Baby It's Cold Outside!

Global warming is the hot topic of the week, with some damning information coming up in the Minnesota Legislature.  But with a blast of Arctic air coming through the plains this week, conservative bloggers are saying "bring it on."

Local environmental blogger Tom Elko provies a detailed summary of the session at the capitol, which includes these sobering words from Dr. David Tilman, Regents’ Professor of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior at the University of Minnesota.

Stating that multiple approaches will be needed, Tillman declared that “in Minnesota, renewable energy and carbon sequestration is the most we can do right now.” His final words to the legislature were direct and to the point: “delay is unwise, and unethical.”

Elko also has a link to the session so readers can watch the video themselves.

Local conservative bloggers, however, find the scientific evidence unpersuasive. 

"Why are people such sheep? So desperately wanting to believe in "Global Warming." Anybody ever heard of nature?" asks an Anti-Strib contributor.  "Warm is good. People are healthier, crops grow, not to mention the fact that the babes are more scantilly[sic] dressed!"

David Strom finds himself unmoved, as well.  After all, there are famous folk involved.

Now I KNOW global warming is a problem!

Leonardo Di Caprio, Orlando Bloom, KT Tunstall, Pink, The Killers, Razorlight and Josh Hartnett tell me so!

They even know exactly what to do! And that we have only 10 years to save the planet!

Gosh! I was skeptical when the IPCC was pushing this crap, but now that celebrities have created www.global-cool.com I recant my skepticism. How silly I was!

As Emily Litella says, never mind!

And back at Anti-Strib, another contributor scoffs at scientific consensus.

They could only get THREE scientists? If this is SUCH a BIG DEAL why did not more show up?

No word on whether four scientists would appease him or not.

Jailing the Victim

UPDATE BELOW:

A woman who reported being raped found herself in jail instead.

When they started checking the victim's background, they discovered she had an arrest warrant out for her.

It was from an arrest when the woman was a juvenile and she was accused of not paying restitution. The woman says she was not aware there was a warrant out for her, and her attorney says it appears to be a paperwork error.

"They were more interested in prosecuting her for something that's a paperwork snafu from four years ago, that was juvenile. They were more interested in working on that than finding an experienced rapist," stated the victim's mother.

Even better, while jailed they denied her EC...

Still, the woman was put in handcuffs and taken to jail. She was not allowed bond, and the medical staff at the jail refused to give her the Morning After Pill even though it had been prescribed at the hospital.

"The medical supervisor would not allow her to take the pill because she said it was against her, the supervisor's, religion. So, here we have a medical supervisor imposing her beliefs on a rape victim," claimed the victim's attorney Virlyn Moore. "As a human being, how someone could be so violated by this monster and then the system comes along and rapes her again psychologically and emotionally - it's outrageous and unconscionable."

The jail admits they normally have a policy "where anyone who is suspected of a misdemeanor is not taken to jail if they're the victim of a sex crime."

They just didn't follow it.

I'm sure the victim finds their apologies comforting right now.

(Via Feministing)

Updated to add: Fecke connects the dots and sees this may be more about political clout than experience.

A Snow job, an anticipated return, and the Llamateers...

(Cross posted on MinMon)

MPR's The News Grid tips us off on a quote so good we couldn't have made up a better one:

"God's objective. He knows what the truth is," says Tony Snow. "Everything else is scratching at the surface."

I guess that should get us out of any "biased media" accusations.

Forum Focus is back from hiatus, and Minnesota Monitor couldn't be happier.  There's nothing we love more than analyzing Forum Communications.

And everyone is talking about the Llamas.  Or, as the sheriff says, "I think we should live in a world with more not fewer Llamateers."

Better than the Enquirer

Heh

POWERLIBERALS ALCHOHOLIC SATANIST MUSLIMS


Robin Marty of Powerliberal and George Soros finger-puppet, admitted at a Drinking Liberally event that she often just drinks a whole bottle of wine without even realizing it. She also was overheard to say, "I'm pretty sure Al (Hussein X Franken) is my guy." The Wege was heard throughout the night to say, "I'm" ... "not feeling" ... "comfortable" ... "with her leadership."....[I removed the next word because I hate it - ed.]

Chilling news. Why isn't the liberal media covering this? Bordkorb[sic], if you read this, I'm your inside guy.

Remind me to off that stoolie.

Wal-Mart: Where even the vending machines lie

Something seems to be missing from the text on the side of that vending machine...hmm...

Oh, I know:

"Sam Walton believed in the ability of American workers to produce the finest products in the world," and even more in the ability to undercut them with cheap crap from China.

There. Fixed it.

This machine and more can be found over at Twin City Sidewalks.

New Liberal-Lingus: Nontroversy

I get the feeling that this word is going to come in handy frequently over the next two years.

Nontroversy - non·tro·ver·sy:

1. Manufactured outrage over an issue of quibbling importance.
2. Magnifying minor or secondary concerns in order to distract from actual issues.

eg. Why's Brodkorb so worked up about Sally Kenney's emails? That's such a nontroversy.

[Editor's Note-While I came up with this word independently on Wednesday of this week, I can't claim to have invented it. Check here for an earlier citation.]

The Best Part of the State of the Union

Rox has the picture I was waiting for...



With apologies...

Dick Cheney: I don't think that's very funny.
George Bush: You don't?
Dick Cheney: No.
George Bush: Well then, why did you make me say it?

Jonah Goldberg: Liar

Jonah Goldberg is a liar. That statement may be blunt, but it is objectively true. In his most recent column he fabricates an exchange and puts words into the mouth of a sitting US Senator in order to make a point.

Is this acceptable behavior now? I prefer to think otherwise. I've written to Strib Reader Rep. Kate Parry about this, and I encourage everyone else to as well. By printing Goldberg's distortions they are giving tacit approval to a lie and tarnishing the reputation of their paper. At the very least they need to run a correction of this. A better solution would be drop Goldberg's column entirely.

What Goldberg wrote:

Sen. Barbara Boxer recently belittled Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice because Rice doesn't have children and therefore cannot appreciate the full impact of war the way Boxer can. Of course, there's no draft, and Boxer doesn't have any kids in uniform, nor would they be eligible for a draft if there was one.

What Senator Boxer actually said:

Now, the issue is who pays the price, who pays the price? I'm not going to pay a personal price. My kids are too old, and my grandchild is too young. You're not going to pay a particular price, as I understand it, within immediate family. So who pays the price? The American military and their families, and I just want to bring us back to that fact.

[emphasis mine] If you need further evidence, here's a YouTube video of the entire exchange (the relevant section starts just before 3:00).

MORE: As for the rest of Goldberg's column, who knew that Democrats invented kissing babies or that the tradition extends only as far back as "the early 70s"? I always learn something new when I read Jonah. Of course that's because he just makes most of it up, but still. Although I do agree with one thing he says in this column:

Children are hugely important. But they shouldn't be a Trojan horse for policies you can't sell fair and square.

Does that mean MCCL has to take down all of their inane "Embryos are Babies" billboards?

Or how about these other recent famous uses of babies and children to sell unpopular measures?

A collage of images from President Bush's first veto. Bush vetoed increased funding for Stem Cell Research on behalf of The Children.

Or how about this?
GOP Rep. Tom Reynolds holds a press conference surrounded by The Children to deflect criticism over his role in covering up the Mark Foley scandal.

To sum up, Jonah Goldberg: Liar and Buffoon.

Freaky computer games

This is odd.

Even odder is that the people who bought that also bought this.

Quote of the Day

From Liberal Media Elite

I've never wanted to do body shots off a cartoon before!

I'm really starting to love that blog...

Northeast Beat

New Neighborhood blog in the...well, neighborhood.

I thought I'd be nice and write about it even if they didn't include us as a Nordeast blog. *sniff*

More over at MinMon

Heh

From today's News of the Weird.

Sometimes reality makes comedy obsolete:

California's Golden State Fence Co., which has a contract to build part of the United States' immigrant-impeding barrier on the Mexican border, agreed in December to pay fines totaling nearly $5 million because it had been employing illegal aliens.

[Rocky Mountain News, 11-21-06] [National Public Radio, 12-15-06]

"Gas is Gas?"

New Gas Station Opening in Omaha.

According to this story, the station is out in Millard, where my family lives, and not too far from my former high school. But I feel pretty confident, knowing that neighborhood, that this reaction is probably dead on:

Will drivers make a special trip? Mary Ann Buscher said the station got her attention, with its bright red, white and blue advertising, but she isn't sure when or if she'll stop there.

"I wouldn't go out of my way to go there, probably. No, I wouldn't," she said.

rew and Smartie's LFS thread

Whenever the Powerball gets nice and high, Smartie and I like to pick up a ticket, simply because we can literally spend hours deciding exactly what we will spend our winnings on. The longer we spend on the fantasizing, the more we feel the money was well-spent. The name for this mental disorder, we've decided, is "Lottery Fantasy Syndrome" or LFS - the complete delusion that if you plan out your future in enough detail, you will eventually win.

This morning, while eating breakfast, Nico jumped in Smartie's lap as she's begun doing most morning's, likely because I keep the house so cold.

So we have now planned to hire a lap with our winnings, so we can eat without cat fur flying, or kitty whining should he make her stay on the floor. Should you be interested in this position, please let us know your hourly rate. And yes, it will be hourly.

Although if we win, I probably won't have to keep the heat so low. So there's another plan. If we win the lottery, I'm going to turn the heat up to 65 degrees. And leave it there.

I will add more LFS delusions as they occur.

State of the Union: Minnesota Blog Round-Up

The Left

A Bluestem Prairie has Congressman Tim Walz's response.

Mercury Rising has the 10 second version of the speech:

"'Didn't like that stick in the eye? Here, have another.'"

Moderate Left has the speech that should have been.

Charlie has a post game review:

"What a relief not to watch Dennis Hastert exert himself by standing three dozen times during the President's state of the union speech. His absence cut in half the chance of cardiac arrest occuring on the dais this year."

Eric Black gives his feedback:

"We make a big deal of these moments. And, given the spectrum of realistic expectations, I thought Bush came close to making the most of it. But I doubt very many minds were changed, in the hall or in the nation."

And Sky Blue Waters has full environmental analysis:

"Oh, and we need to face up to global wa… global wa… global climate change."

The Right

Captain's Quarter's Liveblog

Fraters Libertas "Live Blog?"

Marty Andrade response via podcast:

"To summarize, I think this was a great speech, I am optimistic for the next two years and I am going hold onto that optimism."

Andy Aplikowski:

"I’m not so sure I like the fact that this seems like the Democrats could have come up with some of his initiatives."

Powerline Two for One:

"Apparently, the Dems support our troops while being indifferent to whether they succeed," says one, while "[F]or the President's long-term supporters and for all who are serious about winning the war that has been thrust upon us, it was an inspiring, confidence-renewing performance," glows the other.

And the people talking about Michele Bachmann...

Norwegianity:

"I saw Michele Bachmann kissing Sam Brownback, Harkin and Bachmann exchanged smiles and words. God help us, but she might be reachable on some ag issues."

Liberal Media Elite:

"Michele Bachmann just became the congressional equivalent of that kid at the pool who shrieks 'Hey Mom, Hey Mom, Hey Mom, Hey Mom, Hey Mom, Hey Mom, Hey Mom, Hey Mom, Hey Mom, Hey Mom' before doing some kind of not-quite-a-cannonball, almost-a-bellysmacker sort of flop into the pool, and then surfacing looking very proud, shrieking 'Did you see, did you see, did you see???'"

Dump Bachmann:

"First, the dressed-in-white Chosen One claws her way to an aisle seat--tv commentators said those people spent hours waiting for their seats--squeals and paws the president as he passes by coming into the chambers. And then, on the exit from the chambers, cling to him like some teenager and drag him back to kiss him. All in full view of the tv cameras, of course."

All the News that's fit to Fake

My how the threshold of "newsworthy" has fallen.

E-mail seeking aid for Franken draws fire

A professor's use of her U of M account to solicit campaign help drew criticism from other academics and a GOP blogger.

By Dane Smith, Star Tribune

A University of Minnesota professor has come under fire for sending a message using her university e-mail account to help comedian Al Franken with his likely U.S. Senate candidacy.

Sally Kenney, director of the Center on Women and Public Policy at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, sent an e-mail last week from a "umn.edu" address to an undisclosed number of recipients saying that "Al Franken has asked me to put together a Minnesota Team Franken."

Franken is an entertainer, author and liberal talk-show host who is soon expected by many Minnesota DFLers to announce a bid against Republican U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman.

I have to hand it to Michael Brodkorb. No matter how often his fake "outrages" are exposed as fabrications or half-truths, he can still find someone to print more of them. Since the Strib has seen fit to print this laughable diatribe, let's examine why this is just another in a long line of Brodkorb's misrepresentations:

1. The first false assumption it relies on is that Prof. Kenney missued taxpayer funded property because this personal email was sent from "umn.edu" address. The University operates a massive IT system. During my four years at the U I had an address ending in "umn.edu" that I paid for through my tuition. As an alumnus I could still have a "umn.edu" address for a small fee. Every professor, administrator and everyone else who works at and for the U also has such an address as part of their job and presumably professors are allowed to use it for private non-commercial use as part of their professional compensation. A quick glance at the Public Affairs class schedule for this term shows that professor Kenney had no classes at the time this email was allegedly sent, so she wasn't using "office hours" on it, either.

2. The second false assumption is that this was done to further Franken's political career. As it says right in Prof. Kenney's email:

Al Franken has asked me to put together a Minnesota team Franken. Those of you who read his [Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them] book may recall that he drew upon [Harvard's] JFKennedy School students to help him research particular points.

This wasn't a request to join a political campaign, it was an offer to get involved with a research effort similar to ones Franken had conducted in the past.

3. The third false assumption is that this is unusual. As a student at the U I frequently received emails regarding activities I may be interested in participating in. These ranged from cultural activities, performances, jobs, seminars, etc. and were sent by faculty and students alike. A good college education provides more experience than just attending class. If this were an overt pitch to work for a political candidate, that would be different but as I pointed out in #2, that's not what the email was about. It was about getting involved with someone who has active in public affairs and it was sent to people who were interested in such endeavors.

4. Finally, the biggest problem here is that FRANKEN IS NOT A CANDIDATE FOR ANYTHING. Remember not even a year ago when Gov. Pawlenty refused to give up his radio show or offer equal time for "opposing views" because he hadn't "officially" announced that he was running for governor again? Remember all the right-wing anger about Pawlenty's abuse of the public airwaves since everyone knew he was running anyway? Anyone remember that?

I can't fault Brodkorb for this. Having integrity and intellectual honesty isn't his job, being a party hack is his job. But I do find it shameful that reporter Dane Smith and politics editor Doug Tice thought this was newsworthy. You're reporters, people, act like it.

SOTUS - Live Blog, Pre and Post Speech Reactions

No, I'm not doing the live blog, but Fecke has promised to bring in the snark.

All the coverage is over at Minnesota Monitor. Stop by.

Go Figure

from Feministing:

The majority of anti-choice bloggers, judging by the attendance, are 50-year-old men, several of whom brought their young sons along. Nearly every younger woman I noticed there was attending as a reporter.

Blog for Choice: Why I am Pro-Choice

Robin Marty is a participant in the 2007 Blog for Choice.

This year, for the anniversary of Roe v Wade, the Blog for Choice organizers have asked the participants to share their reasons for being pro-choice.  I wrote a great deal about this issue last year, and I still firmly believe everything that I wrote.

But a lot can change in a year.  Nearly two years married, my husband and I find ourselves talking about families more than we used to.  On Friday, I discovered I'm going to be an auntie.  Pregnancy was something I never really thought about, and now suddenly it's everywhere.

I was lucky enough never to have to face the decision of what to do about an unwanted pregnancy.  And now that we're talking about starting a family, I find myself on the other side.

Yet inherently, it's not very different.  In both cases, it has been my choice to decide when I want to start my family.  I've been able to wait until I was ready, both emotionally and financially.  Considering starting a family has been a very large, very thought-out personal choice, and one that I would not let anyone else make for me.

So why would I allow someone to take that choice away?

No one has the right to make the most personal decision a woman has for her.  To throw up roadblocks, hoops to jump through, and other strong-arm tactics is not a sign that your position is strong, but that you know it is weak.

Last year I said, "Today, I blog for Choice not because I knew that time [when women didn't have a choice], but because I never want to."  That has not, and will not change, regardless of whether I have a family of my own or not.

Hotdish for Norm!

Sometimes, there's just a lot to dish about...
Norm is continuing to cheerlead the "Tim Pawlenty for Vice President" backers, this time during the latest Republican National Convention meeting.

Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., gave a plug to Pawlenty’s chances for higher office.

“If we’re looking for a good vice presidential candidate in ’08, I don’t have to look too far,” he said to applause. “He’s right behind me.”

Of course, there's nothing out there saying Norm won't change his mind, like he has with the war in Iraq. But has his opinion changed, or is it simply, as Eric Black questions, a matter of subtleties?

You would still be free, of course, to interpret Coleman’s position as one of political convenience. He is, after all, up for re-election in 2008, and has until now been a steady supporter of Bush’s logic and policy on the war. By opposing the most prominent feature of Bush’s latest plan, he may be in a better position to convince war-weary Minnesotans next year that he is not deaf, dumb and blind to their doubts about the wisdom of stay-until-victory-ism.

But you would be hard-pressed to prove it. After plowing through all the documents and tapes and interviewing Coleman at length Thursday to press him on the questions raised by his no-surge-in-Baghdad-but-no-retreat-from-Iraq position, I found that he had coherent answers to all the questions and spoke with conviction.

To be entirely fair, a candidate cannot be blamed for changing his position on a terribly unpopular war, especially when that helps him distance himself from a terribly unpopular president.  According to a recent Fox News Poll, President Bush is now less popular than Vice President Dick Cheney.

I'd run, too, Norm.

In Which Smartie Proves He's a Cranky Old Coot...

Kids these days!

Katherine Kersten, Minnesota's Worst Writer, dribbles out another column today. Surprisingly, I agree with her conclusions. I just reach them by different means.

In a tradition stretching back at least as far as Newton Minow's "Vast Wasteland" speech from 1961, KK bemoans popular culture and its glorification of lowest-common-denominator violence and gore. KK specifically cites, and spends a large amount of her column detailing the sins of, CSI.

I agree. CSI stinks like a three week old corpse. Is it because of too much violence? I can't say for sure because I can't stand watching it for more than a few minutes due to the wooden acting (William Petersen isn't just phoning it in, I think he's actually using a telegraph), stilted fake-sounding dialog and a lack of anything remotely resembling a "plot" beyond body+forensic evidence=murderer.

Sure the gee whiz techno gadgets can be impressive, and granted the evidence trails can sometimes be interesting to follow, but all in all the massive popularity of this show baffles me. (also, the annoyingly obvious choice of a theme song doesn't help.)

But maybe I'm just old. I also can't understand the popularity of Grey's Anatomy. Admittedly, I've only seen one episode (the "Code Black" episode that aired after last year's Super Bowl), but it seemed like a second rate ER clone to me. Full of melodrama and dubious doctoring, short on any sort of real emotion.

Anyway, I'll wrap up this "kids these days" rant before I start on Lost (good idea, carried on for too many seasons) and start sounding like House (now there's a good show)...

Catching up

Sorry all, I've been running around like crazy girl for the last two days, and have been very home-blog inattentive.

If you look at the side bar, you'll see that I'll be participating in "Blogs for Choice" again this year, and the topic is "Why I'm pro-choice." I'm trying to decide if I want to just re-run last year's Hopefully, I'm not that lazy, but it's good to know it's there as a backup just in case.

Drinking Liberally tonight. I missed last week due to ickiness, and am not feeling much better this week, but I'm going to try and go until I get tired. That's been my goal lately - do stuff until you get tired. Then nap. Then do more stuff.

Speaking of stuff - there's a whole lot of it over at MinMon. I haven't been bringing my hotdishes over much this week, mainly because they'd likely get cold on the trip.

And just so you know I haven't totally gone soft, we've got thousands of soldier's dying in Iraq, and this is what gets the lovely ladies hot and bothered?

:The Ticket

Joe Bodell took a thorough look at the Presidential Slate earlier, but around the blogs everyone is still buzzing about the possible McCain/Pawlenty ticket. 

Sure, it's just a co-chairmanship right now, but is Governor Pawlenty preparing to cut and run on his office?  Flash seems to think so, stating "Reports that Gov. T Paw is 'very happy being the governor of Minnesota' may be grossly exaggerated."

Matt at MNPublius has plenty to say on the issue.

So, Is Timmy actively lobbying for that chance [to be vice president]? Well, yes and no. He sure is kissing a whole lot of McCain ass lately and there’s no doubt in my mind that it’s in order to keep the VP option open, but who knows how hard he’s pushing internally. Frankly, I don’t care because it’s a moot point.  Pawlenty’s maneuvering to keep his options open and he certainly won’t turn down the offer if asked.

Bottom line: Minnesota government isn’t the only thing on Timmy’s mind these days.

However, it seems like Pawlenty's own conservative followers just aren't that into him.  Andy Aplikowski says:

The time is now to put an end to this notion that populist, centrist, opportunists are what best represents the Republican party. We’re at a breaking point in the GOP both in Minnesota and nationally. Minnesota conservatives like myself are having to not only convince the State Party that moderation is far from the key to rebounding from the 2006 elections, but nationally there is a leadership vacuum that the opportune McCain seems all to willing to fill, despite his shortfalls in the area.

Unfortunately Pawlenty has decided to take yet another position that many many in his own party will be praying he fails on, to push McCain upon us and tell us to like it. In fact, there will be very many powerful people with in the Republican party, and in the market place for ideas, fighting against Pawlenty/McCain on this latest mission. I worry it will be the final straw with the varying conservative wings of the MNGOP, and Pawlenty will be damaged goods for Minnesota legislative negotiations.

Time will tell just how big a mistake this will be for Pawlenty, but I am far too worried that he is taking the conservatives for granted, again.

Is Andy the voice of Minnesota Conservatives?  He seems to be the voice of Conservative bloggers, that's for sure.  According to a recent presidential poll on GOP Bloggers, John McCain came in at -23%.

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day

From Norwegianty, a memory of King and his opposition to the Vietnam War.  The Wege states

Dr. King's day is about more than NBA matinee games. This is a day dedicated to peace and civil rights. Both were of equal importance to Dr. King, who would have much to say if he were alive today. Fortunately, his words about Vietnam are eerily prescient and apply to our situation today all too well.

Dr. King's speech can be found at the link above.

In that light,  Mercury Woman points out that the words coming out of Democratic Presidential candidate sound very familiar.

But it isn't just progressives who are discussing the legacy of Dr. King today.  Conservative columnist Katherine Kersten takes a moment to use King's memory to speak against affirmative action and for Biblically-based laws.  Kennedy  v the Machine agrees, linking to a piece that states:

Were he alive today, I believe he would be in the vanguard of the pro-life movement. I also believe that he would be horrified at the way in which out-of-control courts have trampled on the moral truths he advocated.

From the time of Emperor Nero, who declared Christianity illegal, to the days of the American slave trade, from the civil rights struggle of the sixties to our current battles against abortion, euthanasia, cloning, and same-sex “marriage,” Christians have always maintained exactly what King maintained.

Meanwhile, Blog of the Moderate Left links to a source that debunks these conservative claims.

Contrary to Colson's hypothesis that King would be "in the vanguard of the pro-life movement" today, King was presented in 1966 with the Margaret Sanger Award by Planned Parenthood. In his acceptance speech, "Family Planning -- A Special And Urgent Concern," King declared, "Our sure beginning in the struggle for equality by nonviolent direct action may not have been so resolute without the tradition established by Margaret Sanger and people like her." Sanger was a leading advocate of women's access to birth control in the first half of the 20th century.

While conservatives such as Colson rail against homosexuality and same-sex marriage -- in a January 6 BreakPoint commentary, Colson called same-sex marriage "inherently wrong" and claimed that it "could lead to things that are even worse," such as legalization of bestiality -- one of King's closest associates, Bayard Rustin, was an openly gay man. Rustin was the organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, which King highlighted with his now-famous "I Have A Dream" speech. Homophobia is listed among the "Triple Evils" by the King Center, which was established in 1968 by King's widow, Coretta Scott King, as "the official, living memorial dedicated to the advancement of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." Coretta Scott King has spoken in support of same-sex marriage.

Oh Voxy, You're So Foxy

Made the mistake of listening to NARN while we were out doing errands today, and got to hear Vox Day. Besides his reminder that he's actually more intelligent than us regular folk, which is why we don't understand his brilliance, he went on a nice little tear about feminists, while talking about Pandagon and other women who "don't understand him," stating they've,

...been so indoctrinated by their 16 or 18 years of schooling that their heads explode if you even suggest something like 'maybe giving the vote to women was a bad idea.' They can't even consider it...

It would be funnier if it weren't so sad.

Edited to Add: here is a link to their podcast, with the feminist bit starting at 38:13, so you don't have to listen to the rest of the crazy. And to say I had the quote slightly wrong, but not bad considering how long I had to wait to write it down...

The Kline & Bachmann Record 4

Minnesota's two right-wing extremists, again voted in the minority today on House Resolution 3. HR 3 is intended support stem cell research which shows promise to cure a host of diseases and other injuries.

Kline & Bachmann had a little more cover for their right wing agenda this time around, with the Minnesota congressional delegation evenly split 4-4. Voting in favor of this potentially life saving research were Democrats Walz, McCollum and Ellison as well as Republican Ramstad. Opposed were Republicans Kline and Bachmann as well as Democrats Peterson and Oberstar. The Resolution passed soundly, but approximately 35 votes short of the number needed to override the expected veto from Pres. Bush.

The day ended on an up note for Kline & Bachmann, however, as the House finally got to say "Aye" for the first time this session-approving a resolution mourning the passing of former President Ford. That vote was unanimous.

DNC to be held in Denver

Rocky Mountain High

Is it too soon to book my room at the Magnolia? I loved that place. It had lots of pillows on the bed.

Minnesota Voices, Minnesota Reactions

Minnesota Monitor series here, with links to reactions from the Libertarian Party, Peace Activists, Muslim Community, Conservative Bloggers, and even Al Franken.

The Kline & Bachmann Record 3

The hits just keep on coming.

In today's session a bipartisan coalition of Democrats and more than 40% of House Republicans voted to increase the minimum wage for the first time in a decade and provide some relief for working class families.

6 out of 8 of Minnesota's congressional delegation voted to support working class families.

Do I need to add that John Kline and Michele Bachmann voted against the increase?

To recap, John Kline and Michele Bachmann are:

Against improving national security.
Against lobbying and ethics reform.
Against battling the budget deficit.
Against improving the lives of the working class.

The Urge to Surge

We'll be having reaction to the speech in the Minnesota Voices series at Minnesota Monitor later this evening.

Best Job in the Whole World

My nomination for the BEST JOB in the world goes to: Head of PR for Apple.

Seriously, what does this person do but sit around and cash checks?

Every Apple product launch is exactly the same:

1. Apple announces a new product is being considered.

2. Otherwise reasonable people spend massive amounts of time thinking about, dreaming about and writing about the product before any details are known, generating massive free hype.

3. Apple actually unveils the product (or at least a prototype)

4. Every member of the media, in a rush to appear "cool" and "hip", immediately fall all over themselves to praise it.

Not just in middle of the Business/Tech section stories or new product capsule reviews, either, but often in front page-above-the-fold stories or full segments on the evening news filled with breathless over-wrought praise. Just in compiling the links above I came across descriptions such as "magical", "revolutionary", "exciting", "reinvents the phone", etc...

Get a grip, people. It doesn't cure cancer or bring about world peace.

It's a phone that also plays music. It's not even the first such device.

Yes, it makes some incremental improvements on those others. Yes, it has the trademark Apple style. It also costs hundreds of dollars more than non-Apple branded rivals.

I've never understood the Cult of Apple, but they are darn reliable. If I wanted to, I could put this entire entry into Autotext and use it practically verbatim next year and no one would know.

Unless next year's invention is the "iCureForCancer". I promise not to bemoan the coverage of that.

Hotdish Wednesday: Votes, Surge, and the Dangers of the Hill

We're less than nine hours from President Bush's troop escalation speech, and it seems every one is paying attention. 

Or not.

Tild notes that gas prices have dropped to below $2 a gallon, and decided to check the last time they went so low.  The result may not surprise you.

We intend to fully cover tonights speech here at Minnesota Monitor, which may be a good thing.  According to Norwegianity, the online Star Tribune poll shows less than 25% of people responding think they will watch the coverage.  Those appear to be the early results, though, as we are now up to nearly a third planning to view it.

The first votes are in, and the liberal blogosphere is reacting to Representatives Bachmann (MN 6) and Kline (MN2)'s voting down of the pay as you go system and 9/11 Commission enactments.  In the conservative blogs, Republican consultant Michael Brodkorb is implementing his "Walz Watch Vote Tracker."

Finally, it seems in some cases winning the election was easier than getting around Capital Hill.  According to the Star Tribune, Minnesota's newest senator was cut off by an SUV while she was crossing the street.  And Congressman Keith Ellison found it difficult to get in the capital at all.  Thank goodness for the Congressional Blackberry!

Understatement

From the Note:

Charlie Cook, independent political analyst from the Cook Political Report: "The danger for the President is that the country has stopped listening to him on Iraq. This is a very, very hard sell."

The Bachmann & Kline Record

(Part 2 in the continuing series)

In accordance with the wishes of the country for increased security, and with broad bi-partisn support (more than 1/3 of House Republicans voted for it), the House yesterday passed a bill implementing many of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations.

House passes antiterror bill patterned on recommendations of 9/11 panel

WASHINGTON - House Democrats, delivering on a major campaign promise, used their new majority Tuesday to push through a bill that would write into law several remaining recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission.

The measure includes more than a dozen initiatives such as tightening cargo security and distributing anti-terrorism grants based more on risk than on a political formula.

As with the previous votes for fiscal responsibility and lobbying reform, this smart addition to national law was supported by 6 out of 8 members of the Minnesota Congressional delegation.

Who voted against it? Michele Bachmann and John Kline.

Against improving national security.
Against lobbying and ethics reform.
Against battling the budget deficit.

I'm starting to wonder what Bachmann and Kline support.

UPDATE: Over at mnpACT!, Christopher Truscott has some similar thoughts.

It's a Miracle!

And just in time to for the McCain/Bush Surge!

800,000 Privileged Youths Enlist To Fight In Iraq

WASHINGTON, DC—Citing a desire to finally make a difference in Iraq, in the past two weeks, more than 800,000 young people from upper-middle- and upper-class families have put aside their education, careers, and physical well-being to enlist in the military, new data from the Department Of Defense shows.

Go Figure

Quiverfull is a largely American movement

In the video, the only person who doesn't seem thrilled is the wife. I bet she uses the toothache excuse a lot...

Btw, I wonder if these kids know daddy isn't planning to send them to college? Especially not the girls.

"I think a woman's highest calling is motherhood."

(Hat tip Feministing)

The Bachmann & Kline Record

(Part 1 in what will undoubtedly be a continuing series)

The 2007 legislative session is barely underway, and already Representatives Michele Bachmann and John Kline have shown themselves to be out of touch with Minnesota on one critical vote after another.

Bachmann & Kline, alone among the Minnesota delegation, support the President's "surge" in Iraq. Do I need to add that almost nobody-from the top Pentagon brass to the average man on the street-thinks this is a good idea? Free advice to everyone in congress-when even Norm Coleman jumps off the bandwagon, it's probably time to stop beating the drum and listen.

What's more curious though is that both Bachmann and Kline also voted against lobbying reform and pay-as-you-go legislation. It's hard to see this vote as anything more than pig headed partisanship. Reducing the influence of lobbyists in Washington has long been a goal of both parties so why oppose a real substantial step in that direction? And opposition to pay as you go rules? Bachmann and Kline both ran as fiscal conservatives and they're now opposed to PAYGO? Somebody explain to me how that makes sense.

Now you know. These two hyper-partisans of the far right will vote their party line without regard to the needs or desires of their constituents or even common sense.

In Memorium, Momofuku Ando

I don't want to step on Corey Anderson's turf or anything, but I have to take a moment to note the passing of Momofuku Ando. His invention has sustained the lives of many college students, artists and other people of limited means for more than 50 years. I myself was nourished by his genius for more years than I care to mention. The people of Japan even voted his invention as the greatest Japanese product of the 20th century. I for one will not disagree.

So, Momofuku Ando, inventor of the Ramen Noodle, I salute you!



rew adds: Creepy, since we bought two packages Saturday for old times sake. Shall we boil it and pour some for the homeys? Can I even pull off that statement?

Pony Up, Y'all

Glen calls the shots:

As a result, it is now morally indefensible for those who are physically able to do so to advocate a "surge," or even ongoing war in Iraq, without either volunteering to fight or offering a good reason why they are not doing so. One of the war's key architects is sending out a desperate plea for volunteers in order to enable the U.S. to achieve "Victory" in Iraq. How can those who believe in the premise and cheer it on -- all the while depicting themselves as strong and resolute -- possibly justify not taking the necessary action to enable the U.S. to "win"?

You know who you are. It's been pretty obvious for a while that you have no intention of joining, so let us at least hear your great excuses...

ps: I'm pretty sure Glen called you chickens.

A "coward" is someone who (a) fails to fight (b) in a war they consider to be necessary and just (c) notwithstanding their country's need for more fighters and (d) in the absence of a unique and compelling excuse for doing so.

Presidential 08 gossip from the Note

here:

2008: Democrats:
The Wall Street Journal's Wirey John Harwood reports that abortion-rights activist Kate Michelman is expected to endorse John Edwards, aides expect Clinton to signal her candidacy this month, some Democratic operatives question a "dearth" of black campaign professionals on HRC's team, and Obama is not making commitments on candidacy to those interviewing for staff jobs.

2008: Democrats: Clinton:
The New York Post DC Buzz column writes up the activities on Capitol Hill yesterday, making special Note of Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) reception and that, "The Clintons slowly worked the room - separately."

Maggie Haberman of the New York Post reports that Sen. Clinton dodged a question on NY1 News about Sen. Barack Obama's (D-IL) experience.

Looking at the Clinton bit, herein is the real reason why I think a Hillary Clinton campaign would be a disaster: the press making a big deal about the most natural of moves to make it sound like there's an issue with the Clinton's marriage.

It's working a room - you do it separately to cover more people. It's a pretty simple standard event, and I'm positive most male candidates do it as well. However, had they been working the room together, you could guarantee that someone would have written a comment about how one seemed to be "hovering" or in some other way watching the other in a way that proves that there was some sort of mistrust between the two.

Is it a sexist approach to a female candidate, or exclusively an issue for the Clintons? I'm not sure. But it's there, and as the campaign continues it is only going to get worse.

Revolutionary!

from Jambo

A recent CBS News poll:

BUSH'S JOB APPROVAL RATING:

Approve: 30

Disapprove: 63

Anyone who remembers their high school history will recall that in 1776 roughly a third of colonists wanted to remain part of England, a third wanted independence, and a third were neutral. So not only is Bush among the least popular presidents in history, he is actually even less popular than George III at the time of the revolution. More people wanted Red Coats in their home town than currently want W in the White House. Can't we at least tar and feather the guy and send him off to live in Tony Blair's garage?

Brain trust

heh

Behind the scenes at the Center for the American Experiment

Charlie goes where I was too cheap to tread.

I look forward to the wonk-y part 2.

Bah HA!

Tom Delay on the First 100 Days:

Unquestionably, this is one of the worst abuses of power I have ever witnessed – greater even than 1988 when Speaker Wright tried rolling two legislative days into one. At least that wasn’t 100 hours long.

Viva Pinata

This Friday funny comic strip is for Bruce from DL:


[click to enlarge]
For all five or ten of you out there who don't instantly recognize the style, it's the work of the incomparable Penny-Arcade.

I Guess The Love Is Gone

One post, which sat there inert for a couple of months, and then nothing. They don't call. They don't write. And now, it's official, the love is gone.



That's what you get for electing Tim Walz!

Drinking Liberally Back Tonight

We'll be back and raring to go at the 331 tonight, 6-9. Come drop in and drink!

Who was behind the South Dakota Abortion Ban?

In case you don't remember, it was all one donor who sponsored the money for it, and it looks like some time soon we may find out who it was.

South Dakota Attorney General Larry Long (R) recently filed a civil complaint that asks a judge to decide whether state Rep. Roger Hunt (R) should be required to identify the person who gave $750,000 to Hunt's corporation, Promising Future, which contributed to a campaign fund to uphold a sate law (HB 1215) that would have banned abortion in the state except to save a woman's life, the AP/Yankton Press & Dakotan reports (AP/Yankton Press & Dakotan, 1/3). The South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families successfully blocked the July 1, 2006, enactment of the law by gathering enough signatures to put the issue on the November 2006 ballot, and state voters last November rejected the measure by a 55% to 45% margin (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 11/8/06). According to the Press & Dakotan, Hunt in September 2006 established Promising Future, and the corporation later made three separate contributions of $250,000 each to VoteYesForLife.com, which campaigned to uphold the ban. Under South Dakota law, a ballot question committee consists of two or more people who raise money to influence a ballot issue, and Long is asking a judge on the Minnehaha County Circuit Court to decide whether Promising Future meets the definition of such a committee. "The real purpose of the corporation's creation was to provide a corporate shell by which the sole shareholder could make anonymous contributions to ballot question committees that supported the passage" of the ban, Long's filing said. Hunt questioned whether a corporation should be defined as a ballot question committee, adding, "A corporation basically, in many cases in our state laws and case law, is held to be one person." A court date for the case has not been set (AP/Yankton Press & Dakotan, 1/3). South Dakota state Rep. Dale Hargens (D) on Thursday called on state Legislature to discuss whether to remove Hunt's right to serve in the 2007 state legislative session for refusing to disclose the identity of the person who contributed to Promising Future, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports. Hargens on Friday said, "It looks like there's no way I can stop him from being seated" but added that Hunt should be censured in some way. Hunt has said he followed campaign finance laws. Secretary of State Chris Nelson (R) has said he is working on a bill that would constrict campaign-spending laws (Woster, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 12/30/06).

Michael Brodkorb Ashamed of Katherine Kersten

In the spirit of bipartisanship, Brodkorb has attributed a conservative columnist's words as the voice of the liberal Star Tribune itself.

Why are you saying Star Tribune and not Katherine Kersten, Michael? Are you ashamed of your conservative sweetheart?

This is messed up

via Evil Bobby, this story is seriously wrong. And then they wonder why we think conservatives are nuts.

A radio talk-show entertainer whose earlier statements that he "may" have to assassinate members of Congress if the wrong people were elected Nov. 7 now has set a timetable for those killings.

In a statement on his website, Hal Turner noted that a newspaper has reported that a bill granting amnesty to illegal aliens is expected to be enacted in January, when the Democratic Party takes control of the U.S. Senate and House.

"ANY MEMBER OF CONGRESS WHO INTRODUCES, CO-SPONSORS OR VOTES IN FAVOR OF ANY SUCH AMNESTY WILL BE DECLARED A DOMESTIC ENEMY AND WILL BE CONSIDERED A LEGITIMATE TARGET FOR ASSASSINATION," Turner posted on his website.

Quote of the Day

I know it's early, but I can already call it...

I expect the homosexual lobby to be a significant threat to our freedoms during the next two years. I expect hate crimes bills to be introduced very soon - bills that will be used to criminalize criticism of homosexual conduct! I already see an orchestrated effort in the mainstream media by homosexuals to overturn the military's ban on open homosexuals serving in the Armed Forces.

We're in for a rough two years under these radical liberals.

From this email

Help Us Stop Nancy Pelosi From Assaulting Free Speech

Dear TVC Supporter:

San Francisco radical Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D) has just become Speaker of the House and has begun her tyrannical reign with an aggressive plan to muzzle conservative groups like Traditional Values Coalition! It is expected that she will bring up lobbying legislation in the first 100 hours of Democrat rule - and your help is needed immediately.

Despite her promise to bring bipartisanship into Congress, she is beginning her rule of the House of Representatives by attacking the First Amendment right of conservative groups to freely lobby Members of Congress. Her plan is part of the Democrats' "lobby reform" legislation that she hopes can be rammed through Congress within a few weeks!

Rep. Pelosi, a pro-abortion, pro-homosexual, anti-military legislator, is working with the leftist Public Citizen group to craft a bill that specifically targets conservative groups—but leaves labor unions, corporations, and even foreign interests—to freely lobby Congress.

The legislation will be a serious violation of the Constitution by undermining free speech and placing incredible time and financial burdens on grassroots organizations. This will infringe upon the right of the people to petition their government!

In an attempt to shut down grassroots organizations from making their voice heard, this draconian legislation will require all groups that communicate with the grassroots, with as few as 500 supporters, to fill out onerous government reporting forms to Congress.

It would require these groups to detail the organization's expenditures, the issues focused on and the members of Congress and other federal officials who are targeted for lobbying. A separate report is required for each policy issue that the group is advocating.

Her bill would impose severe civil and potentially criminal penalties against groups that fail to register, report or omit some required information in their reports.

Obviously, this legislation is a thinly veiled effort to hamstring primarily conservative groups. Why? Because it cleverly exempts trade unions and corporations from reporting when communicating with their members

Public Citizen has bragged that it's helping Pelosi craft this legislation. It's modeled after her 2006 bill, H.R. 4682.

If this Public Citizen/Pelosi legislation is passed, it will be a serious threat to freedom of speech and the right of citizens to lobbying their representatives and senators—yet will protect corporations and labor unions.

First Amendment lawyer William J. Olson, a co-counsel for the Free Speech Coalition has said of the Public Citizen/Pelosi bill: "...their bill would require real citizen associations to essentially obtain Congress's consent to communicate about important policy matters that impact them. It's not just the imbalance that's wrong; it's a frontal attack on the First Amendment and political speech!"

Olson is right on target—and that's why I'm calling upon you to help us defeat this dangerous legislation—and to expose the radical leftist network of organizations working together with Pelosi to undermine the democratic process!

This bill is a key priority of Pelosi and her far left allies in the House and Senate.

I am outraged at this blatant attempt by Pelosi and Public Citizen to punish grassroots organizations like Traditional Values Coalition that encourage individuals like yourself to contact your legislators about pending bills.

If this legislation passes and is signed into law by President Bush, it will increase our financial burden and force our overworked staff to spend endless hours filling out government forms that can eventually be used to punish us—if we make a mistake in the paperwork!

Pelosi and Public Citizen's bill also targets public relations groups that are hired by small lobbying organizations to do their direct marketing and public relations work! It would apply to any PR person or organization retained to communicate to the general public if it spends at least $50,000 in any three months of the year. These PR firms would face potential fines even though they do no lobbying of their own!

Although this legislation may deal with lobby reform, it provides large loopholes for wealthy Washington insiders. This attack on our First Amendment rights and political speech must be defeated!

This cannot stand! With your help, we'll make sure this grassroots lobbying section of the legislation dies a quick death in Congress!

Will you help us defeat this legislation and Pelosi's San Francisco values in Congress?

If we can't get good legislation passed during the next two years, we can at least STOP bad legislation from being passed or vetoed!

I expect the homosexual lobby to be a significant threat to our freedoms during the next two years. I expect hate crimes bills to be introduced very soon—bills that will be used to criminalize criticism of homosexual conduct! I already see an orchestrated effort in the mainstream media by homosexuals to overturn the military’s ban on open homosexuals serving in the Armed Forces.

We're in for a rough two years under these radical liberals.

Please stand with us and commit your time, talents, prayers, and finances to defending traditional values from far left secularists in Congress.

Pelosi and her ilk will move fast to undermine any legislative/policy gains we have made in Congress over the last decade. We must be prepared to block them at every turn! Our staff is committed to digging in and doing the work that needs to be done – but can only do it with your help!

Traditional Values Coalition is determined to do whatever is within the law to slow down and defeat this liberal juggernaut.

Take time today to email a letter to your U.S. Representative and two U.S. Senators.

Or, better yet, call them at 202-224-3121! Ask them to vote AGAINST any Pelosi legislation that targets grassroots organizations.

Your Voice at the Capitol,

Rev. Louis P. Sheldon
Chairman
Traditional Values Coalition

P.S. -- If you don't subscribe to our weekly email, access our web site and sign up today. Don't miss our fact-filled email and action items!

P.P.S. -- You can also donate to TVC online here: TVC Pledge Form.

Aww, how cute...

Mitch decides to insult us. He swings...and he misses:

The Thomas Dewey Trophy for Atrocious Prediction: In 1948, the Chicago Tribune's early edition called the election, in four-foot-high letters, for Dewey. Truman, of course, ended up winning.

[snip]

In that spirit, we honor "Powerliberal", another prominent local left-leaning rent-a-blog, which called the Sixth District election for Wetterling - on October 6. Based on the Minnesota Poll - which always calls every election for the DFL/Democrats. Apparently some Democrat bloggers haven't gotten the word…

(The link is to a post by REW having some fun with CNN for misidentifying Wetterling as the incumbent. It makes no predictions of any kind, nor does it in any way mention the Minnesota Poll.)

You'd think Mitch could have at least gone through all the trouble of typing "wetterling" into the "Search" box at the top of the page. Had he done so, he would have found my predictions post from a month later when I actually did call the race for Wetterling, although at that time the polling was decidedly against her (which is why I called it an "upset")...but why let the facts ruin his jokes? It's not like they inform his opinions.

REW adds: what, now I run CNN, too? Is there no liberal media outlet beyond my grasp? Mwah ha ha ha HA!!

The Axis of Soros

Blog of the Moderate Left reveals the truth behind the conspiracy...and the brave men and women trying to stop it!

HAVE THE DEMOCRATS GONE TOO FAR?!!??!?!?!?!?!?!???!?

We knew the media wasn't going to give the new Democratic majority much of a break, but this is utterly ridiculous. They haven't even been sworn in yet and already the breathless (and baseless) smearing has begun.

Take this headline from today's Strib:

Democrats plan to renege and push GOP to sidelines in the House

Of course, if you read the article it's about no such thing. What is this dastardly secret plan to sideline the minority party? Why that would be their intention "to pass a raft of popular measures as part of their well-publicized plan for the first 100 hours". You know, that detailed plan they campaigned on and the voters elected them to do.

The horror. They're doing what they told the voters and that the voters elected them to do.

And why might they not want to include the Republicans in this first 100 hours?

House Republicans have begun to complain that Democrats are backing away from their promise to work cooperatively. They are working on their own strategy for the first 100 hours, and part of it is built on the idea that they might be able to break the Democrats' slender majority by wooing away some conservative Democrats.

So, the minority party doesn't want to help craft better legislation or work in a bi-partisan manner, they just want to act like spoiled brats who have been reprimanded: whine, stamp their feet and dig in their heels.

I guarantee that in the second 100 hours of this congress there will be more bi-partisanship than the whole 12 years the GOP controlled the agenda. I just hope the GOP grows up by then, or this is going to be a long two years until we can produce a solid majority.

10 Worst Bloggers in Minnesota, 2006

Everyone and their mothers are making 10 lists as some sort of New Years homework assignment. Well, I'm cranky tonight, I have a headache, and I've been spending so much time on the other site that we're down to about 6 visitors a day. So since no one will ever see it, here's my list of 10 worst bloggers in Minnesota. This list is the work of me alone and not smartie, unless you are on the list and coming for payback in which case he wrote the whole damn thing.

10. That dude who wrote "Blog For Bell." He was just as long-winded as Norwegianity but without any of the fun profanity. He sucked.

9. Anyone who writes for Anti-Strib. I wish whoever is turning on the computer for you would stop it already.

8. Trillin. Remember him? "Hey, they're coming after me so I'm giving up blogging. No wait, I'm back. No, I'm gone again. No, wait, I'm doing a blog with Brodkorb."

7. Whoever was DFL Governor, for making me think Trillin came back again.

6.Republican Minnesota. And, if you are who I think you are, I want to drop you down to #2.

5.New Patriots. You jerks barely post and it's uterly sporadic. Yet you've still got 10 times my traffic. Jerks.

4. Carnivore. You're new and you annoy me. Get over it. It's just a gun.

3. Katherine Kersten, but I blame the Star Tribune more than I blame her. I would like to point out that less than 2 years after she started working for the paper the owners decided to sell it. You do the math.

2. David Strom. Do you really need two blogs? You're already on the radio too much. And yes, my hand is broken and I can't change the dial, thank you very much.

1. Andy Aplikowski.

2007 Legislative Preview: Pro-Choice Legislation

2006 saw Women's Choice issues hold steady in the face of continued onslaught, but with such a drastic change in the makeup of the Minnesota legislature what can we expect in 2007?

Governor Pawlenty's focus on bipartisanship and tack to the center combined with the nearly 2 to 1 ratio of DFL to Republican representatives provides an opportunity to continue to promote cross-aisle legislation like the Positive Alternatives Act, a 2005 bill that helps provide financial and emotional help for pregnant women through their first year of motherhood. Although Minnesota should continue to focus on ways to support women who proceed with their "unanticipated or unintended pregnancy," the state also needs to provide assistance in stopping unintended pregnancy in the first place as well as provide options for women who cannot continue their pregnancies.

The first law that needs to be revisited is the 24 hour waiting period for women who have chosen to terminate their pregnancies. Working women and women without access to local clinics are forced to make the procedure a two day ordeal. For women who are choosing to terminate a pregnancy due to not being able to care for a child financially, Minnesota government is adding the expense of being away from home or missing time from work, adding yet another burden on lower income women who are meant to be protected by having abortion legal and accessible in the first place.

Numerous anti-choice bills have been carried over from the previous session, many of them regarding gag rules denying funding to any group that mentions abortion as an alternative. For many low income women, Planned Parenthoods across the state are the easiest access for contraception, and the more funding these clinics, many of whom do not provide abortions, receive, the less unwanted pregnancies that will occur.

For more information on recent pro-choice and anti-choice legislation, go here. If you are interested in learning more about possible pro-choice legislation for 2007, Planned Parenthood is hosting a 2007 Legislative Preview Session on Thursday, January 11th from 7-8 pm at the Uptown Clinic.

Amazingly Easy 2007 Prediction

Here is my amazingly easy prediction for 2007:

The Democrats, newly in control of Congress, will work to pass an increase in the minimum wage. Republicans will attempt to block the increase with dire threats of runaway inflation, massive layoffs and various other economic catastrophes.

The bill will pass anyway.

None of those bad things will happen.

The economic prospects of a large number of Americans will improve, either directly or through upward pressure upon middling wages.

Bonus prediction: The next time congress attempts to raise the minimum wage, Republicans will trot out all those same doom and gloom predictions. They won't be any more true then.

Romney

Mitt Romeny is going to be filing his presidential paperwork this week. Looks like he may have some issues with his conservative base right off the bat:

"Since even the court admitted that the marriage statute excludes homosexual 'marriages' and the statute remains law, Mitt Romney did what he did on his own. Neither governors nor courts – neither being law-makers – have legal authority to convey to illegal homosexual marriages licenses," he said.

He said it's exactly the opposite in the more recent decision from that court. "What the Massachusetts high court has not reminded anyone of – and what no prominent conservative dares even think aloud, is that the state constitution does prescribe recourse, and it is the filing of felony charges against the outlaw legislators. Violating an oath to uphold the Massachusetts Constitution is subject to the penalties of perjury: up to 20 years in state penitentiary. This the plain meaning of the oath itself, which is found … in the state constitution."

"How's a governor to bring this up, when he, 'Matinee' Mitt Romney, no less than anyone, is subverting the Constitution day by day, having ordered public officials to solemnize sodomy marriages though they remain illegal," Haskins told WND. "On Mitt Romney's order alone, town clerks and justices of the peace are compelled to violate the Constitution they swore to uphold and the statute – which remains among the Massachusetts General Laws."