Last July we looked at the continuing fiscal mismanagement of the MN GOP – “Today’s Examples Of Republicans Believe In Fiscal Accountability (Except When They Don’t)” – we looked at their seemingly Enronesque accounting methods and the way the deadbeats were stiffing Counties over their recount debts for the 2010 Governor’s race (among other things).
For instance, Doug Groh, auditor/treasurer of Mower County, was told on three different occasions that – literally – “the check was in the mail.”
The check, of course, was not.
And we asked: “how does the GOP Faithful reward FEC Tony for his financial mismanagement – besides promoting him from the elected Treasurer to Chair?”
We answered: “By putting FEC Tony on the party payroll! $100,000 smackers worth! Good thing – for FEC Tony – that Tom Emmer covered the deadbeat RPM’s recount bills to the counties!”
This was before the Federal Elections Commission smacked the MN GOP with one of their largest fines ever — $170,000.00 smackers, to be exact. FEC Tony was MN GOP Treasurer when those shenanigans occurred.
So I wasn’t surprised to see this story, in today’s Strib:
State GOP faces $533,000 in debt
Article by: Baird Helgeson, Star Tribune
October 27, 2011
,
,
Sutton said he made a calculated gamble to spend heavily on the 2010 elections and that it paid off politically. Republicans won control of the Legislature for the first time in a generation and then were able to block DFL Gov. Mark Dayton’s proposed income tax increases.“It was totally worth it to not raise taxes,” Sutton said.(empasis added)
But it left the party deeply in debt. Sutton took the helm of the state GOP in 2009 with more than $1 million in the bank and by January of this year the party owed creditors $750,000.
(more, here)
So it’s “totally worth it” to go into debt to avoid raising taxes in FEC Tony’s world??!?
Remember that, the next tome some pompous jack@ss GOPer spews the “you can’t spend more than in the check book” tripe they always do.
Of course, they actually believe that — YOU can’t (but THEY can).
The simple fact is that GOPers believe in “fiscal accountability” — except when they don’t. GOPers are always demanding “fiscal responsibility” – of OTHERS.
Reasonable people have no reason to reasonably believe anything GOPers say.
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
I often say that today’s GOP Party is morally bankrupt, intellectually dishonest, and institutionally corrupt. All three are self-evident; for “morally bankrupt” (for starters) consider GOPers Mark “Is There A Page In The House?” Foely, “Diaper” David Vitter, and John “She’s My Best Friend’s Wife” Ensign. Remember, that’s just for starters, and keep in mind how many other GOPers covered for those miscreants.
For a few examples of the intellectually dishonest GOPers in today’s GreedOverPrinciples Party, look no further than Minnesota’s Tim “Any Way The Wind Blows” Pawlenty and Michele “Passing Out Pork Is A Happy Day” Bachmann, let alone the current crop of anti-intellectuals running for President, with the possible and notable exception of Jon Huntsman.
Today’s Example of the GOP Party’s institutionalized corruption goes back several years here in Minnesota; it was brought to light in a June 2007 story in the Star Tribune: “Internal complaints roil state GOP office”
Here’s the lede:
Staff members who asked the leadership to address questions of how money was used say they were ignored or faced retaliation.
The Strib story was brought to light by folk that worked for the Minnesota GOP.
Let me say that again – the Strib story was brought to light by folk that worked for the Minnesota GOP!!!
The Strib just reported the Federal Elections Commission Settlement in the case (brought to their attention by the good folks at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington):
“Minnesota Republican Party to pay $170K fine for federal campaign finance violations”
So, what was the Minnesota GOP “leadership” response to getting whacked with a $170,000 fine? Remember, today’s GOP Party Chair – FEC Tony Sutton – was the then Party Treasurer….
Well, Spot MNObserver over at The Cucking Stool handled THAT one, earlier today – let’s look!!!
By now, most have heard about the final resolution of the Republican Party of Minnesota’s numerous violations of federal election law that took place when its current chair, Tony Sutton, was holding down the fort as treasurer. We’ve highlighted this ongoing investigation here, here, here, and here. In a Conciliation Agreement with the Federal Election Commission, available as a pdf from the MPR website, the Party admitted to the violations and agreed to pay a fine of $170,000.
.
.
A simple mea culpa might be expected from a more thoughtful organization, but we’re dealing with Tony Sutton here. So of course we get the unsurprising bellyaching we’ve grown to expect from Mr. Sutton. In a press release issued to address the issue (also available from MPR), no blame is accepted and all manner of excuses offered.First, he claims that the complaint was filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a “liberal organization,” implying that – heck, I don’t know – that the financial mess didn’t exist because some liberal organization pointed it out? Calling those who disagree with him names is nothing new to Mr.Sutton, so this is to be expected. Then, Chairman Sutton insists that the party has “proactively made changes to its FEC accounting and reporting processes.” Not so fast, Mr. Sutton. In the agreement, the FEC specifically found (Par. 17) that the “proactive” steps taken “did not disclose all previously undisclosed debt.” Nice try, but no dice.
Then of course, there’s the excuse that “this is complicated stuff!” as if that excused one from following federal law. Withholding money from employees’ paychecks and not depositing the funds where they belong isn’t complicated, Mr. Sutton. Recording your debts – especially if they amount to over half a million bucks – isn’t complicated either. Ask any bookkeeper – such things happen all the time in the mysterious world of accrual accounting.
(there’s more…)
Spot MNObserver nailed that one – FEC Tony crying “Me-a NOT-a Culpa!
This needs to be pointed out over and Over and OVER – FEC Tony blaming anyone and everyone for his financial misconduct.
You see, this isn’t the first time FEC Tony dodges blame – does everyone remember how his deadbeat GOP stiffed Minnesota counties over the 2010 Recount??!?
One person Sutton didn’t slime when good and decent Republicans questioned their party’s “stewardship” by party leaders such as republiCon Ron Carey and FEC Tony Sutton was an officer and a gentlemen that is in Snopes.com because the story is actually true – LTC (ret) Joe Repya. I wrote about this back in May of 2008, in a blogpost entitled “Enemies Of The Party”. I’d guess the reason Sutton didn’t slime Col. Repya is his boss, republiCon Ron Carey, did. Here’s what republiCon Ron sent to the party gullible “faithful” on July 25th, 2007:
“When we ought to be working to unite our Party and win Minnesota in 2008, Joe Repya has apparently decided to further attempt to divide us by sending a letter with inaccurate information and over-the-top attacks.”
Seems that with the news of the Mn GreedOverPrinciples Party’s settlement, FEC Tony has a few apologies to hand out.
But since his Mea Culpa came out as he intended – Me-a NOT-a Culpa – I’d guess Col. Repya ought not be waiting by the phone, expecting FEC Tony’s call.
In an honest organization, FEC Tony would have been sacked, years ago. Instead, he’s rewarded for the errors of his way – which just goes to show the latter of what I often say: today’s GOP Party is morally bankrupt, intellectually dishonest, and institutionally corrupt.
(crossposted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
Immediately after last November’s election, the Republican Party of Minnesota (“RPM”) demanded – yes, “demanded” – Minnesota’s counties make thousands and thousands and thousands of copies for the upcoming recount of the governor’s race. And the RPM demanded – yes, “demanded” – that all that copying be done immediately. Not surprisingly, payment by the RPM to MN Counties for services rendered has NOT been “immediate” nor “prompt” nor “timely.” Far from it, as has been documented over and Over and OVER and OVER – and that’s just here and on MPP. As previously noted, SallyJo at Bluestem Prairie has been all over this one, too.
As have a lot of people. Jeff Rosenberg at MnPublius , early in the month last March, (last March!!!) pointed out a quote by the Mower County Auditor/Treasurer:
“Since December, I’ve had repeated conversations about when we’ll get paid,” said Doug Groh, auditor/treasurer of Mower County. “I had no problem with the Democrats paying, but the Republicans are fudging, because they’re short of money — that’s what I was told in December.”
Since then, Groh said, he’s been told the invoice was lost; on three different occasions, he was told — literally — the check was in the mail.
So when you read the following quote – you might think it, too, has to do with Tony Sutton’s RPM stiffing Minnesota Counties on the rightfully owed Recount bills:
“Not paying vendors on a timely basis, berating them when they call for payment, and then refusing to pay interest charges owed them for services rendered in good faith.”
Yep! Sounds EXACTLY like what FEC Tony’s RPM has been doin’ lately!!!
Well, except for the interest charges; the Counties haven’t been charging interest.
But that quote’s actually from several years ago.
You see, the RPM is notorious for it’s internal financial mismanagement. And I’m calling Minnesota’s GOP party “RPM” because that’s how they’re referred to by the Federal Elections Commission- a Federal Elections Commission that’s very familiar with the RPM (“Republican Party of Minnesota”) and Tony Sutton – reasons that cause me to refer to Tony Sutton, current chair of the RPM, as “FEC Tony.”
I’ll let Spot, at The Cucking Stool, do the intro:
Friday, July 31, 2009
Where have I heard that name before?
Something that’s been percolating around my brain for a while is a question about this Tony Sutton dude. No, not whether the Mexican restaurant chain is introducing a line of chimichangas named after prominent GOP gasbags, but his new gig as Chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota. As I read about his new job, I had this sneaking suspicion that his name was not entirely new to me, that there was something in the past that he’d done.
Then it came flooding back to me. This Sutton guy was, before ascending to the throne room at the RPM, the treasurer of the RPM. He’s the one whose name is most closely associated with the horrific accounting and auditing nightmare that is the treasury of the RPM. He’s been front and center in that complaint filed with the Federal Elections Commission and he’s the one who has had rather pointed questions directed at him by the FEC here, here, here, and here. He also had to send in those humiliating letters – over and over and over again – stating that “An amended report correcting this error will be filed when the committee’s internal audit has been completed.” In short, he was apparently the doofus in charge as this mess was allowed to fester and grow into what some think will eventually lead to the largest FEC fine in history for poor bookkeeping.
For most of us, being so intimately connected with this monumental mess would be such a professional embarrassment that we’d slink off to North Dakota or something. We’d at least have the good sense to drop out of politics.
But not Mr. Sutton.
(more, here)
Indeed – not Mr. Sutton, a/k/a “FEC Tony”.
Yes, this quote – “Not paying vendors on a timely basis, berating them when they call for payment, and then refusing to pay interest charges owed them for services rendered in god faith.” – is from a RPM Staffer, back in February 2007, back when FEC Tony was RPM Treasurer.
This quote - “Since December, I’ve had repeated conversations about when we’ll get paid,” said Doug Groh, auditor/treasurer of Mower County. “I had no problem with the Democrats paying, but the Republicans are fudging, because they’re short of money — that’s what I was told in December.” – is from a RPM Vendor, this year, with FEC Tony as the RPM Chair.
And how does the GOP Faithful reward FEC Tony for his financial mismanagement – besides promoting him from the elected Treasurer to Chair?
By putting FEC Tony on the party payroll! $100,000 smackers worth! Good thing – for FEC Tony – that Tom Emmer covered the deadbeat RMP’s recount bills to the counties!
If there were any justice in this world, whey you googled “Peter Principle” a picture of FEC Tony would pop up – a picture from back during his tenure as RPM Treasurer, that is. Because as those two quotes show, the more things change, the more the fiscal mismanagement at the RPM doesn’t.
Hey – at least FEC Tony is on the RPM Payroll; the RPM Deputy Chair – Michael Brodkorb – well, the RPM stuck him on the Taxpayer’s tab.
Reasonable people have no reason to reasonably believe anything the RPM says. This whole sordid and scandalous RPM County Recount saga demonstrates once again that Republicans believe in fiscal accountability (except when they don’t) – and that Republicans are always demanding “fiscal responsibility” – of OTHERS.
* * *
(image credit: Tildology)
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
For months and Months and MONTHS , I’ve covered the Deadbeat MnGOP’s refusal to pay their debts to Minnesota Counties for the services they demanded – DEMANDED – concerning the November 2010 Election Recount.
And that’s just here, at MPP – - SallyJo at Bluestem Prairie has been all over this scandal, too.
And just this morning, I found two, and possibly three, Counties that STILL HAVEN’T BEEN PAID – Cass, Fillmore, and Grant. There may be more; after two “No” and a “Don’t think so; will get back to you” why keep going?
The funny thing is, despite Tony Sutton claiming way back in March that the MnGOP would pay it’s bills, it took someone else to to it!
Yes, Beltrami, Chisago, and Clearwater counties told me earlier today that Tom Emmer stepped up and did what Tony Sutton’s MnGOP wouldn’t – pay some bills.
Does it really surprise anyone that a party that would stiff counties for months and Months and MONTHS would drive a state to shutdown? Because that’s exactly what the MnGOP will do this Friday – shut this state down.
Oh – and can someone call Emmer, and tell him there’s still a few more counties out there, that Tony Sutton’s MnGOP has stiffed?
* * *
Previous MPP Posts:
“Deadbeat MnGOP Still Owes Omsted County” – 13 April 2011
“Deadbeat MnGOP Still Owes Martin, Nicollet, And Sibley Counties, or…” “…GOPers are always demanding “fiscal responsibility” – of OTHERS.” — 25 April 2011
“Today’s Example Of Why Reasonable People Cannot Reasonably Believe What GOPers Say: Recount” — 07 June 2011
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
GOPers are always demanding “fiscal responsibility” – of OTHERS.
Last November’s election result for Governor looked like it was headed towards recount. The crack legal beagles on the GOPer side sprung into action, and demanded all 87 counties make copies of election related materials – and pronto. The GOPer attorneys threatened legal action if these documents weren’t received fast enough; one such county so threatened was Nicollet County – the same county the GOP has since stiffed for payment.
On March 27th, Bluestem Prairie reported FEC Tony’s Republican Party of Minnesota still – STILL – owed Olmsted County money from bills they incurred from the pathetic Emmer Recount.
Here’s what FEC Tony Sutton said, towards the end of March:
“The checks … are going out before the end of next week,” Sutton said. “By the end of the month (March), they’ll have their payment.”
Following up on FEC Tony’s promise was worth a phone call, so on April 13th I made one, to Olmsted County. No surprise by the response; read: “Deadbeat MNGOP Still Owes Olmsted County”.
Also no surprise was Sally Jo at Bluestem Prairie digging deeper, the very next day she wrote: Failed burrito baron and party boss Tony Sutton stiffs counties, looks to MNGOP to stuff tortilla.
One might think all of this negative publicity might shame FEC Tony into paying the bills; alas – today’s GOPer has no shame. Just last Friday, The Mankato Free Press reported:
April 22, 2011
Counties awaiting Republican payments
By Brian Ojanpa The Free PressSome area counties continue to wait for money owed them by the Republican Party of Minnesota for document-copying costs following November’s gubernatorial election.
Martin County is still owed $350, Nicollet County is owed $1,300 and Sibley County is waiting on $1,623.
Now, keep in mind since FEC Tony said that the GOP is broke and can’t pay their bills in a timely manner back in late March, the GOP had their State Central Committee Meeting at the Ramada by the Mall of America on April 16th, and today are doing a statewide flyaround.
Some people might nitpick, and say “yeah, but – that’s the legislative GOPers spending dough, NOT the party.”
Yeah, “right.” Remember how the party stuck their party’s Deputy Chair – ol’ MudSlingerMike – onto the taxpayer’s back?
The State GOP – and FEC Tony in particular – have a long and sordid history of playing fast and loose with finances; for those not familiar with it, I’d highly recommend you link to read the Tostenson Memo, the Strib’s story on it by Dan Browning and Pat Doyle, and “A Key Element Of The Tostenson Memo” by yours truly.
Keep in mind, The Tostenson Memo was written by a party insider; here’s the lede from the Strib story:
At least two staff members have left the Minnesota Republican Party since February after they complained that the party misused employee retirement money, improperly reported its finances and ignored or retaliated against staff who reported the problems.
The departures included former finance director and GOP stalwart Dwight Tostenson. He wrote in a Feb. 15 confidential memo that state GOP chairman Ron Carey fired him after he repeatedly pressed the chairman to address what Tostenson regarded as serious financial problems in the state GOP office.
Keep in mind FEC Tony was Party Treasurer during that time.
So it’s understandable that the GOP can spend dough for the re-coronation of Sutton as Party Chair – and Brodkorb as Deputy Chair – and do a statewide flyaround (“The Cooked Books Tour”), all the while still owing money to counties for work requested by the Party many months ago – GOPers are always demanding “fiscal responsibility” – of OTHERS.
(Graphic, at the top, courtesy of Tildology.com)
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
On March 27th, Bluestem Prairie reported FEC Tony’s Republican Party of Minnesota still – STILL – owed Olmsted County money from bills they incurred from the pathetic Emmer Recount:
Mar 27, 2011
Recount: MNGOP promises to pay Olmsted County $3,050 and Mower County $2,424 soon
The Rochester Post Bulletin reports in Recount costs to be paid soon, Republicans say:
Unpaid bills owed to Olmsted and Mower counties from last year’s governor’s race recount are set to be paid soon, state Republican Party chairman Tony Sutton said.
“The checks … are going out before the end of next week,” Sutton said. “By the end of the month, they’ll have their payment.”
I just got off the phone with Pam Fuller of Olmsted County, and – no surprise here – they have NOT gotten a check for the money the GOPers owe (email to Mower County hasn’t been returned).
I guess it could be worse – they could have received a check written in the style of Bounced Checks Berg…
(crossposted at MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
… “A Peek Through The Flaps Of The Small Tent Party”
Part 1 is here; Part 2 (with pictures!) is here. And I know I’m a day late with Part 3, but I thought last Saturday’s post about the Strib leaving out Emmer’s offensive quote (“I don’t think you can call yourself a freedom-loving American and be a Democrat.” — Tom Emmer, 9-26-09) was too important to ignore. The Strib has a long history of carrying water for GOPers; Strib Reporter Repeater Kevin Diaz bein’ the most notable of late.
It’s important to note that at Sloganville (the GOPer State Convention), up was down, war is peace, and George Orwell was spinning in his grave at the trash the GOPers spewed. For instance, as noted by Big E, GOPers are continuing the long-debunked “Normie wuz robbed!!!” meme – and because of the pounding of that meme by GOPer Blowhards, the “base” actually still believes that.
Emmer ran through the pre-endorsement process as an “outsider” taking on “the establishment” even though his campaign staff was filled with plenty of “insider” staffers, such as former Bachmann Political Director Jack Tomczak. And Emmer’s pick for running mate – Annette Meeks – is the ultimate insider, as noted earlier today by MPP’s Joe Bodell.
Annette Meeks used to work for Newt “Is My Wife Well Enough To Divorce Yet?” Gingrich, an infamous sloganeer. When it comes to sloganeering, Gingrich wrote the memo – let’s look!
From Information Clearing House:
Language: A Key Mechanism of Control
Newt Gingrich’s 1996 GOPAC memo
As you know, one of the key points in the GOPAC tapes is that “language matters.” In the video “We are a Majority,” Language is listed as a key mechanism of control used by a majority party, along with Agenda, Rules, Attitude and Learning. As the tapes have been used in training sessions across the country and mailed to candidates we have heard a plaintive plea: “I wish I could speak like Newt.”
That takes years of practice. But, we believe that you could have a significant impact on your campaign and the way you communicate if we help a little. That is why we have created this list of words and phrases.
This list is prepared so that you might have a directory of words to use in writing literature and mail, in preparing speeches, and in producing electronic media. The words and phrases are powerful. Read them. Memorize as many as possible. And remember that like any tool, these words will not help if they are not used.
While the list could be the size of the latest “College Edition” dictionary, we have attempted to keep it small enough to be readily useful yet large enough to be broadly functional. The list is divided into two sections: Optimistic Positive Governing words and phrases to help describe your vision for the future of your community (your message) and Contrasting words to help you clearly define the policies and record of your opponent and the Democratic party. (InformationClearingHouse.info)
And, what is one of the words on “Mr. Republican Families Values” list, that GOPers should use?
“Freedom”
THAT was a word used over and Over and OVER; at one time the GOPers even blared Elton John’s “Philadelphia Freedom” over the loudspeakers. ELTON JOHN. It was surreal.
Another word used, on thrice-divorced Gingrich’s 1996 list for GOPers to use?
“change”
Again, a word used over and Over and OVER; more than one time the GOPers even blared Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A Changin’” over the loudspeakers – BOB DYLAN. Beyond surreal; it was unreal.
Here’s that list; the list Annette Meek’s old boss penned in 1996.
Sure, they’ll add – and have added – new ones to that list; new ones like this one ushered into the tudra’s lexicon last Saturday: “constitutional conservatism”
GOPers are very good at sloganeering, and they came out of Sloganville spinning as fast as they can.
That spinning – “up is down” “war is peace” and “Emmer’s an outsider” – is but one reason why I always say:
Reasonable people cannot reasonably believe anything a GOPer says, anymore.
GOPer Party Leadership simply doesn’t care that what they spew isn’t true; they only care that THE VOTER thinks the spew is true.
(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
So, I’m down at GOPer Sloganville, and I get the email that “@MnGOPInfo” is following me on Twitter. (FYI – I’m at @TwoPuttTommy – hint, HINT!!!) Initially, I figure it’s just another one o’ MudSlingerMike’s astroturf “MOB” groups, based on the name. But, what the (cheney) – ya never know, “right”? So, I always check ‘em out, before hittin’ the ol’ Twitter “Follow” button.
And, what to my wondering eyes should appear??!?
Go look!!!
If you’re on Twitter (and if you’re reading this, you’d BETTER be), go to “@MnGOPInfo” and click “follow.” Then, go to www.MnGOP.Info and add ‘em to your RSS Feed.
It seems that a few folk other than ol’ MudSlingerMike attended the prestigious Limbaugh Institute of Modifying Policy – DEMONrats, Independents and Commies Keepout….
But, to Brodkorb’s chagrin, they just might beat the ol’ MudSlinger at his own game!
(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
… “A Peak Through The Flaps Of The Small Tent Party”
Part 1 is here. In part 2, we’ll talk briefly about Day 2 (more, next Monday) – plus, there’s some pictures below the fold!!!
On Friday, Tom Emmer was working the delegates over by Vendor Row; he saw me and said: “Hey, TwoPutt!” – which explains one picture (below the fold!). I’ve talked to Emmer several times over the last many months; like at last October at the Veterans Protest outside of the GOPer Trial-Run Convention in St. Paul; in the “Spin Room” after the Minnesota News Council/League of Women Voters Guv Debate in January; at the GOPer SD-42 Caucus in February (where I met his wife, Jacquie); and those are just off-the-top…
The thing about Emmer, is – just like Wellstone; just like Ventura; hey – just like Tommy Rukavina!!! — when you ask Emmer a question you get an answer. You may not like the answer, but you get one and it’s NOT an answer based upon what you want to hear — it’s based upon what they think.
And a LOT of voters like that, in a candidate.
That said, Emmer also – often! – says some really, Really, REALLY polarizing things, such as:
“I don’t think you can call yourself a freedom-loving American and be a Democrat.” — Tom Emmer, 9-26-09 (MarshallIndependent.com)
So, can a guy like Emmer, saying stuff like that, really, Really, REALLY get elected?
Well, this guy did:
“Children who are victims of failed personal responsibility are not my problem, nor are they the problem for our government.” — Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty, April 2001 – as quoted in the Aitkin Independent Newspaper
More, on Monday, and enjoy the pics below!
Oh – and the slogan of the day, at Sloganville, was:
“Constitutional Conservatism”
Which is rather funny, coming from The Party Of Watergate & Iran-Contra & Boy Blunder…
The ol’ TwoPutter, with the then-not-endorsed Tom Emmer on Friday, April 30th:
The ol’ TwoPutter, with GOPer SD42 State Rep. Jenifer loon:
Here’s a poll on what “new media” training GOPer Convention attendees want next; my question is what training is the DFL gonna provide first??!?
Media Central, which the ol’ TwoPutter was specifically kept OUT of:
A union Steel Worker – let me repeat that, A UNION STEEL WORKER – with delegate credentials at the GOP Convention; talk about voting AGAINST your own economic self-interest…
Here’s two bumperstickers on a GOPer Vendor’s table; let’s hope the top guy meets the same fate as the bottom guy’s last election:
(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
… “A Peak Through The Flaps Of The Small Tent Party”
I’ll start this post out dealing with the Fear Factor! As expected yesterday, Minnesota’s GOPers weren’t gonna give the ol’ TwoPutter Media Credentials. But, that’s no surprise; they didn’t credential The UpTake, either. As a matter o’ fact, the MN GOP is none-too-keen about letting “just anyone in” to see the goings ons o’ their party; no one – and I mean NO ONE – can wander on in and watch how The Small Tent Party conducts their business, without bein’ approved to do said watching.
One wonders what would happen, were a teacher to bring a coupla kids down to the Mpls Convention Center, for a teachable moment about democracy – GOPer Style. I’m guessing it would be a real teachable moment; GOPers refusing school kids to watch ‘em in action!!!
Compare/contrast with the DFL’s “Open Door – Open Look” policy in Duluth…which explains a lot about the difference between parties. Well, the average DFLer’s “Open Mind” and average GOPer’s “Closed Mind” does, too.
Here’s the tweet, about my exchange with MN GOP Communications Director Mark Drake concerning my Media Credentials:
Drake: “U didn’t rgstr in time” Me: “What was deadline?” Drake: “Didn’t u get my memo?” Me: “U r a funny guy, Mark”
#mngop10 #Stribpol
about 14 hours ago via web
We’ll post a whole buncha more tweets, down below the fold!
Getting back to Sloganville – apparently, judging by the “speeches” by GOPer Candidates and almost all of the Delegates and Alternates I talked with, the main qualification for elective office is “who loves freedom and liberty and hates tyranny more” and who hates “the direction our country is headed” the most. They all want to “cut gubmint spending” and “shrink gubmint” – although the GOPer Sloganeers don’t talk much about what they’ll whack once they get back power. Presumably, everything is on the table. Well, except Defense, I guess, because they’re all “strong” on National Defense.
Pretty hard to be “strong” on National Defense whilst whacking a National Defense Budget that spends more than….well, probably the rest of the world combined. Nope! Can’t whack that!!!
And Veterans, apparently, can’t be whacked either. Here’s a snippet from that notoriously liberal/leftist/socialist America-hating dam-near commie rag, The Moonie Washington Times:
Mr. Obama’s proposed VA budget for fiscal 2011 asks for $125 billion – a 10 percent jump from what Congress enacted for 2010, which was itself more than 16 percent more than 2009. The discretionary portion of next year’s budget request – the part the administration and Congress have the most direct control over – is up nearly 20 percent since 2009, to total $60.3 billion.
.
.
Perhaps one of the reasons Mr. Obama’s veterans policies have flown under the radar – relative to his hard-fought victory on the health care overhaul – is they draw bipartisan support at a time when the nation is still fighting two wars. In addition to approving double-digit budget increases, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle came together last year on a bill that put the portion of the VA’s budget that deals with medical care on a two-year track to insulate it from legislative delays.They also signed off on the post-9/11 GI bill, which provides Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with money for tuition and housing while in school.
More recently, the Senate last week approved a bipartisan bill that expands benefits for the caregivers of wounded veterans and tries to accommodate those in rural areas by expanding the VA’s telemedicine program and travel reimbursements. The bill, authored by Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka, Hawaii Democrat, now awaits the president’s signature.
“I would think there’s more agreement than disagreement” on veterans’ issues, said Brooks Tucker, deputy staff director for Republicans on the committee. (WashingtonTimes.com)
So, apparently, “shrinking the size of gubmint” doesn’t include Veterans Benefits – in the view of The Small Tent Party.
So, just WT(C) do they want to whack? I dunno; I haven’t heard it yet.
They certainly don’t want to whack Border Security; that’s a big topic down there in Sloganville.
Maybe in the RightWingNutJobWorld, “Border Security” can magically be expanded, and be paid for by…..
….hmmm…
How DO they want to pay for it??!?
I’ll keep asking, today, as I head back to gather material for Fear And Loathing In Sloganville, Part Two – or … “A Peak Through The Flaps Of The Small Tent Party”
Oh – and here’s the tweet, describing how I got A “Guest Pass”
I’m in! A fellow VFW Member thought #mngop10 policy is bogus, and invited me in as a Guest! #Stribpol
about 14 hours ago via web
Here’s the list of tweets sent yesterday, over the three hours between not getting Media Credentials, getting a “Guest Pass” and the GOPers actually letting me in, using said “Guest Pass”:
_ To no surprise, no Media Credential for the ol’ TwoPutter! What is @mngop hiding behind the closed flaps of The Small Tent Party? #Stribpol
about 15 hours ago via web_ @sturdevant Hey, Lori – out of curiosity, when did you register for press credentials?
about 15 hours ago via web_ According to a Sergeant-At-Arms, all persons entering must have a pass @mngop10 #stribpol about 15 hours ago via web
_ According to @mngop10 info desk, must be a guest of delegate or alternate to get a guest pass – no casual observers allowed. #Stribpol about 15 hours ago via web
_ Drake: “U didn’t rgstr in time” Me: “What was deadline?” Drake: “Didn’t u get my memo?” Me: “U r a funny guy, Mark” #mngop10 #Stribpol about 14 hours ago via web
_ I’m in! A fellow VFW Member thought #mngop10 policy is bogus, and invited me in as a Guest! #Stribpol about 14 hours ago via web
_ Ruh-roh – #mngop10 not a “happy face” w/ my “Guest Pass” and are not allowing me in! In limbo… #Sribpol about 14 hours ago via web
_ Just saw a kid w/ a “Guest Pass” leave the hall; but my “Guest Pass” apparently, mine won’t let me in. #mngpo10 #stribpol about 14 hours ago via web
_ Just saw a #mngop10 “Guest Pass” go in; Security explains: “That Guest Pass was typed; yours is handwritten” – still in limbo… #Stribpol about 13 hours ago via web
_ There goes ANOTHER “hand-written” “Guest Pass”!!! Me? Still in #mngop10 limbo! #Stribpol about 13 hours ago via web
_ Security: “Can he (me!) go in yet?” #mngop10 MediaType: “No.” Me: “Orders from above?” MediaType: “Yep.” #Stribpol about 13 hours ago via web
_ Followed the rules; paid my $20 and a fellow Veteran sponsored my “Guest Pass” and I’m still not in. #mngop10 #stribpol about 13 hours ago via web
_ Taking a quick break from limbo and sitting down; the hard floors here are rough. #mngop10 about 12 hours ago via web
_ Break over; #MNGOP10 MediaType indicates my bought ‘n paid for “Guest Pass” still isn’t a “pass.” Standing by, by the Stanek booth.. about 12 hours ago via web
_ I’m in! #mngop10 musta got tired o’ my tweets… about 12 hours ago via web
(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
