because we know that you can’t believe what Republicans say, ESPECIALLY in campaign reports. Why would an investigative company be running up a tab for “office copies”??!?
Well, take it away, Minnesota Public Radio’s Tom Scheck!
Chairman’s spending decisions on insiders helped lead to GOP debt
by Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio,
Catharine Richert, Minnesota Public Radio
January 20, 2012
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PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS AND MEDICAL MARIJUANAThe spending included some peculiar choices, too.
One was a payment of $5,000 the party made in November 2010 to Cadfael Investigative Group. The owner, Tom Rucke, said he was paid to look into allegations of voter fraud extending from the 2010 governor’s race. He said he reported some allegations to the Hennepin County Attorney’s office, the agency that would typically do that type of investigation. (full story, here)
OK, the question was: “Why would an investigative company be running up a tab for “office copies”??!?”
The answer is: they weren’t.
“…look into allegations of voter fraud…” is what the expense was for, but the MN GOP reported it as “office copies”??!?
Why would they do that?
Well, as we noted in Part 4 of this continuing Cooked Books Series, they also misrepresented what a Vendor’s address was.
There’s a pattern here, and it’s this: reasonable people have no reason to reasonably believe anything a GOP Official says.
Then-RNC Chair Michael Steele said it best: “You have absolutely no reason – none – to trust our words or actions at this point.”.
True then, true now, and tomorrow won’t be any different.
It’s getting near the point that a RICO Investigation of the Minnesota GOP is warranted.
Stay tuned!
Oh – and make sure you go read Tom Scheck & Catharine Richert’s story at Minnesota Public Radio…
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
In Part 1, we looked at how FEC Tony Sutton’s MN GOP couldn’t (wouldn’t?) accurately report to the FEC how much they owed a vendor they hired to ensure accurate FEC reports. In Part 2, we noted there are now 2 citizen watchdog groups looking into the MN GOP’s Cooked Books — Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington – which nailed ‘em last time (the MN GOP got smacked with a near-record $170,000 fine), and Common Cause MN. In Part 3, we looked at how a payroll deductions “no, NO!” that got the MN GOP in trouble last time seems to be a pattern. In Part 4 we looked at the MN GOP using a strange address for one of it’s fundraisers.
Today in Part 5 of the continuing Cooked Books Series we’re going to take a look at the official FEC Complaint – filed yesterday – by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (“CREW”).
CREW Files Second FEC Complaint Against Republican Party of Minnesota
January 11th, 2012Washington, D.C. – Today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against the Republican Party of Minnesota (RPM) and its former chairman and treasurer, Anthony Sutton. The complaint alleges the RPM violated the Federal Election Campaign Act and a conciliation agreement the party signed less than five months ago with the FEC by deliberately hiding its debts from FEC investigators. Back in 2007, CREW had filed a similar complaint against the RPM, leading the FEC to impose a $170,000 fine last summer.
“The Republican Party of Minnesota’s FEC reports haven’t reflected the party’s actual financial condition for nearly a decade and make a mockery of the public’s right to know,” said CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan. “There appears to be ample evidence Mr. Sutton, repeatedly lied to FEC investigators for years to achieve the party’s political goals. Party officials signed a conciliation agreement with the FEC pledging the party would clean up its act and – less than six months later – we discover absolutely nothing has changed.” (more, here)
OK, a little about that $170,000 fine – the MN GOP had to make a $20,000 down payment; it agreed to pay off the remaining $150,000 debt in ten equal installments. I’m just putting this paragraph in because I enjoy seeing this picture of a GOPer check to the Feds! I’ll be even happier when I can link to a picture of a MN GOPer doing a perp walk, though….
Back to CREW’s complaint:
On December 30, 2011, the RPM held a news conference to announce the party had conducted an internal review revealing $2 million in debts, including $415,211 that had never been reported to the FEC. According to party officials, they had been fighting with party treasurer Anthony Sutton over the release of party financial information, but had been unable to obtain the records until Sutton resigned. As RPM’s treasurer, Sutton appears to have filed false reports with the FEC.
Federal law requires state committees like the RPM to disclose all outstanding debts and obligations. In addition, knowingly and willfully filing false reports with the FEC is a federal crime. (more, here)
“…knowlingly and willfully filing false reports with the FEC is a federal crime.”
Bring on the Perp Walk!!!
OK, a little more from/for Part 4 of the continuing Cooked Books Series. We demonstrated how the MN GOP reported the address of a registered vendor – “Fundraising Assoicates” – as a duplex a few miles away from their actual registered address (“7705 Tanglewood Court“). We went on to point out that “Fundraising Associates” had it’s registered address appear on a FEC report filed by a Michele Bachmann related entity just around a year earlier, in 2010 (“4035 W. 65th Street“).
While perusing the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board’s 2010 report by the MN GOP, this item jumped out!
Yep! In 2010, the MN GOP reported to the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board the correct address of “Fundraising Associates” – in 2011, they put down an apparently bogus address.
How does that happen? WHY does that happen? Was it deliberate?
Let’s go back to CREW’s Melanie Sloan:
“The Republican Party of Minnesota’s FEC reports haven’t reflected the party’s actual financial condition for nearly a decade and make a mockery of the public’s right to know. There appears to be ample evidence Mr. Sutton, repeatedly lied to FEC investigators for years to achieve the party’s political goals.”
“There appears to be ample evidence Mr. Sutton repeatedly lied…”
Yep – sure is! Even on the little stuff, such as where a vendor does business.
Which reminds me of what then-RNC Chair Michael Steele once said: “You have absolutely no reason – none – to trust our words or our actions at this point.”
Stay tuned – the best is yet to come!
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
In Part 1, we looked at how FEC Tony’s (pictured, right) MN GOP couldn’t (wouldn’t?) accurately report to the FEC how much they owed a vendor to ensure accurate FEC reports. In Part 2, we noted there are now 2 citizen watchdog groups looking into the MN GOP’s Cooked Books — Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington – which nailed ‘em last time (the MN GOP got smacked with a near-record $170,000 fine), and Common Cause MN. In Part 3, we looked at how a payroll deductions “no, NO!” that got the MN GOP in trouble last time seems to be a pattern. No surprise there!
Today in Part 4 of the continuing Cooked Books Series we’re going to take a look at how a reasonable person has no reason to believe anything a Republican says a vendor and what appears to be a fake address. While perusing the December 20th, 2011 MN GOP Federal Elections Commission (“FEC”) filing – covering the month of November 2011 – the following stuck out. Why? Because there simply isn’t an address in Minneapolis that has a street number of “7705.” Let’s look!
OK, to recap so far: we know that you can’t believe what Republicans say, ESPECIALLY in FEC reports – after all, on December 20th, 2011 the MN GOP reported they only owed $542,005 when the real number was double that — and possibly closer to a cool $2 million. And, of course, there’s that $170,000 fine theFEC smacked ‘em with just a few months ago…
So when an address shows up with a street number that can’t possibly be in the city they say, well – that bears some digging into. And a simple mapquest search shows that that address is NOT in Minneapolis!
We’ll start with the company – “Fundraising Associates” – first. If you go to the Minnesota Secretary Of State’s office, you’ll find that “Fundraising Associates is in fact a bona fide company. Except, as noted in the preceeding link, it’s NOT at “7705 Tanglewood Court” – it’s registered at “4035 W 65th Street #427, Edina MN 55435.” And it’s registered to a “Zandra Wolcott.”
What type of building is “4035 W 65th Street”? It’s an apartment building. OK, no big deal there; a lot of people work out of their homes these days. But, what is “7705 Tanglewood Court”? It’s a duplex, smack dab in the middle of a residential area in Edina.
So, why would the MN GOP have a “Payee address” for a company that’s registered and apparently working out of an apartment listed to a duplex some other place? Hmmm….
… Better check the property tax records! Here’s what they show:
Owner Name: Golden Valley Microwave FDS
Taxpayer Name & Address: Norman M Gabrick, 4910 Malibu Drive, Edina 55346
Homestead Status: Non-Homestead
Who is “Golden Valley Microwave FDS”? A quick googlesearch indicates that it’s now a subsidiary of ConAgra Foods.
ConAgra Foods??!? Why is a vendor’s check going to a duplex owned by ConAgra Foods??!?
It’s not like “Fundraising Associates” hasn’t been listed on FEC Reports before… let’s look!
Yep – in 2010, in a “Minnesota-Bachmann Victory Committee” FEC Report, Zandra Wolcott was reported as receiving $25,000 — at the address registered with the MN Secretary Of State.
But now, a year later and now a MN GOP vendor, her checks are being sent to a “non-homestead” (read=”rental”) duplex a couple of miles away from her apartment/registered business address?
Why? Is that duplex just a sham address? Or is the MN GOP claiming that the money went to Wolcott, but it was really sent to someone else?
Those questions (and more!) I didn’t get to ask Zandra Wolcott. Here’s the only question I got to ask:
“When you gave your bills to the MN GOP, did you use your business address or an address for a duplex a few miles away from your office?”
I got to ask it, but: no answer. In an exceedingly short phone conversation, Ms. Wolcott referred me to Pat Shortridge at the MN GOP — and her attorney, Tony Trimble.
Yes, Tony “Recount” Trimble – the MN GOP lawyer, who’s recount bills the MN GOP may try to weasel out of paying.
Say, there’s a plan! Ask questions about a fishy FEC transaction to a former ENRON lobbyist – now running the MN GOP – and a lawyer that the MN GOP probably owes big bucks to! One can easily assume a response along the lines of “not intended to be a factual statement”, or, perhaps, “I only lied because I had to”…
What we know, is there’s (stuff) in the MN GOP’s campaign finance reports that’s simply not true.
What we don’t know is who put down what appears to be a fake address on an FEC report – the vendor, or the MN GOP? And why?
And how many OTHER fake addresses has the MN GOP reported to the FEC?
In digging into this one, I’ve been hearing allegations of shell LLC’s and other sham addresses, etc that the MN GOP has been reporting.
So stay tuned — the best is yet to come!!!
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
…You Still Can’t Now, And Tomorrow Won’t Be Any Different”
OK, that’s a screenshot of the MN GOP’s latest Federal Elections Commission (“FEC”) filing, signed just over a week ago (December 20th, 2011). Look at Line 10 – “Debts and Obligations Owed BY the Committee” – and the number, “$542,005.12.”
As reported to the FEC, just over a week ago.
What do we see reported today, here in the land of FEC Tony Sutton, the recently deposed Burrito Barron of the MN GOP?
Sources: State GOP debt is about $2 million
by Paul Demko and Briana Bierschbach
Published: December 29,2011An internal review of the Republican Party of Minnesota’s finances has determined that the party is responsible for about $2 million in debts, according to two sources familiar with the findings. That’s nearly twice as much as previously thought.
According to these sources, party officials will report about $1.3 million in debt when they announce the findings of the probe at a press conference on Friday. But that figure does not include a number of debts that the party reportedly plans to contest, including roughly $450,000 in legal bills stemming from the 2010 gubernatorial recount. (more, here)
Why does anybody believe ANYTHING today’s GOP says??!?
And as I write this, the MN State GOP is conducting a “debate” to replace FEC Tony (deposed for financial mismangement) — and a leading “candidate” is a (I am NOT making this up) former ENRON lobbyist??!?
You Couldn’t Trust The GOP Then, You Still Can’t Now, And Tomorrow Won’t Be Any Different
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
Yep! It’s a T Shirt – supporting The Green Coalition of Gay Loggers For Jesus group, out of Bozeman, Montana!!!
My nephew gave it to me; the lad clearly knows where the ol’ TwoPutter stands; clearly knows his uncle’s sense o’ humor!
Here’s the story behind it: back in 2009, when all those freeloading Teabaggers were protesting and screaming (stuff) like “get your gov’t hands off my MediCare!”, some freeloading Teabaggers planned a protest/march down the street in downtown Bozeman, Montana. Except, being typical freeloading Teabaggers, they weren’t gonna cover the costs to the taxpayers for their protest of taxpayer expenditures run amok. Cute, eh? It’s even better – they weren’t even from Bozeman, but thought the taxapayers of Bozeman should cover their costs anyway. Well, a local Bozemanian (“Bozemanite”?) … well, here’s what John Leland thought, in his own words, in a story about his group’s march, in 2010:
“Last year the irony of the Tea Party insisting on shutting down Main Street was that the closure costs were estimated at $1,100 that they would have to pay staff to close the street down for a parade to protest taxation and government spending,” said Leland. “The irony was just too much. So we formed the Coalition and raised enough money not only to offset the closure costs, but also the majority of the Tea Party’s closure costs as well.” (Bozeman Daily Chronicle).
So in the spring of 2009, when Leland heard about Teabaggers planning a July 4th, 2009 protest that was going to cost the taxpayers some dough, he decided to mock, ridicule and scorn ‘em. But, he found out he’d have to have a “group” to get a permit – so he formed the afore-mentioned “Green Coalition Of Gay Loggers For Jesus” and proceeded to fundraise – one of the ways was by selling the tee shirt so proudly worn by yours truly, above. The group then held their parade immediately before the Teabaggers!
Now, what did said Teabaggers have to say in their defense?
Organizers of the Tea Party who have said they do not oppose Leland’s march do contend that it would set a dangerous precedent to require protestors to pay for a demonstration, since it is a constitutionally protected right. (DANIEL PERSON Chronicle Staff Writer)
Too funny!!! What are the Teabaggers saying about the Occupy Wall Street movement these days??!?
The problem with Teabaggers and today’s Greed Over Principles party is they cannot be shamed, for they have no shame.
But they CAN be mocked, ridiculed, and scorned.
And they SHOULD be. Frequently. Why?
You Couldn’t Trust Them Then, You Still Can’t Now, And Tomorrow Won’t Be Any Different. Although, this week might be interesting in the Legislature. Oh – and the deeply in debt MN GOP might elect a former Enron Lobbyist as their party chair on Friday!
So I’ll wear my shirt with pride!
The “Top Ten Reasons” for buying their shirt (well, for Christmas, anyway) is below, with links to their webpage and Facebook page – enjoy!
And stay tuned for coverage of this week’s shenanigans from the Greed Over Principles party!
Find ‘em on the InnerTubz! —> Green Coalition of Gay Loggers For Jesus webpage
“Like” ‘em on Facebook! —> Green Coalition of Gay Loggers For Jesus Facebook page
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
Saw the tweets from MPR’s @TomScheck (and if you’re not following Tom on Twitter, you should):
Here’s the lede and a snippet:
Former top Koch staffer raised concerns about her conduct months ago
by Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio,
Catharine Richert, Minnesota Public Radio
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Michel acknowledged that Sheehan’s comments contradict the comments he and three other senators made to reporters on Friday. At that time, Michel said the allegations about Koch’s behavior were first reported to them a few weeks ago. Michel said he wasn’t honest about the timeline in an attempt to protect Sheehan and other staffers.
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(more, and I suggest you read it here)
So, Michel only lied when he has to? Or, is it safe to say “Michel only lies when he has to”?
“Right” now, Michel is only the “Interim Senate Majority Leader.” Smart money should wager despite Michel’s role in this whole sordid affair, he’ll be endorsed for re-election in the Greed Over Principles Party anyway. Of course, if that happens, he might simply be the “Interim Senator from Edina.”
What Michel really is, is today’s example of what GOPer Michael Steele said back then: “you have absolutely no reason – none – to trust our words or actions at this point”.
True then, true now, and tomorrow won’t be any different. Nixon would be proud.
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
Zappadan commemorates the late composer/producer/musician Frank Zappa; it runs from December 4th – the day of Frank’s death in 1993 – through tomorrow, December 21st – the day of Frank’s birth in 1940. Zappadan is the blogger festival featuring all things Zappa. Frank took great delight in skewering hypocritical republiCons. Therefore, in his honor, today’s commemoration is the “Pew d’Etat” post! Recent hypocritical activities by certain members of Minnesota’s State Senate – GOPers, all of ‘em – have shown, once again, that the Party flying the “Family Values” flag believes in the sanctity of marriage (except when they don’t).
So today’s song choice, for the next to last day of Zappadan 2011, has to be “Dirty Love!” Now, Frank always had a “secret word” at his concerts, for fun and entertainment. With the sordid and scandalous behavior by drop trou GOPers at the Minnesota Senate, I picked this song cause there’s a secret word in it, too! Well, phrase, to be exact: “The poodle bites – c’mon Frenchy!” If what I’m hearing is correct, the significance of that “secret word” will become very apparent in just a pew, er, ‘scuse me, “few” days!
Which is why I added the “Pew d’Etat” to the title, there’s a new crew taking advantage and taking over the GOPer side o’ the aisle in the Minnesota State Senate! While past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, smart money is betting after their Pew d’Etate that it’ll just be SSDD….
Without any further ado – “Dirty Love!”
Frank Zappa tribute with ex-band members and many guests, recorded in November 1991 in New York City. Frank was too ill at this time, so he couldn´t attend.
Hope you enjoyed that; I’m sure Frank would be having a field day writing new songs based on the antics of Today’s GOP: Morally Bankrupt, Intellectually Dishonest, and Institutionally Corrupt.
***
Previous posts on MPP, referencing Frank Zappa:
“Zappadan 2011, Day 11″ by TPT on Wednesday December 14th
“Zappadan 2011, Day 6″ by TPT on Friday December 9th, 2011
“Zappadan 2011, Day 4″ by TPT on Wednesday December 7th, 2011
“Zappadan 2011, Day 2″ by TPT on Monday December 5th, 2011
“That’s right folks, don’t touch that dial!” by TPT on Saturday November 19th, 2011
“One Year Later – Who Opposes HCR? Or…a picture says a thousand words.” by TPT, Thursday March 24th, 2011
“Watermellon In Easter Hay – May 17th, 1988, Barcelona, Spain” by TPT, Friday August 21st, 2009
“Progressive Nation 2009 Concert Tour” by TPT, Wednesday June 17th, 2009
***
Where I get my Zappa music: The Electric Fetus
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
I often say that today’s GOP Party is morally bankrupt, intellectually dishonest, and institutionally corrupt. But that’s only because it is. Last Friday morning, at 6:00 am, I posted in “Where There Is Smoke There Is Usually Fire”:
Here’s a time line of what we know:
1 – GOP Deputy Chair Michael Brodkorb resigns: 12 October 2011
2 – Senate GOP Majority Chief of Staff Cullen Sheehan resigns: 09 November 2011
3 – GOP Chair Tony Sutton resigns: 02 December 2011
4 – GOP Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch resigns Majority Leader position: 15 December 2011That’s four – FOUR – major resignations in two months.
Well, now the tally is five – FIVE – major positions going vacant in two months because ol’ “Mud Slinger Mike” Brodkorb is no longer spinnin’ tales of lies and deceit as GOP State Senate Communications Director. While there is no official explanation of why Brodkorb is out, speculation and smart money is betting it has to do with whom the ousted GOP Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch was with whilst hikin’ the ol’ Appalachian Trail.
Last Friday morning, when I asked these questions about “takin’ a hike,” I wasn’t expecting a sex scandal:
There’s a LOT of smoke here. Why would an operative like Brodkorb leave a spring-board job like the “unpaid” State Deputy Chair position, to a “volunteer adviser” position on the quixotic campaign of gaffe-prone GOPer Mike Parry? And why would the former staffer of Norm “4th Most-Corrupt Senator” Coleman (not to mention, YouTube Sensation) Cullen Sheehan pack it in? We know that, essentially, ol’ “FEC Tony” Sutton was, essentially, shoved out the door; they just let him call it a “resignation for family reasons” or whatever tripe it was that Tony spewed.
But Koch’s decision to take a hike? Well, Brodkorb is/was Koch’s “executive assistant”… but, still. Why take the hike, now?
I was expecting a breaking story about the GOP’s continuing financial scandal.
And I’m still expecting that story to break. Amy Koch’s sordid scandal is a convenient diversion for the GOP; gives the base something else to look at.
In the years since The Tostenson Memo came to light, GOP State Party Officials hardly had an epiphany. If only half of what is being talked about is true, it makes pre-Tostenson activities look like Choir Boy antics.
That’s where the GOP Base should be looking, and looking to hold those accountable accountable – but a sordid sex scandal is a convenient diversion for those that dug the GOP so deeply into debt.
But I won’t be surprised if that story is kept swept under the rug; if it is it’ll just be another pathetic example of today’s GOP Party being morally bankrupt, intellectually dishonest, and institutionally corrupt.
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
