Parade of Champions

Via DCPlanet:

DCA Showdown Set For Scranton 8/1
Top 6 Head To Head
Written by Tom Peashey, Drum Corps Associates
Wednesday, 08 July 2009

Roll back to the clock to late evening, August 31st 2008 – Rochester, NY, as the announcer (little old me!) read through the endless score upon score, corps fell into their final spots of the season. The anxiety was building. Would anyone challenge the Buccaneer juggernaut? Who would it be that either dethroned or nipped close to the defending champions? DCA’s most storied corps, Hawthorne Caballeros is read in 5th place. We began to get the feeling that perhaps there might be change as the recently resurgent Hurricanes had placed 4th. Wow! Minnesota Brass had made the top 3. Surely they would be next, but NO! Falling to third was Rochester’s Empire Statesmen. Finally it’s set. Bucs reign again as king of DCA, but a thrill of excitement permeates the crowd. DCA Central’s Minnesota Brass, Inc. is left ever so close to the crown and immediately dubbed as the new threat to the Buccaneer Empire.



Move on to 2009 and the schedule has a lot of the old “same old, same old” look - Regional, not too much movement due to expense and the economy. Then, came the word. While the Buccaneers continue to dominate the East, the newly crowded giant killer – MBI – would like to come east. They would like to take their best shot in a regular season show at the Champion, and yes, give everyone else in the top 6 a chance at them.

After much work and some pretty creative fundraising in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota Brass was able to make the request of DCA President, Gil Silva that they had hoped for. “Please allow us to join the rest of the top 6 in Scranton, PA on August 1st.” The showdown is set. Everything is in place. For the first time in many years, last years top 6 corps will meet in head to head competition during the regular season. Will MBI be able to lay claim to the term “Giant Killer” or will one of the others jump up and contend? Will the Reading Pirate ship sail on or get Bushwacked? Whatever the result, it is certain that the expectations will be set and the excitement climaxed as we travel towards the 45th DCA Championship on September 4, 5 and 6th in Rochester.

The Reading Buccaneers, Minnesota Brass, Inc., Rochester’s Empire Statesmen, CT Hurricanes, Hawthorne Caballeros and Harrison Bushwackers will put it all on the line on August 1st in Scranton High School Stadium, Scranton, PA. This will be the definitive show of the 2009 DCA season - the show of shows. For many, it will be the fulfillment of a dream. Showtime is 7:30PM and features an exhibition by the power driven Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni. Tickets are available on line or by phone. Call 888-300-6910 or on line ticket ordering.

A special THANK YOU for those who have taken a moment to pledge to this fine organization. If you haven't yet, take a look at the website and see if you can help out by offering a donation.

The corps will be in Hinckley, Saturday without me as I have a prior commitment. But all day Sunday we will be getting better. If you haven't seen corps in awhile, or are curious as to what this activity is about, consider stopping by Northdale Middle School on Sunday afternoon. Around 3:30 or so we will do a complete performance of this years 2009 program Nocturne: Songs for the Night.

Flash

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The Go To Guys

I was pleased to see King Bananian on the cover of my Saint Cloud State University Alumni Magazine 'Outlook'. The article share the level of credibility that exists within SCSU's Economics departments as folks looking for answer men during the tumult of our economic situation:

Banaian, who has participated in more than 40 off-campus speaking engagements and countless media interviews in the past year, jokes that he kind of misses his life as the “Maytag repairman,” referring to the relatively stable years before the economy plummeted and the public started clamoring for answers.

“Fifteen years ago this topic was unsexy,” said Banaian. Now that many of the unfavorable circumstances he’s been teaching about – and some the books didn’t cover – have come about, the incredible knowledge of local fiscal data and business climate he and MacDonald have amassed makes their kind of expertise a hot commodity.

“We always wanted to get out of the Ivory Tower,” Banaian said. “Now we’re being invited out.”

What's King's perspective of the economy:

Banaian’s perspective on the economy:

“The Fed has emptied the holster. They’ve used all the tools at their disposal.”

“In the Panic of 1907, the last panic before the formation of the Federal Reserve, banks were teetering on collapse. J. Pierpont Morgan gathered bankers in his home and said to them: ‘I’m putting money in. Won’t you join me?’ Now bankers seem to expect government to do it.”

“Banks have changed. Big banks have gone into other stuff. Not all the banks are like the Bailey Building and Loan in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’.”

Some Banaian predictions from the Winter Institute:

1. Oil prices will come up
2. Mortgage rates will be stable
3. Keep an eye on timber prices, and
4. St. Cloud’s economic base to build on: Health, education, business services and transportation

1) After bottoming out in late December, Oil prices did climb modestly before taking a tumble over the last few weeks

2) Mortgage rates HAVE been stable through the winter and Spring. We are now, however, seeing an up tick that some may say is a sign of inflation due to the influx of monies into the economy via the stimulus funds

3) from what I can find, timber prices look to still be drooping do to lowered demand. One can assume that housing stock is still high, therefore new construction is still at a low.

King is a pretty spot on guy, especially when you get him away from his NARNiac friends and isn't influenced by his ScaifeNet contract *grin*

Flash

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Bye, Michael

CNN Coverage

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A Senator Al-lan Franken

Just over two years ago, in an Irish Pub in Minneapolis, I sat down with members of Team Franken. The skeletal staff was 'picking the brains' of local bloggers. I was lukewarm at the time, not having settled on a candidate yet. I paid my own tab.

A few months later, I ran into Mr. Franken himself at the 331 Club. We had a candid conversation, where I challenged him on his war stance.

I took a moment to talk about Iraq, the surge, and what the next steps should be. Al's knowledge of the region, his interaction with the troops and Iraqi citizens during his USO excursions, was refreshing. He knows what he is talking about, and it is coming from experiences not advisers and major party talking points.

We didn't agree on much, that evening, but that didn't mean he was going to move on. He spent a nice chunk of time, explaining to me why I was wrong, the importance of the region, and why he felt the way he did. His first priority, it seemed, was not to win my vote, but to make sure I understood why he believed what he did, especially since it was different from my view. It was that evening that Satirist Al Franken, became Candidate Al Franken to me.

Today, the long wait is over, and on the very same bible used by Paul Wellstone, Candidate Franken becomes Senator Allan Franken of Minnesota.

"It is, of course, technically true that this was Paul's U.S. Senate seat. But I don't think Paul saw it that way," Franken said Wednesday, again paying respects to Wellstone.

"This seat belongs to the people of Minnesota, and so did Sen. Wellstone, and so will I," he said as he thanked his wife, Franni, supporters, volunteers, campaign staff members and the people of the state he will represent.

Now, Franken takes on what could be the most influential role of his life as he joins the Senate

The Right, and their fits of rage, have set the bar so low that maintaining a heart beat will be a success, but that won't do for the new junior Senator from Minnesota. He is a policy wonk with priorities. He will hit the ground running, he will show up all those naysayers and become the honorable and respectful man that he is.

Congratulations to Team Franken for a hard fought and well deserved victory. But most importantly, Godspeed to the new Senator!. Today is a day to celebrate, tomorrow we roll up our sleeves and get things done!

Flash

UPDATE: From the Fix:

Franken would do well to follow the examples set by Kennedy and Clinton during their own first years in the Senate. Both came into the body as celebrities -- one was the youngest son of the most famous family in Democratic politics, the other was a former first lady -- and impressed their colleagues by adopting a low-key demeanor that played well in a workplace where each of the 100 employees believes that he or she is the most important man or woman in the world.

One longtime Republican Senate strategist offered two pieces of advice for Franken if he truly wanted to change the way his GOP colleagues perceive him.

First, "be serious," which to be frank (pun intended), Senator Al appears already to be doing.

Second, "vote against the party on something he believes in," a vote of conscience that would show GOPers that Franken is not simply a rank partisan but a thoughtful legislator with a commitment to issues.

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Send me to Scranton, I Bleg of you

I have never asked for or received anything in compensation for this blog. I don't expect that to change. But I can't stop you from supporting the organization that I have been involved with for over 30 years.

Last year, Minnesota Brass, Inc. made drum corps history by becoming the FIRST all age drum corps to place in the top 3 at DCA World Championships. It has always been a challenge for us to compete against the East coast big boys due to our geographical location.

This year, we are bigger, better, and bad ass and are committed to doing everything we can to make a run at the title. To do that, we have scheduled a mid season trip to Scranton, PA. The Parade of Champions is where the remaining Top 6 corps will be performing. This mid season showdown will allow everyone to get a solid read all in the same show.

The downside is a trip like this can cost over $20,000 and is above and beyond the standard budget we work with. So I am asking you, and everyone I know, to take a moment and see if you can spare a $5, or a $10, or even $100 or more to build up our coffers and assure this trip does not dismantle our excellent financial state.

Take a look at my FirstGiving page, and help a brother out!



See you on the 50!

Flash

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A 2fer

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UNANIMOUS!

Congratulations to Senator Allen Franken on his hard fought victory! My best to Senator Norm Coleman on his future endeavors.

In the ruling:

"Affirmed," wrote the Supreme Court, unanimously rejecting Republican Norm Coleman's claims that inconsistent practices by local elections officials and wrong decisions by a lower court had denied him victory.

"Al Franken received the highest number of votes legally cast and is entitled [under Minnesota law] to receive the certificate of election as United States Senator from the State of Minnesota," the court wrote.

But the court did not grant Franken's bid to make its ruling effective immediately, possibly leaving a window for an appeal by Coleman before Gov. Tim Pawlenty is required to issue an election certificate.

"The bottom line is that the Court says that Franken is entitled to an election certificate, but there is no direct order to the state's governor to sign one," said Loyola Law School professor Richard Hasen, who has followed the case closely. "We'll see what the governor does, if Coleman does not concede, as he well may at this point."

I am somewhat disappointed the court didn't go further and order the Governor to sign the election certificate immediately, but it does put him in a precarious position. With an unanimous decision from a Right leaning court it is doubtful that anything will change at this point.

I suspect there will be a bunch of constituents knocking on his office door tomorrow.

Flash

UPDATE: Senator Coleman takes the high road and concedes, making it moot whether the court order the certificate to be signed or not. With no further roadblock in the way, look for Governor Pawlenty to sign off soon after his return for DC and the seating of Seantor Franken next week when the US Senate return from recess.

CNN has more:

The court's unanimous, unsigned opinion declared that Franken "received the highest number of votes legally cast" and is entitled "to receive the certificate of election as United States senator from the state of Minnesota."

"I just congratulated Al Franken on his victory," Coleman said in a press conference with reporters. "I told him it's the best job he'll ever have representing Minnesota in the United States Senate. The Supreme Court has spoken, I will respect its decision, and abide by its results," Coleman also said.

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Sotomayor by Labor Day

In a 5 - 4 ruling the activist wing of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) overturned the decision made by a lower appellate court which simply followed the rule of law.

The Supreme Court was being asked to decide whether there was a continued need for special treatment for minorities, or whether enough progress has been made to make existing laws obsolete, especially in a political atmosphere in which an African-American occupies the White House

This activist wing decided to write new law from the bench. A decision that, can you believe it, is supported by conservatives across the country who have been belly aching for years about, you guessed it, activist judges legislating from the bench.

And to be clear, Justice Souter, the one Sotomayor will be replacing, sided with the nominee and signed on to the dissenting opinion.

In a dissent read from the bench, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg questioned the fairness of the test, which was 60 percent written and 40 percent oral.

"Relying so heavily on pencil-and-paper exams to select firefighters is a dubious practice," Ginsburg said, calling the majority ruling "troubling."

"Congress endeavored to promote equal opportunity in fact, and not simply in form. The damage today's decision does to that objective is untold," she said.

It is no wonder that the Republican party and Conservatives in general are out of control and out of power. They have abandoned some of the basic tenets of their fight and have simply gone with gut instincts. That means we get to find out who they really are. Its no wonder they lost.

Look for confirmation of Nominee Sotomayor by Labor Day!

Flash

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WIthdrawal Transition

US Troops have left Iraqi cities, and frankly, its about time!

According to the officials, within the past 30 days, 30 U.S. military bases have either been closed down or handed over to Iraqi security forces. A total of 150 bases have been shut down or turned over to Iraqis in the past nine months.

Despite the withdrawal, many U.S. military forces will remain in the cities, embedded with Iraqi forces as advisers. They would also act as liaison officers who would be able to summon a U.S. military rapid reaction force if needed -- or also call in U.S. military air strikes.

Now, to be clear, I have supported the war, including the successful surge, consistently and undeniably. But there needed to be an end game. We are not nation builders we are democracy builders. The people of Iraq need to fend for themselves. And after the wounds have heeled, and the leg mends, the crutches need to be tossed.

This is our moment to shine. To show the world that we are not there to impose our will but to encourage others to take responsibility for themselves. The Iraqis are a new people, and a new nation, with a bright future ahead. Lets hope they take advantage of this opportunity to show the rest of the region that secular violence is not a path to success.

Now, Iranian influence is a major concern, and even thought American troops are withdrawing, that down not mean we are abandoning the region. Or work is not done, and with one eye on Afghanistan, and the other on Iran, we will still be busy. But with the successes on display in Iraq, another baby step has been made, and another opportunity exists to rid ourselves of evil.

Thank you President Bush, for making the difficult decisions necessary to protect the Iraqi people, and make our country safe. Thank you President Obama for recognizing Our work there is almost done. Now it is time for the Iraqis to rally around their new found independence and show the world it was worth every life that was sacrificed.

Flash

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Wedded Bliss

CONGRATULATIONS to Janet Robert, AM 950 owner, and Bill Luther, former congressman and recent 2006 Attorney General candidate, on their nuptials yesterday. A small family ceremony was held followed by a reception at Janet's home.

I wish them both the best!!

Flash

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The Mortal Trifecta

As horrible as the news was, the curse of threes completed yesterday as celebrities across the world breathed a sigh of relief.

First was Ed, the definition of the sidekick, Mr. Hi-Yooooo and Heeeeere's Johnny. He later went on to host Star Search and give away Publisher Clearing house checks. His later life was mixed with financial tumult and at 86 we hear he didn't have much left. But that does not distract from who he was and the legacy he left.

Farrah Fawcett was every high school kids fantasy. As a punk 16 year old when the iconic poster was released, Farrah become the talk of the classroom. And when she began her stint on Charlie's Angels it had everything a kid looked for in TV back then. Hot girls with a PI twist. Although she is mostly tied to Charlie's Angles, it was only a one year stint. Later her performance in the Burning Bed gave her the critical acclaim she deserved. Even in dying she put herself in the public eye for all to see so they would be more aware of the process.

The King of Pop died in a way that immediately reminded me of Elvis. A mysterious premature passing of a music icon. As was the case with the King of Rock, Jacko's death is being reported as Cardiac arrest. But hints of over medication and drug cocktails is starting to swell:

Jackson apparently collapsed in his home in Los Angeles on Thursday and was taken by ambulance to UCLA Medical Center.

Brian Oxman, Jackson family attorney, told CNN Thursday that Jackson's use of medications had gotten in the way of doing rehearsals.

"His injuries, which he had sustained performing, where he had broken a vertebra and he had broken his leg from a fall on the stage, were getting in the way. I do not know the extent of the medications that he was taking," he said.

Oxman in other interviews warned of the impending consequences of over mediacation ans has vowed 'NOT to be Silent!" should pharmaceutical mixtures become the ultimate cause of death.

Micheal's talent is unquestioned, but his evolution from pop icon to eccentric loner may be his legacy. Regardless, his music will remain, and albums like Thriller are as relevant today as it was almost 27 years ago.

What do they all have in common, a perpetuity or legacy that will carry on for generations. Like Johnny Carson, Marlyn Monroe and Elvis the simple passing of their mortal bodies will not stop those of future generations from knowing and appreciating their talents. Regardless of what we may think of them ourselves, they will be missed by many and still enjoyed by future generations to come.

Flash

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Summer Doldrums

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What Goes Up, Doesn't Come Down

Property values tend to lag the fluctuations of the market. But in times like this it hits you hardest. Folks in Prior Lake are a bit ticked:

Cries of "unbelievable," "grossly overvalued," even "criminal" rang out in the boardroom of the Scott County Courthouse Tuesday night as homeowners fighting the tax values on their homes appealed to their elected representatives to overturn the judgments of their professional staff.

"There are 72 steps from the water to my cabin," said Charles Menking, of Prior Lake. "That's a lot of steps. I don't want the place. ... I want to sell it."

Fourteen people -- only a smidgen more than last year, but far more than in years past -- were listed on the agenda as taking appeals all the way to the county board.

Now I can appreciate their frustration, but there are folks working long hours and hobbling to their dinky apartments facing far greater issues then this, But the one comment that caught my eye was this one.

A matter of perspective

I wake at 0400, put on my uniform, body armor and don my weapon and off to work I go. The sand blasts me in the face, it's going to be another hot day reaching 130 degrees here in Iraq. All in all your problems aren't that bad.

So really, unless these same folks were at an assessor hearing demanding their values be increased when the market was bubbling, I am not very sympathetic to them if they are frustrated with the lagging decreases.

Flash

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Mission Accomplished; Currently #1 in the World

Most recent scores from this weekend:

**** DCA/DCI All-Age Corps - Based on Newest Score ****

01 (02) - 77.375 (1) - Minnesota Brass
02 (01) - 76.438 (3) - Buccaneers
03 (03) - 72.713 (3) - Caballeros
04 (05) - 65.500 (1) - Governaires
05 (04) - 65.375 (3) - Bushwackers
06 (06) - 60.000 (2) - SoCal Dream
07 (07) - 58.650 (3) - Carolina Gold

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(1) = 06/22/2009 - Mankato, MN (DCI)
(2) = 06/21/2009 - Riverside, CA (DCI)
(3) = 06/20/2009 - Wildwood, NJ (DCA)

About a third of the All Age corps debuted this weekend, including the defending champion Reading Buccaneers. Although it is difficult to compare numbers across different shows, as the judges themselves are different, the scoring mechanisms is the same so there is at least an argument the corps within a point or two of each other are right in the hunt. Minnesota Brass proved this weekend the rumors were true, and hype hype credible.

I am at work all day, and this evening some much needed R&R, along with a bunch of reading to catch up on. This, when the Supremes settle our US Senate race there will be much to analyze.

And yes, I need a nap!

Flash

Next opportunity to seem quality drum corp in Minnesota:

Aug. 22 - Sounds of Minnesota; South St. Paul
Aug. 23 - Drum Corps EXPO; St. Peter, MN

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Waiting Game

The MN Supreme Court published its ruling at 10:00 am with the MN Contest case in sight. However, Twitter is a buzz, especially this interesting TidBit:

I have a feeling it will be released around 3

Source confirms Supreme Court ruling ready. Favors Franken. Solid giving little room for appeal to us supreme court

Supreme Court Senate '08 Page

Supreme Court Opinions Page

I'm sticking with my leaning yesterday that today is the day! Senator elect Franken will be seated by the end of the week!

Flash

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Senator 60

I found it humorous to hear talk of a potential filibuster of the current Supreme Court nominee. Senator 60 will should be seated before Nominee Sotomayor's confirmation hearings begin, and most certainly in time for the vote.

Conventional wisdom has put the MN Supreme Court decision on former Senator Coleman's attempt to over turn the election at 30 - 60 days, so says former Justice Gilbert:

"I thought it would take them between 30 and 60 days to do the final opinion," Gilbert said.

On June 1, the date of the hearing, the justices all met immediately afterward in conference, and that's the date that they voted their preference.

"But then the real writing process starts after that," he said. "To draft the opinion and to circulate that and to make sure all the research is done correctly. So it does take a little time."

I don't buy it, this is a slam dunk case that could have been ruled on later that same afternoon. Look for an answer within a week. Generally the court hands down decisions on Tuesday, so the money call would be June 23rd. But I say we may hear something as soon as tomorrow. You heard it here first.

Flash

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Sweeney Tim, the Demon Butcher

Never in my wildest dreams did I think he would be so mean, so cruel, so vicious. Gov. TPaw has made things perfectly clear, today, that he could care less about Minnesota. His Number one priority is his own personal national political standing. He is playing to a national Republican base, not to the constituency he was elected to represent.

He seemed like such a nice guy till the Right wing hate machine got a hold of him.

From the Strib:

Gov. Tim Pawlenty today announced plans to cut $300 million from aids to local governments, $236 million from health and human services programs, $100 million from higher education and to defer nearly $1.8 billion in payments to K-12 schools as he made good his promise to unilaterally slash spending to balance the state’s budget.

People will suffer in the short term, and the Republican party will be dessimanted in the longer term.

Sad, really!

Flash

Tild takes it from here:

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