as the DFL stopped by and made us their official happy our for the night last night. Wege has a good round-up of all the things we're allowed to talk about (kidding!). Of course, he's also claiming that smartie and I got all New Yorky on the crowd. Just because I spent a large portion of the night talking to the one person in the group who had been the the original DL in Hell's Kitchen doesn't mean I've lost my Minnesota roots.
Actually, last night was probaby one of the most fun DL's we've had in a while. I love having candidates stop by, but this crowd was a lot easier to drink with. And that was the biggest tab we'd run up since we moved to the 331. They most definately are the Liberalist of Drinkers.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
New York, the Finale
Monday morning started a little late, thanks to some new and noisy next door neighbors. After a cup of coffee we went to the MOMA, where we got to skip the line thanks to our pre-paid vouchers. We went to the 5th floor and worked our way down. The 5th and 4th floor should have been called the Picasso floors, there were so many up on the walls. But I also found my new favorite picture, a Rushcka across from the Warhols.
What can I say, I'm a simple girl.
Another favorite was 99 Names, part of the Without boundary exhibit. The piece was 5 separate variously titled video screens showing the different stages of a man in a religious trance.
. Unfortunately, the experience can't be recreated without the repetition of sound coming at various paces from the multiple screens that made you feel trapped in the coming state of trance yourself.
(Yes, I know there was a Munch exhibit, and we skipped it, but as smartie said, "Hey, I've already seen the best piece on a tie.")
After the MOMA we dashed on subway over to Little India, where we met my friend Jason for lunch at the Copper Kettle, where I had a delicious paneer masala. Before we found Jason I hit an Indian grocer where I bought many different curry powders, other spices, a few boxes of raita mix, some ghee, and so many little boxes of foods I can't even begin to list them all. However, I found out after lunch that the best spice shop was around the corner, so Jason took us there for a jar of what he claimed was the world's best mango chutney. I browsed for some other spices, including the bebere used in Ethiopean cooking, when I was approached by an NYU journalism student doing a story on the spice shop, so I answered a few of her questions before I checked out.
Smartie and I said goodbye to Jason, then walked to the Strand, where I was able to find a few Pagel books I hadn't seen in a while locally, and smartie grabbed a book that Jason was talking about over lunch. We walked back through Madison Garden so I could see the Flat Iron building, a running joke throughout our vacation.
We took a cab back to the hotel, then ran down to Times Square to buy souvenirs and a slice of Ray's Pizza. I didn't like it at all; instead of sauce they appeared to use grease, there was no taste of tomato, and the crust nearly burnt my hand while the center was cold. But, I can say I had New York pizza, so at least there is that.
Back at the hotel we packed and ordered sushi in. I had some tuna, which was pretty flavorless (they didn't have a fatty or white option), and some of very good California roll, and smartie had a crunchy tuna roll, some salmon, some salmon roe, and an amazing piece with king crab on it. We also shared a Philadelphia roll, which I'd seen on every menu when we were out but had never heard of back here. A Philadelphia roll appears to be advocado, smoked salmon and cream cheese wrapped in seaweed, and was really quite good, although the idea of cream cheese in my sushi was a little disconcerting. Because we had an early flight, we finished off some wine, watched "Brokeback Mountain" and went to bed.
So, that was the trip, in about 4 easy installments. Or, in a nutshell, the good, the bad and the ugly:
The Good: Rudy's bar of cheap beer, as well as the Drinking Liberally Crew, Sushi Rose, shopping in the "little"'s and Chinatown, days with our friends and a kingsized bed.
The Bad: Calf cramps from walking so much (although no blisters), hotel sushi, not walking the Brooklyn Bridge.
The Ugly: Now that it's over, I need to mention that we had a horrible hotel. We got a good deal on it, and I pity people who pay full price for that room. The bed was huge and comfy (although not the sleep number bed I was told in the brochure), but our newspaper at the door only showed up twice in 5 days, they told us we didn't get breakfast even though I'm fairly sure we did, the pipes squealed like an alarm periodically throughout the night, which could be heard even through the closed bathroom door, we came home one night to see a chunk of ceiling in the bed, and the cleaning crew started cleaning our hall at 8:30 every morning. There was no mini-fridge, so we had to keep everything in a tragicomic and do periodic ice dumps to keep wine, water and saki cold. Plus we spent 20 minutes one day trying to get up to our room because only one elevator worked, and somehow despite it being a business hotel, we always ended up next to the partiers. Radisson Lexington has a great location, but there was absolutely nothing else that I would recommend.
What can I say, I'm a simple girl.
Another favorite was 99 Names, part of the Without boundary exhibit. The piece was 5 separate variously titled video screens showing the different stages of a man in a religious trance.
. Unfortunately, the experience can't be recreated without the repetition of sound coming at various paces from the multiple screens that made you feel trapped in the coming state of trance yourself.(Yes, I know there was a Munch exhibit, and we skipped it, but as smartie said, "Hey, I've already seen the best piece on a tie.")
After the MOMA we dashed on subway over to Little India, where we met my friend Jason for lunch at the Copper Kettle, where I had a delicious paneer masala. Before we found Jason I hit an Indian grocer where I bought many different curry powders, other spices, a few boxes of raita mix, some ghee, and so many little boxes of foods I can't even begin to list them all. However, I found out after lunch that the best spice shop was around the corner, so Jason took us there for a jar of what he claimed was the world's best mango chutney. I browsed for some other spices, including the bebere used in Ethiopean cooking, when I was approached by an NYU journalism student doing a story on the spice shop, so I answered a few of her questions before I checked out.
Smartie and I said goodbye to Jason, then walked to the Strand, where I was able to find a few Pagel books I hadn't seen in a while locally, and smartie grabbed a book that Jason was talking about over lunch. We walked back through Madison Garden so I could see the Flat Iron building, a running joke throughout our vacation.
We took a cab back to the hotel, then ran down to Times Square to buy souvenirs and a slice of Ray's Pizza. I didn't like it at all; instead of sauce they appeared to use grease, there was no taste of tomato, and the crust nearly burnt my hand while the center was cold. But, I can say I had New York pizza, so at least there is that.
Back at the hotel we packed and ordered sushi in. I had some tuna, which was pretty flavorless (they didn't have a fatty or white option), and some of very good California roll, and smartie had a crunchy tuna roll, some salmon, some salmon roe, and an amazing piece with king crab on it. We also shared a Philadelphia roll, which I'd seen on every menu when we were out but had never heard of back here. A Philadelphia roll appears to be advocado, smoked salmon and cream cheese wrapped in seaweed, and was really quite good, although the idea of cream cheese in my sushi was a little disconcerting. Because we had an early flight, we finished off some wine, watched "Brokeback Mountain" and went to bed.
So, that was the trip, in about 4 easy installments. Or, in a nutshell, the good, the bad and the ugly:
The Good: Rudy's bar of cheap beer, as well as the Drinking Liberally Crew, Sushi Rose, shopping in the "little"'s and Chinatown, days with our friends and a kingsized bed.
The Bad: Calf cramps from walking so much (although no blisters), hotel sushi, not walking the Brooklyn Bridge.
The Ugly: Now that it's over, I need to mention that we had a horrible hotel. We got a good deal on it, and I pity people who pay full price for that room. The bed was huge and comfy (although not the sleep number bed I was told in the brochure), but our newspaper at the door only showed up twice in 5 days, they told us we didn't get breakfast even though I'm fairly sure we did, the pipes squealed like an alarm periodically throughout the night, which could be heard even through the closed bathroom door, we came home one night to see a chunk of ceiling in the bed, and the cleaning crew started cleaning our hall at 8:30 every morning. There was no mini-fridge, so we had to keep everything in a tragicomic and do periodic ice dumps to keep wine, water and saki cold. Plus we spent 20 minutes one day trying to get up to our room because only one elevator worked, and somehow despite it being a business hotel, we always ended up next to the partiers. Radisson Lexington has a great location, but there was absolutely nothing else that I would recommend.
Drinking Liberally tonight
May be a little small, since I'm having a hard time acessing the email system, so expect it to be cozy. We should be having a visit from David Ruth, Communications Director of the DFL, as well as some members of Steve Kelley's campaign who are going to drop in and say hi. And yes, Smartie and I brought gifts, but they are limited, so come early.
A final New York post will be up later once I unpack and find the picture port. I mut post my favorite piece in the MOMA for you all, as well as explain why all my shirts smell like an Indian grocer.
A final New York post will be up later once I unpack and find the picture port. I mut post my favorite piece in the MOMA for you all, as well as explain why all my shirts smell like an Indian grocer.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Factories, Penthouses and More Rose
Like all good New Yorkers, on Sunday we went to brunch. We ate at the Vinegar Factory, which was, oddly enough, a converted vinegar factory, with a restaurant on top and a grocery store below. Smartie and I both had omelets, mine roasted tomato and chevre, his spinach and mushroom.
(A funny spinach omelet story...Saturday morning we went down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. I decided on a spinach and feta omelet, but after hitting the wine bar the night before I felt like I needed a little grease, so I ordered a side of sausage, which I cut up and put on my omelet. Ten minutes later an older couple sit down next to us, and the man, dressed in striped shirt and ascot, started eying my omelet. I heard him ask the waitress what I was eating and she told him a spinach and feta omelet. "What about the sausage?" "You can get a side of sausage." "Then who's going to put it on my omelet?" He also told some great stories about his good buddy John McCain, but that's for the next Drinking Liberally.)
After brunch we went back to my friends' condo, where we rode all the way because, "I just adore a penthouse view..."
We spent a few hours talking a drinking wine and eating cheese (and receiving a gorgeous cheeseboard and pewter cheesecutter for a belated wedding present), and then wandered back to our hotel to drop off all of the wine, saki, and coffee we had bought.
After that, smartie and I did the "lefty tour" where we checked out the UN, New York Library, Times Building, Grand Central Station and Chrysler Building. We couldn't get very far inside the Chrysler, the UN was closed and didn't have its flags flying, and Grand Central Station was breathtakingly large but in the absolute wrong light to photograph, but I did get Smartie with a lion.
Treking back to the hotel we passed the "Build a Bear" store, and I could not stop staring at the machines full of churning bear innards.
Smartie wanted a picture of a bear with "I'm a Fluffer" coming out of its mouth, but I didn't want to go in the store.
Since it was Smartie's birthday we decided to order in sushi, only to find out at about 8:30 that the sushi bar wasn't open on Sunday. That appeared to be a trend, as, although New York has more sushi bars than Starbucks, no one appeared to be open. We finally went back to Sushi Rose, and discovered it had transformed to Yakatori House, we ate hot curry soup and pieces of grilled proteins on sticks. The Curry Soup was warm, soothing and so full of noodles we couldn't finish the bowl. The quail egg was good, although just a tiny egg (we just felt the need to try it after all of the Iron Chef we'd been watching). The best skewer was chicken in seaweed with plum juice. That and a caraffe of the fruitiest saki did us up right (and was only 46 dollars pre-tax - who says New York is expensive?).
Today - Moma, a trip to Little India for lunch and spices, Times Square for trinkets to bring back for people, and a dash over to The Strand for books, plus the sushi roomservice we missed out on last night.
Expect one more post from New York today, then nothing until we get back to Minneapolis tomorrow. And finish petting the cats. A lot.
(A funny spinach omelet story...Saturday morning we went down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. I decided on a spinach and feta omelet, but after hitting the wine bar the night before I felt like I needed a little grease, so I ordered a side of sausage, which I cut up and put on my omelet. Ten minutes later an older couple sit down next to us, and the man, dressed in striped shirt and ascot, started eying my omelet. I heard him ask the waitress what I was eating and she told him a spinach and feta omelet. "What about the sausage?" "You can get a side of sausage." "Then who's going to put it on my omelet?" He also told some great stories about his good buddy John McCain, but that's for the next Drinking Liberally.)
After brunch we went back to my friends' condo, where we rode all the way because, "I just adore a penthouse view..."
We spent a few hours talking a drinking wine and eating cheese (and receiving a gorgeous cheeseboard and pewter cheesecutter for a belated wedding present), and then wandered back to our hotel to drop off all of the wine, saki, and coffee we had bought.
After that, smartie and I did the "lefty tour" where we checked out the UN, New York Library, Times Building, Grand Central Station and Chrysler Building. We couldn't get very far inside the Chrysler, the UN was closed and didn't have its flags flying, and Grand Central Station was breathtakingly large but in the absolute wrong light to photograph, but I did get Smartie with a lion.
Treking back to the hotel we passed the "Build a Bear" store, and I could not stop staring at the machines full of churning bear innards.
Smartie wanted a picture of a bear with "I'm a Fluffer" coming out of its mouth, but I didn't want to go in the store.
Since it was Smartie's birthday we decided to order in sushi, only to find out at about 8:30 that the sushi bar wasn't open on Sunday. That appeared to be a trend, as, although New York has more sushi bars than Starbucks, no one appeared to be open. We finally went back to Sushi Rose, and discovered it had transformed to Yakatori House, we ate hot curry soup and pieces of grilled proteins on sticks. The Curry Soup was warm, soothing and so full of noodles we couldn't finish the bowl. The quail egg was good, although just a tiny egg (we just felt the need to try it after all of the Iron Chef we'd been watching). The best skewer was chicken in seaweed with plum juice. That and a caraffe of the fruitiest saki did us up right (and was only 46 dollars pre-tax - who says New York is expensive?).
Today - Moma, a trip to Little India for lunch and spices, Times Square for trinkets to bring back for people, and a dash over to The Strand for books, plus the sushi roomservice we missed out on last night.
Expect one more post from New York today, then nothing until we get back to Minneapolis tomorrow. And finish petting the cats. A lot.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
still New Yorking
First, a big happy birthday to Smartie, who turned 30 today (or has begun his 31st year, as Flash puts it).
We finished off Friday with Ethiopean food with my college buddies. There was some sort of spicy bean thing that was amazing, and the lamb and chicken were both amazing. I could take or leave the collard greens, but with enough flat bread I could wrap up pretty much anything. I plan on trying to make advocado and tomato salad when I get home (or maybe just a trip to the Blue Nile). We then took off for a little wine bar by their apartment and drank white sangria. It was very light, possibly because without a full liquor license they can't put in any brandy. Once I have some time I want ot check out Oveheard in New York, one of my friends' favorite sites, which they contribute to all the time.
The next morning, we took the subway to the tiny remains of Little Italy and the growing neighborhood that is Chinatown. There's really only a few Italian restaurants left, mostly with pictures of James Gandolfini in the window. I bought a few trinkets in Chinatown, but no purses, although they were desperate to sell us purses.
Next we walked to Battery Park and checked out the street sellers, then took the Staten Island Ferry. I've learned I like the top of the ferry better than the bottom, and nearly threw up on the way back to Manhattan. We split a pretzel and bottleof water while I settled and then walked through the financial district and over to Ground Zero.
I'm glad to say I sw the site, where most people were silent and staring. A man was sitting on the street playing "Amazing Grace" on a flute, and the music was an eerie background. But we also saw people hawking 9/11 pamphlets and Osama brochures. Even worse, on the far end were the protestors who believe that the White House was behind the attack, marching about with banners. Which ever side a person takes, cashing in on 9/11 for political reasons is wrong.
Later we went to dinner at Sushi Rose. We were for the most part the only non-Japanese in there, a sign of a good restaurant. The meal wasn't terribly expensive, and the sushi was amazing. We realized the difference in California Rolls is the real crab versus the imitation that goes in the ones at home, and the fatty tuna was quite possibly one of the best pieces of fish I have ever eaten. Smartie decided we need to eat nothing but sushi dinners from hear on out, since we can't get pieces like this at home.
We grabbed a drink in the hotel bar, then came up and watched a movie in our room, "Good Night and Good Luck." Nothing to say about this other than I see why the conservatives hate it.
Now it's time to get ready for brunch. Today we hit the UN, Chrystler Building, Public Library, New York Times Building, Grand Central Station, and buying kitchy junk at Times Square. Tonight, possibly some roomservice sushi, a bottle of wine, and a private birthday party for two.
We finished off Friday with Ethiopean food with my college buddies. There was some sort of spicy bean thing that was amazing, and the lamb and chicken were both amazing. I could take or leave the collard greens, but with enough flat bread I could wrap up pretty much anything. I plan on trying to make advocado and tomato salad when I get home (or maybe just a trip to the Blue Nile). We then took off for a little wine bar by their apartment and drank white sangria. It was very light, possibly because without a full liquor license they can't put in any brandy. Once I have some time I want ot check out Oveheard in New York, one of my friends' favorite sites, which they contribute to all the time.
The next morning, we took the subway to the tiny remains of Little Italy and the growing neighborhood that is Chinatown. There's really only a few Italian restaurants left, mostly with pictures of James Gandolfini in the window. I bought a few trinkets in Chinatown, but no purses, although they were desperate to sell us purses.
Next we walked to Battery Park and checked out the street sellers, then took the Staten Island Ferry. I've learned I like the top of the ferry better than the bottom, and nearly threw up on the way back to Manhattan. We split a pretzel and bottleof water while I settled and then walked through the financial district and over to Ground Zero.
I'm glad to say I sw the site, where most people were silent and staring. A man was sitting on the street playing "Amazing Grace" on a flute, and the music was an eerie background. But we also saw people hawking 9/11 pamphlets and Osama brochures. Even worse, on the far end were the protestors who believe that the White House was behind the attack, marching about with banners. Which ever side a person takes, cashing in on 9/11 for political reasons is wrong.
Later we went to dinner at Sushi Rose. We were for the most part the only non-Japanese in there, a sign of a good restaurant. The meal wasn't terribly expensive, and the sushi was amazing. We realized the difference in California Rolls is the real crab versus the imitation that goes in the ones at home, and the fatty tuna was quite possibly one of the best pieces of fish I have ever eaten. Smartie decided we need to eat nothing but sushi dinners from hear on out, since we can't get pieces like this at home.
We grabbed a drink in the hotel bar, then came up and watched a movie in our room, "Good Night and Good Luck." Nothing to say about this other than I see why the conservatives hate it.
Now it's time to get ready for brunch. Today we hit the UN, Chrystler Building, Public Library, New York Times Building, Grand Central Station, and buying kitchy junk at Times Square. Tonight, possibly some roomservice sushi, a bottle of wine, and a private birthday party for two.
Friday, March 24, 2006
More York
We're waiting for some friends to get off work so we can go our for dinner, so another update. Today we walked from our hotel through town past Rockefeller Plaza, where I took a picture of the today show poster (long story). Then we bought bagles and ate them in Central Park, then rode the Carousel. ride good...clowns bad....
We walked through about half the park to the Metropolitan Art Museum. The last museuam we had been to was the Louvre, so we couldn't help but think there was an awful lot of empty wall space. We saw an exhibit by Robert Rauschenberg. Man liked his dead stuffed birds.
Tonight, old friends, and tomorrow we hope to do Battery Park, China Town, Little Italy, Ground Zero and a drop in on the birthday party of one of the DL founders.
We walked through about half the park to the Metropolitan Art Museum. The last museuam we had been to was the Louvre, so we couldn't help but think there was an awful lot of empty wall space. We saw an exhibit by Robert Rauschenberg. Man liked his dead stuffed birds.
Tonight, old friends, and tomorrow we hope to do Battery Park, China Town, Little Italy, Ground Zero and a drop in on the birthday party of one of the DL founders.
I'm in a New York State of Mind
Sorry for the slowness, but yesterday was crazy and it took us until this morning to get set up a bit. Honeymooners....
New York is exciting, yet it feels a little quieter than the last time I was out here in 98. Maybe it was because we're in Midtown instead of the upper East Side, where I hung out before. Not as much car or pedestrian traffic as I remember. I've relearned how to cross streets not with the light, but with the mass of people, a skill I promptly pick up whenever I'm in a big city, then lose abruptly when back in Minneapolis.
Our hotel has some issues, but it's a good location and it has a king bed, so what more can you want? There's also a Starbucks in the lobby that Smartie is about to hit for me while I get this out to you all.
As you've seen in other places, DL with Amy Klobuchar was fantastic. We'll do our own summary sometime in the next day or so.
Pics from New York:
DL New York ( a little slow, since they seemed to be under the impression that 47 degrees was cold) where we met all the people responsible for this mess:
And Times Square on the way home:
New York is exciting, yet it feels a little quieter than the last time I was out here in 98. Maybe it was because we're in Midtown instead of the upper East Side, where I hung out before. Not as much car or pedestrian traffic as I remember. I've relearned how to cross streets not with the light, but with the mass of people, a skill I promptly pick up whenever I'm in a big city, then lose abruptly when back in Minneapolis.
Our hotel has some issues, but it's a good location and it has a king bed, so what more can you want? There's also a Starbucks in the lobby that Smartie is about to hit for me while I get this out to you all.
As you've seen in other places, DL with Amy Klobuchar was fantastic. We'll do our own summary sometime in the next day or so.
Pics from New York:
DL New York ( a little slow, since they seemed to be under the impression that 47 degrees was cold) where we met all the people responsible for this mess:
And Times Square on the way home:
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
DL Updates
We had a fantstic turnout with Amy Klobchar tonight. However, Smartie and I are packing up for our trip to New York tomorrow. Expect a DL roundup and some good fun posting while we wait for our plane tomorrow. Also,later tomorow you will get some big apple pics,as wellas a recap of boozing it up at the original Drinking Liberally in Hell's kitchen.
Just because we're going away doesn't mean we don't plan to entertain you....
Just because we're going away doesn't mean we don't plan to entertain you....
Can I get an Amen?
Via New Patriots:
"People place their hand on the Bible and swear to uphold the Constitution; they don't put their hand on the Constitution and swear to uphold the Bible..."
Quote of the Day
Nick Coleman:
Yes, the same Jesus who says in Matthew that we should pray in private. Actually, Jesus said "in the closet," but I am trying to avoid stereotypes.
Today's Birthdays
Famous birthdays today include:
Andrew Lloyd Webber, William Shatner and Reese Witherspoon. Perhaps most importantly, today is also the birthday of the lovely and talent REW. Happy birthday! In honor of REW's birthday we will be having an extra special post-Drinking Liberally drink in her honor. Mystery shots all around!
Andrew Lloyd Webber, William Shatner and Reese Witherspoon. Perhaps most importantly, today is also the birthday of the lovely and talent REW. Happy birthday! In honor of REW's birthday we will be having an extra special post-Drinking Liberally drink in her honor. Mystery shots all around!
Amy Klobuchar at Drinking Liberally Tonight
Amy Klobuchar will be stopping by sometime after 7:45 to talk to the DL crew.
(and feel free to come anytime and toast my 29th Birthday)
(and feel free to come anytime and toast my 29th Birthday)
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
All you need to do is look south
As South Dakota begins to resemble South America, The LA Times reminds its readers what the back alley looks like:
In reality very few, if any, women get such "non-punishable" abortions because there are no clear procedures. Fearing that they'd be charged with a crime, many of the women I interviewed who might have qualified for a legal abortion because they had been raped or because their health was endangered by the pregnancy did not dare to out themselves as potential abortion candidates. They went straight for the illegal and mostly unsafe back-alley abortions. A large proportion of maternal mortality in Latin America is caused directly by the consequences of such unsafe abortions.
Your Tax Dollars At Work
Nothing snarky this time, this is actually useful. If you're a budding political junkie who gets confused about your state and national representatives and senators and what not you can go to Minnesota's Geographic Information Services website to get useful breakdown maps of all of the above mentioned districts.
Also, if you're a lazy budding political junkie, click on the "who represents me" link and let the State do the work for you.
There are also a number of other useful maps on this site showing school districts, property tax information and demographic information. Is this a great state or what?
Also, if you're a lazy budding political junkie, click on the "who represents me" link and let the State do the work for you.
There are also a number of other useful maps on this site showing school districts, property tax information and demographic information. Is this a great state or what?
My Bad President Can Beat Up Your Bad President
While I was over at Wampum flying the Norwegianity flag (vote early and often!) I came across this gem.
While Powerliberal emphatically does not endorse overturning the 22nd Amendment, this is a campaign I'd love to see.
Update: I plan to go back later and vote for the Mad Scientist. It took me almost five minutes to get through this one time. PZ is nominated in six categorys. And deserves every one.
Things have surely changed in the last four years. Do you think there would be a lot of Republican support for waiving the Twenty-Second Amendment to allow a 2008 match up of George W. Bush against Bill Clinton?
While Powerliberal emphatically does not endorse overturning the 22nd Amendment, this is a campaign I'd love to see.
Update: I plan to go back later and vote for the Mad Scientist. It took me almost five minutes to get through this one time. PZ is nominated in six categorys. And deserves every one.
Like I Said
Will the Republican party stick to any principles? Or do they only care about power?
U.S. Says Iran 'Most Active' State Sponsor Of Terrorism
Will Iran Help Bush Preserve His Republican Majority?
(update: fixed the date on the press briefing-my bad)
"We do not negotiate with terrorists. We put them out of business. The terrorists started this war, and the President made it clear that we will end it at a time and place of our choosing. We continue to pursue all those who are seeking to do harm to the American people, and to bring them to justice."-White House Press Briefing, January 19, 2006
U.S. Says Iran 'Most Active' State Sponsor Of Terrorism
Will Iran Help Bush Preserve His Republican Majority?
Facing deadlock in Iraq, Bush is again seeking the help of regional powers, which could help him stabilize and prevent Iraq from slipping into a civil war that would have devastating effects on neighboring countries. This explains Washington's reaching out to Iran for talks concerning Iraq. No matter what justifications Washington has given for contacting Iran, such contacts could have a positive impact on other issues, such as the nuclear file; because Iran is not going to give anything away in Iraq. Iran will compromise with the U.S. if, and only if, it is beneficial to Iran.
But Iraq is just one of the thorny issues between Iran and the United States. In addition to the issue of her nuclear file, Iran is a regional power with a sphere of influence that covers Iraq, Palestine, Syria and Lebanon.
Is the United States aware that there will be more challenges in the region because it is "falling down" in Iraq?
There are doubtless many pressures descending on Bush to create some measure of Iraqi stability before the midterm elections in November. If the situation in Iraq remains the same or deteriorates deeper into violence and chaos, it could end the Republican majority.
Therefore a truce with Iran seems more urgent than ever.
(update: fixed the date on the press briefing-my bad)
Your Daily Dose of Irony
-or-
What do the Republicans stand for, anyway?
This morning's paper delivered a pair of articles which created an unintentional but illuminating counterpoint to each other. The first is on the ongoing "Clergygate" scandal surrounding MN Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson. Before I say anything else, let me make clear that I don't believe this should be treated lightly and would support a full investigation into his remarks and into what exactly has or has not been said by the MN Supreme Court Justices.
Now, with that said, I know it shouldn't astonish me when the Right Wing hype machine swings into action, yet every time it does. The same party that has spent the last five years lying and covering up for what is probably the most corrupt and incompetent administration to ever run this country is now interested in "ethics" and "integrity"? The same party that sees no problem with an executive who stands above the law and undermines the judiciary at every turn is suddenly interested in "the separation of powers"? Seriously, guys, you're killing me. I kept naively waiting for the Powerline post decrying the leaker who has dared to call into question a government official during war time, but that never materialized. Want to bet it would have if Johnson was still a Republican?
Yes, I realize that this is just politics, but it seems to go deeper than that. The disclaimer I put in the first paragraph...have you ever seen anything similar from right wingers? The party that was supposed to be about limited ethical government seems to be absolutely awash in moral relativism when it comes to politics. Such was my mindset when I came across this little gem from none other than Jonah Goldberg. File this one under the "blind pig finds a truffle" category:
Sky isn't falling for conservative coalition
I'm just going to put up a few excerpts that bring across the point. You really should read the whole thing, however, it's truly remarkable.
So all of Goldberg's earleir examples had some traits of "big tent" politicians, but none of them violated their core beliefs. What, exactly, is Geroge W. Bush's and by extension the modern Republican party's raison d'etre, what are their core beliefs? If Hillary Clinton is "to the right" of the president on Iraq does that make the Democrats the party of national security now? President Bush has consistently expanded almost every aspect of the federal government, are the Republicans now the party of bigger government? More to the point, how can the Republicans impede and obfuscate against any investigation in Washington, then get indignant about local scandals in Minnesota?
It's been said in left wing circles for years that the modern Republican party cares only about power for itself. Is it possible that that's true? That their sense of ethics is so warped around the idea of gaining and maintaining power that they simply don't see a contradiction here? What's more, are they really willing to do whatever it takes to try to hold onto power a little bit longer? For example, were I a church-going man, I'd be at least mildly concerned about the fact that the Rev. Brent Waldemarsen, the person who secretly recorded and leaked Johnson's conversation also uses his church to hold political rallies. I'm willing to guess he probably also uses his pulpit to make political speeches. Does the implications of this politicization of religion not bother anyone on the right? Do you not see where this is potentially leading? And all of that ignores the obvious fact that God should be kept above partisanship.
The Republican party should think long and hard about what they may be doing to themselves and what they're doing to the country. There's still time to make a change, to actually earn that "center-right" label they love to sling around, but it's going to cost more every day. You don't have to become doctrinaire conservatives, but having some principles to guide the ship would help not just yourselves but the country as a whole.
Update: Moses puts it much more succinctly.
What do the Republicans stand for, anyway?
This morning's paper delivered a pair of articles which created an unintentional but illuminating counterpoint to each other. The first is on the ongoing "Clergygate" scandal surrounding MN Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson. Before I say anything else, let me make clear that I don't believe this should be treated lightly and would support a full investigation into his remarks and into what exactly has or has not been said by the MN Supreme Court Justices.
Now, with that said, I know it shouldn't astonish me when the Right Wing hype machine swings into action, yet every time it does. The same party that has spent the last five years lying and covering up for what is probably the most corrupt and incompetent administration to ever run this country is now interested in "ethics" and "integrity"? The same party that sees no problem with an executive who stands above the law and undermines the judiciary at every turn is suddenly interested in "the separation of powers"? Seriously, guys, you're killing me. I kept naively waiting for the Powerline post decrying the leaker who has dared to call into question a government official during war time, but that never materialized. Want to bet it would have if Johnson was still a Republican?
Yes, I realize that this is just politics, but it seems to go deeper than that. The disclaimer I put in the first paragraph...have you ever seen anything similar from right wingers? The party that was supposed to be about limited ethical government seems to be absolutely awash in moral relativism when it comes to politics. Such was my mindset when I came across this little gem from none other than Jonah Goldberg. File this one under the "blind pig finds a truffle" category:
Sky isn't falling for conservative coalition
I'm just going to put up a few excerpts that bring across the point. You really should read the whole thing, however, it's truly remarkable.
Compassionate conservatism wasn't necessarily an intellectual train wreck in the hands of conservative intellectuals such as Marvin Olasky, but when it was translated into a political agenda, it largely became a clever marketing ploy for constituent-pleasing pork and an attempt to prove to suburban soccer moms that Republicans are "nice."So that brings us to the nub of question: Just what the hell do Republicans stand for, anyway? Goldberg is right in making the obvious point that politicians can't be hard-line idealists, I don't contest that. But truly, what's left for the modern Republican party? If they've abandoned or downplayed "limited government, federalism and opposition to quotas" in addition to having already abandoned "anti-communism, welfare reform and tax cuts" (although I'd contest that last one) and they emphatically don't stand (at least they claim they don't) for bigger government or any other particular policy, what the heck do they stand for? He cites many other examples but they hurt his cause much more than they help it. Sure, FDR's coalition included "segregationists and black freedom fighters", but during his tenure he had the issues of the Great Depression and World War II to worry about. Does anybody question that Roosevelt's commitment was to help the working class and to defend the country? Nixon and Eisenhower may have been "liberal republicans" but they still stood for something and that something was doing what the Democrats were doing, but more efficiently (ie smaller government). Clinton may have been a "human weathervane" but all we heard from Republican circles for eight years was about what a flaming liberal he was. Were the Republicans lying then or are they lying now?
The simple, tragic fact is that conservatism isn't popular. It just ain't. (Nor is doctrinaire liberalism, to be sure.) If you drafted a political program designed to implement National Review's idea of nirvana, it would get crushed at the polls. Americans like government more than card-carrying conservatives do. They value security where libertarians celebrate freedom, and they celebrate freedom where conservatives emphasize virtue.
Reagan conservatives came of age as an intellectual insurgency. They rode to glory on popular issues such as anti-communism, welfare reform and tax cuts (when taxes were really, really high). Today, those issues are either gone or less inspiring.
Enter George W. Bush, whose brand of compassionate conservatism abandoned or downplayed such conservative standbys as limited government, federalism and opposition to quotas in order to win, just as Bill Clinton abandoned the Ted Kennedy playbook. This can be lamentable, tactically or philosophically.
So all of Goldberg's earleir examples had some traits of "big tent" politicians, but none of them violated their core beliefs. What, exactly, is Geroge W. Bush's and by extension the modern Republican party's raison d'etre, what are their core beliefs? If Hillary Clinton is "to the right" of the president on Iraq does that make the Democrats the party of national security now? President Bush has consistently expanded almost every aspect of the federal government, are the Republicans now the party of bigger government? More to the point, how can the Republicans impede and obfuscate against any investigation in Washington, then get indignant about local scandals in Minnesota?
It's been said in left wing circles for years that the modern Republican party cares only about power for itself. Is it possible that that's true? That their sense of ethics is so warped around the idea of gaining and maintaining power that they simply don't see a contradiction here? What's more, are they really willing to do whatever it takes to try to hold onto power a little bit longer? For example, were I a church-going man, I'd be at least mildly concerned about the fact that the Rev. Brent Waldemarsen, the person who secretly recorded and leaked Johnson's conversation also uses his church to hold political rallies. I'm willing to guess he probably also uses his pulpit to make political speeches. Does the implications of this politicization of religion not bother anyone on the right? Do you not see where this is potentially leading? And all of that ignores the obvious fact that God should be kept above partisanship.
The incident has created a firestorm around Johnson at a time when he had hoped to focus his caucus squarely on bread-and-butter issues such as health care and education.Johnson and the Minnesota DFL wanted to focus on health care and education, issues which affect everyone and are in line with our core beliefs. Instead they have to spend unknown amounts of time battling over this constitutional amendment issue which will seriously impact precisely no one if it doesn't pass. But the Republicans think the issue plays well for them and may help them win elections. Are we starting to see a pattern?
The Republican party should think long and hard about what they may be doing to themselves and what they're doing to the country. There's still time to make a change, to actually earn that "center-right" label they love to sling around, but it's going to cost more every day. You don't have to become doctrinaire conservatives, but having some principles to guide the ship would help not just yourselves but the country as a whole.
Update: Moses puts it much more succinctly.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Drinking Liberally, April 19th - Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer
If what I am hoping will be the first of many visits from candidates hoping to replace Sabo, Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer will be joining us at Drinking Liberally on Wednesday, April 19th.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Let's make a deal
We'll start demanding Dean Johnson's resignation for lying to the public when the Republicans start demanding President Bush's.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Posting will be light today as the Powerliberals will be in St. Paul today watching the parade and soaking up lots of Irish, uh, culture. So, to help tide you over, here is our favorite corned beef and Colcannon recipe.
Corned Beef:
1 Corned beef brisket with corning spices package
Chicken broth
Brown the brisket on all sides, then place in a slow cooker. Add chicken broth to fill. Add corning spices. Cover and cook on low heat for at least 12 hours.
Colcannon:
2 Lbs. Potatoes
2 Leeks, washed and chopped
3 Cloves Garlic
3 Tb. Butter
3/4 Cup Cream or 1/2 & 1/2
1 Half Head Cabbage
Salt & Pepper to taste
Cook potatoes in boiling water. When potatoes are soft and cooked through remove them from water. Add cabbage to boiling water and cook until tender. While cabbage is cooking, saute the leeks and garlic in the butter for several minutes until leeks are tender. Reduce heat and add cream to the leek butter. Heat this mixture until cabbage is done-do not allow this to boil! Drain cabbage and add to potatoes. Mash potato and cabbage together slightly, then add leek and cream mixture. Add salt and pepper as desired. Mash thoroughly. Serve hot together with corned beef, Guiness and Bushmill's whiskey. Yummy!
REW adds: Beer + three day weekend makes rew a happy girl.
Corned Beef:
1 Corned beef brisket with corning spices package
Chicken broth
Brown the brisket on all sides, then place in a slow cooker. Add chicken broth to fill. Add corning spices. Cover and cook on low heat for at least 12 hours.
Colcannon:
2 Lbs. Potatoes
2 Leeks, washed and chopped
3 Cloves Garlic
3 Tb. Butter
3/4 Cup Cream or 1/2 & 1/2
1 Half Head Cabbage
Salt & Pepper to taste
Cook potatoes in boiling water. When potatoes are soft and cooked through remove them from water. Add cabbage to boiling water and cook until tender. While cabbage is cooking, saute the leeks and garlic in the butter for several minutes until leeks are tender. Reduce heat and add cream to the leek butter. Heat this mixture until cabbage is done-do not allow this to boil! Drain cabbage and add to potatoes. Mash potato and cabbage together slightly, then add leek and cream mixture. Add salt and pepper as desired. Mash thoroughly. Serve hot together with corned beef, Guiness and Bushmill's whiskey. Yummy!
REW adds: Beer + three day weekend makes rew a happy girl.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Yowza
Senate Votes to Raise Debt Limit
By ANDREW TAYLORThirty grand per person? $120,000 for a family of four? And it's still not enough:
WASHINGTON Mar 16, 2006 (AP)— The Senate voted Thursday to allow the national debt to swell to nearly $9 trillion, preventing a first-ever default on U.S. Treasury notes.
The bill passed by a 52-48 vote. The increase to $9 trillion represents about $30,000 for every man, woman and child in the United States. The bill now goes to President Bush for his signature.
The measure allows the government to pay for the war in Iraq and finance Medicare and other big federal programs without raising taxes. It passed hours before the House was expected to approve another $91 billion to fund the war in Iraq and provide more aid to hurricane victims.
The debt limit will increase by $781 billion. It's the fourth such move increasing the debt limit by a total of $3 trillion since Bush took office five years ago.
The present limit on the debt is $8.2 trillion. With the budget deficit expected to approach $400 billion for both this year and next, another increase in the debt limit will almost certainly be required next year.So if the current deficit is 9 trillion, and it has increased by 3 trillion in the last 6 years and it will increase again next year by presumably at least another trillion, that means that Bush will have come close to effectively doubling the national debt in eight years. Time for more tax cuts!
Oh, the jokes
Sometimes, they just write themselves:
Bill Gates mocks MIT's $100 laptop project
Bill Gates mocks MIT's $100 laptop project
Microsoft Corp. Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates on Wednesday mocked a $100 laptop computer for developing countries being developed with the backing of rival Google Inc. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.Bill Gates said the major cost of a computer is due to "applications and support"? Feel free to have at that one, all you Mac and Linux partisans out there.
The $100 laptop project seeks to provide inexpensive computers to people in developing countries. The computers lack many features found on a typical personal computer, such as a hard disk and software.
"The last thing you want to do for a shared use computer is have it be something without a disk ... and with a tiny little screen," Gates said at the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum in suburban Washington.
"Hardware is a small part of the cost" of providing computing capabilities, he said, adding that the big costs come from network connectivity, applications and support.
Look to the Cookie!
A strangely appropriate message to snowbound Minnesota from the fortune cookie in my lunch today:
"The sun is always shining somewhere."
It would have been even better if it had said: "It's six o'clock somewhere" and included a coupon for free beer, but you take what you can get.
"The sun is always shining somewhere."
It would have been even better if it had said: "It's six o'clock somewhere" and included a coupon for free beer, but you take what you can get.
DL Roundup-Ford Bell Edition
Good crowd at DL last night, including several new faces. Among others, we got to meet Charlie Quimby from Across the Great Divide, PL off-line friend Liz made an appearance and also Nate, the only person who has been going to DL longer than REW and I. Of course the evening's honored guest was Dr. Ford Bell who didn't give any sort of stump speech, but instead showed he is a brave brave man by sitting down and diving right into Q&A.
It took us a little while to establish a format, but once we did we got to learn a great deal about Dr. Bell. I don't have any notes so I can't get too detailed, but here are the basics of what he said. Anyone else who was there last night should feel free to drop a comment and correct me or expand on these answers.
The first question related to why he felt he was the most qualified candidate for the Senate, his response encompassed both his extensive non-profit experience helping others as well as his focus on what he views as the most important issues facing the country at this time: healthcare and the war in Iraq. He expanded on that by speaking about the hidden costs of our current healthcare system and how it is hurting businesses and he also clarified his position on Iraq by saying that while he favored withdrawal as soon as feasible, he felt that it was important first to bring about a cease-fire amongst the factions and a more equitable power-sharing agreement in the Iraqi constitution, and that offering the withdrawal of our troops would be an important incentive to help the Iraqis reach these accords.
In response to a question about the Isreal-Palestinan conflict he said that he favored opening a dialogue with Hamas to try to make them a partner in the process, but he favored suspending aid to the PA until Hamas had agreed to recognize Israel and give up terrorism.
Other questions including the Feingold Censure Resolution (he would be in favor of opening an investigation into the NSA wiretapping program), energy independence (favors a "Manhattan Project" for alternative energy), favors supporting and promoting the arts and rolling back the Bush tax cuts to help pay for these programs and to help reduce the deficit. There were other questions asked, but I had moved away at that point to allow others to speak and I couldn't hear enough of his answers to give any sort of account.
All in all, Dr. Bell presented reasonable, detailed proposals and evinced an obvious command of the facts. He also managed to remain unruffled in the face of some heavy argument from DLer Bruce, which I must say speaks volumes to his compsoure and ability to get things done in the Senate. I mean, I've watched plenty of C-Span and I've never seen a grilling like that at the Capitol. I hope he enjoyed being there as much as we enjoyed having him. Looking ahead, next week we look forward to being able to speak with the other DFL contender in this race, Amy Klobuchar.
It took us a little while to establish a format, but once we did we got to learn a great deal about Dr. Bell. I don't have any notes so I can't get too detailed, but here are the basics of what he said. Anyone else who was there last night should feel free to drop a comment and correct me or expand on these answers.
The first question related to why he felt he was the most qualified candidate for the Senate, his response encompassed both his extensive non-profit experience helping others as well as his focus on what he views as the most important issues facing the country at this time: healthcare and the war in Iraq. He expanded on that by speaking about the hidden costs of our current healthcare system and how it is hurting businesses and he also clarified his position on Iraq by saying that while he favored withdrawal as soon as feasible, he felt that it was important first to bring about a cease-fire amongst the factions and a more equitable power-sharing agreement in the Iraqi constitution, and that offering the withdrawal of our troops would be an important incentive to help the Iraqis reach these accords.
In response to a question about the Isreal-Palestinan conflict he said that he favored opening a dialogue with Hamas to try to make them a partner in the process, but he favored suspending aid to the PA until Hamas had agreed to recognize Israel and give up terrorism.
Other questions including the Feingold Censure Resolution (he would be in favor of opening an investigation into the NSA wiretapping program), energy independence (favors a "Manhattan Project" for alternative energy), favors supporting and promoting the arts and rolling back the Bush tax cuts to help pay for these programs and to help reduce the deficit. There were other questions asked, but I had moved away at that point to allow others to speak and I couldn't hear enough of his answers to give any sort of account.
All in all, Dr. Bell presented reasonable, detailed proposals and evinced an obvious command of the facts. He also managed to remain unruffled in the face of some heavy argument from DLer Bruce, which I must say speaks volumes to his compsoure and ability to get things done in the Senate. I mean, I've watched plenty of C-Span and I've never seen a grilling like that at the Capitol. I hope he enjoyed being there as much as we enjoyed having him. Looking ahead, next week we look forward to being able to speak with the other DFL contender in this race, Amy Klobuchar.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
DL- Bell - Update
Ford Bell will not be able to arrive until 7:30, but offered to stick around until the band starts.
Ha!
From the guy who puts the "fun" in "Functional" and the, uh, "valent" in "Abivalent":
In Which "Slobodon" Becomes a Verb Among Naked Men
Guy 1: I can't believe they're wasting time on Saddam's trial.
Guy 2: Yeah, they just oughta Slobodan the f---r.
In Which "Slobodon" Becomes a Verb Among Naked Men
Guy 1: I can't believe they're wasting time on Saddam's trial.
Guy 2: Yeah, they just oughta Slobodan the f---r.
Good News & Bad News
Okay, I have some good news and some bad news. First, the good news:
Conditions right for troop reductions in Iraq 'fairly soon': Rice
Okay, now the bad news. That interview was from 2004. Here's today's headline:
More U.S. Troops Moving Into Iraq
Conditions right for troop reductions in Iraq 'fairly soon': Rice
Appearing on two television channels, Rice said the possibility of handing over to Iraqis important security responsibilities is being constantly discussed in Baghdad by coalition commander General George Casey and US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad.Hooray!
And in both interviews she stressed that the moment when US soldiers will start returning home could be close.
"The president has said that as soon as Iraqi forces are ready, we want to see a reduction in our own forces, and I think those days are going to be coming fairly soon when Iraqis are going to be more and more capable of carrying out the functions to secure their own future," Rice told Fox News Channel.
Okay, now the bad news. That interview was from 2004. Here's today's headline:
More U.S. Troops Moving Into Iraq
(CBS) March was supposed to be the month when the U.S. commander in Iraq made a recommendation to pull more troops out of Iraq. Instead, he has asked for more troops to be sent in.
With 133,000 American troops already in Iraq, an armored battalion of about 700 soldiers kept on standby in Kuwait is beginning to move north toward Baghdad. U.S. officials say Gen. George Casey asked for more troops because of a convergence of events, and danger, surrounding the third anniversary of the American invasion.
Ford Bell at Drinking Liberally Tonight
7-8 at the 331 Club
When else will you have a chance to get this close to a candidate without having to give money?
When else will you have a chance to get this close to a candidate without having to give money?
Come and see the Violence Inherent in the System!
Mitch at Shot in the Dark yesterday asked this question:
Now, I would never suggest Mitch is stretching the truth in order to better frame his argument, but just for the moment let's assume he is. Let's assume that Clooney actually meant that in general, that the Left in this country has some free-floating feelings of "intimidation". Oh those looney Lefties! Where could those ridiculous conspiracy theories be coming from?
Let's see, from today's WaPo:
FBI Took Photos of Antiwar Activists in 2002
Well, how about this one from last year:
New Documents Show FBI Spying on Domestic Activist Groups
Hmmm, how about this oldie but goodie:
No-fly blacklist snares political activists
And of course Valerie Plame wanted to be outed or she wouldn't have married Joe Wilson, right? And the New Hampshire phone jamming case which resulted in the conviction of a national GOP official wasn't really intimidation in the strictest sense. So, I guess Mitch is right. I can't find one actual case of intimidation directed against the Left or leftist organizations in this country. Like I always say, you're with us or you're with the terrorists.
Update: Wonderful comments on this one with many more examples. They also reminded me that I've posted on this topic before.
Also, Tom has a link to what he believes is the Clooney article in question. Interesting. First off, Clooney never once uses any form of the word "intimidated", which was something of a surprise since it's the only word Mitch actually "quotes", but never mind.
Second, as the commenters and my previous post linked above point out, this isn't just about "exercising first amendment rights". Much of this "free speech" is in the form of thinly veiled (or not veiled at all) threats. While threats are hardly anything new, the sheer volume and intensity of these threats are pretty severe. I can only imagine how exponentially greater the personal hatred directed at a figure as high profile as Clooney must be. While I (and he, obviously) largely take this sort of thing in stride, I can certainly see how someone could reasonably perceive "intimidation" from them.
According to George Clooney, the left is "intimidated".He claims Clooney was referring solely to conservatives "exercising their first amendment rights", but provides no link to support that assertion and try as I might I can't pull up the quote he is referring to.
OK, liberals - and I know you're out there, a lot of you leave comments - what is it about conservatives exercising their first amendment rights that "intimidates" you?
Now, I would never suggest Mitch is stretching the truth in order to better frame his argument, but just for the moment let's assume he is. Let's assume that Clooney actually meant that in general, that the Left in this country has some free-floating feelings of "intimidation". Oh those looney Lefties! Where could those ridiculous conspiracy theories be coming from?
Let's see, from today's WaPo:
FBI Took Photos of Antiwar Activists in 2002
An FBI agent in Pittsburgh photographed members of an antiwar activist group in 2002, according to documents released yesterday by the American Civil Liberties Union, which said the disclosure marks the latest incident in which the FBI has monitored left-leaning groups.Dear GOD! The pacifists are coming. I guess I can see why the FBI would need to keep tab on those potential terrorists.
An FBI report from November 2002 indicates that an agent photographed members of the Thomas Merton Center as they handed out leaflets opposing the impending war in Iraq. The report called the group a "left-wing organization advocating, among many political causes, pacifism."
Well, how about this one from last year:
New Documents Show FBI Spying on Domestic Activist Groups
Newly released documents show counterterrorism agents at the Federal Bureau of Investigation have been monitoring domestic organizations active in causes as diverse as peace, the environment, animal cruelty and poverty relief.Of course, we all know how exhausting Vegans can be, so I think the whole country agrees we should throw them in Gitmo. Clearly, then, this is not intimidation.
This is the third major recent revelation about domestic spying in the last few days. Last week NBC News revealed the Pentagon has been monitoring peaceful anti-war protesters and the New York Times exposed how President Bush ordered the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on Americans without court-approved warrants. The latest batch of files totals more than 2,300 pages and centers on references in internal files to a handful of groups including Greenpeace, Catholic Worker, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and PETA, the People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The documents indicate the FBI monitored protests organized by the groups and used confidential informants inside the organizations to gain intelligence. One document indicates that FBI agents in Indianapolis planned to conduct surveillance as part of a "Vegan Community Project." Another document talks of the Catholic Workers' "semi-communistic ideology." A third indicates the bureau's interest in determining the location of a protest over llama fur planned by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Many of the investigative documents turned over by the bureau are heavily edited, making it difficult or impossible to determine the full context of the references and why the F.B.I. may have been discussing events like a PETA protest.
Hmmm, how about this oldie but goodie:
No-fly blacklist snares political activists
A federal "No Fly" list, intended to keep terrorists from boarding planes, is snaring peace activists at San Francisco International and other U. S. airports, triggering complaints that civil liberties are being trampled.Of course, the no-fly list also included Ted Kennedy, so that was just good fun, right?
And while several federal agencies acknowledge that they contribute names to the congressionally mandated list, none of them, when contacted by The Chronicle, could or would say which agency is responsible for managing the list.
One detainment forced a group of 20 Wisconsin anti-war activists to miss their flight, delaying their trip to meet with congressional representatives by a day. That case and others are raising questions about the criteria federal authorities use to place people on the list -- and whether people who exercise their constitutional right to dissent are being lumped together with terrorists.
And of course Valerie Plame wanted to be outed or she wouldn't have married Joe Wilson, right? And the New Hampshire phone jamming case which resulted in the conviction of a national GOP official wasn't really intimidation in the strictest sense. So, I guess Mitch is right. I can't find one actual case of intimidation directed against the Left or leftist organizations in this country. Like I always say, you're with us or you're with the terrorists.
Update: Wonderful comments on this one with many more examples. They also reminded me that I've posted on this topic before.
Also, Tom has a link to what he believes is the Clooney article in question. Interesting. First off, Clooney never once uses any form of the word "intimidated", which was something of a surprise since it's the only word Mitch actually "quotes", but never mind.
Second, as the commenters and my previous post linked above point out, this isn't just about "exercising first amendment rights". Much of this "free speech" is in the form of thinly veiled (or not veiled at all) threats. While threats are hardly anything new, the sheer volume and intensity of these threats are pretty severe. I can only imagine how exponentially greater the personal hatred directed at a figure as high profile as Clooney must be. While I (and he, obviously) largely take this sort of thing in stride, I can certainly see how someone could reasonably perceive "intimidation" from them.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Welcome to the Brad Johnson Era
Culpepper headed for Miami
The Vikings' efforts to trade quarterback Daunte Culpepper were successful.Ugh. Brad Johnson at QB and a coach who preaches the insanely boring West Coast Offense. I'm getting happier by the day that I gave up my season tickets after last year.
The Vikings confirmed their three-time Pro Bowl quarterback had been dealt to the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday. They did not release any details.
Fancy Frist
Other bloggers noted last week the insulting and racist "Fancy Ford" website put up to bash Democratic Congressman Harold Ford, Jr.
After reading this story about Bill Frist's multi-million dollar DC area digs, I thought it would be good fun to make up a "Fancy Frist" website.
Looks like I wasn't the only one.
After reading this story about Bill Frist's multi-million dollar DC area digs, I thought it would be good fun to make up a "Fancy Frist" website.
Looks like I wasn't the only one.
Half-Assed Demagoguery
The moment I read the first paragraph of this story I turned to REW and said, "I'll give you 10-1 odds this bill was sponsored by a Republican". It would have been a bad bet at ten times those odds:
Those with thick accents need not apply?
Making a law which affects almost no one but plays well with the base? Check!
Waste of time and money? Check!
Thinly veiled racism? Check!
Sideswipe at liberal academia? Check!
Vague and completely unenforceable standard? Check!
For the party that preaches "let the market decide" they sure do seem to pass a lot of laws regarding higher education, don't they? The worst time I ever had understanding a professor was a young lady who was a native-born New Yorker and had an incredibly thick Bronx accent. Not only that, but as the article goes on to point out this law would only affect the Minnesota State College system which has virtually no "foreign born" profs or TAs as it is. Your tax dollars at work, ladies and gentlemen.
Those with thick accents need not apply?
It's a scenario familiar to university students: One or more of your instructors is foreign-born and speaks English with a thick accent. Usually, you can understand, but sometimes it takes an effort. Occasionally, you don't have a clue what's being said.It has all of the hallmarks of Republican governance:
State Rep. Bud Heidgerken, R-Freeport, figures this is a problem and has proposed a solution: He's introduced a bill intended to ensure that all teachers use "clear English pronunciation" before being allowed to teach undergraduate students.
Making a law which affects almost no one but plays well with the base? Check!
Waste of time and money? Check!
Thinly veiled racism? Check!
Sideswipe at liberal academia? Check!
Vague and completely unenforceable standard? Check!
For the party that preaches "let the market decide" they sure do seem to pass a lot of laws regarding higher education, don't they? The worst time I ever had understanding a professor was a young lady who was a native-born New Yorker and had an incredibly thick Bronx accent. Not only that, but as the article goes on to point out this law would only affect the Minnesota State College system which has virtually no "foreign born" profs or TAs as it is. Your tax dollars at work, ladies and gentlemen.
Osama's Candidate
Is it any wonder Bin Laden wanted Bush reelected?
Moussaoui trial halted over conduct breach
Moussaoui trial halted over conduct breach
ALEXANDRIA, VA. - The federal judge overseeing the death penalty trial of confessed Al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui ordered a court inquiry today to determine whether a government lawyer's coaching of federal air security witnesses warrants dismissal of the case.Looking back, it's hard to think of anything this administration has done right in the prosecution of this war. From letting Bin Laden go at Torra Borra, to invading Iraq on false pretenses and letting it degenerate into civil war, to destroying our international reputation with Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo and now this. Conservatives will brush this off as "Irrational Bush Hatred" but that's just a lazy cliche to let them shift the blame to someone else rather than accept the myriad and manifest failures of this administration and its congressional lapdogs. So, when Iran either gets the bomb or we end up knee deep in another war we cannot win, will that be Irrational Bush Hatred as well?
Monday, March 13, 2006
Snow Day
Snow days aren't as fun as they were when I was a kid. Today we stayed home because the buses decided my neighborhood was inaccessible, and there was two feet of snow in the aley and a three foot drift in front of the garage.
Instead of fun, it was hours of shoveling, hot cocoa, and a nap. And a couple posts up on DFLsenate, since Patrick is out of town. Enjoy.
Instead of fun, it was hours of shoveling, hot cocoa, and a nap. And a couple posts up on DFLsenate, since Patrick is out of town. Enjoy.
Lovely
High school politics:
Good to see the only health care initiatves the Republican party is interested in passing is letting pharmacists decide when women should be forced to start procreating.
But the fun really started after DFL House Minority Leader Matt Entenza criticized GOP House leaders for ignoring DFL health initiatives that are advancing in the Senate.
Republicans responded with a seven-hour House Health Committee hearing that put the kibosh for this year on practically the entire DFL health agenda -- universal coverage, a small-business buy-in to MinnesotaCare and minimum employee insurance requirements for large firms such as Wal-Mart.
Good to see the only health care initiatves the Republican party is interested in passing is letting pharmacists decide when women should be forced to start procreating.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Ass-Deep In Abramoff?
From the Srib:
Probablt true,since Abramoff was indicted in August...
She also presided over the department as it became enmeshed in a corruption scandal involving lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Asked if the timing of her departure was related to his prosecution, she said no and that she might have left earlier if not for Hurricane Katrina.
Probablt true,since Abramoff was indicted in August...
Friday, March 10, 2006
Friday Afternoon Moment of Snark
Bush: I'm worried by message sent by failed port deal
Yeah, because bombing the hell out of Iraq has been such a PR goldmine I'd hate to soil our image.
Yeah, because bombing the hell out of Iraq has been such a PR goldmine I'd hate to soil our image.
Whither the Small Government Conservatives?
Federal budget deficit hits record high
WASHINGTON — A record amount of spending in February pushed the government's budget deficit to the highest level ever for a single month, the Treasury Department reported Friday.When not trying to passing laws telling you who you can marry, this administration and its sycophants in Congress are running up debts we'll be paying off for decades. Remind me again how it's the Democrats are the ones who don't stand for anything?
Mark Kennedy-Giving MN a bad name
From Kos:
MN-Sen: Are Kennedy's people stupid or just dumb?
MN-Sen: Are Kennedy's people stupid or just dumb?
Yesterday, Senate candidate Amy Klobuchar was again advertising on the extremist blog Daily Kos. The ad on Daily Kos lead directly to her campaign website where visitors were then asked to sign-up. Today, that ad has mysteriously disappeared.Yup, the mystery of a one-week ad buy expiring.
Man, they've really got to stretch to figure out reasons to attack Democrats, and they're obviously, desperately, hoping they can get traction out of demonizing this joint. And blah blah blah "hate filled" blah blah blah "extremists" blah blah blah "liberal fringe" blah blah blah.
Tightening the Belt Leads to Carrier Notes?
Via Mnspeak, the City Pages reports that the Strib is no longer letting the workers have free copies of the paper due to budget cutbacks. Not a big deal, most would think. But I find it odd that this morning I found a note in my newspaper from my carrier announcing that because of issues within the Star Tribune, she will no longer be delivering my paper.
Are the two related, or does it have more to do with the fact that we didn't get our paper for a week straight?
Edited to Add - Wow, that new background is annoying.
Are the two related, or does it have more to do with the fact that we didn't get our paper for a week straight?
Edited to Add - Wow, that new background is annoying.
A Cold Omaha?
Not exactly, more like a wetter South Dakota:
Bill would allow refusal of morning-after pill
Whereas, pharmacists are not doctors and we would appreciate if they stopped second guessing them, I hereby propose that pharmacists do the job they are getting paid for, fill all the prescriptions handed to them, or, if they don't like this line of work they should seek new employment posthaste.
What do you think?
Bill would allow refusal of morning-after pill
Pharmacists would be allowed to refuse to dispense drugs such as morning-after contraception pills on moral or religious grounds, but only if patients are assured of "timely access" to the drugs from other sources under a bill approved by the House Health Committee on Wednesday.Well, fine. If I remember my Schoolhouse Rock (and I do!) anyone can propose legislation. So, here's the complete text of the legislation I'm proposing in response to this, it's called the "Shut up and Do Your Job" bill:
Whereas, pharmacists are not doctors and we would appreciate if they stopped second guessing them, I hereby propose that pharmacists do the job they are getting paid for, fill all the prescriptions handed to them, or, if they don't like this line of work they should seek new employment posthaste.
What do you think?
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Blogroll change
After many many many MANY months, Fecke is now officially a Drinking Buddy.
Can I get a "'Bout Time!"?
Can I get a "'Bout Time!"?
That's cold....
A man died and went to heaven. As he stood in front of St. Peter at the Pearly Gates, he saw a huge wall of clocks behind him. He asked, "What are all those clocks?"
St. Peter answered, "Those are Lie-Clocks. Everyone on earth has a Lie-Clock. Every time you lie, the hands on your clock will move."
"Oh," said the man, "whose clock is that?"
"That's Mother Teresa's. The hands have never moved, indicating that she never told a lie."
"Incredible," said the man. "And whose clock is that one?"
St. Peter responded, "That's Abraham Lincoln's clock. The hands have moved twice, telling us that Abe told only two lies in his entire life."
"Where's President Bush's clock?" asked the man.
"Bush's clock is in Jesus' office. He's using it as a ceiling fan."
St. Peter answered, "Those are Lie-Clocks. Everyone on earth has a Lie-Clock. Every time you lie, the hands on your clock will move."
"Oh," said the man, "whose clock is that?"
"That's Mother Teresa's. The hands have never moved, indicating that she never told a lie."
"Incredible," said the man. "And whose clock is that one?"
St. Peter responded, "That's Abraham Lincoln's clock. The hands have moved twice, telling us that Abe told only two lies in his entire life."
"Where's President Bush's clock?" asked the man.
"Bush's clock is in Jesus' office. He's using it as a ceiling fan."
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Drinking Liberally...It's Super Fantastic!!
Fresh off the caucus and all jazzed up about politics? Looking for a good place to hang out with a big group of smart folks? Curious about what the 331 Club looks like without all the bikers? Well, have I got a deal for you!
Drinking Liberally
Tonight
331 Club-13th & University NE
6:00pm-9:00pm
This would be a great week to stop by and say, hi! No candidates this week, but the place will be packed and the joint will be jumping, as always.
Tonight
331 Club-13th & University NE
6:00pm-9:00pm
This would be a great week to stop by and say, hi! No candidates this week, but the place will be packed and the joint will be jumping, as always.
Interesting Bit of Info
From Finance and Commerce (print edition, so link doesn't do much, American's savings rate has been negative for an entire year now, for the first time since the Great Depression.
Considering my household saves 15% of its income some of you people must be in some serious trouble...
Considering my household saves 15% of its income some of you people must be in some serious trouble...
Article I Section 9
When you break the law, you are a criminal. Laws cannot be rewritten to justify actions already taken.
Here's a hypothetical: If I'm clocked doing 90 miles an hour on the freeway I get a speeding ticket. If the state legislature raises the speed limit to 90 next year, can I ask for my ticket money back? No.
Did you follow that? Congratulations! You understand the law better than your average GOP congressperson:
G.O.P. Senators Say Accord Is Set on Wiretapping
Here's a hypothetical: If I'm clocked doing 90 miles an hour on the freeway I get a speeding ticket. If the state legislature raises the speed limit to 90 next year, can I ask for my ticket money back? No.
Did you follow that? Congratulations! You understand the law better than your average GOP congressperson:
G.O.P. Senators Say Accord Is Set on Wiretapping
WASHINGTON, March 7 — Moving to tamp down Democratic calls for an investigation of the administration's domestic eavesdropping program, Republicans on the Senate Intelligence Committee said Tuesday that they had reached agreement with the White House on proposed bills to impose new oversight but allow wiretapping without warrants for up to 45 days.Of course, the fact that they had to amend the law to allow the administration's actions is pretty much proof that, under existing laws, their actions are illegal. Good thing I've stopped expecting morality, courage or even basic logic from anyone with an "R" in front of their names.
Business as Usual
The GOP loves a crook, so why don't you?
Say what you want about how both the Democrats and Republicans got corrupted when they held uncontested control of the House, at least this party had the honesty and moral fiber to vote out the crooks.
Say what you want about how both the Democrats and Republicans got corrupted when they held uncontested control of the House, at least this party had the honesty and moral fiber to vote out the crooks.
Tales From the Caucus: Frankenfoods
The first resolution introduced last night at our caucus was a resolution seeking to ban any sort of genetic modification of wild rice for four years pending review of a permanent ban. The person proposing the resolution seemed to have four major reasons for doing so:
1. Wild Rice is sacred in Ojibwa tradition and therefore it's wrong for us to mess around with it.
2. Genetic diversity would be harmed by the introduction of the new GM strains. Also, animals that feed on the rice would potentially be harmed by the new GM strains.
3. The EU is a major importer of wild rice, and they oppose GM crops.
4. Dislike for the idea of patenting living organisms.
When the opportunity came to speak against the amendment I admit that I didn't for two reasons, it was my first caucus and the first proposal offered at the caucus so I didn't really have a feel for how the system works yet, and I assumed I wasn't alone in thinking this proposal was daft. However, when the time to vote came, it was unanimously in favor except for my lone dissent*.
So, apparently I should have spoken out. Here's what I would have said.
In regard to point one: I don't doubt that those beliefs are sincere and deeply held, but the party that's recognizes the potential of stem cell research ought to be careful about allowing religion to dictate to science. More broadly, I don't like passing laws based on anyone's religious beliefs when there is no other benefit to society involved.
Point Two: I'm curious about this one. I'm no scientist, but the "genetic diversity" argument has always seemed overblown to me. As the speaker pointed out, the large majority of wild rice is still wild grown, not paddy harvested. If cross pollinization over centuries hasn't produced genetic homogeneity in wild populations why would it do so now between the GM paddy strains and the wild strains? Some hybridization may result, but if we're trying to ban hybridization we're going to have to go back to crops raised in the Stone Age. The second half of this objection is a little more intriguing, but would seem to me to indicate the need for more extensive testing and research, not a ban.
Point Three: Flat out, I think they're blanket ban is wrong for the same reasons I believe that this one is, and I don't believe that we should kowtow to their prejudices. Also, I think the attitude amongst many in the EU is shifting towards allowing GM foods (Jose Bove excepted, of course). If I'm wrong about the attitude shift, you could always maintain non-GM paddies or sell the wild-grown rice to the EU.
Point Four: I agree, but the problem isn't with GM, the problem is with our messed up patent/copyright laws which are becoming far too restrictive and profit oriented. A GM ban would do nothing to address this issue, and even less when that ban is conducted on a state level rather than a federal one.
So, anyway, my thinking is that while governmental oversight is something that I would be in favor of, and while I'm not opposed to the idea of cultural pressure being brought to bear to help guide the ethics of GM experimentation, an outright ban seems like absolutely the wrong way to go about this. That's my speech against. Anyone who knows anything more about this subject care to chime in? Most importantly, am I underplaying the risks inherent in point two?
*REW abstained, as she was still reading over the proposal when they called for the vote.
1. Wild Rice is sacred in Ojibwa tradition and therefore it's wrong for us to mess around with it.
2. Genetic diversity would be harmed by the introduction of the new GM strains. Also, animals that feed on the rice would potentially be harmed by the new GM strains.
3. The EU is a major importer of wild rice, and they oppose GM crops.
4. Dislike for the idea of patenting living organisms.
When the opportunity came to speak against the amendment I admit that I didn't for two reasons, it was my first caucus and the first proposal offered at the caucus so I didn't really have a feel for how the system works yet, and I assumed I wasn't alone in thinking this proposal was daft. However, when the time to vote came, it was unanimously in favor except for my lone dissent*.
So, apparently I should have spoken out. Here's what I would have said.
In regard to point one: I don't doubt that those beliefs are sincere and deeply held, but the party that's recognizes the potential of stem cell research ought to be careful about allowing religion to dictate to science. More broadly, I don't like passing laws based on anyone's religious beliefs when there is no other benefit to society involved.
Point Two: I'm curious about this one. I'm no scientist, but the "genetic diversity" argument has always seemed overblown to me. As the speaker pointed out, the large majority of wild rice is still wild grown, not paddy harvested. If cross pollinization over centuries hasn't produced genetic homogeneity in wild populations why would it do so now between the GM paddy strains and the wild strains? Some hybridization may result, but if we're trying to ban hybridization we're going to have to go back to crops raised in the Stone Age. The second half of this objection is a little more intriguing, but would seem to me to indicate the need for more extensive testing and research, not a ban.
Point Three: Flat out, I think they're blanket ban is wrong for the same reasons I believe that this one is, and I don't believe that we should kowtow to their prejudices. Also, I think the attitude amongst many in the EU is shifting towards allowing GM foods (Jose Bove excepted, of course). If I'm wrong about the attitude shift, you could always maintain non-GM paddies or sell the wild-grown rice to the EU.
Point Four: I agree, but the problem isn't with GM, the problem is with our messed up patent/copyright laws which are becoming far too restrictive and profit oriented. A GM ban would do nothing to address this issue, and even less when that ban is conducted on a state level rather than a federal one.
So, anyway, my thinking is that while governmental oversight is something that I would be in favor of, and while I'm not opposed to the idea of cultural pressure being brought to bear to help guide the ethics of GM experimentation, an outright ban seems like absolutely the wrong way to go about this. That's my speech against. Anyone who knows anything more about this subject care to chime in? Most importantly, am I underplaying the risks inherent in point two?
*REW abstained, as she was still reading over the proposal when they called for the vote.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Caucus
Things I learned from my first caucus:
Do not go straight from work, or if you do, bring snacks. It is very difficult to listen to resolutions about wild rice when you haven't eaten dinner and it's nearly nine pm.
If you aren't sure you agree with a resolution, abstain. Nobody seems to like the neighborwho wotes against them.
Always try to belong to the precint with 98% turnout, because then EVERYONE getsto be a delegate.
Everyone knows more about the park board than you, which is odd since the park board isn't even up for election.
Finally, offering to call in straw poll results means you are the only person who knows who won in each category. Woot!
Do not go straight from work, or if you do, bring snacks. It is very difficult to listen to resolutions about wild rice when you haven't eaten dinner and it's nearly nine pm.
If you aren't sure you agree with a resolution, abstain. Nobody seems to like the neighborwho wotes against them.
Always try to belong to the precint with 98% turnout, because then EVERYONE getsto be a delegate.
Everyone knows more about the park board than you, which is odd since the park board isn't even up for election.
Finally, offering to call in straw poll results means you are the only person who knows who won in each category. Woot!
Horribly Unfashionable
Once again, it is time for me to prove why I'm never going to be asked to sit at the popular kids' table.
Lately, you may be seeing a lot of people putting up endorsements. I can't speak for Smartie, but I doubt there will be any endorsing by me on the powerliberal. I feel as though endorsing candidates, especially this early in the game, makes for lazy political consumers. It could just be me, but them's my thoughts.
Lately, you may be seeing a lot of people putting up endorsements. I can't speak for Smartie, but I doubt there will be any endorsing by me on the powerliberal. I feel as though endorsing candidates, especially this early in the game, makes for lazy political consumers. It could just be me, but them's my thoughts.
Today's the day! -updated
Today is precinct caucus day. This is a great chance to get out there and participate in the glorious mess of politics. You can find your local location:
here if you caucus with the Democrats;
or here if you caucus with the Republicans;
or here if you're a big "I" Independent.
(I was going to add the Libertarians, but as far as I can tell they don't have a caucus, if I'm wrong somebody let me know and I'll add them).
rew Adds: Does the Constitution Party have a caucus? Cause I'd feel really bad if this guy doesn't get to finish his run. Guns for the Pre-Born!
Update2: My bad, Here's info for the Green Party.
here if you caucus with the Democrats;
or here if you caucus with the Republicans;
or here if you're a big "I" Independent.
(I was going to add the Libertarians, but as far as I can tell they don't have a caucus, if I'm wrong somebody let me know and I'll add them).
rew Adds: Does the Constitution Party have a caucus? Cause I'd feel really bad if this guy doesn't get to finish his run. Guns for the Pre-Born!
Update2: My bad, Here's info for the Green Party.
Monday, March 06, 2006
A Public Service Announcement
I've often heard St. Patrick's Day referred to as "amateur night" in the bar biz, that is a night when people who normally don't drink go out to bars. Since the bars are packed with "amateurs" you see a higher incidence of fights and people being sick and whatnot. Based on some limited field research this weekend, I'm starting to think that an unintended consequence of the smoking ban has been to create a somewhat similar effect. Call it the "Coffee Shop Effect".
It seems that what ban supporters have been saying all along has finally come to pass, people who may have avoided bars in the past seem to be coming out in larger numbers now. Unfortunately, since they're new to this they apply rules learned at the place most similar in their experience. After all, a coffee shop is a place where you go up to a "counter" order a "beverage" then go sit at a table and drink it, just like a bar, right? The point at which these experiences begin to diverge, however, is the fact that while coffee shops are an ideal venue in which to leisurely enjoy your two dollar beverage for hours on end, coffee shops also are not known to host birthday parties, bachelorette parties, after work bitch sessions, etc.
All this is leads to an unavoidable confrontation. On the one hand, you have the people who are there to have a couple of beers, shoot the breeze, generally have a good time. On the other hand you have a group of people who see no problem with order a single Miller Lite and then occupying an entire table for up to four hours no matter how loud or crowded the bar has become and who are then lead inevitably to shouting at each other and shooting dirty looks at everyone who bumps up against them as they try to squeeze though the area.
So, to everyone who finally feels safe venturing out to bars now I say, Welcome! Here are a few simple suggestions to keep in mind about your new and exciting adventure based on what I observed this weekend:
1. You're occupying valuable real estate for the wait staff. The fifty cent tip you left your waitress on your single drink is not going to make up for taking up a large portion of her serving area for half of her shift.
2. In addition to the wait staff, the above mentioned behavior does little to endear you to the other patrons. Even less so as the place becomes more crowded.
3. Bars get loud, especially later at night. If you can't understand why people can't use their "inside voices" you might be in the wrong place. Also, yes, normal conversation can at times become difficult.
4. Contrary to popular belief, the smoking ban has not eliminated smoking all together. People just do it outside now. Don't make covering your nose gestures when people come in from outside smelling like smoke.
5. Everybody hates a tourist. At least try to act like you're not out of your element. For example, bars are places where adults hang out together so when somebody swears don't pull a shocked face and try to stare the vulgarity out of the person.
There are other nuances to your new social environment, but those should be enough to get you started. Have fun out there and be safe.
It seems that what ban supporters have been saying all along has finally come to pass, people who may have avoided bars in the past seem to be coming out in larger numbers now. Unfortunately, since they're new to this they apply rules learned at the place most similar in their experience. After all, a coffee shop is a place where you go up to a "counter" order a "beverage" then go sit at a table and drink it, just like a bar, right? The point at which these experiences begin to diverge, however, is the fact that while coffee shops are an ideal venue in which to leisurely enjoy your two dollar beverage for hours on end, coffee shops also are not known to host birthday parties, bachelorette parties, after work bitch sessions, etc.
All this is leads to an unavoidable confrontation. On the one hand, you have the people who are there to have a couple of beers, shoot the breeze, generally have a good time. On the other hand you have a group of people who see no problem with order a single Miller Lite and then occupying an entire table for up to four hours no matter how loud or crowded the bar has become and who are then lead inevitably to shouting at each other and shooting dirty looks at everyone who bumps up against them as they try to squeeze though the area.
So, to everyone who finally feels safe venturing out to bars now I say, Welcome! Here are a few simple suggestions to keep in mind about your new and exciting adventure based on what I observed this weekend:
1. You're occupying valuable real estate for the wait staff. The fifty cent tip you left your waitress on your single drink is not going to make up for taking up a large portion of her serving area for half of her shift.
2. In addition to the wait staff, the above mentioned behavior does little to endear you to the other patrons. Even less so as the place becomes more crowded.
3. Bars get loud, especially later at night. If you can't understand why people can't use their "inside voices" you might be in the wrong place. Also, yes, normal conversation can at times become difficult.
4. Contrary to popular belief, the smoking ban has not eliminated smoking all together. People just do it outside now. Don't make covering your nose gestures when people come in from outside smelling like smoke.
5. Everybody hates a tourist. At least try to act like you're not out of your element. For example, bars are places where adults hang out together so when somebody swears don't pull a shocked face and try to stare the vulgarity out of the person.
There are other nuances to your new social environment, but those should be enough to get you started. Have fun out there and be safe.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Oscar Thread
I just got cable and watched hours of E Oscar Pre-coverage, only to get to the red carpet portion and discover Isaac Mizrahi is such an awful interviewer that stars are pretending to not hear him and run past him down the carpet (And Jessica Alba might have gotten away with it if not for him grabbing her as she walked by with her back to him).
Smartie and I will be posting snark in the comments since blogger doens't want to work downstairs. We expect our comments will be nearly as ugly as that lemon color is on Michelle Williams.
Smartie and I will be posting snark in the comments since blogger doens't want to work downstairs. We expect our comments will be nearly as ugly as that lemon color is on Michelle Williams.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
My cat's got knees, too
an alternate Saturday morning cat blogging...
It's a lazy powerliberal Saturday. Smartie's making tzatziki for the gyros we never got around to making last night.
I'm drinking the Wege's yummy Colombian coffee (wow, those beans were oily) and working on a baby blanket for a friend while I watch cartoons, and Nico's attacking yarn like a soccer hooligan. I've come to two odd realizations while watching tv this morning.
1) when we have kids, we'll have to hide our cell phones. I can't believe how many text messaging ads there are telling kids to grab the phone and call in to play games and get jokes. They all appear to be daily subscriptions, too. Who would have though the phones would need to be locked away with the liquor someday.
2) I must be old. GI Joe Six Sigma? Is Transformers ISO 2006 coming out next month? Is Batman Intranet Taskforce being tested in focus groups? Seriously, keep the office jargan in the office and leave my toys pure. Otherwise, Bratz are going file a gender discrimiation suit.
It's a lazy powerliberal Saturday. Smartie's making tzatziki for the gyros we never got around to making last night.
Ingredients:
2 small cucumbers -- peeled and diced
1 1/4 cup yogurt
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic -- minced
1 tablespoon dill -- chopped
1 lemon, juiced
white pepper -- to taste
salt -- to taste
Directions:
Combine yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and pepper in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for one hour. Blend yogurt mixture with a whip until smooth. Dry cucumbers by patting with paper towels. Add Cucumbers and dill to yogurt mixture. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with Gyros or as a dipping sauce.
I'm drinking the Wege's yummy Colombian coffee (wow, those beans were oily) and working on a baby blanket for a friend while I watch cartoons, and Nico's attacking yarn like a soccer hooligan. I've come to two odd realizations while watching tv this morning.
1) when we have kids, we'll have to hide our cell phones. I can't believe how many text messaging ads there are telling kids to grab the phone and call in to play games and get jokes. They all appear to be daily subscriptions, too. Who would have though the phones would need to be locked away with the liquor someday.
2) I must be old. GI Joe Six Sigma? Is Transformers ISO 2006 coming out next month? Is Batman Intranet Taskforce being tested in focus groups? Seriously, keep the office jargan in the office and leave my toys pure. Otherwise, Bratz are going file a gender discrimiation suit.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Bell & Klobuchar on MPR
I managed to catch most of the Ford Bell/Amy Klobuchar appearance on MPR this afternoon. No new ground broken by either candidate, but they both acquitted themselves very well.
If I had to pick I would say that Bell sounded more "real", especially on the question about hunting. Despite that I think Klobuchar will probably gain the most from this appearance. There seems to be some conventional wisdom forming that she avoids specifics when discussing policy issues, but she made many points today and sounded passionate and engaged on them. I think if she keeps that up it will go a long way towards securing base support amongst those who are wavering.
All in all, both candidates sound good to me going into the caucuses and my bold prediction is that there will be a fairly even number of supporters for both candidates this Tuesday. I will be very interested to see how others in the party view the race at that time.
If I had to pick I would say that Bell sounded more "real", especially on the question about hunting. Despite that I think Klobuchar will probably gain the most from this appearance. There seems to be some conventional wisdom forming that she avoids specifics when discussing policy issues, but she made many points today and sounded passionate and engaged on them. I think if she keeps that up it will go a long way towards securing base support amongst those who are wavering.
All in all, both candidates sound good to me going into the caucuses and my bold prediction is that there will be a fairly even number of supporters for both candidates this Tuesday. I will be very interested to see how others in the party view the race at that time.
Heh
At Eva's:
A Lloydletta reader notes this item in the Republican Party of Minnesota Platform:
Protecting personal privacy by prohibiting the use of social security numbers for any purpose other than social security identification and prohibiting the collection or release of any personal financial, medical, or other private information by anyone without the express consent of the person involved.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Becky Lourey at Drinking Liberally - April 12th
Senator Becky Lourey, DFL Candidate for Governor, will be joining Drinking Liberally on Wednesday, April 12th.
(Does anyone techie-like want to tell me how to make a calendar for the blog so these all show?)
(Does anyone techie-like want to tell me how to make a calendar for the blog so these all show?)
Heh
Must be something in the water this morning. Both The Wege and Mr. Sponge are in rare form today.
The Wege:
Mr. Sponge:
The Wege:
Next week's manifesto: the immigration bill and putting Latinos back in their place (especially the gay ones).
Seriously, this is a brilliant column. Everything should always be put to a referendum vote. Let's pass Krazy Kate's referendum bill, but we need to amend it to let us vote on whether or not the wealthy should pay extra taxes so the rest of us can have another tax cut. And how about letting Minnesotans vote on whether or not our Guard units should all be immediately recalled.
Let the people speak, damnit!
Then let's save some money by disbanding the legislature. No reason to put any brakes on how we govern when referendums could be held every month or even more often. Better yet, a daily Referend-O with one lucky voter getting a property tax rebate in a random drawing!
Mr. Sponge:
Joe Repya pathetically uses his rank to get attention and then uses the attention to drive home Republican talking points. The man spoke at the 2004 National GOP convention (as a delagate) and he is involved with Minnesota Veterans for Bush, yet somehow he is still only identified by the Strib as a Lt. Colonel. Of course, the Strib has a liberal bias don'chya know.Just a taste. Go read the rest.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Just Let It Go Already...
Remember Joel Hinrichs? Anyone? Okay, let me refresh your memories. He was the poor dumb kid who committed suicide last October by blowing himself up outside of an Oklahoma Sooners football game. There was some speculation at the time that this may have been an intended suicide bombing and/or that Hinrichs had actually planned a much larger bombing, but after investigating the FBI concluded that Hinrichs was simply a suicidal individual who chose an unusual way to oppose those slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. For most of us, that's where the story ended.
However, some on the Right smelled a story lo those many months ago. Not just a story, but a narrative redolent with hints of suicide bombers, dark mention of "islamists" and home-grown jihadi waiting to strike at that most American institution-a football game. Sure the FBI report largely put the lie to this particular storyline, but like any good paranoid fantasy the "official version" of the story only managed to push "the real story" underground for a few months.
Now that most of us have moved on to other things, those on the Right to whom this was a major story in the first place are worrying the story again like a puppy digging up a well-chewed bone. I know many pundits are loath to admit they were wrong about anything and who love any excuse for a little fear mongering, but this is just embarrassing. Almost as embarrassing as still insisting that, no really, Saddam really did have WMDs.
Sooner Suicide Later Turns Out To Be Botched Attack
Hinrich's story was a simple tragedy. Nothing more. Let it go.
However, some on the Right smelled a story lo those many months ago. Not just a story, but a narrative redolent with hints of suicide bombers, dark mention of "islamists" and home-grown jihadi waiting to strike at that most American institution-a football game. Sure the FBI report largely put the lie to this particular storyline, but like any good paranoid fantasy the "official version" of the story only managed to push "the real story" underground for a few months.
Now that most of us have moved on to other things, those on the Right to whom this was a major story in the first place are worrying the story again like a puppy digging up a well-chewed bone. I know many pundits are loath to admit they were wrong about anything and who love any excuse for a little fear mongering, but this is just embarrassing. Almost as embarrassing as still insisting that, no really, Saddam really did have WMDs.
Sooner Suicide Later Turns Out To Be Botched Attack
Mark Tapscott has stayed on the story of Joel Hinrichs, the Oklahoma University student who blew himself up outside the football stadium, long after the FBI dismissed it as a suicide brought on by depression. His vigilance has paid off, as it now appears that the FBI jumped to an erroneous conclusion and that Hinrichs meant to kill a lot more people than just himself:Color me silly if you will, but if Hinrichs wanted to kill a lot of people, why did the FBI find all this bomb material in his apartment after he went a blew himself up? Shouldn't he have taken it with him if he was planning on using it? Isn't it a little more likely that Hinrichs was just a depressed individual who had an unhealthy fascination with explosives? Or is it more likely that the FBI is lying in order to...well, I don't know why they would lie about this to be honest.
The FBI reported in November that 0.4 pound of TATP was found inside Hinrichs' apartment. TATP is the most unstable explosive known and is "the explosive of choice" in the Middle East, Mauldin said. "It is so volatile, even a small amount on the tip of a finger will explode if it comes within 8 inches of a match," Mauldin said.
Investigators also found a quantity of acetone and hydrogen, components necessary for manufacturing TATP, inside the student's apartment. ...
Officers also removed "a lot" of military rounds, many of them live, and pieces of metal from the student's apartment, Mauldin said.
Metal fragments often are added to explosives to make them more deadly, he said.
The explosives Hinrichs had outside the stadium were pure, with no fragmentation added, Mauldin said.
However, he said, the student kept careful notes of experimentation with explosives in the weeks leading up to the Oct. 1 blast.
Color me silly if you will, but if all Hinrichs wanted was to commit suicide spectacularly, why was he experimenting with fragmentation? He had created far more TATP than needed to kill himself. Fragmentation and shrapnel would make no difference in his own death; that kind of addition speaks volumes about an intent to kill and maim a large number of people. Also, the FBI found more TATP left behind in his apartment, some of it fashioned into a pill-bottle bomb. If he wanted to kill himself, why would he have fashioned more than one device?
I respect the FBI, but this story doesn't add up.
Hinrich's story was a simple tragedy. Nothing more. Let it go.
Drinking Liberally Tonight
At the 331. 13th & University.
We're giving up listening to Bush's bulls__t for Lent. Not much of a sacrifice, I guess.
Should be a little quieter than last week. No (announced) special guests, so it will be a little change of pace from last week's hoopla and a chance to catch your breath before we plunge into multi-candidate March madness.
We're giving up listening to Bush's bulls__t for Lent. Not much of a sacrifice, I guess.
Should be a little quieter than last week. No (announced) special guests, so it will be a little change of pace from last week's hoopla and a chance to catch your breath before we plunge into multi-candidate March madness.
That's Beautiful
Grrlscientist gives us "The 23rd Qualm".
Here's a sample:
Here's a sample:
Bush is my shepherd; I dwell in want.
He maketh logs to be cut down in national forests.
He leadeth trucks into the still wilderness.
He restoreth my fears.
He leadeth me down paths of international disgrace for his ego's sake.
This one's for ALA Bob
Sue Jeffers, Libertarian candidate for Governor, will be visiting Drinking Liberally, Wednesday, April 5th.
Sticks is no longer the lonely libertarian....
Sticks is no longer the lonely libertarian....
Freedom of Speech...Just Watch What You Say...
I was going to write a post yesterday about the ridiculous movement to pass a law banning protests at military funerals. Unfortunately, I got caught up with paying work and the Strib's editorial board went and beat me to it.
Editorial: Don't overreact to funeral outrage
I whole heartedly agree with the editorial and recommend it. Just to add a few thoughts of my own, passing a law banning protests at military funerals seems ridiculously narrow (as the editorial points out, Phelps has been at this for years at funerals for AIDS victims) and I seriously doubt it would even be constitutional. So this law would score a double by being harmful to free speech and not actually doing anything to stop the protests. Way to go.
There does seem to be a troubling amount of talk lately about curtailing speech in one form or another just a couple of examples from the last few weeks: this Phelps business, the Mohammed cartoons, David Irving going to jail for holocaust denial, etc. Is the world getting more sensitive or is there something else at work here? One possibility is that this need to rush to extremes to get our points across (see also: Godwin's Law) is symptomatic of the coarsening of modern thought. Another may be the rise of a new class of laws over the last fifty or so years proscribing certain kinds of speech and the invertible slippery slope of that line of thinking. Maybe this isn't anything new, it's been going on forever and we're just seeing more of it thanks to the omnipresence of the media in modern life. Anyone else have any thoughts?
Editorial: Don't overreact to funeral outrage
I whole heartedly agree with the editorial and recommend it. Just to add a few thoughts of my own, passing a law banning protests at military funerals seems ridiculously narrow (as the editorial points out, Phelps has been at this for years at funerals for AIDS victims) and I seriously doubt it would even be constitutional. So this law would score a double by being harmful to free speech and not actually doing anything to stop the protests. Way to go.
There does seem to be a troubling amount of talk lately about curtailing speech in one form or another just a couple of examples from the last few weeks: this Phelps business, the Mohammed cartoons, David Irving going to jail for holocaust denial, etc. Is the world getting more sensitive or is there something else at work here? One possibility is that this need to rush to extremes to get our points across (see also: Godwin's Law) is symptomatic of the coarsening of modern thought. Another may be the rise of a new class of laws over the last fifty or so years proscribing certain kinds of speech and the invertible slippery slope of that line of thinking. Maybe this isn't anything new, it's been going on forever and we're just seeing more of it thanks to the omnipresence of the media in modern life. Anyone else have any thoughts?
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