Lloydletta's Nooz and Comments

Why did Tom Emmer Fail to Talk About His Appearance at the You Can Run But You Cannot Hide Fundraiser

2009-11-16T18:32:00.003-06:00

From Emmer's Email to Supporters:

Last Week's Highlights

November 11: Toured Ralco, an agriculture feed manufacturer, in Marshall and attended the Lyon County Forum.

November 12: Participated in the UMD College Republican Candidate Forum and won the straw poll with nearly 50% of the votes.

November 12: Participated in the College Republican Forum in Mankato.

November 13: Met with Rockford High School Students about "Jobs for America's Graduates" and discussed activism with home school students in Maple Grove.

Bradlee Dean mentions that Tom Emmer was among the attendees at his hatefest:

Here's Dean talking about the recent passage of Hate Crimes legislation:

Does Focus on the Family Indirectly Fund Abortions

2009-11-13T20:18:00.002-06:00

Time's swampland blog has the story.

Spot on Editorial in Strib

2009-11-10T22:34:00.001-06:00

Read it here.

Editorial: A troubling pattern of misconduct at U

Athletes need to face real consequences for misdeeds.

No Minnesotan should be surprised by the off-the-field screw-ups that have made this an especially embarrassing period for the University of Minnesota's Athletic Department. Deeply disappointed, yes, but not surprised. As long as the university's coaches take chances recruiting at-risk student-athletes in an effort to win at almost any cost, police and lawyers will make frequent visits to campus.

And if the athletes most likely to offend in the future see that the most serious punishment handed out in these cases amounts to a few missed games and extra wind sprints, the out-of-control culture will flourish. Unfortunately, the initial disciplinary response to the latest batch of troubles does not inspire confidence that coaches and Athletic Department officials will come down hard enough on troublemakers to get the attention of the rest of their players.

"It seems to snowball,'' Athletic Director Joel Maturi told the Star Tribune last week. "When you have so many instances at one time, you wonder, what's going on at the asylum?'' That's the right question, but it's one the athletic director and his multimillion-dollar coaches should be answering, not asking.

Peter LaBarbera and Matt Barber Claim Credit for Yes on One

2009-11-07T13:55:00.002-06:00

LaBarbara and Barber also are not happy with this Yes on One ad:

Here's LaBarbara's and Barber's bleatings:

Dear Readers,

I agree with my good friend Matt Barber, who is also a Board Member of Americans For Truth in addition to his important work at Liberty Counsel. It is not ethical nor good strategy for the “pro-family” movement to promote one evil and public-policy disaster (changeable and sinful behavior as a government-backed “civil right”) to fight another (homosexual “marriage”). Yet that is precisely what the Yes on 1 campaign’s pro-domestic partnership ad called “It’s Possible” did. [Click HERE for AFTAH's election story.] Here again is the text of that misguided Yes on 1 ad used in Maine:

‘Abandoning traditional marriage entails real consequences, yet we want to be tolerant of gays. Maine’s Domestic Partnership laws provide substantial legal protection for gay couples. Any problems remaining can be addressed without dismantling traditional marriage. It’s possible to support the civil rights of all citizens and protect traditional marriage at the same time.’

We who claim to follow God are lacking in integrity if we promote the normalization of homosexuality as part of some (perhaps well-intentioned) utilitarian plan to ostensibly “save” traditional marriage. Indeed, the irony of the ad text above is that progressive concessions on “domestic partnership” and “civil unions” legislation will, in fact, dismantle traditional marriage. Yes on 1 PR consultant Frank Schubert’s compromising spin will pave the way for disaster in the pro-family movement, as it undermines our greatest strength: our commitment to the truth. It’s time to reject Political Correctness and get back to basics in the pro-family movement. — Peter LaBarbera, www.americansfortruth.org; e-mail: americansfortruth@comcast.net

P.S. Young people won’t buy this political spin anyway: looking for hypocrisy, they will merely say that if “gay domestic partners” truly are worthy of state recognition in the name of civil rights, then why NOT allow them to marry (and why NOT teach children “gay”-affirming lessons in school)? The debate will only turn around when we succeed in re-explaining to Americans — both young and old — why homosexual behavior is wrong and is NOT anything like a “civil right,” and about how newfangled homosexual “rights” negate our precious First Amendment freedoms.

Read Matt’s statement below and then his additional remarks that follow it:

_______________________________________

STATEMENT BY MATT BARBER
Contact: jmattbarber@comcast.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Nov. 4, 2009
Counterfeit Marriage Rejected in Maine

Lynchburg, VA – Matt Barber, Director of Cultural Affairs with both Liberty Counsel and Liberty Alliance Action, issued the following statement on news that the voters of Maine have rejected counterfeit “same-sex marriage” by 53% – 47%:

“There’s good news and bad news here,” said Barber. “The good news is that even in one of the most liberal States in the Union, Maine, the people have once again rejected the ridiculous and oxymoronic notion of ‘same sex marriage.’ The momentum has again shifted –– hopefully for good this time –– in favor of protecting legitimate marriage. A counterfeit is a counterfeit. An orange is an orange no matter how much you want it to be a turnip. This isn’t about ‘marriage.’ It’s about hurting and broken people desperately seeking affirmation of an objectively deviant lifestyle. One that, even in their heart of hearts, they know to be a dead end. As for the militant ‘No on 1’ homosexual activists? I’m reminded of spoiled children dressing up and playing house, refusing to come in when mom calls for dinner.

“Here’s the bad news. The margin of victory could have been greater. Many behind the ‘Yes on 1’ campaign, rather than simply telling the truth, chose the Neville Chamberlain approach. They merely circled the wagons around the word ‘marriage,’ even suggesting that ‘domestic partnerships’ (‘gay marriages’ by another name) are acceptable. This makes no sense. If that’s a viable compromise, then why not simply allow ‘gay’ duos the word ‘marriage’? It’s an incongruity that demands an explanation. This is an historic battle for the minds and souls of our children –– for our very culture. The mealy-mouthed approach must end. This is not just about ‘marriage.’ It has everything to do with forced affirmation of homosexuality – under penalty of law. Indeed everyone who fought hard to defend marriage in Maine is to be congratulated, but if it weren’t for a brave group of truth tellers – Paul Madore, Peter LaBarbera and Brian Camenker –– who came to Maine in the final hour to hold a press conference and address the pink elephant in the room –– homosexual deviancy and the radical ‘gay’ agenda –– counterfeit marriage might have prevailed.”

###

Added comments by Barber for Americans For Truth:

“Here’s is a mere sampling of what God – the sovereign creator of the universe – has to say about deviant homosexual conduct which He calls ‘abominable’:

‘Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.’ Leviticus 18:22

‘Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.’ - Romans 1:26-27

“By contrast, here’s what the organized “Yes on 1” campaign had to say about the same topic in an ad they ran up to yesterdays vote:

‘Abandoning traditional marriage entails real consequences, yet we want to be tolerant of gays. Maine’s Domestic Partnership laws provide substantial legal protection for gay couples. Any problems remaining can be addressed without dismantling traditional marriage. It’s possible to support the civil rights of all citizens and protect traditional marriage at the same time.’‘

“It’s simply impossible to reconcile the two. If the Pro-Family movement wishes to survive, we must stop listening to political focus groups and PR , and start listening to the inerrant word of God.”

They should be happy they narrowly won this referendum. Over time, the margin of victory for these referendums on marriage equality are moving.

Rep. Tim Walz Raises Money Off Notariety of Opponent Allen Quist

2009-11-07T13:45:00.004-06:00

From the Walz campaign:

Dear Friend,

While we are working hard this week, day and night, to get a health care bill that improves the lives of Minnesotans – just as we promised last November – my opponent, Allen Quist, is in Washington working the right-wing into a frenzy.

Quist and Michele Bachmann are two peas in a pod – they have been teammates for more than ten years.

He launched his campaign this week by asking people to join him and Rep. Michele Bachmann at a rally in Washington, DC. Their first goal: preventing Congress from reforming America’s broken health care system.

Allen Quist, a former GOP endorsed candidate for Governor in Minnesota, first began working with Rep. Bachmann in 1998 – two years before she ran for office in Minnesota. It’s clear from their extreme right-wing ideology that they are kindred political spirits. Indeed, he got her elected to the State Senate, the first political office she held.

Now, my opponent is actively receiving the support of the extreme right-wing money machine. He’s building an attack fund and it will not be long before he fills our airwaves with negative ads.

We’ve seen this before!

Quist is committed to the notion that America’s best days are behind us, that the only way to move forward is by turning back the clock. Today, he led a delegation from Minnesota to Rep. Bachmann’s Tea Party Protest where they are pushing solutions that are nothing more than failed policy from the past.

I need your help today.

You know that First District voters support effective leadership, not extreme right-wing offensive agendas, but we cannot let the big money of the extreme right-wing shout down common sense.

Please contribute $25, $50, $100 or more today to ensure we show voters they have a clear choice!

Because of his fierce allegiance – and arguable founding of the extreme right-wing in Minnesota, Quist has quickly earned the backing of Michele Bachmann.

As Allen Quist stands with Rep. Bachmann today in an effort to prevent health care reform for millions of hard working families… I need you to stand with me.

I need your help – today – to ensure voters know they have a choice. A very clear choice.

Sincerely,

Congressman Tim Walz

Walz ought to look up the ads that Arne Carlson used against Allen Quist in 1994. Quist used an ad that showed two men dancing - and the song was "Clinton and Carlson..... go together on all of the issues." Arne Carlson's reaction to the ad: "I'm a better dancer than that."

Marriage Equality Rally in DC Calls Out Maggie Gallagher and National Organization for Marriage's Lies

2009-11-07T13:16:00.001-06:00

Allen Quist to Run for CD 1 Seat

2009-11-05T19:00:00.002-06:00

For those Lloydletta readers who don't know who Allen Quist is, watch this report on a Pittsburgh, PA station.

Update: Quist is running in Minnesota's CD 1 - against Tim Walz.

Excellent Youtube Channel

2009-11-03T00:00:00.002-06:00

There are a number of videos here, that address Evolution and Creationism.

North Carolina's Michele Bachmann

2009-11-02T23:37:00.002-06:00

That's Virginia Foxx. She gives Bachmann a good run for her money.

Cosmic Latte

2009-11-01T21:11:00.001-06:00

It's the average color of the Universe.

Christian Science Monitor Writeup of the Maine and Washington State Referendums on Marriage Equality and Domestic Partnership Laws

2009-11-01T12:07:00.002-06:00

Read it here. As some of you may have noticed, I haven't been blogging here much lately. If you want to read more coverage of the Maine and Washington Referendums, surf on over to Pam's House Blend, which has been offering day to day coverage of these.

Minnesotans Against Michele Bachmann Facebook Group

2009-11-01T12:04:00.002-06:00

Check it out and join here.

Instant Runnoff Voting

2009-11-01T10:08:00.002-06:00

The city of Minneapolis is doing its first election by Instant Runoff Voting. MPR has a story that describes what a pain this will be in terms of counting the votes.

There's a vote on the issue in St Paul. This arcane issue has brought out lots of heated discussion on the St Paul Issues list. He also penned some commentary on the MPR website on this.

Advocates claim IRV would save money by eliminating primary elections. This is not true. In St. Paul, the School Board will still hold a costly primary election, though the turnout for that primary will be hurt by the absence of mayoral and council races.

IRV advocates claim the system is "democracy of the future," "as simple as one, two, three." In the last two years, seven cities or counties in the United States have used it, and three of them have either repealed IRV or have IRV up for repeal this year. Cities are suffering buyer's remorse:

Tacoma, Wash. Pierce County spent $1.6 million on a voter education campaign for IRV in 2008, yet 66 percent of 90,000 voters polled said it was confusing, frustrating and a waste of time. It is on the ballot this year for repeal.

Cary, N.C. After the IRV election in 2007, 30 percent of voters polled found it confusing and 22 percent said they "did not understand IRV at all." Cary has stopped using IRV.

Aspen, Colo. The results of an IRV election revealed that one losing candidate for City Council would have won the election if 75 of his supporters had voted for him as their second instead of as their first choice. The complicated IRV counting system cost him the election. The repeal of IRV is on the ballot this year.

Advocates claim that IRV will increase turnout. This is not true. In San Francisco's first mayor's race with IRV, voter turnout was 40 percent less than in its last traditional election.

This year the IRV-format election in Minneapolis may hit record low turnouts. With 11 candidates running, there has been almost no media coverage of the mayor's race, and the incumbent has agreed to debate only one of his opponents.

In St. Paul, meanwhile, Eva Ng came in second in the primary and has moved on to the general election. Her primary showing enhanced her credibility and has given her access to media coverage as the alternative candidate for mayor.

Advocates claim that IRV makes sure that the winner "always has a majority vote." This is not true.

In Burlington, Vt., the mayor was re-elected with only a majority of those ballots still being counted in the final round. Seventeen percent of ballots cast for candidates in the first round were eliminated during the IRV counting.

In San Francisco, in 10 of 11 elections for which IRV has been used, the winner received less than the 50 percent plus one that would constitute a majority.

Advocates claim that IRV increases minority participation and thereby helps minority candidates. This is untrue. Using IRV, Takoma Park, Md., with close to 40 percent minority population, elected an all-white City Council.

There is no evidence that IRV helps minority candidates. In the highest-minority and lowest-income precincts of San Francisco, 20 percent of the voters do not fill in a second choice on their ballot.

Free, fair elections are the hallmark of any democracy, and every voter deserves to be treated equally. Voters need to know that their votes count, and that voting for the candidates they want can only help them, not hurt them. Instant runoff voting is far too likely to confuse, frustrate and inhibit voters.

Comment: I hadn't followed this too closely when I had an opportunity to vote on this in 2006, but at this point, I think IRV is a bad idea, and St Paul voters would be well-served to send it back to the drawing board. I like having primaries weed out the weaker candidates, and then have debates between the stronger candidates during debates before the general election.

I anticipate historically low turnout in this Minneapolis election, and that's unfortunate. It is extremely unfortunate that no vigorous challenger to Mayor RT Rybak was found.

Monster Mash

2009-10-30T20:22:00.000-05:00

Good video for Halloween.

Fruit Salad at the Grocery Store

2009-10-21T20:00:00.001-05:00

Barb Anderson from the MFC, Gloats About Shutting Down Sex Ed/AIDS Education on Bradlee Dean's Show

2009-10-04T12:56:00.005-05:00

Listen here. She gives a number of examples of how she has been successful in the Anoka-Hennepin School District in shutting down sex education classes and AIDS education classes.

Here's her report about the Minnesota School Health Education Conference. She claims that after she wrote the report, the University of St Thomas withdrew their sponsorship of the conference.

What's Happening in the GOP Tent

2009-10-03T18:21:00.001-05:00

Eric Zaetsch is asking a few questions. Checks and Balances has the Republican Straw Poll results.

Gay Blogs Finally Start Defending Kevin Jennings

2009-10-03T18:13:00.002-05:00

Good As You points out some of FRC's deceptions. Pam's House Blend has more analysis.

For Those Who Worry that Liberals Rule....

2009-09-30T23:05:00.003-05:00

I beg to differ

From The Associated Press

Panel Votes to Restore Abstinence Education Money
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 11:32 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Senate committee voted Tuesday night to restore $50 million a year in federal funding for abstinence-only education that President Barack Obama has pushed to eliminate.

The 12-11 vote by the Senate Finance Committee came over objections from its chairman, Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana.

Two Democrats -- Kent Conrad of North Dakota and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas -- joined all 10 committee Republicans in voting ''yes'' on the measure by Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah.

The measure would still have to pass the full House and Senate. Hatch said abstinence education had been shown to work, though Baucus disagreed. Obama had proposed in his 2010 budget to direct money spent on abstinence-only education to broader teen pregnancy-reduction programs.

An alternate measure offered by Baucus also passed. Baucus' measure, which passed 14-9, would make money available for education on contraception and sexually transmitted diseases, among other things, in addition to abstinence. Lawmakers will have to reconcile the two measures, both approved during debate on a sweeping health overhaul bill, as the legislation moves forward.

This is insanity, especially since this prudishness has not proven to be effective.

Exhibit A: Bristol Palin

A Farcical Plot for a Soap

2009-09-30T23:03:00.002-05:00

Daytime Confidential:

Who knew the "L" in the L Word really stood for Lord? Look for Dorian (Robin Strasser) to pull out all the stops in her efforts to win the Llanview mayoral race against Viki (Erika Slezak). According to TV Guide Magazine , the Mistress of La Boulaie will pretend to be a lesbian and marry a woman to snag Llanview's same sex vote!

TV Guide has an interview with the head writer.

For those Pirates Fans: I am a Pirate King with Kevin Kline

2009-09-30T18:30:00.000-05:00

Marty Seifert is the Eddie Haskell of the Governor's Race

2009-09-29T17:36:00.002-05:00

From MPR

Gov. candidates bill taxpayers $23,000 in expenses (feature audio)

Gov. candidates bill taxpayers $23,000 in expenses
by Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio
September 29, 2009

Lawmakers are allowed to claim expenses when the Legislature isn't in session, but even some of the candidates say they're concerned about appearances.

Minnesota Public Radio didn't come up with the idea of examining the expense reports of every state lawmaker who is running for governor; it was one of the candidates, Republican Rep. Marty Seifert of Marshall.

Seifert raised the issue last week at a St. Paul news conference. He said he was concerned that some candidates may have used their legislative leadership positions to schedule visits around the state to gain publicity.

"I'm just throwing it out there as something that needs attention from people to get ahead of the curve, if you will," Seifert said.

So 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. The only candidate for governor in the Legislature who claimed more than Seifert was DFL Sen. Tom Bakk.

Expense reports show that Seifert took $6,081 for travel, lodging and daily expense payments. There's nothing illegal about state lawmakers filing expense reports, but they could run the political risk of appearing to campaign on the public dime.

When asked about the figures, Seifert said the issue isn't that candidates for governor are taking expense payments, but that some in power have the right to call hearings and meetings and then claim expenses. Seifert stepped down from his position as House Minority Leader when he announced his campaign for governor.

"I live the farthest from the Capitol of a lot of these folks, but I don't have the ability to at will travel to Crookston, visit a college and do other things and sign a slip for myself," Seifert said.

Seifert singled out three DFL lawmakers over expense reports: House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, House Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee Chair Tom Rukavina, and House Health and Human Service Policy Committee Chair Paul Thissen.

Marty, haven't you heard the rule of courtroom attorneys - never ask a question for which you don't already know the answer?

His talking points are usually a smear or conspiracy theory. Not a lot of positive leadership.

Kudos to MPR for taking Rep. Seifert's suggestion.

Next up, we'll check out the rumor that Rep. Seifert rode light rail without paying. We need to stay ahead of these questions.

Pirates of Penzance: When the Foeman Bears His Steel

2009-09-27T21:42:00.002-05:00

It's captioned, so you can follow the words of the song.

Teen Challenge Gets Over 2 Million in State Funding

2009-09-22T18:51:00.002-05:00

Andy Birkey at Minnesota Independent has the story. This is the best work I've seen Andy Birkey do.

A former crack user says she kicked her addiction because she found Jesus at Minnesota Teen Challenge. A man says that God healed his liver after a prayer service at the Christian drug treatment facility. While its clients sing its praises — some claiming it saved their lives — should such an overtly religious program be receiving taxpayer funding? According to state records, MNTC has gotten more than $2 million from the state of Minnesota in order to run its faith-based chemical dependency treatment centers.

The overtly evangelical nature of the program raises questions about the constitutionality of the large amount of state money flowing into the program. Teen Challenge has received $2,388,947 in state funding since 2007, mainly from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, according to the state’s new Transparency and Accountability Project website.

Michele Bachmann appologist, columnist Craig Westover, comments:

This article appears to be a tit for tat counter to all the bad press ACORN is getting, rather than a effort to look at the issue of separation of Church and State. So be it, but let’s look at the larger issue.

Do we really have a separation fo Church and State when the state has the authority to determine how a rehabilitation center accomplishes its goal? That is not a separation, it is the state deciding what constitutes religion and what doesn’t. The state’s interest in this is whether or not the program is meeting rehabilitation objectives. Period.

Unless Teen Challenge is forcing people into their program against their will, seems to me that we ought to be more concerned about their results than whether or not their method is based on religion. Same for TIZA — if they provide kids with the education they need to be productive citizens, should it matter if they are also trying to preserve Islamic tradition along with American instilling values in their students? And in either case should it be the state that decides the matter?

Personally, I’d rather the money went to patients and students and in turn they decided where it would be spent, but short of that, it seems like at both ends of the political spectrum we have a lot of vindictive people out to make political points who really don’t give a damn about whether people’s lives are made better or not.

Birkey responds:

Craig Westover: “This article appears to be a tit for tat counter to all the bad press ACORN is getting, rather than a effort to look at the issue of separation of Church and State. So be it, but let’s look at the larger issue.”

In what possible way did you get to that conclusion? I’ve been writing about separation of church and state since I began writing 6 years ago. The program calls itself a ministry and receives state funding. The government cannot support the promotion of religion, and the leaders of Teen Challenge aren’t shy about promoting their program as a discipleship.

And as with the case of TIZA, if religious instruction is the goal or even a large component, why not ask parishioners, congregations and denominations to chip in and support it? Or ask God for the money? Why ask taxpayers to pay for other people’s religious conversion? Or their study of their personal, private faith?

And the state does have the authority. They are paying the bills and by extension, so are we. So it should matter. Teen Challenge is state funded but is not open to all people, except for those that accept Jesus Christ as their religious leader.

Other commenters suggest the success rate isn't what it's cooked up to be:

Rob Levine
Comment posted September 22, 2009 @ 1:11 pm

Teen Challenge is a favored recipient of Conservative Philanthropy money. About those “studies” that showed TC success: They only counted people who *finished* the program – not those who dropped out along the way. Sophistry.

Stunning Steve
Comment posted September 22, 2009 @ 6:19 pm

MN Teen Challenge does NOT have the highest success rate of any treatment center. They manipulate their data, and lie about it. In fact, their “success rate” is quite poor, and I think state investigator Jim Nobles ought to look into this, and the bookkeeping practices at Teen Challenge, since they’re receiving so many taxpayer dollars.

Third Place in a Lunatic Competition

2009-09-19T23:02:00.002-05:00

Congratulations, Governor Pawlenty. You made a big effort to make crazy people like you, and you partially succeeded. Keep it up!

Pawlenty third in straw poll of GOP presidential contenders
By Eric Roper, Star Tribune

September 19, 2009

WASHINGTON – Gov. Tim Pawlenty finished third in a straw poll of potential GOP presidential contenders at a conservative conference in Washington Saturday, receiving only one vote less than second place finisher Mitt Romney.

The poll was one of the first tests of Pawlenty’s impact nationally as he continues to spread his message ahead of a possible presidential run in 2012. He received 73 – or 12 percent – of the 597 votes cast at the Values Voters Summit, hosted by the conservative Family Research Council.

Mike Huckabee was the overwhelming winner with 170 votes.

Pawlenty placed behind Romney, who had 74 votes, and just ahead of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin with 72 and Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., with 71.

“What this tells me is that those candidates that are articulating the values that are represented in this room here are still jockeying for position,” said Tony Perkins, president of the FRC.

When he spoke to the conference on Friday night, Pawlenty brought a room of about 2,000 people to its feet with applause several times in a speech packed with socially conservative rhetoric and criticism of the Obama administration.

Earlier in the day, however, about a dozen people interviewed leaving the straw poll all said Pawlenty was not their top choice. Many said he has name recognition but hasn’t adequately conveyed his views and platform.

Eben Conner from Maryland, a supporter of Mike Huckabee, said as he left the poll that Pawlenty could be his No. 2 choice because the governor supports limited government and opposes abortion and gay marriage.

“I’ve heard some of him, but not enough,” Conner said.

Other finishers included former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (40), Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (28), former Senator Rick Santorum (15) and Rep. Ron Paul (13).

Any poll that gives a big win to Mike Huckbee for serious elected office is not grounded in any sort of reality.