Does the good Reverend Ibisch have a new call?
On March 19, we noted at the bottom of our news digest that that compulsive anti-Dem letter writer Paul Ibisch had called Tim Walz out for printing too much money and manipulating oil prices. The letter that appeared in Wednesday's Winona Daily News began:
Walz is really hurting us
By Paul Ibisch, La Crescent, Minn.
In his recent oversized pamphlet, which you and I paid for, Rep. Tim Walz tells us he “Targeted Tax Relief to Help Minnesota Families.
In this morning's Mankato Free Press, the same letter from Ibisch begins:
Your View: Walz failed Minnesota families
By Paul Ibisch, MapletonIn his recent oversized pamphlet (that you and I paid for), Rep. Tim Walz tells us he “targeted tax relief to help Minnesota families.”
Now, we don't take exception to a letter appearing in more than one venue--we see this practice used by members of both parties, though some editors frown on it as they seek original material. And at least the letter and the name of the letter writer are the same; written in Ibisch's distinctive style, this isn't astroturf.
There's a rather different turf issue here. Ibisch's letter is remarkable for its floating address.
That Ibisch lived during the same week both in LaCrescent on the banks of the mighty Mississippi down in apple-cheeked Houston County (where he is deputy-chair of the Republican Party and pastor of the First Lutheran Evangelical Church--WELS) and Mapleton, the curling capital of Minnesota nestled on the banks of the placid Maple River in Blue Earth County, is indeed a heroic feat.
That's 158 miles of travel each way, as the Google map flies.
Perhaps Paul was visiting MSUM student and College Republican activist Tim Ibisch (his son, we believe). Maybe WELS is reviving the tradition of circuit riding preachers. Or perhaps the elder Ibisch is moving in with his son to keep an eye on the lad at formal occasions.
We suppose it's possible to have two addresses and therefore not be trying to mislead the editors and readers of either paper. Certainly, no man of the cloth would ever intentionally try to do such a thing.
Nice work Ollie! A heroic feat indeed!
Posted by: Hal | March 22, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Reading the Pastor’s MFP letter, I missed the part where Congressman Walz was named Emperor or at least President. The Pastor blames Walz without acknowledging that Bush and the Republicans have refused PAYGO rules that would have affected budget balancing.
I don’t know how long the Pastor has lived in the District ( … in either location … maybe he’s a traveling preacher?) but he may be interested to know that Gil Gutknecht sent out 174,770 pieces of franked mail in 2005. It would be interesting to know if Gutknecht “returned” any unused Member’s Representational Allowance to the US Treasury.
I would suggest that the Pastor read Jack Geller’s MY VIEW piece in today’s MFP. Geller provides an interesting evaluation of Minnesota’s state government … Geller’s thought process could be applied to the Federal government.
Naturally, I am glad that the Pastor is concerned about fiscal matters … when so many other religious leaders seem only to be concerned with abortion and same-sex marriage issues. While others like the Southern Baptist who have decided to back a declaration calling for more action on climate change and the Catholic Church is being involved in immigration issues. Now, we just must get the Pastor to become non-partisian and recognize that Jesus promised blessing to peacemakers. Does the Pastor think our spending on Iraq is promoting peace? Ibisch states “Walz seems to think he can make businesses pay for his spending.” Singling out business is inaccurate … individuals pay taxes also … and if Ibisch supports John McCain he is actually supporting lowering corporate taxes which has no impact on individual taxpayers. Ibisch fails to mention that the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 also includes tax incentives for business. But in reality, the stimulus package is just borrowing from future generations.
When I go to church on Easter Sunday, I will pray that the Pastor gets some divine guidance.
Posted by: MinnesotaCentral | March 22, 2008 at 02:18 PM
A non-political comment. Mapleton is not "nestled on the banks" of any river. The Maple River does run by a few miles to the south, but that is not what the writer says.
Ollie Ox: Can you tell me where I can buy a tin ear? Or were you born with it?
Posted by: Brand Frentz | March 23, 2008 at 11:37 PM