It wouldn't be the holiday season without a special election now would it?
Well, at least in Minnesota with a Governor who enjoys having special elections during the Holiday season...
Today State Senator Thomas Neuville (senate district 25) was named the Third District judge by Governor Tim Pawlenty. What's interesting is that the judge retired back in September on the 14th to be specific. So the question is why did it take Pawlenty so long to appoint a new judge??? Well if history dictates anything, Tis the season to hold special elections.
Here’s the story
Why would it be important to hold a special election for Governor Pawlenty during the holidays?
Two words for ya: St. Olaf & Carleton Colleges (ok more than two words - LOL)
The two schools reside in Northfield and both schools will be on holiday break.
So who’s going to run?
Well former State House Representative Ray Cox (republican) has thrown his hat into the race “unofficially” of course. One just needs to take a look at his weblog… He was an announced candidate for the House (25B), however if you look at his weblog’s banner it states “candidate for Senate 25”…
So who’ll take on Cox?
There has been a number of names thrown about in DFL (Democratic) circles…
A former party unit chair? An attorney with a county who also sits on a city council committee? A former House 25b candidate who ran for the DFL endorsement?
Something is for sure – a candidate will emerge tomorrow to make it official on the DFL side.
While Neuville contemplates when to resign, we’ll wait and watch candidates pop up out of the political popcorn machine…. Maybe Pawlenty and the Republicans will encourage Neuville to wait until the week of Christmas to resign???
Stay tuned!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
The Rights Of Women
If as President Bush says “The Iraqis are slowly taking their country back”, then I would offer up…if by taking their country back he means pre Hussain, Taliban-like control where women were abused and had no voice, well then… Mission Accomplished
While the Bush administration is now touting success in Iraq, last month alone over 50 women were killed. The deteriorating plight of Iraqi women has been ignored as pressure has been applied to the media to not cover the issue often referring to it as ‘a cultural or internal issue’. But the reality is abduction, rape and murder are the punishments for any woman under the guise of the new Iraqi 'democracy'. That despite his atrocities and failings, Saddam Hussein ran an essentially secular government that gave women more educational, professional and social freedoms than does the current regime. In other words, women are victims in the new Iraqi 'democracy'.
There is growing pressure and violence toward women to adhere to strict Islamic laws in Iraq. Instead of liberating Iraqi women, the United States has driven women deeper into poverty, despair and danger. Iraq's women live in terror of speaking their opinions; of going out to work; going to school; or defying the strict new prohibitions on dress and behaviour applied across Iraq by Islamist militants, both Sunni and Shia. They live in fear of their husbands, too, as women's rights have been undermined by the country's postwar constitution that has taken power from the family courts and given it to clerics.
But the plight of women is not limited to Iraq. The current administration has ignored human rights issues regarding women through out the world. The latest being with Bush’s good friend and ally Saudi Arabia. By law in SA- women are subject to numerous restrictions, including a strict dress code, a prohibition on driving and a requirement that they get a man's permission to travel or have surgery. Women are also not allowed to testify in court unless it is about a private matter that was not observed by a man, and they are not allowed to vote. So it was by no surprise when a gang raped victim was sentenced by court to punishment.
If you’re not outraged you’re not paying attention… Hillary Clinton was a hundred percent correct when she said it’s time to start including women when we speak of basic ‘civil rights’ or human rights around the world.
While the Bush administration is now touting success in Iraq, last month alone over 50 women were killed. The deteriorating plight of Iraqi women has been ignored as pressure has been applied to the media to not cover the issue often referring to it as ‘a cultural or internal issue’. But the reality is abduction, rape and murder are the punishments for any woman under the guise of the new Iraqi 'democracy'. That despite his atrocities and failings, Saddam Hussein ran an essentially secular government that gave women more educational, professional and social freedoms than does the current regime. In other words, women are victims in the new Iraqi 'democracy'.There is growing pressure and violence toward women to adhere to strict Islamic laws in Iraq. Instead of liberating Iraqi women, the United States has driven women deeper into poverty, despair and danger. Iraq's women live in terror of speaking their opinions; of going out to work; going to school; or defying the strict new prohibitions on dress and behaviour applied across Iraq by Islamist militants, both Sunni and Shia. They live in fear of their husbands, too, as women's rights have been undermined by the country's postwar constitution that has taken power from the family courts and given it to clerics.
But the plight of women is not limited to Iraq. The current administration has ignored human rights issues regarding women through out the world. The latest being with Bush’s good friend and ally Saudi Arabia. By law in SA- women are subject to numerous restrictions, including a strict dress code, a prohibition on driving and a requirement that they get a man's permission to travel or have surgery. Women are also not allowed to testify in court unless it is about a private matter that was not observed by a man, and they are not allowed to vote. So it was by no surprise when a gang raped victim was sentenced by court to punishment.If you’re not outraged you’re not paying attention… Hillary Clinton was a hundred percent correct when she said it’s time to start including women when we speak of basic ‘civil rights’ or human rights around the world.
"I urge President Bush to call on King Abdullah to cancel the ruling and drop all charges against this woman. As president I will once again make human rights an American priority around the world."
Yet the Bush administration has refused to condemn the rape victim’s sentence and said it will not protest against an internal Saudi decision. Other Democratic candidates joined in the criticism, with Barack Obama writing a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, urging her to condemn the ruling. John Edwards said in a statement: "I am outraged that President Bush has refused to condemn the sentence"; and Joseph Biden called on King Abdullah to overturn the court's decision.
A state department spokesman on Tuesday called the verdict "astonishing", but said it was not its place to call for the ruling to be changed. No, I guess it would be wrong to expect this administration to stand for the rights of all citizens!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Talk To Steve Sarvi!
Steve Sarvi- Congressional Candidate in Minnesota's second district will be interviewed today! From insidemnpolitcs@mac.com.:
Your Chance To Talk To Steve Sarvi - Candidate To Replace Rep. John Kline
When I first interviewed Steve Sarvi he was in Iraq helping people in rural Iraq rebuild their roads, buildings and other infrastructure that has been destroyed in the fighting there. It was his last assignment in a 19-year military career that had included successfully mentoring people in war-damaged Kosovo on how to set up their own local governments.
At that time Sarvi indicated he was ready for his next assignment: coming home, taking on Rep. John Kline in a run for Congress, and then helping us fix our own war-damaged government.
Today Steve will be a guest (and I'll be the fill-in host) on Air America Minnesota's Mark Heaney show. We're going to talk about what Steve has heard in his 13-stop listening tour through Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District. By the way, that's 12 more open face-to-face meetings than Rep. Kline has held with his constituents this year. I'll be opening the phone lines so you can ask questions of Steve too.
So as you're driving home, or cleaning house today for Thanksgiving, turn your radio to AM 950 and participate.
Three ways to listen. On the air live on AM950, on line live, or if you miss the show there's a podcast available usually by the next day.
You can subscribe to our Inside Minnesota Politics podcast in iTunes with just one click. Comments or questions please email us at
insidemnpolitcs@mac.com.
Your Chance To Talk To Steve Sarvi - Candidate To Replace Rep. John Kline
When I first interviewed Steve Sarvi he was in Iraq helping people in rural Iraq rebuild their roads, buildings and other infrastructure that has been destroyed in the fighting there. It was his last assignment in a 19-year military career that had included successfully mentoring people in war-damaged Kosovo on how to set up their own local governments.
At that time Sarvi indicated he was ready for his next assignment: coming home, taking on Rep. John Kline in a run for Congress, and then helping us fix our own war-damaged government.
Today Steve will be a guest (and I'll be the fill-in host) on Air America Minnesota's Mark Heaney show. We're going to talk about what Steve has heard in his 13-stop listening tour through Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District. By the way, that's 12 more open face-to-face meetings than Rep. Kline has held with his constituents this year. I'll be opening the phone lines so you can ask questions of Steve too.
So as you're driving home, or cleaning house today for Thanksgiving, turn your radio to AM 950 and participate.
Three ways to listen. On the air live on AM950, on line live, or if you miss the show there's a podcast available usually by the next day.
You can subscribe to our Inside Minnesota Politics podcast in iTunes with just one click. Comments or questions please email us at
insidemnpolitcs@mac.com.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
John Kline supports building bridges in Iraq, but not in Minnesota.
Friday, Tim Walz and John Kline appeared on Almanac together to discuss a House bill that would fund the final construction costs of the new 35W Bridge in Minneapolis. Walz voted for the bill, Kline voted with BUSH against the bill.
Throughout the exchanged Kline referred to the "pet projects" imbedded into this bill, like money, which is LONG overdue to improve HWY 14 here in Minnesota. He stated that the Democrats were being irresponsible with the budget... this is laughable since the President, which Kline supports 110% without question, has put our country in the most debt EVER!!!
Watch as Tim Walz sticks up for Minnesota and goes after Kline!
Almanac
Want to find out what pet projects are important to BUSH?
Click on this link and then click on "Bush's money hypocrisy?" from MSNBC's Countdown:
Countdown
What does Kline think about us dishing out money to BUSH's pork projects????
Mr. Kline you need to represent US, the people that live in your district and NOT BUSH!!
Throughout the exchanged Kline referred to the "pet projects" imbedded into this bill, like money, which is LONG overdue to improve HWY 14 here in Minnesota. He stated that the Democrats were being irresponsible with the budget... this is laughable since the President, which Kline supports 110% without question, has put our country in the most debt EVER!!!
Watch as Tim Walz sticks up for Minnesota and goes after Kline!
Almanac
Want to find out what pet projects are important to BUSH?
Click on this link and then click on "Bush's money hypocrisy?" from MSNBC's Countdown:
Countdown
What does Kline think about us dishing out money to BUSH's pork projects????
Mr. Kline you need to represent US, the people that live in your district and NOT BUSH!!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Friday's Sayings
Say What? Congressman John Kline (R-MN CD2) continues to fiddle while Rome burns…only it’s bridges in Minnesota and John Kline is voting against funding the rebuild. Tell you what, let’s all turn our backs on Kline so he can really twist the knife he’s placed in our backs. Obviously he has no soul to go with his missing heart and brain. I’d go on but I’m too depressed by his inability to stand with Minnesotans on every single damm issue that might help them...
Say It Again! There will be free speech…I won’t be silent….I am an American with a voice….ah hell..mnblue says it best…go over and read it, then start organizing.
Stop Saying It! Hey isn’t it time we stop kicking your future leaders while handing them our overdue credit card federal debt. Really, beside being rude and mindless….we’re sounding a lot like our parents…
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
New Weblog Launches...
Hey all. I have launched a new weblog: amndemocrat.blogspot.com
It's titled "a Minnesotan Democrat (DFLer)".
Consider it a mix of stories, personal thoughts and feelings from an insider on politics.
I'll be sharing stories, personal thoughts and feelings in regards to politics and hopefully in the process I hope to create an interesting forum for everyone.
I've enjoyed contributing to truthsurfer and will continue to do so!
Thanks for indulging me!
Check out my first post: "The Spark"
Take part in a related poll.
It's titled "a Minnesotan Democrat (DFLer)".
Consider it a mix of stories, personal thoughts and feelings from an insider on politics.
I'll be sharing stories, personal thoughts and feelings in regards to politics and hopefully in the process I hope to create an interesting forum for everyone.
I've enjoyed contributing to truthsurfer and will continue to do so!
Thanks for indulging me!
Check out my first post: "The Spark"
Take part in a related poll.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
If you're an illegal alien you'll get a driver's license... or maybe not? (Hillary Clinton)
During an MSNBC debate this past Tuesday, Clinton demonstrated her "doubletalk" and not being upfront when asked a question:
from MSNBC.com -
Clinton may have given her opponents an opening to bear down on their “doubletalk” attack. In a convoluted answer to the same question, Clinton first said she thought New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s plan to let illegal immigrants have driver’s licenses “makes a lot of sense.” Then she said she did not endorse Spitzer’s plan even though she repeated that he had the right idea. Then she accused Russert of asking a “gotcha” question.
Edwards leaped, noting that Clinton appeared to have given two different answers in less than two minutes.
“I think this is a real issue for the country,” he said. “I mean, America is looking for a president who will say the same thing, who will be consistent, who will be straight with them.”
Thank you John Edwards, I totally agree!
I'm growing tired of the political games Hillary Clinton has been playing. We need change, we want hope - we don't need more of a Bush like double speak.
from MSNBC.com -
Clinton may have given her opponents an opening to bear down on their “doubletalk” attack. In a convoluted answer to the same question, Clinton first said she thought New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s plan to let illegal immigrants have driver’s licenses “makes a lot of sense.” Then she said she did not endorse Spitzer’s plan even though she repeated that he had the right idea. Then she accused Russert of asking a “gotcha” question.
Edwards leaped, noting that Clinton appeared to have given two different answers in less than two minutes.
“I think this is a real issue for the country,” he said. “I mean, America is looking for a president who will say the same thing, who will be consistent, who will be straight with them.”
Thank you John Edwards, I totally agree!
I'm growing tired of the political games Hillary Clinton has been playing. We need change, we want hope - we don't need more of a Bush like double speak.
Friday, November 02, 2007
In Good Company
Guest who I'm gonna be spending time with when the RNC Convention comes Minneapolis?,,I'll let Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak explain....
“When we were bidding on the convention… the head of the Republican Party called me [Mayor R.T. Rybak] and said ‘Ya know, it’s coming close and you guys are great contenders here, but I need you honestly to say that you’ll work as hard for the Republican Convention as the Democratic Convention.’
And I said ‘Well, to be perfectly honest, I think I’m going to have to work a little harder on the Republican Convention.’
And he said ‘Why?’
And I said ‘Well, because I want to make sure the protest areas are comfortable for my wife and kids.’ ”
The UpTake has the video
“When we were bidding on the convention… the head of the Republican Party called me [Mayor R.T. Rybak] and said ‘Ya know, it’s coming close and you guys are great contenders here, but I need you honestly to say that you’ll work as hard for the Republican Convention as the Democratic Convention.’
And I said ‘Well, to be perfectly honest, I think I’m going to have to work a little harder on the Republican Convention.’
And he said ‘Why?’
And I said ‘Well, because I want to make sure the protest areas are comfortable for my wife and kids.’ ”
The UpTake has the video
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Throwing Stones From A Glass House
According to Eric Black over at Minnesota Monitor, "Ciresi campaign confirmed as much to me this week -- that Ciresi did nothing to publicly express this opposition until he became a Senate candidate this year."
But apparently after much back and forth, Ciresi finally remembered and provided the names of a couple of close friends that he had private conversations with regarding his opposition to the war prior to being a candidate this year.....Hmm...well I say...if he can just find the protests he attended, petitions he signed, letters he wrote, and anti-war organizations he funded, then his private stance will become much more meaningful (and believeable!).
I was one of those that received a call from a calling house in New Jersey last week asking who I supported for U.S. Senate, after saying Franken, I was then push polled by the caller saying 'Would you still support Al Franken if you knew he supported the war in Iraq unlike Senate candidate Mike Ciresi who was against the Iraq war since the beginning?"
My answer was over 80% of the American people supported the war in Iraq based on what their President and his advisers mislead them to believe. Now only 27% support war in Iraq. Most of those were victims of a belief that the American President wouldn't lie to them, or use incorrect data to lead them into a war.
Saying Mike Ciresi was among the minority that didn't support the war from the beginning doesn't change anything. Ciresi did nothing to make it different...he neither wrote, or petitioned, or posted, or countered the war other than to have private conversations over wine with a select group of close friends...hmmm...not much to brag about there..
And another thing...who paid for the above mentioned polling? When I asked the pollster he first mentioned the DFL, when I questioned that he changed and said it was a private party calling DFLers and couldn't give me the information. Personally, I don't mind being asked who I support and why...but why the follow up question? Is that really an ethical way to campaign (again don't know who paid for the poll, could be a third party.) Since receiving the call I know of two other State Central members who have received calls from the same calling house.
But private stance and push polling aside...who jumped on the band wagon first shouldn't be the qualifier for supporting a candidate...things like character, ethics, personal integrity, public work and community service should all come into play as well as their stances on issues. At the end of it all, I feel it's important to vote for someone that overall will reflect your values and work toward them.
But apparently after much back and forth, Ciresi finally remembered and provided the names of a couple of close friends that he had private conversations with regarding his opposition to the war prior to being a candidate this year.....Hmm...well I say...if he can just find the protests he attended, petitions he signed, letters he wrote, and anti-war organizations he funded, then his private stance will become much more meaningful (and believeable!).
I was one of those that received a call from a calling house in New Jersey last week asking who I supported for U.S. Senate, after saying Franken, I was then push polled by the caller saying 'Would you still support Al Franken if you knew he supported the war in Iraq unlike Senate candidate Mike Ciresi who was against the Iraq war since the beginning?"
My answer was over 80% of the American people supported the war in Iraq based on what their President and his advisers mislead them to believe. Now only 27% support war in Iraq. Most of those were victims of a belief that the American President wouldn't lie to them, or use incorrect data to lead them into a war.
Saying Mike Ciresi was among the minority that didn't support the war from the beginning doesn't change anything. Ciresi did nothing to make it different...he neither wrote, or petitioned, or posted, or countered the war other than to have private conversations over wine with a select group of close friends...hmmm...not much to brag about there..
And another thing...who paid for the above mentioned polling? When I asked the pollster he first mentioned the DFL, when I questioned that he changed and said it was a private party calling DFLers and couldn't give me the information. Personally, I don't mind being asked who I support and why...but why the follow up question? Is that really an ethical way to campaign (again don't know who paid for the poll, could be a third party.) Since receiving the call I know of two other State Central members who have received calls from the same calling house.
But private stance and push polling aside...who jumped on the band wagon first shouldn't be the qualifier for supporting a candidate...things like character, ethics, personal integrity, public work and community service should all come into play as well as their stances on issues. At the end of it all, I feel it's important to vote for someone that overall will reflect your values and work toward them.
Tax Payer League Fails Our Kids
Taxpayer League President Phil Krinkie isn't fit to take out the trash. He is not a conservative..just another radical loud mouth that talks trash without any factual information or realistic solutions to issues...He advocates the selling of the American way of life and it's government in exchange for a few more tax dollars in his pocket. Want proof? Minnesota 2020 has Phil trashing special education and public schooling.
On a personal note, I have a beautiful and uniquely talented child in a public school special ed program. She loves learning and her teachers and school. She is a joy to be with and brings happiness to everyone around her...when I read what Krinkie had to say regarding Special Ed, I realized that he was a mean spirited thug who believes that all public funding is a waste...that same mentality that doesn't want to adequately fund public transportation so bridges start to fall down....
I would offer up that if Krinkie doesn't want to exist in a society that helps and provides for the young, disabled, elderly or have a government that exists for the general good and welfare of the public, he think about leaving America for a third world country that won't take his tax dollars...nor will it aid, provide assistance or have an government infra-structure. Beside being an argument regarding tax dollars, this is also one that reaches into the ethical and moral obligations of a community. An obligation that Krinkie would dump in lieu of his wallet contents.
On a personal note, I have a beautiful and uniquely talented child in a public school special ed program. She loves learning and her teachers and school. She is a joy to be with and brings happiness to everyone around her...when I read what Krinkie had to say regarding Special Ed, I realized that he was a mean spirited thug who believes that all public funding is a waste...that same mentality that doesn't want to adequately fund public transportation so bridges start to fall down....I would offer up that if Krinkie doesn't want to exist in a society that helps and provides for the young, disabled, elderly or have a government that exists for the general good and welfare of the public, he think about leaving America for a third world country that won't take his tax dollars...nor will it aid, provide assistance or have an government infra-structure. Beside being an argument regarding tax dollars, this is also one that reaches into the ethical and moral obligations of a community. An obligation that Krinkie would dump in lieu of his wallet contents.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)