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)

Hypcocrisy, Thy Party Is GOP…

…and MudSlingerMike is the mouthpiece.

By now, everyone knows the story about the MN GOP ripping DFLer Colin Peterson for Peterson’s decision not to hold “Town Hall” meetings. Dusty Trice made a great catch of State GOP Deputy Chair Michael Brodkorb engaging in the hypocrisy the GreedOverPrinciples party is so well-known for. Let’s watch!

Dusty followed up that YouTube with another YouTube of Michele Bachmann ducking questions. The contrast between what GOPer Brodkorb mouthed off about and Bachmann’s actions is quite clear – link here for Dusty’s entire post.

And Dusty Trice isn’t the only one that caught the blatant demonstration of GOPer hypocrisy; the St. Cloud Times Editorial Board weighed in, too! Let’s look!

Then what about Peterson’s neighbor, the GOP’s own 6th District Rep. Michele Bachmann?

Except for one tightly controlled forum at which she barely spoke, we don’t recall any town meetings she’s held in this area since elected. (St. Cloud Times)

Ladies and Gentlemen, MudSlingerMike is simply demonstrating – once again – why reasonable people have no reason to believe anything that the GOP says (or, “trust”, as GOP National Chair Michael Steele said).

As Dusty said, Brodkorb’s actions are “unbelievable.” Nice catch, Dusty.

(crossposted from MnProgressiveProject)

Hypocrisy, Thy Party Is GOP

Eric Cantor, R=Hypocrite, was on Fox News yesterday, trying – TRYING – to make the argument that after being elected on a “Family Values” platform, getting caught in, say, an “unFamily Values affair” doesn’t much matter in today’s GreedOverPrinciples Party. Let’s watch!

(h/t to CrooksAndLiars.com)

What makes this performance by Eric Cantor, R=Hypocrite, even more hypocritical, is the smear campaign directed at GOPer Laura Brod – allegedly masterminded by high-level state GOPers.

Transcript of Cantor’s We-a Not-a Culpa and a couple of thoughts:

WALLACE: Finally, when you’ve got Republican leaders like Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina or Nevada Senator John Ensign admitting to extramarital affairs and staying in office, questionable use of either private funds or state money, in the case of Sanford, doesn’t the GOP, with all its talk of family values, risk looking like a bunch of hypocrites?

CANTOR: Look, I mean, is anyone happy to see all that have happened? No. I mean, it’s not good. But listen. We have our thoughts with their families and they themselves.

However, look. The party is not just about personalities. It’s about ideas. It’s about our ability to go out and prove that yes, we can lead this country again. So we have got a plan. We are talking about the solutions that actually can address some of the problems that working people in this country are facing, and we’re going to do that over the course of the next 16 months.

WALLACE: But if you’re going to talk the talk, why not walk the walk and say, “You know what? They should step down?”

CANTOR: Well, listen. I mean, again, I say in the instance of the people in South Carolina and Nevada, it is up to them, and those are the elected individuals by those states.

And again, it’s not about, necessarily, these personalities. The direction of this country — and the challenges that we face are enormous. And we ought to be talking about how to go about creating jobs again. We ought to be talking about the things that matter most to people in this country.

WALLACE: Congressman Cantor, we want to thank you. Thanks for coming in today and please come back, sir.

Everybody catch that? Let’s do that again:

We ought to be talking about the things that matter most to people in this country.

Two Points:

One – if the situation were reversed, does anyone really think that Cantor would be saying the same thing about a Democrat that got caught with the proverbial pants around the ankles? and…

Two – while Cantor, a national high-level GOPer is defending Sanford and Ensign at the national level, it’s allegedly state high-level GOPers trashing Laura Brod at the state level.

Hypocrisy, Thy Party Is GOP.

(crossposted from MnProgressiveProject)

"…a Republican staffer in the Capital…"

That’s part of a line in a blogpost Andy Aplikowski made, and promptly deleted on June 30th, 2009.

Here’s the whole line:

Yes, that’s right, it appears that a Republican staffer in the Capital is trying to tank some of the condender’s on Seifert’s behalf. (emphasis NOT added)

The subject of Andy’s blogpost was the smear campaign against Laura Brod; Andy made allegations that the smear was coming from within the MN GOP. Specifically, Andy wrote:

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

Marty Seifert has denied personal and/or staff involvement as documented by Brian Falldin here and Political Muse here.

It’s important to note in Marty Seifert’s written response to Brian Falldin, Marty Seifert wrote:

I would ask anyone in question that allegedly has done this to open up to a lie detector test, open up cell and computer records and come clean.

One person that could come clean – and probably very easily – is GOP State Deputy Chair Michael Brodkorb, owner of a blog where one of the smears appeared, on June 4th. This was discussed yesterday, here.

So far, GOP State Deputy Chair Michael Brodkorb hasn’t stepped forward to aide Rep. Seifert in locating the culprit by handing over easily located IP records. This makes me wonder if it is possible that Andy Aplikowski could be refering to GOP Senate Caucus Communications Director Michael Brodkorb when he says a “…Republican staffer in the Capital”?

More importantly, after making such serious allegations, why is Andy Aplikowski now aiding in the cover-up by not stepping forward to clear the air? Does his silence indicate that he simply made it all up or does he still have information that he isn’t sharing?

Stay tuned!

(crossposted from MnProgressiveProject)

"A Key Element Of Tostenson's Memo"

That, Ladies and Gentlemen, is the beginning of a line in a June 3rd, 2007 story by Dan Browning and Pat Doyle of the Star Tribune. That story may be a key in explaining why the unDynamic Duo of Ron Carey and Tony Sutton had to amend and re-amend and sometimes even re-amend the re-amended FEC (Federal Election Commission) Reports. Here’s a key excerpts from Dan Browning and Pat Doyle’s June 3rd, 2007 story:

A key element of Tostenson’s memo deals with his accusation that the party appears to have violated federal law by repeatedly delaying the deposit of employee payroll contributions into their retirement accounts. He said the “misappropriation” helped cover party expenses before the money was deposited.

“As reported on our payables at the state executive meetings last summer there was as much as $12,000 not deposited at any one time,” he wrote. “This represented months of paycheck withholdings by the Party which had not been deposited within the 30-day legally required time limit.”

The party offers Simple Individual Retirement Accounts for some employees. Federal law requires that money deducted from employees’ checks for those accounts be deposited as soon as possible, and in no case later than 30 days after the month when it was withheld.

In cases of tardy deposits, employers may be required to make the plan whole by paying back any lost investment earnings. If they had mixed the employees’ retirement money with general operating funds they could be required to pay an excise tax.

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)

“gray areas”??!? “…get into the weeds…”??!?

Yeah, “right.”

Supposedly, the newly-elected Chairman of the State GOP – Tony Sutton – is holding an overview of 2010 election today at 1:30 at GOP HQ; I’d bet they don’t get “into the weeds” on just how much GOP mismanagement – when Sutton was GOPer Treasurer – is going to figure into 2010.

A "Hypocrite Of The Week" Nominee: republiCon Ron

You have to admire a guy that rips people for doing the exact thing he does. It takes mucho grande cajones to stand at a microphone and demand someone answer questions, and just a couple of minutes later refuse to answer questions yourself.

I attended Wednesday’s Press Farce, conducted by the thoroughly discredited Ron Carey. And Ron was in rare form, even for Ron – waving Franken’s book and denouncing Al as a liar – while claiming he’s never lied. LIAR!!!

And the whole time, republiCon Ron was asking questions; asking why. “Why?” “Why?” “Why?” Ron questioned Franken’s integrity, credibility, and word.

It was difficult keeping a straight face during Ron’s performance. Think about it – Ron Carey, questioning someone else’s integrity and credibility and word??!?

Then came Q & A time; I waited patiently while the traditional media asked their questions. I didn’t have to wait long, as this whole dog and pony show was the same ol’ “throw some crap on the wall and see if it sticks” and something the “traditional media” has seen many times before. And it’s not as if Ron was preventing facts; he was presenting questions. What was the traditional media to do – ask questions about questions? So, my turn to ask a question came pretty quick.

And here’s the question I wanted to ask:

“Mr. Chairman, under your stewardship, the MN GOP has paid fines to the FEC going back to 2001, and there are questions from within your own party whether GOP employee retirement money was misappropriated, not to mention allegations of tax evasion. How do you respond to charges that you are trying to hold Franken’s campaign to standards you can’t keep?”

So, I started off: “Mr. Chairman, under….” and was immediately cut off by republiCon Ron, who essentially said “Tom, this is for traditional media, I’m not answering your question.”

“Mr. Chairman, you’re not taking questions from bloggers?”

“I’ll talk to you afterwards, Tom”.

And, of course, republiCon Ron didn’t. I waited patiently in the back of the room for Ron to work his way there. Alas, he didn’t – he schmoozed some reporters in the front, and out the door he went.

So, I followed! All the way over to the Capital Press Rooms. Ron and Mark Drake were a little surprised to see me there, Mark asked me why I was there. So, I told him – Ron said he’d answer my question later, so I was there to ask it! Mark told me to call him later, and ask him, and he’d get my question answered. Mark wrote down the number for me to call. And after I talked to members of the “traditional media” about the day’s non-event, I did call – but got no answer. I called yesterday, too. This time, I got a gentleman who told me Mark was in, and asked my name. I told him, and in a few moments was told Mark wasn’t available – would I like to leave a voice message?

So, I did. I gave Mark my phone number and e-mail address, and asked Mark to e-mail me – I’d rather put the question in writing so there would be no miscommunication as to the question or the response.

And I am NOT surprised Mark hasn’t gotten back to me.

One reason republiCon Ron still has his job, is he’s good at asking AND he’s good at ducking. It’s the GreedOverPrinciples Party’s Golden Rule: “Do Unto Others But Don’t Let Them Do Unto You.” This, of course, is why republiCon Ron is my nominee for “Hypocrite Of The Week”.

The republiCon Ron Press Release Template

OK, a big ol’ hat-tip to Blue Man, for this one!

And the point here, is that although GOPers will be whinin’ “them evil ol’ DEMONrats are ATTACKING us!”, it’s not an attack – it’s makin’ fun of ’em because they really are way past pathetic and at the parody stage.

I mean, really – here’s a quote from republiCon Ron, last year, defending his mismanagement of GOPer Party 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.
(Minneapolis Star Tribune)

ROFLMAO!!! republiCon Ron, not wantin’ to get “weedy”??!?

Yet republiCon Ron is gonna stand in front of a camera, and say Franken isn’t bein’ forthcoming??!?

Shameless!!!

Blue Man notes that republiCon Ron is gettin’ mighty predictable with his press releases – and he, of course, is correct!

Let’s look!!!

***

The Ron Carey Press Release Template

So easy, even a right wing blogger can use it! Here are the secrets that we’ll divulge for you, only if you purchase a Senator Coleman endorsed Blo and Go!

For the low everyday price of $29.99, you’ll get the blow dryer of the stars AND the knowledge to write your own Ron Carey Press Release.

Too good to be true you might say?

These press release templates enabled the Minnesota Republican Party to lose a winnable US Senate seat and one Congressional seat in 2006. The templates used to lose 20 GOP seats in the Minnesota House and allow the DFL to obtain a veto proof majority in the Minnesota Senate! Let’s not talk about the money/tax scandals though…

With results like this, the Blo and Go pays for itself!

Ron Carey Press Release Template

A. Call the DFL endorsed candidate a “far left liberal who is out of touch with _____ district”.

Regardless of fact, you must start off the press release with this phrase. See recent Elwyn Tinklenberg and Ashwin Madia press releases.

Prediction: Ron Carey will issue a press release on Saturday afternoon, “Steve Sarvi, a far left liberal, is out of touch with the voters of the 2nd Congressional District.

While factually incorrect, the Ron Carey Press Release Template cannot be tainted by fact. Just write it an move on to more important aspects of the release.

B. Reiterate that candidate x is far too liberal for _____ district. Congressperson Y will be reelected because they are a strong and effective leader.

Again, do not expand upon this statement. Do not talk about their voting record or legislative accomplishments. Just use vague language to describe the GOP incumbent/candidate.

Example: Tinklenberg is too liberal for the Sixth District. No matter how much mud Tinklenberg and his left-wing allies throw in this campaign, I am confident Representative Bachmann will be reelected because she has been a strong and effective leader.”

C. If you have a chance, slide a reference to Ronald Reagan in the press release.

D. Was our far too left out of touch liberal wearing a flag lapel pin? Point that out.

E. Write about the largest tax increases in the nations history, even if it’s factually incorrect. Pin them on out of touch liberals. Sponsor gas station ads that are also factually incorrect.

F. Send courtesy copies of the release out to Brodkorb, Emmer and the rest of the right wing Minnesota spin machine so the distorted message can be amplified.

Example:

St. Paul- Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey issued the following statement after 42nd Congressional District Democrats endorsed Billy Smith for Congress.

Billy Smith is a far left liberal who is out of touch with the voters of the 42nd District. Smith, a far too left liberal economist from Bovey Minnesota, is a tax and spend liberal. No matter how many times Smith attacks Congresswoman Jones, leadership remains confident that freedom will win, Congresswoman Jones will be reelected because she is a strong and effective leader.

Smith, who was 6 when the Reagan tax cuts took effect, opposed them. In a debate with Alex P Keaton, Smith actually made him cry. Footage indicates that Mr. Smith was not wearing a flag lapel pin, therefore, Smith hates freedom and America.

Congresswoman Jones has been awarded the “Friend of the Taxpayer award” for her persistence on Taypayer Bill of Rights legislation. Smith staunchly opposes this legislation and supports raising your gas tax 43% this year.

Iran, Iran, Iran

Immigration, Immigration, Immigration

Taxes, Taxes, Taxes

CC: Right wing blogosphere

It’s that easy!
(Posted by Blue man at Thursday, May 01, 2008)

(this post originally published at MnBlue.com)