Northern Alliance Wannabe

Later...

2008-12-24T19:54:00.002-06:00

It's been a good run, but Northern Alliance Wannabe is hanging up the cleats (for now, at least –- I reserve the right to pull a Brett Favre at any time...).

I've decided to go in a different direction with my writing. With Wannabe, I tried to pretty much cover the spectrum of issues of conservative politics, often with tongue firmly implanted in cheek, and I hope you've enjoyed it.

I've had fun spotlighting media bias, the folly of nanny-state policies, the generally rampant corruption of Democrat politics, and the magnificent BS that is global warming. Over time, though, I'm finding that there is one issue in particular about which I've developed a strong passion and about which I believe focus is lacking. That issue is the protection of unborn human life.

Therefore, I am beginning a new journal dedicated primarily to that cause. Because the topic is such a polarizing and emotional one, though, I will be using a pseudonym -– not to hide my identity from the intended audience, but rather to prevent alienating any who may "stumble onto" the site (acquaintances, coworkers, ex-wives, etc.). Look for a new name on the MOB-roll soon -– I bet you'll be able to figure out my new home…

Thanks very sincerely to everyone who has supported me here for the last three years and change. Through this blog and the MOB, I have made many new friends for whom I am grateful. As you can imagine, the new journal won't contain a whole lot of humor, so I'll reserve my smartassedness for the comments sections of fellow MOBsters. You’ve been warned.

Take care, and I hope all of you and your families enjoy a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Ok, here's the deal...

2008-11-18T14:28:00.003-06:00

Since some are worried I may have gone off the deep end after the election, nope, I just need a post-election break.

Don't worry -- I haven't given up writing (or... sorry -- I haven't given up writing), but I am thinking strongly about going in a new direction. When I figure it out, I'll let y'all know, but for know, I'm going to lay low for a few more weeks.

Wannabe's Voter's Guide

2008-10-30T19:33:00.003-05:00

Ok, folks. I'm behind on my schoolwork, so this will probably be my last post until Election Day (barring any more shenanigans from the Obama campaign... well, ok, you may hear from me another half a dozen times before Election Day, but no promises!).

Just in case any of you good pro-life conservatives in my area were looking for some guidance, particularly on the down-ticket races, following are the official endorsements of Northern Alliance Wannabe. Soil and Water posts and uncontested judges are omitted. You're welcome.

President and VP

John McCain and Sarah Palin
(Republican)

US Senator

Norm Coleman
(Republican)

US Representative, District 5

Barb Davis White
(Republican)

State Representative, Dist. 44A

Tracy Leahy
(Republican)

MN Constitutional Amendment (the sales tax increase)

NO
(actually, "Hell, No!")

County Commissioner, District 5

John Cooney
(endorsed by Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life)

School District 283, Question 1 (a property tax increase)

NO
(again, "Hell, No!")

School District 283, Question 2 (another property tax increase)

NO
(ditto)

MN Supreme Court, Associate Justice 3

Tim Tingelstad, challenger
(endorsed by MCCL)

MN Supreme Court, Associate Justice 4

Lorie Skjerven Gildea, incumbent
(endorsed by MCCL)

MN Court of Appeals, Judge 18

Dan Griffith, challenger
(info here - specifically decries CA court's redefinition of marriage; opponent was appointed by Ventura and a former Women's Studies professor)

MN 4th District Court, Judge 9

Philip Bush, incumbent
(info here - no response by opponent)

MN 4th District Court, Judge 53

~~Jane Ranum~~, open seat
(info here - cites "unbiased interpretation of law"; opponent's info here - "insures they are treated fairly" - with judges, "fairness" is often code for judicial activism)

UPDATE: Looks like I may have read the tea leaves incorrectly on this one. It goes to show how tough it is to tell judges' slants based on bios of their own writing. Margaret was kind enough to point out that Jane Ranum is a former DFL State Senator. Maybe the other guy (David Piper) is a safer bet?

MN 4th District Court, Judge 58

James T. Swenson, incumbent
(info here; opponent endorsed by Sharon Sayles Belton - 'nuff said)

If you're in Hopkins Precinct 6, please stop by and say hi - I'll be an election judge there. No matter where you are, please get out and vote. The stakes have never been higher!

It doesn't have to happen

2008-10-25T14:44:00.001-05:00

I hope every undecided voter gets the chance to see McCain's latest ad:

Well said, Fred

2008-10-25T14:29:00.001-05:00

Fred Thompson has taped an address which summarizes very well what is at stake in this election.

It's about 12 minutes, but well worth the time: Check it out.

Where's the fairness?

2008-10-25T13:46:00.003-05:00

Racking up unprecedented sums of campaign donations through credit card fraud: Unfair.

Ramped-up efforts by ACORN to commit voter fraud: Unfair.

Thuggish treatment of "Joe the Plumber" as punishment for asking a simple question: Unfair.

A complicit media refusing to report on any of the dirty tricks: Unfair.

...

So what's one of the first pieces of legislation we can expect under an Obama presidency and a Democrat-led Congress? -- The Fairness Doctrine.

It's enough to make me fairly depressed...

Barbara West is awesome

2008-10-25T13:35:00.003-05:00

Thankfully, not everyone in the media is in the tank for B. O. Check out this interview of Joe Biden by Barbara West on WFTV in ~~North Carolina~~ Orlando [correction: She discussed Obama being in NC, but WFTV is in Orlando.]. Yikes!

After only a couple minutes of badgering, she got him to say, "He is not spreading the wealth around!" If only.

I doubt he'll be going back on that station anytime soon. (HT Michelle).

Best of the MOB, Oct 17 - 23

2008-10-24T12:01:00.001-05:00

Update: Congrats to Brad "Don't call me 'Arne'" Carlson for this week's BOMOB win!

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Happy Friday!

Please check out the posts below and vote either here or at the sidebar. The poll will stay open until noon on Monday. Vote early and often, and have a great weekend!

Best of the MOB, 10/17 - 10/23/08

"Is Powell OK now?," The Brad Carlson blog, October 19. Nominated for wondering how Colin Powell's acceptance by the black community will change now that he's endorsed The One.

"Can America Survive So Divided?," The Eagle's Nest Blog, October 20. Nominated for lamenting the loss of civility in our political discourse.

"Hard Left Radical to Certify Votes in Minnesota," Boots On, October 23. Nominated for finding an interesting association in the past of Minnesota's Secretary of State.

"Say It Again, Congresswoman!!," Carver County GOP, October 23. Nominated for emphasizing that Rep. Bachmann's "gaffe" held a lot of truth in it.

"A Brief Bit of Advice," Freedom Dogs, October 23. Nominated for encouraging conservatives to "stand there" and "do something."

(poll now closed)

This is child abuse

2008-10-21T22:44:00.003-05:00

Note how young these girls are and the awful things they're being coerced to say.

Two words: Dis. Gusting.

This says - and shows - it all

2008-10-21T19:53:00.003-05:00

"The Comprehensive Argument Against Barack Obama"

Pass it on.

This election is a matter of life and death

2008-10-21T18:17:00.004-05:00

So what's the big issue of this election cycle? The economy? The war? Healing race relations? I'd argue none of the above.

Much has been reported about Barack Obama's unprecedented radical stance re the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, but this doesn't seem to have generated the public outrage it should. It seems most either haven't heard about BAIPA or laugh it off, incredulous that such a nice guy would actually promote infantacide.

Lest anyone think Obama's BAIPA record is an aberration, I encourage taking a look at Robert George's article, "Obama's Abortion Extremism." Professor George was also interviewed by Bill Bennett last week (audio here), during which he gave what I believe to be a great, concise, comprehensive summary of Obama's radical positions. As Bennett put it, Obama goes beyond pro-choice -- he's pro-abortion.

For example (from the article):

He has promised that "the first thing I'd do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act" (known as FOCA). This proposed legislation would create a federally guaranteed "fundamental right" to abortion through all nine months of pregnancy, including, as Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia has noted in a statement condemning the proposed Act, "a right to abort a fully developed child in the final weeks for undefined 'health' reasons." In essence, FOCA would abolish virtually every existing state and federal limitation on abortion, including parental consent and notification laws for minors, state and federal funding restrictions on abortion, and conscience protections for pro-life citizens working in the health-care industry-protections against being forced to participate in the practice of abortion or else lose their jobs. The pro-abortion National Organization for Women has proclaimed with approval that FOCA would "sweep away hundreds of anti-abortion laws [and] policies."

With an Obama presidency, he'll have a Democrat Congress and, eventually, a Liberal Supreme Court on his side. All three branches of government will be hard-Left, and they will aided and abetted by a complicit media in passing all tenets of their radical agenda. People are talking about the socialist tax structure, the punitive energy policy, the destructive universal health care proposals, and the impotent foreign policy, but let's not forget that the coming agenda will also include a Culture of Death. Gruesome partial birth abortion will be promoted, and parental notification laws will be repealed. It will take generations to undo the legislative damage, and literally millions of lives are at stake.

The only chance to stop it is a McCain presidency. McCain and (particularly) Palin are committed to a Culture of Life, and this, I believe, trumps any other issue about which McCain may veer off the reservation. If the pro-Life cause is important to you, please work with me as hard as you can these last two weeks to help John McCain across the finish line. Don't let the polls fool you (remember who's conducting them) -- this race isn't over yet!

Quote of the day

2008-10-18T11:14:00.001-05:00

From Barack Obama's latest interview with the New York Times:

I am the latte-sipping, New York Times-reading, Volvo-driving, no-gun-owning, effete, politically correct, arrogant liberal. Who wants somebody like that?

I think I've finally found some common ground with Senator Obama.

Speaking of funny...

2008-10-18T11:08:00.002-05:00

Here's Slow Joe Biden, discussing Barack Obama's favorite three letter word:

Remember, Joe the Senator, there are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.

Smith dinner

2008-10-18T10:57:00.002-05:00

By now, you've probably seen clips from McCain's and Obama's speeches at the Alfred E. Smith dinner in New York the other night.

If you haven't, though, really you should go check them out. RCP has the video here. It's quite the contrast from the stuffy debate performances by both candidates.

Props to Obama, he gave a funny speech (although I suspect he had a sore neck from having to look at his cue cards so often -- Get this man a teleprompter, stat!). McCain killed, though. He was very likeable and showed a genuine sense of humor, and if the public gets to see more of this John McCain over the next 17 days, it will help his chances a lot.

Best of the MOB, October 10-16

2008-10-17T08:45:00.001-05:00

Update: This week's BOMOB winner is ~~Mark the Plumber~~ Mr. D in a landslide. Well done, sir!

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Happy Friday!

Please check out the posts below and vote either here or at the sidebar. The poll will stay open until noon on Monday. Vote early and often, and have a great weekend!

Best of the MOB, 10/10 - 10/16/08

"Obamessiah Speaks in Tongues," flyoverguy, October 10. Nominated for producing a video that captures the essence of Barack Obama's, uh..., qualifications to be President.

"To Infinity And Beyond - Tinklenberg’s Big Choo Choo Earmarks," Residual Forces, October 13. Nominated for noting E. Tink's plans to throw more money at teh mass transit.

"Slavery & Abortion," Where are the Isotopes I ordered?, October 14. Nominated for the apt comparison of one atrocity to another.

"Obama Brats," True North, October 15. Nominated for calling out young "intellectuals" for what they are.

"Who Will Rid Me of this Troublesome Plumber?," Mr. Dilettante, October 16. Nominated for commentary on the temporary diversion of the Left's ire away from Sarah Palin and toward an average Joe.

(poll now closed)

Bless her heart

2008-10-16T23:53:00.001-05:00

Mickey Mouse operation

2008-10-14T19:35:00.001-05:00

M - I - C...

See you at the polls!

K - E - Y...

Why? Because we can't win if we don't cheat!

M - O - U - S - E...

Just curious

2008-10-10T15:47:00.002-05:00

Given the rampant voter fraud we're being treated to in this election courtesy of ACORN, I'm wondering...

When we see poll data of "likely voters," are they including felons and dead people? If not, I worry they're not getting a statistically representative sample set.

The debate is over.

2008-10-10T13:09:00.002-05:00

Everyone remembers when the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its report on global warming, right? 1,500 or so "experts" signed on to the IPCC report. It was therefore declared a consensus among the scientific community.

Al Gore proclaimed the debate over. Only flat-earthers would dare to refute the near-unanimous agreement that man-made global warming was destroying the Earth.

By this same logic, another conclusion now becomes irrefutable.

In sum, Barack Obama's economic proposals are wrong for the American economy. They defy both economic reason and economic experience.

This was the conclusion drawn by 100 leading economists.

Any flat-earthers care to disagree?

Slackin'

2008-10-09T19:20:00.002-05:00

Sorry folks -- I've neglected my jounalistic duties this week of surfing for the Best of the MOB.

Not to make excuses, but...

it appears I've contracted some hybrid of SARS and Bird Flu,

I'm still in deep depression over the sudden and thorough collapse of my Cubbies, and

I've used what little free time I've had this week to follow the advice of my financial consultant, which was to cash out my 401(k) and convert the dollars to Chuck E. Cheese tokens.

BOMOB will (hopefully) return next week. Later, y'all.

Jinx?

2008-10-06T20:01:00.000-05:00

I'm pretty sure what happened to the Cubs is this guy's fault!

Then again...

2008-10-06T19:10:00.002-05:00

Remember when I praised Keith Olbermann for restraining himself from injecting politics into his Sunday Night Football gig?

Never mind. Palin Derangement Syndrome claims another victim.

Step 3: Win the NLDS

2008-10-05T12:14:00.002-05:00

Um... yeah. Not so much.

Let the second century of futility commence!!

PS - You may want to keep me away from sharp objects for a while...

Feeling Il?

2008-10-03T10:59:00.001-05:00

Reason.tv presents, "OBAMA KIDS: SING FOR CHANGE (PYONGYANG REMIX)"

"Team America" fans: insert punchline here...

Way to go, Sarah!

2008-10-03T10:30:00.002-05:00

Any objective observer would conclude that Sarah Palin won last night's debate against Joe Biden big time. For better or worse, these debates are usually judged in the eyes of most voters based on style rather than substance, and while Governor Palin held her own just fine on the substance of the issues, her poise, confidence, charm, and radiant optimism were dominant.

Kudos also to moderator Gwen Ifill, who managed to facilitate the debate fairly and not become the story herself -- a tall task given the conflict of interest revealed earlier this week.

And in fairness, I have to say that Senator Biden also did a fine job last night. Of course, he was caught lying through his teeth on multiple occasions, but that was to be expected. Again focusing on style, Biden carried himself like a statesman, didn't commit any major gaffes (that the average voter would catch), and treated his opponent respectfully (in fact, I think he was caught with a few "Damn, she's good!" smiles as Palin was speaking).

Last night was all about Sarah, though, and she met and exceeded all expectations. We should see that reflected in the polls over the next few days.

Game on!