This report from Iraq brings a host of good news. And one part of it will hopefully be the bucket of cold water to Americans and members of Congress who think we can’t risk winning in Iraq.

And an intelligence-driven raid early Sunday netted what the U.S. military said were 15 rogue members of the Mahdi Army militia at an undisclosed Baghdad location.

The mainstream of the militia, the armed wing of anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s organization, has been ordered by the religious leader to stop attacks on U.S. and Iraqi forces.

But many one-time members of the group have split off and are acting independent of al-Sadr’s control. Some have gone to Iran for training and are receiving weapons and financing from the Islamic regime in Tehran.

It is time to get serious in the war on terror, our enemy has, and so have their supporters. Now it is time for our lawmakers of both parties to once agains how they care about defending America more than their our political careers.

It is time to stop the triangulating based on reelections, and time to start winning this global war against terror.

Well, RT Rybak’s little plan to have some grand day of the Pyramid Scheme, Big 10 Network Day, is simply exposing more of the power and money grab that the U is after.

(WCCO) It’s Big Ten Network Day in Minneapolis. Mayor R.T. Rybak made that official declaration today. The trouble is, the Big Ten Network can’t be seen by any Comcast Cable customers. That covers most of the Twin Cities area.

Now the two sides are working to get the public on their side. It was supposed to be a day of celebration for unprecedented access to gopher sports. But it seems even the mayor didn’t want to become embroiled in the battle to televise big ten Sports in Minnesota.

Didn’t want to get involved? Didn’t want to get involved? And pigs can fly. The entire Big 10 Network Day idea by Rybak is Rybak getting involved, and trying to use his power to affect the outcome of the debate.

Since before the Big Ten network launched, negotiations were underway to broadcast Gopher sports on Comcast cable’s basic service, but four games into the season, still no deal.

“We would hope all our fans would have access to seeing us every week . It’s not the case we’re disappointed but we realize we’re committed to this relationship and hopefully this will be satisfied,” said Maturi.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that ‘fans’ had the option to see them every (almost) week, BEFORE this new Gopher only network was dreamt up. You used to be able to flip on cable and scan around to see various Gopher sports, but now, they want to ….. well, make you pay a premium to see any Gopher sports.

The fight to win loyalty of the fans has blanketed the air waves with an ad blitz on both sides.

“The Big Ten Network wants to force cable customers to pay for their channel even if they don’t want it. We think that’s wrong,”

“Call your cable company tell them you want the Big Ten network,”

In the end, the fans are the biggest losers.

That’s wrong, free choice will be the biggest loser if the U of M has its way. Forcing people to pay for something they don’t want is just plain wrong.

I hate to break it to the powerbrokers in Minnesota, but not everyone in this state thinks the U is the most important thing going. And the sports program there is about as pride worthy as, well, the Vikings. No offense to people, but for the amount of money dedicated to sports instead of educating students, is shameful.

The atheletes have been repeatedly busted for cheating, some have had absolute thugs off the field, and playing with our state name on their jersey. And well, as some fans I know say, they suck this year and aren’t worth watching.

The U is a learning institution, isn’t it? Not an entertainment company.

In a written statement Comcast spokesperson Mary Beth Schubert said:

“The overwhelming majority of our customers do not want to pay Fox and the Big Ten the hundreds of millions of dollars they are demanding.”

And that really is the sticking point for me, and proof that this is just a scheme. The U is demanding that Comcast take away their customer’s free choice. The U is demanding that the Big 10 network get thrown into the basic package, that way subscriber numbers will be up, WAY up over the reality of actual fans who want to watch Gopher sports. And all so millions and millions of dollars will flow into the U’s coffers.

Of course it all comes down to revenue for this learning institution. If they did end up being a premium option channel on Comcast, and only the Gopher fans who are willing to pay for the product that is on the fields and courts, the U knows they’d be the biggest losers.

There are no new talks scheduled.

And that is a problem?

Hold fast Comcast. Don’t give in.

The Minnesota Vikings headcoach may be one of the most ineffctive coaches I have ever seen. He has no clue how to manage a game or his players.  We have decent players, and some great stars, but you would never know that with this moron.

Can we get Mike Tice back? Heck I’d even take Denny Green. At least he had a clue how to run an offense.

In what may be the most beautiful example of Government feeling and not thinking about ridiculous environmental policies, the lights are back on at the State Capital. But one must ask, why did they go out in the first place?

The Minnesota people’s building went dark - for a while.

Since August, the illumination that gives the state Capitol an amber glow against night skies had been shut off.

The reason? Energy savings.

“It saves a calculated $78,000 a year,” said Nicky Giancola, assistant commissioner at the Department of Administration.

But when the Pioneer Press began making phone calls about the blackout late this week, state officials changed their minds about the policy. Starting Friday night - and ever after - the Capitol again was illuminated for the bulk of the night.

“We’ve decided to turn the lights back on,” said Brian McClung, Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s director of communications. “The governor feels that the Capitol is such an iconic building and a symbol of state government and should be lit for a reasonable period of time each evening.”

And of course, State Legislators couldn’t help but fawn over their temple.

“It seems to me that when you drive down (Interstate) 94 in the evening, that is an awe-inspiring sight and having the lights on is very important to me, and, I think, to others,” said Sen. Ann Rest, DFL-New Hope.

Heck even GOP Rep. Matt Dean almost bowed with reverence.

“I think it should be lit up. It’s our state Capitol building,” said Dean, an architect by trade. “I’d like to see that decision reversed.”

And what decision is he referring to? (emphasis mine)

And Pawlenty did just that, even though it was his two-year-old order that prompted the darkness. In 2005, Pawlenty ordered all state agencies to look for 10 percent energy savings per year.

That’s right. Pawlenty ordered a 10% reduction in energy savings, (much like the mandates Government is placing on us, the citizens) and when the way to make the order work for Government affected the way the day to day operations work, they ignored the order.

Their environmental laws are good enough for us, but not them.

I hope people wake up pretty dang quick. These people making the laws in this state are hypocrites.

Oh, but don’t worry, the nanny staters and behavior police will find a way.

State Sen. Ellen Anderson, DFL-St. Paul, largely agreed with Town.

“I certainly support what they are doing to save energy,” said Anderson, chairwoman of the Senate’s Environment, Energy and Natural Resources division.

“I love the Capitol building. It’s beautiful, it’s historic,” but that doesn’t justify the extra use of electricity, she said. “If we could find a way to do it that doesn’t pollute, that would be an even better solution.”

Maybe, she suggested, the state should set up solar panels on the Capitol mall and use that energy to light the famous domed building.

“It’s not a bad idea,” she said.

Nevermind the visual pollution of a bunch of solar panels or the cost to retrofit the historic building. Oh wait, you’re not gonna pay for that.

Sorry, but that is a bad idea Sen. Anderson.

Once again our Government can’t manage to live with in the bounds it created. I hope that someday soon, they will think of the consequences before they act. Holding my breathe, I am not. I can only pray that voters figure it our before these people do too much damage to the world we call Minnesota.

Enough with this goll darn feel good legislation.

First he says Newt is running, but he’s wrong. And he bases that decision that true conservatives are just like Ron Paul zombies. (I think them’s fightin wordz!)

Now he is saying the Alaska Governor is a potential Vice Presidential candidate since she ’slayed’ the bridge to nowhere.  BUT she is still keeping the money in Alaska and trying to find somewhere else to blow the Federal taxpayer wad.

Patrick, oh Patrick. Settle down.

Soros rent-a-journalist Eric Black is reporting:

James  B. Hovland, the Republican mayor of Edina, will be switching to the DFL and is seriously contemplating entering the race for the Dem nomination for the open Third District congressional seat.

Hovland will be meeting with representatives of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee shortly (possibly tomorrow) to get acquainted and talk about the race.

I haven’t spoken to Hovland, this information is guaranteed from someone who has it from Hovland.

According to one of my friends who happens to know Hovland, he is a HUGE Ron Earhardt fan.

I love this one.

You Can Only Die Once 

Children beware, Foot-like language if you click on the image.

This is from the Anoka County Watchdog. Good stuff.

WATCHDOG EMAIL SPECIAL: DFL FLOPHOUSE OR COUNTY GOVERNMENT?

A large number of DFL candidates and current or former elected officials are on the county payroll.  Why?

1.    DFL Flophouse or County Government?
County government is supposed to be low key and free from partisan politics.  In fact, county-level candidates for elective office run without partisan ballot designation.  In concept, county government in Minnesota is supposed to be little more than an administrative arm of state government, implementing state and federal programs.

Of course, the three-ring circus Anoka County runs bears little resemblance to this mandate.  Whether it’s a tourist train to Duluth or a football stadium in Blaine, Anoka County is always running around chasing headlines while core functions suffer.

And that’s not all.  Far from being non-partisan and apolitical, it appears that the county has become something of a feedlot for DFL candidates and politicians.

A search of public records indicates that the following DFL partisans have current employment with the county or have had recent employment with the county.

Andrew Borne.
Borene, who lives in Edina, was the DFL-endorsed candidate for Senate District 41 in 2006.  Borene withdrew his candidacy after he was charged with three misdemeanor counts in connection with a domestic assault incident involving his wife.

Ironically, Borene now works as a prosecutor in the county attorney’s office.

Related links:
http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/campfin/rpdetail/rp16253.html
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/0/076/017
http://www.mnsun.com/articles/2006/09/30/news/dw28borene.txt

Leo Foley.
Nearly 80, Foley currently represents the District 47 in the state Senate.  He has been in office since 1996.  Like Borene, Foley works in the county attorney’s office.

Related documents:
http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_bio.php?district=47
http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/eis/rpdetail/rp601_3422.html

Dan Larson
Larson is a current state Senator who represents the Bloomington area.    Prior to Senate service, Larson served in the House.  Watchdog sources indicate that Larson works on transportation issues for the county.

Related documents:
http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_bio.php?mem_id=1150&ls=85
http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/eis/rpdetail/rp601_5396.html

Steve Novak.
Novak is well known to Watchdogs for his frequent role as point man on county boondoggles like the football stadium and Duluth tourist train.

Novak is also a former state Representative and state Senator who mounted a failed bid to succeed Bruce Vento in Congress.

Related documents:
http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=10471
http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/lobby/lbdetail/lb701.html

Lona Schreiber.
Then known as Lona Minne, Schreiber is a former state Representative representing the Hibbing area.

Schreiber is now a lobbyist for the county.

Related documents:
http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=10432
http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/lobby/lbdetail/lb8266.html

Dave Johnson.
A former state Senator and colleague of Steve Novak, Johnson is a contract lobbyist who represents Anoka County on specific issues.

Related documents:
http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=10285
http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/lobby/lbdetail/lb9100.html

Paul McCarron.
This one is a two-fer.    McCarron is a former legislator AND a former county commissioner.  McCarron is the beneficiary of consulting contracts, primarily to shill for the Northstar rail project (and likely the Duluth train after that).

Related documents:
http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=10405
http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/lobby/lbdetail/lb1332.html

Elwyn Tinklenberg.
Former Transportation Commissioner Tinklenberg sought the DFL endorsement for Congress in 2006 but was kicked to the curb by Patty Wetterling.    He has mused aloud about a 2008 candidacy against Michele Bachmann.

Tinklenberg has also been the beneficiary of various consulting contracts.

Related documents:
http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/lobby/lbdetail/lb3835.html
http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/06/14_scheckt_tinklenberg/
http://kstp.com/article/stories/S194052.shtml?cat=89

Isn’t this just typical of Anoka County?  At best, this situation creates the appearance that the county payroll is being used and abused as a financial parachute for current and former DFLers, based primarily on the employee’s political affiliation.  At worst, it’s absolutely true.

Moreover, are these jobs being filled with current elected officials in order to make them more supportive of the county agenda down at the Capitol?

Taxpayers should rightly ask the county board for a full accounting of these employment matters.  There is the appearance of impropriety and the county needs to act quickly to reassure taxpayers that only the most qualified applicants are being hired without regard to political affiliation.

The county also needs to reassure taxpayers that positions held by DFLers are vital to the county’s core mission.  The county’s plan for the next budget cycle is to leave 80 positions vacant in 2008, according to the county’s public information manager (yes, they have one).  Are critical jobs in law enforcement and child protection being left unfilled while DFLers enjoy employment in non-essential jobs like lobbying and consulting?

Taxpayers may contact their county elected officials here:
http://www.co.anoka.mn.us/officials/index.asp

DFL office holders may submit their resume here:
http://www.co.anoka.mn.us/v3_jobs/how-to-apply.html

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t it illegal to buy votes?

While supplies last (we’ll let you know when they’re gone), we’ll send a complete set of Al Franken for Senate State Fair trading cards to anyone who makes a contribution of at least $100 during our sprint to the finish line this week. If you can afford a contribution of $500 or more, we’ll break into call time to have Al sign your set.

Yeah, I know he isn’t buying votes, but he is offering something of value if you donate.
Isn’t that against campaign finance laws?

I only ask because Franken has made the offer again in his latest email bleg for campaign cash as the 3rd quarter deadline approaches.

Is the an election lawyer in the readership?

Can he give away something of value away from his official campaign in order to get people to give him money?

Even the best laid plans, get muddied up from time to time.

More than $12,000 was returned for an ad after charging the Coleman campaign a different rate, the newspaper said.

So, um, yeah. Franken got the chance to defuse the situation, and possibly even one up Coleman now.

Please please please, don’t rely on Franken and his statements to get reelected Sen. Coleman. Franken is a professional jackass, and will spin his way out of everything and if history is a good indicator, it will end up harming you, the Republican.

I’m rubber and you’re glue….. With the loyal DFL leaning media in Minnesota, you will never be able to win a mud slinging fight. They’ll have Franken’s back every single time.

Let’s try a different strategy this time.

Why people should vote FOR you.