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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 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
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