Veterans Protest the Minnesota GOP Last Saturday

That was the scene at the entrance to last Saturday’s MnGOP Convention. Dusty Trice, noted and intrepid blogger and my “go to” in-the-field reporter for my radio show, has video – it’s beyond the fold.

A little background (as I’ve written about here and here and here):

Lieutenant Colonel Joe Repya was so disgusted by the (s)election of FEC Tony and MudSlingerMike (a/k/a, “The MSM”), that he published an op/ed in the PiPress on the reasons he was leaving the Republican Party, now led by FEC Tony and MudSlinger Mike (a/k/a, “The MSM”). While that Op/Ed is no longer available on the PiPress website, comments on that Op/Ed are. Nathan Hansen, GOP Deputy Chair of CD-4, did comment – here’s what he had to say:

I am Deputy Chair of the Fourth Congressional District and one of the newer anti-war Republican activists. It’s difficult for words to describe how happy I am that you are leaving our Party. The roots of your “neconservative” philosophy lie in Straussian Trotzkyite Communism. “Corporate money” influencing our Party? Nothing compared to the damage your military industrial complex (that Eisenhower warned us about) has wreaked on our Party and our Country.

I hope you will find a happy home among your fellow communists. Your days of endless illegal wars and military industrial complex domination of our party are over.
Obama is ramping up his War in Afghanistan and continues to illegally bomb Pakistan. Perhaps you can join him to satiate your bloodlust. (emphasis added) (PiPress)

That’s comment number 15 from the link, above.

Well, there’s a lot – a LOT – of veterans of the Viet Nam War that remember being greeted none-to-nicely, upon arriving “home.” Some of ’em remember bein’ spit on – yes, literally SPIT ON – upon arriving home from rice paddys. And Nathan Hansen’s comments reminded them exactly of that – reminded them of bein’ SPIT ON.

As written before, how did ol’ FEC Tony handle Nathan Hansen figuratively spitting on Lieutenant Colonel Joe Repya in particular, and all – ALL – veterans in general?

Well, again – as I wrote: GOPer Party Official Trashes Veteran Joe Repya And Is Rewarded.

And that “reward” was a prestigeous committee chair assignment at last Saturday’s GOP Convention.

Now, to be fair, it should be noted that prior to the GOP Convention, Nathan Hansen did a non-apology apology.

Yeah, “right.”

That “Me-a Not-a Culpa” was B as in “Bull” and S as in “(stuff)” then and it still is now. Nathan Hansen may have apologized to veterans at the GOP Convention, but as of this writing, he still hasn’t apologized to Lieutenant Colonel Joe Repya, and he still has his B as in “Bull” and S as in “(stuff)” law suits going against veterans Joe Salmon and Richard Glasgow.

Which, of course, leads to the following conclusion: somehow, I don’t think Nathan Hansen’s ties to FEC Tony and MudSlingerMike (a/k/a “The MSM”) are going to be forgotten anytime soon.

Oh – and Dusty Trice’s video, of the Veterans protesting the MN GOP? Let’s look!!!

Say, Michael? You never served, nor did Nathan. Well, neither did ol’ FEC Tony, neither. Here’s something y’all should know: veterans got long memories.

(crossposted and comments welcome at MnProgressiveProject.com)

From The "Stupid Is As Stupid Does" Department…..

…well, could be filed in the ol’ republiCon “Do As We Say (Not As We Do)” Department, too…

Yesterday, over on Brodkorb’s Blog, Michael’s newest pseudonym “Contributor” tried – TRIED – to rip Tarryl Clark for the ghastly deed of “holding a fundraiser outside of the 6th District.” Now, this is funny for two reasons: 1) Michael’s newest pseudonym “Contributor” – Luke Hellier – used to work for Bachmann, so he surely knows about the many fundraisers Bachmann MotorMouth Overdrive has held outside the 6th District, such as the infamous fundraiser D*ck (cheney)in’ Cheney held for Michele on Lake Minnetonka, and 2) Brodkorb knows – KNOWS – that GOPer Eva Ng recently held a fundraiser outside of the district bounaries where she’s running, ’cause not only did MudSlingerMike tweet about it, it’s on the official Mn GOP website, where the ol’ MudSlinger is the State Party Deputy Chair!!!

And Tony Sutton had to know about the fundraiser; it was held at FEC Tony’s taco shop.

That, gentle readers, certainly qualifies as “stupid is as stupid does.”

It’s things like this, and more, why I say – often – “Hypocrisy, Thy Party Is GOP.”

Let’s look at a couple more examples:

In 2007, Mn GOP Party Chair republiCon Ron wouldn’t answer questions about his piss-poor “stewardship” of Party Finances, as documented in a June 2007 Strib story:

Party records show that money was withheld for employee retirement plans from September 2005 through May 2006, but Federal Election Commission (FEC) records reflect no deposits into the accounts during that period. In June 2006, the party made two makeup payments totaling $12,243 into the accounts.

The delay in depositing the money could have benefitted the party by giving it temporary access to the employees’ funds.

Carey didn’t explain why the retirement money wasn’t deposited promptly.

“There seemed to be some gray areas as to what was the requirement,” Carey said. Asked to explain the gray areas, he said, “I really would prefer not to get into the weeds on something like that.” (StarTribune.com)

Hmmm….”gray areas”….hmmm….”don’t want to get into the weeds”….

Where and what was republiCon Ron doing, during the summer of ’08? Ripping Al Franken over Franken’s paperwork problems, and demanding – DEMANDING! – that Franken answer questions!!!

Oh, and it needs to be pointed out that during the whole shoddy and sorry MnGOP PaperGate saga, FEC Tony was involved, except during his stint as Deputy to State Auditor Pat Anderson. And the shoddy and sorry saga apparently isn’t over…why, less than two weeks ago, the Mn GOP had to fix MORE of their (cheney)-ups:

Filings by REPUBLICAN PARTY OF MINNESOTA – C00001313
525 PARK STREET
SUITE 250
ST PAUL

The Following FEC Electronic Filings are Available:
Click on the form name to view it.
Form F3XA – 09/21/2009
FEC Filing #: FEC-433152
Period FROM 11/25/2008 through 12/31/2008
Report Type: YEAR-END
Filed 09/21/2009
Form F3XA – 09/21/2009
FEC Filing #: FEC-433149
Period FROM 10/16/2008 through 11/24/2008
Report Type: POST-GENERAL
Filed 09/21/2009
Form F3XA – 09/21/2009
FEC Filing #: FEC-433147
Period FROM 10/01/2008 through 10/15/2008
Report Type: PRE-GENERAL
Filed 09/21/2009
Form F3XA – 09/21/2009
FEC Filing #: FEC-433140
Period FROM 09/01/2008 through 09/30/2008
Report Type: OCT MONTHLY
Filed 09/21/2009
Form F3XA – 09/21/2009
FEC Filing #: FEC-433126
Period FROM 08/01/2008 through 08/31/2008
Report Type: SEP MONTHLY
Filed 09/21/2009
Form F3XA – 09/21/2009
FEC Filing #: FEC-433122
Period FROM 07/01/2008 through 07/31/2008
Report Type: AUG MONTHLY
Filed 09/21/2009
Form F3XA – 09/21/2009
FEC Filing #: FEC-433116
Period FROM 06/01/2008 through 06/30/2008
Report Type: JUL MONTHLY
Filed 09/21/2009
Form F3XA – 09/21/2009
FEC Filing #: FEC-433113
Period FROM 05/01/2008 through 05/31/2008
Report Type: JUN MONTHLY
Filed 09/21/2009
Form F3XA – 09/21/2009
FEC Filing #: FEC-433112
Period FROM 04/01/2008 through 04/30/2008
Report Type: MAY MONTHLY
Filed 09/21/2009
Form F3XA – 09/21/2009
FEC Filing #: FEC-433107
Period FROM 03/01/2008 through 03/31/2008
Report Type: APR MONTHLY
Filed 09/21/2009
Form F3XA – 09/21/2009
FEC Filing #: FEC-433104
Period FROM 02/01/2008 through 02/29/2008
Report Type: MAR MONTHLY
Filed 09/21/2009
Form F3XA – 09/21/2009
FEC Filing #: FEC-433101
Period FROM 01/01/2008 through 01/31/2008
Report Type: FEB MONTHLY
Filed 09/21/2009
Form F3XA – 09/21/2009
FEC Filing #: FEC-433099
Period FROM 12/01/2007 through 12/31/2007
Report Type: YEAR-END
Filed 09/21/2009
Form F3XA – 09/21/2009
FEC Filing #: FEC-433098
Period FROM 11/01/2007 through 11/30/2007
Report Type: DEC MONTHLY
Filed 09/21/2009
(Federal Election Commission)

Fourteen – FOURTEEN! – more “oops! We screwed up – AGAIN” amended reports??!?

Amending and re-amending and re-amending the re-amended is a long-standing pattern for Minnesota’s GreedOverPrinciples party. Amazing, when you consider GOPers like to consider themselves “The Party Of Fiscal Accountability”…

The last example I’ll use today is GOPer Governor-Candidate Marty Seifert – as explained by Dusty Trice:

Marty Seifert Gets Hit With His Own Slime!

Last Wednesday Marty Seifert held a press conference where he attacked several of his opponents by saying they might be using taxpayer money and their elected positions to gain publicity.

“I don’t know if they are doing that, but I want to throw it out there,” Seifert said. (MinnPost)

Looks like Marty Seifert combed over one very important detail. It turns out in the MN House Seifert is the chief offender!

MPR News checked, and it turns out it was Marty Seifert who claimed more money for expenses over the last four months than any other House member running for governor. (MPR via Blue Man)

Seifert has expensed $6,081 in travel, lodging and other expenses to the taxpayers since early June! (DustyTrice.com)

There’s Pawlenty plenty more examples of GOP Hypocrisy, such as Republicans Believe In States Rights (Except When They Don’t), and we’ll be reviewing them often.

Why?

Because:

“Hypocrisy, Thy Party Is GOP”

(cross-posted from MnProgressiveProject)

Veterans And Other Concerned Citizens Set To Protest Saturday's MnGOP Convention

Richard Glasgow is an American Patriot that has taken honoring Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines to a higher level. At this moment, I’m looking at a business-sized card that on one side says:

Dear American Hero,

I am not certain as to how to express my gratitude for all you have done to secure my freedoms. Please accept this simple card as a small token of my appreciation.

A grateful American citizen.

It was handed to me by someone while shopping; he noticed the hat I usually wear. I keep the card on my desk, where I’m writing this.

Richard’s website is called Dear American Hero, have your speakers turned down before you link. I talked to Richard earlier this week after receiving this Press Release:

GOP Party Leader Abuses Position to Trash Veterans, Receives Promotion

St Paul, MN – A ranking leader within the Republican Party of Minnesota used his elected capacity to openly attack veterans in a response letter to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Nathan Hansen, Deputy Chair of the 4th Congressional District GOP, abused his leadership role to promote his personal antiwar agenda, proclaiming veterans to be “Communists”. Hansen’s response came to Lt. Col. Joe Repya’s June 2009 article, “Why I am Leaving the Minnesota GOP”. Hansen used his leverage as visible leader within the MN GOP to openly show disrespect for GOP members, American history and veterans’ service to America.

Repeated attempts to resolve this matter with the Minnesota GOP, regarding censorship and/or removal of Hansen, has resulted in little action. Furthermore, Hansen was subsequently appointed to a highly visible position within the state GOP leadership structure.

In response to this disparaging letter, veterans and other concerned citizens will be raising awareness of this issue at the Minnesota GOP Convention October 3, 2009, at the River Center in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. This gathering of Patriots will begin at 7am and will last until Noon.

# # #

For complete information on this important issue please visit http://nathanhansenmustgo.info

I’ve written about LTC Joe Repya before, most notably here:

GOPer Party Official Trashes Veteran Joe Repya And Is Rewarded
by: TwoPuttTommy
Tue Jul 28, 2009 at 11:15:18 AM CDT

and here:

I Wrote The Post; Somebody ELSE Got Sued??!?
by: TwoPuttTommy
Mon Sep 14, 2009 at 11:39:58 AM CDT

In talking to Richard Glasgow, I not only found out he’s making 4 million – MILLION – more of those “Dear American Hero” cards, he, too, was served with legal papers by a guy MnGOP Deputy Chair Michael Brodkorb thinks is a “must read.”

Well, I guess when Nathan Hansen serves ya with legal papers, indeed that’s a “must read.” I’d go off about the GOP is constantly wailing and gnashing their teeth over “frivolous lawsuits” but Nathan Hansen, an elected GOP Party Official goes off and serves up what I’d call a frivolous lawsuit (a leagle beagle pal o’ mine read it and said technically it’s not “frivolous” – it’s “completely without merit”), but: that would be a tangent. Well, possibly a future blogpost, too…

Anyway, I also found out what I expected, that Dear American Hero is NON-partisan, even though Richard Glasgow is a Republican (and note I say “Republican”). Very simply, he is appalled that someone like Nathan Hansen, whom I gather to be a RonPaulRepublican, can not only trash a true American Hero like Joe Repya, but be rewarded by the likes of Michael Brodkorb and Tony Sutton. And Richard Glasgow told me anyone – ANYONE – that supports our troops and our veterans is welcome to attend.

I’ll be there; I’m going to talk a little about this on “Minnesota Matters” this Friday nite on AM-950 radio and then go cover it on Saturday morning, bright and early.

If you go (and if you support the troops and support our veterans and can go, you should go), look for me – I’ll be wearing the same hat I was when that kind gentleman handed me a card that read:

“Dear American Hero”

(cross-posted from MnProgressiveProject)

His One – ONE – Free Town Hall Over, It's Back To Pay-Per-View For Paulsen

On the day Erik Paulsen, R=TargetCorp, announced his candidacy to run for Congress, Paulsen claimed he was a moderate in the mold of Bill Frenzel and Jim Ramstad.

Yeah, “right.”

Anyone paying attention knows the LAST thing the former State House Majority Leader is, is a “moderate.”

And Paulsen’s inaction on holding Town Halls clearly indicate he’s anything but out of Ramstad’s mold. Here’s what Jim Ramstad said in an interview, before he left office:

“I have had regular town meetings all 18 years I have been in office.” (LawAndPolitics.com)

Which is true. Twice a year, Ramstad would hold a series of Town Halls in different cities at different times and usually on different days so everyone – EVERYONE – got a chance to see and hear and maybe even get to ask their Congressman a question.

So, when Paulsen didn’t hold any Town Halls last spring, there was muttering. When Paulsen didn’t schedule any before starting the August Recess, there was more.

Then along came MudSlingerMike, Deputy Chair of the Minnesota GOP, making it worse for Paulsen. Brodkorb ripped Democrat Colin Peterson for not holding a Town Hall – even though, at that time, neither Michele Bachmann nor John Kline nor Erik Paulsen had scheduled any. It was hypocrisy epitomized – so, let’s watch it again!!!

“If you don’t want to be asked questions, if you don’t want to interact with the public, if you don’t want the opportunity to get a tough question, don’t run for office.” – MudSlingerMike, 29 July 2009

After MudSlingerMike spouted off, criticism got heavy, especially from bloggers like Gavin Sullivan and Dusty Trice and, of course, yours truly – the ol’ TwoPutter.

Still, no Paulsen Town Halls. Sure, pawlenty plenty of closed events; such as the one at an auto dealer where a citizen journalist was refused entry – but, no Town Hall.

Dusty caught up with Paulsen at the State Fair – and “right” after (coincidence? I think NOT), Paulsen announced a Town Hall, held last Friday. Now that that one is out of the way?

“Business” as usual – take care of the base! Gotta dance with them that brought ya, doncha know?

From the Bloomington Chamber Of Commerce:

Governmental Forum: Mr. Paulsen Goes to Washington
Friday, September 18, 2009
7:30 AM to 9:30 AM

Price: Member $20 Non-Member $40

So, if you can get the time off of work, for a mere forty smackers you, too, can watch Paulsen perform for the Captains of Industry – them that bought brought him.

(crossposted at MnProgressiveProject)

Nick Coleman Is Awarded A Badge Of Honor

When the GOP elected FEC Tony and MudSlingerMike to their State Chair and Deputy Chair positions last June, it was a clear signal that the already mean-spirited GOP attack machine was gonna get even nastier. So, rather than respond, rebut, debunk, and/or fisk every nasty attack from The Small Tent Party, I thought it’d be easier to simply announce who got slimed by whom, and award ’em a badge of honor.

Today, I’m awarding the very first of said badges to Nick Coleman for his opinion piece in last Sunday’s Star Tribune, entitled “Gov peddles as the state budget burns.” Nick was slimed by the notorious M.O.B.ster Mitch Berg; I’d provide the link but that would only drive traffic to Berg’s drivel.

As I wrote here, over a year ago:

Only in the rightwingnut world, is answering the question as asked (“which Supreme Court JUSTICE”) considered “inexperience or (messianic) temperament”, and worse.

Mitch Berg is simply demonstrating, to reasonable people, why reasonable people cannot trust republiCons to tell the truth — and is also demonstrating why GOP now stands for GreedOverPrinciples.

Reasonable people understand that when stuff has to be make up to make a point, the point isn’t worth making. Obama was asked a question; Obama answered the question as asked; but rightwingnuts make stuff up for some gratuitous cheap-shots that allegedly make a point.

There was plenty more in that year clearly demonstrating Mitch Berg is still unreasonable; still making stuff up; still taking the cheap shots. For his latest rant at Nick Coleman, Nick Coleman is hereby awared a badge of honor: “Slimed By The M.O.B.”

Congratulations, Nick – you know you’re doing good work, when your good work gets slimed.

Notch one up for Nick; notch one down for Berg.

(originally published at MnProgressiveProject.com)

Another Example Of republiCon Hypocrisy

There’s so many examples of republiCon hypocrisy, that it’s becoming hard to keep track of them all. As Congress readies to go back to W.D.C. without John Kline nor Erik Paulsen holding a Town Hall, it’s important to remember that this summer, in the Great State Of Minnesota, one of the most amazing acts of hypocrisy ever – EVER – was performed, and Michael Brodkorb performed that feat in a mere 9 seconds! Let’s look!!!

Now, when Congress convenes after the August recess, be ready and waiting for more republiCon hypocrisy! Here’s Rachel Maddow, explaining the hypocrisy of republiCon Judd Gregg, R=Hypocrite, with Gregg’s amazing hypocrisy concerning the fillibuster – let’s look!

As Rachel explained: “It’s O K When A Republican Does It” – although I personally prefer:

“Hypocrisy, Thy Party Is GOP”

(originally published at MnProgressiveProject.com)

I Wrote The Post; Somebody ELSE Got Sued??!?

How did THAT Happen? The short story: Colonel Joe Repya has been a long-standing critic of republiCon Ron – and, by extension, FEC Tony and MudSlingerMike – over (among other things) the MN GOP’s apparent financial mismanagement. For said criticism, and mounting a challenge to Carey for the MN GOP party Chair position, Colonel Repya was essentially labeled an “enemy of the party” by republiCon Ron. After republiCon Ron stepped aside, and FEC Tony and MudSlingerMike were elected Chair and Deputy Chair, Colonel Repya had had enough: The Good Colonel announced in a PiPress Op/ed on 6/23/09 that he was leaving the Minnesota GOP – and why.

Here’s where it gets really, Really, REALLY interesting: in the comments section of said Op/Ed, Nathan Hansen, GOP Deputy Chair of CD-4, wrote, and I quote:

I am Deputy Chair of the Fourth Congressional District and one of the newer anti-war Republican activists. It’s difficult for words to describe how happy I am that you are leaving our Party. The roots of your “neconservative” philosophy lie in Straussian Trotzkyite Communism. “Corporate money” influencing our Party? Nothing compared to the damage your military industrial complex (that Eisenhower warned us about) has wreaked on our Party and our Country.

I hope you will find a happy home among your fellow communists. Your days of endless illegal wars and military industrial complex domination of our party are over.
Obama is ramping up his War in Afghanistan and continues to illegally bomb Pakistan. Perhaps you can join him to satiate your bloodlust. (emphasis added) (PiPress)

So, what was the MN GOP’s response to Nathan Hansen, speaking as GOP Deputy Chair of CD-4, calling The Good Colonel a commie? Why, a plum Committee assignment in the MN GOP!!!

Some people within the MN GOP were outraged; Andy Aplikowski (who blogs at “Residual Forces”) being one:

Again, this is the Deputy Chair of the CD4 Republicans who is attacking a veteran, our military, and anyone who believes in a strong national defense. Sure there is room for debate on specifics, but that is not what Dep. Chair Hanson decided to do. Nope, he went right for the jugular and crossed a line as far as I am concerned.
.
.
.
A high level officer in the Republican party cannot do what Mr. Hanson did. He is entitled to his opinion, but what he gave was an opinion that had to come with his official title, hence, he has to go.(ResidualForces.com)

Anoter person highly offended was Joe Salmon, Army Veteran and Chairman of the GOP’s SD56.

Joe Salmon started a blog about Nathan Hansen’s trashing of the military and veterans in general, and The Good Colonel in particular. At the very top, just under the masthead in the blog’s navigation bar, is a repost of what yours truly, the ol’ TwoPutter, wrote here, on the MnProgressiveProject. Here’s the link.

That’s the background. Now, apparently Nathan Hansen, GOP Deputy Chair of CD-4, got his undies in a bunch after seeing (more or less)”Dump Hansen” signs and buttons at the August 20th GOP picnic in Roseville.

So, what’s a “good” GOPer like Nathan Hansen to do?

File a lawsuit!!!

Yes, you heard “right” – attorney Nathan Hansen had a Summons and Complaint served upon Joe Salmon, over Salmon’s blog!!!

Now, in the Summons and Complaint, Hansen lists as Defendants “John Doe” and “Jane Roe” – a/k/a, anyone. So far, I haven’t been sued; nor – as of this date, according to his blog, has Andy Aplikowski. Here’s the meat of the suit:

FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS

5. On this website, the Defandants allege that “Nathan Hansen…Believes all veterans are Baby Killers and Communists.”

Based on what Nathan Hansen, GOP Deputy Chair of CD-4, wrote in the PiPress, and quoted in it’s entirety above, that’s EXACTLY what I would deduce!

COUNT I: DEFAMATION

9. Defendants have made a false and defamatory statement about the Plaintiff.

Again, based on what Nathan Hansen, GOP Deputy Chair of CD-4, wrote in the PiPress, and quoted in it’s entirety above, that doesn’t look false to me. Especially since, as far as I can tell, Nathan Hansen, GOP Deputy Chair of CD-4, has only issued what the self-described Minnesota Conservatives describe as “…a classic example of the non-apology apology.”

What strikes me, is that republiCons always make a big stink about “frivolous lawsuits. Keep that in mind while noting the following definition of a “Public Figures”:

public figure
n. in the law of defamation (libel and slander), a personage of great public interest or familiarity like a government official, politician, celebrity, business leader, movie star or sports hero. Incorrect harmful statements published about a public figure cannot be the basis of a lawsuit for defamation unless there is proof that the writer or publisher intentionally defamed the person with malice (hate).

See also: defamation libel slander
(Law.com)

Hmmm…”Incorrect harmful statements”…”published”…”intentially defame”…”malice (hate)”…add to that: “… how happy I am that you are leaving our Party…” and “I hope you will find a happy home among your fellow communists” and “Perhaps you can join him to satiate your bloodlust.”…Hmmm…

Nathan Hansen, GOP Deputy Chair of CD-4, smears Joe Repya, but then gets his undies in a bunch when he feels smeared.

Dam – another Irony Meter, pegged to broken!!!

Rather than Nathan Hansen, GOP Deputy Chair of CD-4, perhaps the person that ouught to file a lawsuit would be The Good Colonel, Joe Repya?

I called Colonel Repya, and asked if he had considered filing a lawsuit against Nathan Hansen, GOP Deputy Chair of CD-4.

“No, Tommy, I didn’t. Unfortunately, until today’s bitter political environment changes, reasonable people simply have to understand they are going to take unreasonable shots from unreasonable people.”

That about sums this one up, folks: an unreasonable lawyer publicly trashing one guy, but then unreasonably suing when held to account.

I can see the answer as “Nathan Hansen, GOP Deputy Chair of CD-4” to the call-out on “Jeapardy!” someday:

“I’ll take “Frivoulous Lawsuits for $200, Alex…”

(orignially published at MnProgressiveProject.com)

"Has enough kerosene been poured on the flames?"

That’s a question that should be asked, if – IF – Kline and Paulsen actually schedule, and Bachmann actually follows through, with Town Hall Meetings.

The question should also be asked of GOP State Chair Tony Sutton, and GOP State Deputy Chair Michael Brodkorb.

There’s a powder keg out there, with a short fuse. And today’s GOP leadership is sending out sparks. If one of those sparks catches, well……you can be sure, the GOP will blame it on anybody and everybody but themselves.

Here’s Rachel Maddow:

And speaking of the “MOB” – I noted this:

Moving The MOB
August 13th, 2009 by Mitch Berg
Well, the verdict (throwing out all the votest for “crashing Drinking Liberally”) was pretty decisive. People want the MOB Summer Party moved to September 12.

So moved it shall be!

Location to be officially announced later.

Who knows? Might be a real barnburner….

(h/t to CrooksAndLiars.com)

(crossposted from MnProgressiveProject)

Another Piece In The CommentGate Puzzle

On June 4th – over at Michael Brodkorb’s “Minnesota Democrats Exposed” – I noticed a reprehensible smear of GOP State Representative Laura Brod. While the comment making the smear, by an anonymous poster named “J” was taken down, subsequent comments acknowledging the smear were not – and I captured those comments on a screen shot. Now, regular readers here know I’ve taken shots at Laura Brod before, from nominating Laura Brod as Hypocrite Of The Month to her asinine voter fraud comments to, most recently, a complete debunking of a Canadian health care comment she twitted.

Those posts I made concerning Laura Brod are NOT about her or her private life – they are about her political activities and shots like I took are completely within the realm of acceptable politics: she ripped Al Franken while ignoring ol’ Smokescreen’s indefensible inaction during The Abramoff Scandal; she alleges voter fraud without making her case; and she made a claim about Canadian health care that simply wasn’t true.

Fair game, each and every one of ’em. The smear campaign targeting Laura Brod? Completely unacceptable.

And it’s interesting to note that the smear campaign targeting Laura Brod, according to rightwing blogger Andy Aplikowski, was orchestrated not only from within the GOP, but at the highest levels within the GOP. Here’s what Andy Aplikowski posted:

The alleged culprits of the attack are Seifert supporters with speculation of the ringleader being the candidate himself. (ChangeWeMust.org)

Last Monday, August 10th, blogger Brian Falldin, who broke and is covering this story, posted the following breaking news:

MINNEAPOLIS (CWM) — We’ve received an e-mail confirmation from Residual Forces author Andy Aplikowski that Andy Gildea was the Republican Staffer referred to in his accusatory article. (CWM.org)

Tuesday, I confirmed Andy Gildea was on GOP Rep. Marty Seifert’s staff when this smear campaign was being orchestrated; Andy Gildea left Rep. Siefert’s staff when Seifert stepped down as Minority Leader. Andy Gildea is now employed as a Research Consultant by the GOP House Caucus.

Stay tuned as this CommentGate story of dirty GOP politics (are there any other?) continues….

(crossposted from MnProgressiveProject)

From The GOP Playbook – "When You Don't Have News, Run A Stunt."

I went to the GOP Press Conference yesterday; the GOP wouldn’t let me observe because the presser was “for members of the Capitol Press Corps only.” No problem; I figured it was probably a joke anyway. And apparently, I was correct!

From The Pioneer Press reporters’ “Political Animal”:

Republicans run health ads in 1st and 7th; we publicize them
By Bill Salisbury on August 11, 2009 11:46 AM | 3 Comments

I hate it when I get sucked in on a publicity stunt, but that’s what you’re going to read about here. (PiPress.com)

Want to read more? Read it, here. And check out the comments — especially the third comment!

And remember, yesterday’s “stunt” by the GOP is simply another example of why reasonable people cannot reasonbly expect the GOP to tell the truth.

(crossposted from MnProgressiveProject)