The Big E And TPT On Your Radio – Today, Friday, October 16th!

Ladies and Gentlemen, yours truly – the ol’ TwoPutter – is hosting the Friday Edition of “Minnesota Matters” on AM-950 KTNF, The Voice of Minnesota! The Friday Edition runs from 6:00 to 7pm. So, tune in your radio today to AM-950, or listen live on your computer, here. Joining in-studio will be MnProgressive Project’s very own, The Big E!

We’ll be interviewing Doug Johnson, President of the Minnesota Farmers Union. A little background: Senator Al Franken co-sponsored legislation requiring “Country Of Origin Labeling” for dairy products, which definitely affects Minnesota’s dairy farmers.

Coleen Rowley, Time Magazine’s 2002 Person Of The Year, will be calling in with an update on upcoming Peace Movement events, such as tomorrow’s End The War March in UpTown Minneapolis (Hennepin & Lagoon) at 1:00pm. Plus, Coleen just might have some information on an upcoming “fundraiser” that just might be headlined by Condoleeza Rice.

Topics we might be talking about include the war in Afghanistan and Specialist George W. Cauley of Walker, who died Oct. 10 at Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan as a result of injuries sustained from an Improvised Explosive Device on October 7th in Helmand Province; the trial results in the Kevin Ring Trial – just one part of the continuing Jack Abramoff Scandal/Saga; MN2020’s Property Tax Report, ; and a couple of blog stories we found the most interesting this week – and why!

We’ll definitely play “False Or False Witness!” where one lucky caller will have to correctly identify if a quote I read was actually uttered by Michele Bachmann (answer “False Witness!”) or if yours truly, the ol’ TwoPutter, simply made it up (answer “false”). The fabulous prize awarded is one copy of Bill Prendergast’s exceptional comic book: False Witness! The Michele Bachmann Story (Part 1).

The call-in number to play “False or False Witness!” and to participate in the on-air conversation is 952-946-6205!

So, again, tune in the radio today to AM-950, or listen live on your computer, here.

(crossposted from and comments welcome at MnProgressiveProject)

My Two Least Favorite Days Of The Year…

…are: “Property Taxes Payable – 1st Half” and “Property Taxes Payable – 2nd Half”.

And yesterday was the one of those two least favorite days of the year. I don’t escrow, so twice a year I see – and feel the pain – of Gov. T-Bag’s “stewardship” of the great state of Minnesota. In 2001, I paid $2,316 in property taxes; as a result of the Property Tax Reform Bill enacted in 2001, and signed by then-Gov. Jesse Ventura, I paid $1,845. Under now-Gov. T-Bag, I paid $3,451 in property taxes this year.

The State House Research Department prepared an eleven page slide show in January of 2007 explaining what the 2001 Property Tax Reform Bill was supposed to accomplish; it’s available here.

According to the House Research Department, the goals of that 2001 Reform were:

Realign the state-local fiscal relationship:

• • Increase state’s role in funding state priorities (education, courts, transit)

• • Decrease state’s role in financing municipal services to give residents more direct responsibility for municipal service decisions

The bottom line, is Gov T-Bag accomplished the latter, while ignoring the former. While researching this post, I noted that MN2020.org has a new report out; published just this morning by Jeff Van Wychen. From it:

Since 2002, Minnesota property taxes, in general, and homeowner property taxes, in particular, have increased rapidly. The cause of the statewide growth in property taxes is not growth in local government budgets. These property tax hikes are the result of state policies that require more public costs to be borne by property taxpayers and a larger share of total property taxes to be borne by homeowners.

Yep – since 2002, my property taxes have increased rapidly; from $1,845 in 2002 to $3,451 in 2009 – dam near doubling during the reign of T-Bag The Terrible (a/k/a, “Worst. Governor. EVER.”).

Go to MN2020.org to find out why.

(crossposted and comments welcomed at MnProgressiveProject)

TwoPuttTommy On Your Radio – Today, Friday, October 9th!

Ladies and Gentlemen, yours truly – the ol’ TwoPutter – is hosting the Friday Edition of “Minnesota Matters” on AM-950 KTNF, The Voice of Minnesota! The Friday Edition runs from 6:00 to 7pm. So, tune in your radio today to AM-950, or listen live on your computer, here. Joining in-studio will be Democratic Speech Writer and fellow blogger Brian Falldin along with field reporter/intrepid blogger Dusty Trice.

Topics we might be talking about include the continuing Jack Abramoff Scandal – closing arguments are over in the Kevin Ring Trial and the case is in the hands of the jury; Brian Falldin’s Challenge to Bachmann supporters; and a couple of blog stories we found the most interesting this week – and why! Plus, Coleen Rowley, Time Magazine’s 2002 Person Of The Year, will be calling in with an update on upcoming Peace Movement events!

We’ll definitely play “False Or False Witness!” where one lucky caller will have to correctly identify if a quote I read was actually uttered by Michele Bachmann (answer “False Witness!”) or if yours truly, the ol’ TwoPutter, simply made it up (answer “false”). The fabulous prize awarded is one copy of Bill Prendergast’s exceptional comic book: False Witness! The Michele Bachmann Story (Part 1).

So, again, tune in the radio today to AM-950, or listen live on your computer, here.

Oh, and about our “False, or False Witness!” game? There’s a hint in the following YouTube – let’s look!!!

(crossposted from, and comments welcome, at MnProgressiveProject)

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)

TwoPuttTommy On Your Radio – Today, Friday, October 2nd!

Ladies and Gentlemen, yours truly – the ol’ TwoPutter – is hosting the Friday Edition of “Minnesota Matters” on AM-950 KTNF, The Voice of Minnesota! So, tune in the radio today to AM-950, or listen live on your computer, here. The Friday Edition runs from 6:00pm to 7:00. Joining in-studio will be fellow blogger Brian Falldin. Dusty Trice will be calling in and reporting from the GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Debate.

We’ve got a great show lined up! Major Baker from the Minnesota National Guard will be giving an update on where our Guard Members are serving overseas, and we’ll touch on communications in this digital age. Major Baker has earned a LOT of medals, including the Combat Action Badge; she is an American Hero.

Javier Morillo of SEIU’s Minnesota State Council will be joining us in-studio; somehow, I think the subject in the YouTube below will be part of our discussion!

Topics we might be talking about include the continuing Jack Abramoff Scandal – testimony is over in the Kevin Ring Trial and closing arguments are expected to begin Monday; Brian Falldin’s Challenge to Bachmann supporters; and the Military Veterans Rally tomorrow at the MnGOP Convention. As I understand it, anyone that supports our veterans are welcome to attend – but, if you only want to go for partisan political reasons, DON’T — support for those now serving and those who have served should be non-partisan, and that’s exactly what tomorrow’s rally is. I’ll be there to support as well as cover the event.

We’re definitely taking phone calls — the studio call-in number is 952-946-6205 — and we’ll probably play “False Or False Witness!” where one lucky caller will have to correctly identify if a quote I read was actually uttered by Michele Bachmann (answer “False Witness!”) or if yours truly, the ol’ TwoPutter, simply made it up (answer “false”). The fabulous prize awarded is one copy of Bill Prendergast’s exceptional comic book: False Witness! The Michele Bachmann Story (Part 1).

So, again, tune in the radio today to AM-950, or listen live on your computer, here.

And here’s that YouTube – let’s look!!!

(crossposted at MnProgressiveProject)

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)

TwoPuttTommy On Your Radio – Today, Friday, Sept 19th!

Ladies and Gentlemen, yours truly – the ol’ TwoPutter – is hosting the Friday Edition of “Minnesota Matters” on AM-950 KTNF, The Voice of Minnesota! So, tune in the radio today to AM-950, or listen live on your computer, here. The Friday Edition runs from 6:00pm to 7:00. Joining in-studio will be fellow blogger Brian Falldin. Dusty Trice will be calling in from GOPer John Kline’s Town Farce Hall. Since David Day knows the studio call-in line, I’m sure we’ll hear about the Anoka County DFL’s 6th Annual Beast Feast, but: that’s just a guess.

In 2003, the Minnesota House was controlled by the GOP (Erik Paulsen was the GOP Majority Leader). Matt Entenza’s collegues then chose him to be House DFL leader – and now the DFL has an almost veto-proof majority. Matt is now running for governor and will call in around 6:30.

We’ll also be talking about the continuing Jack Abramoff Scandal, and we’re definitely taking phone calls – the studio call-in number is 952-946-6205 — and we will be giving away one copy of Bill Prendergast’s exceptional comic book: False Witness! The Michele Bachmann Story (Part 1).

So, again, tune in the radio today to AM-950, or listen live on your computer, here.

And here’s three YouTubes you’re not going to want to miss!

AM950 Radio owner Janet Robert talks about the success of her progressive talk radio station in a format universe that had been dominated by right wing local and national radio talk programs. Blogger Tommy Johnson joins Ms. Robert to weigh in on talk readio and the new media.

State Public Defender John Stuart talks about the challenges confronting Minnesota’s court system prompted by cuts to the number of public defenders serving the poor.

This video memoriam honors the 10th anniversary of the death of state legislator Willard Munger, Minnesota’s “Mr. Environment.” The segment features scenes from a documentary-in-progress about Mr. Munger.

(crossposted from MnProgressiveProject)

Does Andy Gildea Still Work In Rep. Marty Seifert's Capitol Office?

Brian Falldin reports that Andy Gildea currently works for the House GOP Caucus, and as recently as October 9th, 2008, Andy Gildea was one of GOP Rep. Seifert’s assistants. Does Andy Gildea still work in GOP Rep. Marty Siefter’s Capital office?

A phone call and email have not been returned.

Stay tuned!

(crossposted from MnProgressiveProject)

Hey, KSTP – Where's My Hat-Tip, Dude?

On Friday, June 5th, I published a blogpost entitled “So – How Serious Are They??!?”; on Friday, June 12th, KSTP TV ran a piece called “Who’s In For Governor?. Both pieces discussed the issue of domain names.

On June 5th, I posted:

What’s needed, is analysis! And fortunately, I’m here to help!!! So, let’s take a look at domain names – taken and available and related to those considered “potential candidates” by those from the party that bows to the guy with the big cigar….

On June 12th, from KSTP:

But to get an idea of who might be thinking of running, it’s helpful to check the purchase of Internet domain names.

A little less wordy, but: same-same, yes?

Let’s take a look at what I posted, on June 5th:

Seifert2010.com – taken!
SeifertForGovernor.com – taken!!!

OK, that explains the presser, less than 24 hours after T-Bag bolted for Iowa….but:

What explains this?

MartySeifert2010.com – available!
MartySeifertForGovernor.com – available!!!

KSTP reported, on June 12th:

House Minority Leader Marty Seifert also bought a domain, SeifertforGovernor.com, the same day of Pawlenty’s announcement.

If KSTP viewers had read MN Progressive Project, they’d have known a full week earlier about what KSTP reported on, and a whole lot more – like who owns the domain names http://www.SteveSviggum.com and http://www.Sviggum2010.com and http://www.SviggumForGovernor.com

So, keep reading this blog – even if we don’t get the hat-tips we ought to….

(crossposted from /a>MnProgressiveProject)

Just Last Sunday

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, just 4 days ago, a lot of DFLers took the time to help Paul Thissen celebrate the opening of his campaign office. And I mean ” a lot.” I was surprised by the turnout. Some of them are already confirmed and dedicated Thissen supporters, such as the couple that made the trip down from Duluth. Others were curious about Paul, and what they told me is that they are finding out that Paul Thissen is a serious guy running a serious campaign. One of my questions was how a metro area DFLer would do in Greater Minnesota; I was told a YouTube addressing that very issue would be posted on Team Thissen’s website. Since it now is, let’s take a look!

With yesterday’s “developments”, the race is wide open. Running hard is Paul Thissen. Team Thissen is a team to watch.

(crossposted from MnProggressiveProject)