Hurricanes take Game One in wild finish:
Rod Brind'Amour scored his second goal of the game in the last minute of regulation to give the Carolina Hurricanes a 5-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game One of the Stanley Cup Final in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Ty Conklin, who had entered the game in the third period after Dwayne Roloson was injured, fumbled with the puick behind the net and it squirted out in front of the empty net where Brind'Amour tapped it in.
The Hurricanes had erupted in the third period to take a 4-3 lead over the Oilers, who had opened up a 3-0 lead in the second period. Ales Hemsky put the Oilers back on even terms late in the final frame.
What a terrible way to end what was up to that point a tremendous game. The Nihilist is right that the NHL's TV contract is ridiculous, but the game itself has never been better.
Tonight's game had it all: hard hits, pretty goals, incredible saves (especially by Cam Ward), and even a penalty shot (by Chris Pronger and he scored!). But the giveaway with thirty seconds left that gave the 'Canes the game? Ugly. You gotta feel bad for Ty Conklin.
Let's hope that Duane Roloson can return and the Oilers can regroup in Game Two on Wedneday night. I don't want to think about the possibility that the South may indeed do it again.
UPDATE: ESPN just announced that Roloson is done for the rest of the series. I fear that with him go the Oilers chances of drinking from Lord Stanley's Chalice.
Monday, June 05, 2006
The Ratings Game
Recently, a number of e-mails have come in regarding our Beer Ratings. No doubt this deluge was due in no small part to the link that the gallant gents at Power Line provided earlier last week. They rate the great American novels. We rate beer. Works for me.
Anyway, let's hit the mailbag.
We start with Gary from Washington:
Appreciate your dedication to tasting beers and to your ratings thereof.
Please consider sampling Labatt Blue out of Canada. It is a pilsner, delicious, and life blood for me.
A link from Power Line led me to your site. I have added it to my blog favorites.
Yours, in the Brotherhood of Beer Lovers,
Jim from California offers a suggestion:
Nice job with the beer ratings. Someone, indeed, has to do such a difficult job.
Might I recommend my nephews' beer to sample. They are a small and growing microbrewery in San Francisco, called Speakeasy. Their best is called "Prohibition Ale", along with an India Pale Ale called "Big Daddy." You can check them out at:
www.goodbeer.com
Orest from Pennsylvania:
I happened upon your site almost by accident. I think the good folks over at Power Line suggested reviewing your list of brews. I'm glad I did. I've bookmarked it. Good stuff.
In looking at your list of brews, I discovered that you have a glaring omission: my favorite, Yeungling lager. If Rolling Rock, another Pa. beer, got a rating of 6 (and it's really overrated), Yeungling should get at least a 14. Hopefully you can pick up a case of Pottsville, Pa.'s finest export somewhere in Minn.
Tim piles on:
If you don't rate Yuengling you lose all credibility. It is, by far, the best American Lager out there. It's the only beer that has unseated Bud for best-seller in any county in the US over the last 10 years. If you haven't had it, you've been deprived.
Michael also finds omissions:
Great God Man!
How could you overlook any representative of Dogfishhead Ale? How about Allagash, or Rogue Half-e-weizen or Rogue Buckwheat Ale? Your list can't possibly be complete without Anchor Brewing's Old Foghorn, or Rogue's Old Crustacean.
All of the above represent the greatest heights to which the noble barley may be raised.
Dave provides a suggestion:
I discovered your beer ratings through a link at Power Line, and found them quite interesting. I noted one of the highest ratings was for Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. I agree. That was my beer of choice until last year when I discovered Red Seal Ale from North Coast Brewing in Fort Bragg, CA. I suggest you give it a try, if you can find it, and I'll be interested how you compare it to the Sierra Nevada brew. In my opinion, it is the best ale I have ever consumed.
And David asks a question:
Way back in the distant past of college, I was given some Mackeson (sp?) Stout from Scotland to taste. I enjoyed it much more than its Irish cousin, Guinness stout, but have not come across it in ages in any store I have been in. Do you know anything aboot it?
I believe that I tried it some years ago at a beer tasting party and have noticed it on occasion at stores. This guy seems to like it:
Because Mackeson makes a great beer, comparable in many ways to Guinness Draught. All I could think of on the first taste of Mackeson Triple stout is the taste of chocolate milk. It was smooth, creamy and wonderful and I enjoyed every taste. The only thing stopping this beer from being perfect for me, is that it's a little to sweet for my every day beer. So I don't think its going to replace my Guinness, but I think I will be getting it when I see it.
These e-mails raise a couple of points that should be addressed.
1. Just because a beer is not on the list does mean that I have not tried it. The vast majority of beers that are included in this ratings list were purchased locally and sampled in my basement bar. The ratings system includes six separate categories (head, smell, color, taste, aftertaste, overall) with different points scales for each one. It's difficult to remember them all when you're sitting in a bar sipping a particular beer and I haven't reached the level of geeky abandon where I feel comfortable whipping out a score sheet and evaluating the beer in a public setting. I have rated a few beers while traveling, but, in addition to the nearly 300 beers that I have rated, there are probably at least one hundred others that I've tasted at some point but not rated.
Yuengling is one of those. I've actually had Yuengling on tap in Key West of all places. It's a good beer, but I don't feel comfortable assigning it a numeric rating without running it through the ratings process. I'll see if I can track it down locally. I do appreciate suggestions for new beers to rate and make every possible effort to include as many beers as possible on the list. Remember, there are a lot of beers out there (Thanks God!) and it could take years to include them all.
2. All ratings are completely subjective based on my impressions of the beer at the time it was rated. My tastes have no doubt changed over the years and beers that I rated highly years ago may no longer be among my favorites. On a few rare occasions, I have gone back and revised the ratings of particular beers when further experience necessitates it.
3. Just because a beer is rated high doesn't mean it's always the right beer. The ratings are based on the overall qualities of the beer and typically the kind of beers that I prefer, heavier and stronger, with more flavor, will have higher ratings. That doesn't mean that these are the only beers I drink or that beers lower scores, say under ten, aren't perfectly appropriate for some situations. A blistering hot day for example call for a lighter, easier drinking brew.
UPDATE-- Dave e-mails again with another beer recommendation and a question:
Another suggestion is North Coast's Old 38 Stout. This is their version of an Irish Stout, and I like it much better than Guinness. One of my preferred beers has always been bock beer that some companies used to put out in the late winter. But it is virtually impossible to find, especially in the west. I recall that many years ago, the Stroh Brewing Company in Detroit (when it was still family owned) would put out a bock that was worth waiting for each year. Coors put out a bock some years back along with their winterfest beer, but they were only so so. If you have any suggestions on a bock, let me know.
I don't know how widely available it is, but the Schell Brewery in New Ulm, Minnesota makes an excellent Caramel Bock as well as a potent Doppel Bock. In addition, they hold an annual Bock Fest at the brewery grounds each February.
Anyway, let's hit the mailbag.
We start with Gary from Washington:
Appreciate your dedication to tasting beers and to your ratings thereof.
Please consider sampling Labatt Blue out of Canada. It is a pilsner, delicious, and life blood for me.
A link from Power Line led me to your site. I have added it to my blog favorites.
Yours, in the Brotherhood of Beer Lovers,
Jim from California offers a suggestion:
Nice job with the beer ratings. Someone, indeed, has to do such a difficult job.
Might I recommend my nephews' beer to sample. They are a small and growing microbrewery in San Francisco, called Speakeasy. Their best is called "Prohibition Ale", along with an India Pale Ale called "Big Daddy." You can check them out at:
www.goodbeer.com
Orest from Pennsylvania:
I happened upon your site almost by accident. I think the good folks over at Power Line suggested reviewing your list of brews. I'm glad I did. I've bookmarked it. Good stuff.
In looking at your list of brews, I discovered that you have a glaring omission: my favorite, Yeungling lager. If Rolling Rock, another Pa. beer, got a rating of 6 (and it's really overrated), Yeungling should get at least a 14. Hopefully you can pick up a case of Pottsville, Pa.'s finest export somewhere in Minn.
Tim piles on:
If you don't rate Yuengling you lose all credibility. It is, by far, the best American Lager out there. It's the only beer that has unseated Bud for best-seller in any county in the US over the last 10 years. If you haven't had it, you've been deprived.
Michael also finds omissions:
Great God Man!
How could you overlook any representative of Dogfishhead Ale? How about Allagash, or Rogue Half-e-weizen or Rogue Buckwheat Ale? Your list can't possibly be complete without Anchor Brewing's Old Foghorn, or Rogue's Old Crustacean.
All of the above represent the greatest heights to which the noble barley may be raised.
Dave provides a suggestion:
I discovered your beer ratings through a link at Power Line, and found them quite interesting. I noted one of the highest ratings was for Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. I agree. That was my beer of choice until last year when I discovered Red Seal Ale from North Coast Brewing in Fort Bragg, CA. I suggest you give it a try, if you can find it, and I'll be interested how you compare it to the Sierra Nevada brew. In my opinion, it is the best ale I have ever consumed.
And David asks a question:
Way back in the distant past of college, I was given some Mackeson (sp?) Stout from Scotland to taste. I enjoyed it much more than its Irish cousin, Guinness stout, but have not come across it in ages in any store I have been in. Do you know anything aboot it?
I believe that I tried it some years ago at a beer tasting party and have noticed it on occasion at stores. This guy seems to like it:
Because Mackeson makes a great beer, comparable in many ways to Guinness Draught. All I could think of on the first taste of Mackeson Triple stout is the taste of chocolate milk. It was smooth, creamy and wonderful and I enjoyed every taste. The only thing stopping this beer from being perfect for me, is that it's a little to sweet for my every day beer. So I don't think its going to replace my Guinness, but I think I will be getting it when I see it.
These e-mails raise a couple of points that should be addressed.
1. Just because a beer is not on the list does mean that I have not tried it. The vast majority of beers that are included in this ratings list were purchased locally and sampled in my basement bar. The ratings system includes six separate categories (head, smell, color, taste, aftertaste, overall) with different points scales for each one. It's difficult to remember them all when you're sitting in a bar sipping a particular beer and I haven't reached the level of geeky abandon where I feel comfortable whipping out a score sheet and evaluating the beer in a public setting. I have rated a few beers while traveling, but, in addition to the nearly 300 beers that I have rated, there are probably at least one hundred others that I've tasted at some point but not rated.
Yuengling is one of those. I've actually had Yuengling on tap in Key West of all places. It's a good beer, but I don't feel comfortable assigning it a numeric rating without running it through the ratings process. I'll see if I can track it down locally. I do appreciate suggestions for new beers to rate and make every possible effort to include as many beers as possible on the list. Remember, there are a lot of beers out there (Thanks God!) and it could take years to include them all.
2. All ratings are completely subjective based on my impressions of the beer at the time it was rated. My tastes have no doubt changed over the years and beers that I rated highly years ago may no longer be among my favorites. On a few rare occasions, I have gone back and revised the ratings of particular beers when further experience necessitates it.
3. Just because a beer is rated high doesn't mean it's always the right beer. The ratings are based on the overall qualities of the beer and typically the kind of beers that I prefer, heavier and stronger, with more flavor, will have higher ratings. That doesn't mean that these are the only beers I drink or that beers lower scores, say under ten, aren't perfectly appropriate for some situations. A blistering hot day for example call for a lighter, easier drinking brew.
UPDATE-- Dave e-mails again with another beer recommendation and a question:
Another suggestion is North Coast's Old 38 Stout. This is their version of an Irish Stout, and I like it much better than Guinness. One of my preferred beers has always been bock beer that some companies used to put out in the late winter. But it is virtually impossible to find, especially in the west. I recall that many years ago, the Stroh Brewing Company in Detroit (when it was still family owned) would put out a bock that was worth waiting for each year. Coors put out a bock some years back along with their winterfest beer, but they were only so so. If you have any suggestions on a bock, let me know.
I don't know how widely available it is, but the Schell Brewery in New Ulm, Minnesota makes an excellent Caramel Bock as well as a potent Doppel Bock. In addition, they hold an annual Bock Fest at the brewery grounds each February.
Hello!
Mark Steyn, last Thursday on the Hugh Hewitt show, commenting on the media allegations of Marine misconduct in Iraq:
And all I want to say about this is that there are good reasons for going to war, and there are respectable reasons for opposing the war with Iraq. But if you supported the war with Iraq, then this doesn't change anything. Bad things happen in every war. Your compatriots, my compatriots, Americans, Canadians, Britons, Australians, New Zealanders have all done terrible, horrible things in war. And that doesn't deny the rightness and the justice of their cause, and the merit of those wars, and the value of those victories. There are 150,000 coalition troops in Iraq. Even if 1,500 of them behaved terribly, that would still mean that 99% of coalition forces behave perfectly, and behave impeccably. And people are very stupid and lazy if they think this changes the rationale and the morality of the war.
As if on cue, Eleanor Clift in Newsweek on Friday:
It makes it harder to look at this war as a moral enterprise.
With exquisite timing like that, Eleanor Clift may some day be recognized as the Lenny and Squiggy of modern journalism.
And all I want to say about this is that there are good reasons for going to war, and there are respectable reasons for opposing the war with Iraq. But if you supported the war with Iraq, then this doesn't change anything. Bad things happen in every war. Your compatriots, my compatriots, Americans, Canadians, Britons, Australians, New Zealanders have all done terrible, horrible things in war. And that doesn't deny the rightness and the justice of their cause, and the merit of those wars, and the value of those victories. There are 150,000 coalition troops in Iraq. Even if 1,500 of them behaved terribly, that would still mean that 99% of coalition forces behave perfectly, and behave impeccably. And people are very stupid and lazy if they think this changes the rationale and the morality of the war.
As if on cue, Eleanor Clift in Newsweek on Friday:
It makes it harder to look at this war as a moral enterprise.
With exquisite timing like that, Eleanor Clift may some day be recognized as the Lenny and Squiggy of modern journalism.
Convention Wrap
It appeared that a good time was had by all who attended last weekend's Minnesota GOP State Convention. I certainly enjoyed being part of the NARN broadcast on Friday and even Saturday as the convention came to a close and we watched the teamsters (so lazy and surly) tear down the stage. We were able to interview a number of Minnesota pols and (twenty-four hour) party people, who were gracious enough to drop by our location far above the convention floor. You can see just how far above we were by checking out this shot taken from the deck above the broadcast booth. It would have been an ideal location if someone had wanted to go "Manchurian Candidate" at the event. Thankfully, the red queens were kept in the deck.
It may come as a shock to you, but the best part of attending political conventions is not listening to thirteen hours of debate on the party platform. No, it's getting a chance to interact with numerous interesting, intelligent folks who attend such functions. Included in this category were the slew of bloggers on hand to cover the proceedings (we tried to figure out many members of the Minnesota Organization of Bloggers were either delegate or alternates and came up with at least a dozen), at least when they were sober. And we also had a chance to once again put a face to a very familiar name.
If you're even a casual listener to talk radio, you're probably heard the unmistakable accent of Quentin from Zimmerman (Minnesota). In addition to being a regular caller to the NARN and other local talk shows, I've heard Quentin on Hugh Hewitt, Dennis Prager, Michael Medved, and Rush. The guy is one of the most dedicated callers in the land and one of the more interesting. He stopped by and said hi on Friday and posed for a picture with King and I (Quentin is the sharp dressed man in the middle).
For me, the two biggest takeaways from the convention are that the party is unified and that it appears that nearly everyone recognizes the perils that may lie ahead come November. No one is underestimating the challenges that need to be overcome to win and overconfidence is not going to be a problem. The 2006 elections could result in a Democratic rout, but it's not going to be because the Minnesota GOP is asleep at the gate. The "all hands on deck" sense of urgency was evident throughout the convention.
The biggest surprise had to be Gingrich winning the presidential straw poll. While it's true that only 540 some ballots were cast and that well-known party leaders encouraged delegates to vote for Newt, I don't think that anyone would have predicted that Gingrich would be victorious in such a convincing fashion. It shows just how unimpressed many of the hard-core party members are with the current crop of contenders and how wide open the field really is.
Now, we can sit back and watch the fireworks unfold at this weekend's DFL State Convention in Rochester, which promises to be much more contentious. In hindsight, THIS would have been the convention to broadcast from, as we would have an endless stream of material to work with. And the guests? Just imagine the possibilities. Sigh.
In 2008, we'll definitely plan to be at the DFL convention. And if Minneapolis hosts the national Democratic Convention in 2008? A conservative radio host's dream come true.
It may come as a shock to you, but the best part of attending political conventions is not listening to thirteen hours of debate on the party platform. No, it's getting a chance to interact with numerous interesting, intelligent folks who attend such functions. Included in this category were the slew of bloggers on hand to cover the proceedings (we tried to figure out many members of the Minnesota Organization of Bloggers were either delegate or alternates and came up with at least a dozen), at least when they were sober. And we also had a chance to once again put a face to a very familiar name.
If you're even a casual listener to talk radio, you're probably heard the unmistakable accent of Quentin from Zimmerman (Minnesota). In addition to being a regular caller to the NARN and other local talk shows, I've heard Quentin on Hugh Hewitt, Dennis Prager, Michael Medved, and Rush. The guy is one of the most dedicated callers in the land and one of the more interesting. He stopped by and said hi on Friday and posed for a picture with King and I (Quentin is the sharp dressed man in the middle).
For me, the two biggest takeaways from the convention are that the party is unified and that it appears that nearly everyone recognizes the perils that may lie ahead come November. No one is underestimating the challenges that need to be overcome to win and overconfidence is not going to be a problem. The 2006 elections could result in a Democratic rout, but it's not going to be because the Minnesota GOP is asleep at the gate. The "all hands on deck" sense of urgency was evident throughout the convention.
The biggest surprise had to be Gingrich winning the presidential straw poll. While it's true that only 540 some ballots were cast and that well-known party leaders encouraged delegates to vote for Newt, I don't think that anyone would have predicted that Gingrich would be victorious in such a convincing fashion. It shows just how unimpressed many of the hard-core party members are with the current crop of contenders and how wide open the field really is.
Now, we can sit back and watch the fireworks unfold at this weekend's DFL State Convention in Rochester, which promises to be much more contentious. In hindsight, THIS would have been the convention to broadcast from, as we would have an endless stream of material to work with. And the guests? Just imagine the possibilities. Sigh.
In 2008, we'll definitely plan to be at the DFL convention. And if Minneapolis hosts the national Democratic Convention in 2008? A conservative radio host's dream come true.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Strange Bedfellows
You'll never guess who showed up at one of the receptions after Friday's business was concluded at the MN GOP Convention. Andy was even able to get into a picture with the most unexpected guest. Gotta love the t-shirt.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Are you saying "boo" or "Boo-urns"?
Regret the Error--A chorus of boos for the reviewer:
Editor's note: A review of Pearl Jam that appeared in Monday's Inquirer incorrectly characterized the audience's reponse to the keyboardist at Saturday's show. The audience was not booing Kenneth "Boom" Gasper, but cheering him on by chanting his nickname.
Editor's note: A review of Pearl Jam that appeared in Monday's Inquirer incorrectly characterized the audience's reponse to the keyboardist at Saturday's show. The audience was not booing Kenneth "Boom" Gasper, but cheering him on by chanting his nickname.
Gingrich Groundswell In Gopher State
The presidential straw poll conducted at yesterday's MN GOP Convention was won handily by Newt Gingrich with over 40% of the five-hundred some ballots cast. King has the tally.
Run Newt, run.
Run Newt, run.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Convention Coverage
I arrived at the convention at about 10:45am this morning and it's been a bit of a whirlwind since then. I spent a little time with the boys on blogger row and even got in a picture (you might want to give the red-eye reduction a shot Michael).
The show (AM-1570 and live internet stream) started at 1pm in our "fishbowl" high above the convention floor. It's actually a pretty sweet location, sort of like being in our own press box.
Three guests so far:
Rich Stanek, who is running for Hennepin County Sheriff.
Jeff Johnson, candidate for Minnesota Attorney General.
And 3rd District Congressman Jim Ramstad, who was very much on-message and that message was quite conservative, especially given Ramstad's rather moderate image.
Norm Coleman is speaking right now.
We expect to have the Senator on air at 2:45pm.
More later as time and circumstances allow.
UPDATE--6:30pm and we have a gaggle of local bloggers now on the air:
Kennedy v. The Machine
Bogus Gold
Minnesota Democrats Exposed
Residual Forces
UPDATE II: Now talking with the guys from MN Tea Party.
UPDATE III: Joined by Alan Fine, running for Congress in the Fifth District.
UPDATE IV: Former Senator and current candidate for Congress in the Eighth District, Rod Grams is in the booth.
UPDATE V: Obi Sium for US Congress.
The show (AM-1570 and live internet stream) started at 1pm in our "fishbowl" high above the convention floor. It's actually a pretty sweet location, sort of like being in our own press box.
Three guests so far:
Rich Stanek, who is running for Hennepin County Sheriff.
Jeff Johnson, candidate for Minnesota Attorney General.
And 3rd District Congressman Jim Ramstad, who was very much on-message and that message was quite conservative, especially given Ramstad's rather moderate image.
Norm Coleman is speaking right now.
We expect to have the Senator on air at 2:45pm.
More later as time and circumstances allow.
UPDATE--6:30pm and we have a gaggle of local bloggers now on the air:
Kennedy v. The Machine
Bogus Gold
Minnesota Democrats Exposed
Residual Forces
UPDATE II: Now talking with the guys from MN Tea Party.
UPDATE III: Joined by Alan Fine, running for Congress in the Fifth District.
UPDATE IV: Former Senator and current candidate for Congress in the Eighth District, Rod Grams is in the booth.
UPDATE V: Obi Sium for US Congress.
Goin' Downtown
Today is Day Two of the 2006 Minnesota GOP State Convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center (with 6000 hotel rooms within walking distance in case anyone is wondering). The elite Northern Alliance Radio Network team will once again be there to cover the action.
We'll have two blocks of broadcasting. From 1pm-3pm, I'll join the festivities along with Mitch and King. We'll take a break from 3pm-6pm (happy hour anyone?) and be back from 6pm-9pm, joined by Captain Ed. Friday's shows will again be found exclusively on AM-1570. You can listen to a live internet stream here.
Guests today will include Jeff Johnson, Jim Ramstad, Norm Coleman, Alan Fine, Mark Kennedy, and Obi Sium, among others.
If you're down at the convention, drop by and say hi. And if you're a delegate, be sure to vote for Newt in the presidential straw poll.
We'll have two blocks of broadcasting. From 1pm-3pm, I'll join the festivities along with Mitch and King. We'll take a break from 3pm-6pm (happy hour anyone?) and be back from 6pm-9pm, joined by Captain Ed. Friday's shows will again be found exclusively on AM-1570. You can listen to a live internet stream here.
Guests today will include Jeff Johnson, Jim Ramstad, Norm Coleman, Alan Fine, Mark Kennedy, and Obi Sium, among others.
If you're down at the convention, drop by and say hi. And if you're a delegate, be sure to vote for Newt in the presidential straw poll.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Bowled Over
The other night, my wife and I were watching TV when an ad for one of these came on.
She was visibly appalled and wondered, "Who would possibly want to eat all that crap?"
"Actually it looks pretty good. I might just have to try one," I replied.
She gave me one of those "What the hell was I thinking when I married you anyway?" looks and turned away in disgust. Most married men probably get a minimum of one of these glances a week.
Well, today at lunch, I did indulge in one and I have to report that it was damn good. It's tough to go wrong with mashed potatoes, corn, chicken, cheese, AND gravy, layered on top of each other in one delicious bowl. It really don't get much better.
UPDATE--Rich from Nebraska e-mails on the commercial:
You just gave me a Great Laugh!! That is EXACTLY the same conversation my Wife and I had when that commercial aired. Thanks for the web site. I enjoy it.
She was visibly appalled and wondered, "Who would possibly want to eat all that crap?"
"Actually it looks pretty good. I might just have to try one," I replied.
She gave me one of those "What the hell was I thinking when I married you anyway?" looks and turned away in disgust. Most married men probably get a minimum of one of these glances a week.
Well, today at lunch, I did indulge in one and I have to report that it was damn good. It's tough to go wrong with mashed potatoes, corn, chicken, cheese, AND gravy, layered on top of each other in one delicious bowl. It really don't get much better.
UPDATE--Rich from Nebraska e-mails on the commercial:
You just gave me a Great Laugh!! That is EXACTLY the same conversation my Wife and I had when that commercial aired. Thanks for the web site. I enjoy it.
A Hard Time Putting Out Old Flames
City Pages ran a kid-gloves piece on MPLS Fire Chief Bonnie Bleskachek's recent legal woes for diddling the help yesterday. To be more precise, they are not HER legal woes, they are MPLSessesses since they are paying for her defense and will utlimately be on the hook for whatever these cases are eventually settled for out of court. Bonnie is currently vacationing in P-town (presumably, according to anonymous sources) still collecting her generous $113,000 annual salary while this mess gets sorted out.
A few things stood out in the piece.
-- She is being sued by THREE female firemen in three separate cases and a possible fourth suit by ANOTHER female fireman is apparently in the works. Oh, and she is currently domestic-partering with a FIFTH MPLS female fireman. What kind of lesbian dating service is the MFD running anyway?
-- Believe it or not, Bush is partially to blame for the whole thing (in reference to her not hiring two battalion chiefs which started the mess):
According to several people who were present at these talks, the chief's rationale for abolishing the testing process was that additional personnel were needed to handle administrative duties. Owing in part to new mandates placed on the department by the federal Department of Homeland Security, she explained, more staffing was required at City Hall. Consequently, there was no longer sufficient funding to hire the two battalion chiefs.
-- The role of the Minneapolis Women Fireman's Association (MoWFA) which was started by Bonnie and another firelady in pushing her all the way to the top of the heap and how they were able to water down the physical standards of the role of fireman in order for more women to be hired, something the CP piece describes as:
The group also was instrumental in working with Chief Forte to design a physical test that directly correlated to skills needed on the job without being discriminatory toward women.
When standards are being "directly correlated," citizens of MPLS are less safe.
So not only do people who live in MPLS have to live with a culture of rampant crime and the inherent safety problems (yes, even in the "good" parts of town) they also have to live with the ridiculous notion that a five foot two inch, 120 pound woman will be the one who shows up to pull them from their burning home (that is, if they aren't busy having a lover's spat at an actual fire as the piece describes).
Now a guy like Lileks probably has nothing to worry about since a fireman such as Bonnie could easily fetch him from a burning Jasperwood. But imagine the Mitch Bergs of MPLS (I know, he lives in SP, this example is for demonstrative puporses only)--who's gonna carry a dude that's 6-5 and whatever out of his abode?
A few things stood out in the piece.
-- She is being sued by THREE female firemen in three separate cases and a possible fourth suit by ANOTHER female fireman is apparently in the works. Oh, and she is currently domestic-partering with a FIFTH MPLS female fireman. What kind of lesbian dating service is the MFD running anyway?
-- Believe it or not, Bush is partially to blame for the whole thing (in reference to her not hiring two battalion chiefs which started the mess):
According to several people who were present at these talks, the chief's rationale for abolishing the testing process was that additional personnel were needed to handle administrative duties. Owing in part to new mandates placed on the department by the federal Department of Homeland Security, she explained, more staffing was required at City Hall. Consequently, there was no longer sufficient funding to hire the two battalion chiefs.
-- The role of the Minneapolis Women Fireman's Association (MoWFA) which was started by Bonnie and another firelady in pushing her all the way to the top of the heap and how they were able to water down the physical standards of the role of fireman in order for more women to be hired, something the CP piece describes as:
The group also was instrumental in working with Chief Forte to design a physical test that directly correlated to skills needed on the job without being discriminatory toward women.
When standards are being "directly correlated," citizens of MPLS are less safe.
So not only do people who live in MPLS have to live with a culture of rampant crime and the inherent safety problems (yes, even in the "good" parts of town) they also have to live with the ridiculous notion that a five foot two inch, 120 pound woman will be the one who shows up to pull them from their burning home (that is, if they aren't busy having a lover's spat at an actual fire as the piece describes).
Now a guy like Lileks probably has nothing to worry about since a fireman such as Bonnie could easily fetch him from a burning Jasperwood. But imagine the Mitch Bergs of MPLS (I know, he lives in SP, this example is for demonstrative puporses only)--who's gonna carry a dude that's 6-5 and whatever out of his abode?
Conventional Wisdom
Later today, the 2006 Minnesota GOP State Convention will kick off at the Minneapolis Convention Center (with 6000 hotel rooms within walking distance in case anyone is wondering). The crack Northern Alliance Radio Network team will be there to cover the action with three days of live broadcasts from the event.
The fun begins tonight at 5pm when King and Mitch hit the airwaves on AM1570 The Patriot Too. You can listen to a live internet stream here. They'll be on until 9pm and will cover Mark Kennedy's speech at 7pm.
On Friday, we'll have two blocks of broadcasting. From 1pm-3pm, I'll join the festivities along with Mitch and King. We'll take a break from 3pm-6pm (happy hour anyone?) and be back from 6pm-9pm, joined by Captain Ed (hopefully). Friday's shows will again be found exclusively on AM-1570.
Saturday's lineup will feature the long-awaited return of Mark Yost as host of the Patriot Insider, live from the convention from 9am-11am on AM1280 The Patriot (live internet stream).
Then at 11am, it's NARN Volume One with the usual cast of characters again on AM1280. We'll carry Governor Pawlenty's speech live at 11:30am and a entertain a cavalcade of guests. The convention will be finished up by the time we leave the airwaves at 1pm and the NARN Vol II crew will be back in thesewer studio in Eagan put a final wrap on things.
If you're down at the convention, drop by and say hi. Word has it that we'll be broadcasting from a booth somewhere above the main entrance to the auditorium, although the rumors that we'll be encased in a tank of water a la David Blaine are highly exaggerated.
I would have been attending the convention as a delegate anyway, but I'm excited about getting a chance to do a little radio too.
The fun begins tonight at 5pm when King and Mitch hit the airwaves on AM1570 The Patriot Too. You can listen to a live internet stream here. They'll be on until 9pm and will cover Mark Kennedy's speech at 7pm.
On Friday, we'll have two blocks of broadcasting. From 1pm-3pm, I'll join the festivities along with Mitch and King. We'll take a break from 3pm-6pm (happy hour anyone?) and be back from 6pm-9pm, joined by Captain Ed (hopefully). Friday's shows will again be found exclusively on AM-1570.
Saturday's lineup will feature the long-awaited return of Mark Yost as host of the Patriot Insider, live from the convention from 9am-11am on AM1280 The Patriot (live internet stream).
Then at 11am, it's NARN Volume One with the usual cast of characters again on AM1280. We'll carry Governor Pawlenty's speech live at 11:30am and a entertain a cavalcade of guests. The convention will be finished up by the time we leave the airwaves at 1pm and the NARN Vol II crew will be back in the
If you're down at the convention, drop by and say hi. Word has it that we'll be broadcasting from a booth somewhere above the main entrance to the auditorium, although the rumors that we'll be encased in a tank of water a la David Blaine are highly exaggerated.
I would have been attending the convention as a delegate anyway, but I'm excited about getting a chance to do a little radio too.
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