Almanac: At the Capitol

I am extremely honored to be a co-host for an Al Franken fundraiser next Thursday, June 26th, from 5:30 to 7:00pm. The event will be held at the home of former Minneapolis Library Board of Trustees member Alan Hooker, 4417 Upton Avenue North, in Minneapolis.

The event will be held in a casual north Minneapolis home with refreshments provided. Al will present some short remarks to those gathered, but mostly this is a great oppurtunity for attendees to meet with Al & Franni one-on-one in a relaxed setting, to learn more about this very important campaign, and to mingle with all the illustrious co-hosts (of which yours truly is surely the least interesting).

Complete details after the break.

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The capitulation is officially imminent on FISA and the Democrats are doing their capitulation fancy dancing. Wait until you read about how reasonable the bill is, how much safer we'll be now that His Shrubness has his unfettered wiretapping capabilities and those brave, patriotic and loyal telecoms have been rendered retroactively safe. All is right with the world now ... don't you worry ... nothing to see here ...

They're presenting as a "gift" something you already have, and telling you that you should give up critical protections in exchange for receiving something that you already have -- namely, a requirement that the President comply with eavesdropping laws. What they're doing is tantamount to someone who steals your wallet, takes all the money out, gives the empty wallet back to you, and then tells you that you should be grateful to them because you have your wallet.
(Glenn Greenwald)

Please go and read all of what Glenn Greenwald wrote before you consider what Senators like Amy Klobuchar have to say. It'll likely be pure truthiness.

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Loyal readers may remember that Tim Walz defeated Gil Gutknecht in 2006. This news was widely reported and duly certified by the Minnesota Secretary of State. Thus we are stumped by an article in the Austin Daily Herald, Davis to... Ollie Ox

My daily morning surfing came across this site: The Nobama Network.

Nobama Network is a portal site designed to bring together the Grass Roots Movements in America spawned by outrage over the actions of the DNC disenfranchising voters, reassigning delegates, selecting their illegitimate Nominee and diminishing the most basic factor that makes America great, our right to vote and be heard! We are the Voice of the Voters! Democrats, Republicans, Independents, united we stand!

 

Web site design aside (I can hear Chief's "Sweet merciful crap!" from here), there is an impressive list of DNC, Independent and other party groups who are forming a grassroots network to keep Obama from standing behind a real presidential seal on the podium.

As many conservatives and Republicans may not be down with McCain, it was quite interesting to see how many aren't buying what Obama's selling. One group of note is PUMA PAC, which is organizing for the DNC convention:

Here’s the lesson the DNC and the Obama campaign have taken away from our phenomenally successful efforts in our FIRST 30 days: “Holy smokes, Howard! They’re going to swing this election! What are we going to doooo?!!”

This ever-hardening conviction is the reason the trolls are up in arms. It’s why Obama dragged Hillary to Unity NH for the Clown Show. It’s why the Bots have been furiously trying to shut down blogs, email accounts, and web pages; scurrilously purging and attacking political dissenters like angry, desperate rats. It’s why the less shady and slimy bloggers like Amanda Marcotte and Huffington Post have launched a personal humiliation and ridicule campaign against people like Riverdaughter, Will Bower, Diane Montavoulos, Paula Abeles, and me.

In the next month we have the opportunity for thousands more to join us. As tensions and hopes rise in the run-up to the August convention there will be confusion, anger, and a growing will to ACTION in the hearts of millions of Democrats around the country who are astonished at how cynically, hypocritically, and flat-out cravenly the DNC and the Obama campaign have tried to play us.

Race-baiting? Check. Class-warfare? Check. Voter suppression? Check. Sexism and misogyny? Check. Voting irregularities? Check. Back room deals? Check. Pandering and purging? Check. Disenfranchisement? Check.

The RNC convention may have nothing on the DNC's this year. Stock up on yer popcorn.

A few minutes ago, I was hard at work reading the cases cited by Justice Souter in his dissent in Rosenberger v. UVA (my summer job) when my fiancee, who was watching the Real World with his sister downstairs, started yelling for me.  Ashwin Madia was the subject of a quick segment on MTV.  Its a pretty neat clip actually, check it out.

• MTV
• Music Videos
• MTV Shows
• Entertainment News

(H/T Truscott for the online version)

While I’m writing, I also just want to note how great this idea is.  Also, this idea.  If these events actually happen, what a clear contrast they will set up between Obama and McCain.  It is so refreshing to finally have a Democratic presidential campaign that is not completely inept.

A couple of weeks ago, Ashwin Madia was followed around by a team from MTV -- via Chris Truscott, here's the output of that effort, including a quote I haven't heard before:Then it was off to New York University School of Law before a career decision equally unusual for NYU Law grads and the children of Indian immigrants: the U.S. Marine Corps. He admits it wasn't the easiest decision for his parents to swallow.

"They didn't have much experience with the military," he said. "They had a lot of concerns, but ultimately we worked through them and now they are really happy that I did it." As far as being an Indian-American lawyer in the Marines? That wasn't nearly as much of a problem. "There is only one color in the Marine Corps and it is green. There is dark green, light green and green."
The video player is a bit flaky, but if it stabilizes I'll post that too. Here it is:

I'd heard that MTV had interviewed Ashwin Madia, the DFL endorsed candidate for the MN-03 seat. Here's the vid:

• MTV
• Music Videos
• MTV Shows
• Entertainment News

(h/t Chris Truscott)

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From CNN's Political Ticker:

According to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll, close to 70 percent say that if the signers of the Declaration of Independence could see America today they would be disappointed, while just under 30 percent say the founding founders would be happy with the country 232 years later.

Americans didn't always feel that way - in 2001, 54 percent thought that the signers would be pleased with the state of the country today; now that figure is down to just 29 percent.

This finding really depresses me, and I have to say I disagree. I believe our Founders would be proud of our country. We're not perfect, but we've achieved a lot. This country has been a land of opportunity for generations of immigrants, allowing those who work hard an upward mobility that's historically been hard to come by anywhere else. We've been responsible for countless inventions and discoveries which have improved the quality of life for the entire world. Our Constitution and the Bill of Rights have stood the test of time, and the list of freedoms we have has only expanded over time.

So why are so many people disappointed in our country? I personally believe that 30 years of Reagan/Bush-style politics is responsible. For 30 years now, conservative politicians have been telling us that our government is a failure, and that our society is too just. Then, they've proven that our government is a failure by running it into the ground. They have hammered home the idea that we don't owe our country anything, that our government is the enemy, and that it's every man for himself. After 30 years, it seems to me that Americans have bought into this crippling "me-first" mentality. The results of this survey show me just as clearly that we don't like what we have wrought. It's time for a return to a politics that seeks to achieve the common good.

We're heading out to swim and relax in just a bit. First, the news and netroots. The New Ulm Journal reports that Highway 14 gets federal funds. The story begins: Standing just off U.S. Highway 14 right-of-way in Maplewood Park... Ollie Ox

I’m on the radio today from 3-5 p.m. with King Banaian from SCSU Scholars, but the show airing today was broadcast last weekend. Before you listen to King and me, make sure you listen to the first four hours of the Northern Alliance Radio Network. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. you can hear Power Line’s [...]

We've noticed that whenever Brian Davis opens his mouth to repeat the NRCC's talking points about energy policy, there's a tag line about his work as an engineer in the nuclear power industry, credentials which are meant to lend those... Ollie Ox

Learning from the best schools, whatever we call them
By Joe Nathan

(Originally appeared in St Paul Pioneer Press, July 3, 2008)

All kinds of students - eager, indifferent, bright and bored, suburban, urban and rural, will benefit from careful, nondefensive use of several recent reports about Minnesota's district and charter public schools.

The reports came from Minnesota's Legislative Auditor, the University of Minnesota/Minnesota State College/University System and the Center for School Change, where I work. Here are six lessons:

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Well, if you go by what a handful of plutocrats think, Bush is still a fine president and Norm Coleman should be re-elected:

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What a day!! Busy, exhausting, exhilarating, rewarding. My two youngest boys and I left for St. Peter, the ancestral home, Thursday PM and returned later this afternoon. As you can see in the pic (credit cousin Kyle Krohn), I was guest DM for the Govenaires today! The boys carried side-arm protecting the colors for the Old Fashioned 4th in Petertown, and lugged the Banner in the Apple Valley parade later in the day.

I am looking forward to an early trip to bed to rest up for Breakfast at Wimbledon, but as you can see it is after 11:00 already.

I'll have some more details tomorrow about this fantabulous day.

I hope you are having a safe and leisurely 4th of July weekend.

Happy Birthday US of A !!!

Flashhttp://centrisity.com Being right, even tho you lean Left

Transportation and energy issues dominate today's congressional news in the First. Federal grants that will assist in the improvement of Highway captured much attention. The Waseca County News reports Walz presents Highway 14 grant: Funding for the expansion of Highway... Ollie Ox

Like most graduates of St. Peter High School of a certain age, we took freshman English from William Harvey, or Mr. Harvey as we all called the formally attired bachelor schoolteacher. In his class, we learned about mythology, read "Tale... Ollie Ox

Today is July 4, the day we set aside to remember how lucky we are to live in a nation as free as the USA is. We also remember that we have provided freedom to more people than any other nation on the planet, most recently the 25,000,000 plus Iraqis getting a shot at representative government for the first time, ever.

A perfect example of what America really is took place in Baghdad where 1215 American soldiers reenlisted. You can watch the video here - it's short but play it, listen to the words: "Defend the Constitution of the United States." These soldiers understand that document better than some of our Supreme Court judges.

In addition to playing the video, you might want to read the comments. They tell another, wonderful story.

Our active, all-volunteer military comprises less than .3% of our population yet these men and women are better trained, more responsible, better suited to leadership than a number of our so-called elite college graduates. If I were an employer, I'd hire a vet in a heartbeat - of course, the vet has to leave the military and these guys decided to stay around for another tour.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) just simply cannot keep the truth straight from Republican talking points. In Mankato yesterday Norm repeated the lie about China drilling for oil off the coast of Cuba.

Sen. Norm Coleman, a Minnesota Republican in a tough race against Al Franken, made the claim yesterday when speaking to a local reporter at an event in Mankato, Minnesota. Here's the video made by the Minnesota Dems' tracker, provided to us by a national Democratic source:

"At the same time, we've got to be producing more -- outer continental shelf exploration," Coleman said. "The Chinese are able to begin operating 90 miles from our shore by working for Cubans. American companies should tap into those resources."

The Coleman campaign has not responded to our request for confirmation. The Mankato Free Press published an article yesterday about the event, featuring a photo of Coleman wearing the same outfit and standing next to what looks like the same green tractor -- making it all but certain this video was shot yesterday.
(TPM Election Central)

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We'll have a news round-up in just a bit, but what would the Fourth be like without a look at the Declaration of Independence, a fundamental document not just for our country, but for people who have sought to rule... Ollie Ox

I hope everyone has a safe and happy July 4th. Click here for information on where to watch fireworks in the Twin Cities.  I’ll have more posts later this weekend on Minnesota Democrats Exposed.