Thank you for saying what many of us were thinking.
Can dogs recieve Spottys?
Rock on! Thank you. Not just well said ... perfectly said.
Well said Spot. Well said.
Great post!
As a candidate Amy pulled a lot of punches...she didn't speak out against the war until late in the game. She didn't speak out against Alito...why did people who voted for her think she would suddenly become a strong leader when elected?
Think about what the current Senate candidates are and are not saying. Be honest, read their issues statements on their website. Are they saying anything specific? Or is it just a lot of vague sunny statements that everyone would agree with? Ask HONESTLY are their so called policy positions something that Norm Coleman wouldn't support. As long as people in Minnesota keep electing wimpy DFLers the party leaders will continue to back this type of candidate.
Very well done, Spot. The Doggess smiles upon you. This piece should be sent to each and every one of the DFL legislators who voted for the state's Energy Bills in 2005 and 2006. Wellstone cut his teeth in transmission lines, understanding that large lines across the state were for corporate profit on the backs of landowners and ratepayers. The state's 2005 (primarily) and also the 2006 Energy Bills paved the way for CapX 2020, a proposal for a web of high voltage transmission lines that affects over 70,000 landowners in Minnesota, and more in ND and WI (www.nocapx2020.info). Wellstone would be rolling in his grave to learn of the votes of DFLers who approved this atrocity. For background, check out Powerline, written by Mike Casper and Paul Wellstone (find it used at www.abebooks.com), and learn how nothing has changed... We've lost so much ground because of wrong-headed votes and policy by DFLers who should know better and who should be standing up loudly, holding progressive ideals high.
Comment deleted by Spot.
There is no need to suffer the foul breath of Swiftee on a post about Paul Wellstone.
Edited By Siteowner
oh, come now, spot! are you saying that this troll didn't put something thoughtful and worth of response in regards to Paul?
My suggestion: replace the troll's least worthy and most offensive comments with 'Narf!', and add the moniker 'Pinky' to his name... if you set the standard, your commenters will know what happened.
By the way, everytime a troll says something like this, i wish we could have gilbert gottfried pop up and shout 'you fool!'
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video...eo/watch/24287/
Add anemic answers to our health care crisis to the list. I talked to a Ciresi volunteer today at the Fair and asked whether Ciresi could say "single-payer universal health care" - apparently he can't - but the volunteer assured me Ciresi would somehow make the insurance companies more efficient. And that Ciresi supports universal health care. What a crock. yeah...let's have universal health care so everybody MUST subsidize the insurance agencies MORE - pay up America because even though you are ALREADY paying more than any other industrial nation for health care that isn't enough - we must feed the middle-men. I guess the cool thing about the exchange was that the Ciresi volunteer appeared to actually understand the whole single-payer argument... Of course Franken has the same spiel on health care as Ciresi. Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer and Jim Cohen DO support singel-payer universal health care. So here's my thinking...we know Cohen and Nelson-Pallmeyer won't get the support of the DFL machine - but all those in favor of meaningful health care change should write in one of these two names on the November 2008 ballot. Maybe if enough people do this DFL leadership might start actually looking for candidates who can fight the good fight for the citizens of this State.
Face it Ciresi or Franken will be just as disappointing as Klobuchar.
Demure One,
You apparently misunderstood the purpose of Paul's visit. It was not to denounce Amy and Tim, but to admonish them.
Demure: Don’t give up on Democrats, just yet. As bloggers we should be the ones who keep them honest, as we have no reason to suck up. Just because we criticize Walz and Amy doesn’t mean we’ve given up on them at all, quite the opposite really. I think of my blogging on the topic like hollering at the top of my lungs to prevent them from doing something disastrous for the country and hope they will change course.
We are living in really critical times. We need to do more than hope and admonish. For decades I have seen the DFL fail to provide real leadership...winning means only getting a candidate in office. It doesn't mean really looking and researching and finding people can stand up for America. Far too many dolts actually get backing from the DFL - it's outrageous. Check out how we compare with other countries for health care, education, personal debt, and product quality (BTW some U.S. companies and foreign companies actually have two production lines- products for the EU have to meet much higher standards - can't be selling clothes burdened with massive amounts of toxins - here well that's more acceptable). We don't have time for more mediocre people who think they understand poverty, health care, environmental policy, and justice issues. We need people who actually understand these issues. Klobuchar has proven she doesn't get it. Time to find a replacement. Or ask how long you intend to simply be hopeful and ready to admonish.
Now the question I have for you is: Do you think it is better to work within the party to make the changes you hope? Or is it better to split off, while the Republicans remain united?
I want change too, but sometimes patience, and working within the system leads to the desired result, while walking away leads to nothing. Don’t give up, and stay with us. Keep griping! Look what happened in 2000 when you walked away from Gore. Don't let it happen again.
Hey man I volunteered to be on the candidate screening committee for my Senate District...have heard nada yet. That offer was made MONTHS ago. Something tells me I would back the most progressive candidate and would be told s/he wasn't too radical for my community.
I agree a lot has to be done within the DFL to make it better. Guys like you who see what’s wrong are an excellent asset because you aren’t afraid to call them on it. It would be a travesty if all the discontents left. Stay at it!
Uh...I'm not a guy. Which makes participating in a meaningful way within the constructs of the DFL even harder! Quite frankly I think I can have more of an impact operating outside of the DFL. I have talked to women within the DFL who advise me not to hook up because I will be diminished further. DFL guys however, seem to think there are ooodles of opportunity within the party...gosh why is that?
I usually use "Guys" as gender neutral. Sort of like a polite you all in other languages. Sorry about that.
You think the DFL is sexist? Really?
yeah
I'm sorry to hear you feel that way.
Demure One,
At the Precinct and Senate District levels of caucus representation, the DFL is required by bylaws to have as equal gender representation as we can get for the next round of caucusing (that is, a precinct has to send as close to equal number of men and women, and caucuses sending on to their CD caucus need to do the same, etc.) Frustratingly, we always have more trouble filling the female slots than male.
Our SD district chair is a woman (SD62). In fact, check out the DFL party leadership list at
http://dfl.org/index.asp?Type=B_...4-295E384F5FC7}
i can't tell from all the names, but from my memory from the selection process, gender balance was enforced.
You think the DFL is sexist? OK, show up and change it... we have slots waiting for you with your name on it 
Maybe when I start seeing women candidates getting the same kind of treatment as men candidates especially for state or county offices... How many women have held the position of State Chair for the party?
When was the last time a woman was championed and the "rising star of the DFL? - not by the DFL Feminist Caucus but by the good old boys who got Hatch endorsed....that crowd.
I tried volunteering about five years ago and found out quickly I could answer phones...not exactly my style. It was weird too - every time I called DFL headquarters a woman picked up the phone...never a man...
And BTW - I just got this e-mail about MN2020 - Matt Entenza's little baby - check out the lack of gender representation...this kind of stuff happens ALL THE TIME
Fellows
Joseph A. Amato, Senior Fellow
Conrad deFiebre, Fellow
Lee Egerstrom, Fellow
John Fitzgerald, Fellow and Staff Researcher
Paru Shah, Fellow
John Van Hecke, Fellow and Director of Operations and Planning
Ben Pierson, Chuck Green Civic Engagement Fellow
Elizabeth Shirek, Undergraduate Research Fellow
Andy Ver Steegh, Chuck Green Civic Engagement Fellow
Staff
Glen Fladeboe, Director of Communications
Chris Shields, Deputy Communications Director
Judy Bartlett, Office Manager
Board Chair and Founder
Matt Entenza
http://www.mn2020.org/index.asp?...3-49D5F52A61C8}
Demure One:
I'm a guy. When I volunteered for Amy Klobuchar, they asked me to answer phones and door knock. I don't consider that discrimination, but the need for boots on the ground.
Second, rising DFL stars that are women? Who is the speaker of the state house right now? that surely wasn't done on seniority... and who is our State Auditor? Attorney General? Of the likely contenders for the governor's mansion next time around, these 3 offices (with SOS) are the prime farm team. All 3 are DFL, and 2 of those 3 are women. And as much as I really like Mark Richie, I think the other Otto and Swanson are better poised for the shot...
Third, note that from your own link, MN2020 is a non-partisan think tank, not the DFL.
The DFL may have some gender issues, but I think you are throwing babies out with bathwater. Obviously, there are women in great positions now to make a difference.
It appears from your posts that you are of the mindset that, "I have a hammer, and everything in the world is a nail." That is, if you recognize that gender inequalities exist, everything with problems must admit gender issues as the prime reason. I have to respectfully disagree pace the arguments listed prior. So, will I see you at the next DFL meeting?
The point is within the party men dominate. You wanted to volunteer for Klobuchar - great..door knocking and answering phones is part of the routine. May you come back as a woman and try to get involved with the actual structure of the party and be told - hey you want to answer phones? Then there is the issue of leaders from the party going off and starting groups, ahem - example Entenza - they continue to provide more opportunities to men for civic engagement activities. Will I be at the next DFL meeting - why? So if I raise this issue I can hear hey "Obviously there are women in great positions now to make a difference" and the underlying message that goes with that...yeah things could be better but there is not REALLY a problem - what's your beef honey?
BTW it would also be cool if the DFL could get behind women for county commissioner races - but then you can probably find a few cases where women have won and can say see we're there we're doing it.
Well, your heels seem to be dug in, and if you are going to be the change you want to see in the world, it doesn't appear to be via the DFL. So, OK; I'm not going to evangelize any further than I have. So, I'll bid you goodbye and good luck with your endeavors in the future.
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