We were up late watching a special post-midnight screening of "The Strangers" last night, so we're running a bit late. While most critics are panning the film, our friends agreed with the New York Times review.
We decided that no matter how often she turns down your engagement ring, don't leave Liv Tyler home alone. Oh, and take a firearms safety course.
Not quite as scary, but just as predictable, the Republican Party of Minnesota is convening in Rochester today. The Post-Bulletin posted a video of Tom Coburn's speech last night where he warns of disasters to come in State GOP's keynote speaker warns of fiscal calamity.
This is pretty tame stuff compared to Coburn's famous rant about how silicone breast implants "make you healthier" or the "locked, loaded and loony" hold he put on the Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention bill. The legislation, signed into law by Bush last fall, addresses the heartbreaking rates of suicide among America's veterans.
We're not quite sure how Minnesota's GOP is trying to rebrand itself here, though Rochester's Locust of Evil offered an opinion this morning.
The Star Tribune ponders the fact that Rove is an odd choice for state GOP keynote. We looked at the choice in depth yesterday in Rebranding and remembering: Karl Rove's visit to RPM convention on Saturday.
Meanwhile, CQPolitics picks up the Political clippings from the Fairmont Sentinel about Dick Day's primary bid. Southern Minnesota bloggers Talk the Talk (Albert Lea) and Vox Verax (Mankato) give his new parade vehicle a road test. City driving: 13 MPH. Remember, the GOP candidates are here with solutions to high gas prices.
Congressman Walz was busy with official business this week. The Post Bulletin reports on the announcement of a federal grant in Grant will fund alcohol prevention program in Austin's secondary schools.
In the Marshall Independent, the Editorial for May 29 discussed some of Walz's work with a regional coalition as a member of the transportation committee:
The Marshall group has been working for about 18 months on forming priorities and getting to Washington, and has contracted with a lobbyist and transportation engineer to help carry the issue in the capital. Those connections helped open the doors wider than hoped for in early April, and seem to have given the whole movement huge momentum.
Klobuchar's office is squarely behind a regional coalition, and understands the major needs of rural transportation, Strautz said. The group also met with Walz's office for two reasons — one, Walz is also a member of the House transportation committee and, secondly, if there is congressional redestricting after the 2010 Census, Marshall could become part of Walz's district.
That sounds like Walz and Marty Seifert could be on a collision course or maybe in a combine demolition derby some day.
Earlier in the week, MPR updated the Hedin story in the Farm bill is mixed news for organic growers. Walz sections:
Congressman Tim Walz, D-Mankato, said he struggled to get a provision into the bill called farm flex that allows 34,000 acres of commodity land in Minnesota to be converted into vegetable land without penalties. But Walz said that's only if the vegetables are grown for processing.
"It could have gone further," Walz said. "Why not go the whole way? Well, that's not how it works in the farm bil,l as we've all seen trying to get reform. This was a pretty darn big step.". . .
Polinaut's Tom Scheck sums up the congressional reaction to Franken Playboy story:
Meanwhile, some Democrats are criticizing the leading Democrat in the race for his past. DFL Rep. Betty McCollum criticizes Al Franken over a Playboy article. McCollum was a Mike Ciresi supporter. The criticism by DFL Rep. Tim Walz is more shocking (since Franken did a lot of campaigning for Walz). AP and the Star Tribune have stories.
MinnPost looks at the coverage itself in Franken 'porn' story crosses GOP-DFL barrier.
Photo: A young Republican dresses up for the convention. Swiped from Politics in Minnesota.
MPR had a two hour broadcast from the Convention floor during the 11-1 time slot and then played Norm Coleman's speech from 3-4:20. It was entertaining radio.
There were more than a few Republican activists who are displeased that Karl Rove is speaking. There were also more than a few that were not happy that McCain and Coleman are carrying the Party's banner. In short, the MN-GOP is DysFUNctional ... and it does not appear that anyone is having any FUN.
Brian Davis made a brief appearance. He differentiated himself from Day be stating that Day will support interference in the alternative energy field (in other words mandates). His punch line was that Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats promised to solve the gas problem and since they took over it's soared. (Comment : This storyline is old already ... no one is buying it ... when will they learn?) If Davis' answer is ANWAR, then he needs to confront Coleman and McCain first ... once again, let me say it -- DysFUNctional.
I never heard Day on the radio ... as he may have offered the same speaking podium as Ron Paul ... outside.
Davis said that until the July filing time, there is no primary challenger (since you cannot file until July) and that Gutknecht regularly had primary challengers. Davis tried to sound authoritative but came across as arrogant.
In discussion of the November elections, Tom Horner (Republican commentator) said the district to watch was the First. Walz would have difficulty as a first-time incumbent ... he later said that if there is a statewide wave of Democratic support that John Kline could be in trouble because of changing demographics. Everyone seemed to be focused on the Third (and slightly the Sixth) .... when will the Democrats learn that the real opportunity is with Sarvi in the Second?
Coleman's speech was received with lukewarm approval especially when he suggested green cards for graduating foreign students (stunned silence) and he dared to discuss climate change. He praised McCain for his efforts to eliminate Washington's wasteful spending ... and then proceeded to cite the many projects that he has brought home to Minnesota (aren't those called earmarks? and aren't those the earmarks that McCain cites as Washington's wasteful spending?... once again, let me say it -- DysFUNctional.) Lastly, Coleman praised the American spirit citing Minnesotans Lindberg and Humphrey ... hey wait a second wasn't Humphrey a Democrat ... what about the President whom he voted with 98% of the time in his first year in office ... oh, I guess Coleman forgot about him.
It was obvious, Coleman is running as an independent knowing that even though the Republicans may not like his votes (ANWAR, SCHIP, etc.), he's not Al Franken.
Posted by: McPherson Hall | May 30, 2008 at 10:07 PM