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Thursday, September 30, 2004
Welcome to live blogging of the first presidential debate of the season. We're having a Summit with allies including Hindrocket from Power Line, Mitch from Shot In The Dark, King from SCSUScholars and a host of others.
8:10pm John is wearing silk pajamas. King is wearing pajamas made from the fur of Armenian lemurs. Mitch is wearing...Good God Sir! Put some pants on! 8:13pm Kerry looks like Captain Pike. W droppin' his g's. 8:16pm This is perhaps the geekiest thing I have ever participated in. Bloggers all around, blinging away on their laptops. Thank God we have beer. 8:18pm Rush to war? This is one of my favorite lines from Kerry. More like a slow, agonizing crawl to war that very well may have made the insurgency we are facing today much worse. 8:21pm Atomizer is wearing a seer sucker shirt. Kerry is BSing about cops, tax cuts, chemical plants, loose materials (sounds like a personal problem). 8:23pm David Strom appears to be surfing for porn. 8:24pm Killing 'em over there draws cheers. Troops will come home when the job is done. When the Iraqis are ready to take care of their own bidness. Nice line with "artificial deadlines." 8:27pm Saint Paul says that watching live blogging is like watching sausage get made. Mmmmm...sausage. 8:28pm Fresh cred from Kerry. Wrong war, wrong place, wrong time. Questioning Kerry's cred for voting against $87 billion. 8:29pm First menttion of Vietnam. Everybody drink! 8:32pm First mention of Haliburton. Drink! New game: every time Kerry says "summit" we drink. Could be a long night. 8:33pm John just spilled his drink. Grape juice on David's white couch. Ouch. 8:34pm This live blogging is making me thirsty. Ahhh...beer. 8:37 Chad the Elder has fled to the lavatory, St. Paul filling in. I offered to live blog his experience but he claims he needs some "me" time in the biffy. 8:40 (I think, I'm not wearing a watch). Just noticed the Elder walked off with David Strom's copy of the Sunday New York Times. He clearly intends to be in there for a while. 8:45 Kerry: "I believe I'll get this job done" - we'd appreciate a little more certainty John. 'I WILL get this job done'- that kind of determination and conviction I can vote for. 8:50 A returned and refreshed Elder wonders: "How does the Peace Train/Wellstone! crowd react when Kerry vows to crack down on Falujah?" Any Butcher but Bush, perhaps? 8:54 I'm sitting next to King Banaian of SCSU Scholars. If I'm not mistaken, he's wearing Brut. Or possibly Aqua Velva. There is something about him. (Something that makes my eyes water.) 8:56 A nuanced arguement by Kerry about preemption, sounds suspiciously like the need for a UN permission slip. Maybe my nuance comprehension ability is flagging. I have been drinking. 9:00 Iranian Moo-lahs - I like it. Sounds like something new at Dairy Queen. Something with ice cream and falafel. 9:08 I smell cookies. I assume that's someting Margaret Strom is whipping up for dessert, and not the further nuancing of King's cologne. 9:10 I admire John Kerry's manicure. 9:15 Dueling dad talk by the candidates, a new low for American political discourse. 9:20 Sorry for the delay in comments, the cookies are being dished up and I'm distracted. 9:25 The Elder refuses to jump in for the last 5 minutes. It's me from here on out. 9:27 The Elder is hoping against hope Ghengis Kahn gets brought up. He thinks the varying pronunciations could seal the deal for Bush. Jenjis Kahn, indeed. Closing statements, historical precedence shows less than 10% chance of Ghengis Kahn making an appearance at this point. Unless Bush cares to bring up Kerry's wife. 9:30 It's over, Bush wins, using the 10 point must system in a 10 round bout, score 100 - 94. The Elder Adds: That's Saint's call. I give it to Kerry by a small, and in the long run, completely insignificant margin. Labels: Politics-National (02-04)
The award for the most long distance savaging of Nick Coleman goes to .... Tim Blair.
He's Australia's finest blogger, and a real live newspaper journalist as well. Perhaps that's why he knows Coleman's type so well. Excerpts: The Minneapolis Star Tribune's Nick Coleman puts us idiots in our place: "Here's what really makes bloggers mad: I know stuff." Too bad all-knowing Coleman wasn't able to help his Big Media colleagues identify a Microsoft Word document recently. Because -- and he'll tell you -- Colemen knows a whole bunch about everything: "I covered Minneapolis City Hall, back when Republicans controlled the City Council. I have reported from almost every county in the state, I have covered murders, floods, tornadoes, World Series and six governors." Wow! Almost every county in Minnesota! That totally kills us blogger types, who never go anywhere or do anything. None of us know of these "tornadoes" or "World Series" you speak of. What are they? And, seeing as you're such an expert, who will win this year's World Series? Who will win the World Series in 2011? "Do bloggers have the credentials of real journalists? No. " Well, apart from those of us who do have those credentials, on account of being "real journalists". Which is the saddest life description I can currently think of. Don't miss Tim's comments section either, or as Nick Coleman would describe it, a sleazy and unreliable chat room. It includes these insightful, witty barbs: I read this earlier and I constantly felt suprised that I wasn't seeing any tear stains on his submission. That editorial had all the look of a man who has had his dignity belittled by someone. Posted by: jungus at October 1, 2004 at 05:47 AM Attention, Australians - the belittler in question, it was me! It was me! I made Nick Coleman cry! I am a reporter at a daily paper in NYC. This is the stupidest fucking thing I have read in some time. I work very hard at my job and take a lot of pride in it, but I drink no Kool-Aid. all that self-referential shuck and jive--"i covered city hall"--is pablum. I've done that stuff too and feel confident that an orangutang could do it as well as some reporters ive seen. Journalism is a craft, learned and improved upon with repetition. There are innate skills that can make one person a better reporter than another--effort, desire, personality, humility, thick skin, the ability to work with financial or legal documents and a sense of what sells to your constituency. But to imply that Mr. Coleman has something that 90% of the readers here dont have is asinine. Posted by: rod at October 1, 2004 at 07:38 AM "I covered Minneapolis City Hall, back when Republicans controlled the City Council. I have reported from almost every county in the state, I have covered murders, floods, tornadoes, World Series and six governors." "Today I'm covering Dan Rather's ass." Posted by: Bob's Your Uncle at October 1, 2004 at 08:13 AM Labels: Media-Local (02-04)
More On Coleman
The professional-level media analysis and commentary on the Nick Coleman imbroglio continues to pour in from the blogosphere. Hopefully Nick will respond to the criticism, but he can't be published again until tomorrow. Those darn MSM handcuffs! Center Feud Patterico The new Craig Westover Blog UPDATE From The Elder- Much more on Nick Boy: The World Wide Rant Vodkapundit Running Scared L'Ombre de l'Olivier Caerdroia The Moderate Voice UPDATE II-The beating goes on: Tooth Exiform Eyesight
You're going to roll right over this one
No trivia at Keegan's this evening for the Fraters squad. As Ed and Mitch have already reported, we will be watching the debate tonight from an undisclosed location in North Minneapolis along with some of our Northern Alliance brethren and other persons of interest. Of course we will all be live blogging the event, which could spice things up a bit as this will be the first "gang blog" for most of us. All we can hope is that Scott is gentle and his nickname isn't too literal.
Time To Stick A Fork In Him?
Rick Burress thinks he may be done (hey buddy). Let's hope for the sake of decorum that John Kerry doesn't end up covered in oregano and Parmesan before he takes the stage for tonight's debate.
The hounds of the blogosphere have been released and they've set upon Nick Coleman like Michael Moore on a side of beef. Captain Ed was the first member of the Northern Alliance to take a bite of Coleman's increasingly thin hide, and he soon followed on by Mitch Berg, SCSUScholars, and SPITBULL. Today Lileks joined the fray with a few subtle remarks of his own. It would be interesting to know what he thinks of Nick Coleman off the record. Heck, even the Commish has gotten his licks in.The only member of the Northern Alliance yet to be heard from on Coleman is Power Line, and they probably deem him unworthy of their time.
Other local bloggers have also weighed in including: Wogsblog Bogus Gold Helloooo, Chapter Two! Plastic Hallway Tom Swift Centrisity New Patriot And Coleman bashing is not limited to Minnesota bloggers as evidenced by posts from: Irreconcilable Musings Jay Rosen ArchPundit Austin Mayor Romenesko QandO Blog The beauty is that Coleman is getting savaged from the both the right and left on this. And that the rest of the country now has a chance to experience his arrogant hackery, as those of here in the Twin Cities have for years. At this point I don't know if they're much left of his carcass to pick over, but rest assured we will be discussing Nick's nattering nonsense this Saturday on the Northern Alliance Radio Network. In fact Mitch has invited Coleman to appear on the show to further enlighten us unworthies on the finer points of being a journalist. Don't hold your breathe on that one. SP ADDS: Also, from Guerilla Monkey, a terrific fantasy/reality sequence featuring a weepy phone call from Nick Coleman and this destined for the masthead description: The mean one is that Frat guy, that Saint Paul. Labels: Media-Local (02-04)
Brave New World
Yesterday, in Nick Coleman's outburst about bloggers, he listed some of the essential components of proper reporting, things the mainstream media (MSM) have and bloggers do not: editors, correction policies, and community standards. Ignoring the accuracy of that assessment for a moment, I have to ask, what exactly do all those components conspire to offer the reader? How exactly do those checks and balances improve the end product? For evidence, I turn to this very same Nick Coleman column, which I'm sure was subjected to the normal, rigorous standards of Star Tribune professionalism. Coleman's conclusion on the nature of the entire blogosphere merits particular scrutiny. The blogosphere, an entity with millions of constituent parts, of every possible political perspective, field of interest, style of prose, level of education, and level of quality. A medium which has been essential in publicizing such stories as Trent Lott's comments about race (which ended in his removal from Senate leadership), John Kerry's false and misleading claims about his service in Vietnam (which may change the course of a Presidential election), and CBS News's use of forged documents (which may change the nature of network broadcast journalism). And Nick Coleman describes that "thing" as follows: Bloggers are hobby hacks, the Internet version of the sad loners who used to listen to police radios in their bachelor apartments and think they were involved in the world. Bloggers don't know about anything that happened before they sat down to share their every thought with the moon. Like graffiti artists, they tag the public square -- without editors, correction policies or community standards. And so their tripe is often as vicious as it is vacuous. Bold, provocative, extreme claims there. Requiring a reasonable amount of solid, well-considered evidence. So what does Nick offer in this regard as the evidence that bloggers are vicious and vacuous? He offers allegations that a single, unnamed local blogger has called him a child of wealth and privilege. And Nick says that's not the case at all. That's it!? THAT'S the kind of superior journalism all those MSM benefits provide. All those editors meticulously reviewing Nick's work, the strict corrections policies hanging over his head like al-Zarqawi's knife, the community standards he passionately adheres to, and he can still get away with publishing that!? Maybe it's just the wrong type of editors working for the Star Tribune. Sure, it appears all of Coleman's commas and apostrophes are in good order. No participles dangerously dangling about. But what about an editor who will tell him his conclusion is not supported by the evidence he presents. And that it's not even a close call, it's embarrassingly thin and shril. And because of this he comes off as a defensive, out of touch crank. Do the sacred corrections policies ever address that issue? Something like: In Nick Coleman's column of September 29, he asserted a premise that could not in any way be supported by the evidence he presented. It is the policy of the Star Tribune to only print gratuitous insults when the claims have at least have a thin veneer of plausibility, or when they are in the course of attempting humor. Neither were evident in Coleman's column. The Star Tribune regrets the error. Do editors in the MSM ever level with their reporters and star columnists in this manner. Or is it forbidden to criticize Nick Coleman at this stage of his career? Because, I must say, the editors in the blogosphere provide that kind of feedback all the time. The primary editor, being ourselves. If I wrote some weak, humorless, imperious crap like Coleman's column, I'd recognize it. And I'd feel like an idiot. It would never see the light of day and if it did get published, there are those among my cohorts on this site who would be glad to tell me that it sucked. This brings up a distinct advantage of the blogosphere, no deadlines. If my wit and wisdom on a given day stinks out the joint, I'll kill it, for the good of all. On the other hand, Nick Coleman is obligated to publish two or three times per week. So even when he's suffering from a creative coma, something has got to be published, to the suffering of all subscribers. Nick and his second wife Laura Billings have made great sport of the "midnight posting" of bloggers, but again it illustrates an advantage of the medium - the immediacy. You can write and publish when it's most advantageous to you and your creative drive, not as it's dictated by the 9-to-5 parameters of the daily business cycle. Getting back to Coleman and his one, teeny tiny bit of evidence against the blogosphere, that someone falsely alleged he was a wealthy man, born into privilege and power. That someone, by the way, is us, Fraters Libertas. In the award-winning, satirical docu-drama, the Newspaper Newlyweds. Note, I said it was satirical. Broad hyperbole to make a point and to be humorous (at least they made us laugh - which is enough). It was entertainment. A rather important factor to notice when you're basing an entire thesis on the nature of a new medium exclusively on that one piece. (I can see why Coleman might not have found those posts entertaining. But Nick, where were your editors on that one?) Entertainment - not intended, or required to be, strictly factual. Although our assertions were certainly based in reality - otherwise it wouldn't be funny at all. Regarding wealth, I'm sure Nick Coleman and Laura Billings are well into the six figures with their combined salaries from the newspapers (your subscription dollars at work, folks). Given his tenure, I imagine Nick's got to be getting close to $100K all on his own. Am I to understand, he doesn't consider that to be wealthy? Maybe that is what he truly believes. It wouldn't surprise me that a man who defines journalism as "to scrutinize the actions of those in power" would create delusions about his own life circumstances. How else could he sleep at night? Thankfully, in this new world of media and information access, Coleman doesn't get the final edit on reality. Not even of his own life story. Nick, welcome to the future. Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Yesterday, in a message to their readers, the boys at Power Line revealed:
When we started this site two and a half years ago, the Trunk said: "The idea that we could ever have any readers for this thing is a pathetic fantasy." Which pretty much echoes the thoughts we had we when we launched Fraters Libertas around that same time. An even more delusional dream back then would be the notion that well-established columnists with the local major daily newspapers would not only be reading our site, but responding to us in print. Well folks I'm here to tell you, sometimes dreams do come true. Look no further than today's offering from Nick Coleman in the Star Tribune called "Blogged down in Web fantasy". Captain Ed has already taken a crack at the increasingly neurotic Nick Boy, but this is too big for us to pass on. In fact by the end of the day, we all may take our turns playing Whack-A-'Hole with Coleman's caterwauling. Make no mistake about it, even though Nick does not mention us directly, this little paranoid rant of his is largely directed at us humble bloggers at Fraters Libertas. For no one has been banging on Nick Boy like we have. From simple Fiskings of his crappy columns to the full-blown, all-out exposes of his personal life in the Newspaper Newlyweds, we've been on Nick like a tick on a elephant. Wait, that's his line isn't it? But one of the shams we're chasing is the supposed threat of the blogs, who are to journalism what ticks are to elephants. Ticks may make the elephants nuts, but that doesn't mean they will replace them. You can't ride a tick. So we're making you "nuts" are we Nick? So sorry. How are you holding up anyway? We are rattled, and in danger of losing our way. A rattled nut walking around the offices of the Star Tribune? And you thought working at the Post Office was dangerous. Our crusade against Nick Boy has been led by Saint Paul, who pushed the concept of Fisking to a whole new level by introducing the Newspaper Newlyweds (with some help from The Man From Silver Mountain). Instead of looking at Nick Coleman from the Star Tribune and Laura Billings from the St. Paul Pioneer Press as individual columnists, he deftly wove their marriage into the larger picture of the dysfunctional local media, as he looked between the lines of their writing for hints of what was going on behind the scenes. This summer, when Laura's ego-gratifying Googling led her to discover our handiwork, she saw fit to take to the pages of the Pioneer Press and describe us as, "lonely guys who write withering and anonymous social commentary in their underpants." As Saint Paul said at the time, "Jackpot." We had broken through. But for Saint Paul, Laura Billings was small fry. He continued to stalk his larger prey with a single-minded obsession, bordering on fanaticism. Apparently his barbed harpoons have found their target. For his white whale is now squealing like a stuck pig. Congratulations Saint Paul, this is your day. Rejoice in it and be glad. And thanks to Nick Coleman. Because after two and half years of blogging, you start to get a bit worn down, a little less enthusiastic. You ask yourself why you even bother to blog and whether it's really worth it. After seeing Nick's column today the answer is an emphatic "Hell yeah!" Thanks to Nick's snarky, sneering sniping I'm now motivated to re-up for another two and a half year tour of duty in the 'sphere. Booyah baby! The next time I'm sitting in my underwear, drinking (you forgot that one), and blogging stuff up at midnight I'll be thinking of you Nick. I didn't go to a fancy "J" school. I haven't spent the better part of my life attending zoning meetings and running down the list of vice collars at a local precinct. My ear has not had the benefit of extensive baloney detection training. I most certainly am not worthy of carrying your precious notebook. And God knows, I can't possibly know as much "stuff" as you since I'm not a "professional journalist." But I do know one thing. If, according to you, the job of journalists is to scrutinize the actions of those in power then the job of bloggers is to do the same to those in power in the media. The question is: can YOU handle the scrutiny Nick? Labels: Media-Local (02-04)
Reality Check
A tale of two newspapers' perspectives. First, the Star Tribune, with their supposed glittering star of insight, the wealthy and privileged Nick Coleman, on what the blogosphere means: Do bloggers have the credentials of real journalists? No. Bloggers are hobby hacks, the Internet version of the sad loners who used to listen to police radios in their bachelor apartments and think they were involved in the world. Bloggers don't know about anything that happened before they sat down to share their every thought with the moon. Like graffiti artists, they tag the public square -- without editors, correction policies or community standards. And so their tripe is often as vicious as it is vacuous. Now Craig Westover, new editorial writer for the rapidly ascending in my opinion Pioneer Press: Mainstream media don't concede what bloggers do is "journalism" - evidence former CBS executive Jonathan Klein's "pajama" comment. Typical is columnist David Broder's lament that "the Internet has opened the door to scores of 'journalists' who [have] no allegiance at all to the skeptical and self-disciplined ethic of professional news gathering." While the journalism side of mainstream media licks its wounds and snarls rationalizations at the undisciplined rabble storming the Bastille of its self-proclaimed credibility, one wonders what the business side is thinking. ... In a classic example of marketing myopia, Levitt describes how railroads, operating with a product focus, dismissed the airplane as an innovation to be embraced. They disastrously perceived themselves in the narrow "railroad" business, not the broader "transportation" business and consumers didn't necessarily need railroads - they needed transportation. Already faced with a significantly functioning blogosphere, are there network executives, newspaper publishers and station managers asking themselves, "What business are we in?" Are they coming up with answers other than "television news," "newspaper publication" and "radio programming?" Have they considered the "information" business and what that recognition might mean for their relationship to bloggers, the Internet and their customers? The winds of "Hurricane Dan" are already blowing themselves out to the relief of all stressed out "real" journalists. But for media executives (and not just at CBS), now comes the tough construction task, not just rebuilding lost credibility, but creating new models of information businesses. A rare breed indeed, this Westover. A mainstream media person who gets it. Probably because he's not a traditional journalist, not by Nick Coleman's standards. Instead he's a marketing guy, with a life long interest in the news and current events, and a talent for logic and writing. He started as a chronic Pioneer Press letter-to-the-editor writer. (The letters-to-the-editor page, version 1.0 of the blogosphere.). In their wisdom, the Pioneer Press made him one of their temporary community columnists last year and have now elevated him further to semi-regular contributor status. Because of that eye for talent, they now have a guy with an open mind, with nothing invested in the maintenance of the journalistic establishment status quo, opining on what the blogosphere might mean to the business of information distribution. And the Star Tribune has Nick Coleman, desperately fighting to salvage his own privileged position and his profession's entitlement to a monopoly on current events commentary. News consumers, information seekers, which paper would you rather subscribe to?
First Salvo
The Star Tribune's Nick Coleman has his Dan Rather/Jim Boyd/Captain Queeg like moment, gratuitously lashing out at the blogosphere in a desperate attempt to maintain the MSM monopoly on all coverage of politics and current events. It's sad, pathetic, funny stuff, and rest assured, our responses will follow. But to open the debate, our friend Doug from Bogus Gold has a fine discussion of Nick's temper tantrum, and the critical role played by Fraters Libertas in pushing him over the edge. Doug's insightful conclusion: In any case, score another victory for the Fraters. Tuesday, September 28, 2004
'Dis 'Dat and D'other
College Republicans at the University of Minnesota are saying "No Mas" to Michael Moore: Minnesota College Republicans today vowed to fight any attempt by University of Minnesota officials to use ANY university funds to bring Michael Moore to campus for an anti Bush political rally. College Republicans were responding to news reports that the University officials are negotiating to bring Moore to the U of M Campus as part of his "Slacker Uprising Tour" in support of John Kerry. Chuck Z. e-mails with advice on skipping CBS: Just a quick note from work (where your fine blog hasn't been blocked just yet) to say that my solution for avoiding CBS has been to simply delete CBS channels from the presets in our TVs. CBS is now sharing that unseen limbo with the local school board channel, several shopping channels, and the Golf Channel (for me, watching golf is the visual equivalent of hearing John Kerry speak). We still have four or so local news channels and several dozen entertainment channels, so we've lost what, maybe 2-3% of our programming? I doubt we'll even notice. But if enough people delete CBS stations from their presets, CBS might. And finally, The Golden Girl and I have combined to come up with a name to explain the biology of Ted Kennedy: Nice genus name "Pickledpoliticianus". But he needs a genus AND species designation. Perhaps "Pickledpoliticianus obesiatum". Yes, Teddy truly is a breed apart.
Were You There When They Nailed Him With The Memos?
Craig from Lead and Gold believes that this (here's the original -pull up the cartoon from 9/24) is the most offensive political cartoon of the year. Hard to argue with him there. Going beyond the sheer ridiculousness of portraying Rather as Christ, shouldn't the Romans be bloggers instead of Fox News?
The Silence of the Lambert
It appears the chill wind has blown through Brian Lambert's cubicle at the Pioneer Press. Some months ago we were alerted to the pending "reassignment" of the entrenched veteran entertainment columnist. I now point you to the archive of his recent work. It's all over. His sneering, partisan voice, hectoring us from what should have been a non-political beat has been silenced once and for all. And that silence is golden for conservatives all over town. This is a huge development in recapturing credibility for the Pioneer Press. Because no right thinking Minnesotan could take that paper seriously knowing Lambert was waiting in the Variety section to lecture us on how objective Minnesota Public Radio is while chronically dismissing all of conservative talk radio as "right wing howler monkeys" or comparing Fox News to Al Jazeera. For those sins against reality, I'd like to believe, he got the lead pipe message. It was a nice run for Lambert. He was around for what, 20 years? Over this time he got fat and happy distorting the news and furthering his political agenda under the thin veil of journalistic integrity. I'm sure he thought the ride was never going to end. Why would he, given the traditionally leftist newsroom culture at the Pioneer Press? Sealed off in this context, over time he became more unbalanced, lost perspective as to what he was hired to do, and became nothing more than a political hack and a propagandist. All while writing an entertainment column, mind you. But it appears things are starting to change at the Pioneer Press. We've never been told exactly why Lambert was reassigned. (In fact, this sounds like a story a good local entertainment columnist would be working on. Star Tribune - where are you on this one? I can't believe it's a secret in local MSM social circles. Why is it a secret to the public?) My guess is that some responsible person in executive management at Knight Ridder finally realized what a drag Lambert was to the paper's integrity, while offering no benefit in terms of attracting readers. A simple business decision really, one that should have been made years ago. To be clear, Lambert hasn't been fired. Within the past couple of weeks I noticed he popped up in Austin, MN doing some flood coverage. To his credit (or maybe his new editor's credit), it was clean copy, just the facts, no attempts to blame the rain on Tim Pawlenty or anything like that. But you have to believe this is killing Lambert. I'm sure he didn't get into journalism for the purpose of reporting the facts. What's the fun in that? He was supposed to change the world. Exposing his political enemies, afflicting the comfortable, and all that good stuff he saw in All The President's Men. That's going to be hard to do now, while writing about people filling up sand bags in the rain. But if anybody could find a way to twist that, it's Lambert. For this reason, he'll continue to bear scrutiny. Monday, September 27, 2004
Painless Protest
Last Friday, when I called in to Hugh Hewitt's show, he asked me if I thought that we should continue to keep the heat on CBS affiliates. I replied that if people were satisfied with the response from CBS they should let it go, otherwise they should keep banging away. If you want to bang, here's the list of affiliate contacts. If you want more bang for your buck, you can fill out this form at Rathergate.com and hit all the affiliates in one fell swoop. In the wake of the forged memo fiasco, I vowed that I would not watch CBS until they resolved the matter to my satisfaction. I have come to realize what a meaningless promise that really is. Because I never watch CBS anymore. I don't watch all that much TV anyway, except for sports, documentaries, and Seinfeld reruns, but I used to catch "King of Queens" and "Everybody Loves Raymond" somewhat regularly. I lost track of KOQ when they moved it to a new night, and Raymond is hit or miss. About the only reason I would have to even turn CBS on these days is NFL football. Yesterday, the CBS game we got was Denver-San Diego. Not nearly as entertaining as watching Indy march up and down the field against the Packers on Fox. For me, giving up CBS is like a kid giving up vegetables for Lent (except that CBS isn't really good for me). It's almost too easy. On another missing media front, our household is now on Day Three of being officially Stribless. Yes, even though I vowed to cancel our subscription to the Minneapolis Star Tribune way back in April, only now has it taken effect. And I gotta say that at this point, I don't really miss it at all. Sure it's nice to be able to read up on the three time Central Division champion Twins or the Vikings, but I can get all that online. And eating breakfast with a laptop on the table is almost as good as spreading out the daily newspaper. Now if I can only get the logistics of the bathroom worked out...
Don't Know Much Biology
We receive a lot of strange e-mail requests here at Fraters Libertas, but this one takes the cake: We are writing to request permission to use an image from your website on our Apex Learning website. The image will accompany a lesson in our online 9th grade Biology course. We will give credit for the image, on the page where the image appears. The image we are requesting to use will be incorporated in a service for teachers and students from elementary through high school integrating high quality resources, which are electronically available on the web. The image in question? Our old buddy Teddy. While he is no doubt a biological curiosity, I have to wonder exactly how this picture will be used to educate children.
Numerology
Adam from The Blogspirator has pointed out that my lucky number may not be so lucky after all.
Can't Sleep, Clown'll Eat me
I think we've all had a night like this at one time or another. Except for Tom Barton. Probably sleeps like a baby. Bastard.
Polls Closed
Here are the final results in our poll asking when Dan Rather will step down from CBS: Before September 30th 12% October 1st--November 2nd 18% November 3rd--December 31st 29% Sometime in 2005 26% After 2005 14% Nearly 60% believe that Rather will be gone before the end of 2004. I wish I shared that optimism. Sunday, September 26, 2004
Wisdom of the Ages
Emma Torkelson from Fergus Falls, Minnesota is fast becoming the queen of all media. On Friday we noted that Emma, who is one hundred years young and has never voted in her life, had decided to finally rock the vote this year by registering. And her first vote ever is going to be for President Bush. She was interviewed on Friday by a television station from Fargo and the local Fergus Falls newspaper. On Saturday her story appeared on Fox News and she was interviewed on the Northern Alliance Radio Network. Now she has her own web site called The Vote Heard Around the World, where you can track her media appearances and even drop her an e-mail. Is this a great country or what? Saturday, September 25, 2004
Wheat From The Chafe
Back in December 2003, shortly after he was dragged out of his spider hole, we asked our readers to participate in a pool to predict the date of Saddam's departure from this world. Good entries, kids. Now it's time for the easiest part of any bloggers job. The losers. Chris Stone is a loser. Clay Calhoun is a loser. Cameron Wood, you're gone. Saint Paul a.k.a. Treacherous St. Dazzle is a loser. Jared, I like your hustle. That's why it's so hard to say you're a loser. Congratulations, the rest of you are still alive! Except Kim Egan, Elise Schreiber, ReactBob, and Spacekicker. Saddam knows only one thing: it is better to live.
Listening to the Art Bell show on KSTP, now hosted by some guy named George Nouri. But it's still devoted to the the weird and the bizarre. For example, right now he's interviewing Ralph Nader. Seriously, he's on right now and for the rest of this hour. Late night blog readers tune in now.
He's rantin' and ravin' and plugging his book and throwing around wild, unsubstantiated charges at both Kerry and Bush. It's outstanding. The highlight so far, moments ago, Nader referred to President Bush as a "dodge drafter." Is that the new rear-engine coupe from the folks at Daimler-Chrysler? Or has ol' Ralph been nipping at the ouzo tonight? UPDATE: Ralph doesn't believe in UFO's. His reasoning: "if they come here, why don't they ever stay?" Hard to argue with that. No wonder they won't let this guy in on the debates. UPDATE: Ralph is concerned about Bush and Kerry's Skull and Bones membership. Secret oaths and all that, who are they beholden to? Now he's talking about potential initiation rites and rituals, and he said, I quote "they bond in a very uncensored way." It seems this show is about to take a very ugly turn. UPDATE: Phhhhew, he's back to bitching about the minimum wage. UPDATE: On to Mad Cow Disease. A leading, non sequitur question by Nouri. Ralph seems momentarilly fazed. Now he enthusiastically concurs, it's a very serious matter. He says if there ever is an epidemic of it, that'll be the end of the meat industry. Move over John McCain, there's a new Straight Talk Express at the station. UPDATE: And that's it, the hour ends, fittingly, with the Eagles "Take it to the Limit". Desperado might have been more appropriate. UPDATE: Now a Menards commerical. It's the Octoberfest sale! Big savings on tarps! I'll stop now. Labels: Politics-National (02-04) Friday, September 24, 2004
Centenarians For W
Earlier today we received a report from long-time friend of Fraters Rick, that his one-hundred year old grandmother had decided to vote for the first time ever this year. And she'll be pulling the lever for Bush. Here's Emma with her voter registration form:  And here's a write up on the event from a Fergus Falls Bush/Cheney '04 volunteer: Emma Torkelson, 100 year old resident of the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls, MN registered to vote for the first time in her life on Friday Sept. 24, 2004. Wayne Stein, Otter Tail County Auditor was on hand to receive her registration application and also her absentee ballot request form. Mr. Stein had no recollection of there being any older first time registers in Otter Tail County history. State Representative Bud Nornes also paid a visit to congratulate her. Emma's absentee ballot will arrive in the mail in October, and her family will be there to share the experience with her when she casts her first vote - for George W. Bush. Emma turned 100 June 2, 2004 and celebrated with a family party, and received (as she had requested) 100 roses from her three children and their spouses. She also enjoyed receiving letters from George W. Bush, Laura Bush (separately), Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Senator Norm Coleman, State Senator Cal Larson and State Representative Bud Nornes. Emma states she's not ever been "a politician" but the president's stance on abortion and the marriage amendment have made her want her to vote this year. Her parents were life long Democrats, and she figured she always was one too. They both voted, and she can't say why she never did. When asked if she'll vote again in four years she stated "I suppose I will, if I am still living." Emma is a committed Christian whose outspoken appreciation for the religious and moral values of President George W. Bush, along with the encouragement of her family, prompted her to register. Her son Bob, stated that she's been talking about how she doesn't like John Kerry, and how President Bush is a good man. "That other guy (Kerry) I never liked his looks since before he ran for president." She said "I just picked out my man, that I thought would be a good man." "I just happened to like Bush ever since I heard of his dad and mother and his wife Laura. They are all people I could talk to, down to earth." Emma also had a brother named George and his wife who is still living, is Laura, that's how she always remembers the president and his wife's name. Her husband Oscar, passed away 20 years ago. Oscar was a life long Republican. Her son thinks she never voted so she wouldn't cancel out her husband's vote, being a devoted wife. They were married 52 years. She has 11 grand children and 18 great grandchildren, all of whom are excited about grandma voting! What a great story to end the week.
Parroting the Puppet Propaganda
The Iraqi Resistance Report for events of Sunday, 8 August 2004 through Wednesday, 11 August 2004: Iyyad 'Allawi, the US-appointed puppet "prime minister" visited an-Najaf on Sunday and demanded that the Jaysh al-Mahdi withdraw from their city to allow the US aggressors full control. And... Joe Lockhart, a senior Kerry adviser yesterday: "The last thing you want to be seen as is a puppet of the United States, and you can almost see the hand underneath the shirt today moving the lips." Can you imagine if a senior advisor to Thomas Dewey had appropriated labels employed by Joseph Goebbels and used them to describe one of our allies in 1944? Is this how the Kerry campaign demonstrates how "I want victory, I want to win [in Iraq]"? The longer this campaign season drags on, the more disgusted I become with the Kerry camp's willingness to do anything to win the election, regardless of how it might affect the outcome of the war.
It's Funny Because It's True
From The London Telegraph, a lengthy excerpt from P.J. O'Rourke's just released book "Peace Kills: America's Fun New Imperialism." It looks to be classic O'Rourke and therefore a must read. Excerpt: Americans hate foreign policy. Americans hate foreign policy because Americans hate foreigners. Americans hate foreigners because Americans are foreigners. We all come from foreign lands, even if we came 10,000 years ago on a land bridge across the Bering Strait. America is not "globally conscious" or "multi-cultural." Americans didn't come to America to be Limey Poofters, Frog-Eaters, Bucket Heads, Micks, Spicks, Sheenies or Wogs. If we'd wanted foreign entanglements, we would have stayed home. Or - in the case of those of us who were shipped to America against our will - as slaves, exiles, or transported prisoners - we would have gone back. Being foreigners ourselves, we Americans know what foreigners are up to with their foreign policy - their venomous convents, lying alliances, greedy agreements and trick-or-treaties. America is not a wily, sneaky nation. We don't think that way. We don't think much at all, thank God. Start thinking and pretty soon you get ideas, and then you get idealism, and the next thing you know you've got ideology, with millions dead in concentration camps and gulag.
The Flypaper Strategy
Appears to be paying off at Keegan's Irish Pub on Thursday nights. Last night the presence of Fraters forces drew a crowd of local bloggers including Chumley from Plastic Hallway, David and Margaret from Our House, Scott from pinkmonkeybird, Jo from Jo's Attic, and Mark from Fight City Hall!. In addition, Fraters readers Jim Styczinski, a.k.a. the Memo Master and Seth joined the fun. Their dreams of unseating the might Fraters squad were crushed, as we rumbled, stumbled, and bumbled to our second straight victory. But I dare say that a good time was had by all. And it's also safe to say that the good people of the Twin Cities can sleep much easier knowing that these bloggers are socializing at Keegan's rather than the streets of their neighborhoods.
Another endorsement for John Kerry from foreign leaders:
Think about it if Bush were to go the americans will have a way to exist from Iraq. If Bush were to win, the first thing he will do, he will hammer AlFaluja and AlRumade, Alsader city, Samara and Diala. This is what McCain, the republican senator was revealing when talking about the military plans, which is now on hault because of the election. Just register with fictitious name and e-mail if you want and write, write to their media websites. Even if it does not get published do not worry, I have sent more than 1500 emails and letters during the last few years. As far the american soldiers in Iraq, is people were to write leaflets with big words on them like; VOTE KERRY AND GO HOME, VOTE KERRY AND HELP YOURSELF TO GO HOME, STOP FIGHTING BUSH'S WAR VOTE KERRY, THE NEO CONS ARE FREE MASONS AND JEWS AND SO ONE. Just write to them in a language they understand. And I'm sure that Michael Moore will be pleased to know that those "Minutemen", the Iraqi insurgents have reciprocal feelings of admiration: Michael Moore, your films have done a lot of good towards humanity. But can you send e-mails/letters to your troops even in those occupying Iraq, explaining the advantages of voting for Kerry, if for noting it will be just as a reminder. Who are you voting for again? Labels: Iraq
Waiting A Long Time For The Right Man
Fraters SoCal bureau chief Rick sends us what has to be the feel good story of the week: My Grandmother (Emma Torkelson of Fergus Falls, MN) turned 100 this past June 2nd. She's still sharp as a tack. Just TODAY, my dad found out the following about her: 1) She's been a Democrat ALL of her life 2) She has NEVER voted 3) Her parents were both Democrats 4) She's going to vote this year for the first time, and pull the lever for ... GEORGE W. BUSH Tomorrow (Sept 24), around 1:30, she's holding a 'press conference' at the Broen Home in Fergus Falls, MN. She will also be registering to vote tomorrow. The local paper (Fergus Falls Daily Journal) and local Republican party members will be interviewing her, and are hoping that the closest FOX affiliate station will also be there. A GREAT story. The dawn of a new voting block: CENTURY OLD DEMOCRATIC WOMEN FOR BUSH True story. And a heart warming one at that. At this point, there is not a story on this remarkable announcement available at The Fergus Falls Daily Journal, although there is fascinating piece called Meet Your New Garbage Can. Check back this afternoon for updates. Here's to four more years for W and many more years for Grandma.
The swift hand of justice descended on the top of DFL Rep. Phyllis Kahn's wrist yesterday, with her misdemeanor conviction for theft. The 32 year MN House incumbent from the Minneapolis district encompassing the University of Minnesota campus was fined $200 dollars and promised a dismissal of her conviction if she does not re-offend within the next year.
Because of that sweetheart deal, the clock is ticking on the time we can accurately refer to her as "convicted thief Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Minneapolis)". That is, assuming she isn't a habitual thief. Sure, this is her first conviction, but how do we know she hasn't done this before and won't do it again? According to reports, she is sorry for her heinous thievery (this time): ... I know it was wrong and I am sorry. Which is all well and fine. But can we really trust her on this matter? She is, after all, a convicted thief. Even I must admit, theft probably isn't a fair charge to throw at Rep. Kahn. The object of her larcenous desires was valued at nothing more than a few cents. But that's all the prosecutors were left with, since stealing your opponent's campaign literature isn't in itself illegal in Minnesota. Yes, recall, that's what old Phyllis was up to in New Hope. Helping out her DFL comrade Sandy Peterson, who is attempting to unseat the Republican incumbent from District 45A (squeaky clean Lynn Osterman). Helping her out by stealing the Republican literature from residents' doors and replacing it with that of the DFL opponent. An act, to repeat, which is not on its own explicitly illegal in Minnesota. A fact which even law enforcement officials weren't aware of immediately following Kahn's apprehension. The chain of prosecution, according to the community newspaper in Kahn's neighborhood: New Hope City Attorney Steve Sondrall referred the case to the Hennepin County Attorney, where he said he expected charges to be filed under the state's Fair Campaign Practices Act. Citing a conflict of interest, Hennepin County referred the case to the Anoka County Attorney's Office, which saw no campaign law violation and referred the case back to the New Hope City Attorney. Sondrall charged Kahn with misdemeanor theft in Hennepin County District Court. Suspecting the Anoka County Attorney might be up to some partisan prosecutin' by ignoring her offense, I reviewed the Minnesota Fair Campaign Practices Act, but I'll be damned if I can find any statutes relevant to stealing campaign literature. Sure, there is a law mandating the right of politicians to appear in parades without being gouged on cost by the sponsors. And there is a law protecting politicians from getting gratuitously savaged by citizens writing letters to the editor. But stealing campaign literature apparently is of no concern (I wonder if Phyllis Kahn had anything to do with drafting this legislation?). Regarding the letter to the editor provision, here is the relevant text: A person is guilty of a misdemeanor who intentionally participates in the drafting of a letter to the editor with respect to the personal or political character or acts of a candidate, or with respect to the effect of a ballot question, that is designed or tends to elect, injure, promote, or defeat any candidate for nomination or election to a public office or to promote or defeat a ballot question, that is false, and that the person knows is false or communicates to others with reckless disregard of whether it is false. My interpretation of that gives me the notion to send the Hennepin County Attorney a listing of the letters they print in the Star Tribune. There are dozens of violations of this statute every single week from the left leaning correspondents. Her conviction rate will skyrocket! But, reading the notes and decisions amendment to this statute (211B.06) reveals the justice strangling loophole: Extreme and illogical inferences drawn from accurate fact statement was not "false information." Kennedy v. Voss, 304 N.W.2d 299 ( Minn. 1981). Now there's a plausible defense, Star Tribune letter-to-the-editor writers are not guilty on the grounds they are extreme and illogical. Getting back to Ms. Kahn, I suppose a 16 term incumbent still wields influence in this town, among the political elite (which includes county and city attorneys). Enough influence to get an absolute minimum charge and sentence, without a broader investigation. How do we know this is the only time she's done this? Given her leadership position within the DFL party, is it plausible that they may be involved in other such activities, in other districts? Is it possible that similar malevolent interference is taking place elsewhere, with the purpose of denying the sacred franchise to the good citizens of Minnesota? (OK, this is starting to sound like a letter to the editor to the Star Tribune. I'll stop now, before I get arrested). The broader lesson learned is that it may be time for we, the people, to step in and right the wrongs brought on by entrenched power and privilege. First, we need to pressure the legislature to make stealing campaign literature, or defacing/destroying signs, by candidates for office, a felony. We can call it Phyllis's Law. Next, good people of Minnesota district 59B. Yes, you people, who gave Phyllis Kahn 94.5% of the vote in 2002. For the good of the children, it's time to forget your petty partisan concerns and dispatch her for good. On November 2, Vote Amanda Hutchings! (Isn't she cute.) Labels: Politics-Local (04-05) Thursday, September 23, 2004
Forged Memos We'd Like to See On CBS News
Can a guy make a career out of forging office memoranda? The increasingly sad, desperate tale of Dan Rather duper Jim Burkett argues against that possibility. But our own Jim Styczinski continues to head into his basement and tirelessly crank these things out, with hilarious consequences. Below is his latest batch. If Jim keeps this up , he may do for the forged memo what Gallagher did for the watermelon. JIM ADDS: Maybe I could use this bit to become the next Don Rickles? 'I just got this memo from your mother -- she says you're ugly.' ________________________________________________________________________ To: Joe Streuhli (Commander of CosDiv 13) From: The Great Cambodi (USO magician) Date: December 27, 1968 Subject: My Magic Hat Dear Sir, I am a magician currently touring with the USO. On December 23 of this year, I was being transported to Sa Dec via Swift Boat PCF-44 for a Christmas Eve show. While on these USO trips I like to do all I can to entertain the troops even when I'm not on stage, so I put on a little show for the sailors who were transporting me. The key to my act is my Magic Hat from which I produce money and other objects seemingly out of thin air. On this occasion, I tossed my hat to a long faced fellow who seemed to be in command and asked him to verify that there was nothing in it. Instead the sailor put it on his head and said, "Wow thanks, now I have a lucky hat." I thought he was joking around, but he wouldn't give it back. Is there any way that you could get the hat back for me? I wouldn't mind except that it is custom made with secret compartments that are essential to my act. Signed, The Great Cambodi ________________________________________________________________________ To: Malcolm Forbes, Editor Forbes Magazine From: United States Senator John Forbes Kerry Date: January 12, 1992 Subject: Genealogy Dear Malcolm, Let me introduce myself, I am Senator John Forbes Kerry of Massachusetts. That's right, my middle name is Forbes, which is also my mother's maiden name! Since we are both from Northeastern aristocratic families named Forbes, I would say that there is a good chance that we are related! Do you happen to know whether we are cousins? I hope so, because I am a big admirer of your magazine, especially your recent feature on the 400 richest persons in America. Your research is very impressive. Hey, it just occurs to me that you probably collect a lot of information that you don't necessarily publish, like say marital status, home phone numbers, etc. Malcolm buddy, could you do a cuz a favor and pass along the phone numbers of any single women under 80 on the list? Thanks in advance. Signed, Cousin John _________________________________________________________________________ To: Teresa Heinz-Kerry From: Ted Eisenreich, Director of Facility Operations, Green Bay Packers Date: August 28, 2004 Subject: Your Generous Offer Dear Mrs. Heinz-Kerry, I am sorry to inform you that we must decline your generous offer. The Green Bay Packers organization and our fans place an immense value on tradition, and the name Lambeau Field is a rich part of that tradition. However, if we ever do decide to sell the stadium naming rights, your offer to name the stadium Lambert Field will receive strong consideration. Signed, Ted Eisenreich _________________________________________________________________________ To: Senator John Kerry From: William Pickle, United States Senate Sergeant at Arms Date: 12 January 2004 Subject: Voting 1. You are ordered to report to the floor of the United States Senate no later than 19 January 2004 to freaking vote. 2. Report to the office of Minority Whip Harry Reid for instructions on how to vote. Signed, Bill Pickle _________________________________________________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 7 May 1983 Henri Nannen, Publisher, Stern Magazine We at Stern stand by our story of 15 April 1983 regarding the authenticity of the recently discovered Hitler Diaries. The diaries were obtained from an unimpeachable source and were authenticated by two handwriting experts. The pajama wearing partisans of the Federal Archive have tried to shift focus to the paper, ink, and glue used, when they should address the contents of the diaries themselves. Even if the diaries are fake, no one has proven that they are not accurate reflections of Hitler's inner thoughts. _________________________________________________________________________ To: Dan Rather, CBS News From: Albert Einstein, Institute of Advanced Study, Princeton University Date: September 16, 2004 Subject: Reply to your query You are quite right when you assert that there is a finite probability that ink molecules in a thirty year old typed document could, through quantum tunneling, rearrange themselves in such a way that they appear to have been produced by a modern word processing machine. However, I could not even begin to solve the Schrödinger equation for this possibility. I would estimate that the probability of such an event occurring would be so close to zero as to be impossible. I strongly recommend that you come up with a more reasonable explanation. Signed, Your Pal Al _________________________________________________________________________ To: Dan Rather, CBS News From: Jim Boyd, Deputy Editorial Page Editor, Minneapolis Star Tribune Date: September 21, 2004 Subject: Hitting Power Line Let me ask you something Dan, do you want to counterattack or ride this to ground and outlast it? Of course you want to counterattack, and I have just what you need to ruin those Power Line frauds. I can supply you with not one, but two pieces from a well respected newspaper that unequivocally proves those guys to be fraudulent smear artists who can't stand up to the facts. That's not all; my exhaustive research has uncovered even more damaging information. First of all, Power Line has no affiliation whatsoever with any electric utility or any other means of producing or transporting electricity. Ha! I also have evidence that the so-called Deacon is NOT a member of the clergy, Hindrocket has no connection with NASA or any other rocket agency, and I have it on good authority that The Big Trunk is more of a small to medium trunk. As a show of solidarity, Dan, I will boycott any and all debates with the Power Liars. Courage, Dan, Courage! Signed, Jim Boyd
You're Out of Touch, I'm Out of Time
The Man from Silver Mountain thinks you're out of touch: I think your readers are out of touch with reality. nearly 2/3 of them think Rather will step down this year. They also think he's more likely to step down in the next week (or so) than to survive into 2006. That is nuts. CBS has suffered from this episode where their obvious bias has been spotlighted and it will cost them in terms of viewership and $, but they will not fire Dan over it, which is a shame. They simply don't have an heir apparent. All their guys are old. The only CBS newscaster I can name under the age of fifty-five is Julie Chen. They will need to start grooming someone now just to have them ready in 2006. The only way they get rid of Dan is if they get caught red-handed publishing another fabrication. This isn't likely, at least in the near future. All eyes are on them and they will need to be very careful. My guess is that if they do dig up dirt against W, that they won't let Dan anywhere near it and they will authenticate it thoroughly. Looking for an heir apparent eh? How about this mug? Craig Westover thinks we should praise Jesse, not bury him: Everyone should have the opportunity to vote. Not everyone should. Democracy works when the people that vote understand the issues and the consequences of their votes. By that standard, I submit that Jess Ventura choosing not to vote is an act of patriotism. Don't get me started on who should or shouldn't vote. Let's just say that Craig is right on this one. All in all, Jesse not voting is probably a very good thing.
You Just Keep On Pushing My Love...
We'd like to extend a warm welcome to the latest local entry in the blogosphere: On the BorderLine. Chris is keeping an eye on the notoriously porous Minnesota-Wisconsin border from his perch in Hudson, Wisconsin where he'll keep us updated on the firework smuggling, last call cross-border bar dashes, and Sunday beer runs that keep life interesting in the frontier outpost.
Thunderclouds Forming
It may not pack quite the same wallop as Hurricane Dan, but a storm is brewing in the 'sphere over Michelle Malkin's book In Defense Of Interment: The Case For "Racial Profiling" In World War II And The War On Terror. If this story hasn't been on your Doppler of yet, Professor Bainbridge's post is a good place to start. Joe Carter also has a incisive look at the evangelical outpost, where he includes an analysis of how such stories move between the blogosphere and the mainstream media. Of course Vox Day has been all over this controversy for weeks now. Here's one of his most recent posts on it. If you really want to get in-depth, browse through his archives where you'll be able to find fifty, maybe sixty posts covering it. I exaggerate only slightly. Better yet, tune in to the Northern Alliance Radio Network this Saturday when we'll have Vox on to discuss this issue. He'll join us in the third hour at 2pm CST. If you live in the Twin Cities tune in AM-1280 The Patriot. Otherwise listen over the live internet stream. We had Michelle on the show a couple of months ago to talk about the book. Now you'll have a chance to hear an opposing point of view. And ain't that what it's really all about? UPDATE: King has further words of wisdom on this matter. Wednesday, September 22, 2004
All You Gotta Do Is Call
I just got off the Palantir with Karl Rove and he commanded me to pass on this message from the Hennepin County Bush/Cheney '04 folks. As you wish master. Just 44 days until the election and we are in a sprint to the finish line. Many of you have expressed an interest in volunteering. Now is the time. The President needs your help. You don't want to wake up on November 3rd to a president-elect Kerry do you?! We now have an Edina/Bloomington phone bank open every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6-9pm from here on in. Please consider putting in a shift or two before November 2nd. We are especially in need of callers this week. These calls are to supporters and are easy!!!!! Frauenshuh Companies 7101 W. 78th Street Suite 100 On border of Bloomington and Edina. The building is just past Northwest Athletic Club. Same side of street. Green roof, reddish brick. About four stories high. If you want to sign up go to MN for Bush '04. Sign up early. Sign up often.
Strib Crying Over Spilt Manure
The Star Tribune editorial board is somewhat distraught over the Dan Rather memo fiasco. You might assume that their angst over this matter would stem from the shoddy journalism and questionable ethics employed by CBS. But while they do a bit of tut-tut ting and mildly rebuke Rather et al for their actions, the real reason for the Strib's displeasure is displayed at the end of the editorial: Of course it's possible that the details CBS reported about Bush's National Guard service will turn out to be correct; while the memos are suspect, Rather interviewed a contemporaneous source who confirmed the events they describe, and other news organizations are looking into the matter. But now it scarcely matters for CBS. Rather let something delicate and precious slip through his fingers, and the pieces will never quite fit together again. Now, what is this "delicate and precious" thing that Rather let slip that spawns the Strib's Gollumesque reaction? It's the opportunity to do harm to President Bush. They're not upset with their journalistic brethren for CBS's disgraceful behavior in using forged documents to create a story. They're upset because in doing so, CBS blew their chance to really nail Bush.
All You Gotta Do Is Click
Mike from Rathergate.com e-mails to report that: I took the list from Fraters Libertas and loaded it into web-based email software. Instead of copying chunks of emails into Outlook, etc - they can fill out one little form and I mail-merge individual emails to all the affiliates at once. (exactly like we did with shareholders till one threatened to sue) I'll also be working (probably all night) on building a spreadsheet of affiliate responses - you'll be able to scroll down and see what *your* affiliate, or any other affiliate for that matter, has already said. Keeping a compiled list in one place will let us not only beat up on those who still need it - but praising those who do the right thing. Go here to see how easy it is hit all the CBS affiliates with one click.
Looking For A Good Home
Wanted: A good home for an excitable pure bred left wing activist. DNC certified. Goes by the name Eli, but also responds well to "Bush Lied!" Can be aggressive at times and tends to bark profanities. Good with children unless they are fascist, brown-shirted Boy Scouts. Housetrained, but you may want to lay some issues of National Review on the floor just in case. Runt of the litter intellectually speaking. Immunized against logic and reason. Rabies free despite occasional foaming at the mouth. Loves to have his ego stroked. Comes with tin foil, Michael Moore Jerky Treats (high in fat, devoid of nutritional content), and Karl Rove chew toy.
Don't Cry For Me Minnesota
Remember that clod we elected governor back in '98, during the calm before the storm, when politics was considered so trivial that people in Minnesota thought it would be amusing to have a wrestler running the state? Fresh off his fellowship at Fair Harvard, he's back in the news pouting because, "I have no one to vote for": Former Gov. Jesse Ventura said Tuesday that he doesn't plan to vote in the upcoming elections because his views don't align with any presidential candidate and because Independence Party candidates likely won't appear on the Minnesota ballot. "I can vote against someone if I want, but I have no one to vote for," he said after giving a speech at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Sniff. Poor Jesse. Has the American electoral process let you down booby? Awwww. We feel so soway for you. Poor baby. The election just won't be the same now that you've taken your ballot and gone home. You want something to really cry about Jesse? Take a look in the mirror (WARNING: not suitable for viewing by children under twelve. May cause night terrors and lasting psychological damage.)
Nothing can stop it now. Nothing.
The Golden Girl e-mails with some wedding planning advice for Atomizer: So today we learn that the Atomizer is a thirty-seven year old unlicensed architect. He's not a short fat bald guy named Costanza (alias Art Vandalay), is he? If so, someone better warn the Atomizerette not to lick the wedding invitation envelopes. Speaking of Atomizer's upcoming hitching, posting may be light for the rest of the day as Saint Paul, JB, and I are off to pick up our gift for the lucky couple. Nothing sets a bride and groom up for a future of matrimonial bliss like a crate of Plymouth Rocks. It really is the gift that keeps on giving.
Off Target
I have received a number of e-mails pointing out that Target Visa credit cards are in no way associated with Citibank. Keep your scissors away from the red bullseye.
Chicken Dance
In six short weeks I will officially join the ranks of those bound in Holy Matrimony, although I'm told that no actual physical binding will occur on the Big Day or for any foreseeable time thereafter. The jury's still out as to how I feel about this. I approach this particular milestone in my life with no trace of trepidation aside from the persistent feeling that my beautiful bride-to-be will one day come to her senses and drop her soon-to-be-middle-aged unlicensed architect fiancée with a sporadic blogging habit and a raging addiction to both gin and nicotine for a more suitable lifelong partner (an out of work crack whore, perhaps?). The nuptial preparations have reached a feverish pitch, nonetheless. In fact, the lovely Atomizerette and I have come to the point in the wedding planning process where things finally get interesting. I speak, of course, about the Gift Registry Stage. Up until now, it has been all about flowers and music and dresses and shoes and rings and invitations and meal selection and napkin presentation. I'm not joking here, folks. Our "Event Coordinator" recently asked us how we wanted the napkins to be displayed on the dinner tables: fan-fold, tri-fold or elegantly placed in each guest's water glass (before the water is introduced, I presume). We opted for the tri-fold. We ain't savages, for cryin' out loud! This Gift Registry Stage is something that I can really get excited about. All I have to do is walk the floors of a few local retail establishments with a laser scanner in my hand, pull the trigger whenever I catch a glimpse of an item that tickles my fancy and two months later it appears in my living room. (I must mention here that the "movie cop" approach to gift scanning...you know what I mean...prowling around the store with the barrel of the laser gun pressed up against your cheek and "surprising" your target with the quick aim and shoot maneuver...is funny only once. ONCE!!!) That's where we found ourselves this past Sunday afternoon, roaming the racks at Pier 1 and Marshall Fields picking out things that we really don't need but feel obligated to ask for. And why not, really? I've been on the giving end of so many weddings in my thirty-seven years, that it's about time I'm on the receiving end. Gimme what's mine, dammit, and to hell with practicality! I'll take one of those pasta machines, a deep fat fryer, a couple of those crystal martini glasses and a jewel encrusted cocktail shaker...and don't forget about the place settings! By the time we're through with this thing, we'll be able to serve homemade crepes, onion rings and orrechetti to the entire Togolese Republic on fine bone china plates...and everyone gets a free matching gravy boat as a parting gift. As engrossed in this process of amassing a great fortune of useless items as I was, I couldn't help but notice a very disturbing trend. Everywhere I looked, there were chickens. Chickens on serving platters. Chickens on salt and pepper shakers. Chickens on cheese plates. Chickens on napkins. Chickens on napkin rings. Chickens on aprons. Chickens on plaques. Chickens on candleholders. Chickens on clocks. Chickens on photo holders. Chickens as centerpieces. Pier 1 even had little wooden poseable chicken dolls placed on various furniture items throughout the store. I have no idea if these little beasts were for sale or if the cursed bastards were sent here to torment me by the devil himself but by the end of our shopping spree, I was more than a little creeped out. Suffice it to say, if I see one freaking chicken on "Gift Opening Day", I'm going to lose it. Unless, of course, the little guy comes with the Presto Cool Daddy electric deep fryer with removable pot. I could really use one of those. Tuesday, September 21, 2004
alt dot nerd dot obsessive
It's way too early to start speculating on this sort of thing, and the whole idea is really a little far-fetched, but after seeing this would it be so hard to imagine that when Time names its 2004 Person of the Year it could be (gulp)... ...The Blogger? Before you dismiss this out of hand and shout me down as a raving lunatic (I'm looking at you Saint Paul) consider that the 2003 Person of the Year was the American Soldier, the 2002 Persons of the Year were "The Whistleblowers" (currently residing in the "where are they now?" bin), and in 1982 the Time "Machine of the Year" was The Computer. Of course the question would then be how The Blogger would be represented on the cover. I'm thinking Comic Book Guy from The Simpson's in pajamas or boxers. Other ideas?
Loosely Affiliated
Jim Geraghty at The Kerry Spot has posted some of the responses that his readers are getting from CBS affiliates. It seems as if many of them are doing everything they can to distance themselves from CBS News and Dan Rather in particular. John from Colorado shares his response from KCNC in Denver: Firstly, I would like to take a moment to thank you for your letter. Please know that your comments are being read and shared with our partners at the network. As you may know, our newsroom here in Denver operates independently from the network newsroom in New York. As the former news director here at KCNC, I can tell you that credibility, fairness, balance and accuracy are more than words to us. They are guideposts to how our news team does its job each day. It's that commitment to you that we hope gives you reliable coverage here in Denver. We will continue to do that for you. As I wrote, this is certainly a matter of continual discussion between CBS News and News4. Your comments will be added to those from our other news viewers who also feel passionately about this issue and about the integrity of news broadcasts. I'm still waiting to hear back on this matter from our local CBS affiliate in the Twin Cities (WCCO-TV, Mr. Trey Fabacher-Station Manager tfabacher@wcco.cbs.com if anyone is interested). Here is the list of general managers of CBS affiliates in the United States again. (NOTE: The KCBS station manager in LA is actually Patrick McClenahan. Which would make his e-mail address: pmcclenahan@cbs.com ) If you're looking for a good template to contact affiliates, check out this letter by Dave at No Illusions. We mentioned that some people were cutting up their Citibank credit cards. Bill from Minneapolis e-mails to with more on that: Maybe you addressed this today, but another thing to keep in mind with Citibank is that they administer (own? are a front for?) other companies' credit cards. For instance, I have credit cards from Office Max and BP/Amoco that are issued by Citibank. I think my Target card is this way also, but I haven't found any documentation as such. If you look at the back of a credit card statement, it generally shows the bank that issued the card. Here are contact lists for CBS advertisers and Viacom shareholders.
No Longer A Question Of "If" But "When"
Dan Rather's days at CBS are numbered. He may be able to hang on for a few more months, maybe a year until his "retirement" is made official. Or, if new twists develop in the story, as details now seem to be emerging on a daily basis, and the pressure on CBS and Viacom mounts, be may be forced out in the next few weeks. What do you think? Note: We're not asking when you think Rather should resign (is today soon enough?), but when he actually will step aside.
Party At Your House? Yeah, We Can Make That
How sweet it is. Not only do the Twins clinch their third straight AL Central Division title, they do it by thrashing the whiny Whitties in their house. A little icing was added to the celebration cake because the Twins pounded lippy White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle, who apparently is better at tossing bitter bromides than baseballs. Hey Mark, before you open your trap and spout off again, why don't you actually win something first? Ask the Twins if you need any advice on that. They seem to be getting pretty good at it, while the classless losers you share a clubhouse with don't have a clue. Monday, September 20, 2004
Word To The DFL
Uh...guys they're fake. Just so you know. Because you might want to take down the story on your website that is based on them. The forged memos I mean. You have heard about this whole thing right? Just checking.
Paradise Regained
In the blogosphere? Gary Larson seems to believe so: Serving mainly Party faithfuls' political bias is one big reason for the MSM's shrinking pool of readers and viewers. Surveys show the public is not buying into their one-sidedness. In free and open encounters, blogs are winning, winning big, among the informed classes. This suits our Republic just fine; truth searches, not petty partisanship, are being well-served. Thomas Jefferson would be proud. And 17th Century poet John Milton would be positively ecstatic.
Call, Complain, and Cut
Don's been on the phone: Called my local affiliate in South Bend Indiana. They gave me this number for CBS in N.Y. (212) 975-3247 They answered immediately and took my comments. Might help to post this number and inundate them with comments, complaints, whatever! Indeed it might. Tim from Palmdale, CA has been busy with his scissors: Following Mr. Stork's lead, I called Citi Cards to cancel my account. The customer service agent told me that he never heard of someone canceling a card just because Citi advertises on a particular show or network. He offered to up my limit and to issue some sort of a rewards card. My "no thanks" received a chilly response that my account would be cancelled, good day. If CBS thinks that today's half-hearted apologies are the end of the story, they're sadly mistaken. Once again here are contact lists for: General managers of CBS affiliates in the United States (NOTE: The KCBS station manager in LA is actually Patrick McClenahan. Which would make his e-mail address: pmcclenahan@cbs.com ) Viacom shareholders CBS advertisers This story is not over by a long shot and won't be until CBS comes clean and cleans house.
The Slightly Less Nutty Professor
Check out the brand spanking new look at SCSUScholars. First a simpler URL. Now a redesign with much better look and feel. Next thing you know the ol' prof will even start combing his hair. Don't go and lose all that eccentric charm at once King.
The Next Great Debate ?
Michelle Malkin, Vox Day, the case for and against internment of United States citizens based on their national origin, a one hour debate on the Northern Alliance Radio Network. It's a done deal, that is, if Ms. Malkin is willing to face perhaps her most ardent and well researched critic, Mr. Vox Day. Vox puts out the challenge today in his World Net Daily column. And he reminds Michelle of something she wrote recently about the post Rather era of media punditry: The wall between the self-anointed press protectorate and the unwashed masses has crumbled And if it will help set the proper tone, I will make sure Vox Day agrees to not wash himself before his appearance (which thank goodness, will be via telephone). Check out Vox's blog and archives for a thorough presentation of his views on Japanese internment during WWII. And if you would find a discussion between him and the author of In Defense of Internment to be enlightening during these troubled times of war and terrorism, consider sending Michelle a note to that affect. In the event of Ms. Malkin's decline of this offer, this Saturday will be Vox solo (and in that case, he has our permission to shower before hand).
If You Can Make It There...
The local boys who done good provide a comprehensive look at Kerry's Vietnam service in today's New York Post. UPDATE: Don't miss the second part on Kerry's activities after Vietnam as well.
Rather Revealing
If the e-mails I have been receiving are any indication, the CBS advertisers, affiliates, and shareholders have got to be feeling the heat. Here's a small sample of what I've been getting. Please note that these folks are not exactly die-hard Bush supporters. Richard hits Citibank where it hurts the most: This evening I went through my wallet, and to my surprise found two credit cards from Citibank. With a little research, I found out who to send the cut up cards to. They're in the mail, along with the following letter. Ken Stork, President Citi Cards c/o Citi customer service PO Box 6500 Sioux Falls SD 57117 Dear Mr. Stork: Enclosed you will find the remains of my Citi ATT Universal Visa Card. I have had the card for 14 years, and have a $9100 credit limit. I also enclose my AAdvantage Citi MasterCard, which I got earlier this year, and which has a $10,000 limit. I have closed the accounts, and wanted you to know why. Citi is a regular advertiser with CBS News. As you may know, CBS News recently used forged military documents in an attempt to swing the election against the incumbent, George Bush. As reprehensible as this would be in peacetime, we are now at war. I lost friends on September 11th, and have others serving in Iraq and Afghanistan now. CBS News tried to remove our Commander in Chief, through fraud and deception. I cannot support these actions in any way. Even though I have not supported the war or this President, an attempt to subvert our electoral process rises above simple partisan politics. I will boycott any firm that advertises with CBS News, unless and until CBS fires everyone involved with the story, makes a full public disclosure of the events around the deception, and apologizes to President Bush and the American people. I have been pleased to do business with Citi, and regret that our relationship must end now. Your service and products have been outstanding. If you cease advertising with CBS, I will be happy to re-activate my accounts. In a followup e-mail Richard advises: In going down the list [of CBS advertisers], Citi and American Express are the best targets. Most people aren't going to buy a new car in the next six months, so it's hard to effectively boycot Ford or Kia. If you send an email to Campbell's saying you're not going to buy their soup, they don't know if you do or not. And I'm not going to boycot Zocor if it's been prescribed. But cut up your credit card and send it to them, and they get the message. When I called and canceled my Citi accounts they just about begged me to stay. On the American Airlines card they offered me 25,000 frequent flyer miles if I'd leave the account open. The other good thing about targeting them is that they're widespread. I'd bet 60% of the people that read FL have either an Amex card or a Citi card. If Amex or Citi got 100 people canceling their accounts, they'd move those ads to another show on CBS. If they get 1000, they'll take their ads off CBS all together. They figure that a single customer is worth something like $1000 in profit over his lifetime. It would be a symbolic victory, but a powerful one. So my suggestion is to focus on those two companies, knock them down, and move on to the next target. Alastair e-mailed with this: I thought you might be interested in this correspondence, as I got the inspiration from your post. By the way, I'm not--I hope--a fellow right winger. Lifelong Democrat, Bush will be my first Presidential vote for an Elephant. And I'm not too happy about him, if that matters...which, actually, it hardly does, given the post 9-11 choices that our country faces. Jay Newman General Manager, WJZ-TV 3725 Malden Avenue Baltimore, MD 21211 phone (410) 578-7507 fax (410) 578-0642 Dear Mr. Newman, I had the pleasure of corresponding on Friday with David Folkenflik, the Baltimore Sun reporter who is covering the "60 Minutes"-Killian Memos controversy. Having taken the trouble to lay out my view of that situation for him, I thought I might take a moment and share it with you as well. Unfortunately, the picture is not pretty. And even though my correspondence with Mr. Folkenflik ended only a few hours ago, some circumstances have already changed, and not for the better from CBS News' point of view. CBS' Journalistic Malpractice prior to airing "60 Minutes" -CBS did not show that they checked facts in the Killian memos. -CBS did not produce a single qualified expert in military correspondence who checked the Killian memos for consistency. -CBS did not produce a single qualified expert in typography who checked the Killian memos for consistency. -CBS has produced Marcel Matley as the expert who authenticated the memos. Since the broadcast, Matley has backed away, saying that these documents cannot be authenticated. -CBS suppressed the findings of document experts Linda James and Emily Wills when their analysis showed that the memos were forgeries. -CBS has named James J. Pierce as an expert who continues to support the documents' authenticity. To my knowledge, nobody knows who he is. [update: he's been found, but further damages CBS' case] -CBS did not acknowledge that they held only copies of documents, and that experts agree that only originals can be authenticated. -CBS suppressed interviews conducted prior to broadcast conducted with Killian's family that cast doubt upon the memos' authenticity. -CBS misrepresented National Guard veteran Hodges' endorsement of the memos. It turns out that he listened to them being read over the phone, while under the impression that they were Killian's handwritten notes. CBS' Journalistic Malpractice since airing "60 Minutes" -CBS has not acknowledged that the Killian memos contain errors of fact that make crude forgery a likelihood. -CBS has not acknowledged that the Killian memos contain errors in military correspondence formatting that make crude forgery a likelihood. -CBS has not acknowledged that the typography of the Killian memos shows that they were printed from a computer. -CBS shopped for a favorable expert opinions in the aftermath of the "60 Minutes" broadcast, putting forth as "expert" the opinion of OE70s-era IBM typewriter technician Bill Glennon, after he had stepped forward to defend the Killian memos in the comments section of a prominent website. -CBS has not acknowledged the dishonest logic of urging disbelief of Marian Knox when she calls the memos forged, but urging uncritical acceptance when she says they reflect what Killian thought. Does CBS find her credible, or not? -CBS has not reported Killian's son's challenge to Knox's position regarding her working relationship with his father. Fifteen points, to which I could add others. CBS News has dealt with none of them. None. Anyone can see that the 60 Minute memos are forgeries. CBS News never had a case. But they continue to pretend that the memos are genuine. This is contemptible. I hope that you are aware that New York's behavior will affect the viewing habits of Baltimore television watchers. Aside from checking out "Dan Rather's latest tall tales," I'm urging my family to switch from watching news on Channel 13 to watching Channel 11. We'll still watch the shows we like (CSI, Survivor, and, sometimes, Amazing Race). We might stay with the weather as well. But what's the point of watching the news if you have to wonder whether the reporters can be trusted? I hope you have a way to let the network's news division know that they are making a big mistake. I don't think that I'm the only one who feels this way!
Press On
If you wish to let CBS, their shareholders, and advertisers know what you think about Rather's fraudin' and forgin' here is some contact information: A list of general managers of CBS affiliates in the United States (sorted in alphabetical order by city) A list of Viacom shareholders A list of CBS advertisers Meanwhile, Rathergate.com has set up a process to send e-mails to the top fifty Class B Viacom shareholders by simply filling out one form. UPDATE: Keeping it up on top. UPDATE II: Chris e-mails to suggest that the name of the KCBS station manager is actually Patrick McClenahan. Which would make his e-mail address: pmcclenahan@cbs.com Thanks Chris. UPDATE III: Winner suggests another avenue to apply pressue is the evil Clear Channel Communications empire which owns six CBS affiliates. UPDATE IV: Ohio Fritz e-mails with more contact information. If you would like to contact Viacom's non-management directors, you may send an e-mail to: nonmanagementdirectors@viacom.com or write to: Viacom Inc. 1515 Broadway, New York, NY 10036-5794, Attention Non-Management Directors -- 52nd Floor. Sunday, September 19, 2004
Take Me Down To The Paradise Drive
About a month ago, I polished off David Brooks' latest effort On Paradise Drive: How We Live Now (And Always Have) in the Future Tense. Picking up where he left off after his humorous look at "bourgeoisie bohemians" in Bobos in Paradise, Brooks turns his attention to more average Americans and looks at what drives us as a people. Part sociological, part philosophical, part historical Brooks' book is an effort to explain how much of the today's middlebrow behavior is a continuation of the pursuit of the American Dream. While Brooks is more than willing and quite able to poke fun at what he encounters in his journey through the suburbs, schools, and shopping malls of America, he does so with a sympathetic eye, absent the sneering tone so prevalent in most of the work on this subject: for he believes in the idea of American Exceptionalism, even when it is not always so easy to recognize. The first few chapters are a look at the type of communities we live in and what those communities say about us and the country as a whole. He deftly captures the attitude of the urban cool zones or what he calls "bike messenger land", including the "alternative" media: As you know, the alternative weekly is the most conservative form of American journalism. You can go to just about any big city in the land and be pretty sure that the alternative weekly you find there will look exactly like the alternative weekly in the city you just left. On dressing down to look cool: It's cooler to be poor and damaged than wealthy and accomplished, which is why rich and beautiful supermodels stand around in bars trying to look like Sylvia Plath and the Methadone Sisters, with their post-hygiene hair, a red-rimmed teary look around their eyes, their orange, just-escaped-from-the-mental-hospital blouses, and the sort of facial expression that suggests they're about forty-five seconds away from a spectacularly successful suicide attempt. When he reaches suburbia, he gives us a hilarious look at the "Grill-buying Guy": Once inside the megastore, he adopts the stride American men fall into when in the presence of large amounts of lumber. I know that swagger. I love the smell of lumber. And what is the deciding factor in the grill buying decision matrix? All major purchases of consumer durable goods these days ultimately come down to which model has the most impressive cup holders. Brooks examines the social structure in America and concludes that it defies the simple stratifications used in the past: There is no one single elite in America. Hence, there is no definable establishment to be oppressed by and to rebel against. One of the great observations about this country is that here, anybody can kick everybody else's ass. As you may have noticed, 90% of Americans have way too much self-esteem (while the remainder has none at all). Nobody in this decentralized, fluid social structure knows who is mainstream and who is alternative, who is elite and who is populist. He also looks at different areas of American life to see how the drive for exceptionalism plays out. Here are some of my favorite observations. Childhood: The American is conceived amid a flurry of quality-control evaluations ("Was it good for you honey?"), lives in an atmosphere of progress reports, and dies amid a carefully calibrated burst of obituaries, funeral evaluations, and testimonials. Education: It's true that most professors are liberal, and in its wisdom, American society has decided to warehouse its radicals on university campuses--in departments that serve as nunneries for the perpetually alienated. We assume that if adults try to offer moral instruction, it will backfire, because young people will reject our sermonizing (though truth be told, they more often seem to hunger for precisely this kind of big question guidance. Working: The secret to American economic success is that we have millions of people in this country capable of devoting intensity to infinitesimally narrow product niches. The American work ethic grows both out of the old-fashioned work ethic--creating oneself through labor--and out of the intoxication induced by plenty, the availability, all around, of opportunities to punch through and surpass one's fondest dreams. Many of the best people have embraced commerce while knowing it is insufficient. They adopt a gradational ethic that begins with material striving and is meant to lead to higher aims. And even the plethora of magazines devoted to the most arcane subject matter: Here we begin to see the feature that we observe so often in American life: the ability to slather endless amounts of missionary zeal on apparently trivial subjects and thereby transform them into harbingers of some larger transcendence. About those photos that people send in to Cigar Aficionado: The best shot I ever saw in this genre featured a cigar smoker crouching in front of his Corvette, with his three-car garage and two rider mowers visible in the background: a masterpiece of compressing all of one's penis-augmentation devices into one small photograph. Which helps explain why: As we see again and again in suburban life, this paradise drive, this longing to realize blissful tomorrows, can take both the highest and lowest forms, involve the most noble and the most crass qualities, sometimes in the same person in the same hour. There were a few times in the book when I thought Brooks was wandering too far a field and I didn't always understand how his argument was being laid out, but when you reach the last chapters it comes together nicely (at least it did for me). Brooks is seeking to define the American Dream, what it means to be an American, and why America is exceptional. In fact, the American Dream is the dream of finding a place where one is liberated from the burden of the future, though that place is always in the future. What defines us as a people is our pursuit, our movement, and our tendency to head out. Our exceptionalism takes the form of energy and mobility and dreams of ascent. America is a country that goes every year to the doctor and every year is told that it has contracted some fatal disease--whether it is conformity, narcissism, godlessness, or civic disengagement--and a year later, the patient comes back with cheeks still red and muscles still powerful. The diagnosis is just as grim, and the patient is just as healthy. The bottom line for Brooks is that for all its faults, foibles, and fetishes, America is the solution. As I said earlier, that works for me. Other books of note from my summer reading: An American Life, the autobiography of Ronald Reagan. You want a straightforward, honest, simple, and yet compelling memoir by a President? Read this book. Here's one of my favorite anecdotes that any real American boy could relate to: On the eve of the Fourth of July, when I was eleven, I managed somehow to obtain some prohibited fireworks, including a particularly powerful variety of firecracker known as a torpedo. As I approached the town bridge that spanned the Rock River on afternoon, I let a torpedo fly against a brick wall next to the bridge. The ensuing blast was appropriately loud, but as I savored it, a car pulled up and the driver ordered me to get inside. You think John Kerry every "let a torpedo fly" as a kid? I mean without considering the future political ramifications of it. Ever since 9/11, I've been hearing about a book that was a "must read" if one were to seek to understand the nature of the struggle that we're engaged in. I recall listening as callers to both the Hugh Hewitt and Dennis Prager talk radio shows begged the hosts to read the book. I believe that Prager now has, but I'm not sure about Hugh. It was also repeatedly mentioned in publications such as National Review and at various web sites. This constant drumbeat of buzz about the book caught my attention and I added it to my lengthy reading list. Having finally gotten around to it, I can say without hesitation that it lives up to all the hype. And so I add my voice to the chorus urging you to read David Pryce Jones' The Closed Circle: An Interpretation of the Arabs. Pryce describes how tribal societies, the power-challenging dialectic, the code of shame and honor, and careerism have shaped and continue to influence Arab countries and culture. Needless to say, such analysis has probably never been more relevant than today. In one of the chapters Pryce deals with Turkey, and a few quotes from Ataturk nicely summarize my views on running Fraters Libertas: "I don't mean to be like the rest of you," Ataturk had boasted. "I mean to be somebody." "I don't want any consideration, criticism, or advice. I will have only my way. All shall do as I command." "I don't act for public opinion; I act for the nation and my own satisfaction." Now that's what you call a strong horse. Finally, we turn to fiction to lighten things up. If you are a fan of alternative history and the Civil War you should enjoy Gettysburg: A Novel of the Civil War. This is the first book in a series by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen that speculates on what might have been. Some of the reviews that I've read have nitpicked over details, but for my money it's a well researched and riveting account on how the pivotal battle could ended much differently. The next volume is called, Grant Comes East, and I look forward to diving into it in the near future. After I read the nine books sitting in my backlog right now that is. Maybe, one day, I'll finally have time enough at last to catch up.
The Right Man At The Right Time
For MSNBC? Terrie believes so: Thank you for providing the information to allow outraged viewers and, in my case, non-viewers to contact CBS regarding Rathergate. The metaphor is imperfect, but I consider you and your peers in the Northern Alliance and elsewhere to be the Thomas Paines of the information technology revolution. I discovered you, Captain Ed, the Powerline guys, et al, via Hugh Hewitt. For many months I would access your web sites from his home page, but since Rathergate I have made at least as many daily visits to your sites as Hugh's and probably more. So I finally "bookmarked" your site and others for easier access. Thus Hugh is losing a little traffic, which might be fair turnabout for his obsessive teasing of "Peeps." Did you hear his show a few weeks ago when he played Neil Young's "The Needle and the Damage Done" in the context of your "addiction" to donuts? That was a little bit overdone, but I'm sure he teases because he loves. In my latest blog entry, I suggest that MSNBC offer Hugh his own talk show. In a perfect world, Hugh and Dennis Prager would be recognized as the national treasures they are. But I am serious about Hugh, who is the right media man for these times. Can we start a campaign to get him his own TV show? Hugh on MSNBC? I don't know if I would wish that fate upon my worst enemy, much less a friend like Hugh.
Isn't That An Oxymoron?
Media Ethics Project is taking the case against CBS to the FCC: New York, NY , September 17, 2004 . Media Ethics Project ("MEP") of New York today petitioned the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") to sanction CBS News and its parent organization, Viacom, Inc., for its recent broadcast of news reports based on use of forged documents. MET is a newly formed group seeking to focus on the public interest responsibilities of mass media organizations. Saturday, September 18, 2004
THAT'S My Name!
Kerry's campaign is off track. The troops are demoralized. He's down in the polls. And hiring the Ragin' Cajun aint gonna cut it. Kerry's campaign needs to hire Blake, the brilliant character from Glengarry Glenross by David Mamet. If you haven't seen it, you're in luck because it was recently relased on DVD. I picked up a copy for 8 bucks at Walmart. In this classic scene, Blake has been sent from "Downtown" to fire up a group of real estate salesmen who are down on their luck. With leadership like what you are about to read Kerry might actually win. (warning: there is plenty of profanity in this piece) Blake: Let me have your attention for a moment! So you're talking about what? You're talking about...(puts out his cigarette)...bitching about that sale you shot, some son of a bitch that doesn't want to buy, somebody that doesn't want what you're selling, some broad you're trying to screw and so forth. Let's talk about something important. Are they all here? Williamson: All but one. Blake: Well, I'm going anyway. Let's talk about something important! (to Levene) Put that coffee down!! Coffee's for closers only. (Levene scoffs) Do you think I'm fucking with you? I am not fucking with you. I'm here from downtown. I'm here from Mitch and Murray. And I'm here on a mission of mercy. Your name's Levene? Levene: Yeah. Blake: You call yourself a salesman, you son of a bitch? Moss: I don't have to listen to this shit. Blake: You certainly don't pal. 'Cause the good news is -- you're fired. The bad news is you've got, all you got, just one week to regain your jobs, starting tonight. Starting with tonights sit. Oh, have I got your attention now? Good. 'Cause we're adding a little something to this months sales contest. As you all know, first prize is a Cadillac Eldorado. Anyone want to see second prize? Second prize's a set of steak knives. Third prize is you're fired. You get the picture? You're laughing now? You got leads. Mitch and Murray paid good money. Get their names to sell them! You can't close the leads you're given, you can't close shit, you ARE shit, hit the bricks pal and beat it 'cause you are going out!!! Levene: The leads are weak. Blake: 'The leads are weak.' Fucking leads are weak? You're weak. I've been in this business fifteen years. Moss: What's your name? Blake: FUCK YOU, that's my name!! You know why, Mister? 'Cause you drove a Hyundai to get here tonight, I drove a eighty thousand dollar BMW. That's my name!! (to Levene) And your name is "you're wanting." And you can't play in a man's game. You can't close them. (at a near whisper) And you go home and tell your wife your troubles. (to everyone again) Because only one thing counts in this life! Get them to sign on the line which is dotted! You hear me, you fucking faggots? (Blake flips over a blackboard which has two sets of anagrams on it: ABC, and AIDA.) Blake: A-B-C. A-always, B-be, C-closing. Always be closing! Always be closing!! A-I-D-A. Attention, interest, decision, action. Attention -- do I have your attention? Interest -- are you interested? I know you are because it's fuck or walk. You close or you hit the bricks! Decision -- have you made your decision for Christ?!! And action. A-I-D-A; get out there!! You got the prospects comin' in; you think they came in to get out of the rain? Guy doesn't walk on the lot unless he wants to buy. Sitting out there waiting to give you their money! Are you gonna take it? Are you man enough to take it? (to Moss) What's the problem pal? You. Moss. Moss: You're such a hero, you're so rich. Why you coming down here and waste your time on a bunch of bums? (Blake sits and takes off his gold watch) Blake: You see this watch? You see this watch? That watch cost more than your car. I made $970,000 last year. How much you make? You see, pal, that's who I am. And you're nothing. Nice guy? I don't give a shit. Good father? Fuck you -- go home and play with your kids!! (to everyone) You wanna work here? Close!! (to Aaronow) You think this is abuse? You think this is abuse, you cocksucker? You can't take this -- how can you take the abuse you get on a sit?! You don't like it -- leave. I can go out there tonight with the materials you got, make myself fifteen thousand dollars! Tonight! In two hours! Can you? Can you? Go and do likewise! A-I-D-A!! Get mad! You sons of bitches! Get mad!! You know what it takes to sell real estate? (He pulls something out of briefcase) It takes brass balls to sell real estate. (That's what he's now holding, two brass balls on string, over the appropriate "area"--he puts them away after a pause) Blake: Go and do likewise, gents. The money's out there, you pick it up, it's yours. You don't--I have no sympathy for you. You wanna go out on those sits tonight and close, close, it's yours. If not you're going to be shining my shoes. Bunch of losers sitting around in a bar. (in a mocking weak voice) "Oh yeah, I used to be a salesman, it's a tough racket." (he takes out large stack of red index cards tied together with string from his briefcase) These are the new leads. These are the Glengarry leads. And to you, they're gold. And you don't get them. Because to give them to you is just throwing them away. (he hands the stack to Williamson) They're for closers. I'd wish you good luck but you wouldn't know what to do with it if you got it. (to Moss as he puts on his watch again) And to answer your question, pal: why am I here? I came here because Mitch and Murray asked me to, they asked me for a favor. I said, the real favor, follow my advice and fire your fucking ass because a loser is a loser. (He stares at Moss for a sec, and then picking up his briefcase, goes into inner office with Williamson)
Regarding the seasonal ending of Dollar Hot Dog Night at the Metrodome, Loree from Eagan writes in to let us know there may hope during this long off season of regularly priced wieners:
I thought your post about dollar dog night at the Dome was very funny. I read it out loud at dinner last night and we all had a good laugh at your misery. Sorry. We have been to a couple of Wednesday night Twins games this year. Not my idea, as you can imagine, my family thinks they are great, especially my 18-year old stepson. I talked him in to going along to IKEA with us the first week it opened. Ever been to the new IKEA? Not my stepson's cup of tea either, until he found the Exit Bistro at the end of the cashier's line. They have dollar hot dogs just like the dome and they even have a special: one hot dog and a soda for $1.25. Add a dollar cinnamon roll for dessert and for $2.25 you have a meal. No beer though. And lots of chairs, but no one is throwing them. My god, that deal that exceeds even Dollar Hot Dog Night. Next time I'm in Bloomington I may have to stop by Ikea for a meal and some baseball memories. All the more appropriate given Ikea's location next to the sacred grounds of the old Metropolitan Stadium. And this looks a lot more comfortable than a concrete staircase for my post feast recovery. I just hope the word of this doesn't spread to the entire bargain hot dog eating community in town, because the local history of discounted wieners is one of unrest and strife. Most famously, the Twins game against they Yankees in early May 2001, one of the first Dollar Hot Dog Nights, and also the return of prodigal son Chuck (Choke) Knoblauch. As reported by the Associated Press: Twins vice president Dave St. Peter said the team was taken by surprise by Wednesday's attendance, which was bolstered by the team's hot start and promotions that included dollar hot dogs. The last time the team drew 36,000 to a midweek game in April or May was 13 years ago, he said. Fans still angry at Knoblauch for leaving the team when it was down threw golf balls, hot dogs and plastic beer bottles at Knoblauch Wednesday night, causing umpires to pull the Yankees off the field for 12 minutes in the sixth inning of Minnesota's 4-2 win. The game also was delayed in the eighth for about five minutes, and umpires said they considered calling a forfeit. More than 40 fans were ejected Despite their claims of surprise, Twins officials were well aware of the connection between discount hot dogs and violence. Again from the AP: During a home game in April that also included the dollar hot dog promotion, fans started a food fight with the discounted franks in a Metrodome concourse. More details from the Pittsburg Tribune-Review, who claim the inaugural Dollar Hot Dog Night was baptized in blood: For all Wednesday home games, the Twins lower the price of hot dogs to $1. During this season's first dollar-dog night, about 13,000 hot dogs were doled out to a crowd of just 11,149. With so much rabid demand for the dogs, culinary violence was inevitable. A food fight broke out on the concourse behind the stands in left field. "Food fights are going to break out when you sell 13,000 hot dogs - as well as some people having upset stomachs the next day," said Dave St. Peter, the team's senior vice president for business affairs. It's all true and hopefully this will serve as a warning to Ikea. But properly managed, and severely policed, Dollar Hot Dogs are a beautiful thing. Check out this tribute by Major League Baseball to the history of the ball park frank. These quotes accurately summarize their appeal : "A hot dog at the ballpark is better than steak at the Ritz." -- Humphrey Bogart "The last time I saw my dad alive, we went to a ballgame at Coors Field in 2001," said Terry Brejla, who now lives in the San Francisco area. "He was legally blind by that time. I bought him a Colorado Rockies hat, which he proudly wore. I told him I wanted to take him out for dinner on the way back to my house. He said, 'Thanks, but no thanks.' "He would just as soon have a couple of hot dogs at the ballpark and a beer, because that was the kind of meal men had together when they were enjoying each other's company at a ball game."
No Pill Is Goin' Cure His Ills
They got a bad case of hatin' you: DoctorsAgainstEdwards.com's mission is to inform physicians and the public about the history of personal-injury trial lawyer Senator John Edwards, Democratic vice-presidential candidate, and the detrimental impact he has already had on the American healthcare system and the furthur damage he could have on both the healthcare system and the economy in general if elected to the vice-presidential office.
Time For A Beer Run
Today is the annual James Page Blubber Run in Downtown Minneapolis. Five kilometers of running in the morning. Many liters of beer the rest of the day. God and my strained quadriceps muscle willing, I'll be participating for the fifth time in the last six years. Running is a heck of a lot easier when you're properly motivated. Friday, September 17, 2004
NPR's "Undecided" Voter Exposed
Overseas reader David has been doing some investigating into an "undecided" voter who is being featured on NPR. This week NPR's Morning Edition with Renee Montangne started a feature called "Questions for NPR's Swing Voter" which is described as: A first in a series of chats with NPR's very own swing voter. Commentator John Ridley is still undecided. What catches his eye? What does he make of recent events in the campaigns? And what is he waiting for? NPR's Renee Montagne talks to him in his home state, and swing state, of Wisconsin. You can listen to it here. In it Ridley is described as a writer living in Los Angeles who is "commuting" to his home state of Wisconsin to report on what it's like to be an "undecided" voter in a swing state. Which is all fine and good. Except that Ridley has not had much problem deciding who to give his money to. He dropped a cool $500 into John Kerry's coffers in March according to Open Secrets and Fund Race 2004. Open Secrets also has him tossing Wes Clark $500 in January. Now there's nothing wrong with giving money to a candidate. But it certainly brings into question whether Mr. Ridley is actually an "undecided" voter. David e-mailed Jeffrey Dvorkin at NPR to inquire about Ridley's undecided status (among other issues) and received this response: I agree with you that Ridley's status as a swing voter is problematic because of the donations. I was told that the producers are going to address that for next week. Morning Edition had planned to continue with this "undecided" voter series up until Election Day. Now, thanks to the efforts of David, it looks like they're considering pulling the plug. Or at least providing a bit of history on Mr. Ridley's campaign donation history. Full disclosure and all that. UPDATE: I see that Jim Geraghty at The Kerry Spot on National Review Online was on this story at 2:20pm today. I don't know how he heard about it, but I do know that David e-mailed us well before that time, so I'm still going to give him credit for this one.
The Boxer Brigade Is On The March
These are heady times for the Northern Alliance. A couple of weeks ago, Captain Ed was paid for a piece that appeared in the New York Sun. For guys who write in their underwear, this is a significant achievement. In the last week, the gents at Power Line have been interviewed by Brit Hume of Fox News, a local television news station, and just about everyone in between (with the notable exception of the Star Tribune: they must have lost their contact info for Scott and John). On Monday, the Northern Alliance Radio Network had the privilege of filling in for Dennis Prager on his nationally syndicated talk radio show. Yesterday, Mitch Berg was the MC for the President's visit to Blaine. Today, Derek from Freedom Dogs has penned a paean to the Northern Alliance, for which we are very grateful. Which leads to the invariable question: what's the next conquest for this battling band of bloggers? Don't quote me on this, but I have hunch that Spitbull is working on something that will make all of these prior accomplishments look like peanuts. Stay tuned.
Don't Believe The Hype
Captain Ed has posted a letter from a Marine Corp Major challenging the growing impression in the media that Iraq is a disaster. In it he specifically addresses the National Intelligence Estimate that has sparked the latest round of hand wringing: The US media is abuzz today with the news of an intelligence report that is very negative about the prospects for Iraq's future. CNN's website says, "[The] National Intelligence Estimate was sent to the White House in July with a classified warning predicting the best case for Iraq was 'tenuous stability' and the worst case was civil war." That report, along with the car bombings and kidnappings in Baghdad in the past couple days are being portrayed in the media as more proof of absolute chaos and the intransigence of the insurgency. From where I sit, at the Operational Headquarters in Baghdad, that just isn't the case. Let's lay out some background, first about the "National Intelligence Estimate." The most glaring issue with its relevance is the fact that it was delivered to the White House in July. That means that the information that was used to derive the intelligence was gathered in the Spring -- in the immediate aftermath of the April battle for Fallujah, and other events. The report doesn't cover what has happened in July or August, let alone September. Read the whole thing. Personally I don't find the NIE predictions all that alarming. In the short term, "tenuous stability" is probably the best we can hope for and the threat of civil war has always been the worst case scenario. Iraq was not going to transformed overnight, but if we can maintain that "tenuous stability" the insurgency can be quelled and the country set upon the right course for the future.
Even Better Than The Real Thing
Robert e-mails to present his photographic idea of "fake, but accurate". And a conservative dating service ad with an engrossing visual.
Kerry Is So Very ...
David from Our House Blog has posted a rather hilarious photo essay on the many moods of John Kerry. Since I don't have two hours available to allow my dial up connection to download it all, somebody will have to let me know if it's as good as I've advertised. I can read the text though, including this barb from David: In tribute to Saint Paul of Fraters and his dial-up access to the web, I have decided to do another of my very very very famous photo essays. It's no wonder he's so popular around town.
Separated At Birth?
Richard e-mails to offer up what has to be the nerdiest separated at birth that we've had yet. The Gorgon from Star Trek (played by lawyer Melvin Belli), who equips the children with strange powers (invoked by up and down motions of a clenched fist) to influence the minds of the crew and take Enterprise away from Triacus, toward Marcus 12, and away from their legitimate destination, Starbase 4 and... Ted Kennedy the Senator from Massachusetts, who equips the Democratic presidential election campaign with Mary Beth Cahill (invoked by up and down motions of a hand clenching a rocks glass filled with Scotch) to influence the minds of voters and take America out of the war on terror, toward John Kerry, and away from their legitimate leader, George Bush 43. UPDATE: Richard has spotted another Gorgon in the news.
Kids Say The Darndest Things (with their hair)
From yesterday's Presidential visit to Rochester, Minnesota: 
Take Your Medicine
Paul Demko attempts to slap some sense into his delusional fellow travelers on the left hand side of the blogosphere: Would you people please stop insisting that the CBS documents are legit? You're making fools of yourselves. They're forgeries. CBS fucked up. Take some of your own advice: Move on. Sound advice. I aint no scientist myself, but for further treatment, let me suggest this course of action for Dan Rather and our friends on the Left: Cognitive therapy teaches you how certain thinking patterns are causing your symptoms - by giving you a distorted picture of what's going on in your life, and making you feel anxious, depressed or angry for no good reason, or provoking you into ill-chosen actions.
There's Something Happening Here...
Word has reached me that the entire blog-reading world has been clamoring for another brilliantly insightful post from yours truly. In fact, I understand that the level of frenzied anticipation has nearly eclipsed the chaos preceding the release of the New Kids on the Block's sophomore effort Hangin' Tough. While it is true that I haven't written a word since way back on the first day of the Baha'i Feast of 'Izzat, I really think you guys should get off my back. I've got a lot of morsels on plate at the moment...stuff like planning a wedding, studying for my licensure exam, the usual work place drudgery and, perhaps most importantly, constantly trying to avoid irritating the lovely Atomizerette so much that all of the aforementioned wedding plans come to naught and I end up losing the best thing that has ever happened to me and dying a bitter, old, lonely shell of a man whose only solace is downing a half gallon bottle of gin every day and waving a loaded .45 at the neighbor kids as they trample my weed infested lawn and throw rocks and garbage at my front door. Add to that nightmarish scenario the fact that I spent a good portion of the past week in the northwoods of Minnesota drifting around in a fishing boat repeatedly throwing mammoth muskie lures into waters completely devoid of all aquatic life and accomplishing little more than introducing gallons of brand new toxins to an already overtaxed liver, and you've got the makings of a serious mental disorder. In hopes of nipping this potential collapse in the bud after my return to civilization early this week, I decided to take baby steps back into the news cycle pond. After a few days of rest, I think I may have stumbled upon a blockbuster. It seems that this Dan Rather fellow has really stepped in it. Perhaps someone should investigate. I'd do it myself, but the lovely Atomizerette's due home soon and I have to hide all of the porn and empty liquor bottles. Thursday, September 16, 2004
No Joy in Mudville
Went and saw those Amazin' Twins last night at the Dome, now winners of 8 in a row, opening up a 12½ game lead over the White Sox in the AL Central. Despite the team's success, there was another relatively sparse crowd on hand. Which is OK by me. It lessens the mob scene out back on the Hubert's patio and helps establish the buyer's market for scalped tickets out on the plaza. Five minutes before game time we scored a couple of beauties in the front row down the 1st base side and watched the boys take care of those whining, malignant Sox in sprightly fashion. Game time, 2:15 and we were out the door by 9:30. Last night was also Dollar Hot Dog Night brought to you by Hormel (as is every Wednesday night home game). In principle this is a dream come true. An entire delicious, gourmet hot dog for pocket change. But, in reality, it's a living nightmare. Based on near riot conditions in previous years, Twins management now limits purchases to two hot dogs per customer, per trip to the concession stand. A fine, satisfying meal, two hot dogs. Of course, that's not nearly enough when you take into account the economics of the situation. For a buck a dog, you can ALWAYS find room for more. You'd be a damn fool to stop at two. And if you're going to haul yourself all the way up the 500 stairs to the concession stand to buy another, you'd again be a damn fool again to buy only one more. Because, you know, they're a buck a dog, and you can get two. Long story, short, I put down four of those bad boys within an inning and a half. During the bottom of the third, digestion kicked in and my body began to rebel at my previously thought pristine logic. Dizziness, headache, stomach pains, early onset dementia. By the top of the fourth I was flat on my back in the aisle, praying an irate relief pitcher from the Dominican Republic would hit me with a chair and put me out of my misery. No such luck, I suffered on. But, you'll be glad to hear the misery was only temporary. Turns out four hot dogs results in about an inning of extreme discomfort before all symptoms subside due to the body attaining some level of balance again (also known as "going into shock"). Four hot dogs, four bucks, about an inning of extreme suffering. Not bad. Which makes me think I could easily put down 6 dollar hot dogs and maybe suffer for an inning and a half, two innings tops. By any interpretation, still an advantageous outcome. My mouth is watering already. Reviewing the rest of the schedule, I'm sadden to discover the Twins have but 7 homes games remaining. NONE on a Wednesday. Dollar Hot Dog Night, brought to you by Hormel, is over for 2004. And now all we have to look forward to are the playoffs and maybe the World Series. Ah well, wait 'til next year.
A Rather Bad Investment?
Viacom stockholders were probably not happy when the company's stock lost 2% of its value yesterday. It's difficult to know if this was a result of the on-going forged memo story at CBS, but you gotta figure that Rather's unraveling is not a good sign for Viacom. Now you can let some of the top Viacom shareholders know how you feel about it. Here is a list of Viacom shareholders, once again provided to us by an anonymous source. Contact names, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers are included. Have at 'em. J. Marc provides information on Viacom's corporate code of conduct: After the Enron scandal, the Sarbanes/Oxley Act was passed by Congress to mandate a higher standard of corporate accountability and governance for public companies. Under the Act, public companies are required to develop, and post for public inspection, rules and charters of corporate governance and an internal code of conduct for their employees, management and boards of directors. All public companies now have these documents posted to their corporate websites. Viacom, Inc. is the publicly traded parent company of CBS News. In addition, they have a number of other well-known and respected brands including MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, VH1, BET, Paramount Pictures, Infinity Broadcasting, Viacom Outdoor, UPN, TV Land, Comedy Central, CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV, Showtime, Blockbuster, and Simon & Schuster. Viacom's corporate code of conduct (as posted on its website) states "You must always conduct your business affairs with honesty, integrity and good judgment." In light of the Bush Texas Air National Guard document controversy, if you have an opinion that the board should hear regarding their CBS News subsidiary, you can easily make your opinion known to the Company's independent board members. If you have strong feelings about this controversy, perhaps the board of Viacom should be contacted regarding your support or frustration. The Viacom board is filled with honorable men and women, and I am certain that, as a media company with many great product brands, they are interested in public opinion. That is what these communication channels are for. The Sarbanes/Oxley Act required that public companies set up more accessible communications channels for reaching the board's independent directors. Communications procedures for contacting outside directors are very easy. In Viacom's case, the outside directors can be reached at: nonmanagementdirectors@viacom.com or write to: Viacom Inc., 1515 Broadway, New York, NY 10036-5794, Attention Non-Management Directors -- 52nd Floor. This is a great country and the free exchange of ideas is one of our most precious freedoms. Let your voice be heard, whatever your position. Here is a link to Viacom's code of corporate ethics and business conduct. It is an interesting read.
Purple Prophecy
Long time friend of Fraters, Henry (born on September 11th) takes a gander into his crystal ball: Why the Minnesota Vikings will win the Super Bowl this season: 1. It is still being referred to as a "War on Terror", not a "War against Islamic Terrorists". Even by the President, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice etc.; whom I admire. 2. Michael Moore is called a hero and Michael Savage is ignored. 3. Rock stars feel significant. 4. Actors feel significant. 5. The left controls ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, PBS, MSNBC, Reuters, UPI, NPR, The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, and every other major newspaper in America. The right has Fox News (despite allowing libs to screech there too), The Wall Street Journal editorial page, and talk radio. 6. Love is Hate. Peace is War. Diversity is Conformity. Inclusion is Exclusion. Tolerance is Intolerance. 7. Only Christian white heterosexual males (especially Southerners) can be racists. Not Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, The NAACP, Yasser Arafat, or the Islamo-Fascists who want to take over the world. 9. 9/11 is still called a tragedy, not mass slaughter. 10. And finally...The Northern Alliance filled in for my hero Dennis Prager, and it didn't sound half bad. I hear it's getting a little chilly in hell these days too.
Runnin' Down A Dream
I've been exchanging e-mails with Kevin from Cadet Happy, and the subject eventually turned to the political leanings of Tom Petty, as it so often does. Kevin brought up the fact that Petty played at an Al Gore event in 2000, but we also speculated that he may be a closet 9/11 Democrat. In any event, Kevin came up with a set list for Petty to play on election night 2004: Whether Kerry wins or loses, Tom Petty's got the DNC election night party covered. If Kerry wins: Medley of Even the Losers, and You Got Lucky (dedicated to President Kerry Refugee (dedicated to all the displaced Sudanese Christians who will be thrown to the Islamic wolves) Medley of American Girl, Listen to Her Heart and Here Comes My Girl (dedicated to Kerry's future judicial nominees who will ensure expansion of abortion rights) Breakdown (dedicated to Kerry's War on Terror which will be entangled in U.N. delay tactics ) I Won't Back Down (dedicated to JFK, because it's hard to back down when you don't stand up for anything) Free Fallin' (dedicated to the economy when oil hits $60/gallon due to his disastrous Middle East "policy") If Kerry loses: Don't Do Me Like That (dedicated to the "disenfranchised" voters that the vast right wing conspiracy prevented from voting) Don't Come Around Here No More (long distance dedication form Hillary's DNC people to Kerry's election staff before the locks are changed at DNC HQ on Nov. 3) Breakdown (dedicated to Kerry, who will be in the fetal position when he realizes his life's ambition [other than finding heiresses to mooch off of] has failed utterly) Free Fallin' (a nostalgic look back at the last 3 months of Kerry's campaign) Need to Know (dedicated to Teresa and whether she will dump Kerry once he is no longer useful in her quest for the White House) Something in the Air (dedicated to all the democrats watching election results at home and nursing their despair with bong hits) Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Too Good To Be True?
Today I had the pleasure of having lunch with long time Fraters reader, frequent e-mail contributor to a number of blogs, NARN listener (via the stream), and creator of Ralphie, James Phillips. James hails from Folsom, California and was in town to catch a little puck. Talk about a hockey fan. He flew in to Minneapolis from Sacramento in order to drive down to Des Moines, Iowa for a USHL tournament. Yes, the USHL. The man loves his hockey. Our conversation covered many topics, but the main focus was on hockey and politics. We both agreed that we're a little uneasy with the way the CBS memo story is proceeding right now. Everything seems to be going very well for our side. Perhaps too well. Will there be additional footwear dropping in the future? Or are we just unable to enjoy our apparent success? Election day can't come soon enough. James is a scholar and a gentlemen. Most of all he's a hell of a nice guy. Especially for a lawyer. Now, if we just get him to start that blog...
Re-routing the Encryption
Peter from Kickit (a site that promotes an interesting combination of activities) e-mails on my observation that TV news needs to show fingers typing on a keyboard in every story related to the internet: We call this "re-routing the encryption", possibly from a movie where that was the explanation for the high speed, noisy typing. We will walk by the PC display at Best Buy just so we can pound away on a random keyboard and claim that we are "re-routing the encryption". On a recent trip to the UK we noticed that every story in every TV newscast includes at least two interviews. Seriously. Protesters outside Buckingham Palace? Let's talk to a nearby tourist and a cab driver. Sweltering heat on the beach at Brighton? Let's talk to a mother of 3 and a dog walker. They could only fit 6 or 7 stories in a 30-minute newscast because they spent so much time jabbing microphones at the faces of passers-by. I'd personally rather watch a few seconds of someone re-routing the encryption. A tough choice.
Memo To Bill O'Reilly
Freedom Dogs has some talking points for the guy watching out for "the folks": About 2 years ago, I found myself more and more switching from saying, "This O'Reilly guy is doing a great job: exposing the ACLU's scams, exposing corrupt lawyers, government excess, and the border policy." to thinking O'Reilly has become over-exposed and elitist and won't take a side on any but his pet issues.
I Am So Crunchy The Clown
While we're on the topic of fraud and forgeries check out the picture on this site promoting an upcoming event. Are we really expected to believe that it is a picture of Hugh Hewitt? This is Hugh Hewitt That's some color blind Hewitt impersonator. C'mon, even Dan Rather could see through this one.
Lies, Damn Lies, and The Strib Poll
Most of the recent polling done by reputable sources show the race in Minnesota to be neck and neck between Bush and Kerry. Today, the Minneapolis Strar Tribune unveils a new poll which claims that, while Bush has closed the gap, Kerry still leads by nine points: On the eve of President Bush's bus tour across Minnesota, a new Star Tribune Minnesota Poll shows him potentially gaining ground on challenger John Kerry in what has long been a reliably Democratic state in presidential elections. The poll, conducted Sept. 7-13, found that Kerry has the support of 50 percent of likely voters in Minnesota, while Bush has the support of 41 percent. Just last week we noted that the Minnesota GOP was calling for the ouster of the Strib's pollster after years of inaccuracy. Our colleagues at Power Line demonstrated the flawed methodology in the Strib's sampling nearly two years ago. And when noted commentator Michael Barone appeared on Hugh Hewitt's radio show at the RNC, he sited the Star Tribune and the LA Times as having the most notoriously poor polls in the nation. So take the results that you see in today's Strib with a boulder of salt. They are likely not a reliable indicator of the reality on the ground.
Say It Ain't So Mr. Lifto!
Michael J. Nelson details some of the efforts aimed at defeating President Bush that you may not have heard about before: The most famous of the terrifying Euro-circuses, Cirque de Soleil is strongly anti-Bush and will be dedicating a large portion of their profits to various "soft money" 527s. As the centerpiece of their cross-country tour, they're going to dress up Terry McAuliffe as a delightful, puckish, ragamuffin elf, shoot him out of a canon onto a trampoline and then through a flaming papier-mâché elephant.
Down Goes Bluto
In yesterday's primary election, Scott Wasiluk, the hardest partying State Representative in the history of North St. Paul, and the heir to Betty McCollum's seat in the State House of Representatives, faced the voters for the first time since he was captured on camera by KSTP-TV allegedly boozing it up during a late night House session. For him, the recriminations weren't pretty. In a race haunted by his embarrassing appearance on a hidden-camera TV exposé of drinking at the State Capitol, Rep. Scott Wasiluk, DFL-Maplewood, became the only legislator to lose a chance for reelection in Tuesday's sparsely attended primary elections. Out he goes. What the DFL caucus refused to do, the people happily obliged, prematurely ending the dream of the Wasiluk era. God bless democracy. A sentiment Rep. Wasiluk does not appear to share: Wasiluk, who had the endorsement of the DFL, unions and environmental groups, was subdued in defeat. "I thought people would remember my service to the community," he said. Don't you love it when politicians describe their privileged positions, which they scratched and fought for because of their ambition for power, as "public service," like they're doing us a favor or something. If he's like most politicians, he wanted to be a government official more than anything else in the world. And now we're supposed to feel beholden to him for 'serving' us? The man deserves to be bounced on the basis of bloated arrogance alone. But voters don't usually think in those terms on election day. And they usually don't remember alleged service to the community. They remember this kind of stuff instead (from the May 27 Star Tribune): Rep. Scott Wasiluk, DFL-Maplewood, came over to [another legislator's] office while the House was in a late-night session. "I came to raid your whisky," Wasiluk said. The station showed Wasiluk back on the House floor for a vote on a health care issue, looking sleepy. It also showed him at another point misunderstanding what was taking place on the floor as he monitored the session on TV from Metzen's office. Now stripped of his title and his power, we hope Rep. Wasiluk can find it within himself to continue to serve his community. And if he spends his spare time reading to blind kids or cleaning up garbage on the side of the highway, nobody will care if he gets soused every night. See, now everybody wins.
Plausible Deniability
Something tells me that this would make a great movie: Three Americans have been sentenced to up to 10 years in jail after being found guilty by an Afghan court on charges including torture, running a private prison and illegal detention. Jonathan "Jack" Idema, a former U.S. Green Beret, was arrested in July along with another ex-serviceman, Brent Bennett, and documentary film-maker Edward Caraballo. Idema told the court earlier that he had been issued with a passport by a special U.S. agency that he declined to name and had a visa for Afghanistan similar to those given to special forces operatives. As Chumley mentioned earlier, Idema also claimed to have links with the Northern Alliance. At this point in time, we can neither confirm nor deny that claim.
To CBS. A source that wishes to remain anonymous provides a list of general managers of CBS affiliates in the United States (sorted in alphabetical order by city). Along with their e-mail addresses and phone numbers. Let your fingers do the walking.
Craig from Lead and Gold suggests another approach to CBS advertisers: Just as an FYI, an email or letter to the local dealership of the car companies can have a big impact compared to an email to the home office. Dealers have a lot of veto power and indirect influence on advertising spend and placement. And dealers are not used to being in the middle of this kind of controversy. As always, polite, non-threatening, language works best....... Of course. Anything else would be uncivilized. And Faye e-mails to add: Thanks for the list of CBS ads. I have 2 Sprint cell phones and the contracts expire in about 3 months. I just wrote to them and told them I will not renew the contracts as long as they continue to advertise on 60 Minutes or until Dan Rather issues a retraction of the story. On tonight's CBS Evening News, the advertisers were: Pillsbury Capital One Windex Nexium Zocor Shuteye.com First Alert Maalox Quaker Oats Singulair Fabreeze Wal-Mart I've gone on most of their websites (at least all the ones that I actually use their products) and told them I will not use their products anymore. If you want to publish this list to your website, please do. I think the only way we'll ever get CBS to retract the story is to hit them in the pocket book. Hit 'em where it counts. Labels: Media-National (02-06)
Gearing Up
For all your election needs stop by The George W. Bush Online Store: Official Bush-Cheney '04 Logo Merchandise. The URL of the site is: www.georgewbushstore.com If you happen to miss the W, you end up here which is probably not what you had in mind, although some of those Antichrist t-shirts are nice. I guess we can rest easy knowing that GW's got the Satan-worshiping vote locked up.
Race for the Cure
Regarding the theory of Democratic voter crossover steamrolling fugitive Jack Shepard to election victory in the Republican primary for US Congressional District 4. Never mind. It's going to be Patrice Bataglia (R) vs. Betty McCollum (DFL) on Nov. 2, 2004. MN Congressional District 4 has been held by the Democrats for an appalling 56 consecutive years. In 1948 that young whippersnapper Eugene McCarthy upset the one term Republican incumbent Edward Devitt. All those long years ago, St. Paulites were the first to go clean for Gene. And since 2000 they've been Petty for Betty. But there are signs St. Paul has been drifting ever so slightly to the right over the past few years (vague, hazy signs, but signs, if you're really, really looking). Plus, population flight away from the rotting urban core and into the leafy suburbs has caused Congressional District 4 to metastasize into the frontiers of Republican strongholds Washington and Dakota counties. Could this be the year St. Paul shocks the world by throwing off the shackles of the Democratic machine once and for all? Probably not. But we can dare to dream. Go Patrice, Go. (Go get a campaign Web site, you're in the big time now). Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Fallen Idol
I'm listening to that mixed up genius Mischke on KSTP, he's talking elections. Some caller was talking about "the hate" of modern politics and claimed it wasn't coming from the Right. Mischke's comment (paraphrasing)- "I've heard Rush Limbaugh, I've heard what goes on on the Patriot. Don't even start to tell me the hate doesn't come from the Right." Then he hung up on the caller and went to commercial. Hate on the Patriot? You filthy, miserable, wretched SOB, you talkin' to me? Where does this guy get his information from on what's happening on AM1280? A Prairie Home Companion? Star Tribune editorial page headline writers (scroll down)? Either that or Mischke's only listened to the Dwight Rabuse program. I knew our affiliation with him would someday bear bitter fruit.
Danny Boy
Noted wordsmith Russ Vaughn has a request: Chad, will you post this? They won't be stonewalling long if their advertisers start complaining. Money walks and BS talks, right? No problem Russ. These companies advertised on 60 Minutes last Sunday. Let them know how you feel about that network interfering in the American electoral process. Nissan nissan-ir@mail.nissan.co.jp 1-800-647-7261 Pfizer ccfeedback@pfizer.com 1-800-733-9393 Aventis aventis-ir@aventis.com 1-800-221-4025 Campbell's http://www.campbellssoup.com 1-800-257-8443 KIA requires registration 1-800-333-4542 Sprint nicholas.sweers@mail.sprint.com 1-913-624-3000 Aflac http://www.aflac.com/about_us/media_center_contact.asp 1-800-992-3522 Citi investorrelations@citi.com 1-800-285-3000 Ameriquest https://www.ameriquestmortgage.com/contact.html 1-800-523-3964 Splenda http://www.splenda.com/vcrc/emailform.jhtml 1-800-7-SPLENDA SBC drucilla.cessac@sbc.com 1-210-821-4105 Ford https://www.ford.com/en/company/investorInformation/shareholderQuestions.htm 1-800-392-3673 American Express ronald.stovall@aexp.com (Note: e-mail address correction. Thanks Steve.) 1-800-525-3355 Tell these companies what you think about Dan Rather, 60 Minutes and CBS. Russ is kind enough to send in his latest poetic offering as well: Danny Boy Do you know what I would rather think? I'd rather think that Dan will blink. Unable to defend his blather, From pajama'd fiends that round him gather, With keyboards blazing out their scorn, As this great Samson's locks are shorn. This first Sequoia, hacked into logs, Won't be the last felled by the Blogs. Dan's faux reports were belied by the science Deployed by our robed and unshaved alliance. We rendered them fakes by letter and line, This Pajama Brigade, so up yours, Mr. Klein! Ol' Dan must admit he's been outcomputer'd, Taken to the Vets and journalistically neutered. One question remains that indeed does perplex us Must we take him back, out here in Texas? Russ Vaughn Texas Hill Country
The French Connection
David from Texas e-mails to point out a surprising source of donations to John Kerry: I did a search on our ZIP code, 75006, at fundrace.org to see how my neighborhood was contributing to the Bush and Kerry campaigns. First, the good news is that we at 75006 have contributed about twice as much to Bush as to Kerry. However, I found another interesting little nugget...Our ZIP code, 75006, is also a ZIP code in PARIS!! YIKES!!! After digesting this horrible, horrible fact, I examined the data a little closer. Of the $12,415 contributed from "75006" to John Kerry (this does not include Dean, Clark, the DNC, etc.), over 1/3 of the amount was donated by Frenchies! ($4,573, or 36.83% to be exact.) Not surprisingly, there were no French donations to GWB or the RNC. Okay maybe it's not all that surprising after all. I suspect that most of the donations were made by American ex-pats living in France, but still this is further reinforcement of the notion that Kerry is the favored son of the French. For some reason I don't think that's going to help him much on this side of the Atlantic.
Voting With Their Coin Purses
My wife passed on this story that could throw a wrench into the Bush re-election machinery: Medicare has suddenly emerged as a volatile issue in this year's elections, as Democrats are vowing to roll back a sharp increase in premiums announced this month and the Bush campaign is seeking to blame lawmakers, including Sen. John Kerry, for the rise. The trading of charges reflects attempts by both parties to seek an advantage with older voters. Democrats, hoping to reclaim an issue central to their success in past elections, said they would try to block the 17.4 percent increase that will come out of Social Security checks next year. If Congress does not intervene by passing legislation, premiums will rise in January to $78.20 a month, or $938.40 a year. That is 56 percent more than in 2001. Combine the entitlement philosophy that most senior citizens have (best exemplified by Grandpa Simpson's, "I'm old: gimme, gimme, gimme!"), their proclivity to be suckers for fear based scams, and their high voter turnout rates, and you have the makings of a perfect political storm for the Dems. Look for a slate of "scary" ads seeking to exploit this issue in the coming weeks.
Conspiracy Theory
Today is primary election day in Minnesota and it's remarkably slow. In my little corner of St. Paul we'll be lucky to see a 10% turnout. Some precincts will be lucky to break 5%. On the whole, not a big deal or a crises of democracy. Very few races are even being contested. Both races for the DFL (US Congress and State House) are featuring unopposed incumbents. One of the two Republican races is uncontested as well. The other Republican race, for US Representative, does feature two candidates. Including Patrice Bataglia, who I had the pleasure of meeting at the MN State Fair. I can personally attest she's a fresh, dynamic and exciting candidate. Endorsed by the GOP, born in St. Paul, now a Dakota County Commissioner, formerly a bar owner, before than a waitress at Mancini's, and currently married to a St. Paul Fireman. All the qualifications of true blue St. Paul girl (who just happens to now reside in Mendota Heights). She's running against Jack Shepard. He's a former Uptown dentist, currently a fugitive from the law on an arson charge (his office was allegedly torched to destroy evidence of welfare fraud), previously convicted of felony sexual assault and drug possession. Despite his inability to actually hold office (based on his parolee status) and efforts by the Secretary of State to remove him, Shepard remains on the ballot - thanks to the intervention of Democratic partisan attorneys general of Ramsey, Dakota, and Washington counties. Obviously, Battaglia is the preferred candidate of the overwhelming majority of Republicans and in a fair election test among the partisans, she'll win in crushing fashion. But the primary election system in Minnesota isn't exactly a fair test of Republican partisan preferences. Anyone can vote in the race - as long as they vote in the Republican races exclusively (for example, one cannot vote for DFL candidates and Republican candidates). This brings up the ugly specter of Democrats crossing over to vote in the Republican race, in order to elect a weaker candidate to run against incumbent Betty McCollum in November. Although this is always a hypothetical problem in an open primary voting system, practically it doesn't have much chance of success. Most Democratic partisans will want to vote in their own party, to make sure their preferred candidate moves on to the general election. But in this race - where their aren't any contested DFL races on the ballot - there is no reason for DFL'ers to vote within their own party. Those candidates are already going to move on no matter what. Given this, the more advantageous move would be to cripple the opposition instead. With such a low voter turnout (sub 10%, a few thousand people), it won't take very many crossovers to change the outcome, guarantee McCollum another term, and humiliate the Republican party. With such a low turnout, it guarantees the end result will be close. Hugh Hewitt reminds us of the historic consequences of having a close election when Democrats are involved. The moral of this story, St. Paul Republicans, get out and vote for Patrice Bataglia. Polls close at 8 PM.
Michael T. e-mails with speculation that the evil genius is once again pulling the strings:
Just wait until the left discovers positive proof (as it suspects) that Karl Rove is behind the forged documents and now cover-up at CBS. It is all so simple -- He creates the documents which are easily show to be fakes, but CBS hopes in them and wants to believe that they are true. When they are shown to be fake and CBS' experts jump ship, behold a new expert appears to support the claim that they are true and prolong CBS' descent into madness heightening the damage inflicted. Has anybody studied these pictures to determine the true identity of Bill Glennon? Can it be true? Is Bill Glennon actually ... ...Karl Rove? Possibly. But I don't think Karl's let himself go quite that much. A better theory is that Glennon is actually Paul Willson, of "Cheers" and "Office Space" renown. Labels: Media-National (02-06), Separated At Birth
How You Gonna Keep 'Em Down On The Farm?
After reading this, I'm worried that we're going to have to expand the AM-1280 The Patriot broadcast facilities just to fit these guys head in the studio: I'll be appearing on the Fox News Special Report with Brit Hume at 5:00 and 11:00 p.m. (Central) today during the second segment; Rocket Man will be appearing tonight on CNN's Paula Zahn Now at 7:00 p.m. (Central). We'll be discussing -- what else? -- Hurricane Dan. We're climbing out of our pajamas and into the suits we keep in storage for special occasions. Tune in and catch the fun as Power Line gets unzipped.
Reality Radio?
So this (no permalinks-scroll down) is how it's gonna be eh little buddy Duane? After all we've been through, this is how you repay me? Oh, you'll pay. Don't think you won't pay. And you might want to rethink your dissing of the man we know as the Tom Bodett of the Northern Alliance. He'll definitely turn your lights out fer ya. Meanwhile, Michael e-mails with his thoughts on a possible avenue for Duane's blog: What if Duane, instead of "bringing the dirt" about Hugh, turns Hugh's show--through his narration-- into something of a reality radio show where he has an 18-week contest with bloggers/radio wannabes to earn a spot as "The Producer" or "The Announcer," or another knock-off of "The Apprentice." Now, of course, Hugh would play the role of "The Donald"--maybe its the bad hair or deranged desire to snatch up honorary titles like Trump does gaudy gold-plated entryways--but I think its a perfect fit. Of course, there are any number of other roles to fill such as: "George"--the curmudgeonly old advisor (Why, the Elder of course), "Carolyn"--the sophisticated, yet tough advisor (The Fetching Mrs. Hewitt) "Bill"--the young entrepreneur (Atomizer) "Troy"--the charismatic cowboy-type (I was going to say Lileks, but I can't do it with a straight face) "Omarossa"--the manipulating self-promoter (can Hugh play dual roles?) Hugh as The Donald? There is some potential here...
A Quagmire of State Socialism and Greed
Not everyone is as enamored with the Steelers as Mr. Hewitt. Dave e-mails from the Steel City to share his thoughts: Did Hugh know what he was associating himself with when he made that bet over the Steelers hat? I was never much of a football fan to begin with, but things really turned sour for me about six-seven years ago, when there was a referendum on whether to build new football and baseball stadiums using public money via a tax increase. The referendum appeared on the ballot in several counties surrounding Pittsburgh, due to the geographically wide fan base that the Pirates and Steelers enjoy in western Pennsylvania. The voters wisely rejected the proposal. Undaunted, the cabal of team owners and local politicians devised the rather mysteriously-named Plan B, making the whole thing sound like a bad James Bond spoof. And of course, it involved use of public funds anyway, much of it coming from the state level. The whole project went from bad to worse. The final nail in the coffin for me was when Democrat head coach Bill Cowher invited Al Gore onto the practice field for a photo op in the Fall of 2000. I did not need to see that. As if things couldn't get any worse, Steelers owner Dan Rooney recently received $4 million from Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell (former DNC chair under Clinton) to help build an amphitheater next to the new football stadium. Apparently light rail is also part of the project. This subsidy adds to the enormous debt incurred by costs not only for the new stadium, but for the gone-but-not-forgotten Three Rivers Stadium. Yep, still costing us money three years after demolition. (more information here, if you care to look) The new football stadium, incidentally, is HEINZ Field, as in Teresa HEINZ Kerry. When I look at the picture of Hugh wearing a Steelers cap while holding little Ralphie, I can't help imagining him wearing a Cambodian Magic Hat with a "Kerry for America" sticker on the front while squeezing a little John Edwards plush doll.  Few things are as disheartening as seeing the favorite local pastime devolve into a quagmire of state socialism and greed. I feel your pain Dave. That perfectly captures my opinion of municipal liquor stores.
Call A Repub, Win A Prize
I went down to Bush HQ here in town to inquire about some yardsigns and tickets to see The Man. They told me if I dialed a list of numbers and encouraged those who answered to send in their absentee ballots that not only would they give me a yard sign and all the bumper stickers I cared to take to later affix to Subarus, but also VIP dukats to see Bush! With the Doubtlessette assisting, I called approximately 40 people. Reached several dems, some old people who thought I was selling something and even a few of Our Own who told me they could be counted on to seal Bush's victory. The beautiful thing was to watch 25 adults--most of whom seemed very uncomfortable calling strangers--blasting away at these lists with a pile of cellphones. Being an old phone pro from my college days, I insisted upon and received a land line and proceeded to burn the numbers off the keypad. There was a teenager dude who was kind of running the show. And by that I mean he handed you a list and said "If you call all these people you get a ticket." Some of the phoners seemed put off by what we used to call "refusals" or those that hang up in your face or worse. "They told me the people would be nice" a woman said with her young child in tow. All in all it was a good time and there was something calming about being in a room with a bunch of other Right Thinking People. I'll be heading down to do my part more in a few days and I would hope y'all would do the same. Monday, September 13, 2004
Taking Our Cuts
Filling in for Prager turned into a bit of a clusterfarg when we lost our connection to the network (I think someone forgot to feed the gerbil) and had to go with a "best of Dennis" for the first hour. It forced us to cram three hours worth of material into two hours of airtime. As a result, some of our best stuff never made the airwaves, and we ended up cutting some of the segments short as well. Nevertheless, overall I thought it was a decent effort, and we received some favorable feedback from Prager's people. And from a listener: It was great catching the Northern Alliance during my brief lunch hour today. You sound much taller on the radio than on the Internet. Taller? And here I thought that we were considered the "shrieking midgets of talk radio." Speaking of shrieking radio, here's a new blog that promises a look behind the mike of a nationally syndicated talk radio show. Bring the dirt Duane. Bring the dirt.
In The Passenger Seat
This song is currently in heavy rotation on country radio. Check out these lyrics: Ooo life's sweet right here in the passenger seat yeah life's so sweet When I look to the left see his suntanned hands His muddy river hair and his thousand acre plans I'm all shook up like a quarter in a can Ain't life sweet? In the passenger seat The first time I heard this song, I didn't think I was hearing properly. "Life's so sweet from the passenger's seat." The passenger's seat. Here we have three stunningly attractive lasses telling us that they prefer being in the passenger's seat--letting their man run the show? Hold on a minute. What about the triumph of feminism? Of "equality"? Of women wanting to act like men? The group is SheDaisy, three talented and beautiful songstresses who ain't afraid to tell it like it is--however upsetting that may be to modern attitudes. The song is a huge hit, which means it is resonating with women across the country. Women who are not competing with their men, challenging them at every opportunity. Women who have figured out that the key to their happiness is letting the man drive--literally and figuratively. How about a story in the MSM about this? I remember a few years back when the results of a survey came out that said most women polled don't really have any hobbies of their own and just like to do what their boyfriends/husbands want to do. The reaction was immediate that these women were stupid, trashy dolts who couldn't think for themselves. The idea that women WANTED to do what made their boyfriends/husbands happy was not conceivable to the modern media mind. Well here is more evidence. My own Doubtlessette often tells me that it doesn't matter what we do as long as she is with me. At first I had a hard time believing it. But the other day as I stood on the driving range practicing my chipping as she threw down golf balls I realized it was indeed the truth. Someone has to drive. And someone has to ride in the passenger seat. Ain't life sweet?
New Blogs on the Block
From Hatless in Hattiesburg, signs that you might be a blogger, including ... You have drawn outlines of the Northern Alliance and the Bear Flag League on your U.S. map.Might I also suggest these signs: You write withering and anonymous social commentary in your underpants. In your spare time you are prone to demolishing the legacy of legendary network news anchors. While wearing pajamas. Also, a new local blog called the Friar's Den. Its tag line: 'Your new hub for chess, politics, spiritual matters, and life in general.' Not bad, but if he really wants to capture the blogosphere's imagination, I suggest: Commentary from the guy who helped sell the Northern Alliance Radio Network t-shirts at the MN State Fair. Finally, commentary from the feel good hit of the Bloggers Bash at the MN Fair, the Nihilist in Golf Pants. But try not to get too attached to their musings, because, as they state: there isn't much meaning in posting, so don't expect to see much hereTo paraphrase Paul Westerberg, when the Nihilist in Golf Pants says nothing, that's something we all understand.
Last month I questioned the existence of a quality, regularly updated, local, non-institutional semi-political blog of the Left. You'd think with that wide of a focus I'd have no trouble finding my mark. But, alas, my search proved to be futile.
Yes, there are people doing some interesting personal journal level stuff. And there are lots of folks expressing their wishful paranoia about evil Republican oppression and feeling that their lives are profoundly meaningful because they're not just living an ordinary and boring post college Uptown life, no they're fighting for a great and just cause. And there are plenty of guys on the Left doing daily obscene rants under the impression it's sophisticated social commentary. But the liberal correlative to any of the blogs in the vaunted Northern Alliance? I defy anyone to show it to me, because it aint out there. Some have speculated that City Pages Babelogue bogs are the proper match. But, in my mind they don't count. No matter how amateur some of them may appear and read, their big corporate media, big advertising revenue ties immediately disqualify them from any comparison to the fiercely independent, entirely local Northern Alliance blogs. However, as of last week, there is a new player in the game that may emerge as the bizarro world Northern Alliance. In the tradition of Al Franken's radio Air America, it was conceived and designed by committee as a counter weight to the influence of a medium dominated by organically developed and wildly popular conservative voices. These reactionaries have banded together to create a group blog, with contributions from some names you may recognize. Together they are the New Patriot. According to inside sources, the crack legal team at AM1280, the Patriot are now looking into a potential copyright infringement lawsuit. Or at the very least, the need to change their own tagline to AM1280, the Old Patriot. I'm not entirely sure what the New Patriotism is, but some of the founding members of the movement have listed their inspirations on their own personal blogs. From Mark Desrosiers at Cheek: The battle has been joined. Let the Fraters Libertas and the Powerline conjure the old and tired patriotic tropes, while this new patriotic battalion forms and fires... Not a lot of help there, but I appreciate the violent imagery. Maybe some insight from the always charming JasonC at The Game: A new death star is born. Chuck Olsen and friends have started what will no doubt be an awesome new Minnesota lefty blog; our answer to the Fraters dicks. For the record, let me state that whatever questions the "Fraters dicks" are asking, an "awesome new Minnesota Lefty blog" is definitely not the answer. Maybe some info from the first post at the New Patriot will help us understand: I started thinking about a "new patriotism" not long after September 11, 2001. Patriotism, it seemed, was hijacked by rabid nationalistic flag-wavers who railed against any criticism of our government. This rigid, frightening and angry patriotism rears its ugly head still today, as seen at the 2004 Republican National Convention. With the first words of their debut post, the New Patriots are criticizing the practice of flag waving. I'm not sure John Kerry and Max Cleland would approve of such rhetoric. Or is the flag waving by those gentlemen sufficiently passive and somehow not really in support of the nation that flag represents? Or perhaps some rabid flag burning is more consistent with the New Patriot ethic? I honestly don't know, this New Patriotism is all so new to me. In any regard, we welcome them to the scene and wish them the best. There's always room on the Internet for another group of people who love America. That has something to do with the New Patriotism, right? Labels: Blogs-Local
Tim e-mails to opine about local "action" news, Rather's unraveling, and what not to wear while writing:
I saw your post about local news reporting about the internet and the need for the footage to show typing and the clicking of computer keyboard keys. I noticed the same thing, and our local reporters here cannot give a live report without walking from where they're standing to some more advantageous spot, even though we're only talking about 10 feet. It's like they're proving they can chew gum and walk at the same time. Secondly, about the memos kerfluffle. I really couldn't care less except for the fact that the story has not allowed the Kerry camp to get their messages covered. My wildest hope and dream would be that the other MSM demands to know who verified these documents for CBS, and who gave them to CBS. Wouldn't it be great if it turned out that Michael Moore gave the documents to CBS, hoping it would deflect the heat from Kerry? I really wouldn't be surprised if it turned out that some Democratic stooge thought that the only way to get Kerry back on track would be to embellish a story that is four years old and has been thoroughly exhausted by now, and found a willing taker in CBS. I don't get all of these attempts at discrediting bloggers by speculating what you may chose to wear or not wear while you are blogging. Am I to believe that Jennings, Brokaw and Rather really are wearing pants under that desk they sit behind? Puh-leeze!! Just for the record, I am writing this in a pair of tighty-whitey Fruit-of-the Looms, purchased form K-Mart. File that memo under "Too Much Information". I was thinking about the latest snide speculation regarding the dress code of bloggers and realized that I fall under both broad categorizations. For in my world there is no dichotomy between underwear and pajamas. They are one and the same. Talk about TMI. Tune in tomorrow for another riveting post on the personal habits of bloggers called, "Gold Bond: Your Secret Weapon In The Chafing Wars." Labels: Media-Local (02-04)
For a day at least. The Northern Alliance Radio Network is honored to have been asked to fill in for talk radio host extraordinaire Dennis Prager today. We will be doing our humble best to fill Dennis' large intellectual shoes from 11am-2pm CST. Tune in if you have a chance. Better yet, call in and join the fun.
We'll be trying to stick to the standard Prager format as much as possible, but of course we'll be adding our own special touches as well. You definitely won't want to miss the "Malaise Hour". Labels: NARN (04-05) Sunday, September 12, 2004
The Minnesota Compromise
Don't like the idea of the Reagan Memorial Highway? How does Lake Reagan grab ya? In the spirit of compromise, however, I have decided that perhaps we should choose another landmark that we can all agree could be better named: Lake Calhoun, named after the famously pro-slavery Sen. John C. Calhoun. I think we can all agree that Reagan's contribution to our history is more significant and worthier of honor than that of a South Carolina senator who died in 1850, before Minnesota even became a state. Lake Reagan: It has a nice ring to it. Indeed it does.
This past week brought the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the 1,000th death of a US serviceman in Iraq. For interpretations of these landmark events, we turn to selected members of the media.
First, from the National Review, ethnic Pakistani, practicing Muslim, and international affairs expert Mansoor Ijaz, explaining why he believes the global jihadist movement is now in ruins: This is largely a function of the sacrifices made by our fallen heroes - the men and women of the U.S. armed forces, and their Coalition colleagues - in the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. Their courage and valor in conflict zones has battered the very thesis - that the enemy is too corrupt of mind, too decadent in spirit, and too weak of body to sustain the battle to victory - on which bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, have sent thousands of "martyrs" to their deaths. Next, from the Star Tribune, kitchen table pundit and soccer mom Kim Ode on the lessons she's learned since 9/11: Maybe there's no end to this death tally, not if we're claiming each tragedy as our kin. Maybe the numbers will just go on and on. Because the war on terror isn't looking winnable, not the way we're going. From the cozy confines of whatever western suburb she lives in, Kim runs up the white flag. Corrupt of mind, decadent of spirit, and weak of body, thy name is Ode. Unfortunately for bin Laden and his planned global jihad, Ode's kind aren't represented in the Administration of the current President, nor do they represent the majority of Americans. The majority of Star Tribune readers - maybe. The majority of Star Tribune editorial writers - almost certainly. Labels: 9/11 Saturday, September 11, 2004
The Boxer Rebellion?
The Golden Girl was watching the tube last night and files this report on bogus Bush memos, Powerline, and Fox News: Last night on Fox News, Tony Snow (filling in for O'Reilly) mentioned Powerline by name in his discussion of the Dan Rather debacle. A CBS apologist suggested than Dan Rather's investigative reporting would always be superior to "a couple of guys in their pajamas". Powerline in their pajamas? Fraters in their underpants? Makes me wonder: what did blogger's row really look like at the RNC? Was it an elegant soiree of Hefner-esque bon vivants, clad in their silk robes, each with a GOP babe-of-the-day perched on their laptop, huskily debating constitutional law? Or was it an endless freak show of "comic-book-guy-from-the-Simpsons" look-alikes, stuffed into their Spiderman tights (but for Hugh, being Ralphie, ever resplendent in his fuzzy pink rabbit jams) speaking Klingon to one another, and creeping the bejeezus out of any unfortunate former Miss America who had the misfortune to exit the elevator at the mezzanine level rather than the penthouse? C'mon. Pull on those BVDs and let us know. Well I can't resist a challenge like that. (Incidentally, right now I am sporting plaid boxers, though Merona is the brand - purchased at Target - not BVDs.) I wasn't in NYC for the Republican Convention, so I don't know what the amazing spectacle of bloggers row actually looked like. But, credentialled blogger extraordinaire Captain Ed was good enough to post a picture of himself on blogger's row. Heffner-esque bon vivants or Comic Book Store Guys speaking Klingon to each other? I'll let you decide. My opinion - that guy in the background looks more like a Romulan than a Klingon.
Memo To The Star Tribune: Get A Poll!
GOP chairman urges Star Tribune to fire poll director: The chairman of the state's Republican Party called on the Star Tribune on Friday to dismiss the long-time director of its Minnesota Poll, claiming that the poll results are consistently inaccurate in a way that favors the Democratic Party. "When a newspaper conducts a poll on a political race and then prints an article on that poll, it is doing more than reporting news; it is creating news," said Ron Eibensteiner, in a letter to Star Tribune Publisher and President J. Keith Moyer. Problems with the accuracy of the Star Tribune poll? Imagine that.
We Wuz Robbed
Last night, my wife and I attended the World Cup of Hockey semifinal showdown between Team USA and the fightin' Finns at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. And there is no doubt that we were robbed. Robbed of the fifty some semolians per ticket that I had plunked down to gain admission. Losing to Finland in the World Cup of Hockey, as the US did yesterday, is nothing to be ashamed of. The Finns sport a roster consisting mostly of NHL players, including many recognized stars. It wasn't the 2-1 loss that was so disappointing last night. It was the lousy, dull, uninspired style of play that we were forced to endure. The first period and half may have been the worst hockey that I have ever witnessed at that level. The crowd was muted and quiet through most of the game, but you can hardly blame us. If the players didn't seem to care (especially certain members of Team USA), why should we? I was hoping for a little international flavor at the event, but that too proved to be a letdown. There were a few scattered Finnish fans waving blue and white flags. But there wasn't any singing or chanting, and they were mostly content to politely cheer for their boys in blue. By far the largest contingent of fureners were from the Great White North. Lots of Team Canada jerseys, and a surprisingly significant showing from hardcore fans of the long gone (to Phoenix) Winnipeg Jets. Poor bastards probably came down to see some high quality puck and has to sit through the crap that passed for world class hockey last night. There has been squawking about the difficulties in selling tickets for the World Cup games in St. Paul. Look, I'm a huge hockey fan. I love to play and watch the game. In fact I skated earlier this morning. But the 2004 World Cup did not capture my interest. A big part of the problem is timing. It's early September here in Minnesota and we're still trying to cling to the last vestiges of our all-too-short (especially this year) summer. The Twins are closing in on their third straight division title and the over-hyped Vikings open play this Sunday. Even though it's looking more and more like there won't be an NHL season this year, and the World Cup may be all we get, it's hard to overcome the feeling that it's just not time for hockey yet. After watching last night's dreadful display of dreck, it's a feeling that I most heartily share.
Case Closed
Hurricane Jim Styczinski continues to cut a swath across the Twin Cities political and cultural landscape. Not content to sit back and bask in the glow of his one man wrecking crew victory at Keegan's Thursday night trivia, he apparently is back in Washington D.C. tirelessly mining the Pentagon's document archives. This morning he sends in his latest find, another disturbing memo related to 1 st Lt. G.W. Bush's alleged "service" in the Texas Air National Guard: I've uncovered another memo that seems to clear up all the recent controversy. I've confirmed its authenticity by comparing it to other memos by the same author which have already been authenticated by a major network news anchor. __________________________________________________________________________________ Memo to File SUBJECT: CYA 1. I'm having trouble handling Bush. He keeps talking about what a waste of time it is to fly in circles over Austin. He says we ought to "fire up these bad boys" and "bomb Baghdad." At first I thought he was just using Baghdad for the alliteration, but then I realized he doesn't know what that means. Instead, he seems to have some strange obsession with Iraq. I do worry what may happen if he achieves higher rank, say Commander-in-Chief. 2. I'm writing this memo to cover my ass because I've observed that Bush has a tendency to smear other officers, especially highly decorated war heroes. His preferred method is to utilize a shadowy cabal of surrogates. 3. If I should die before Bush is elected, please hand this over to Dan Rather, he is a real pro whom I've always admired. But, wait until Bush is running for reelection to his second term. Incidentally, my wife and son are liars, so don't ask them to authenticate this. 4. I have more bad things to say about Bush, but apparently TANG has sold this typewriter to some kid named Gates who wants to use it as a model for some word processing program or something. initialed JK __________________________________________________________________________________ I think that puts an end to the "bogus document" theory once and for all. My only worry is what the effect may be on the credibility of Powerline - which was repeatedly promoted last night on Fox News as the definitive source of the story. It's hard to believe they'll be able to continue blogging after this scandal breaks. I pray those young whippersnappers have some other marketable skill or trade to fall back on, hopefully in an area less concerned about honesty than the blogosphere.
Lost Twins Reunited
The Free Tibet bumper sticker and The KS95 smiling sun bumper sticker Thanks to FL reader Anson for digging up that latter image. It's not the bumper sticker itself, but it is the same KS95 logo. Check out the rest of that page for some interesting Twin Cities advertising history as well, including a highly successful campaign for Satellite corporation. And no, I'm not talking about those things that orbit the planet. Friday, September 10, 2004
We Are All Made Of Stars
I'm watching the local news after the conclusion of the FSU/Miami football game and doing a little surfin'. Just as I was about to shut 'er down for the evening, I catch a blurb of an upcoming story. It mentions that there are questions about documents used in a story concerning Bush's National Guard service and notes that two local men who run a web site are involved. Hmmm...I wonder who that could be. 11:14pm Here's a live look at it. Hindrocket is on the air right now explaining how the story broke. Nice yellow tie. Hair a bit disheveled. They're showing Power Line's site and John is talking about the number of e-mails they received yesterday. Overall a short, but fair story. My only complaint is that they didn't include the straw that stirs the potent Power Line potion. I want my Big Trunk. UPDATE: One of the things that I always love about TV news stories involving the internet is shots of fingers busily working a keyboard and the accompanying sounds. Apparently there must be action--any kind of action--in every story that hits the air.
Chamber Music
More on the blogosphere echo chamber from Abigail: I understand James Phillips' concerns, which is why I was quite happy to see this morning that the AP had a story saying that the authenticity of the memos was being questioned. I just went back now to see what the time stamp was on the AP story and I saw stories by The Washington Post, CBS News and The New York Times (whose title actually includes the bit about Killian's son questioning them). I've read the Post story, and it even quoted Lt.Col Killian's widow as saying that the memos are "a farce." But this is all from this morning, so they were slow on the uptake again. However, I do think that it is the local papers who will have to publish the story in order to have the largest effect. I'll check the Youngstown Vindicator tonight. And I think the bottom line is that this is SO important, yes, even bigger than the AP fiction, that if they come out as being forged, CBS will HAVE to broadcast it and it will be big news. The "great unwashed" won't be able to miss it. And Susannah: I have had similar thoughts over the last few weeks, as a relatively new reader of many of these blogs (Hugh Hewitt is my usual jumping-off place). However, I think your influence widens with a big breaking story like the CBS forgeries. Blog-a-holics like me e-mail links to their politically minded friends who don't normally read blogs. I sent links to Powerline and Hugh to a friend who is a campaign manager for a state race here in GA. I also e-mailed about it to GA political columnist Bill Shipp, to whom I had already responded about his recent column mentioning the Swift Vets, but omitting the bloggers' contribution to that story. I also regularly e-mail your web addresses to relatives. I'm sure I can't be the only one. I'm sure she's not. The question is whether this story will reach those whose primary sources of news consist of local daily newspapers, weekly news mags (Time, Newsweek, etc.), and network television news. It's looking like it's too big to hold back, but the next few days will be critical to see if it gets wider play.
A Little Of 'Dis and 'Dat
Another new blog inspired by Herr Hugh takes root in San Diego. Check out Stones Cry Out. And be sure to check out tomorrow's NARN show from noon until 3pm (live locally on AM1280 The Patriot or via the internet stream). We'll have John Fund on in the second hour and a couple of very well known bloggers in the third. There is also a rumor that the NARN will once again be taking the national stage next week. Tune in Saturday for all the details.
An Army of One
I've long maintained that, while we may not have the most numerous, we have some of the more intelligent, thoughtful readers in the 'sphere. Last night this point was driven home, a bit painfully if truth be told, when one of our regular readers and contributors, Jim Styczinski, showed up at Keegan's Irish Pub and walked away with a share of the night's trivia trophy. A trophy that we did not share. And he did this all by himself. Impressive. Very impressive. Hats off to Jim. If we can't take home the hardware, at least we know that it's in good hands.
Jack Booted Thugs...
...In John Ashcroft's Amerika? I expected this back when I lived in good old lefty Minneapolis that I would have my sign torn out or crushed--happened all the time there. But this is my first election year in the northwest suburbs. This is no dark out of the way street either. I live on a very main artery, you know the picture, big lawn, lights were on last night. And this peace-loving defender of freedom of speech had the courage and vision to set on fire my Bush yard sign. Then when only a corner of it burned/melted, they waded it up, kicked it over and crushed the sign like one would with newspaper for packaging filler. I know the left are immature and pathetic, I only wish the rat that did it could have seen us the people they were doing it to: a guy in a wheelchair and a woman 9 months pregnant that could not have even chased them. Congratulations lefties. You have destroyed more private property, promoted the idea that you only approve freedom of speech when it suits you and further sealed the opinion of yourselves that you have no class, even well outside your more radical, saturated central location. I will be getting a bigger sign soon.
Trending Positive
It seems Mark Yost, the new member of the Pioneer Press editorial board (and formerly of the Wall Street Journal) may be starting to have a positive influence on the formerly sacred liberal ground of the Pioneer Press editorial page. This from John, who's a long time subscriber and close scrutinizer of the Pioneer Press: Just this past week, in the print edition, the words "free market" appear in headlines in a positive light twice on the page! If the Martians land today, they'll put the PiPress squarely in the conservative camp. More interesting is the notion of "balance" at the PiPress that's driving the pretense of a more conservative view. For example, today's editorial touts free market principles in support of prescription drug reimportation, but previously the PiPress endorsed the Senate Bill on drug importation that calls for restrictions on drug companies that limit retaliation against countries that reimport drugs to the United States. Of course, that action would undercut all the economic principles touted in today's editorial. It will be interesting to see how the paper works that out. Ultimately, institutional balance (contrasted with op-ed balance) has to crumble on itself -- "flip-flop" comes to mind. And check out the little Hillary dig: We wonder what Hillary Clinton's opinion is of American health care following her husband's successful quadruple bypass surgery over the weekend.Highly encouraging, I must say. Advocating for the free market and zinging Hillary Clinton for hypocrisy - all in an unsigned "institutional voice" editorial. In the Pioneer Press! I never thought I'd see the day. Since their editorial board only has four or five members, it's reasonable to conclude this is Yost's influence and we pass along our congratulations and encouragement to him. On Wednesday, there was also a great piece from new Pioneer Press contributor Craig Westover on education. Excerpt: Government's education monopoly limits diversity of curriculum, teaching methods and the invisible hand of innovation that ultimately evolves more effective ways of educating children - evaluated by their parents, not some arbitrarily defined measurement ritual. Perhaps it's time for Minnesota to stop trying to improve the doll and take a good hard look at the ritual belief that only the high priests of government education can create a viable school system. Perhaps it's time to take a good hard look at providing parents the opportunity to send their children to schools of their choice without financial penalty. Perhaps it's time to liberate the taboo topic of free-market education. Yost and Westover, a nice one-two conservative punch, the likes of which this town has never seen before in a local paper. They keep this up and we may just have to start the campaign for conservatives to abandon their Star Tribune subscriptions for the Pioneer Press.
The Blogosphere Echo Chamber
James Phillips e-mails to express his worries that the whole world isn't watching: A few days ago you correctly criticized the thought that the Blogosphere will supplant the main stream media (or at least the print media). You're right, it'll never happen, or course. But I wonder if the people who believe so strongly in the blogosphere are in danger of themselves living in an "echo chamber" and having a more positive outlook than is warranted. Listening to Hugh talk about the Power Line expose of the CBS/60 Minutes forgeries (put forward by Texas Democrat and fund-raiser Dan Rather), I keep asking myself, "who's going to know?" Sure, Fox News and Talk Radio, but will this information ever reach the great unwashed? Probably not. Same with the Associated Press fabrications (and Jim Boyd's lies). Yep, those of us who read blogs know about it, but who else? Yeah, there is great stuff out there, but if the "MSM" does not report it, it does not exist. That's why I cringe when I hear this incredible confidence about the upcoming election. Much - not all - of it is probably false confidence. I share James' concerns on whether these stories are being more widely disseminated and his caution about over-confidence on how all this will play come November. Thursday, September 09, 2004
Secret Bush Memos Revealed
Those wondering what ever happened to Jim Styczinski can cease their worries. He has emerged. Turns out he's been involved in a research project that may shake this Presidential election to its foundation. Here's Jim's report. I have done some research of my own through the Texas Air National Guard archives at the Pentagon, hoping to uncover some information exonerating President Bush. Unfortunately, I found two memos that are troubling to say the least. Although I'm a supporter of President Bush, I want to see the truth out there, so I urge you to post them. ___________________________________________________
Memo 2 is dated 14
Shocking stuff. Somebody alert Matt Drudge to this. Actually, Dan Rather may be a more appropriate outlet. People tell me he'll believe anything.
A Large Victory
Check out the lead item on the Drudge Report. A link to none other than Powerline and their reporting on the potential forgeries of documents alleging improprieties in George W. Bush's National Guard service record. Wow. They don't get a direct name reference, they're labeled "Internet report". But it's an impressive feat. This kind of recognition could increase their brand ID to a point that eventually lands them on the Drudge main page. Right between John Podhoretz and TV Programming Insider (the latter which is reporting Fox's "Method & Red" is losing 23% of its lead in audience from the Bernie Mac Show. Now that's a shocker.) Drudge's 5 million visitors per day audience should produce a nice little spike in the Powerline traffic report, at least until their server is rendered inoperable (which may have already happened). In related news, Fraters Libertas just got a link from Bogus Gold.
The Free Tibet bumper sticker
and The KS95 smiling sun bumper sticker from the early 80's I cannot find an image of the latter anywhere on the Internet (information superhighway my ass). But folks living in the Twin Cities during that era will attest to the remarkable similarity of the two. This morning I rolled up on a gray Honda on I94 and from the image alone I reflexively assumed it was the legendary KS95 sticker. Then, upon reaching full tailgating intimacy, I was slapped with the cold hand of their social conscience. Free Tibet. What a let down. From the rest of their bumper commentary I suppose I should have known KS95 wasn't on their dial. Visualizing World Peace is the last thing you'll find on the confrontational Moon and Staci program. The KS95 smiling sun sticker was a promotion for light pop rockin' KSTP-FM (94.5 on the dial), back in the early to mid-80's. No doubt their slogan "Always 95 and Sunny" was a shameless attempt to capitalize on the Morning in America feeling of the times. (Their late-70's morning zoo campaign "Malaise in the Morning" didn't fare nearly as well). Back then, the sticker was ubiquitous on rear bumpers all around town. Everybody had one, for the simple reason, you could win free stuff. A poweful motivator for Minnesotans. As I recall, there was a roving KS95 party van circulating on the highways around town. If the unpaid marketing interns and illegal alien wage slaves inside the van spotted your KS95 bumper sticker, they rode your ass until you pulled over. Then they leapt out, rushed your car, and showered you with shallow flattery and shiny beads. It was an absolute sensation, the people loved it, and the whole town was talking about someone they knew who got spotted, stopped and showered. It was low overhead, high impact, radio marketing genius. It was so successful, it makes me wonder if the executives at AM1280, the Patriot might consider such a promotion. Maybe give out Michael Savage stickers, then deputize each Northern Alliance member as a member of the Savage Patrol. Every time we spot the sticker we'll pull up along side and make obscene gestures and shout vulgarities, until the driver pulls over. At which point we'll present them with a Hugh Hewitt "Minne-so-cold" T-shirt. Then you'll hear some real swearing. Labels: Separated At Birth Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Is There No Escape?!
I don't know why I even bother to read the Minneapolis Star Tribune. I steadfastly refuse to subscribe, but the reality of life in the Twin Cities dictates that one is never too far from someone who does. As a result, I invariably end up with the dreadful stain of the Strib's ink on my fingers and the accompanying stain on my ever darkening soul. In the past, I have always been able to justify my foray into wickedness by forcefully stating that my only interest in picking up a copy was to peruse last night's box scores or to see how many Vikings players were arrested the previous evening. I always took some comfort in the fact that the sports section of our local rag seemed to be somewhat immune to the cancer that has spread throughout its pages via the poisoned minds of Jim Boyd, Nick Coleman, et al. Alas, my rose-colored reverie has been brutally shattered by the publication of a sports piece so vapid and juvenile that a sound fisking would be both embarrassing to me and to the author. Instead, I merely present the column here, in its entirety, for your reading pleasure: Documentary Film Sews Up His Vote (Bryant McKinnie has developed into a cornerstone of the Vikings franchise. His personal interests range well beyond football, and he will share them with Star Tribune readers every Wednesday through the NFL season.) I'm back practicing now after spraining my right knee two weeks ago. The doctors have given me an elastic sleeve to wear around the knee. It feels better with it on, mentally. It's like I've got security with it. I sat out the team drills Monday, but I'll be back Wednesday doing everything. And you know I'll be ready for the Dallas game Sunday. The main guy I'm going to be going up against is Greg Ellis, No. 98. I'm going to watch tapes of his pass rushing moves this week so I can learn how he plays. Enough with that stuff. I saw the movie "Fahrenheit 9/11" not too long ago. I'm a Democrat, but after going to see that movie, I don't think it should even be close who you're voting for. I know I definitely won't be voting for President Bush. I was in Florida, going to school at Miami, when all the foolishness down there helped Bush get elected. I voted for Al Gore, but I don't even know if my vote counted. People tried to make it out like people in Florida are slow and didn't know how to vote. That wasn't it at all. Before I saw the movie, I didn't know too much about all the issues that have come up since then. I thought it gave you a better opportunity to see what's going on. Some people say that the director, Michael Moore, might have exaggerated some of the things in the movie or left stuff out, but I still don't see how you couldn't be convinced by what was in it. I was really concerned about what the movie said about Bush and the Bin Laden family, how they were each making money for the other. It's nothing but a big scam. They were hustling each other. That's why Bush isn't trying to go after him now. He went after Saddam Hussein, and he's got nothing to do with 9/11. Seems to me you should get the guy who sent those guys over here to do the bombing. That's Bin Laden. I just couldn't believe how the movie showed Bush already knew the Bin Laden family, and that he allowed them to fly out of the country after 9/11. If somebody's suspected for murder in this country, and the cops can't find you, they're going to go to your parents and question them. So why did Bush let Bin Laden's family out of the country? I think that was stupid. My conclusion, after assaulting my eyeballs with the utter nonsense above, is that either Bryant McKinnie is a babbling moron or that Jim Boyd has been relegated to ghostwriting inane Vikings diary pieces. If it is the former, may the Vikings go 0-16 this year as punishment for subjecting readers to such tripe. If it is the latter, let me be the first to congratulate Mr. Boyd on finally finding his niche. In either case, I think I'll resist the urge to pick up tomorrow's sports section.
Angry Democrat Pornography
Garrison Keillor, that charming, folksy, banjo-loving dispenser of homey aphorisms, that gentle Norwegian giant, has gone absolutely rat-shit, spittle-spraying insane with rage. And what is it that has unsettled the unassuming lover of nature-based free verse and hamburger hot dishes? Did MPR CEO Bill Kling short sheet his bed? Did some Carleton College intern rub Atomic Balm into the wind guard of his microphone? Could it be that a spiteful au pair dangerously over-seasoned his pot roast? No, it's much, much worse. The genteel, flannel-voiced godfather of somnolent Minnesota-based quasi-humor is just, well, good and pissed that his fellow Americans have been so bone-headed, so craven as to have elected several Republicans to high office. In a piece that is nothing short of angry Democrat pornography, Garrison first waxes nostalgic about the golden years of Eisenhower "the good Republican"--"a period of peace and prosperity, in which (oddly) American arts and letters flourished and higher education burgeoned--and there was a degree of plain decency in the country." Yes, Democrats like Keillor loved Eisenhower, and if you don't believe him, just take a look at the many leftist-authored Eisenhower encomiums that clog our bookstores. Keillor generously notes that Eisenhower also "produced the Interstate Highway System," a curious compliment, one that was probably included because his favorite lefse vendor is just off I-94. Garrison wastes little time praising -- faintly -- Eisenhower before he is off on his rant, a blast of contumely such as has never been seen. Really. It's never been seen because it is simply one of the weirdest things any human has ever beheld, even those who regularly attend low budget roadside freak shows. Are you ready? To Keillor, Republicans are: "Hairy-backed swamp developers and corporate shills, faith-based economists, fundamentalist bullies with Bibles, Christians of convenience, freelance racists, misanthropic frat boys, shrieking midgets of AM radio, tax cheats, nihilists in golf pants, brownshirts in pinstripes, sweatshop tycoons, hacks, fakirs, aggressive dorks, Lamborghini libertarians, people who believe Neil Armstrong's moonwalk was filmed in Roswell, New Mexico, little honkers out to diminish the rest of us, Newt's evil spawn and their Etch-A-Sketch president, a dull and rigid man suspicious of the free flow of information and of secular institutions, whose philosophy is a jumble of badly sutured body parts trying to walk." Clearly, it is a mountain of oddness, and handholds are scant, but here goes. "Swamp developers and corporate shills," has the ring of familiarity about it, as far as Republican bashing goes. I, a Republican, have never met another who has made a living developing swamps, but I have to say I don't see the harm in it. Swamps are notoriously hard to develop, what with their lack of a firm foundation, but if some chap is willing to put his nose to the grindstone, buy the necessary fill and develop one I say bully for him. And as far as being corporate shills, I know this a treasured chestnut, but really, when it is leveled by a member of the party that has embraced Hollywood and Michael Moore (the neo-corporate shill), and whose favorite causes are backed by Theresa Heinz Kerry and the Ford Foundation, it just doesn't have the sting that I would imagine Garrison intended. All well and good -- but "hairy backed?" In order for an insult to hit home, it would have to have an intended target, wouldn't it? Who is this meant for -- Denny Hastert? Chuck Hagel? Karen Hughes? No one I could think of gives this opening comment any meaningful context at all. Oh, I suppose I could be generous and grant Garrison the insult on a sort of "Republicans are homunculus's" level, but why should I do all the heavy lifting? "Fundamentalist bullies with bibles" also seems to have the kernel of an insult somewhere in it. It starts familiarly enough, because as Garrison and all his followers know, anyone who holds tightly to the fundamentals of his beliefs without allowing progressive thought to "improve" it is clearly a moron and a bully. (Garrison's rhetoric is not bullying. It is nurturing and gentle, meant as firm-handed, loving guidance.) But then he guilds the lily by adding "with bibles." As opposed to fundamentalist bullies with, what, small cans of shellac? Fundamentalist bullies with toaster pastries? Two phrases in and the lug nuts on the wheels of his insult juggernaut are already loosening. I won't dissect the whole tirade, but a few comments deserve special consideration. Take "shrieking midgets of AM radio." Look, no one likes Al Franken and even he would acknowledge that his voice occasionally gets a little strangled, and yes, he is no taller than the average nightstand, but here Garrison's just being cruel. "Lamborghini libertarians"? Is this an abstruse dig at Michael Badnarik? If so, it doesn't really injure Republicans much because, well, libertarians are Libertarians, not Republicans. We can only assume that Garrison is so rankled by "limousine liberals" that he had to strike back with his own alliterative dig. But "Lamborghini libertarians" really misses the mark. Did he even consider "Renault Righties"--"Dodge Doubleya's"--"Saturn Small Government-ers?" Finally, some comment must be made concerning the phrase "little honkers out to diminish the rest of us." That comment might be, Garrison, honey, are you okay? Would you like some soda water and a couple of saltines? Or perhaps it should be, What the Samuel W. Hell does that mean, you strange, fish-creaming freak? Are you sniffing unknown substances given to you by those clowns from Car Talk, or has the banjo music finally and inevitably loaded your sanity onto the dag-blasted hay wagon and driven it off the cliff? As I said, it's tough going, and there is little sense to be made of it, but if I had to guess it would be this: Garrison's message to all Republicans and Republican sympathizers is, "Give the country back to the party of compassion, you feckless, rat-faced, stonehearted bastards."
...With A Pocketful Of Shells
Rally 'round the flag this Saturday: Move America Forward is organizing three of the largest rallies designed to build public support for our troops and the war against terrorism. These "super rallies" with the theme "Believe in Freedom" will take place in San Diego, California; Sacramento, California and Indianapolis, Indiana. Rallies are scheduled for the following communities, with additional rallies being organized in other communities to be announced: Fresno, California Monterey, California Sacramento, California San Diego, California (*Note: Event takes place on 9/10/2004 3:00 - 6:00 PM) Ventura, California Indianapolis, Indiana Zeeland, Michigan Canton, Ohio Stallings, Florida Tampa, Florida New York City, New York Lakewood, Washington Lynwood, Washington Spokane, Washington Vancouver, Washington
Echo Chamber
Last week the New York Times published a daily special section in conjunction with the Republican convention called (ominously, though descriptively) : The Republicans. In the course or reading Wednesday's edition, I came across two side-by-side articles that contained some remarkably similar prose. First, from David M. Halbfinger and Jodi Wilgoren, an article entitled "Kerry Must Sharpen Attacks, Democrats Say," we get this paragraph about additions to the Kerry campaign staff: The arrival of the new staff came after several weeks in which Mr. Kerrywas slow to respond to an assault on his Vietnam War record and character, with largely unsubstantiated charges, by the group calling itself Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Then in an article by Adam Nagourney, entitled "Loves Dogs, Hates Kerry, A Two Prong Campaign Tactic," we get this paragraph about the Bush family's alleged tradition of brutal campaigning: They argue that the Bush family has long resorted to brutal political tactics when cornered and is known for its parallel campaign tracks, one on the high road, and one on what Democrats would call the low road. Those accusations have grown particularly strong in the last month, in which Mr. Kerry has been the subject of unsubstantiated charges by veterans about his Vietnam combat medals. You got that? Unsubstantiated charges. If these items weren't appearing in a news section of the paper, I might get the sense that they're trying to make a point here. Lest you think this wording choice was a one time coincidence, Times Watch (a Web site dedicated to watchdogging the NYT), gives us six more examples of different reporters using the identical characterization of the Swifties. Ridiculous. And hilarious. Proving that these inquiring, independent news minds are more than happy to snap into lockstep, blind conformity when the overall goal is important enough to them. In the course of digging out the electronic versions of the print articles noted above, I also noticed some further editing in the Halbfinger/Wilgoren article. The before version (from the print edition): The arrival of the new staff came after several weeks in which Mr. Kerry was slow to respond to an assault on his Vietnam War record and character, with largely unsubstantiated charges, by the group calling itself Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. And the after version, from the electronic edition (new words in red, deleted words crossed out): The arrival of the new staff members came after several weeks in which Mr. Kerry was slow to respond to an assault on his Vietnam Remember, all that editing took place AFTER the article was published in the nation's newspaper of record. Bizarre. I have no clue as to why they even bother to clean it up to that degree after the overwhelming majority of it's audience will have read it and moved on. Some of the changes seem to be of a grammatical nature. But there also seems to be some politically curious choices in what was added and what was deleted. My favorite is the use of the qualifier "a group calling itself" for the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which is now stricken from the electronic record. Why? My guess is due to shame, once they got a look at Steve Gigl's devastating analysis of this very issue.
Numbers In Perspective
Now that we've reached the one thousandth US military death in Iraq, we can expect to hear and see constant emphasis on this sad statistic all week. We mourn for every one of our soldiers, sailors, and marines who have lost their lives in the conflict. But it is important to consider this number in the historical context of past wars that we have fought as well. Here is a listing of military deaths through American history. The first number is combat deaths, the second is non-combat deaths during the conflict. (Sources: America's Wars Fact Sheet and Americans Killed in Action, Numbers, American War Library) American Revolution: 4435 20,799 War of 1812: 2260 (total) Mexican War: 1733 13,283 Indian Wars: 1000 (estimated total) Civil War: 214,938 283,394 Spanish American War: 385 2893 Philippines War: 4273 (total) World War I: 53,402 63,114 Various Interventions 1900-1932 (Boxer Rebellion, Moro Campaigns, Dominican Republic(2X), Mexico, Nicaragua(2X), Haiti, Russia): 1055 (total) World War II: 291,557 113,842 Korea: 33,686 20,560 Vietnam: 47,410 10,788 Gulf War: 148 235 In addition there have been single days in American military history with significant loss of life. (Source: Twentieth Century Atlas - Casualty Statistics) Battle of Antietam 1862: 4300 (estimated) Pearl Harbor 1941: 2403 Battle of Chancellorsville 1863: 2358 (estimated) Gettysburg 1863: 2353 (estimated average per day July 1-3) D-Day 1944: 1465 Grieve for the men and women who have died in Iraq. Support and console their families through this most difficult time. But don't forget that this is a war. And all wars come with a heavy price. Remember another number that probably will not get as much play this week as the one thousandth military death in Iraq. 2738 American citizens killed in the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Compare And Contrast
Last week, the AP falsely reported that the audience at a Bush rally booed President Clinton after the announcement that he had been hospitalized and that President Bush "did nothing to stop them". The audio from this event clearly demonstrates that this was not the case. Curious as to how left leaning audiences reacted to the announcement of President Reagan's death earlier this year, I did a bit of Googling and discovered this in the show archives of NPR's A Prairie Home Companion. Fast forward to around the 3:15 mark of Segment 1 and listen to the sounds of liberal civility. Pay particular attention to host Garrison Keillor actually doing nothing to stop it. Funny, I don't remember an AP story describing that.
More MN State Fair mug shots from folks in attendance at the Northern Alliance Radio Network (NARN) broadcast on Saturday and the post production festivities.
Two pages worth of photos from Dave at the Right Reading Room. Many of these consist of me interviewing the bloggers who showed up for our Half Hour Blogger Power Block (which is rumored to become a regular NARN broadcast feature in the near future, interested bloggers - worldwide - stand by for details). In the eventuality that blogging becomes the dominant media force of the new millennium, these pictures will serve as priceless historical documentation of the movement's pioneers. Or, if blogging craps out by this time next year, these pictures will serve as invaluable documentation for any police departments looking to run down a few outstanding warrants. Also, Mary from Fresh Bed Goodness contributes a gallery of photos, including this year's version of last year's Scotch Egg Incident. Jo, from Jo's Attic provides the Last Supper interpretation of the MOB, as we're calling ourselves (acronym for Minnesota Organization of Bloggers). Highly appropriate since our last call was but 5 minutes away. The written record of what actually transpired that day is enhanced by the Stroms, the Wog, the guys from Powerline, and the previously mentioned Jo, who I give permission to interrupt any conversation I'm having in the future. Even if it's with the Atomizer. Especially if it's with the Atomizer. Next time, please, please interrupt. Thanks to everyone who came out, it was a blast. And by acclimation it was agreed, same time next year. That is, assuming NARN isn't preempted by a very special edition of the Michael Savage program. Savage: Live from the Livestock Barns. "You beasts. You animals. You smell like you've been eating hard boiled eggs covered in pork sausage, deep fried, and drizzled with maple syrup!" Labels: State Fair
Yes, it is true. The 2004 Minnesota State Fair is over. We concluded our NARN stint there with broadcasts on Saturday and Sunday from the grounds of the prestigious Patriot Plantation. Saturday we had Senator Norm Coleman(second from right) and Congressman Mark Kennedy(plaid shirt) join us.
If you look closely at the pic of Kennedy and King Banaian, you'll notice a familiar face hard at work in the background behind the doors. Hard at work wolfing down a pizza that is. Yup, that's Captain Ed all right, who now joins Mitch and Hindrocket in my on-going photo series of NARN hosts strapping on the feedbag during a break. The series is designed to educate aspiring radio personalities everywhere and pass on one of the key pieces of advice for success in the industry: "Be careful what you put in your mouth (and when)." Finally, The Fair just wouldn't be The Fair without our Ralphie. He was able to reunite with his father figure (thanks to Chumley for that pic) as well as make a new and highly influential friend. Check out the newly updated Travels With Ralphie page for all the details. (By the way, if you type "Ralphie" into Google we're the seventeenth listing. It sure would be nice to crack the top ten. But, if you want to narrow your search down, you're in luck. Try "Ralphie Hugh" and see who's number one with a bullet.) Labels: State Fair
A Breath Of Fresh Air
It's nice to read a piece on a new book about Col. Billy Mitchell at OpinionJournal.com and find that the byline reads: "Mr. Yost is an editorial writer at the Pioneer Press in St. Paul, Minn." As Saint Paul noted last month, Mark Yost was brought on board, along with Craig Westover, to bring some balance to the editorial pages of the Pioneer Press. While I don't think that Saint Paul has been bowled over by Yost's work at the PiPress so far, this article on Mitchell is solid and demonstrates that Yost has an active interest in military history, which separates him from nearly all other editorial writers here in the Twin Cities. Monday, September 06, 2004
Read All About It
The complete version of John Kerry's tome "The New Soldier" is available online here. The cover alone should be enough to give you pause, but here are a few quotes from the man who would be president: In JOHN KERRY's own words: "And so a New Soldier has returned to America, to a nation torn apart by the killing we were asked to do. But, unlike veterans of other wars and some of this one, the New Soldier does not accept the old myths. We will not quickly join those who march on Veteran's Day waving small flags, calling to memory those thousands who died for the "greater glory of the United States"." "We will not readily join the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars...." "We will not uphold traditions which decorously memorialize that which was base and grim" In fairness to Kerry, he didn't say "We will not shamelessly exploit our military records for political purposes, going so far as to snap off a salute when we accept our party's nomination for president."
Blog This
Whenever I hear people spouting off about how blogs are the "new media" which will someday replace the "old media", especially newspapers, I cringe. Blogs can compliment the "old media". They can serve as watchdogs, checking the accuracy and pointing out bias. They can present alternative viewpoints which would otherwise never see the light of day. And, as we've learned once again with the Swift Vets, they can push a story that the "old media" is ignoring, keeping it alive long enough to force the "old media" to acknowledge it. But, the idea that blogs will take the place of newspapers anytime in the foreseeable future is ludicrous. Look no further than the Star Tribune's series on Outsourcing, which began Sunday. We like to bang on the Strib on a regular basis, but we also like to give credit where it's due. And it is definitely due here. The first two days of the series have been excellent, and I look forward to the rest of it. We're talking about some in-depth analysis and reporting here. Reporter Eric Black has already written about traveling to Shanghai, Beijing, and other cities in China for the series, and I would bet dollars to donuts that he went to India, and possibly other countries as well. While there are many bloggers who could write authoritatively about outsourcing, how many of them have the time, the money, and the inclination to do as Black has done? If you're interested in outsourcing I urge you to read the whole Strib series. So far, it's an excellent example of what newspapers can do very well. And it's also been quite fair. The verdict after two days is that, overall, outsourcing is positive for the United States economy.
Veterans' Day
On Labor Day, we give you "Veterans' Day", the latest from Russ Vaughn, who is fast on his way to becoming the Bard of the Blogosphere (sorry Joe): How liberals do defy the mind For nothing in theirs' can we find, That willingly will look with reason At how their man committed treason, Skulked off to Paris this effete To grovel at the Madame's feet, Betraying his sworn officer's oath To become the turncoat we so loathe. Our law is clear you shall not treat With America's foes nor their cadres meet; Give aid nor comfort to enemy forces Nor espouse a view from hostile sources. Without a mandate from the state Wherefrom your right to negotiate? Was treason, John, and is treason still To this very day your unpaid bill. Don't try to hide behind your youth. You knew the law you knew the truth. You knew your faux negotiation Would further tear our war-torn nation And all for what, John, your career So you can shameless brazen here, And claim now that you're fit to lead The very nation you made bleed? And yet before us there you stand With medals blazing you demand Such treachery we must ignore Your treason that lost us our war. But hold on, John, we veterans say, You had your turn, now comes our day. You thought we slept, forgot your crime? Oh no, John boy, it's come our time. Some say let you apologize But that won't do it in our eyes. A man astride of each position Could we believe your true contrition? The vindication we'll accept In settling up this long-held debt, Is each of us will do his best To deny you, John, your lifelong quest. Listen carefully John to what we say, November 2d is Veterans' Day. Russ Vaughn 2d Bn, 327th Parachute Infantry Regiment 101st Airborne Division Vietnam 65-66 Saturday, September 04, 2004
Team USA Triumphs, Vanek Vaults, And A Plugger Passes
Good news last night in St. Paul, as the US got off the schneid with a 3-1 win over hated Slovakia in the World Cup of Hockey. The US ends the preliminary round with a 1-2 mark and will likely face either Canada or Russia in a quarterfinal showdown next week. Bad news for Gopher fans: Thomas Vanek gave up his final two years of eligibility to sign with the Buffalo Sabres. It could be a very long year for the Gophers. Finally sad news of an ex-Star: Paul Shmyr, the former NHL and WHA defenseman who was captain of the North Stars and the Edmonton Oilers in Wayne Gretzky's first season with the team, died Thursday after a 10-year battle with throat cancer in Surrey, British Columbia. He was 58. Shmyr, a native of Cudworth, Saskatchewan, played 511 games in the WHA, including 160 with the Oilers, and 343 in the NHL with Chicago, Minnesota, California and Hartford. He captained the Oilers in 1978-79 -- their last season in the WHA. The rugged defenseman played for the North Stars in the 1979-80 and 1980-81 seasons. R.I.P.
The Warrior Princess is not one of us. She is an outsider. A stranger in a strange land. Traversing all the way from Sacramento, CA to live among us. And slowly, but surely, she's being incorporated into our culture. And every year, the MN State Fair serves to fast forward this assimilation process. This year's challenge, coming to terms with circle of life played out in the livestock barns. Here is her story:
This is officially my third year at the Minnesota State Fair. Some people come for the food, the merchandise, the radio talk show celebrities, I come for one reason and one reason alone. To pet the big pig. My introduction to the big pig came two years ago. He was a whopping huge pink beast, weighing roughly 960 lbs. I may not remember his name, but I remember the freakish fascination that led me to his cage. Sweaty, smelly, moving just enough to get adequate breath into his massive lungs, he was so ugly you couldn't help but love him, and give him a nice scratch behind the ears. SP ADDS: Incidently, this same dynamic is responsible for most traffic in front of the AM1280 The Patriot booth. At least when Rabuse is on the air. Last year the pig was named Billy. Weighing roughly 1040 lbs, Billy won my admiration by daring to be different. Billy was a black and white spotted pig. He didn't give into the line that a pig's gotta be pink to win the title, he overcame the opposition and clearly earned his crown. But that is all in the past now. No longer hounded by Paparazzi, and quite possibly now being pepperoni, the former champions have faded from glory with only our memories to remember them by. They will be remembered fondly, but even in the spotlight, they knew there was always the possibility that the perfect pig would come along and squash every fond memory of greatness in their fans? hearts. Ladies and Gentleman, this year, this pig, has done just that. I give you, Terry. The crème de la crème of pigs, 1220 lbs of pork plumped to perfection. Terry had humble enough beginnings. At the age of 6 weeks, weighing a mere 45 lbs, Terry had nothing but his determination, his appetite, and a dream. Working as a stud pig by day to earn a living, Terry used his nights to eat, and sleep, and imagine what it would be like to be the best. It wasn't until 6 months ago Terry finally gave up his day job to pursue portly porkery full time. The training, the discipline was daunting, but being the best required it. And now at the pinnacle of his professional achievement, the sacrifice Terry made is all but forgotten as he has finally received the respect his achievement deserves. What kind of honor is merited by such a feat? Certainly our cheers for today, but what about tomorrow? How should we as a society pay tribute to our aging legends, our falling stars? Certainly the least we can do is wish them well as they leave the spotlight. I think any decent Minnesotan would agree. Which is why I was appalled when I read this Star Tribune article. I direct the reader to the bottom third of the article, where the shocking news is reported. Terry is scheduled to be slaughtered Monday afternoon! Monday afternoon! Performing Monday morning, putting on a good face for everyone right up until the final moment, only to be led away from the lime light straight into the meat grinder! And then to only get 12 cents a pound? After all the glory, and all the fame, all Terry comes to is a measly $146.40. It pains me deeply to know that the hearty hog that has brought all of Minnesota such joy this Fair season will be put to rest in a mere three days. I might head to the fair tomorrow, and if I do I'll go by Terry's cage, and give him a word of encouragement for the days ahead. Maybe one last pat on the back. Terry will be missed, and for the next couple of months at least, you can be sure I will not be looking at pepperoni pizza quite the same. Labels: State Fair Friday, September 03, 2004
Runnin' With The Devil
Last night, we immensely enjoyed watching President Bush's acceptance speech at a Party for the President, hosted by David Strom. Strom is the big kahuna of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota and has become one of the most controversial figures on the local political scene. The Minneapolis Star Tribune and The City Pages, the local "alternative" paper, have vilified Strom in recent years, and he was named 2004's "Villain of the Year" by the City Pages. For a man who's taken more than his fair share of slings and arrows, Strom is amazingly upbeat and jovial. In fact, you get the impression that he revels in his role as Minnesota's right-wing bad boy. The large banner hanging in his home celebrating his City Page's villain distinction certainly reinforces this perception. Unlike some "new urbanists" who rail against suburban sprawl while living in Minnetonka (a posh suburb west of Minneapolis) and driving SUVs, David Strom is keeping it real. He resides in a recently built home in North Minneapolis. For those of you unfamiliar with the Twin Cities, the neighborhoods of North Minneapolis are not exactly the most sought after properties in the metro area. David and his lovely wife Margaret have built a beautiful home in the 'hood and were gracious hosts last evening. The only part of the house that we didn't get to see was the basement, which must be the place where they make ground beef out of puppies and orphans (if the local media organs are to be believed anyway). They laid out a spread of delicious vittles, had a wide selection of fine spirits, and even their choice of beer was appropriate for the circumstances (Shiner Bock and Blonde). It was a festive evening of fast-paced, fun-filled political conversation (no, that is not an oxymoron) as I mentioned yesterday. In addition to David and Margaret, the crowd included my wife and I, Saint Paul, The Warrior Princess, John R. LaPlante from Policy Guy and his wife, Peggy Kaplan from what if?, David's next door neighbor and his wife, the Strom's three birds, and Atomizer. Before the speech we watched a DVD supplied by the RNC for the occasion (you see we DO get our talking points from them!) that chronicled John Kerry's ever shifting position on Saddam Hussein's Iraq through video clips going back to the early '90s. Even with Saint Paul's caveat that some of the clips probably did not include the complete context of Kerry's remarks, the impact was devastating. It is far too long to be used as a campaign commercial, but as a device to demonstrate Kerry's crass political opportunism and lack of conviction, it is extremely effective.
Moving On From Reality
I challenge you to read this excerpt from a MoveOn.org e-mail that I received today without laughing. At least three times. Dear MoveOn member, Republicans hoped that their convention would strike a ringing tone that would echo through the media for the next week. But between the speakers' nastiness and belligerence, John Kerry's swift and tough response, and our hard work, the momentum they're banking on is nowhere to be seen. At a midnight rally last night, John Kerry stood up to Bush's attacks. "For the past week, they attacked my patriotism and even my fitness to serve as commander in chief," he said. "Here is my answer to them: I will not have my commitment to defend this country questioned by those who refused to serve when they could have and who misled America into Iraq."[1] Now that the convention bubble has burst, we have an opportunity today to focus the media on the soap scum that remains. Commentators have been surprised at how ruthlessly negative and bitter the convention was - from the Purple Heart band-aids that Karl Rove's mentor handed out on the stadium floor [2] to Zell Miller's rabid attack on John Kerry [3]. Whether or not that perception solidifies into conventional wisdom depends on the conversation in the nation's editorial pages, where our letters to the editor can make a big difference. We've loaded up our letter to the editor tool with all the information and talking points you need to write a letter -- all it takes is a few minutes of your time. Yeah, that "swift and tough" response from Kerry has really reversed the momentum hasn't it? It must have been that witty line about the RNC standing for "really not compassionate" that turned the tide. I look forward to reading the Strib's letters to the editor page tomorrow and spotting the canned MoveOn entries. And that convention bubble really has been burst hasn't it? For the first time since the Presidential race became a two person contest last spring, there is a clear leader, the latest TIME poll shows. If the 2004 election for President were held today, 52% of likely voters surveyed would vote for President George W. Bush, 41% would vote for Democratic nominee John Kerry, and 3% would vote for Ralph Nader, according to a new TIME poll conducted from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2.
Not Just Another Pretty Face
The best part of having bloggers cover the political conventions has been the injection of some personality into the dry pundit mix. For example, I can't imagine any of the mainstream commentators taking time to do a GOP Babe of the Day feature. But with the presence of the bloggers, we've had not one, but two guys filling this market niche. Both Wizbang and the Northern Alliance's own John Hinderaker have been on the case this week. Now that's new media progress! Yesterday, Hinderaker's choice was Brooke Adams, an aide to Rep. Jennifer Dunn (R-WA) (and if it's possible to be a babe who's over 60 years old, I guess Rep. Dunn would be it.) I must say, it's a good call by Hindrocket, Adams does have the stuff election night dreams are made of. Looking at her apple pie face and seeing that name rang some vague bells of recognition for me. At first I thought I might have run into her at the raucous election night party for the Stearns County District 3 Soil and Watershed Commissioner race last year. Upon further review, it turns out that party girl was actually Mildred Orswanger. Instead, a quick keyword search on Blogger reveals Ms. Adams graced the pages of Fraters Libertas before. Believe it or not, she was an independent candidate in the 2003 gubernatorial recall election in California. Back on October 2, 2003, in my Recall Election Preview Spectacular, I gave her my o-fishul endorsement. Unfortunately, Hinderaker kind of left us hanging here. He didn't query Brooke on her ill-fated gubernatorial run. Nor did he ask about her reign as homecoming queen at Huntington Beach High school, or her cheerleading exploits as a 4 year letter winner. It appears he just kind of gawked at her, like some drooling cub reporter from Spike TV. Sure, I think Hindrocket has done yeoman's service in NYC and I applaud his efforts. But for future convention coverage, the Republicans really ought to be sending somebody with a basic knowledge of political history. UPDATE: Looks like Brooke has discontinued her election site, but these fine folks archived it for us. Click on over and enjoy the memories. (Note to Hindrocket - there are lots of pictures too.)
Bellwethers?
My wife's parents have just told her that they plan to vote for President Bush come November. This may not mean anything at all, but I take it as a good sign. Although both of them live very conservative lives and her Dad is a Korean war vet, they are not reliable Republican voters. They share a populist streak, which is very common here in the Upper Midwest (and the subject of much longer future post). This streak often manifests itself in a distrust of those in power, and a strong dose of suspicion of anyone with wealth. A lot of it is based on class envy and the belief that those at the top did not really earn their place there. There is also a tendency to embrace conspiracy theories. Which explains why they voted for Jesse Ventura in 1998. In 2000 they decided that they could not vote for either Bush or Gore. I think they went for Buchanan, but they could have gone for Nader as well. It didn't really matter who they were voting for; it was a protest vote against the two major parties. Since then they have been fairly muted in their political views. They strongly supported the President after 9/11, but haven't been as keen on Bush since then. I do suspect my father-in-law loathes John Kerry. However, until today, we were unsure how they would vote this year, and thought that there was a decent chance they would go the way of a third party candidate once again. As I mentioned earlier, this may signify nothing at all in larger terms for the election. But, coming on top of what was a very bad month for Kerry and a very good week for the President, it is yet another indication (micro) that, for now at least, things seem to be going Bush's way.
The Illustrated VDH
The Friday column by Victor Davis Hanson today on NRO is, per usual, outstanding. I was particularly heartened to see this clear eyed student of history look ahead to November 2 with this prediction: If Bush wins in November, and I think he will, then there will be recriminations and fury of the like we have not seen since the Right imploded after 1964. For many of us lifelong Democrats, the very sight of Michael Moore perched next to Jimmy Carter at the convention in Boston says it all - the sorry coming together of conspiratorial anti-Americanism and self-righteous appeasement. Also interesting to note his reference to being a life long Democrat, something I didn't realize about ol' VDH. With the likes of him and Zell Miller supporting the Bush candidacy, and assuming they represent a broader, pro-robust national defense, pro-American wing of traditional Democratic voters, I'm starting to believe Bush may pull away with this thing yet. Perhaps because he's a Democrat, Hanson does a superb job in identifying the essence of the modern Democratic party and why they have the potential to alienate so many voters in their traditional base. When upscale protestors swear at delegates and parade obscene signs in New York while John Kerry goes windsurfing in shades and racing gloves, you have a recipe for disaster for wannabe populists. Americans instinctually are repelled by these images and right now this is what the party of the Left offers. The more the people get to see this, the more votes they are going to lose. So, I say rage on children of the revolution and sail on John Kerry. Just continue to be yourselves and everything should be all right. At least as far as the election goes. Because, as VDH reminds us, come Nov. 3, the world will still be there waiting for us: We are not at the end of history, but rather at its new beginning. All the old truths - conventional warfare, the Atlantic alliance, petroleum-based affluence, conventional political debate, etiquette, principled disagreement, and the old populist Democratic party are coming under question. And the only thing that is clear from what will follow is that it will all be loud, messy, full of surprises - and occasionally quite scary. Thursday, September 02, 2004
In Livin' Color
9:12pm Live from sprawling Strom compound in North Minneapolis we are watching the President's speech. Here is a chronicle of our reactions. Lots of flag waving: jingoistic patriotism is running rampant in the room. 9:15pm The crowd here eats up the Reagan reference. Maybe we should name a highway after him... 9:17pm Strom boos progress in education. 9:18pm Crowd down on prescription drug coverage. 9:19pm Atomizer boos American workers. 9:20pm Crowd wildly applauds tax cuts. 9:21pm Tepid reaction to working moms at MSG. Flag waving continues here. 9:22pm Flags waving like crazy here. Permanent tax relief is very popular. 9:23pm More flag waving. "Kill the lawyers now", chant begins. 9:25pm It's safe to say that any talk of tax cuts and simplification is playing to a receptive crowd here. 9:27pm Cheaper health insurance plan greeted with skepticism. HSAs much more well received. Portability is key. 9:29pm Bureaucrats booed lustily. Medical malpractice reform is cheered. 9:29pm Atomizer says he has a home. 9:29pm Saint Paul sips his beer. 9:31pm Strom calls for more war talk. 9:32pm Social security reform and personal accounts are very well received. 9:33pm Possible Jack Kemp sighting. 9:34pm More education funding booed. 9:36pm Saint Paul demands to know where the Mexican flags are. Strom and Atomizer are getting in an education pissing match. 9:38pm No live blogging from Power Line or Captain Ed. What are we paying these guys for anyway? 9:39pm Shots at Kerry as an old-school tax and spend Democrat are applauded. Enough with the chanting though. 9:41pm Fatigue setting in for Saint Paul. Shot at activists judges raises him out of his slumber. "Screw the libertarians," Strom cries. Strict constructionist judges play well. 9:42pm Hollywood bashing and trashing Kerry's conservative values have the crowd in a frenzy. Or maybe it's just the Scotch. 9:45pm War talk brings the flags out again. Can someone please crush that dissent now? 9:48pm Quiet now as Bush talks of Iraq and the rationale for the war. Good tie in with 9/11 and the madman. Defend America every time line is crowd pleaser. 9:50pm Progress on democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq cheered. 9:51pm Good explanation of why democracy in those countries is important to halting terrorism. 9:52pm Nice shot at Kerry with troops returning home with honor. Letter from soldier in field is effective. Flag waving for the troops. I told you it was a jingoistic crew. 9:56pm Don't tell me Kerry voted against the $87 billion? An oft used line, but still quite good. 9:57pm A Sarah Janecek sighting? 9:59pm Good defense of the coalition. Strom calls for more French bashing. 10:00pm Freedom good. Evil bad. I need another beer. 10:01pm Brief mention of Israel. More coming? I hope. 10:03pm Bangin' on the New York Times? Beautiful. And there was much rejoicing. 10:05pm Call to duty. The country requires us to stand together. To stand with Bush. 10:07pm Nice use of self-deprecating humor. Swagger line is killer. A nod to mom. Shortcomings and strengths nicely interplayed. Saint Paul scratches his eye. 10:08 Somber reflection on challenges of being a war time president. Loss is difficult, but for a higher purpose. Tears from the women here. 10:09pm Back to 9/11. Resurrection of NYC. Religious undertones. The hard core left must be hating this. 10:10pm A time for every season. Atomizer mentions the Birds. Some people. 10:11pm He opens my beer. All is forgiven. Bush wraps speech up. Strom thinks Laura Bush is a babe. 10:13pm Positive reports in the immediate aftermath on MSNBC. 10:14pm Our grades: Saint Paul: B- Not enough use of foreign languages. Margaret: B Clintonesque My wife: B Good jokes, good slams Atomizer: B+ Needed more hellfire. Policy Guy: B- Too long, too disjointed. Peggy: A Best speech she's ever seen him give. The Warrior Princess: A+ I am a shameless partisan hack David: A Ended on a high note. Next door neighbor guy: B+ Good beat, easy to dance to The Elder: B+ A bit wandering, but overall strong.
Don't Believe The Hype
Can we please quit with the talk about how this speech or that speech will impact the precious "undecided" voter? Zell Miller's speech last night was red meat for Republicans and demagogic fascism for the Democrats. Do you really think that legions of undecided voters were watching it? Not bloody likely. Look, if you've made it to this point of the election cycle without making up your mind, it's probably because you don't care about politics all that much. And if politics isn't your bag, the chances of you pulling up a chair and watching speeches by anyone other than the candidates themselves are slim to none. Hell, I'm as big a political geek as the next guy, but last night I was flipping the channels between convention coverage, the Twins game, and South Park. Today Republicans are howling with delight about Zell's zingers and Democrats are howling in self-righteous anger. Both sides are trying to convince themselves that the speech will somehow swing the election their way. I enjoyed watching Miller rip into his party after having endured months of Bush bashing from the Kennedys, Carters, Gores, and Moores. However, the reality is that the Miller speech just doesn't matter, no matter how much the wonks try to tell you that it does today. It might be hard for those of us who live and breathe this stuff to accept, but the whole world is not watching. If Bush grips it and rips it tonight or if he slices into the deep rough, it may move the polls slightly. But if he delivers what I expect; a solid but unspectacular effort, the impact will likely be minimal. Kerry received little if any bounce from the milquetoast DNC. From what I've watched so far, the RNC has been very well run and has gone pretty much exactly according to the GOP plan. But, I still don't see it doing much for Bush. Those who loathed him before will still loath him tomorrow. Those who loved him going in will love him going out. The undecideds? They're busy with the pennant races and Trading Spaces. Oh, they'll make up their minds sometime between now and November 2nd. But they likely won't be thinking about Zell Miller's speech when they do it.
Separated At Birth?
Conservative smart alleck Joe Scarborough and hen-pecked smart alleck Chandler Bing?
Heart Like a Wheel, Head Like an Anchor
On Tuesday evening, during a commercial break on the Hugh Hewitt program, I was scanning the TV dials (between CSPAN convention coverage and Seinfeld reruns on TBS) and came across a Peter Jennings ABC World News Tonight interview with Karl Rove. In my quest for information NOW, I typically only give the network news programs about 2 seconds before zipping on by with the remote for more fertile ground. But the sight of Rove, a remarkably articulate and folksy presence (who would make a hell of a candidate in his own right), caused me to linger ever so briefly. Which gave me the opportunity to hear this question from Jennings, which stopped me in my digital TV tracks entirely: JENNINGS: Okay. I know you like the president. Is it too strong a phrase to say that you love him? ABC News devotes all of 22 minutes for it's prime time news presentation (WORLD news, mind you), and its star anchorman gets the Senior Advisor to the President of the United States on for an interview, and he uses up this precious time asking him THAT? Absurd, buffoon level journalism. The average reporter for a high school newspaper would know better than to ask this question, of any government official, let alone a man of Karl Rove's stature. Because as any junior high journalist already knows, the correct way to broach this topic is to say: JENNINGS: Okay. I know you like the president. But do you "like" like him? For a split second, Rove's face revealed he was flummoxed by the ridiculous nature of the question. But since about half of the interview consisted of snide, bizarre, leading questions by Jennings, Rove was prepared and made a quick recovery. (Read the whole interview to get the gist of Jennings approach, and note, they put the questions out of order, the interview ended with the love talk.) I was impressed with Rove's answer. It's a lesson for any politician or operative. When asked an unexpected question, just tell the truth. ROVE: No, I love him. I mean, he is one of the most remarkable people I've ever met, and that's not too strong a word. It's a great answer. He doesn't come off as a creepy metrosexual type, which is the impression you'd probably be left with if John Kerry were asked if he loves John Edwards, or vice versa. (Something tells me Jennings will never ask either of them such a question). Nor does he come off as an obsessed W. worshipper, which I'm sure was Jennings intent in asking the question in the first place. Or he wanted Rove to clumsily deny it, spawning headlines the next day "ROVE HATES BUSH". Jennings motive in this interview was to validate the demonization of Rove that the Democrats and their willing accomplices in the press have engaged in for years. And I must say, Rove smoked 'em on this one. For an example of the opposite, a political operative getting smoked by a real journalist, read Hugh Hewitt's interview with DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe. Excerpt: HEWITT: John Edwards yesterday said that he should sell the Iranians nuclear fuel. Do you agree with that, Terry McAuliffe? MCAULIFFE: What did John Edwards say? HEWITT: That we ought to do a deal with the Iranians that if they don't get to produce their own nuclear fuel but that we will sell it to them in exchange for strict controls. Do you think that's an answer to the situation on terror? MCAULIFFE: If John Edwards said that's what John Edwards feels and I'm sure that he talked to John Kerry about it. It's an amazingly revealing look into the essence of McAuliffe. But, no, there's nothing in this interview about who McAuliffe's loves. For that, we'll have to wait for Peter Jennings to chime in. Or someone else of his journalistic caliber. Perhaps Chuck Woolery is guest hosting tonight on Nightline.
In case you have not heard, this Saturday marks the second official social gathering of the Minnesota Organization of Bloggers (or MOB) and their readers, groupies, and stalkers. The inaugural event was held at Keegan's Irish pub in July and it was a spectacular success.
This time we're taking it to the Minnesota State Fair. We'll be at the beer garden in the International Bazaar at 3:30pm. As an added incentive to show up (and a way to fill air time), we'll be putting bloggers on the air on the NARN broadcast from 2:30pm-3pm. Stop by the AM-1280 The Patriot booth, just down Judson from the International Bazaar, and plug your blog to our vast and influential audience. These MOB events are non-partisan in nature, and we strongly encourage bloggers of all political persuasions to attend. Yes, even that guy who speaks Klingon. If you plan on showing up, hit this post at Shot In The Dark and leave a comment for Mitch. Labels: State Fair
Poland, Ohio that is. You've read her e-mails here in the past, now catch her thoughts on her very own blog. Join us in extending a warm welcome to Abigail Brayden.
Labels: Fraters Inc
The Elder caught me red handed yesterday...or, I suppose you could say, red-eared. I was, indeed, listening to Air America even without the motivational influence of a loaded gun leveled at my temple. I did have a very good excuse for my actions, however.
After running across this Powerline post regarding Al Franken's latest display of tolerance at the RNC, I needed more details. Laura Ingraham briefly addressed the kerfuffle on her program, but I wanted to hear it from the horse's ass...er, I mean mouth...himself. That's how I found myself on the Air America web page searching for their local affiliate, since it seems to change on a monthly basis. While I was there, I noticed with some astonishment that the Prince of Pronto Pups himself was slated to be on Wednesday's show. I quickly fired off an e-mail to alert the Fraters Libertas staff of Hugh's impending slaughter of yet another dim-witted leftie, and those who took heed were greatly rewarded. Al Franken is, quite simply, a horrible talk show host. I speak with some authority on this matter as I have first hand knowledge of some very skilled radio artists (myself, most assuredly, not included). It takes the man a lifetime of Sundays to ask a simple question and, by the time his nasally ramblings have finally been punctuated with a merciful pause, one tends to forget what his intended point happened to be. Such was the case today with Hugh. Lest you think that Franken's failings lie solely in the technical realm of the radio world, rest assured that he is equally incompetent in the intellectual realm. For the majority of the interview, Franken kept trying to hammer home his quarter-baked notion that the President's familiarity with the infamous August P.D.B. should have driven him to immediately link the impact of the first airplane on the morning of 9/11 to Osama bin Laden. Hugh deftly shot this bit of nonsense down (read it yourself...Hugh has promised a transcript here). The other prong to Al's thrust was the complaint that no speaker at the RNC had yet to mention bin Laden by name while Saddam's name was being dropped more often than the Cleveland Indians' outfield drops fly balls (those are my words, not Franken's...an eight game lead in September tends to make a man gloat). Hugh, again, succeeded in popping Al's balloon by pointing out that his complaint makes it evident that the left simply does not grasp the scope of the war on terror (again, read the transcript) and that if this was to be the left's tactic for the remainder of the campaign, they're going to lose 50 states to none. I think "beat them like a bongo drum" was Hugh's exact phrasing. The subtitle of Hugh Hewitt's new book is "Crushing The Democrats in Every Election and Why Your Life Depends on It". Wednesday's domination of Franken on the tail of Tuesday's smackdown of Terry McAuliffe shows that Hugh is willing to do just that...one Democrat at a time. Labels: Media-National (02-06) Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Unless you've been hiding under a rock for the last few weeks, you probably are aware that the Northern Alliance Radio Network has been enlisted for double duty out at the Minnesota State Fair. In addition to our regular Saturday show from noon 'til 3pm, we're also doing a Sunday show during the same hours for two straight weekends. You can listen locally on AM-1280 The Patriot or via our live internet stream.
Last weekend was our first one at The Fair and it was an eye opening experience. You often hear how hard it is to do a remote broadcast, and locally you always hear about the challenges that the State Fair presents. But you can't really appreciate them until you experience them yourself (or read Chumley's daily chronicles). The Fair is a grind. Don't get me wrong. It can be a great deal of fun , but there's just something about it that saps your energy. The crowds, the smells, the noise. The MPR booth. It just gets to you after a while. And we were only there for a weekend. I have no clue how a guy like Chumley manages to keep his sanity (insert joke here) during the dog days of The Fair. Or Anthony, a Salem employee who has been pretty much living on The Fairgrounds for the past three weeks helping get the booths set up. It's really an interesting sociological experiment at work. What happens when you take a cynical, hard-nosed radio pro from L.A. and drop him in the middle of the Great Minnesota Get Together for nearly a month? Talk about a guy who deserves some combat pay. And probably some counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder after he gets back to LA. Saturday actually went pretty well. I rolled in at around 11:30am, we cranked out three hours of radio with the help of Mike Nelson and Hugh, enjoyed a couple of post-show beverages, and even managed to catch Al Franken's stump speech at the DFL booth. Have I described just how awful it was? Uninspiring, unfunny, and unprepared. As Saint Paul noted, "I did more prep work for today's show than Franken did for his speech." Now that's saying something. Before Franken was introduced, Matt Entenza (House DFL minority leader) called Franken and Mike Erlandson (State DFL Chairman) the "twin towers of the Democratic Party in Minnesota". Besides being a bit inappropriate, the remark demonstrates the sorry state of the DFL today. If Franken is one of your towers, you've got a lot of rebuilding to do. And if anyone thinks that this putz can stand on the same stage as Norm Coleman and not get his head handed to him, they're delusional. When it comes to Al Franken running for the Senate, I say, "Bring him on." Sunday was tougher. She headed home for a shower while I wandered around the Fairgrounds before finally arriving at The Patriot broadcast booth. The booth itself is very small and is surrounded by a facade intended to give the impression of a mansion. We like to refer to it as The Plantation. There's even a white picket fence for leftists to sneer at and dismiss the suburban conformity of it all. The fence also affords a modicum of protection from the crowd passing directly in front of us, although I would prefer it to be a bit higher with more concertino wire. At 9:30am Saint Paul and I joined David Strom on the Taxpayer's League show. Chumley grabbed a seat and jammed with us as well. I don't know if it was the time of day, the fact that we were all pretty exhausted, or just the right chemistry, but it was probably the most laid-back, relaxed hour and a half of radio that I've ever done. I had to nudge Saint Paul once in a while to make sure he was still awake. After an hour break while Rabuse on the Right was airing, we were back at 'er at noon. Three more hours of State Fair radio, with all its twists and turns. The highlights were probably an agitated Kerry supporter trying to debate King on the state of the economy (a bit like me trying to wrestle Brock Lesnar) and Saint Paul's gut-busting riffing on the parade that passed directly in front of our booth. I'll never be able to watch the University of Minnesota's marching band in the same way again. Especially the tuba players. Sunday also featured an appearance by The Northern Alliance Gospel Chorus (with help from The Man From Silver Mountain) as we faced off in a musical competition against Marcoux Corner, a very talented a cappella quartet. They sang "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da", we sang the National Anthem. It was a close call, but I believe the audience found their performance slightly more enjoyable than ours. We'll get 'em next time. By the time the show wound down, I was fried. Four and half hours of live radio at The Fair is not easy, even if you do have a large cast of players. We laughed, we cried. We lived, we died (on the air). Mostly we learned. Learned how difficult it can be to do a show from The Fair. Which leads to my Top Ten List of Challenges in Broadcasting Live Radio From The Minnesota State Fair: 10. Trying to find the time to sprint to the nearest bathroom and make it back before the end of the break. 9. Trying to schedule and bring on the air the various guests, food vendors, animals, and musical acts in some semblance of coordination. 8. Trying to find a decent cup of coffee at The Fair. With the notable exception of Moonbeam, The Fair is sorely lacking places to procure quality java. There's hundreds of variety of fried food. Why can't there be a couple of coffee chains like Starbucks, Caribou, or Dunn Brothers? 7. Trying to use your laptop on your LAP. Having a WiFi connection out there is great, but broadcasting in the "front yard" on lawn chairs makes it tough to surf. 6. Trying to find two minutes to catch your breathe and gather your thoughts amidst the hustle and bustle. When you're in a studio, you have a chance to regroup during commercial breaks and think about the next segment. At The Fair, you're constantly being approached by people who want to chat or ask questions. Mind you, I'm not complaining. It's great that folks stop by to say hi, but it does make it difficult. 5. Trying to answer the oft-asked question, "Who are you and why are you on the air?" 4. Trying to use a remote mike with a marching band blaring away in all their glory two feet behind you. 3. Trying to concentrate on what you're saying as people strolling by stare at you as if they've just seen a three-balled tomcat (I can say that here). 2. Trying not to make fun of said people on the air as you observe them strolling by. And the number one Challenge In Broadcasting Live Radio From The Minnesota State Fair is... 1. Trying to ignore the siren song of the nearby beer garden with its neon Summit signs and their glow of electric beer. Mmmm...electric beer. And now all this can be yours. Well sorta. This Saturday we'll be having our second gathering of Minnesota bloggers. Last time around we met at Keegan's Irish Pub and a good time was had by all. This time we will be meeting at The State Fair. Specifically in the International Bazaar Beer Garden at 3:30pm. And if you've been dreaming about going on the air to plug your blog to our vast NARN audience, you'll get your chance. If you show up between 2:30pm and 3pm, we'll put you on the air. Come on down. Meet your fellow bloggers, toss back a coupla cold ones, and realize your radio dreams. Labels: State Fair
A Little Birdie Told Me...
That Hugh Hewitt will be appearing on the Al Franken show at 2:00pm EST today. Okay, it was Atomizer, not a little birdie. Why he was listening to Air America in the first place is a question that he will have to be answer later, and his respone will almost certainly result in extra helpings of ridicule and scorn. Yesterday McAuliffe, today Franken? Hugh really is earning his pay of late. You can tune in to the show via this Air America Radio stream. (Be patient-it may take a while to load.)
GOP Down With OPP
Funny, no mention of bloggers in this row: Aside from the guy who held a lollipop up to a dancer's breast and sucked on it, the Republicans were generally well-behaved tonight. Now, at a strip club being well-behaved entails heavy drinking and consistent lap dances. One group of three men who confessed to being in town for the convention bought at least $400 worth of lap dances, which breaks down to a little over five dances each. They were equal opportunity employers, sampling every race and body type, giving the dancers--many of whom are immigrants or children of immigrants--the very shot at fortune Arnold spoke of in his speech. But as one man told me around 2 a.m. that he had been drinking for eight hours straight, it's quite possible they missed the speech. I'm disappointed that we haven't been getting any crack reporting that seeks to expose the naked truth and get to the bottom of the matter, as this blog does, from Hindrocket and Captain Ed so far. At the 2008 RNC, I think the Northern Alliance will have to send a duo with a better nose for uncovering such news: Saint Paul and The Big Trunk.
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TALK O' THE TOWN 
Listen to the Northern Alliance Radio Network on Saturdays from 11am 'til 3pm on AM 1280-The Patriot:
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