Stunning fall from grace

He was lauded as a comedian who could get laughs without resorting to gratuitous profanity.

He produced an animated television show featuring a group of Afro American kids navigating in and out of trouble, but the incidents were used as "teachable moments."

He created a landmark TV show which portrayed a black family with both mom and dad raising five kids while juggling very successful careers (an attorney and physician, respectively). 

He hosted his own version of a program where he coaxed kids into conveying their innocent outlook on life. Such musings often resulted in uproarious laughter from the studio audience. 

Any one of those accomplishments I listed would make an entertainment career for most. The fact that one person is known for all of those exploits makes one a legendary figure. 

But none of it matters anymore. 

Here's where the laughter ends.

Bill Cosby — America’s Dad — accused of rape by dozens of women, was finally hit with a criminal charge Wednesday before getting released on $1 million bail.

Just weeks before the statute of limitations was set to expire, prosecutors charged Cosby with sexually assaulting a Temple University employee at his suburban Philadelphia mansion in 2004.

“The evidence is strong,” said Montgomery County Prosecutor Kevin Steele, announcing a single count of aggravated indecent assault against the creepy comedian.

Steele described the defenseless victim, tossing a fresh layer of taint on Cosby’s once-wholesome image.

Nothing was more stunning than a July article in New York magazine featuring thirty five different women sharing similar tales of Cosby violating them. Thirty. Five.

If indeed these allegations are true, there's not even a question who is most adversely impacted by this. It's the victims, hands down. But that doesn't mean there aren't countless others who will endure emotional pain, albeit to a lesser degree.

Cosby was on a crusade to remove the negative stigma surrounding the black community, whether it was addressing the disproportionate high school dropout rates, fracturing of the family units, etc. But any moral authority he may have had on those issues has vanished, and it's quite likely many in the black community feel utterly betrayed.

And what about his fellow actors on The Cosby Show? Because no TV station will air reruns of that classic sitcom, all those folks no longer have an opportunity to earn residuals (assuming such an agreement was in place).

For nearly four decades , Cosby was put on the proverbial pedestal as an entertainer who maintained the values of a loving husband and doting dad while earning the status of one of the most recognizable mega stars. But given the allegations that have surfaced over the past few years, I'm hard pressed to think of a more stunning fall from grace.

---------------------------------------------------

Quick Hits: Volume CXXII

- A musical legend has died.

Lemmy Kilmister, the lead singer and bassist of Motörhead and a heavy metal icon for six decades, passed away Monday after a battle with cancer. Kilmister turned 70 on Christmas Eve. The band's official Facebook confirmed Kilmister's passing, "There is no easy way to say this… our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer."

Like many icons, Lemmy was just as revered for his exploits off stage, particularly when it came to the obligatory lechery.

When asked a few years ago if the legend was true about his bedding approximately 1,000 women, Lemmy's answer was itself legendary.

When you think about it, it isn't that unreasonable. I'm not even married, and I've been doing this since I was 16. And I'm now 66, so that's like 50 years.

If my math is correct, that's an average of about two gals per month over 50 years. That's borderline chaste compared to his peers.


-For the first time in three seasons, my favorite NFL squad is in the playoffs!

Thanks to a convincing win over the New York Giants Sunday evening, the Minnesota Vikings have a chance to play a home postseason game if they can beat the Green Bay Packers Sunday. If indeed that happens, the Vikes would host the Seattle Seahawks the following weekend. Yes, the same Seahawks who came into TCF Bank Stadium a few weeks ago a crushed the Vikings 38-7. However, if the Vikings and Seattle both lose their regular season finales, Minnesota would then travel to Washington, D.C. to take on an average Redskins team.

Some are suggesting the Vikes tank Sunday in order to play a less formidable opponent in their first playoff game. While I don't deny Seattle would be the tougher draw, any talk of tanking games is utterly asinine. How could any true Vikings fan even suggest mailing in a game against the rival Packers?


- Congressman Trey Gowdy (R-SC) recently endorsed Marco Rubio for President. As such, some of the maniacal Donald Trump supporters wrote that off as "establishment RINOs looking out for each other." Never mind the fact that both Gowdy and Rubio were only first elected to Congress in 2010, but whatever. "Establishment RINO" has become the favorite pejorative for one to lob at someone who doesn't support one's preferred candidate. It basically has no meaning anymore.

Anyhow, one of the more visible Trump spokespersons, Katrina Pierson, just a few months ago was starting a movement to draft Gowdy as the new Speaker of the House to replace the retiring John Boehner (heck, she even touted his candidacy on my radio program on October 4). And would you believe her organization, the Tea Party Leadership Fund, is still using said candidacy to raise money?

Awkward!

--------------------------------------------

Been a long night and something ain't right.....

Yes, The Closer is live today as I close out Northern Alliance Radio Network broadcasting for not only the weekend but also the year 2015. The one-hour festivities begin at 2:00 PM Central Time.

Right at 2:00, I welcome to the Patriot bunker former Minnesota legislator Jim Abeler. After serving 16 years in the MN House, Abeler did not seek reelection in 2014. However, he has chosen to mount a primary challenge against SD35 GOP endorsed candidate Andy Aplikowski in the race to replace resigning state senator Branden Petersen. 

In the non-guest segments, I hope to discuss Congressman Trey Gowdy's endorsement of Marco Rubio for President, a WaPo cartoonist considering it "fair game" to skewer Ted Cruz's daughters, etc. 

So please give me a call at (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics I plan on addressing. You can also text comments/questions to (651) 243-0390.

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area, you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio. 
Even though I have a face for radio, there is a UStream channel where you can watch the broadcast, if you so desire. Check it out here.  

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #narn or "Like" our Facebook page.

Until then.....

-------------------------------

Never change, leftist media

How the leftist media (pardon the redundancy) attempts to dodge any culpability when their blatant bias crosses the line of decency:


Step 1: Draw a cartoon which mocks a GOP presidential candidate's daughters.

Step 2: Justify the depiction of said candidate's daughters by essentially saying the candidate had it coming.

Step 3: When the candidate expresses justified outrage over such a personal affront, accuse him of "lashing out."

Step 4: Upon the public outcry becoming so overbearing, launch a pathetic attempt to rationalize such disgusting mockery.



What's most amazing about these elitist media types is they are so firmly entrenched in their proverbial bubble that they're gobsmacked when the public at large rips them.

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Royal mistake

As some of you may know, I was emcee of the Miss Minnesota pageant this past June. Having never been in that role previously, I wasn't sure what to expect.

One of the responsibilities which had me fretting for a couple of weeks leading up to the pageant was when the time would come for me to announce the winner of Miss Minnesota. Basically I was concerned I would announce the wrong contestant as winner. As I verbalized that concern, I was assured by previous emcees that it is very plainly written out by the auditors the order of the top 5, so there should be no issues. Nevertheless, it was an irrational fear that plagued me until the ultimate moment arrived.





Yes, Rachel Latuff was the legit winner of Miss Minnesota 2015.

But even if I had called Lauren Johnson's name, I could have at least taken some solace in the fact it wasn't done in front of millions of people.

I guess that's why I feel just awful for the host of last evening's Miss Universe pageant.

For a moment, all was right with the universe for Miss Colombia. Indeed, Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo had just been crowned Miss Universe on national television in Las Vegas by co-host Steve Harvey — the pinnacle of any pageant contestant’s career.

Then, quickly and devastatingly, her dream died. It turned out Harvey had read the wrong name.

“Okay, folks,” said Harvey, clad in a white tuxedo with a red-and-white polka dot bow tie as Miss Colombia waved to a cheering crowd, said. “I have to apologize.”

The crowd erupted again — perhaps expecting one of Harvey’s patented slow-burn bits. But this was no joke.

“The first runner-up is Colombia,” Harvey said.

Miss Colombia looked ready to kill — as it suddenly dawned on Miss Philippines, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, that she, the former first runner-up, had actually won the night. The incredibly awkward outcome: Miss Colombia was uncrowned, and Miss Philippines crowned.

“I will take responsibility for this,” Harvey said. “It was my mistake. It was on the card. Horrible mistake, but the right thing — I can show it to you right here. The first word is ‘Colombia.’ It is my mistake.”

The ballot card Steve Harvey read incorrectly pic.twitter.com/aW1zNHBGGd

— Robin Leach (@Robin_Leach) December 21, 2015

In this day and age, sentiments can reach even more millions of people via Twitter, which Harvey took to within an hour of the pageant's conclusion.

I'd like to apologize wholeheartedly to Miss Colombia & Miss Philippines for my huge mistake. I feel terrible.

— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) December 21, 2015

Secondly, I'd like to apologize to the viewers at that I disappointed as well. Again it was an honest mistake.

— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) December 21, 2015

For what it's worth, I accept Harvey's apology.

On a side note, some hilarity ensued.

You do realize Steve Harvey is the host of #MissUniverse2015 not me right? Hard to tell us black bald guys apart https://t.co/Nj3ncoORlP

— Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) December 21, 2015

Kansas City Royals... I have to apologize. pic.twitter.com/dqivWAKYCL

— Chris Creamer (@sportslogosnet) December 21, 2015

This calls into question years of Family Feud results.

— Benjamin Kruse (@BenjaminKruse) December 21, 2015

Oh well, if anyone is equipped to endure the fallout from this, it's a professional comedian. Dunno if he'll make it part of his act anytime soon however.
--------------------------------------------

Don we now our gay apparel.....

There's a lot to get to on this edition of The Closer in this the final broadcast before Christmas. The one hour bonanza begins at 2:00 PM Central Time.

We'll look back at this past Tuesday's GOP presidential debate and the various story lines created. Among the fallout is Ted Cruz being on the defensive over his hitting Marco Rubio on legalization of illegal aliens despite Cruz himself proposing it 2+ years ago. And as has been the case over the past several months, Donald Trump's poll numbers are still solid despite his usual bluster, bombast and lack of factual insights.


So please give me a call at (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics I plan on addressing. You can also text comments/questions to (651) 243-0390.

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area, you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio. 
Even though I have a face for radio, there is a UStream channel where you can watch the broadcast, if you so desire. Check it out here.  

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #narn or "Like" our Facebook page.

Until then.....

-------------------------------

Equal time?

Tom Brady is an NFL quarterback. Being one of the top players in a high profile profession puts one under extra scrutiny. Apparently that trait also puts Brady under some obligation to defend comments made by his high profile "friend" Donald Trump.

Brady’s relationship with Trump is under fire following the real estate mogul's controversial call for a ban on Muslims entering the U.S. last week.

The New York Daily News published an article Wednesday criticizing the football star for not publicly rejecting Trump’s remarks during an interview the day before.

“The four-time Super Bowl champ turned big-time chump when he fumbled a perfect opportunity to condemn his ‘good friend’ Donald Trump’s dangerous demagoguery and racist rhetoric – scrambling instead to try to find a way out of actually endorsing his billionaire buddy,” the article said.

Say, here's a thought for you leftist NYDN scribes. The likes of TE Vernon Davis, WR Marques Colston and QB Mike Vick are active players in the NFL. All three supported President Barack Obama for reelection in 2012. Any chance you're at all intellectually curious why those players would support a man for President who is perfectly OK with a baby being pulled half way out of his/her mother's womb only to be stabbed in the back of the neck with scissors, have his/her skull crushed and brains sucked out?

Lemme know what you find out. I'm sure you're ON IT!

------------------------------------------

GOP Debate recap: Vegas, baby

What a fantastic evening last night at O'Gara's Bar & Grill St Paul. For the second time this election cycle, AM 1280 The Patriot hosted a GOP debate viewing party and, like the first soiree, we were over capacity!

My Northern Alliance Radio Network colleague Mitch Berg and I had a blast hangin' with the listeners, live tweeting the debate (with our tweets being posted on a big screen) and just indulging in the discussion on the salient issues. Kudos to CNN/Salem moderators Wolf Blitzer, Dana Bash and Hugh Hewitt with their terrific line of questioning. With the recent terror attacks in Paris, France and San Bernardino, CA, obviously the main focus was on foreign policy. While the methodology differs among the candidates, there was multiple times more substance on this issue than you will ever hear in a Democrat debate.

The "also ran" debate featuring Lindsey Graham, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum and George Pataki was OK, I guess. I viewed as little more than Graham constantly puffing up his 36 separate visits to Iraq, probably in the hopes of angling for Secretary of Defense. Other than that, it was a feckless exercise.

Anyhow, here's my breakdown on how each top tier candidate performed in the "main event."


Jeb Bush: Started out strong. Someone said that "Jeb Bush with nothing to lose is my favorite Jeb Bush." He even landed a rare good zinger on his main nemesis Donald Trump by saying Trump likely gets his information from Saturday morning shows (i.e. cartoons) as opposed to the Sunday talk fests. However, Bush seemed to fade as the debate went on.

Yes, Jeb! needs to get a clue that the millions upon millions his Super PAC has spent to tout his candidacy has barely moved the needle. He emphasized a need to ensure that Donald Trump is not the GOP nominee. He could help expedite that process by moving on himself.


Ben Carson: Foreign Policy is definitely Dr. Carson's weakest area. The more troubling aspect is he doesn't appear all that desirous to become more knowledgeable. Like Sen. Graham, Carson should angle for a cabinet position (In Carson's case, Surgeon General). I greatly admire Dr. Carson and his life story but he definitely should not be in this race for much longer.


Chris Christie: After slipping to the under card last debate, Christie was back in the main event. With foreign policy/terrorism at the heart of Tuesday's debate, Christie was definitely in his element given his role as a prosecuting attorney during the 9/11/01 terror attacks. He also effectively touted his executive experience, chiding the Senators on stage whom he felt didn't have to make as difficult of decisions as he does. Christie was also more emboldened (if that's possible) by receiving the endorsement of the New Hampshire Union Leader.

One concerning moment was when Christie did not hesitate in saying he would shoot down a Russian fighter jet if said vessel violated a "no fly zone" over Syria. Dunno that starting a war with Russia is a great idea.


Ted Cruz; The long awaited tussle with Marco Rubio finally happened. Cruz hit back at Rubio's assertion that their respective plans on immigration reform are not that dramatically different. Cruz essentially said Rubio's statement was like saying a fire fighter and an arsonist are the same just because they're present at the same fire.

For me, Cruz's debate was summed up by two incidents. One, he flat out denied he supported some sort of legalization for illegal aliens (except he did).

And two, he quite often when past the buzzer indicating his time was up. I was hoping the moderators would be all like.....

Carly Fiorina: Calm, cool and collected. As usual, she did a nice job of conflating how her personal experiences (losing a child, surviving cancer, etc.) and business background would translate into being a good leader. And while the other candidates often took shots at each other, she was the only one who consistently went after Hillary Clinton.

Unfortunately for Ms. Fiorina, she doesn't seem to have the ability to parlay those debate performance bounces into any sustained success on the campaign trail. I don't see her in this race past the Iowa Caucuses.


John Kasich; Upon seeing Kasich flail his arms like a Kung Fu fighter...

....while saying little of substance, I (and, judging by my Twitter feed, much of the debate audience) couldn't help but wonder.....

Rand Paul; While I don't agree with a good portion of Paul's foreign policy vision, I admire the fact that he has developed a vast knowledge of the issue during his Senate term. However, Paul came off as quite petty and snarky when dinging Rubio for being part of the Senate's "Gang of Eight" and then jabbing Christie over Bridgegate. Since neither Rubio nor Christie took the bait, Paul appeared even smaller.

I had high hopes for Paul as a candidate, but I just don't see a path to victory. He certainly will win reelection to the US Senate in a walk come November 2016.


Marco Rubio: I was surprised it took until this debate for the moderators to broach the "Gang of Eight" issue. To Rubio's credit, he didn't back down. A path to legalization for illegal aliens may not be popular among conservative Republicans but it's something that wouldn't necessarily destroy him in a general election.

I've said often that Rubio is the most thoughtful and articulate of all the candidates when it comes to communicating the GOP message. While he needs to shore up his stance on surveillance and the NSA's gathering of meta-data, he's in this for the long haul.


Donald Trump; If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know full well I am not a Trump supporter. In fact, I'd be hard pressed to say he's in my top 10 despite there only being 13 candidates. With all that said, I thought Trump had a pretty good performance.

While he occasionally employed his trademark mockery and snark, Trump actually stuck with the substantive issues. Again, he's not exactly the most nuanced speaker in the field, but he didn't back down from his plan to ban Muslim immigrants from entering the U.S.

I'd say that Trump did nothing to hurt his substantial lead in the polls but that seems to be an obvious statement given his usual bombast and outrageous statements rarely has a negative impact.

I felt Trump's low point was his complaint about how the moderators constantly asked questions about statements he's made on the campaign trail. For as much of an attention whore he comes off as, that just seemed downright whiny.



For the final debate in 2015, I was pleased with how it turned out. Not only was there a lot of substantive discussion, it also gave us insight as to who clearly belongs and who does not. Let's hope we're down to about 4-5 candidates by the January 2016 debate in Iowa.

----------------------------------------

Up for debate?

If you're in the Twin Cities area (or even the upper Midwest) and are planning on watching the GOP presidential debate, why not make it a spectator sport?

My Northern Alliance Radio Network colleague Mitch Berg and myself will be emceeing the festivities.

As an added bonus, representatives from the Salvation Army will be present in the event you're an avid online Christmas shopper and thus won't have an occasion walk by the famous red kettles this holiday season. That's right. You can donate onsite to this wonderful organization via any method you choose (cash, check, text, etc.).

Hope to see you there!

----------------------------------------------------

So I pulled out a suit about the same color as my BMW.....

With the Vikings having already played their week 14 game this past Thursday, I should have a lot more attentive listeners than normal (I hope!!!). Anyhow the one-hour radio extravaganza we call The Closer begins at 2:00 PM Central Time.

Naturally I'll have an opinion or two on Donald Trump's proposal to ban Muslim immigrants from entering the U.S. and how it's affected his polling numbers. I'll also discuss other presidential candidate news. 

At 2:30 I will welcome to the Patriot bunker author/Alzheimer's Advocate/2012 Miss Minnesota Outstanding Teen Bailey Wachholz. Earlier this year Bailey completed her first book entitled Such a Pretty Young Lady: Grandma's Journey with Alzheimer's, so she'll be on to promote this endeavor as well as share how this benefits her advocacy. 

So please give me a call at (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics I plan on addressing. You can also text comments/questions to (651) 243-0390.

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area, you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio. 

Even though I have a face for radio, there is a UStream channel where you can watch the broadcast, if you so desire. Check it out here.  

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #narn or "Like" our Facebook page.

Until then.....

-------------------------------

Read between the lines

After Sen. Dave Thompson (R-Lakeville) suffered a tough defeat in the 2014 GOP endorsement contest for Minnesota governor, some wondered aloud if he really had the desire to continue in politics. Thompson is definitely one of the good ones, a principled and unapologetic conservative in a state where so few can be elected.

With the MN state senate up for reelection in 2016, the speculation hasn't died down over whether or not Thompson will endure another election cycle.

This tweet he put out Wednesday has me leaning towards the sentiment that  he's not running again.

How could anyone possibly call @BarackObama a pussy?! Shame on Col. Peters! #mnleg pic.twitter.com/pjK1dwkfix

— Dave Thompson (@ThompsonSenate) December 10, 2015

Rarely are sitting politicians this...uh...."off color" if there is something like reelection at stake.

------------------------------------

Final straw?

Donald Trump is basically a YouTube comment section running for president

— Brian Gaar (@briangaar) December 7, 2015

Anything that hilarious usually has a grain of truth to it.

Donald Trump called Monday for a "total and complete shutdown" of the entry of Muslims to the United States "until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on."

In a statement released by his campaign Monday afternoon, Trump included recent poll findings that he says show that a sizable segment of the Muslim population has "great hatred towards Americans."

"Without looking at the various polling data, it is obvious to anybody the hatred is beyond comprehension," Trump is quoted as saying in the statement. "Where this hatred comes from and why we will have to determine. Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life."

Since social conservatives have taken a beating in the culture war (specifically on the gay marriage issue) the past 5-10 years, the focus over the past year has started to shift towards religious liberty, an issue that is absolutely winnable for the political right. Leave it to the candidate who leads in the polls for the GOP nomination to throw a proverbial monkey wrench into that movement.

Dr. Russell Moore, who is President of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, lays it out.

Make no mistake. A government that can shut down mosques simply because they are mosques can shut down Bible studies because they are Bible studies. A government that can close the borders to all Muslims simply on the basis of their religious belief can do the same thing for evangelical Christians.

A government that issues ID badges for Muslims simply because they are Muslims can, in the fullness of time, demand the same for Christians because we are Christians.

We are in a time of war, and we should respond as those in a time of war. But we must never lose in a time of war precious freedoms purchased through the blood of patriots in years past. We must have security, and we must have order. But we must not trade soul freedom for an illusion of winning.

As a Republican, I want a GOP victory in the 2016 race for the White House as much as any right-of-center politico. But I am, first and foremost, a Christian and my ability (along with my inalienable right) to worship freely supersedes politics. That is why I would not think twice about forgoing a vote for President if indeed it comes down to a choice between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump next year.

Final thought: I've never totally bought in to the conspiracy that Trump is sabotaging the Republican primary process in an effort to get his pal Hillary elected President. However, if Trump were indeed implementing that strategy, would it look dramatically different from what he is doing now?

-------------------------------------------------------

Quick Hits: Volume CXXI

- Last evening, for only the third time in his Presidency, Barack Obama addressed the nation from the Oval Office.

Speculation was he would use that platform to give us reassurances in the fight against ISIS and also to demagogue gun control.

In the effort to thwart potential terrorist threats to our homeland, the president made a plea to Muslim communities.

"If we're to succeed in defeating terrorism, we must enlist Muslim communities as some of our strongest allies, rather than push them away through suspicion and hate," Obama said. "That does not mean denying the fact that an extremist ideology has spread within some Muslim communities. It's a real problem that Muslims must confront without excuse."

I have to admit that this is a refreshing change for the president. Normally he lectures Christians on alleged violence they commit in the name of their religion while making straw man arguments that "moderate Muslims" are being oppressed because of actions by radical elements of their movement.

Another conspicuous statement by Obama?

Over the last few years, however, the terrorist threat has evolved into a new phase. As we've become better at preventing complex, multifaceted attacks like 9/11, terrorists turned to less complicated acts of violence like the mass shootings that are all too common in our society. It is this type of attack that we saw at Fort Hood in 2009; in Chattanooga earlier this year; and now in San Bernardino. And as groups like ISIL grew stronger amidst the chaos of war in Iraq and then Syria, and as the Internet erases the distance between countries, we see growing efforts by terrorists to poison the minds of people like the Boston Marathon bombers and the San Bernardino killers.

Emphasis was mine.

I wonder who finally convinced the Obama administration to let go of that idiotic narrative that the Fort Hood incident was "workplace violence."


- Just another friendly reminder to those who believe Donald Trump is the inevitable GOP nominee for President:

At this point in -- 2004: Dean/Clark tied. 2008 (D): H. Clinton +17.4 (R): Giuliani +11.7 2012: Gingrich +11 https://t.co/8pTnsrwBv0

— Past Frontrunners (@pastfrontrunner) December 6, 2015

- My Minnesota Vikings were throttled by the Seattle Seahawks yesterday, 38-7.

The good news is the Vikes are still 8-4, tied atop the NFC North division (The Green Bay Packers still have the edge though, due to defeating the Vikings head-to-head two weeks ago).

The bad news is we are, I'm afraid, seeing the Vikings for who they really are: a wildcard team who is likely to be knocked out in the first round of the playoffs.

I said before the season that the Vikes would win 9-10 games in 2015, which would be good enough for second place in the division and a wildcard berth. Despite that nice stretch they had in October and November where they went 6-1, the Vikings really didn't have a signature win. Think about it. Which victories really stand out? The wins at Atlanta, at Oakland and home versus Kansas City, right? Those clubs are, at best, fringe playoff teams. Of those three, only the Chiefs have a winning record. But when the Vikings have played clubs who have made deep playoff runs within the past 2-3 seasons (Denver, Green Bay and Seattle), they've lost.

While I feel the Vikes improved under coach Mike Zimmer in 2014 and have also made strides this season, they're just not ready for primetime.

Oh well, it will be pretty fun to see their coming out party at US Bank Stadium over the next season or two.

-------------------------------------

Now you've disappeared somewhere, like outer space.....

Starting today, we're debuting a more compact version of my radio show The Closer. The broadcast will be a 1-hour extravaganza, beginning at 2:00 PM Central Time.

Much of the hour will be devoted to the San Bernadino shootings. Not only will I discuss the abhorrent leftist demagoguery, I will also weigh in on people of faith being mocked/ridiculed/attacked for offering prayers. 

If time allows, I will also chat about the latest budget surplus in the state of Minnesota and perhaps any news on the presidential candidate front. 

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area, you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio. 

Even though I have a face for radio, there is a UStream channel where you can watch the broadcast, if you so desire. Check it out here.  

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #narn or "Like" our Facebook page.

Until then.....

-------------------------------

Our collective good fortune......or something.

Earlier this year, the state of Minnesota projected a near $1.9 billion budget surplus over the following two years. The extra haul was lauded by Little Lord Fauntleroy Gov. Mark Dayton as "our collective good fortune." I'm sorry, but I reject the notion that excess taxation of Minnesotans in uncertain economic times should be described as "good fortune."

This past week, it was announced the surplus is now projected to be $2 billion through 2017. After a legally required amount is stashed away for savings, that leaves nearly $1.2 billion to haggle over. Naturally the Republicans will want significant tax cuts and will hold firm on the "no gas tax" pledge (something which even Dayton concedes is "dead."). The DFL will of course look to increase spending in certain areas, particularly education. But as economist John Spry mentioned on the lesser Twin Cities conservative talk station Friday morning, a supposed one time infusion to start, say, Dayton's pet project of universal Pre-K will lead to an "ongoing obligation." Amazing how quickly any potential surpluses would disappear. Last I checked, this state hasn't been the most efficient when it comes to education spending.

With a shortened legislative session in 2016, it is likely that a transportation funding package will be discussed given one was not passed last session. Surprisingly there doesn't seem to be a lot of contentiousness over initial proposals.

House Republicans proposed dedicating the sales tax on auto parts, rental vehicles and motor vehicle sales to the highway fund -- an ongoing source of about $300 million per year.

Though DFLers resisted that idea at first, some have come around. Dayton on Thursday said he could accept it, as long as the amount of existing revenue dedicated to roads was not "so large as to jeopardize our future fiscal stability."

Now if we could just finally scrap MNSure.......

-----------------------------------

Again we exclaim "Not Again!"

Heartbreaking. Depressing. Maddening. Scary.

Pick any adjective you like when describing yet another mass shooting.

Fourteen people were confirmed killed and 17 more wounded in a mass shooting at a San Bernardino community social services building.

“We do have some preliminary numbers of upwards of 14 people that are dead and upwards of 14 people that are injured,” said Chief Jarrod Burguan of San Bernardino Police. The number of injured was later upped to 17.

At least 10 of the injured are reportedly in critical condition.

Whenever I hear of horrific incidents such as this (and let's face it, it feels as though they've become much too commonplace), I feel the urge to pray. I pray for the survivors of the slain. I pray for the critically injured. I pray for the witnesses who were spared that they are able to overcome any emotional trauma.

But in the eyes of some people (including President Barack Obama), prayers just aren't enough in these times. In fact, calls for prayers in the aftermath of San Bernardino were met with scorn and ridicule by some on the left. I guess the reaction from the political portsiders shouldn't be all that surprising given they look at government itself as a deity. Any attention diverted away from their god is something they likely consider a mortal sin.

At the end of the day, I choose to trust in the Lord and lean not onto my own understanding. That can be a frustrating endeavor for our humanly desires which want to know more and understand how seemingly senseless things can happen. But I choose to continue to keep the faith because I know He sees the end from the beginning. And when I generally become annoyed (and at times flat out angry) with leftist demagogues in situations like this, I find that prayer is the absolute best antidote.

So with all due respect Mr President, prayers are not only enough but they are more than sufficient.

-----------------------------------------------

You keep using that word....

"Amnesty."

GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump has made significant hay over his tough talk on illegal immigration. Not only does Trump seem hellbent on deporting every single individual who is in the U.S. illegally, he also believes he can successfully challenge how the 14th amendment has been enforced for nearly 150 years (i.e. children born in this country to non-citizens are considered American citizens).

Despite Trump's plans being pure fantasy, he has consistently maintained his lead atop the race for the Republican nomination. Because of this, other GOP candidates have had to tread lightly on this issue for fear of being labeled "pro amnesty." This is something I have ranted and raved about for some time. Since many right-of-center politicians realize the impracticality (and near impossibility) of deporting all illegal aliens, such ideas as "path to citizenship" legislation or "guest worker" programs have been bandied about. Typically those proposals have entailed illegal aliens paying back taxes and fines as penance for violating our laws. Sorry, but that's not "amnesty." However, it still doesn't stop some of the Trump-kins from labeling anything short of mass deportations as such.

Definitely check out Allahpundit's piece over at Hot Air, as he addresses this issue better than I ever could.

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Brown out

With the score tied at 27 with three seconds remaining in last evening's Monday Night Football game, the Cleveland Browns lined up to attempt a 51-yard field goal to give them the win over the Baltimore Ravens. Rookie kicker Travis Coons was a perfect 18 for 18 in field goal attempts (including the two he made in last night's contest) as he lined up for the game winner.

The kick was blocked.

Ravens special teamer Will Hill grabbed the deflection and scampered 64 yards down the near sidelines for the game-winning touchdown. The immediate reaction on social media afterwards was pretty much summed up as "Browns gonna Brown" or "That is the most Browns finish ever."

About 5-1/2 years ago, the NFL Network's Top 10 series devoted a show to most snakebit NFL franchises. While my Vikings can make a solid case for the top spot, they were number two behind.......the Cleveland Browns.

After last evening, don't look for the Browns to move off the top spot anytime soon.

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I try and laugh about it hiding the tears in my eyes.....

After a long weekend of rest, I am ready to get back to the airwaves today. The 2-hour extravaganza known as The Closer will kick off right at 1:00 pm Central Time.

No guests scheduled today, so it will be a veritable mixed bag of topics including Thanksgiving memories, Green Bay Packers legend Brett Favre being honored at Lambeau Field, the continued saga over Syrian refugees, leftist media attempting to keep narratives straight, etc.

So please give me a call at (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to discuss any of the topics I plan on addressing. You can also text comments/questions to (651) 243-0390.

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area, you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio. 

Even though I have a face for radio, there is a UStream channel where you can watch the broadcast, if you so desire. Check it out here.  

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #narn or "Like" our Facebook page.

Until then.....

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Back-asswards

So I inquired earlier this week as to why someone like comedienne Amy Schumer is held in such high esteem, specifically for her alleged role in "empowering women." After all, Schumer's whole bit is how she pretty much willingly shtoops any guy with a body temperature. I guess that's where I'm befuddled. Isn't one of the central themes of "empowering women" to emphasize they're so much more than sex objects? Again, color me confused.

Anyhow, I bring this all up again after I read a story about perhaps one the more polarizing names in not only the sports world but also the cultural realm.

For once, it's not Tim Tebow who's having trouble scoring - it's his girlfriend.

Confidenti@l is told the QB's model squeeze Olivia Culpo has dumped him after a two-month relationship - because he won't have sex with her.

The former Miss USA, who was first reported to be seeing Tebow in early October, has told friends that she can't deal with the famously abstinent star's nookie-less lifestyle.

"He was really into her," a source close to the model told us, "he was sending her love letters and cute notes and professing his love for her."

When this story first came out, I saw many posts on social media ridiculing Tebow for his decision to remain celibate until marriage. There were some who questioned not only Tebow's manhood but also his sexual orientation.

In a nutshell, you have a professed mattress-back comedienne who is revered for "empowering women" while a man who chooses to "save himself" for marriage being ridiculed for not nailing all these hot chicks who throw themselves at him.

At the risk of sounding like I'm part of the "get off my lawn" ilk, these are bizzaro times we live in.

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New look

After about 10 years with the same look, I've decided to change the blog template. Granted it's not a radical change but it is a little different.

Anyhow, blogging will be somewhat light this week with my busy schedule at the workplace (cramming 5 days of work into 3) as well as the Thanksgiving holiday.

Speaking of which, have you ever come across those vapid left-wing (pardon the redundancy) web sites which every holiday season posts a "How to survive your family's (insert holiday) arguments on (insert contentious political issue)" article? Typically it's the authors of said articles who give off the impression that they're the insufferable jerks during holiday gatherings.

Regardless, here's to another festive and blessed Thanksgiving week!

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Something I don't get

I've been seeing a lot of effusive praise showered upon comedienne Amy Schumer, particularly in the way she "empowers women." I guess it's partly based on the fact she's attained fame and fortune while not having one of those typical Hollywood starlet bodies where you can see the gal's rib cage. From what I've seen of Ms. Schumer's stand-up routine, it typically entails stories of carnal knowledge with myriad men.

Here's what I don't get. What exactly is empowering? Is it the fact that a normal sized woman can have countless sexual encounters and then brag about such exploits like some men are wont to do? Is that how she's "empowering," her proving that women can be just as lascivious as men? Seriously, I'm genuinely befuddled by this one.

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It's time to free the lions from the circus cages.....

It's Packers-Vikings Sunday!! Even better news is that the game doesn't kick off until 3:25, so you have no reason to not tune in to The Closer from 1:00 until 3:00 PM Central Time. 

A lot to get to this week, including the continued debate over whether or not the U.S. should accept Syrian refugees, the Obama administration's horrible optics after the Paris attacks, the aftermath of the Jamar Clark shooting, etc. 

At 2:30, North Dakota blogger/political observer Rob Port will check in to discuss the University of North Dakota officially changing the college's nickname from Fighting Sioux to Fighting Hawks. 

So please give me a call at (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to discuss any of the topics I plan on addressing. You can also text comments/questions to (651) 243-0390.

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area, you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio. 

Even though I have a face for radio, there is a UStream channel where you can watch the broadcast, if you so desire. Check it out here.  

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #narn or "Like" our Facebook page.

Until then.....

Our perpetually petulant President

Barack Obama has previously stated he believes he could win a third term as President of the United States were he eligible to run again. Given his recent behavior, I'm not 100% certain he has the capacity to complete the remaining 14 months of his current term. While he's always given off the vibe of being somewhat petulant and thin-skinned, his rhetoric over the past week since the ISIS attacks in Paris has ratcheted up (even members of his own party have been dismayed with his behavior).

When upwards of 30 U.S. governors (most of them Republicans) vowed not to cooperate with the Federal government in accepting Syrian refugees, Obama lashed out, essentially calling them recruiters for ISIL. He also dismissed GOP concerns of the ineffective refugee vetting program by flat out mocking Republicans, saying they're "scared of widows and orphans." That's the ultimate strawman to be sure, especially when you consider it's not unprecedented that jihadists have gone into other countries under the guise of being refugees.

What the President is conveniently leaving out of his diatribe is a recent U.S. House proposal to merely pause in accepting refugees until screening is shored up. Another inconvenient truth is some House Democrats are supporting the measure to "bolster security checks on Syrian and Iraqi refugees," something a majority of Americans support.

I've pretty much had my fill of this asinine assertion that compassion and precautionary measures are mutually exclusive. I'm also fed up that Obama always seems more angered and outraged towards his political detractors than jihadists who see Americans as infidels and look to commit workplace violence kill us.

Get a grip, Mr. President.

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Botched rationale

As Election Day in the 2006 midterms was approaching, it appeared Republicans were going to lose complete control of Congress. Such a coup would render GOP President George W. Bush moot in his final two years in the White House. While the Dems ultimately were able to wrest control of the House and Senate, it wasn't due to lack of effort by the GOP, especially when they attempted to use then Senator John Kerry's ill fated attempt at humor against Democrats.

"Education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. And if you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."

Hearing the statement, one would ascertain that Kerry was implying our soldiers were dumb. He attempted to explain it away as a "botched joke."

Kerry said yesterday that he meant it as a dig at Bush, and his office released a copy of the prepared remarks he was supposed to deliver: "I can't overstress the importance of a great education. Do you know where you end up if you don't study, if you aren't smart, if you're intellectually lazy? You end up getting us stuck in a war in Iraq. Just ask President Bush."

While Kerry's party wasn't harmed at the polls in 2006, it effectively ended any aspirations he may have had to once again run for President in 2008. Heck, even his fellow Democrat Senator (and '08 presidential hopeful) Hillary Clinton threw Kerry under the bus, calling his comment "inappropriate." Conservative writer Jonah Goldberg piled on, calling him a "human toothache with the charisma of a 19th-century Oxford Latin tutor."

Fast forward nine years to Tuesday where Kerry still demonstrated verbal ineptitude.

Secretary of State John Kerry suggested on Tuesday that there was a “rationale” for the assault on satirical French weekly Charlie Hebdo, unlike the more recent attacks in Paris.

“There’s something different about what happened from Charlie Hebdo, and I think everybody would feel that," Kerry said in Paris, according to a transcript of his remarks. "There was a sort of particularized focus and perhaps even a legitimacy in terms of — not a legitimacy, but a rationale that you could attach yourself to somehow and say, OK, they’re really angry because of this and that.”

“This Friday was absolutely indiscriminate. It wasn’t to aggrieve one particular sense of wrong. It was to terrorize people,” he continued.

Of course, many on the political right were quick to jump on those remarks, essentially saying that Kerry was insinuating the staff at Charlie Hebdo had it coming. Personally, I don't believe that is at all what he was attempting to say, especially given his reputation for rhetorical missteps.

With all that said, I can hardly be critical of those who believe Kerry implied the CH employees were "asking for it." After all, the Obama administration has a recent history of not standing firm on the tenets of free speech, particularly in the aftermath of both the Charlie Hebdo and Benghazi incidents. Heck, as part of the butt-covering exercise in blaming a YouTube video for the attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, the filmmaker of said video was arrested.

The bottom line is jihadists don't draw any distinctions when wreaking havoc. Whether people are mocking the prophet Mohammed or partaking in western culture indulgences, radical Islamists don't seem to concern themselves with what is the greater affront to their cause.

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What's it going to take?

If a debate among Democrat presidential candidates occurs on a Saturday evening during college football season, did it really even occur?

Apparently some in the news media tuned in to the latest Dem debate, particularly the panel on Monday's installment of the MSNBC program Morning Joe. Among the items discussed was the reluctance of candidates Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O'Malley to even utter the phrase "radical Islam" despite what had occurred in Paris, France a little more than 24 hours earlier.

I don't believe Faisal Saeed Al Mutar was inspired specifically by Saturday's debate ineptitude but a recent Facebook post of his certainly digs at the proverbial bleeding hearts.

It must be incredibly frustrating as an Islamic terrorist not to have your views and motives taken seriously by the societies you terrorize, even after you have explicitly and repeatedly stated them. Even worse, those on the regressive left, in their endless capacity for masochism and self-loathing, have attempted to shift blame inwardly on themselves, denying the terrorists even the satisfaction of claiming responsibility.

It's like a bad Monty Python sketch:

"We did this because our holy texts exhort us to to do it."

"No you didn't."

"Wait, what? Yes we did..."

"No, this has nothing to do with religion. You guys are just using religion as a front for social and geopolitical reasons."

"WHAT!? Did you even read our official statement? We give explicit Quranic justification. This is jihad, a holy crusade against pagans, blasphemers, and disbelievers."

"No, this is definitely not a Muslim thing. You guys are not true Muslims, and you defame a great religion by saying so."

"Huh!? Who are you to tell us we're not true Muslims!? Islam is literally at the core of everything we do, and we have implemented the truest most literal and honest interpretation of its founding texts. It is our very reason for being."

"Nope. We created you. We installed a social and economic system that alienates and disenfranchises you, and that's why you did this. We're sorry."

"What? Why are you apologizing? We just slaughtered you mercilessly in the streets. We targeted unwitting civilians - disenfranchisement doesn't even enter into it!"

"Listen, it's our fault. We don't blame you for feeling unwelcome and lashing out."

"Seriously, stop taking credit for this! We worked really hard to pull this off, and we're not going to let you take it away from us."

"No, we nourished your extremism. We accept full blame."

"OMG, how many people do we have to kill around here to finally get our message across?"

While the post is mostly tongue in cheek, there are elements of hard hitting truth. That final sentence is especially salient. What more has to happen? I pray it doesn't have to be another 9/11 type event.

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Same issue, different city

When 18-year old Michael Brown (a black man) was shot by white police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, MO more than a year ago, it caused significant unrest in that town. It was made worse when an eyewitness claimed that Brown threw his hands up and cried "don't shoot!"As a result, an already tense situation escalated into looting and violence within the city. After a long, thorough investigation, Wilson was not indicted by a grand jury due to a) overwhelming forensic evidence clearing him of wrongdoing and b) the whole "hands up, don't shoot!!" being a flat out fabrication. Regardless, riots and looting again ensued when the grand jury ruled "no bill."

Sadly, a similar situation is playing out in the Twin Cities.

A man suspected of assault was shot on a north Minneapolis street by a police officer early Sunday while allegedly hindering emergency responders from aiding his victim.

The shooting ignited a chaotic scene of shouting and taunting bystanders who believed the man was handcuffed before police opened fire.

Police Chief Janeé Harteau said Sunday afternoon that her department’s preliminary information is that the man was not handcuffed when police shot him.

An damning eyewitness account conflicting with that of law enforcement's information. Can you see where this is going?

Police did not identify the man, but Nekima Levy-Pounds, president of the Minneapolis NAACP, said in a statement that he was Jamar Clark, a black man in his mid-20s, and that he had been “shot and killed” by police.

The debate on the public stage is showing no signs of easing. The Minneapolis chapter of Black Lives Matter has scheduled a news conference for 9 a.m. Monday outside the Police Department precinct headquarters on the North Side. The chapter is calling for the release of any video police might have of the shooting as well as disclosure of the names of the officers involved.

Ah yes, the obligatory unreasonable demands. Whenever there is an officer involved shooting, that officer is placed on paid administrative leave until an investigation is completed. And the officer is never named unless he/she is found to have been in violation of the law and thus becomes subject to a trial.

As is custom with the local chapter of BLM when their unreasonable (and at times outrageous) demands are not met, they descend into disrupting the lives of others.

Hundreds of protesters have shut down northbound Interstate 94 in Minneapolis between 7th St. and Broadway Ave.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation reports protesters are on the freeway, attempting to block traffic. The shutdown first started around 7 p.m. Several area metro police departments are on scene attempting to control the situation. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, protesters were given four warnings to disperse or be subject to arrest. Shortly before 9 p.m., authorities began arresting protesters.

If the police officer who shot Clark gets off with any punishment short of being drawn and quartered, expect more incidents like this in the aftermath. Nobody will come out of this in a positive light. Nobody.

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1991 vs. 2015

Whenever the Detroit Lions have traveled to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers in recent years, it's pretty much been a guaranteed loss for the Motor City Kitties. In fact, I always like to point out that the last time the Lions won in Green Bay was December 1991. To put that in perspective, that was two months after my Minnesota Twins last won a World Series. As a Twins fan, that feels like forever ago.

Well, would you believe that Lions finally broke through with a win in Green Bay on Sunday?!?! It's true!

To put that streak in even further perspective, here is what I looked like in late 1991: 

And here I am in similar attire a few months ago: 

Yeah, I'll take any opportunity I have to post pictures of myself in a tuxedo. I clean up pretty good, eh?

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Been runnin' blind, under a broken sky.....

The Vikings don't play until 3:00 this afternoon, so you fans of The Purple can tune in live for the entire two hours of The Closer! The show kicks off at 1:00 pm Central Time.

Obviously the terrorist attacks in Paris are still resonating nearly 48 hours later, so I'll certainly discuss that atrocity. I will also weigh in on the ouster of the University of Missouri president as well as its aftermath, which showed a seemingly petulant student body.

At 2:00 I will be joined by my friend, fellow Senate District 35 resident and newly endorsed GOP candidate for MN State Senate Andy Aplikowski. Andy now moves on to the special election taking place early next year where he will seek to replace Sen. Branden Petersen, who resigned effective October 31.

So please give me a call at (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to discuss any of the topics I plan on addressing. You can also text comments/questions to (651) 243-0390.

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area, you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio. 

Even though I have a face for radio, there is a UStream channel where you can watch the broadcast, if you so desire. Check it out here.  

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #narn or "Like" our Facebook page.

Until then.....

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Priez pour la France.

"Bin Laden is dead and General Motors is alive."  
- Vice President Joe Biden, April 26, 2012



“The analogy we use around here sometimes, and I think is accurate, is if a (J.V.) team puts on Lakers uniforms that doesn’t make them Kobe Bryant,” Obama said, resorting to an uncharacteristically flip analogy. “I think there is a distinction between the capacity and reach of a bin Laden and a network that is actively planning major terrorist plots against the homeland versus jihadists who are engaged in various local power struggles and disputes, often sectarian.

“Let’s just keep in mind, Falluja is a profoundly conservative Sunni city in a country that, independent of anything we do, is deeply divided along sectarian lines. And how we think about terrorism has to be defined and specific enough that it doesn’t lead us to think that any horrible actions that take place around the world that are motivated in part by an extremist Islamic ideology are a direct threat to us or something that we have to wade into.”
- President Barack Obama, January 2014



“From the start, our goal has been first to contain (ISIS), and we have contained them,” Obama told ABC News’s George Stephanopoulos in a Thursday afternoon interview that took place before the strike against Emwazi.
- President Obama, November 12, 2015, little more than 24 hours before the attacks in Paris



After more than 150 people were reported dead as a result of a terrorist attack in Paris, France Friday evening, the French president was not nearly as reserved as America's leaders have been in the face of heightened jihadist activity.

French President Francois Hollande promised early Saturday morning that France would respond to terrorist attacks that killed more than 120 people with a "pitiless" war against the group responsible.

"We are going to lead a war which will be pitiless," he said at the Bataclan, the site of one of the attacks, according to the Guardian.

"Because when terrorists are capable of committing such atrocities, they must be certain that they are facing a determined France, a united France, a France that is together and does not let itself be moved, even if today we express infinite sorrow," Hollande added.

It was a little more than two years when France was the United States' only major European ally willing to assist with military action in Syria. In fact, they were even willing to lead militarily. Ultimately the U.S. declined to intervene in the Syrian civil war.

Two years later we can surmise President Hollande's comments as a message to America which essentially says "We got this." 

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Quick Hits: Volume CXX

- ESPN carnival barker sports personality Chris Berman has been a fixture at the network pretty much since it's inception in 1979. Truth be told, I literally turn the volume all the way down or switch channels altogether when he emerges on my TV screen. His shtick containing a hyper, bombastic delivery became passe 20 years ago.

Apparently Berman must still bring in some decent ratings, otherwise ESPN would have fired him as opposed to settling a sexual harassment suit brought against him.

A former ESPN makeup artist recently settled a sexual harassment claim against ESPN, and the focus of her claim was NFL host Chris Berman, multiple people tell The Big Lead.

The former ESPN makeup artist, Sue Baumann, was represented by the office of high profile lawyer Gloria Allred. A person familiar with the matter told The Big Lead that there were allegations against Berman – including comments he allegedly made in the makeup room and text messages going back a few years – and ESPN decided to settle. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the claims.

Can't ya just hear it? Upon walking away from Berman after applying his makeup, Baumann hears him say "Baby, you got BACK, BACK, BACK, BACK, BACK!!!!"


- Does anyone else find it somewhat ironic that the majority of University of Missouri students who demanded that former president Tim Wolfe acknowledge his "white privilege" will likely be casting votes for Hillary Clinton next year?


- I don't have a lot to say about Tuesday's GOP presidential debate since I've only seen highlights.

But based on the reaction via social media, I've ascertained the following:

Big Winners: Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Voters who care about substantive issues.

Big Losers: John Kasich, The mainstream media (particularly CNBC).

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Quick Hits: Volume CXIX

Mizzou: Mob rule or speaking truth to power?

The president of the University of Missouri system and the head of its flagship campus resigned Monday with the football team and others on campus in open revolt over what they saw as indifference to racial tensions at the school.

President Tim Wolfe, a former business executive with no previous experience in academic leadership, took "full responsibility for the frustration" students expressed and said their complaints were "clear" and "real."

For months, black student groups had complained that Wolfe was unresponsive to racial slurs and other slights on the overwhelmingly white main campus of the state's four-college system. The complaints came to a head two days ago, when at least 30 black football players announced they would not play until the president left. A graduate student went on a weeklong hunger strike.

It appears Wolfe's statements upon his resignation were.....interesting.

"This is not the way change comes about," he said, alluding to recent protests, in a halting statement that was simultaneously apologetic, clumsy and defiant. "We stopped listening to each other."

He urged students, faculty and staff to use the resignation "to heal and start talking again to make the changes necessary."

Heck, if Wolfe was gonna come off so buffoon-ish, I wish he had said something to the effect "To be clear, I am NOT resigning over boycott threats by members of the football team. I mean, are you aware of their record? They suck!"

I digress.

Many of the protests have been led by an organization called Concerned Student 1950, which gets its name from the year the university accepted its first black student. Group members besieged Wolfe's car at the parade, and they conducted a weeklong sit-in on a campus plaza.

Never ones to be all that self-aware, these "Social Justice Warriors" demanding that Wolfe step down later put forth a stunning display of irony. After using their First Amendment rights to protest Wolfe remaining Missouri's president, they then tried to ban the media from covering the event once the "rally" appeared to spin out of control.

Finally, I'll just leave this here:

Brothers and Sisters, this is a momentus occassion but do not be moved! Our Brother can eat, but we are still owed Demands! Stay strong!

— ConcernedStudent1950 (@CS_1950) November 9, 2015

- I personally don't care if Starbucks decided not to put Christmas emblems on their red cups. Nor am I concerned if they're a secular organization attempting to stick a proverbial thumb in the eye of Christians. Unfortunately, some of my fellow Christians raised a big stink about such controversies that may or may not exist.

A word the wise: Quite being a tool. Such faux outrage is only helping Starbucks' brand.


- It'll be a busy political night for me on Tuesday.

I am actually looking forward to the "main event" portion of the GOP presidential debate, especially in light of the media's pathetic attempts to smear candidates Ben Carson and Marco Rubio. However, I'll have to DVR it as I will be attending a candidate forum taking place in my state senate district. With Sen. Branden Petersen having resigned, 4 Republican hopefuls will be vying for the party endorsement this weekend ahead of the special election early next year. As such, Tuesday evening is the candidates' final big opportunity to make their case to Senate District 35 delegates, of which I am one.

While the forum will not change whom I'm personally supporting, I will be interested in the rationale of one candidate who has said he will not commit to support the endorsed candidate if it's not him yet was publicly critical of me for supporting a candidate last year who also didn't commit to abiding.

Getcha popcorn.

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Rode bikes with no helmets and still here we are......

After a rare week off, I will be back in the Patriot bunker for today's Northern Alliance Radio Network broadcast. The 2-hour bonanza begins at 1:00 PM Central Time.

At 1:15, political wonk Matt Mackowiak will join the program to discuss last week's election results (specifically the Kentucky gubernatorial race and battle for control of the Virginia State Senate), the latest in the GOP presidential race and the early reviews of Paul Ryan as House Speaker.

In the non-guest segments I'll discuss the Ben Carson-West Point scholarship flap, social justice warriors getting their comeuppance, etc.

So please give me a call at (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to discuss any of the topics I plan on addressing. You can also text comments/questions to (651) 243-0390.

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area, you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio. 

Even though I have a face for radio, there is a UStream channel where you can watch the broadcast, if you so desire. Check it out here.  

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #narn or "Like" our Facebook page.

Until then.....

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Dear Democrats:

Certain politicians in your party have vowed to run on such hot button issues as gun control and Obamacare in 2016. 

Not that my perspective matters a whole lot, but in the event you're curious about my preference? Yes. Please. 

That is all.

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