Off the Line, 2009

Long night at our final indoor rehearsal. Drill camp is this weekend to learn Opener.

Off the line is the seductive sounds of Harlem Nocturne as performed by a 7 person ensemble, one of whom is yours truly. We then speed into Commencement, a Stan Kenton fast paced runner.

Its going to be an amazing season. Here is the Off the Line chart that begins the show. I am the yellow dot. I am not sure of the exact number, but there will be over 120 people on the field, including 58 horns. Flash

Happy Birthday, Mike!

My wife and I will be visiting my good friend Mike, today, who passed away a few years ago WAY before his time. Mike would have been 45.

He is deeply missed, and that says an awful lot coming from me considering he was about as far Right as they got *smile*

Happy Birthday, brother!

Flash

100 Days

Englehart:
Seriously, you can fault the President for his decisions, his choices or his ideology. But you can't say he hasn't hit the ground running with the kind of commitment care and concern that should be embedded in a great leader. This isn't the status quo anymore, and with the 60th Senator on the verge of being seated, it will be all theirs, lock stock and barrel.

My frustration with the GOP is that they allowed this to happen. The country works best with the built in checks and balances, but the arrogance of the Right has driven people away, and now the Left has the keys with unlimited unchecked power. Lets hope they use it wisely!

Flash

Good Luck, Ron!

There will be a new Chair of the MNGOP, Ron Carey is stepping down:

Republicans have watched in frustration as their elected numbers have shrunk in recent years and in Minnesota. They're about to see a change: state GOP chairman Ron Carey said Monday that he will not seek a third term.

"Let's face it, the last two cycles have been very tough for Republicans across the country," Carey said. "Sometimes, maybe it's best for the cause to have a fresh face out there.

"The last thing I want to be is an impediment to the conservative cause. Someone without the baggage you gain over four years might be an improvement."

Of course, Mr. Carey and I never saw eye to eye, but that doesn't mean I don't acknowledge his commitment to make Minnesota a better place, regardless of whether or not I agreed with his vision.

Best of like Mr Carey. I am sure you will be successful in whatever direction you choose.

Flash

Shot in the Shilling

Mitch's morning water bucket is overflowing today, which must be why he is spilling so much. His claim:

These polls exist solely to provide aid and comfort to DFLers. Their fifteen year history is one of ludicrous overrepresentation of DFLers

Then he tries to0 push numbers that can only favor his argument:

Election night results for MN Senate race-

Independent Dean Barkley 15.15%
Republican Norm Coleman 42.98%
Democrat Al Franken 42.99%

Party preference results from new StarTribune poll-
Republicans 20%
Democrat 36%
Independent 37%

Without providing the ones that blows a gaping hole in the side of it:
FINAL MN POLL RESULTS

38% Coleman
42% Franken
15% Barkley

To be clear, the MN Poll was the only poll that picked the winner correctly and well within the margin of error.

Looking further at the other polls, we see the two true shill polls run by admitted Righties. Rassumussen and Mason Dixon showing Franken way below his actual election night totals.

People can say whatever they want in these here Internets, but some would rather sacrifice themselves and their credibility by carrying water without consideration for the facts. We know who the real shillers are! And as long as they live in their bubble, without any consideration for reality, they will continue to assist in the election of Democratic candidates, one election cycle at a time. Thanks, Mitch, I always knew your heart was in the correct place!

Flash

UPDATE: In Chris Cillizza's The Fix article today, he shows that MNGOP 21% isn't a Minnesota Poll problem, it is a GOP problem:

The Republican Shrinkage Problem

The new Washington Post/ABC news poll has all sorts of intriguing numbers in it but when you are looking for clues as to where the two parties stand politically there is only one number to remember: 21.

That's the percent of people in the Post/ABC survey who identified themselves as Republicans, down from 25 percent in a late March poll and at the lowest ebb in this poll since the fall of 1983(!).

In that same poll, 35 percent self-identified as Democrats and 38 percent called them Independents.

Those national numbers are remarkably close to the MN Poll figures. And if you accept that MN is at least leans Blue, you may argue the MN Poll numbers are skewed conservatively.

What they do show, undeniably, as fewer people want to label themselves Republicans . . do you blame 'em.

Drum Corps for $1000, Alex! - 58

What is the number of horns locked into the 2009 version of Minnesota Brass, Inc.!

18 Trumpets (Sopranos)
12 Mellophones
18 Baritone/Euphoniums
10 Contras/Tubas
- - - - - - - - -
58 drill spots

These are not dream numbers, these are 58 bodies for 58 spots. No holes, no openings baring an unforeseen conflict or emergency.

That does NOT include our squealing high note playing Pit Sops (read solo trumpets who don't march a drill spot) Roger and Ray. So if all works out, we'll have 60 performing horns come World Championships.

Next weekend we'll start learning drill at Northdale Middle School in Coon Rapids. By the end of the weekend we should have almost half the show down.

Local field show performance opportunities:

June 20 - Drum Beauty, Stillwater MN
June 21 - Drums Along the Red Cedar - Menominee, WI
Aug. 22 - Sounds of Minnesota; South St. Paul
Aug. 23 - Drum Corps EXPO; St. Peter, MN

Hopefully you can experience Nocturne: Songs of the Night at a field competition near you! Or stop by and visit a Wednesday rehearsal, details to follow!

Flash

Free Books

The CNet Cheapskate site is a daily hit for me. You'll never know what you are going to find there. From discounted routers or the lowest price on an HDTV and now FREE Books!

Good news, commuters: Barnes & Noble is offering nine audiobooks absolutely free. They're downloads, of course, but they're in MP3 format, meaning that you can burn them to CDs, copy them to your iPod/Zune/Sansa, and listen on your Netbook or whatever.

I just ordered the set. They aren't throw-aways. It will give me something to listen to on long Drum Corps bus rides

Flesh Wound

via Matson:

Aggressive Techniques

The President stumbled again, opening up a can of worms that was better left as an internal matter.

We are better than the enemy, so I don't accept or buy into the "they did it first" argument. It ranks up there with the ScaifeNet favorite "I know you are but what am I" gambit. But when the choice is between American lives and brutal unrelenting terrorists, the choice is obvious:

The Bush-era interrogation techniques that many view as torture may have yielded important information about terrorists, President Obama's national intelligence director said in an internal memo.

"High-value information came from interrogations in which those methods were used and provided a deeper understanding of the al Qaeda organization that was attacking this country," Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair said in a memo to personnel.

The President is savvy enough to know the realities of the situation:

"There's a host of very complicated issues involved there. As a general deal, I think we should be looking forward and not backward.

"I do worry about this getting so politicized that we cannot function effectively, and it hampers our ability to carry out critical national security operations."

Even Bill Bennet on Morning with America (Yes, I listened to The Patriot this morning) said he doesn't think we should get in the habit of investigating each other at the turn of an election. Paraphrasing -- "We investigate them, then they investigate us, and nothing gets done"

Lets be clear, and understand one of the main reason I have been consistently supportive of the War on Terror and the incursion into Iraq. Traditionally, in war, the one equalizer is each sides fear of dying, or even being destroyed. Our extremist enemies we battle today DON'T CARE ABOUT DYING!. They think it is a badge of honor, a noble gift to be given freely. Martyrdom is craved, not feared. How can you fight an enemy like that. The Kamikazes in the late stages of WWII were still fearful of death, and reluctant to carry out their mission. Not this new wave of suicide bombers.

So we should not justify our inappropriate and in some cases illegal actions based on the behavior of our enemy. But if there are aggressive techniques that will improve our security at home and save American lives then they should be deployed for that purpose.

Flash

Who Pays More?

MN2020 the must read think tank that provides the facts to go along with their lean nail it once again.

Minnesota Taxes Heavy on Low & Middle Income Families

This information demonstrates that Minnesota's tax system is regressive. Low and moderate income households pay a significantly larger percentage of their income in state and local taxes than do high income households. In fact, for the 2nd through 9th deciles (incomes from $9,783 to $123,937), the ETR ranges from 11.5 percent to 12.5 percent, while the wealthiest ten percent of Minnesota households have an ETR of just 10.0 percent.

According to the 2009 MTIS, Minnesota's state and local tax system has become sharply more regressive from 2004 to 2006, meaning that an increased share of total Minnesota taxes is being borne by low and moderate income households and a smaller share is borne by high income households.

We are going through difficult times, and the adults that are in charge are tasked with making the tough decisions. Part of those decisions involve looking hard at the choices we have in front of us.

After over a half dozen years of a frozen revenue stream, scraping to the bone and hitting marrow type cuts, and an economy that is doing its own little dance on the State's budget, something has got to give. Why can't we start by making sure those that can at least pay at the same rate as those who can't.

Flash

Change at the Good Neighbor?!?

Mitch hints at some adjustments on 'CCO radio (via dbrauer):

Time has been standing still as the world wonders - will Michele Tafoya take the noon-3PM slot at WCCO-AM? Or will she not?

David Brauer captures the breathless anticipation:

Thursday, I wrote that Michele Tafoya was “likely” to be named WCCO-AM’s noon-3 p.m. host next week. Today, C.J. casts some doubt on the hiring, noting the Good Neighbor’s announcement had been delayed amid “insider” speculation that money and Tafoya’s Monday Night Football committment are the snags.

On the 'CCO morning TV show, the anchors were pumping every 10 minutes or so the 'BIG NEWS' Don Shelby will be announcing on his afternoon drive time show on 'The Neighbor'. That would led me to believe that the Tafoya announcement is imminent, or that maybe there will be even a big shakeup, like Don moving to Noon to 3:00 and Tafoya getting the drive time slot. Pure speculation on my part, but it would save Don the dash to the TV anchor chair from his Radio seat every afternoon *grin*

Mitch might be captain of the Fibber McGee and Molly set when it comes to politics, but he knows his radio!

I'll update this evening when the 'big announcement' is made.

Flash

UPDATE: Tafoya taking the Shelby 3:00 - 6:00 slot. Shelby Taking the earlier shift. Hmmmm, where did we hear that before!!

Garage Project

I finally did it. A service door in the garage. A convenience for now, but a BIG bonus in the winter since I'll be able to run a heater with the main garage door closed.

Now I need someone to volunteer and come over to replace the sill plate on the East side of the garage

See, I only look like I am all thumbs *laughing*

Flash

UPDATE: Trimmed it up and a coat of paint:

Party Crasher

Beeler:

The C.O.L.B.E.R.T

The power that is Colbert Nation flooded the polling booth and NASA to WIN the writein campaign that was organzied to name the new space station Module. NASA found themselves in an awkward position, but opted to go with 'Tranquility', one of their original options. Not to ignore the large base of Colbert supporters, last night, and the Colbert Report, NASA announced a new the installation of a new treadmill:

What do you do when you're NASA and comedian Stephen Colbert wins your contest to name the new wing for the International Space Station? You name an orbital exercise machine after him.

The Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill, or COLBERT, is expected to keep astronauts in shape.

How did Stephen react:

"I think a treadmill is better than a node ... because the node is just a box for the treadmill," Colbert deadpanned. "Nobody says, 'Hey, my mom bought me a Nike box.' They want the shoes that are inside."

A fine compromise.

Flash

What Others are Saying

Below are comments from a recently received press release. I think they are all wrong, everyone of them. Former Senator Coleman needs to fight with every breath, every penny, and every bone in his body. It is important for his political irrelevance!

Flash

Former GOP Gov. Arne Carlson:
One of those GOP dissenters is the state's former governor, Arne Carlson, who said in an interview prior to the issuance of Monday's ruling that Coleman's legal maneuvering represents a “gross misuse of the American judicial system.” ... “Increasingly, it's becoming obvious that the Republican Party would like the seat to remain vacant to prevent the Democrats from having a 59th seat.”
(Politico, “3 judge panel declares Franken winner.” April 13, 2009. )

Former GOP Congressman Joe Scarborough:
“When are the Republicans going to give up the ghost on this? Seriously. Norm, I like you. You lost, okay? Can we seat a senator so Amy [Klobuchar] doesn't have to do the job of two Senators? This is not... It is seriously not fair to constituents in Minnesota to drag this out any longer. It’s over Norm, okay? It’s over.”
(MSNBC via Huffington Post, “Scarborough to Coleman: “You Lost... It Is Over.” April 14, 2009. )

Former GOP Sen. David Durenberger:
Durenberger said that he would not pressure Coleman to quit. But he added: “If it were me, I would not” continue appealing beyond the state Supreme Court.
(Politico, “3 judge panel declares Franken winner.” April 13, 2009. )

Mankato Free Press Editorial Board:
To say Minnesotans are weary of the ongoing court review of the Al Franken and Norm Coleman election count would be an understatement. With virtually all legal arguments and the vote total going in Franken’s favor throughout the review process, many Minnesotans are saying Coleman should accept the inevitable now and not appeal to the state’s high court. ... If, however, the high court either allows the three-judge panel’s ruling to stand, or takes the case for review and ultimately rules against Coleman, Franken should be seated in the U.S. Senate. ... Dragging a losing case into the federal court system would smack more of political tricks than a sincere attempt to clarify state election law.
(Mankato Free Press, “Our View: Election review shouldn’t go to federal courts.” April 13, 2009. )

National Review editor Kate O’Beirne:
“It might well be time for him to acknowledge a Franken win.”
(Bloomberg TV, “Political Capital.” April 11, 2009. )

USA Today Editorial Board:
On a deeper level, though, this case is sadly emblematic of the dwindling sense of public service among aspiring public servants. Minnesotans, who take pride in the state's reputation for civility, are clearly tiring of the ordeal. Yet the win-at-any-cost struggle continues, prodded by partisans and parties. ... The further Coleman's case goes up the judicial ladder, the more strained its reasoning sounds. It is one thing to ask a trial court to review the work of election authorities to make sure they carefully followed the law and their own guidelines. It is another to say that in making a series of tough calls on individual ballots, they grievously violated some important legal or constitutional principle.
(USA Today Editorial, “Coleman vs. Franken.” April 13, 2009. )

Election law expert Rick Hasen:
“It is the kind of opinion that is unlikely to be disturbed on appeal by either the Minnesota Supreme Court or the United States Supreme Court,” said Richard Hasen, an expert on election law at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. "The opinion considers the major arguments made by Coleman and rejects them in a detailed and measured way."
(Star Tribune, “Judges rule Franken winner; Coleman to appeal.” April 14, 2009. )

University of Minnesota Law Professor Guy-Uriel E. Charles:
Unfortunately for Coleman, his prospects always depended upon a miracle. He wanted before and wants now more ballots to be counted. But the more ballots that are counted — by election officials, the Canvassing Board and the trial court — the better Al Franken does. Go figure. A good lawyer should know when further litigation is fruitless, and a good politician should abide by the same guiding principle. ... He has a legal right to pursue this lawsuit to the bitter end. But he has taken his best shots and consistently has lost ground. Further appeals will only delay the inevitable conclusion: Al Franken has won the seat.
(Star Tribune, “Nice fight, Norm, but it’s over.” April 13, 2009. )

Moritz College of Law Professor Edward B. Foley:
But when a trial court has been as evidentially impartial as this one, one might hope that the losing party does not try to get the higher court to reach a different outcome—a hope equally to be felt if Coleman had been the victor in this court. What does it say about any candidate who attempts to overturn an impartial ruling, based on the evidence and the law, which would have been the same even if the parties had been reversed in the case? Is the candidate simply trying to find a different tribunal that won’t be impartial? To be sure, it is theoretically conceivable that a three-judge panel could be impartial and unanimous (as this one consistently has been) but mistaken, and that an equally impartial appellate court might unanimously reach the opposite conclusion. Theoretically conceivable, but quite unlikely.
(Election Law @ Moritz, “Opinion: Out from the Shadows of Bush v. Gore.” April 14, 2009. )

University of Minnesota Professor Larry Jacobs:
Added University of Minnesota political scientist Lawrence Jacobs: “This is judicial speak for 'nothing here,' and it is most definitely aimed at the appeals process. It's a signal that they are supremely unimpressed by the Coleman case.”
(Star Tribune, “Judges rule Franken winner; Coleman to appeal.” April 14, 2009. )

University of Minnesota Professor Kathryn Pearson:
“People may grow quite tired of this,” Pearson said. “Most people believe it was reasonable to appeal through the Minnesota system, but I think when it becomes a federal question there are political costs involved, and he has to weigh those very carefully.”
(Fox 9, “Franken Wins Minn. Senate Seat by 312 Votes.” April 13, 2009. )

Groundhog Day - Franken Wins . . . again!

From the Court (PDF)

Franken received the highest number of lawfully cast ballots in the November 4, 2008 general election for United States Senator for the State of Minnesota and is entitled to receive the certificate of election.

Run, Forest Norm, Run, political impotence is only a supreme court appeal away!!

Joe at MPP has more details:

It was unanimous:
Those are the findings with the three well respected judges appointed to serve on the election contest panel. One appointed by a Democratic governor, one by a independent governor and one by a Republican governor. All agreed on the entire opinion. Any charges of bias are totally without merit.

Oh, and who pays:

Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 209.07, costs of the contest must be paid by the Contestants, and Contestee and the Court shall prove up the applieable costs by affidavit after all proceedings in this matter are concluded

Yeap, Norm has to pay Senator Elect Franken's costs as well. Poetic justice. I hope all those high buck GOP donors realized where their money was going!!

Flash

HooAh!

The President authorizes a rescue of the captain, clear and decisive leadership resulting in the safe rescue of the captain, and an exclamation point on his first international test.

The waiting ended Sunday with news that U.S. Navy snipers had shot and killed three of Phillips' captors, with the fourth pirate in custody onboard the nearby USS Bainbridge, and that Phillips had been rescued uninjured. The expressions of relief and praise flowed.

"I share the country's admiration for the bravery of Capt. Phillips and his selfless concern for his crew," President Obama said. "His courage is a model for all Americans."

ScaifeNet reacts, on cue, like a Junior High kid who just got pantsed

Why, it’s almost as if the mainstream media want the whole world to cooperate with a triumphalistic narrative they’ve already written, in which the Obamessiah and his Hope and Change

Never mind the blasphemous name calling the day after Easter, but seriously, its bad enough they all want him to fail, but now almost disappointed that his continued success has saved the captain. You would think there is a level of disappointment in them that the President succeeded. Watch them join in a chorus as the day progresses, claiming the SEAL's maneuvers were carried out in spite of the President, not because of him.

Typical of the 20% cub

The Resurrection

Matthew 28:1-10

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her,
"I am the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in me will live,
even though he dies;
and whoever lives and believes in me
will never die.

Wishing you and yours a blessed Holiday

Flash

Shake Down Cruise

Took the new ride on a shake down cruise:

Saint Paul Midway to Downtown Minneapolis, and back home via Dinkytown

Minnehaha West bound from Hamilne U
Aldine South
Marshall West to Marshall/Lake Street Bridge
West River Road
Midtown Greenway
Cedar Lake Trail
Came out behind New Twins Stadium (what a beaut)
11th Ave to Hennepin
RockBottom 9th Hennepin

Lunch and a trip to Macy's for the Flower Show in the 8th floor Auditorium

Hennepin Ave to River Road Trail
Stone Arch Bridge and up the hill to 5th Avenue
Through Dinkytown and pass the new Gopher stadium (another work of art)
UM transit way to Energy Park
Tuck in at Hamline to Pedestrian Bridge.
Left on Minnehaha to home

23 Miles

I am now in the garage . . . rehydrating *grin*

Flash

Patience is a Virtue

The DFL is playing hard ball and launched a new website:

Give It Up Norm

NORM COLEMAN LOST THE ELECTION, FAIR AND SQUARE

Minnesota’s 2008 Senate election was incredibly close. But Minnesota has a fair, transparent, and careful process for determining who won incredibly close elections. Over the past few months, Supreme Court justices, District Court judges, state and local elections officials, civil servants, campaign workers, and Minnesota voters have participated in the recount and the election contest. Both sides have been fairly represented. And Norm Coleman lost.

I can appreciate the desire to move on, but we have made it this far into the process, I guess I would have waited till at least after the ECC ruled. At that point, the inevitable MN Supreme appeal will take place. This clear Right leaning body, as previewed by the Senate Guru . . .

Three are Republican appointees (at least two of whom have been active in Republican politics, and the third of whom has a spouse who is a top staffer for state Republicans). One is an independent appointee, for whom I am unable to find indications of partisan leanings. And just one of the five appears to be Democratically-inclined.

. . . will give the Former Senator a final fair and respectful shake in his last attempt to overturn the certified results. The Right tilt of this body may have prompted a promoting like the petition current being proffered

So I guess I would have waited, at least till after the Election Contest Court's final decision came down. This presumptuous behavior may dilute the high level of good will the Democrats have appreciated during this process while the former Senator displays withdrawal from his Electile Dysfunction. Beside, the end game here isn't to beat Norm once and for all, but to render him politically impotent. And we don't need a website for that, he is doing a fine job on his own.

Flash

When is a Certificate Issued?

Statute states:

In case of a contest, an election certificate shall not be issued until a court of proper jurisdiction has finally determined the contest.

And the State Supreme Court has already clarified this in a previous ruling (PDF):

Minnesota Statutes § 204C.40, subd. 2 (2008), which provides that a certificate of election cannot be issued until the state courts have finally decided an election contest pending under chapter 209, applies to an election for the United States Senate.

Repeat, 'until the state courts have finally decided'

So, should former Senator Coleman go to the State Supremes, as he should *grin* when they deny his petition, they will also order a certificate be issued. His only hope at that point is if a Federal Judge orders a stay of the issuance. Highly unlikely.

Now, the former Senator is certainly within his right to peruse Federal options, but he'll be doing that with a Senator Franken seated in the chamber, not a Candidate Franken.

Flash

Tacksing

A Wolvertoon:

Best State Blogs - The Fix

The Fix has released their list of Best State Political Blogs, and this year, I made the cut:

Minnesota

MNPublius
Minnesota Democrats Exposed
Minnesota Progressive Project
Centrisity
Dusty Trice
True North
Politics in Minnesota
The Uptake

Thank you for your support.

Flash

New Ride

A couple years ago the lovely Mrs. Flash bought a new fancy Raleigh at Erik's Bike Shop. Something about spend almost $500 on a bike made me cringe, but I knew it would be a commuter bike and the gas savings alone would more than compensate for the purchase. I decided to take on her old Schwinn, still a nice 'comfort bike' in its own right. I have put many of miles on it since. We love the ride from our homestead near Hamline U, to Downtown Minneapolis, or along the River, and other routes we have found.

The Mrs. needed a new headlight so she could begin the commuting season so on Monday we returned to Erik's. The headlight cost just under $400:

08 Expedition Sport Comfort Bike

Frame -- A1 Premium Aluminum, Ground Control geometry comfort frame, formed tubes w/ integrated kick stand mount, forged drop outs and replaceable 98954020 alloy hanger

Fork -- SR NEX-4100-26, 63mm, Hi-Ten stanchions and steerer, preload adj. w/ spring assisted seal

Shifters -- Shimano RS-43 Revo Twist

Front Derailleur -- Shimano FD-C050, 31.8mm clamp

Rear Derailleur -- Shimano Altus RD-M310

Brakes -- Pro Max, alloy "V" w/ linear spring

Brake Levers -- Tektro alloy 4 finger lever, Kraton contact area, for twist shifter

Cranks -- Shimano FC-TX70, square taper w/ c'ring guard

Bottom Bracket -- TH cartridge, square taper, 68 x 122.5mm for 47.5mm chain line

Hubs -- Shimano FH-RM30S, cassette, 32h, QR

Rims -- Alex Z-1000, 26", alloy

Tires -- Specialized Hemisphere, 26x1.95", 60TPI, wire bead, Flak Jacket

Pedals -- Platform nylon w/ Kraton top, 9/16"

Stem -- Specialized Ground Control, four bolt, alloy 1 1/8 quill

Handlebars -- Hi-Ten, 620mm wide, 60mm rise, 14 degree sweep

Saddle -- Comfort Plush "Brown" 8024S/B6, Spring base and rail, B-56 Top w/ B-6 Side/Rear/Center, Brown/Black Double stiching, Black Bumper

Seat Post -- Alloy suspension, 27.2mm, two bolt head w/ preload adjust

With Drum Corps Season starting to gear up, and this creaky body needing a little extra limbering to keep up with the youngens, I suspect this ride will get plenty of use.

Flash

Puttin' on the Spread

The more ballots they count, the wider the winner's lead gets:

Democrat Al Franken today extended his lead over Republican Norm Coleman in Minnesota's U.S. Senate election, after the counting of about 350 formerly rejected absentee ballots this morning.

Franken captured 198 of the ballots, while Coleman took 111. The ballots added 87 votes to Franken’s recount lead, enlarging his margin over Coleman to 312.

Seems like Former Senator Coleman needs to up his dosage of DRAGRA. Or, since that isn't quite working, he may need to switch the DELAYUS, an every day supplement that is always ready when you are:

All around the world, politicians with electile dysfunction (ED) have taken 36-month DELAYUS as needed.

Today sore losers can be ready with another option, DELAYUS for daily news—a clinically proven low dose buzz that is talked every day. Talk to your spin doctor to see if a DELAYUS option is right for you

FIGHT, FIGHT on NORM, complete and total political impotence is a Supreme Court appeal away!!

Flash

RIP Morgan

Steve Cannon, the voice of 'CCO radio for many many years has succumbed to cancer.

WCCO says Cannon died Monday night after a five-month battle with cancer.

Cannon retired from WCCO in 1997, signing off after nearly 40 years on Minnesota airwaves. He worked for 13 years as a morning show host at KSTP-AM before joining rival WCCO in 1971.

Cannon dubbed himself "king of the kilohertz, prince of the airwaves." His show -- from "the basement studio" at WCCO -- featured Cannon bantering with his characters Ma Linger, Morgan Mundane and Backlash LaRue (pictured).

The Cannon Mess theme is here.

The Funerial March

Many other snippets at the Museum.

Moving Ballots

County registrars from across the state are collating ballots for delivery to St. Paul, today. Soon they will get another look, 4, even 5 maybe the 6th look in some cases. The STRIB has an interesting article and a family's ballot saga:

In February, Coleman's list of 3,687 rejected absentee ballots included both Stockes and Zirkle among 21 voters' ballots from Aitkin County that his campaign believed should have been counted. The former senator, behind in the recount, was working hard to get as many rejected absentee ballots counted as possible.

Then in early March, a Franken list suggested that Tim and Karen Stocke's ballots lacked evidence of being legally cast. As for Zirkle, the Franken list also noted there was no proof she was registered.

Zirkle was the only one of the three who made Coleman's final list of ballots that he hoped to have considered. And Tim Stocke was the only one to make Franken's final list.

And the kicker:

Amid all the complexities, one point can be missed: Just whom did the Stocke household vote for?

Three votes for Franken, Karen Stocke said. "We're all Democrats."

No matter what the dissenters say, this has been a thorough, fair, and painstaking process. The only thing I would change in statute, is that the Election Contest winner should receive an election certificate while the appeals continue. To make the state wait, regardless of who the victor is, seems so wrong.

Flash

Good Bye, Gene!

I am getting ready to leave for a funeral. Another neighborhood dad has passed!

Gene was one in a million! For those that recall the days of the Muscular Dystrophy carnivals, their house was the one that hosted it in our neighborhood. Consistently in the Top 10 money makers in the state, it was always the can't miss it event of the year. I recall one year they got Peter Lupus of Mission Impossible fame to attend.

Gene always had a wisecrack or a one liner to put a smile on your face. Today we say good bye, and many of those stories will be revisited.

Green Tea has more.

Thanks, Gene, I'll miss you!

Flash

New and Improved, DRAGRA

Taking a cue from this post, ~tilde, does what she does best:
The squint print is there, click to enlarge.

Senator Coleman's Dilemma

The former Senator must be weighing his choices as it relates to his political future. On one hand, he must remain true to his ideological piggy bank, ta assure he can pay off mounting legal debts. But on the other hand, a move beyond the election contest, especially if Al Franken increases his lead, could be political suicide.

With the Governor Pawlenty's decision on running for re-election still looming, you have to figure that the former Senator is considering that option. Taking this election fight to the next stage, one that would be even hard to overcome then the current election contest, will most certainly dilute the patience of the Minnesota electorate.

Diaz at the Strib discusses it:

And right now, the onus is on Coleman, the candidate whose prospects now appear dimmer. Since Franken was certified the recount leader in January, Coleman has been cast in the role of underdog.

"He's been faced with this dilemma at every single stage," Wolsborn said. "He has to think seriously about his professional goals. If he would like to run for governor, in case the governor wants to run for president, then there's a lot at stake in terms of his statewide appeal."

"At some point, if it looks like if all this is simply an effort to prevent the seating of Franken while important votes are up in the Senate, it could look like a denial of democracy," said Thomas Mann, a political analyst at the Brookings Institution in Washington. "It would certainly diminish Coleman's options for reentering public life."

Part of me thinks Coleman should fight for every last moment, further rendering himself politically impotent. Of course, I do have a heart, and hope that Senator Norm Coleman uses that bright and intelligent mind of his and recognizes that this was over several months ago, and maybe it is time to move on with his life, and his career.

Time will tell where his true loyalties lie. If it is with Minnesotans, this will be all over by the end of next wee.

Flash

UPDATE: Ollie writes with notification there is already a prescription for Sen Norm's political impotence, or more commonly known as Electile Dysfunction:

All around the world, politicians with electile dysfunction (ED) have taken 36-month DELAYUS as needed.

Today sore losers can be ready with another option, DELAYUS for daily news—a clinically proven low dose buzz that is talked every day. Talk to your spin doctor to see if a DELAYUS option is right for you.

UPDATE II: More from Ollie's Pharmaceuticals:

DRAGRA is an oral argument for electoral dysfunction (ED). It helps most politicians with ED take a lot of time to disprove their elections. That means they aren't able to overturn elections, just drag things out.

Losing an election is only half the story
Maintaining an election is just as important as losing one. DRAGRA can help with both. This can lead to a more satisfying court experience with your lawyers.

Who can take DRAGRA
DRAGRA has an established safety profile of over 10 years. It has been shown to work safely and effectively in politicians with ED. This includes:

* Republicans of all ages
* Republicans presidential candidates in Florida
* Norm Coleman

Find out if DRAGRA is right for you. Speak to your spin doctor. He can tell you if you have ED. And can recommend an effective treatment.

Who can't take DRAGRA
The citizens of Minnesota.

Non Fool

I am not the fool, no posting today