No Tube

Following the lead of a variety of other organizations, both public and private sector, the Defense Departments blocks YouTube and MySpace:

DENVER -- Soldiers serving overseas will lose some of their online links to friends and loved ones back home under a Department of Defense policy that a high-ranking Army official said would take effect Monday.

The Defense Department will begin blocking access "worldwide" to YouTube, MySpace and 11 other popular Web sites on its computers and networks, according to a memo sent Friday by Gen. B.B. Bell, the U.S. Forces Korea commander.

The policy is being implemented to protect information and reduce drag on the department's networks, according to Bell.

"This recreational traffic impacts our official DoD network and bandwidth ability, while posing a significant operational security challenge," the memo said.

This is a double edge sword. Where I understands the bandwidth issue, which is why St. Paul Schools has blocked YouTube specifically, I can appreciate the need or desire for soldiers overseas to use these sites to communicate with their friends and loved ones. As tours get automatically extended, you would think that these brave young men and women would be provided with appropriate options to stay in touch.

If the restrictions are intended to prevent soldiers from giving or receiving bad news, they could also prevent them from providing positive reports from the field, said Noah Shachtman, who runs a national security blog for Wired Magazine.

"This is as much an information war as it is bombs and bullets," he said. "And they are muzzling their best voices."

So what might look good on paper, may turn out to be stifling some of our better informational outlets.

Lets see what happens on this one.

Flash

Mothers' Day

I fine Mothers day tribute at Green Tea MN. It is a portion of a Eulogy given at a Mother's funeral.

Today is the age of Angels.
All over the world there is becoming a magical
awakening to the fact, there really are angels

Those of you that knew Gladys were witness to that fact. I think of her as the littlest angel, the wittiest one, the busiest, the one who giggles the most, the one who is the most fun to be around. She was young at Heart.

(skipping personal things)

This Angel left us many gifts. She left her children and grandchildren the gift of a great sense of humor, a warm acceptance of all people no matter what color or creed.
She left all of us the gift of friendship. This earth angel, the littlest angel has only passed on and she is waiting for us. I believe she is saying:

"Live life to the fullest and you will find that the greatest gift is our relationship with others."

Have a great Mothers' Day. I'll be sneaking out to my Mom's later this afternoon. You all should too!

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Fish Wrap Factory

The Cucking Stool was 'Spot' on in their analysis of the Grim Ridder. The pup commented on the recent employee purge at Fish Wrap Factory, West side of the river (© Dan Cole):

It is starting to look like the Grim Ridder not only wants to kill the body of the Star Tribune newspaper, he wants to steal its soul, too. Two experienced newspapermen identified as progressives—by the spittle-flecked boys at Powerline, anyway—will be leaving the paper. Both have long been on the head-hunting list of local conservative bloggers.

Spot is fun to read, so go check it out.

I am more concerned about losing 'Websearch', one of Randy Salas' must read offerings. At this rate, there won't be much left except the comics and box scores, and I can get them online.

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Happy Birthday!

Today, Minnesota turns 149 and begins the year long Sesquicentennial celebration.

Transportation Tango

Sack is the best, you know:

The Longest Tour

The First Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division just may hold the longevity badge for deployment in Iraq:

A National Guard that includes more than 2,000 Minnesotans could become the longest-serving National Guard unit in the Iraq war.

The Commander of the First Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division says his troops could remain in Iraq until August 1. That would result in a 22-month tour for the unit.

The unit was due to come home in March.

I've been hawkish through this war against terror, but I am becoming more and more frustrated with how the war is being navigated, and how the troops are being worn thin. This has to call into question our readiness at home and abroad.

The President has said he will turn over security of Iraq to the Iraqi people in November. I plan on holding him to that and then I expect to see a redeployment plan. More and more war proponents are expecting to see a change soon. I am becoming one of those who may expect something sooner, rather than later.

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How Low Can He Go!

via Newsweek:

It’s hard to say which is worse news for Republicans: that George W. Bush now has the worst approval rating of an American president in a generation, or that he seems to be dragging every ’08 Republican presidential candidate down with him. But According to the new NEWSWEEK Poll, the public’s approval of Bush has sunk to 28 percent, an all-time low for this president in our poll, and a point lower than Gallup recorded for his father at Bush Sr.’s nadir.33

And how does the President's low approvals effect the Republican nominee:

Obama beats the leading Republicans by larger margins than any other Democrat: besting Giuliani 50 to 43 percent, among registered voters; beating McCain 52 to 39 percent, and defeating Romney 58 percent to 29 percent.

Like Obama, Edwards defeats the Republicans by larger margins than Clinton does: the former Democratic vice-presidential nominee outdistances Giuliani by six points, McCain by 10 and Romney by 37, the largest lead in any of the head-to-head matchups. Meanwhile, Sen. Clinton wins 49 percent to 46 percent against Giuliani, well within the poll’s margin of error; 50 to 44 against McCain; and 57 to 35 against Romney.

It is just a moment in time, multiple months out from the General. But you have to be sweating it if your are anywhere to the Right of the spectrum.

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Prom Night

My Senior on his Prom night. He gets a double Prom, tonight is his, tomorrow is hers.

Here is a snapshot of the fetching couple.

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Expanding the SoroSphere

Another dot to connect. The Iowa Independent has launched. Yet another addition to the ever expanding SoroSphere, if you buy into that fiction. Personally, I think it is another great moment in independent journalism.

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Perpetual Surge?!?

The President said in January, during his surge speech, that he would turn over the security of Iraq to the Iraqi people in November of this year. Why is it so difficult to acknowledge what should happen next?

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Godspeed, Wally!

Wally Schirra has passed:

He was the only astronaut who flew in three of the nation's pioneering space programs: Mercury, Gemini and Apollo.

NASA selected Schirra as one of the first group of astronauts, along with Gordon Cooper, Scott Carpenter, John Glenn, Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom and Deke Slayton.

He flew on the fifth Project Mercury flight, orbiting the Earth six times on October 3, 1962, and was commander of the Gemini 6 flight, which launched December 15, 1965.

Schirra was commander of Apollo 7, the first manned flight of the Apollo spacecraft and the Saturn 1B rocket. He and crew mates Walter Cunningham and Donn Eisele successfully checked all the Apollo systems during the 11-day mission that launched October 11, 1968.

Scott Carpenter and John Glenn are the two surviving members of the original 7

From left to right, back row they are Alan Shepard, Virgil "Gus" Grissom and L. Gordon Cooper; front row, Walter Schirra, Donald "Deke" Slayton, John Glenn and Scott Carpenter.

Senate Class of 2008

The Fix douses The Hills thought that the RNC Senatorial committee is in trouble:

the history of the past two election cycles shows that the field of Senate candidates is usually not settled until late in the off-year, if not well into the actual election year.

At this time in the 2006 cycle, just three of Democrats' top-tier candidates -- Bob Casey Jr. (Pa.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.) -- were declared candidates. Two others -- Bernie Sanders (Vt.) and Jon Tester (Mont.) -- had declared by the end of May 2005. But other candidates who went on to win in '06, including Jim Webb (Va.), Sherrod Brown (Ohio) and Claire McCaskill (Mo.), waited until late 2005 or even early 2006 before making clear that they would run.

Jump back an additional cycle to 2004, when Republicans had arguably their best recruiting class in decades. Three top-teir candidates had declared by May 2003 -- Johnny Isakson (Ga.), Richard Burr (N.C.) and Jim DeMint (S.C.). But Mel Martinez (Fla.) and John Thune (S.D.) didn't declare until January 2004, and Tom Coburn wasn't in the race until March 2004.

The point here is simply that it is WAY too early to even attempt to make any predictions. I believe both sides recognize that the Dems are in better shape. The GOP needs to take close inventory of their probable tactics going into the '08 election season, especially as it relates to their thin stable of Presidential hopefuls.
While the Left has two competent and qualified candidates at the top, two more knocking on their door, and a variety of third tier options, they are hedged pretty well. The Right can't say the same.

The fix does, however, go into some analysis of a few of the key races, state by state. Here is their take on Minnesota:

MINNESOTA: Comedian Al Franken and wealthy attorney Mike Ciresi are in the race to challenge incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman (R). Franken has the name identification and fund raising prowess to make a serious run against Coleman, but there are concerns about how some of his past statements will play in Minnesota. Ciresi funded his own race in 2000 but lost the primary to another self-funder -- former Sen. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.). Not a perfect situation but a good one for Democrats.

Unlike Kennedy, who really never had a chance, Coleman has been playing the moderate dance well enough to remain competitive. As much as those on the Left despise him, the Senator has done just enough to remain in relatively good favor with the MN Moderate electorate. This race is Coleman's to loose. However, that might be one of the very few brights spots for the National Republicans. As you look at the seats that are up, it still looks like the Dems are set for some more gains.

Flash

Cheaters

via the STRIB:

Why listen to music on an iPod when you can download notes or dictation into it, pretend you're listening to music and cheat on a final exam?

Actually, it is an interesting article pointing at the reality that is time. These students tend to spend more time and effort getting out of something then they would spend if they jsut did it the correct and honorable way.

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Al-Masri's Dead?!?

via WaPo:

Tuesday, May 1, 2007; 7:10 AM

BAGHDAD -- Iraqi officials have received reports that the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq was killed by Sunni tribesmen, but the chief government spokesman said Tuesday the information has not been confirmed.

The statement by spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh followed a welter of reports from other Iraqi officials that Abu Ayyub al-Masri had been killed. Iraqi officials have released similar reports in the past, only to acknowledge later they were inaccurate.

U.S. officials said they could not confirm the reported death.

On one hand, they are probably a dozen of his type waiting in line to assume his role. But as we pick on each and everyone of these criminals, their talent pool is dwindling!

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Presidential Primping

via Cagle:

Dem Debate in South Carolina

Tonight we will begin to see whom in the Democratic field is a Presidential contender . . . or pretender:

"People are going to be able to see these candidates face to face for the first time and start to evaluate them," said Joe Erwin, chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party. "Each candidate has supporters, but a lot of people are still shopping."

While the media focuses on Obama and Clinton with a hat tip to Edwards, the other five prospects have a chance to show their stuff:

Five other contenders who are trying to elbow their way into the top tier also will participate -- Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, Sens. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut and Joseph Biden of Delaware, Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich and former Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska.

I suspect that after tonight, a gorge will be created between the top and the bottom. It will be interesting to see if one of the 'five' can jump that crevice before it gets to daunting.

WHAT: South Carolina 2008 Democratice Presidential Debate
WHO: All Eight Candidates
WHERE: Orangeburg, South Carolina on the SC State Campus
WHEN: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Central Time
TV: MSNBC will have live coverage including pre and post debate analysis.

Flash

UPDATE: I have the TIVO set up, as I have a prior commitment since it is the annual SPIF (St. Paul Issues Forum) Membership Meeting tonight. However, The Fix will be there live-blogging. They have isolated each candidates' status and challenges going into the debate. Here is a sample:

Bill Richardson: As anyone who has spent any time with Richardson knows, the New Mexico governor is immensely personable and charming. And as anyone who has spent any time with Richardson also knows, he tends to go off message rather regularly -- much to the chagrin of his campaign advisers. All of those traits are likely to be on display tonight. Richardson needs to use this debate (and the myriad others scheduled in the coming months) to show viewers that he belongs in the first tier with Edwards, Obama and Clinton. How can he do that? By highlighting his experience as a chief executive (the only one left in the field) and contrasting what the three senators have said versus what he has done.

Testing Tangle

We finished the new online testing yesterday. This was a high maintenance journey to comply with a new testing instrument specifically for ELL (English Language Learners). The first day last week was filled with issues, but the succeeding days everything smoothed out. Yesterday, my lab ran virtually flawlessly. The other, larger lab, hit some bumps at the beginning of the process, but later smoothed out to complete the task.

It appears that other districts had far greater problems than we had:

Computer problems forced the shutdown of the new online statewide test in Minnesota this week, when one-fourth of the school districts using the test couldn't run the program.

The problem involved the alternative state math test for 26,000 English as a Second Language students.

The test malfunctioned in 26 of the 99 school districts using it, according to Minnesota Department of Education spokesman Randy Wanke.

The instrument itself is a great concept, but poorly designed. The very rudimental process of scrambling the questions so students weren't sitting next to each other on the same question was not in the code. Maybe when the government imposes these mandates they will include some Educational techno geeks to be part of the process. Education Commissioner Alice Seagren, have your people contact my people, I have some changes and adjustments in mind.

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Best Of . . .

The annual Spring ritual is upon us. City Pages has released their Best of the Twin Cities for 2007.

CONGRATULATIONS to Spot and MNObserver for capturing the "BEST LOCALLY GENERATED BLOG (LEFT-WING)" says CP:

Written by an anthropomorphized Dalmatian from Edina named Spot, and MNObserver, a lawyer and mother from St. Paul, the Cucking Stool delivers its partisan bons mots with humor, bordering on partisan snark but tempered by the self-deprecating notion that the author poops in the backyard and drinks out of a toilet. Spot, that is—not MNObserver.

No word yet on when they will ever add a Best Blog for us Moderates.

Others of Note:
BEST ARCHITECTUAL TIME CAPSULE:St. Paul Union Depot: Worth a walk through anytime you are nearby. The Light Rail had hoped to revitalize this historic landmark. However, recent cost cutting options may for the LRT line to stop short of the intended end of the line at the Union Depot.

BEST BOONDOGGLE
Corn ethanol: I wonder what Tom, at Sky Blue Waters, will say about this one.

BEST PLACE TO PEOPLE-WATCH
Minnehaha Park on a warm spring day: No out of town visitor to my house is allwowed to return home without a visit to the Falls and a walk down to the river. And for a double bonus, guess where the BEST FISHING HOLE (URBAN) is!

BEST SCANDAL
Norm Coleman Sr.'s special delivery: The behavior of poppy should have no bearing on Juniors re-eletion efforts. However, if his party was fifferent, it would, cause that is just how the Right works.

I didn't have time to go through them all this AM. So expect me to highlight items from some of the other catgegories as time permits.


Flash

Buy Bill Sell John

via The Billings Gazette:

This is partly an expectations game. McCain was long considered the Republican frontrunner, so when he trailed both Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney in the fundraising sweepstakes, the whiff of disappointment was unmistakable. McCain only aggravated the anxiety surrounding his campaign by firing staffers and re-organizing his finance team.

Richardson, on the other hand, has long been relegated to second-tier status, so his money numbers marked a surprising success. And then, in an unscientific but widely noticed straw poll, conducted by the grassroots organization MoveOn.org, Richardson finished second to John Edwards.

and then they lay it out for everyone to see:

Gubernatorial advantage

Bill Richardson will turn 60 next fall and seems full of energy. In recent months he has traveled to Darfur and North Korea on diplomatic missions, which underscores the fact that he has actually held more government posts than any candidate in either party.

Congressman, cabinet secretary, U.N. ambassador and now, two-term governor. And remember, we elect governors, not senators. In the past 30 years four governors have won the presidency; in our entire history, only two senators have accomplished that feat.

I am really liking this guy more and more everyday.

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News IQ Correlation

A recent Pew Research Study sampled the "Public Knowledge of Current Affairs". They then went a step further and correlated that with the preferred news source of the individuals. The results may surprise you, or not!:

Yeap, the most savvy on current events watched . . wait for it . . . The Daily Show and the Colbert Report. And what comes as no shock to me, is what those on the lower end of the Current Events IQ scale are watching; FoxNews.

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A Day of Mourning

The West Virginia Blogger created a list of the victims with their MySpace pages. I have posted that list below. Please visit WV Blogger for complete details and updates.

Today we mourn, for tomorrow we must begin to heal our hearts and work together as a community to cure that which ills our society.

Maxine Turner, Vienna, Va.
Senior, Chemical Engineering

Henry Lee; Roanoke, Va.
Freshman, Computer Engineering

Matt La Porte, Dumont, N.J.
Freshman, University Studies

Christopher J. Bishop, 35 yr. old Georgia Native
Instructor, Foreign Languages and Literatures (German)

G.V. Loganathan, 51 yrs. old from Chennai India
Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Juan Ortiz, 26 yrs. old from Puerto Rico
Graduate Student, Civil Engineering

Jarrett Lane, 22 yrs. old from Narrows, Va.
Senior, Civil Engineering

Ryan “stack” Clark, 22 yrs. old from Martinez, Ga.
Senior, Biology, English, Psychology

Leslie Sherman
Sophomore, History and International Studies

Caitlin Hammaren, 19 yrs. old from Westtown, NY
Sophomore, International Studies and French

Liviu Librescu| alternate page, 76 yr old Israel native and holocaust survivor
Professor, Engineering Science & Mechanics

Kevin Granata
Professor, Engineering Science; Mechanics

Reema Samaha, Centreville, Va.
Freshman

Emily Hilscher, 19 yrs old from Woodville, Va.
Freshman, Animal and Poultry Sciences, Equine Science

Ross Abdallah Alameddine, 19 yrs. old from Saugus, Mass.
English Major

Mary Karen Read , 19 yrs. old from Annandale, Va.

Daniel O’Neil, from Lincoln, R.I.

Julia Pryde, 23 yrs. old from Middletown, N.J.
Department of Biological Sciences grad student

Daniel Perez Cueva, 21 yrs. old from Peru
Studying International relations

Jocelyne Couture-Nowak, from Montreal
French language teacher

Jeremy Herbstritt, 27 yrs. old from Johnstown, Penn.
Grad student studying civil engineering.

Austin Cloyd, Majoring in international studies.

Brian Bluhm, 25 yrs. old from Winchester, Va.
Master’s student in water resources.

Lauren McCain, 20 yrs. old
International studies major

Michael Pohle, 23 yrs. old from Flemington, N.J.
Degree in biological sciences.

Rachel Elizabeth Hill, 18 yrs. old

Erin Peterson, from Centreville, Va.

Minal Panchal, 26 yrs. old from Mumbai, India
Grad student in building Sciences

Waleed Shaalan, In his late 20's from Egypt
Engineering

Nicole Regina White, 20 yrs. old from Carrollton, Va.
International studies; German

Matthew G. Gwaltney, 24 yrs. old from Chester, Va.
Grad student in civil and environmental engineering

Partahi Lombantoruan, 34 yrs. old from Indonesia
Civil engineering doctoral student

Darkness before Sunlight

I was pointed to the Sunlight Foundation yesterday to learn that a Senator has placed one of those double secret holds on a piece of legislation. The legislation is simple, and cures an outdated ill of the Senate's current FEC reporting process. WaPo explains:

Instead of filing forms electronically, as candidates for president do, senators print their reports and deliver them to the clerk's office. The staff scans them into a computer so they can be electronically transmitted to the Federal Election Commission. The FEC then prints the forms again and hires workers to type the data into a database so it can finally be made public online.

You would think the party of small efficient government would embrace this upgrade in procedure. However, that is not what is happening:

(B)efore Feingold's bill could move forward, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) rose and announced, "Mr. President, on behalf of a Republican senator, I object."

Steven Weissman, a Campaign finance reform advocate, paints a pretty clear picture:

"Secrecy is being used to reinforce secrecy."

Ahhhh . . . the New GOP, what's good for the goose, shouldn't apply to the gander!

Flash

More Media Missteps

I watched ESPN this morning. Usually I have CNN on, or the CBS morning show. Unfortunately it is all Cho all the time. I grieve for the victims and families of Virginia Tech, and wish the Media would spend as much time telling us about their lives. But that is not to be. With the 'package' received by NBC, this crazed lunatic, Cho, is receiving the glory he so desperately searched.

I was embarrassed for us when I saw his double fisted weaponry displayed on the front page of the Strib, and cringe as much now as I did the first time they played his Video Manifesto.

My comments about the Imus fluff pointed out my dismay that the media was more to blame for thrusting those despicable comments into the public domain. And now I am even more perturbed that NBC and the rest of the mainstream press are giving this crazy man the amount of face time they are. It is only queuing up the next dick head who now knows how to fill your TV screens.

If you still aren't sure where I am coming from, this graphic should clinch it for you. It was drawn during the I-mess, but is just as valid today, and most likely in the future as well!


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V Tech Tragedy

We've all heard of the horror at Virginia Tech by now. Filling the morning shows are updates of the nightmare, and the desire by various public institutions to re-evaluate their security plans.

Yesterday, Mitch at SitD, posted 'My Advice To My Kids'. Several of his comments made sense. The basic premise was to run and run fast as it is harder to hit a moving target. But he carries it a bit too far when he suggests that students should ignore lock down policies. My comment:

There is a variety of reason that a lock down is preferred. You never know if there is someone sitting outside ready to pick you off as you hop out that window, and there is no telling what is going on in the halls. We are to lock down, go to the safest area away from the door so we are not seen and we have the lights off. We are to not open the door or answer it for anyone INCLUDING the principal. For you to even hint at creating a panic where kids should run rampant in an attempt to ‘escape’ is unfortunate.

Hindsight is always 20/20, and after each event like this, lock down rules are reviewed and procedures adjusted to provide the safest environment possible for the kids.

My heart and prayers go out to the victims of this tragedy along with courage to the administrators throughout the country who are now tasked with making us all safer in this fluid world we live in.

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WaPo World

My Internet is down at home. The beginning of a transition to a new ISP. I still don't have the software, yet, so I am hoping it comes in todays mail or I will be dead in the water another day. We can't have that now, can we!

I am leaving the confines of my local ISP (TCQ.net) to sign on with the MSN/Qwest package. I'll jump from 256k DSL to 1.5 Mbp and it will be a dollar less than what the combination of Qwest/TCQ was. Seems like a no brainer, providing they can get me online with minimal down time.

So here are some WaPo link to bide your time and hopfully later today I'll have more time after getting my new connection up and running.

Poll shows Attorney firings were political:

Two thirds of Americans, including a narrow majority of Republicans, see political motivations behind last year's firings of eight chief federal prosecutors. But the nation is deeply divided along partisan lines about whether Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales should lose his job over the scandal.

Obama raised more, but Hillary has more:

Sen. Barack Obama raised more money than Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton for their Democratic primary clash during the first three months of the year, but Clinton heads into spring with more in her campaign account than all Republican presidential candidates combined.

and finally, a lead in to Tax day. Unpaid taxes Tough to Recover:

Judging from his tax returns, Dinh Kim Huynh wasn't getting rich in the manicure business. In 2000, Huynh and his wife claimed taxable income of just $7,578 from their two nail salons in Southern Maryland -- so little that they qualified for a tax credit for the working poor. Their tax bill was $195.

But like millions of American business owners who trade primarily in cash, Huynh was not altogether honest with the Internal Revenue Service. When IRS agents poked around, they discovered four cars in Huynh's name, including a $77,000 Mercedes; receipts for diamonds and Rolexes in a closet at his Waldorf home; and a videotape of Huynh flashing a five-carat ring during the purchase of yet another vehicle at a local Honda dealership, court records show.

Hatch raised a similar issue with the loopholes in corporate taxes and off shore escapes. Before the state, or federal Government for that matter, roll the dice on a knee jerk tax increase, they should build legislation tightening the loopholes that allow for the Corporate escape and Huynh's of the world.

That should keep you busy for a while.

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Ward 4 Convention Coverage

I thought of poking my nose into Hancock for the 4th Ward's endorsing convention. I really should get more involved in local politics, but the far left elements of the city stray far from my more grounded left leaning moderacy. Maybe once the kids are out of the house that will free up my schedule a bit.

There is GREAT blogosphere coverage of the event at MNBlue. For a more cynical perspective, give Wege a visit (Part 1, Part 2). He doesn't hold anything back. Would you expect anything different from him *laughing*.

Flash

Imus in Toon

This one is the most consistent with what I have been feeling about this whole kerfluffle:

Which should not deter from the fact that what Imus said was simply despicable. But I believe it was a commentor at SitD who said some thing like

"A shock Jock says something shocking and everyone is shocked?!?"

However, this final snapshot is the best rendering of the current state of this issue:

The rest are here.

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What Liberal Media?!

Strib Headline: County DFL fined over Hatch lawn signs

The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board ordered the Lac qui Parle County DFL and its treasurer to pay $3,000 apiece for violating six campaign reporting regulations.

7 total paragraphs all BUT one talking about the fine and allegations against Mike Hatch and others. What is in that sole paragraph at the end of the story:

Separately, the board fined the state Republican Party $3,000 for using the wrong disclaimer on a brochure produced on behalf of Phil Krinkie, who was running for reelection to the state House.

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Snakes and Arrows

Rush is releasing a new album this Spring, before hitting the tour trail. Presales for the September 9th date at the Excel became available just a few moments ago. Boy did I get lucky

MAIN FLOOR, RIGHT SIDE, ROW 18

Man am I pumped!!

Flash

Gov. Richardson in North Korea

Presidential hopeful, Gov. Bill Richardson, is on an administration authorized mission to North Korea to recover remains from the Korean Conflict. But the North Korean's weren't going to pass up a boasting opportunity:

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on Monday toured a U.S. warship captured by North Korea in the 1960s that is now used to inspire anti-American sentiment in the reclusive communist regime.

The North Korea colonel who served as Richardson's guide smiled as he told the governor the ship was an example of continued U.S. aggression toward his country. Richardson and his traveling companion, former Veteran Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi, were then shown bullet holes circled in red paint and a video describing the maneuvering of "brazen-faced U.S. imperialists."

The Governor commented:

"Despite the success with the remains, this is a relationship with a lot of tension, and this shows that," Richardson told reporters after the tour.

He called the Pueblo visit "a lot of propaganda, but we're guests here."

The Governor continues to display the most impressive resumé of active presidential candidates from either side of the aisle. Soon the US electorate will start to catch on and the race for the White House will become even more interesting than it already is.

Flash

The Blogger Code of Conduct

The NYTimes brings us a movement to establish a Blogger 'Code of Conduct' like this:

Chief among the recommendations is that bloggers consider banning anonymous comments left by visitors to their pages and be able to delete threatening or libelous comments without facing cries of censorship.

The current draft of the Code is posted on the Blogging Wiki:

The Bloggers Code of Conduct

We celebrate the blogosphere because it embraces frank and open conversation. But frankness does not have to mean lack of civility. We present this Blogger Code of Conduct in hopes that it helps create a culture that encourages both personal expression and constructive conversation. One can disagree without being disagreeable.

1. We take responsibility for our own words and for the comments we allow on our blog.

We are committed to the "Civility Enforced" standard: we will not post unacceptable content, and we'll delete comments that contain it.

We define unacceptable content as anything included or linked to that:

* is being used to abuse, harass, stalk, or threaten others
* is libelous, knowingly false, ad-hominem, or misrepresents another person,
* infringes upon a copyright or trademark
* violates an obligation of confidentiality
* violates the privacy of others

We define and determine what is "unacceptable content" on a case-by-case basis, and our definitions are not limited to this list. If we delete a comment or link, we will say so and explain why. [We reserve the right to change these standards at any time with no notice.]

2. We won't say anything online that we wouldn't say in person.

3. If tensions escalate, we will connect privately before we respond publicly.

When we encounter conflicts and misrepresentation in the blogosphere, we make every effort to talk privately and directly to the person(s) involved--or find an intermediary who can do so--before we publish any posts or comments about the issue.

4. When we believe someone is unfairly attacking another, we take action.

When someone who is publishing comments or blog postings that are offensive, we'll tell them so (privately, if possible) and ask them to publicly make amends. If those published comments could be construed as a threat, and the perpetrator doesn't withdraw them and apologize, we will cooperate with law enforcement to protect the target of the threat.

5. We do not allow anonymous comments.

We require commenters to supply a valid email address before they can post, though we allow commenters to identify themselves with an alias, rather than their real name.

6. We ignore the trolls.

We prefer not to respond to nasty comments about us or our blog, as long as they don't veer into abuse or libel. We believe that feeding the trolls only encourages them--"Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty, but the pig likes it." Ignoring public attacks is often the best way to contain them.

7. We encourage blog hosts to enforce more vigorously their terms of service

When bloggers engage in such flagrantly abusive behavior as creating impersonating sites to harass other bloggers they should take responsibility for their clients' behavior.

There is also a proposal to have a range of rules:

For example, anonymous writing might be acceptable in one set; in another, it would be discouraged. Under a third set of guidelines, bloggers would pledge to get a second source for any gossip or breaking news they write about.

Bloggers could then pick a set of principles and post the corresponding badge on their page, to indicate to readers what kind of behavior and dialogue they will engage in and tolerate. The whole system would be voluntary, relying on the community to police itself.

Personally, people should do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Problems is, there is a wide range of opinion as to what the 'right thing' is.

Flash

RIP Johnny Hart

I saw this in the funnies this AM:Turns out it was one of his last. "He died at his storyboard", yesterday:

ALBANY, New York (AP) -- Cartoonist Johnny Hart, whose award-winning "B.C." comic strip appeared in more than 1,300 newspapers worldwide, died Saturday while working at his home in Endicott, New York. He was 76.

"He had a stroke," Hart's wife, Bobby, said Sunday. "He died at his storyboard."

"B.C.," populated by prehistoric cavemen and dinosaurs, was launched in 1958 and eventually appeared in more than 1,300 newspapers with an audience of 100 million, according to Creators Syndicate Inc., which distributes it.

"He was generally regarded as one of the best cartoonists we've ever had," Hart's friend Mell Lazarus, creator of the "Momma" and "Miss Peach" comic strips, said from his California home. "He was totally original. 'B.C.' broke ground and led the way for a number of imitators, none of which ever came close."

Happy Easter v2007

via Cagle

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.

The Other Season

What lies ahead the next 6 months:And thats just the metro map. Details are here.

Flash

Twins win, 3-0 Start

Thanks to "The Dr.", for serving up some very nice seats for the Twins game last night. Although the tix say row 7, row 1-3 is the Twins Dugout, so we were actually 4 rows back. See for your self:

Support Cursor.org

Long before many of us even knew what blogging was, Cursor was cultivating links and writing tight copy to entice you to click along. I've only recently discovered this faunt of information. Here is your chance to find out what you have been missing, and chip in a few bucks to keep them around even longer. There is a T-Shirt in it for you.

Flash

Richardson Makes His Move

Gov. Bill Richards is beginning to distance himself from the other 2nd tier candidates. His fund raising success, and shocking victory in Presidential Madness clearly show his candidacy is credible.

Although less than the money makers at the top, Richardson's 6 million dollar effort (with 5 million in the coffers) is a boost to his candidacy:

The $6 million dollars raised by Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico would, in 2004, be seen as a triumph. We're impressed by the campaign's $5 million cash on hand, which indicates a low burn rate. Still, Richardson has a fully functioning policy staff -- his gubernatorial executive office -- and he spends half his time or more tending to the business of his state. So he hasn't had to spend as much money as the rest of the lot.

Says Pahl Shipley, Richardson's communications director: "We're very pleased with where we are. We're on goal, on budget, and we're in it for the duration."

The supportive comments mention many of the reason I like Bill, especially his broad based experience:

Hopefully, the rest of the country will start to discover what we New Mexicans know - Bill is the most qualified candidate in the race. Fill in this experience chart for the other candidates:
FOREIGN POLICY - UN Ambassador
DIPLOMACY - The diplomat of choice when there is a problem,i.e., North Korea, Sudan, Iraq and others.
ENERGY - Secy. of Energy and Governor of an energy-producing state who believes in conservation.
IMMIGRATION - Governor of a border state dealing with the issue daily.
ADMINISTRATOR - Running a State Government, not just a Senate office.

And another testament:

Bill Richardson may not have movie star good looks, but America isn't a movie. It's not only real, but it has real problems, problems that Bill Richardson is far and away, the best qualified to solve, not only by virtue of his leadership, qualifications and diversity of experience, but because of his honesty, candor and truthfulness he will bring to the White House. Bill will unite our Country to solve problems at home, and re-establish our moral leadership and strength around the world.

But that wasn't the only good news for the Governor this week. ProgressNowAction held there own little Final Four called Presidential Madness. The Governor was seeded 4th, top of the 2nd tier. Hilary was given the #1 slot, followed by Obama with Edwards at 3. In this non scientific poll, Richardson easily handled VP Gore in the #5 slot, and then shocked even myself by defeating the #1 seed Sen Clinton. Just when I thought that would be his peak, Bill complete the upset run by tackling Sen Obama, and it wasn't even close:

Richardson came out ahead of Illinois Senator Barack Obama by almost 20% in the final round.

This little fun and games may not be a scientific representation of the current state of the race, but it very well could be a precursor to what the future holds.

Flash

Kline Kontrols Konstituents

MN Monitor has the best coverage of John Klines 'Town Hall' event. The only controversy it seemed was the tale of two sets of rules. GOP Bloggers didn't seem to get the Meme that MN Monitor received directly from Kline's staff. No Live Blogging:

Had Jeff chosen to blog from the event via phone after being asked by the staff not to, he would have broken the rules of the event that were set out by Kline's staff to him. Obviously, you were given different rules.

Classic manipulation by the Right. Two sets of rules, for the two 'Universes' they have created. And to think that President Bush ran as a uniter not a divider. I think he has created one of the deepest chasm in political history.

Jeff Fecke of MN Monitor did file a story after the event. And it is clear he did not let his experiences with the Kline Staff effect his professional reporting of the story:

A town hall meeting held in Lakeville by Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., drew an enthusiastic and passionate crowd on Tuesday night. But strong arguments and questions from both sides of the aisle did not translate into any significant rancor.

In a two hour session, Kline heard from constituents on a variety of issues, but the Iraq war was the dominant theme from supporters and opponents alike. Constituents also highlighted concerns about union organizing, postal reorganization, education, and immigration.

While rhetoric at times grew heated, all sides remained reasonably civil, and generally behaved according to guidelines put out by both Kline's staff and by anti-war protesters.

Read the rest, it is like you were actually there.

Inside MN Politics has some early video up, with a promise of some more. Also some comments from Christopher Truscott.

Flash

UPDATE: YouTube:

Small Bump Along the Road of Life

Not long after I got home yesterday, I received a phone call from Mom. Dad's in the hospital. It doesn't sound too serious (Gall Bladder issue), but with a 77 year old man, you never know what may be serious. Other than that, he is healthy as can be and still working as a controller/accountant for a manufacturing firm. I doubt this will slow him down much, if at all.

I talked to him this AM and he was his fiesty ole self, making it clear that 'this is no fun place to be'. I'll be off in a bit to pay him a visit. Your thoughts are appreciated.

Flash

LIVEBLOG: Connecting with Government

Sen. Klobuchar has been introduced, she will be speaking on Environment and global climate change. Also in attendance is Vice President Mondale, and I did have a moment to visit briefly with famed STRIB Columnist Jim Klobuchar.

The Senator is taking a moment to review the successes of the congressional session to date, highlighting the minimum wage increase and the passing of the 9/11 commission recommendations. She shared several humorous anecdotes as her and her family make the adjustment to Beltway lifestyle.

We begin:

A Universe of Opportunities: Technology and innovations will be the key to solving our climate crisis.

Science of climate change report concluded that changes in climate are effecting biological processes. Early reports will indicate that coastlines are experiencing rising sea levels.

Weather related economic damages have increased almost $300 Billion worldwide.

This issue has left the scientists and science labs and into the conversations of every day individuals. There is an outpouring of support for change. Even business leaders are stepping forward and demanding actions seeking tangible results.

New leadership against the fight of global warming, specifically the 2025 legislation. Governor's from 5 Western states are working together.

Taking Action:
- Establish a 'Cap and Trade' system
- Create a Carbon Counter
- Strengthen energy efficiency and conservation efforts
- Promote greater vehicle efficiency
- Promote renewable energy
- Harness the potential of the agriculture sector to develop renewable energy
- Lead the International community

(Franken is here)

Ethanol has proven to be one of the great successes in Minnesota's economy.

(Tom from Sky Blue Waters is here. Also Michael Brodkorb from MDE, along with Jeff Fecke from BotML/MN Monitor)

The address has concluded. Very informative and filled with specifics. I am still one of those who think we should promote energy efficiency and conservation because it is the right thing to do, not necessarily spend time arguing whether Global Climate change is real, or just a cyclical weather pattern we are experiencing as our planet evolves. The Center, along with Larry Jacobs, are now seated at center stage, away from the podium to have a 'conversation' and take questions from the audience.

Via Jeff:

12:47--Says that according to Xcel, energy efficiency can be achieved with no rate increase. Also notes that DuPont saved billions by reducing greenhouse emissions. And that unchecked global warming would have devastating effects to the economy.

Amy states she is a big fan of allowing the states to act, but that we need Federal standards as well. Recognizes growth in regional mass transit and pumps commuter rail, specifically the North Star.

Question on the competition that bio fuels will have on the food supply: As we get more and more refined in our technology, we will get better at increasing output. We need to go down this road smartly and gradually. We need to be aware of the environmental effects. We need to build on those as we move on to the next stage. So many of our farmers have diversified.

When asked what people can do now, the Senator mentions the rally on April 14 (Noon - 4:00) at the Captol.

I'll have some closing remarks later this afternoon.

Flash

Connecting with Government

I have been invited to sit in Blogger's row for the inaugural lecture of the 'Center for the Study of Politics and Governance'; Connecting with Government series. Senator Klobuchar will be doing the kick off. Others slated for the series include:

Congresswoman Betty McCollum
Monday, April 9, 2007
Noon - 1:00 p.m.

Congressman Tim Walz
Thursday, April 12, 2007
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Congressman Jim Ramstad
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Noon - 1:30 p.m.

Although I will have live access at the site, watch for my comments later int he afternoon, or tomorrow morning.

Flash

To the Press Box in the Sky

Herb Carneal, the voice of the Twins since 1962, is gone. A legend in Minnesota sport's broadcasting has passed.

I remember Ray Scott more for his network experiences, but I grew up with Halsey Hall and Herb Carneal. As I reached my teen years, Hall retired, and Herb become the stalwart.
I almost always have the radio tuned in to the Twins, but especially for those home games to catch Herb and his calls. In 1998, he had downsized himself to limited duty, but that didn't effect his delivery.

The final voice of my youth has been silenced. With the move to KSTP, this season was already going to have a different feel to it on the airwaves. But now that Herb is gone, it won't ever be the same.

Flash

Tapping Mayor RyeBock

My regular downtown haunt, Rock Bottom Brewery, will be tapping a special recipe this evening (Thursday; 3/29/07). In honor of the Mayor of Minneapolis, they are introducing RT RyeBock.

No word on whether the mayor himself will be there, but I would be surprised if he wasn't. Nevertheless, The Doctor and I will be in attendance.

Tapping is at 6:00. If you make it down, ask any of the bartenders where 'Flash' is, they will know where I am hiding.

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07-08 SPPS School Calendar

The most recent draft of next year's school calendar finally incorporates a change that I have advocated for some time. St. Paul, due to the proximity of the School Bus Garage to the State Fair Grounds, is virtually forced to start school the Tuesday after Labor Day. Fair traffic is a challenge already. To even consider having buses maneuver in that area, especially in the afternoon, is simply not feasible. Because of that, School has been running until mid June, this year getting out on June 13th.

I have always thought 2 weeks off for the holiday break was excessive. Another myth involving the Holiday break is that although staff is forced to take those two weeks off, they only get paid for one of them. Not a great time of year to get half a pay check. The most significant change in the proposed adjustment to the 07/08 calendar is to trim the holiday break to 7 days, instead of 10. This helps, shift the end of the school year to a more reasonable June 5th date.

I'll be watching to see if this common sense calendar adjustment makes it to the final version.

Flash

Senate Race Rumor Mongering

I am hearing rumblings that Speaker of the House Kelliher just might dip her toes in the US Senate race waters. Curious as to what my readers may think of:

A) the likelihood of this happening, and

B) her chances.

Flash

Waiting For November

As you peruse these, highlighted by the one below, understand I would have voted against the funding bill with provisions for any type of immediate troop withdrawal. To begin pulling troops now would effect the successes we are seeing with the surge, and retrict our commanders on the ground.

There is no reason we have to lay out our strategy to outsiders. The President said he would turn over Iraqi security by November, and then begin re-evaluation troop strengths at that time. I will hold him to it. We can't be there at this level forever, can we!?!

Flash

Shut and Open Case

Shut:

Goodling's refusal to testify illustrates the rising political and legal stakes surrounding the removal of the federal prosecutors, and underscores the fissures developing among Gonzales and his current and former senior aides as the attorney general struggles to keep his job.

The decision means a senior aide to the nation's top law enforcement official is in the remarkable position of refusing to testify for fear of implicating herself in a crime. Her lawyer portrays the move as strategic and says she has done nothing wrong.

Open:

Goodling's refusal contrasts sharply with the approach of her onetime colleague D. Kyle Sampson, Gonzales's former chief of staff, who resigned March 12: He has agreed to testify before the same Senate committee. Sampson has also disputed allegations by Gonzales and others that he withheld information about White House participation in the firings, which were initially portrayed as a routine Justice Department personnel matter undertaken without significant White House involvement.

Sampson is expected to testify that "the fact that the White House and Justice Department had been discussing this subject for several years was well known" to many senior Justice officials, including Goodling and others who had briefed department witnesses, according to a statement issued by his attorney March 16.

Whacking Fredo!

Raw Story on Frank Rich's NYT Op-Ed:

Once Gonzales can no longer fulfill his role of protecting the president, he will be tossed overboard, Rich surmises in the column entitled "When Will Fredo Get Whacked?" Fredo is a reference to a character from the still-to-this-day bestselling Mario Puzo book, The Godfather, which was turned into a critically acclaimed film trilogy by director Francis Ford Coppola. In the cultural classic, Frederico "Fredo" Corleone ends up being killed by his own brother, new Godfather Michael, after betraying "the family."

"In popular culture, Fredo has become representative of the 'weak link' of an organization," an entry at Wikipedia explains. "Referring to someone as 'Fredo' indicates that the person is not competent enough to be trusted with important tasks or knowledge. It is usually used to suggest not treachery, but weakness and stupidity."

Ole Frank Rich didn't pull any punches on this one!

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BasketBlogging v.03.25.07

I'm holding my own with two of my final 4 in, and North Carlina posied to make it three. My bracket buster Wisconsin was my 4th but they are long gone. My board is actually in pretty good shape yet. And if Ohio St. pulls it off I'll have another pretty good year.

Notice my first round, 29 out of 32. Thought that was pretty impressive.

Flash

Best Wishes, Elizabeth!

I was prepared to publish a different type of post today. But with the recent developments in the Edwards campaign, I have decided to delay that screed:

Former senator John Edwards (D-N.C.) and his wife, Elizabeth, have scheduled a news conference for noon today in their home state of North Carolina, in what aides described as a major development in his 2008 presidential bid.

Advisers declined to discuss the details of the hastily arranged announcement ahead of time. "He's talking tomorrow," said Jonathan Prince, Edwards's deputy campaign manager, last night. "Listen to what he says tomorrow."

The appearance comes on the heels of a last-minute decision by Edwards this week to cancel an event in Iowa to accompany his wife to a doctor's appointment on Wednesday. Elizabeth Edwards was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of her husband's unsuccessful 2004 campaign as the Democratic vice presidential nominee. She subsequently underwent extensive treatment.

What I had to share can wait another day or two. Sometimes it is best to put life into perspective and in times like this, politics just doesn't seem important.

Flash

UPDATE:

John Edwards is suspending his campaign for President, and may drop out completely, because his wife has suffered a recurrence of the cancer that sickened her in 2004, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, an Edwards friend told The Politico.

"At a minimum he's going to suspend" the campaign, the source said. "Nobody knows precisely how serious her recurrence is. It’ll be another couple of days before there’s complete clarity."

UPDATE II: Not so fast:

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (CNN) -- Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said Thursday his wife's cancer has returned but his bid for the White House will continue.

"The campaign goes on," the former senator from North Carolina said at a news conference, contradicting earlier media reports.

I Did It!

The following cartoon is even more funny if you have already read Fecke's brilliant piece of work here. So do that first, then look on.

March 19, 2003; The Anniversary

As we begin our 5th year in Iraq, I ask and pray for the following things:

- That security of Iraq is in the hands of the Iraqi people by year's end. The President has stated that this will happen by November.

- Once Iraqi security is turned over, there is a significant redeployment of troops out of the region. This is similar to what I said following the President's 'Surge' speech:

I may be in the minority, but I am willing to give President Bush till November, and then I expect a timetable for redeployment. Iraq needs to take ownership, and we will now give them a deadline, not open ended promises.

- The safe return of National Guard troops so they can be home with their families and protecting the homeland here, on American soil.

Ya know, Governor Bill Richardson lays it out pretty clearly:

Bill Richardson has offered a four-part plan for Iraq. He supports withdrawal of all troops by year-end 2007; transfer of security duties to the Iraqi government; accelerated reconstruction of Iraq’s infrastructure; U.S. facilitation of a national reconciliation effort between Iraqi religious and political factions; and diplomatic talks with Iraq’s neighbors, including Iran and Syria.

This isn't really all that different from what the President is saying, but you can bet a President Richardson would stick to it, not waffle and squirm the moment things aren't going well.

This is a difficult time, but we can not stay in the region forever, and we need to commit to a plan with contingencies for a variety of outcomes. I stand by my closing words from January:

My support doesn't come unconditionally, for I have a son who just may be a part of this process. But we must be aware of the consequences of an unstable Iraq in an already unstable region. Walking away now is not an option, presenting the Iraqi government with our ultimatum is.

Cpl. Tom is still in Southern California and is currently training. The earliest he would redeploy is June.

Godspeed to our troops in harms way with strength to those who are tasked with making the difficult decisions. Let's hope when we hit the five year mark, our conversation is centered more on rebuilding their economy and infrastructure, not lives and families!

Flash

BasketBlogging; NCAA v.2007

The darts were flying the other day, and I now have a clear picture into my crystal ball. Call it a homer board if you like, but it will be an All Big 10 finals with a rematch of the Conference championship from just a few days ago. The result will be the same.

My Final Four has Wisconsin beating UCLA, with Ohio State over powering North Carolina. The Buckeyes eventually will take it all. Last year's defending champion, and current favorite will fall to 'Sconi in the Elite 8 game.

Complete bracket below. You heard it here first!

Flash

The Surge to Purge

I just post 'em:

Miers, Back in the News

Does this really come as a shock to anyone. Well, anyone who has an open mind that is:

Administration officials have portrayed the firings as a routine personnel matter, designed primarily to rid the department of a handful of poor performers.

But the documents and interviews indicate that the idea for the firings originated at least two years ago, when then-White House counsel Harriet E. Miers suggested to Sampson in February 2005 that all prosecutors be dismissed and replaced.

Gonzales rejected that idea as impractical and disruptive, Justice officials said, but over the next 22 months Sampson orchestrated more limited dismissals.

"I recommend that the Department of Justice and the Office of the Counsel to the President work together to seek the replacement of a limited number of U.S. Attorneys," Sampson wrote to Miers in January 2006. A "limited number of U.S. attorneys could be targeted for removal and replacement, mitigating the shock to the system that would result from an across the board firing."

Good ole Harriet Miers. The base underestimated the loyalty of this crony. Do you think they regret not giving her the free pass to the Supreme Court.

Richardson in WaPo

The Washington Post had a great article on Gov. Bill Richardson over the weekend. It is a real eye opener for those who haven't been following his esteemed career and presidential candidacy. It is laid out as a series of 'letters' or comments from individuals during various points in Bill's life. From an upstart pitcher at a New England Boarding school, to his time on the cabinet. He is a well rounded individual and ideal Presidential material.

Some Snippets:

In our junior year, Bill took it upon himself to recommend, plan, raise money for and implement a spring baseball trip to Mexico to ready the Tufts varsity team for the 1969 season. Bill's vision went far beyond a typical tourist trip of 10 days of baseball with a siesta thrown in here and there. Rather, he saw this as an opportunity for cultural immersion, long before such quaint ideas were popular. Between daily games with university teams in Mexico City, he planned trips to architectural ruins, museums, embassies and social gatherings.

-- Rich Giacchetti, Richardson's Tufts baseball teammate.

A friend suggested that I meet Bill, the foreign relations aide to Sen. Hubert Humphrey, when I made courtesy calls before my confirmation hearing. It snowed the day before my appointment with Humphrey and many people had not made it to the office that Friday morning, but Bill was waiting for me when I arrived. I saw a tall, imposing figure in a corduroy jacket and boots. He looked more like a Hispanic ranchero than a legislative aide. As we waited for Humphrey to arrive, I told Bill that I was unaware that there were any Mexican Americans in Minnesota and asked how he had come to work with Humphrey. He replied, "I am not from Minnesota, I am from New Mexico!" He said it with such assurance and conviction that I assumed he had been born and raised there. Sometime later, I learned that he had visited New Mexico only twice before. But already, he had committed to adopting it as the state where he would pursue his political destiny, not knowing quite how but confident that he would find a way to win.

-- Abelardo L. Valdez, former chief of protocol in the Carter administration

I worked for Bill Richardson on the Hill and at the Energy Department and am married to one of his college friends, so I know something about his demanding and inexhaustible style. During Bill's first campaign for Congress in 1980, my husband Steve's job one day was to hold the "clicker" to keep track of the record-breaking number of hands the candidate shook at the New Mexico State Fair. Bill did so with such vigor that en route to a campaign event that night after the marathon effort, they had to stop at a drugstore to get a sling for his arm. Bill works harder than anyone else and it's a challenge to keep up.

-- Melanie Kinderdine, aide to Richardson in Congress and the Energy Department

I can recall traveling in a car through the most desolate area of the state, listening to a radio station out of some tiny town. In a very short time, we had heard two or three radio commercials for Richardson. There wasn't a station we could turn to without hearing about him, in English or Spanish. He bought up every bit of radio advertising time. We had tried to respond, but it was like going up against an M1 Abrams tank with a small sword.

-- John Sanchez, 2002 Republican candidate for New Mexico governor

Richardson is the most experienced and career balanced of all the current candidates. He's got it in him to win, if the media will let him!!

Flash

Boston's Brad Delp; 1951 - 2007

It was August 21, 2003. I was gimping around on a bum leg after blowing out my ACL. I was quite frustrated being it was the push to Drum Corps nationals. Doc said to wrap my leg in an immobilizer and stay off of it for a few days. With some Tylenol and TLC he felt I could still perform with a hinged knee brace and postpone surgery till later.
Then I got the call. My good friend 'The Doctor' told me that he had a couple freebies for the Boston Concert at the State Fair. His old high school chum was touring again, this times as a guitar tech for Boston. Buddy had set us up many times, from sitting on the tour bus with Great White, to back stage with Nine Inch Nails. This time he had lined up some cozy seats for Boston, one of my all time favorites. Afterwards, there was an outside shot we may be able to get behind the scenes. Gimpy or not, I wasn't going to pass up this opportunity.

I made it to the show, and what a show it was. Brad was in prime form, with a fantabulous show. Fran and son Anthony Cosmo were spot on. And the addition of Kimberley Dahme was just what the band needed to enhance some of the upper range that is signature Boston, and which Brad admitted later, was not quite within his ability anymore. Tom Scholz continued to prove he was still one of the best in the game.

As the show wound down, we staged ourselves near the backstage entrance, in hopes to meet-up with Buddy, and wish him our best. There was a line-up of KQ fans, winners of back stage passes, also hanging out. We looked at our credentials and they seemed different from theirs. We didn't know what that meant, yet. The gate was opened and we were waved in with the rest of the groupies. There was a tent off in the distance, which was clearly the destination of the throngs. To the left was a grouping of Motor-homes, and we peeled off. A few fans followed us, but they were immediately hustled back with the cattle, our passes had more clout than I thought. We huddled amongst the motor homes, awaiting Buddy. We saw Tom (Scholz) sitting down by himself, plucking away at a guitar, almost seeming reclusive. At that moment Buddy approached and greeted us like it was old home week. He noticed my leg and after sharing my story he said "Let's get you off that and find a place for you to sit" He motioned us to one of the motor homes, and in we went.

After navigating the creaky steps, we entered a plush looking motor home. We all found a spot to rest, while Buddy asked if we were thirsty. I passed for now, only to hear the door ease open. I can't recall whom came in first, but several people walked in and it didn't take me long to recognize who they were. Buddy had brought us into the 'Green Room' and in walked Brad, Fran, Anthony, and Kimberley. I was in awe, and immediately tried to get up so as not to invade on their space. Brad looked at me and said something like "You relax their partner, I'm fine"

Buddy took care of the introductions, and we all started chatting like we were best friends. All four of these rock stars treated us like long lost friends. We hung out for over an hour just chewing the fat. At one point Brad asked me if I wanted a beverage, this time I was feeling parched, and without even nodding he was right there handing me one of their beers from the fridge. I simply couldn't believe how accommodating and personable they were. Later, Cosmo was stressing a bit about their next gig. They were off to Syracuse for the NY State Fair. This was his old stomping grounds and there was a level of apprehension every time he went 'home'

I have fond memories of this experience, and when I heard of Brad Delp's passing I couldn't help but think of what a 'regular Joe' he was to a common schlep like me. The picture above is from the Boston Website. The caption reads "The nicest, kindest, most caring, down to earth rock star the world has ever known." I can attest, from personal experience, how spot on that statement is.

Thank you, Mr. Delp, for giving us all the gift of your music, and for accepting me into your world like I was one of the guys.

May you rest in peace!

Flash

Missed Me by THAT Much!

BRILLIANT!:It's been a crazy week, but I I'll get back up to speed once things settle down.

Flash

Fork meet Scooter

GUILTY!

Former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby has been found guilty on four of five counts in his perjury and obstruction of justice trial. CNN senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin said, "He is virtually certain to go to prison if this conviction is upheld."

The Right keeps saying this was a wtich hun since know 'laws' were broken. I just want them to explain to me WHY Scooter felt it necessary to lie than. There is still more to this and we may never know the real truth of how dirty the Veep and his boss's hands were in all this.

Now, the Pardon watch begins!

there's also the clock. And that's going to be very important -- the calendar. Because the time for presidential pardons of controversial people is in the lame duck period, after a president is leaving offfice. So the real issue here is, can Scooter Libby extend his time outside of prison long enough to get to that lame duck period when he might actually get a pardon?

So let's do the math a little bit. He's apparently going to be sentenced in June. Post-trial motions will probably keep going through most of the summer. His appeal probably won't even begin until the fall. An appeal probably takes three or four months to be resolved. That would take us into January, February, March of 2008. If, like most defendants, he loses, he could then go for a [certiorari] petition. He could ask the Supreme Court to get involved in the case. That really might take him up to November 2008.

So it is possible that he will be out of prison pending sentencing during his appeal enough time for President Bush, then, to pardon him following the presidential election in 2008, before he leaves office in January 2009.

Flash

Culling Coulter

The Right's abandoning her and advertisers are distancing themselves. But for the life of me, I can't find a single editorial cartoon about this incident. Come on Sack, and the rest of your ilk, this is like picking real low fruit, here. I expect something by tomorrow morning.

Thank you.

Flash

Deliberations Winding Down?

As the Libby trials drags on for another week, the 11 remaining jurors seems to be getting closer to ending it all. Yesterday the Jurors sent another query out to the judge. The questions regards what some seem to believe is the weakest of the charges against Cheney's former Chief of Staff. From what can be gathered from the lawyers' debate about the questions with the judge, it looks like they deliberators will vote 'aye' on that count as well:

heir debate revealed that jurors had asked whether they could use Libby's grand jury testimony, which was played in court, as evidence that Libby lied during an earlier FBI interview.

Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald said the answer should be "yes" in the sense that all the evidence in the case helped establish Libby's state of mind. Libby's lawyers said the grand jury testimony could not be proof of the earlier statement. Walton agreed with both arguments, but said an instruction encompassing both would have to be crafted carefully.

I have a sneaking suspicion that today may be the day, or tomorrow . . . or by the end of the week . . . . the perpetual deliberations.

Flash

Puppy Blogging-Snow Day v2007

My daddy made me a path, but I think it was really so he could get to the beermeister in the garage:
My snow beard:

I have a snow kennel:

Kurly

Really, Spring is almost here

In a few weeks, THIS:Will look like this:
I can dream, can't I.

Flash

Coincidence, or not?!?

MDE is vacationing?/working?/blogging/exposing Democrats, from the beautiful Bahama beaches. Today is Anna Nicole Smith's funeral in the Bahamas. Was he lucky enough to get one of the limited edition invites. Curious people want to know! (Well, not really, but I did find it a funny coincidence!)

Flash

One down, One to go!

An arrest has been made in the January 1st Sexual Assault of a 57 year old woman in St. Paul.

Police have arrested a teen in connection with the New Year's Day rape of a woman in St. Paul's Payne-Phalen neighborhood.

The 16-year-old male was visiting Racine, Wis., when police arrested him there Thursday night. He is being held there.

DNA evidence linked the suspect to the rape, said Sgt. Paul Schnell, the case's lead investigator.

More details from a St. Paul Police Department press release:

On Thursday March, first, Investigators received information from the BCA that a voluntary DNA sample given earlier matched the evidence obtained after the Assault at Payne and Lawson. Investigators acted quickly and were able to locate the suspect. He was taken into custody by the Racine Police Department. A petition has been forwarded to the Ramsey County attorney’s office and extradition proceedings will commence soon.

Now lets get that other monster!

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SNOW DAY!!

I just got the call that St. Paul Schools will be closed tomorrow. Looks like I might have some free time on my hands.

via SPPS:

WEATHER ALERT: Saint Paul Public Schools has officially canceled all after-school and evening activities for Thursday, March 1st. In addition, schools will be closed and activities and events have been canceled for Friday, March 2nd due to inclement weather. Only emergency personnel are to report to buildings on Friday, March 2nd.

Flash

Who Spoke to Who When

In an E-Mail to Ms Stassen-Berger, the reporter on this story, I wrote:

In your article referring to the 'A plea for a bathroom break", you quoted Paid political operative and former MN GOP oppo Research Michael Brodkorb as saying

""In my heart of hearts, I just don't believe that we need legislation that dictates that level of involvement in businesses,""

He claims there was no contact between you and him regarding this story. Specifically he stated to me ""I didn't "pressure" anyone, nor did I "push" this story with anyone. I posted it on my blog…that's all.""

However, when I do a search on his blog, the quote you used does not exisit anywhere on his site. So my questions are simple:

1) From where did you derive the quote from this paid republican operative.

2) Did you speak with him directly while researching this article.

and 3) Who contacted who first.

Thank you for your time.

She finally responded, but only to state that she does not discuss with anyone how she assembles a story. I followed up to that comment, merely pointing out I was not concerned with the assembly of the story, just the potential misrepresentation by this Republican operative and party official. I'll update as necessary.

Flash

Arthur Schlesinger Passes

From the WaPo:

Historian and intellectual icon Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., a Kennedy confidant and liberal standard-bearer who was a fixture in Washington political life for decades, died Wednesday night in Manhattan at the age of 89.

Schlesinger suffered a heart attack while eating dinner in a New York restaurant with his family, his son Stephen told the Associated Press. He died at New York Downtown Hospital.

Read the entire WaPo Obit, it is very informative. The generational transition continues.

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