March 8-11, 2018
Mar 08 05:31 Trump-hater joins the race Mar 08 11:38 Let's end 'Rule by letter' education Mar 08 16:43 Devastating OLA report Mar 09 05:30 Is this Trump's historic moment? Mar 09 09:35 Trump's best jobs report yet Mar 10 02:17 Jerry Brown's mindless diatribe Mar 10 08:32 Anselmo pushes smoking bill Mar 10 10:04 Edina's indoctrination program & the Strib's hit piece Mar 11 10:00 Dave Kleis's major mistake
Prior Years: 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Trump-hater joins the race
Apparently, Richard Painter thinks that there aren't enough Trump-haters running for US Senate. Painter has announced that he's formed an exploratory committee to see whether there's room for him in the race for Al Franken's former seat. Suffice it to say that he doesn't think he has much of a shot at winning.
That's the only conclusion worth drawing after reading that Painter thinks "he wouldn't necessarily need a lot of money to mount a campaign." That's a polite way of saying he doesn't think he could raise much money, which is probably true. Frankly, Painter seems like he has a higher opinion of himself than others have of him.
Painter said at a State Capitol news conference that although he's a longtime Republican and served as chief ethics lawyer in George W. Bush's White House, he's unsure whether he would run as a Republican, Democrat or independent. "I need to think about whether there's a place for me" in the GOP, he said. "I'm going to be considering any and all options.' He described himself as 'a centrist in many ways - right up the middle." He said he has supported Democrats.
That sounds lovely but today's GOP activists prefer principled people that think things through. The last thing they're attracted to is another John McCain or Lindsey Graham.
It isn't that I have a personal animus towards Painter. It's that, prior to this announcement, I'd never heard of him. If he wants to run, have at it. When he fails, I don't want to hear that 'there's no room for moderates in the GOP'. He will have failed because he wasn't a quality candidate. Painter will have lost because he's a nobody.
Posted Thursday, March 8, 2018 5:31 AM
Comment 1 by JerryE9 at 08-Mar-18 08:39 AM
A note from GOP Senate candidate Karen Housley this morning says that Painter wanted to impeach Trump. Probably not a winning message among Republicans at this point.
Response 1.1 by Gary Gross at 08-Mar-18 12:03 PM
That's what you do after you've won the endorsement, if you do it at all. Telling the activists that you hate the president of your own party is stupid beyond belief.
Comment 2 by eric z at 09-Mar-18 08:53 AM
Dick Painter is an interesting name.
Let's end 'Rule by letter' education
It's time to end what's known as 'rule by letter' governance. Let's finish it ASAP. 'Rule by letter' policies were implemented by, surprise, surprise, the Obama administration. Arne Duncan issued a 'Dear Colleague' letter in 2014 that threatened federal civil rights lawsuits "unless they reduce law-enforcement referrals, suspensions and expulsions of minority students." The "2014 'Dear Colleague' letter on school discipline" was "a joint guidance by the Education and Justice departments."
Though the Obama administration is out of office, their policies live on. "Justice Department attorney Jeremy Thompson recently cited Broward and Miami-Dade as Florida school districts that have experienced 'positive outcomes as a result of replacing zero-tolerance policies with restorative justice policies. By adopting programs similar to Miami-Dade and Broward County, other school districts can help eliminate the School-to-Prison Pipeline and decrease the disparate incarceration rates in the U.S.,' Mr. Thompson said in the Feb. 2 edition of the Harvard Law and Policy Review."
This 'Dear Colleague Letter' is what helped Nikolas Cruz escape discipline, which led to his shooting up Marjory Stoneman-Douglas HS. Why wouldn't we totally scrap Mr. Holder's program immediately? Here's a possible reason why it won't happen:
Any effort by Mrs. DeVos to overhaul the school-discipline directive undoubtedly would unleash a political outcry. "It's almost a certainty that she will get clobbered by this by the education establishment, and it's possible she'll get clobbered about it by media establishment," said Mr. Eden. "It's my hope that with enough public debate and awareness, it will become, 'The guidance tried to address it, it went too far, and we need a more balanced approach.'"
Libertarians like Rand Paul and Kennedy will be upset. Scheming progressives like Eric Holder will threaten lawsuits. Let them file lawsuits, then defend their lawsuits. I can't wait to hear Democrats explain why thugs like Cruz deserve kid glove treatment while plotting their mass murder raids.
The students that everyone was praising are starting to show their true (progressive) colors. They're showing that they're really just pawns of organizations like Moms Demand Action or Everytown.
[Video no longer available]
These students have gone through a ton of stuff that I wish they'd never gone through. That doesn't mean I should be expected to tolerate their disrespectful actions. The types of things they've endured doesn't mean they get to act like brats.
The bottom line is this: it's time to fix the Obama administration's mistakes. Tolerating policies that have gotten students killed isn't acceptable.
Posted Thursday, March 8, 2018 11:38 AM
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Devastating OLA report
Saying that the OLA's report on nursing home management is harsh is understatement. The conclusions reached by the OLA paint a terrible picture of government mismanagement. For instance, the report says that Nobles' office found problems ranging from "ineffective case management, unwritten and frequently changing policies, ineffective staff training, staff turnover that sometimes is 25 percent a year and a lack of staff confidence in leadership."
That's just the start of it. Jim Nobles is quoted as saying "'the problems ... are deep and pervasive and have been there a long time. They are rooted in poor management.' Workers take pride in their work, Nobles said, but 'for too long they have had to work in an environment that was ... sometimes toxic.'"
According to the report, "people in 'immediate jeopardy'" are supposed to be investigated in less than 2 days. "Just 17 percent of 2017 cases met a two-day deadline to be read, let alone investigated, the report showed." In addition to that disturbing information, this information is damning:
State investigators found the leaders at the OHFC did not properly oversee abuse inquiries and family members were not kept informed. A review of 53 OHFC investigations found key witnesses were not interviewed and poor documentation of evidence.
This information is frightening:
This about this sentence:
OHFC does not have an effective case management system, which has contributed to lost files and poor decisions regarding resource allocation.
If management hasn't established a system, then it's impossible to consider these employees management. I'd argue that the people called management should be fired ASAP to protect the people.
Check out this recommendation:
The Legislature should require OHFC to regularly report on its progress in meeting state and federal requirements.
This is the type of stuff that should be a no-brainer. It's proof that 'management' isn't serious about fulfilling its responsibilities.
Posted Thursday, March 8, 2018 4:43 PM
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Is this Trump's historic moment?
It's still far too early to know whether North Korean dictator Kim Jung Un is willing to give up his nuclear weapons program in exchange for the US promising not to militarily attacking his nation. Further, it's entirely proper to be skeptical that Un is finally making a good faith proposal. It isn't like he hasn't tried conning past US presidents.
Still, the fact that President Trump has announced that he'll meet face-to-face with Un before the start of May is stunning news.
When South Korea's national security director Chung Eui-yong walked out to a set of microphones at the White House at 6:00 pm CT Thursday night, "he said the two world leaders agreed to meet by May. Trump tweeted: 'Great progress being made but sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached. Meeting being planned!' U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., praised the president's efforts to denuclearize North Korea, saying that it 'gives us the best hope' to 'peacefully' resolve escalating tensions."
Among those expressing skepticism is "Evan S. Medeiros, a former adviser in the Obama administration." Medeiros "warned that Kim 'played' South Korean President Moon Jae-in and 'is now playing Trump.' Medeiros added, 'Kim will never give up his nukes.'"
It's entirely possible that Un won't give up his nuclear weapons program. Still, reports that North Korea is essentially bankrupt point to the fact that President Trump's policies are working. Eui-yong told reporters after meeting with Trump at the White House that "North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests." Further, "there was no insistence that the United States and South Korea suspend joint military exercises."
Harry Kazianis is an expert on North Korea. In an interview with Tucker Carlson, he said something fascinating:
But there's something that we're missing. There's a little bit of context. South Korea press about 2 weeks ago came out with some reports that were fascinating. They actually speculated that North Korea was actually on the verge of financial bankruptcy. By October, their foreign exchange reserves are probably going to be exhausted and their dollar reserves will be exhausted. That means that North Korea will essentially be bankrupt.
While there's lots of justification for skepticism, there's also ample information that justifies optimism. As Mr. Kazianis states in his interview, sometimes Hail Mary passes work. What do we have to lose?
Posted Friday, March 9, 2018 5:30 AM
Comment 1 by eric z at 09-Mar-18 08:50 AM
Mueller's closing things out could be Trump's historic moment. A Blue Wave and subsequent control of both houses could be his big moment. Not saying "will" but "could."
Response 1.1 by Gary Gross at 09-Mar-18 09:43 AM
Republicans will maintain their majority in the Senate. In fact, they'll grow their majority. Trump's strong economy will help hold seats in Michigan & Ohio.
Trump's best jobs report yet
Nancy Pelosi should be served a plate of crumbs after bad-mouthing the Trump-GOP tax cuts. This morning's jobs report shows that the Trump-GOP economic plan is working .
The good news is that the "economy added 313,000 jobs in February, crushing expectations, while the unemployment rate remained at 4.1 percent, according to a Labor Department report Friday that could help quell inflation fears." Further, economists "surveyed by Reuters had been expecting nonfarm payroll growth of 200,000 and the unemployment rate to decline one-tenth of a percent to 4 percent."
Also noteworthy is Greg Peters', senior investment officer at PGIM Fixed Income, statement that "the underlying economic growth is quite strong, but there's no real pressures from a wages and inflation standpoint. It's very good for risk assets." It's also encouraging to hear that construction "jobs led the way, with 61,000 new positions, followed by retail and professional and business services (50,000 apiece), manufacturing (31,000) and financial activities (28,000). Health care added 19,000 while mining saw 9,000 new jobs."
The workforce participation rate improved to 63% while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%. Wages improved by 2.6%, though that didn't meet expectations. Black unemployment dropped .8% to 6.9%.
By pretty much every metric, the Trump/GOP economy is performing at a high level. Most importantly, families are feeling the improvement.
Posted Friday, March 9, 2018 9:35 AM
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Jerry Brown's mindless diatribe
In the aftermath of Friday morning's jobs report, Jerry Brown's statement seems positively foolish . Brown infamously tweeted "At a time of unprecedented political turmoil, Jeff Sessions has come to California to further divide and polarize America. Jeff, these political stunts may be the norm in Washington, but they don't work here. SAD!!!"
What's he talking about? The economy is hitting on all cylinders. Wages are increasing. Ditto with take-home pay. We might be on the verge of a major foreign policy breakthrough with North Korea. What's the "unprecedented political turmoil" that Gov. Moonbeam is talking about?
The only possibility is that he's talking about the state of turmoil that his state is in. California's homelessness is at a historic high. There's deficits for as far as the eye can see. The middle class is racing to get out of the state. The Democratic Party is selectively listening to the American people.
California just got rated last in the US in quality of life:
A 2017 Harvard University report said that one-third of renters in the Los Angeles area are "severely rent burdened," meaning they spend at least half their income on housing. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles County has increased 67%, according to Zillow's Rent Index, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Here's the criteria they were judged on:
U.S. News ranked each state in seven other areas, which were weighted based on a survey that determined their importance to the public: health care, education, economy, opportunity, infrastructure, crime and corrections, and fiscal stability.
Then there's this:
California finished No. 43 in fiscal stability, No. 46 in opportunity, and No. 38 in infrastructure. It posted relatively high marks in health care (11th), economy (4th), and crime and corrections (28th).
This is immoral:
Homelessness has surged a stunning 75 percent in the last six years, the Los Angeles Times reports, and there are now at least 55,000 homeless people in the county.
[Video no longer available]
People are leaving California because it's a total mess. Jerry Brown is easily the worst governor in California history. The next Democrat governor will inherit a crisis, which they'll immediately make worse. When the rich pay 40% of their gross income, it's safe to say that the formerly middle class get hammered. It isn't a stretch to say that Gov. Moonbeam's policies have made things worse.
That's the location of today's political turmoil.
Posted Saturday, March 10, 2018 2:17 AM
Comment 1 by Chad Q at 10-Mar-18 07:04 AM
The political "turmoil" he speaks of is the turmoil the MSM either makes up or just can't not report on at the White House. Trump makes it easy for them to report on or make things up but can you imagine if the MSM had been like this under Obama and had just covered Fast and Furious, Benghazi, Clinton's email, etc. the way they cover Trump?
As for California, shouldn't Trump give a speech and say we no longer want people from shithole states like California? It's so sad what is going on there.
Anselmo pushes smoking bill
Dario Anselmo is chief author of a bill that would raise the minimum smoking age in Minnesota to 21 . State Sen. Carla Nelson "introduced similar legislation last year." They both insist that their legislation has bipartisan support.
If that's their best argument, this legislation should be immediately defeated in committee and never see the light of day again.
Rep. Anselmo has a warped view of state government's role. At his press availability, Rep. Anselmo said "This is sort of what government is here for. It's here for our public safety, national and local. It's here for our public health, and this is a big one. I tell them if we're the party that talks about cutting health care costs, its $3 billion direct cost that go to the cost of smoking."
What type of liberal thinking is that? First, Republicans are the party that preaches the gospel of individual responsibility. Rep. Anselmo apparently thinks that adults who aren't 21 aren't capable of making intelligent decisions. I'd love hearing Rep. Anselmo explain why he thinks people who are prosecuted as adults aren't capable of making intelligent adult decisions. Check out the first segment of Friday night's Almanac to watch Rep. Anselmo explain his legislation:
[Video no longer available]
This is legislation in search of a problem. There isn't a smoking crisis. There isn't a hint of a smoking crisis. Further, this is a perfect example of busybody legislating. Rep. Anselmo should admit that adults should be left alone to make their own decisions.
Posted Saturday, March 10, 2018 8:32 AM
Comment 1 by Chad Q at 10-Mar-18 02:09 PM
What pot of money are they going to steal from if raising the age to 21 actually works? I mean the tax on tobacco is what pays for all kinds of liberal health programs and if people stop buying, where's the money go to come from.
Edina's indoctrination program & the Strib's hit piece
It's been well-reported that the Edina Public Schools have implemented an indoctrination agenda. This Strib hit piece attempts to discredit those reports.
According to the Strib's hit piece, "many parents and school board members dismissed the piece for providing little context and cherry-picking data." That's nonsense. Dictionary.com's definition for cherrypicking is "to select with great care." That isn't what's happening. Conservative students have testified in front of legislative committees. One of those students, Tatum Buyse, said during her testimony "The environment at school is so political. Everything is viewed as comparing white versus black when all I want to do is be a high-schooler."
That's just the tip of the iceberg. This article tells the story of Edina High School's hostility towards conservatives:
Last month, some students sat in protest during the playing of taps and the national anthem in a Veterans Day assembly, the lawsuit says. Members of the Young Conservatives Club were outraged and took to Twitter to express that, according to a statement by the students who filed suit.
Members of the club also sent private chat messages among themselves that contained disparaging remarks about other students, including Somali-Americans. Those were made public in a YouTube video from an Edina High 'anti-fascist' group, which demanded an apology. Afterward, school leaders revoked the Young Conservatives Club's status as a school-sponsored organization, said attorney Erick Kaardal, who's representing the students: Nick Spades, Elizabeth Ebner, Jazmine Edmond, Tatum Buyse and Ana Doval.
I'd argue that it's difficult to "select with great care" episodes that apparently happen with great frequency. Further, I'd love hearing the Edina Public School's explanation for revoking the Young Conservatives Club's status as a school-sponsored organization. BTW, that's a lawsuit EPS will lose.
Contained in John Hinderaker's post is this information:
This one is from a student:
The day after the election I was texting my mom to pick me up from school and she almost had to!! Every teacher was crying in class, one even told the whole class 'Trump winning is worse than 9/11 and the Columbine shooting.' The amount of liberal propaganda that was pushed every single day in class this year was worse than it's ever been-and you're bullied by the teachers and every student if you dare speak against it.
Yeah its horrible, the teachers can absolutely do whatever they want. The administration will do nothing about it!! The day of the election every single student was in the commons chanting 'F*** TRUMP' and the teachers never did anything. A LOT of people are starting to complain and my mom has some friends who are leaving the school district.
A parent describes her daughter being abused in class in an email to a school administrator:
In talking with [my daughters], it came out that yesterday in my 10th grader's AP World class, [the teacher] called out any Trump supporters and asked them to assure the class that they weren't racist. Both my husband and I were aghast and we felt strongly that we should say something to you. : Yesterday's incident in her class really surprised us as it is so completely inappropriate and unprofessional. If you talk with [the teacher] about this, please don't mention my daughter. She doesn't want to be identified for fear of retribution.
It sounds like this retaliation is pretty widespread. It's difficult to cherry-pick information when it's this plentiful. Mr. Hinderaker expresses his thoughts in this presentation:
[Video no longer available]
Almost 10 minutes into his presentation, Mr. Hinderaker listed a series of statements. The anti-conservative hostility was described as "pervasive." Based on the information in the presentation, I'd consider that description indisputable. FYI- the definition of pervasive is "spread throughout."
Please take the time to watch Mr. Hinderaker's entire presentation. I did and I'm glad I did.
Posted Saturday, March 10, 2018 10:04 AM
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Dave Kleis's major mistake
Saying that Mayor Kleis made a major mistake in selling city park land to Costco is understatement. The city councilmembers who voted to approve the sale should be terminated the next time they're up for re-election. Ditto with Kleis. George Hontos' op-ed explains things perfectly.
Hontos writes "First, the sale of 18.56 acres of city park land for Costco for $3.5 million was a give away that the mayor could have prevented. The city had an independent professional appraiser determine the land had a value of over $5 million. Back in Jan. 2018, before any purchase agreement was signed with Costco, a local developer offered the city $6.5 million, but the Mayor rejected this offer, saying it was too late in the process."
Mayor Kleis isn't the only person who should get criticized. Later, Hontos wrote "There was nothing stopping the Mayor from calling for a bidding process. Just as disappointing were the actions of my cohorts on the city council, there was nothing stopping them from voting the Costco offer down and calling for a bidding process. But they did not do so. Why? What happened to the mayor and city council's fiduciary responsibilities to the taxpayers? Now they have given a deep discount on some of the most valuable commercial property left in our city."
Mayor Kleis has touted himself as fiscally conservative. This transaction proves that he isn't. This transaction proves that he isn't that good of a negotiator. Then there's this:
Second, a highly taxpayer-subsidized "affordable" housing project was approved and again I voted against this. Not that I am against affordable housing, but because of the way this project was billed as helping the affordable housing needs of our community. The developer and city staff billed this project to be one of the nicest apartment buildings in the area. The rents are so out of sync with market rate units. This project has a one bedroom apartment starting at $950 per month. After going on apartments.com I canvassed 30 local apartment buildings with one bedrooms. The average rent as advertised was $699.33 and not one was listed at $950. The majority of the city council, along with the support of city staff, has allowed a private developer to extract significant public assistance from taxpayers all in the name of affordable housing.
Providing affordable housing isn't a core function of city, county or state government. Period. The government should keep its nose out of this stuff.
PS- The people that voted for the Costco transaction and the affordable housing need to be run off the City Council ASAP.
Posted Sunday, March 11, 2018 10:00 AM
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