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Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Didn't have a chance to make too many new aquaintances at last Saturday's MOB gathering, but I was introduced to one new Minnesota blogger. Jim from Backbench Media was attending his first MOB event and by rights is now a member of said august organization. Stop by his site and check out the view.
Labels: MOB Monday, March 08, 2010
Just realized that this coming Saturday, March 13th will be an action packed day. At noon, you have the Kill The Bill rally at the State Capitol. But very likely at the same time you also have the much anticipated Northern Alliance Radio Network First Team interview with one Karl Rove. Yes, the political mastermind/evil genius/talking-point distributor himself will be sitting down with Brian and John to talk about his new book. Connect the dots, people, connect the dots.
That evening, you have the MOB party at Ol' Mexico in Roseville, which I believe will commence at 7pm. At that same time, you also have the puck dropping to begin the second game of the Gopher-Sioux WCHA playoff series as well as the AA championship game of the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament. Definitely a time to keep your head on a swivel. Labels: MOB, NARN (10-11) Monday, March 01, 2010
The Minnesota Organization of Bloggers will be gathering for an officially sanctioned MOB get together in less than two weeks. Mitch has the details:
It's official--the Minnesota Organization of Bloggers' Sixth Annual Winter party is going to be Saturday, March 13 at Ol' Mexico in Roseville. There's a Facebook invite going around--or you can RSVP to at the Yahoo.com email address "feedbackinthedark," so we can get an idea of how many people to expect. Come on out! We'd love to see you there! Mexican food, alcohol, and a gaggle of bloggers promise to make for a combustible evening. You don't want to miss this event and be left out in the cold. Labels: MOB Thursday, September 10, 2009
MOB Party: Myths Exposed!
The Minnesota Organization of Bloggers (or MOB) has been a going concern for five years now. And we'll be having our fifth anniversary gala this Saturday at Keegan's, just west of Hennepin on University in northeast Minneapolis, from 6:30 'til whenever we're done (usually around 11 or so). Labels: MOB Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Newest additions to the Minnesota Organization of Blogs include:
Jack of All Trades Forrest Chad Wilkinson Labels: MOB Tuesday, April 21, 2009
There is nothing wrong with your Internets. Do not attempt to adjust the MOB blogroll. We are controlling the content. If we wish to make it louder, we will increase the font size. If we wish to make it softer, we will decrease it. We will control the length. We will control the depth. We can roll the blogs, make them flutter. We can change the focus to a soft blur or sharpen it to crystal clarity. For the near future, sit quietly and we will control all that read. We repeat, there is nothing wrong with your Internets. You are about to participate in a great adventure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to... The Minnesota Organization of Blogs.
As Saint Paul mentioned yesterday, there have been some on-going technical difficulties with Blogrolling which have only recently been resolved. Therefore, after a period of being locked out, we are once again able to update the official Minnesota Organization of Blogs blogroll. A few updates have been made, but I also know we've missed a few new additions that have appeared on the scene. If you have a blog or know of a blog that should be listed, please drop me a note at rightwinger23@hotmail.com and I'll see that it is taken care (after proper vetting of course). I've also taken the liberty of beginning to go through the list and make any necessary updates. If you haven't updated your blog in the last three months, you can expect it to disappear from the roll. Even in the chaos of the MOB, there are certain standards that must be adhered to. UPDATE-- Welcome to these newly made MOBsters: Conservative Cravings You gotta like someone able to come with Rachel and Chandler as a Separated At Birth. And if you want the MOB blogroll on your blog, copy and paste this code: Labels: MOB Monday, April 20, 2009
Two new Web sites on the scene worth checking out:
1) Pioneer Press columnist, and MOB member in absentia, Craig Westover is attempting to reform the state Republican party with the Grassroots for an Open Republican Party iniative. They list seven spot-on and sadly forgotten principles of governance and aspire to: "Returning to Republican principles" means holding fast to those principles even when it hurts. It means turning to those principles everyday to guide every action taken as a member or officer of the Republican Party. It means incorporating those principles into how we organize the Minnesota GOP, manage the Minnesota GOP, and communicate the message of the Minnesota GOP. It means we turn to those principles to guide our candidate selection process, to provide the code by which we conduct elections, and to hold Republican officeholders accountable to the people who endorse them.They're targeting state party delegates and alternates for recruitment and further action (and already have Dave Thompson, Tony Sutton, and 75 others aboard). And Westover is one of the most principled and sharpest Republicans around. But even with him leading the charge and this early support, with no real institutional leverage over the status quo, this grassroots effort seems like a long shot. We wish this band of Quixotics well. 2) A new MOB blog to be added as soon as we figure out a way to navigate through Blogrolling's new security procedures (so secure, the members can't even access it). It fills a gap in MOB coverage, with its primary focus being pro-life issues. It's called A Voice for the Unborn and it is very well done. Feel free to add it to your own MOB rolls until our technical difficulties can be resolved. Labels: MOB Thursday, March 05, 2009
Just a couple of days until the officially sanctioned Minnesota Organization of Bloggers gathering at Keegan's Irish Pub in Minneapolis. University Avenue hasn't seen a mob scene like this since the Gophers won their second consectutive national hockey championship back in aught three. We expect the MOB attendees to be a little better behaved, but if our own Saint Paul happens to get clipped for another parking ticket, full blown rioting is a distinct possibility.
The fun starts at 6pm on Saturday and lasts until Learned Foot starts talking about res judicata, at which point everyone knows it's time to head home. Better take advantage of this opportunity while you can because rumor has it that the Minneapolis City Council is considering an ordinance to ban fun and frivolty of any sort within the city limits. You can RSVP at Shot in the Dark. Labels: MOB Tuesday, February 24, 2009
It's been quite a while since an officially sanctioned Minnesota Organization of Bloggers event was held. The drought will be broken on Saturday March 7th at Keegan's Irish Pub in Nordeast Minneapolis. You'll have the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the best and brightest local bloggers (and the Nihilist in Golf Pants). For complete details check out this post at Shot in the Dark.
While we're talking MOB business, we should note that the latest member of the august organization is Chris Walden who has set up shop at The Rocket's Red Glare. It appears to be another fine addition to the local blogging scene. Labels: MOB Thursday, February 21, 2008
A story in this week's City Pages on a local anti-fascist skinhead group known as the Baldies, contained some possibly disturbing revelations:
A group called the Minneapolis Oi! Boys (MOB) arose as a consortium of non-aligned skins and punk rockers. While generally apolitical, MOB adhered to a nationalistic, right-leaning philosophy. Unlike the East St. Paul-based White Knights before them, MOB was operating on the Baldies' turf. Gulp. Could this group have been a precursor to today's Minnesota Organization of Bloggers? Maybe those local left-wing bloggers were right about the malevolent intentions of the MOB after all. With that, the war intensified. Beat-downs became a daily occurrence. Members on both sides began brandishing weapons, usually baseball bats and ax handles. "If I have one regret, it's that we didn't do more to reach out to MOB," says Ciaran. "Things got out of hand." Other Baldies agree. "Some of those MOB guys were cool," says Davey. "Our pride got in the way. It turned into a vicious cycle of needless violence." By '92, the skin scene was dying. Part of it had to do with the MOB war, but the simple fact was that the crew was getting older. Some Baldies were fathers. Some, such as Hawkins, went off to college. Others, like Danny, had joined the military. Hmmm....What would be the connection between the current MOB and a of group nationalistic, right-leaning, punk-loving, skinheads? Could it really be this man? We all know what Mitch was doing twenty years ago, but what about seventeen or eighteen? And what about the "Mayor" of the MOB? Are we really expected to believe that this is all just a coincidence? Connect the dots people. Connect the dots. Labels: MOB Sunday, November 18, 2007
With his apporval ratings hovering around 35%, it's obvious that King Banaian has squandering the political capital he carried with him following his election as MOB Mayor. It's also become increasingly clear that he's now nothing but a lame duck, destined to serve out the remainder of his term as a largely powerless figurehead. Don't blame me, I voted for Atomizer.
Labels: MOB Tuesday, November 13, 2007
After catching a whiff of the noxious gas (two parts paranoia with one part delusion) wafting from the fetid fringe of the local fever swamps, I felt like William Shatner in that notable SNL sketch at the Trekkie convention:
GET A LIFE, will you people? I mean, for crying out loud, it's just a blog! I mean, look at you, look at the way you're dressed! You've turned an enjoyable little group, that we set up as a lark for a few years, into a COLOSSAL WASTE OF TIME! I mean, how old are you people? What have you done with yourselves? You, you must be almost 60... have you ever kissed anyone? I didn't think so! There's a whole world out there! So... move out of your parent's basements! And get your own apartments and GROW THE HELL UP! I mean, it's just a blog dammit, IT'S JUST A BLOG! For the sake of clarification, the Minnesota Organization of Bloggers (MOB) is not a vast conspiracy to impose a neo-conservative theocracy and turn Minnesota into Alabama circa 1923. The MOB is nothing more than an extremely loosely knit grouping of local bloggers. If you're looking for an organization structure with lines connecting the bosses, capos, and crew you won't find one here. There are no "ties that bind" because there are no ties at all. Joining the MOB is about as significant as joining the Hannah Montana Fan Club. And it's cheaper and easier. There are three simple requirements: 1. You blog in Minnesota or have a very strong Minnesota connection 2. You not be an obsessive stalker 3. You know how to spell ridiculous (special dispensation was granted to Andy) That's it. There's nothing more to it than that. If you insist on pretending that there is, I offer three pieces of advice: 1. Get some perspective 2. Get a sense of humor 3. Get a frickin' life All that being said, it is interesting to note that all of this controversy and resulting intracine bickering and arguing has taken place under King Banaian's mayoral watch. After waiting several days to react (he was rumored to be clearing brush at his Stearns County ranch style house), he finally offered this tepid response. Not exactly the bold leadership that one would expect in such a crisis. I expect that this bumper sticker will soon become quite popular. Labels: MOB Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Mitch informs us of the untimely passing of Paul Kuettel. He was the author of Wog's Blog, a MOB member in good standing, and based on the few times I met him, a smart, funny guy of good cheer and one hell of a good writer. Beyond that a husband, father of three, and a friend to many across St. Paul. Words for all to remember, from his final post.
Suffice it to say that nowadays I am very inactive, sleep a lot and my mind is consumed with worry that this is close to the end. I'm not ready, but I guess I never will be. Labels: MOB Thursday, November 01, 2007
Interesting to note that well-known DFL operative Flash from the blog "Centristy" (heh, heh that one never gets old) has endorsed King for MOB Mayor. One wonders what sort of quid pro quo was arranged to secure that endorsement. It's not enough that King is launching scurrilous ad hominem attacks on Atomizer's character. Now he's pandering to local liberal power brokers to gain their support for his candidacy.
These sort of Tammany Hall like political deals might play well out in New England where King's from (pssst...he's not one of us), but I'd like to think that here in the Heartland we don't take kindly to slick-talking con men willing to get into bed with special interest groups to satisfy their naked lust for power. Can we really trust an East Coast Elitist--especially one with so many vowels in his name--to represent the values that we Minnesotans hold dear? Did I mention that King's a Red Sox fan? Vote locally. Vote Atomizer. Go Twins. Labels: MOB Tuesday, July 10, 2007
The Kool Aid Report helpfully provides etiquette tips for this Saturday's MOB gathering at Keegan's:
Should you be lucky enough encounter one of us uber-bloggers like the Nihilist in Golf Pants, Mitch Berg or Atomizer, politely introduce yourself, thank us for how our output has enriched your life, buy us a drink and be on your way. Also, please be careful to avoid eye contact at all times. I can't stress how important this last bit of advice is for those brave (or foolhardy) enough to approach Atomizer. Do not--under any circumstances--look him directly in the eye. He considers it a sign of disrespect and he reacts almost as violently as when someone spills his drink. Some poor upstart blogger made the mistake last year at a MOB event and barely escaped with his life after Atomizer took him outside and thrashed him in the alley next to Keegan's. I think his name was Tom Swift or something. Anyway, approach Atomizer as you would a rabid pitbull. He may not look all that imposing, but when he's provoked he's a raging inferno of pain. There's a reason that Vox Day refues to come back to Minnesota and it's not because he's afraid of mosquitos. You have been warned. Labels: MOB Thursday, July 05, 2007
Reminder that Saturday July 14th is the date for the next officially sanctioned gathering of the Minnesota Organization of Bloggers (MOB). The fun starts at Keegan's Irish Pub in Minneapolis at 6pm and ends when the Nihilist in Golf Pants begins his rendition of "Can't Help Falling In Love." Be there to catch all the high-kickin' jumpsuit action.
Labels: MOB Monday, June 25, 2007
The next official gathering of the Minnesota Organization of Bloggers is scheduled for Saturday July 14th--Bastille Day--at Keegan's Irish Pub in Minneapolis. The fun starts at 6pm and ends when Mitch Berg and David Strom start a barroom brawl over who really is Minnesota's biggest feminist.
By the way, if you want to track all the action in the local 'sphere, BlogNetNews.com now has a Minnesota page with recent posts from various Minnesota blogs. They also have a special section for MOB blogs, although it doesn't seem to be as updated as the main Minnesota page. Labels: MOB Monday, June 11, 2007
The next officially sanctioned, licensed, and approved gathering of the Twin Cities chapter of the Minnesota Organization of Bloggers will take place on Saturday, July 14th at Keegan's Irish Pub in Northeast Minneapolis. Further details will be provided shortly.
Labels: MOB Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Matt Drudge has uncovered evidence that the Democrats new strategy for winning elections is to accuse Republicans of being heartless, hypocritical gluttons. According to the opposition research Drudge has obtained:
In one packet titled "Newt Gingrich: 08 Watch February 2006" a picture of the former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA) appears with -- him holding two full plates of food! The quote underneath the Gingrich photo reads "In His Own Words: Gingrich's Solution To Childhood Obesity: 'Turn off the TV, cut the fatty diet and get exercise.' One Republican strategist who had seen the opposition research packets said: 'We should expect nothing less than name-calling and referring to one's political opponents as 'fat' from Howard Dean's Democrat Party.' I don't know how successful a campaign of exposing buffet line decadence will be. But if taking out-of-context photos of gluttony is the key to winning, I do know the political fortunes of many of those in the Minnesota Organization of Bloggers will be fatally compromised. For example, Derek "The Chief" from Freedom Dogs. There's no way he can possibly hope to win an election after being pictured preparing to eat a burrito the size of a three-year-old girl. Notice how he callously includes his own daughter in the picture, for purposes of scale. Then there's Ed Morrissey of Captain's Quarters, pictured here with a demonic grin and heaping plate that clearly says to poor kids across America - let them eat potato salad! There's yours truly at Keegans, with a look on my face that obviously says - 'hey starving kids on welfare, check out this enormous sandwich I'm eatin'. And guess what? It's my second of the night!' There's Mitch Berg of Shot in the Dark, slipping into caloric shock after setting the Minnesota outdoor record for hot dogs eaten in an hour during a Patriot radio promotion - which was located not two blocks away from the Second Harvest Food Shelf for the Poor. Finally, there's JB Doubtless, violently downing a Scotch Egg, which, on its face, is offensive to all Americans, no matter their political orientation. No it wasn't Democrats that got us. 'Twas gluttony killed the MOB. Labels: MOB Thursday, February 17, 2005
It has come to our attention that there is some confusion regarding the Minnesota Organization of Bloggers (MOB). While the MOB is indeed a loosely affiliated group, it is not completely devoid of structure and order. After all, we're trying to have a civilization here.
The most common question regarding the MOB is how one becomes a member. There are two avenues to gain entry: 1. Attend an official MOB event. So far there have been three such affairs (yes, I'm counting the State Fair beer garden gathering) and more will be planed in the future. If you have show up at one of these events, membership status is automatically conferred. 2. Petition one of the Northern Alliance blogs to grant you membership. Our own Saint Paul is credited with coming up with the original concept of the MOB. It has since been picked up and promoted by the Northern Alliance of Blogs. Thus, the various Northern Alliance blogs have become the custodians of the MOB (Mitch usually ends up mopping up). Drop any of the Northern Alliance members a note expressing your interest in joining the MOB. After a thorough vetting process, involving criminal background checks, retinal scans, and psychological screening, they will either confirm or deny your request. Simple, isn't it? Another question that has arisen is over the official MOB blogroll. Andy from Echo Zoe put together a MOB blogroll, which he has graciously turned over to us (I believe Atomizer made him an offer that he couldn't refuse). So the official MOB blogroll is now maintained here. Go here for the code needed to display the MOB blogroll on your site. Please send any requests for changes/additions/deletions to the MOB blogroll to Saint Paul. Remember, this is the one true MOB. Finally, Derek from Freedom Dogs has designed an official MOB logo, which can be found here. Feel free to use if appropriate. Labels: MOB Sunday, July 25, 2004
Thanks to everyone who came out the Keegan's mixer last night. The unofficial head count was about 60. And according to the approving Keegan's publican: "they all drink".
This contributed to the lively, and almost entirely nonpartisan, conversation throughout the evening. It was a great time meeting all the Minnesota bloggers, contributors, and readers in attendance. I dare say this much amateur Internet editorializing talent doesn't exist in any other region of the country. As such, it might make sense to somehow loosely formalize this affiliation for the synergistic promotional opportunities. Perhaps this is the dawning of the Minnesota Organization of Blogs (MOB)? Hmmmm. We'll give that some thought. But for now here is a list of some of the folks I ran into last night. Some of whose blogs I've never read before, but scanning them this morning I realize there are all sorts of interesting things happening out there. (Because, remember, they all drink.) Check 'em out. If I inadvertently left out anybody, send me an email and I'll add you to the list. Fraters regular contributors The Warrior Princess, Man from Silver Mountain, and Jim Styczinski. King Banaian from SCSU Scholars Douglas Bass from Belief Seeking Understanding Mitch Berg from Shot in the Dark Captain Ed from Captain's Quarters Cathy from Cathy in the Wright DC from Brainstorming Bob Davis from The Bob Davis Show on KSTP Flash from Centristy Sarah Janecek from MN Politics Scott Johnson from Powerline Peggy Kaplan From What If? John LaPlante from Policy Guy James Lileks from The Bleat Chuck Olson from Blogumentary Dave Polaschek from Dave's Picks Jay Reding from Jay Reding.com Shawn Sarazin from The American Mind Odin Soli, the erstwhile Plain Layne Margaret and David Strom from Our House Bill Tuomala from Rocks Off Thorley Winston from Tacitus Chumley Wonder Bar from Plastic Hallway And a special thanks to Keegan's Pub, for their fine accommodations and generous hospitality. UPDATE: The Elder adds that logo designer extraordinaire, Derek Brigham and Eric Jorde from the newly launched Freedom Dogs were also in attendance. Labels: MOB Saturday, July 24, 2004
Yesterday's column by Nick Coleman was a shout out to his working class brothers:
An ad hoc group of young labor activists who have been energized by studying the "Teamster Rebellion" of 1934 have organized a commemoration of a time when Minneapolis almost came apart at the seams, its class structure shattered by gunfire and carnage. Called One Day In July: A Street Festival for the Working Class, the event will be held from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday on the site where Bloody Friday took place and will be one part block party, one part rock concert and one part consciousness-raising. "The 1934 strike shaped everything else that happened across the country," says Kieran Knutson, a 33-year-old union member who was raised in Minneapolis but who learned the story of the Teamsters Union's origins only in recent years. He and the other organizers say they admire the militancy and the innovative tactics of the 1934 strikers, who, in the end, prevailed, turning Minneapolis into a union town. "Our generation hasn't necessarily seen a lot of inspirational stuff from the labor movement," Knutson says. "But this story is very inspirational. And it all happened right here, in our fair city." More information on the event is available here. Does this mean that Nick won't be joining us today at Keegan's? Saint Paul will be devastated. SAINT PAUL ADDS: I am devasted. But in tribute to Nick Coleman's proletarian performance at the Bloody Friday Festival, we will be having a round of Bloody Mary's at precisely 7 PM. Keegan's. Be there. Labels: Media-Local (02-04), MOB Thursday, July 22, 2004
This Saturday 5:00PM.
Keegan's Irish Pub & Restaurant in Minneapolis. Everybody will be there. How about you? Labels: MOB
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