Quick Hits: Volume CCXIV

- You may recall the incident where Saturday Night Live actor Pete Davidson mocked then U.S. House candidate (now Congressman) Dan Crenshaw just prior to the 2018 midterm elections. Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL who dons an eye patch over his right eye after losing it in combat, was mocked by Davidson who said he looked like a "hitman in a porno movie" or something. Crenshaw came on SNL the following week and received an on-air apology from Davidson. The newly elected Congressman then took some gratuitous shots at Davidson, zingers which were clearly scripted. It was somewhat of a poignant moment which exuded grace.

But on his newly released Netflix special, Davidson is apparently regretting the whole incident for a different reason entirely.

“I didn’t think I did anything wrong,” Davidson adds. “It was like words that were twisted so that a guy could be famous.”

Davidson also pushes back on the notion that his ridicule helped Crenshaw win his congressional seat. “That guy is a Republican with an eyepatch in Texas, so it was a lock before he even started,” he jokes. “In Texas, I’m pretty sure they only have pictures, that’s how they vote.”

But while Davidson evidently felt “forced” to apologize to Crenshaw’s face, he is now using his stand-up special to more or less rescind that apology.

The “only thing” that Davidson says he is now willing to apologize for is making Crenshaw “famous and a household name for no reason.”

Household name or no, Crenshaw has proven himself to be the bigger person. About a month after the two initially met, Crenshaw called to check on Davidson's well-being when there were concerns he was suicidal.

I honestly feel bad for Davidson, given he seems incapable of experiencing much joy in his life.


- How do you know your brain is suffering from "political rot?" When you're unable to enjoy much of anything due to partisan politics consuming your life.

Country mega star Garth Brooks was about to take the stage in Detroit recently. On Instagram, Brooks posted a picture of himself donning a Barry Sanders #20 jersey. Makes perfect sense, right? After all, Barry Sanders spent his entire NFL Hall of Fame career in Detroit. Also, Garth likely feels a special connection to Barry Sanders given both are Oklahoma St. alums.

View this post on Instagram

Detroit You carried me all night long But you always have I’m in love with you! love, g #GARTHinDETROIT

A post shared by Garth Brooks (@garthbrooks) on Feb 22, 2020 at 8:17pm PST

So would you believe some felt this jersey was Brooks endorsing Bernie Sanders for President in '20?!?!?!

Oy Vey.


- Between the coronavirus, the stock market tanking and Dems on the verge of making a septuagenarian commie their presidential nominee, a crucial vote in the U.S. Senate hasn't seen a lotta light (Hey, Democracy dies in darkness, right?).

This past week, the U.S. Senate took up the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, legislation which would require physicians to provide medical care to babies who survived an attempted abortion. Because this is the Senate, 60 votes are required to allow such legislation to even have an up-or-down vote for passage. Unfortunately, 41 Democrat Senators was all that was required to successfully filibuster this legislation.

I imagine there might be more outrage if the media was actually intellectually honest enough to report the facts on this bill. National Review's Alexandra DeSanctis collected some examples of some media deception.

CNN: “Two abortion restriction bills that forced tough votes for vulnerable senators fail in the Senate.” Politico: “Anti-abortion bills fail to advance in Senate vote.” CBS News: “Two bills banning most late-term abortions blocked by Senate Democrats.” Newsweek: “Mitch McConnell faces backlash over bid to force Senate votes on anti-abortion laws.”

The content of most of these articles, and similar reports at other outlets, was even more inaccurate than the headlines.

The New York Times published an article that, as Ramesh Ponnuru has observed, got key facts wrong. It also framed the entire debate in Democratic Party talking points while offering only inaccurate strawman versions of the argument in favor of the born-alive bill. The Times’ congressional editor shared this article in a tweet claiming that the Senate bills would “curb women’s rights to late-term abortions.”

Yes, Democracy dies in darkness. But it can also be buried alive under layers of bullshit.

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Did you know.....

....that the first ever African American to serve in the U.S. Congress was a Republican?

Yes, it was 150 years ago Tuesday that Hiram R. Revels was officially appointed a U.S. Senator out of Mississippi.

In 1870, the state congress selected Revels to fill a vacant seat in the United States Senate. Debate surrounding his eligibility hinged on the 1857 Dred Scott decision, which precluded African-American citizenship. The decision was effectively reversed by the ratification of the 14th Amendment after the Civil War. Democrats argued that Revels did not meet the nine-year citizenship requirement to hold congressional office given his ineligibility for citizenship through the war years. Ultimately, Revels and his Republican allies prevailed by citing Revels's mixed-race background, and Revels became the first African American to serve in the United States Senate. His appointment was particularly symbolic in that the seat he occupied had previously belonged to Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy.

During his time in Washington, the press praised Revels for his well-crafted speeches and diplomatic approach to a tense congressional environment. His signature issue was civil rights, including the integration of schools and equal opportunities for black workers. Revels urged a moderate view on the restoration of Confederate citizenship. While the Radical Republicans in Congress called for harsh punishments to be meted out to Civil War rebels, Senator Revels took a milder view. He argued for the immediate restoration of citizenship to former Confederates, along with the secure enfranchisement, education and employment eligibility of African Americans.

Wow, was he ever ahead of his time.

Given February is Black History Month, Revels' milestone is one factoid which I am disappointed wasn't touted more. It's a shame partisan politics seeps into almost every aspect of life. Nevertheless this is further proof that of the two major political parties, the GOP was the one leading the way on equality and desegregation. It's a shame that Republicans lost their grip on that issue approximately a century later.

Thankfully, current Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker led a resolution to honor Revels this past Tuesday.

“Hiram Revels was an extraordinary Mississippian and American whose legacy extends far beyond breaking the color barrier in Congress,” Wicker said. “He used his platform to fight for equality and reconciliation in a nation divided by race and the Civil War. The broad bipartisan support for this resolution demonstrates the deep respect and appreciation Americans still have for Hiram Revels’s service.”

Regardless of what month of the year it may be, Mr. Revels' legacy is one worth celebrating at any given moment.

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YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH

There's a wise old saying largely attributed to trial lawyers: “You never ask a question to which you do not know the answer.” That essentially means lawyers will ask questions which they firmly believe will result in a retort which strengthens their case.

Over the past year or so, gun-grabbing Minnesota legislators have been touting a survey which indicated that 90% of MN voters support background checks on all firearm purchases. First, that inquiry is a straw man. Firearm purchases are already subject to such checks. And secondly, this survey is used to gin up support for House File 8, which calls for background checks on sales as well as transfers. But the survey question conveniently isn't nuanced to include that latter tidbit, otherwise there would likely be significant opposition to HF8. And it is also the hope of the DFL that voters will remain ignorant and thus not read the legislation being drafted.

Ah, but when you have an educated and boots-on-the-ground pro-gun organization like the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, the gun grabbers are going to receive serious pushback.

On Monday evening, the MN House DFL's Facebook page created a poll with the following phrasing:

"It's time we do something to address senseless gun violence. Do you support criminal background checks on all gun sales?" 

Their objective is clear given how they worded that question in that only a heartless gun nut would think to vote "No." But since they are bringing to the floor this week both HF8 and HF9 (Red Flag gun confiscation), we Second Amendment advocates were on to their scheme. So what happens when someone asks a question they don't know the answer to?

The same thing happened with the poll posted to Twitter, which also was eventually deleted.

With the two anti-gun bills slated to be brought to the House floor this Thursday afternoon, they will likely pass given the DFL is the majority party in that chamber. But the chanting point of "Our online polls show a majority of respondents support these measures" has been effectively shot dead......rhetorically speaking.

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A thousand skeptic hands won't keep us from the things we plan....

It's late February, so we're that much closer to spring time! Regardless, today's edition of my radio show The Closer promises to bring the heat. The 2-hour blitz gets started at 1:00 pm Central Time.

In the first hour I'll weigh in on mostly local issues, specifically a noteworthy gun-grabber group loses its lead demagogue. Also, Senate Republicans put together a common sense plan for the projected budget surplus ----- which means it's a non-starter for the Dem majority in the House and Gov. Walz's office.

In the second hour I will look back on the proverbial clown show that was last Wednesday's Dem debate in Nevada. Speaking of Nevada, they held their Democrat caucus yesterday, so we'll break down those results as well.


So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 or, if you're near downtown Minneapolis/West Metro area, 107.5 FM 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 as well as Amazon Alexa (just say "Alexa, play The Patriot Minneapolis"). If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

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

Until then.....

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Tugging on Superman's cape

Sure the Minnesota Timberwolves were utterly irrelevant (and at times downright dysfunctional) in the first seven seasons of the franchise's existence. But that's not to say there weren't some entertaining anecdotes that emerged from that period.

In this clip, the Wolves's best player in their history, Kevin Garnett, and the mercurial J.R. Rider share a tale from KG's rookie year when he trash-talked Michael Jordan.

You can probably guess how that ended up.





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Quick Hits: Volume CCXIII

- So how 'bout that Dem debate Wednesday night, huh?

As expected, septuagenarian billionaire Michael Bloomberg received most of the shrapnel, particularly from Fauxcahontas Elizabeth Warren.

WARREN: "I’d like to talk about who we’re running against. A billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse faced lesbians, and no I’m not talking about Donald Trump, I’m talking about mayor Bloomberg."#DemDebate pic.twitter.com/8ic2t7LOqS

— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) February 20, 2020

Video: Here's the moment that the Bloomberg campaign absolutely imploded on itself #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/6QT0xnNRN0

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) February 20, 2020

Mad props to conservative radio host Steve Deace, who predicted that Warren would assume the Chris Christie 2016 role by going all kamikaze on a candidate who is deemed a threat (in the case of '16, it was Marco Rubio) to the front runner. Christie had no delusions of saving his own skin as much as providing an assist to Donald Trump. While Warren may hang around longer in 2020 than Christie in '16, her smackdown of Bloomberg won't resurrect her moribund campaign.

But I agree with Daily Wire contributor Jessica Fletcher in that the Mayor Pete-Klobee exchange was also my favorite moment of the night.

This was my favorite moment of the night #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/OxcN9LG6Ue

— Jessica Fletcher (@heckyessica) February 20, 2020

Finally Americans were able to see what has been the worst kept secret among Minnesotans: that Sen. Amy Klobuchar indeed has the kind of temperament that is not above being abusive to staff.

Oh, and in a totally unrelated matter: 

Gallup: Trump job approval moves into *positive* territory - now at 49-48. That's Trump's best approval on Gallup in his presidency.

In addition, Gallup has seen an uptick in Americans identifying as Republicans - jumping to 32% (was 28%). Democrats were just 28% of respondents. pic.twitter.com/3p0AMaPrME

— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) February 20, 2020

Sleep well, leftists.


- Speaking of proverbial clown cars:

Human Scum.

If you can name 5 or more of these folks you qualify for the hidden handshake ...

Go... pic.twitter.com/XgzBbYiSO6

— Charlie Sykes (@SykesCharlie) February 20, 2020

As a matter of fact, I can name five or more. And I can also point out multiple individuals pictured who have made a vow to vote for the Democrat nominee for President (yes, even if it's avowed socialist Bernie Sanders) this November.

I realize I may be stating the obvious here, but such a stance is neither principled nor conservative.


- Prayers up for a member of Minnesota's Congressional delegation.

Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn announced Wednesday that he’s being treated for Stage 4 kidney cancer.

The 57-year-old congressman, who represents southern Minnesota’s First District, said he received the diagnosis in February 2019 and has been undergoing immunotherapy at Rochester’s Mayo Clinic over the past year.

The diagnosis will not affect his re-election campaign, he said. Hagedorn faces a tough re-election fight against Democrat Dan Feehan, whom he narrowly defeated by about 1,300 votes in 2018.

“This disease has not and will not deter me,” Hagedorn said in a statement. “Exactly two months after marrying my wife … and just six weeks into my job as the First District’s congressman, I was given unexpected and rather shocking news. Just like millions of other Americans, I was told by my doctor: You have cancer. After prayers and long talks with those closest to me, I was determined to fight it like hell.”

Hagedorn is married to Jennifer Carnahan, the chairwoman of Minnesota’s Republican Party. She issued her own statement Wednesday, saying that although “the past year hasn’t been easy … we both remain committed to one another, our jobs, our state and our country.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brad Carlson (@brad_carlson) on Apr 8, 2018 at 1:04pm PDT

When battling an insidious disease such as cancer, half the battle is maintaining the proper mindset and attitude when approaching the beast. It appears both Rep. Hagedorn and wife Jennifer are committed to doing whatever it takes to win this battle.

Continued prayers to them.

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I don't have a bucket list.....

....but if I did, meeting pop star Huey Lewis would easily make my top 3.

A little less than two years ago Huey announced he had been diagnosed with Meniere's disease, which is a disorder of the inner ear that can lead to dizzy spells and hearing loss. As a lead singer in a band, such an ailment is less than optimal given Huey is unable to hear clearly any music nor is he able to sing in the proper pitch.

Last month he and two of his band mates appeared on the CBS program Sunday Morning to preview their first new album in nearly twenty years as well as give an update of Huey's condition.





I have literally been a fan of Huey Lewis and the News since the early 1980s. In fact, I still have their first six albums (plus the Back to the Future soundtrack which contains two HLN tunes) on cassette.

Given that Huey's touring days are likely behind him, I feel a burn more than ever to meet him in person. Y'know......I happen to know the location of the sprawling western Montana estate where he spends most of his time these days. Alas, I imagine that it would come off as downright creepy if I just showed up one day. Heck, the process I enacted to learn of the location would probably strike you as a bit stalk-ery.

Regardless, I hope that by some minor miracle Huey will one day be well enough to tour again. As such, springing for backstage passes would seem the more sensible (and less creepy) route.

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Intolerance in the self-anointed haven of tolerance

It doesn't snow often in San Francisco so it's hard to fathom how there's been an accumulation of so many snowflakes.

The San Francisco Giants said Monday that they won't invite Aubrey Huff to a reunion of the 2010 World Series-winning team this summer because of "unacceptable" comments made by Huff on social media.

"Earlier this month, we reached out to Aubrey Huff to let him know that he will not be included in the upcoming 2010 World Series Championship reunion. Aubrey has made multiple comments on social media that are unacceptable and run counter to the values of our organization," the Giants said in a statement. "While we appreciate the many contributions that Aubrey made to the 2010 championship season, we stand by our decision."

Look, I'm all for freedom of association. As a private enterprise, the Giants organization is free to associate and disassociate with whomever they desire. But it's a pretty poor reflection on the organization itself when they can't put differences aside to celebrate the franchise's first ever World Series title since moving to San Francisco in the late 1950s.What, were they worried that Huff, an avowed supporter of President Donald Trump, was gonna yell "MAGA, bitches!!!!!!!!!!" if he were given an opportunity to speak? Lest we forget, Huff finished 7th in National League MVP voting in 2010, so he was a significant reason why the Giants had the success they did (he led the team in home runs and RBIs).

Never one to shy away from a verbal spat, Huff put out a statement addressing the controversy.

My response to @SFGiants

@mlb @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/tDs8L8kGNi

— Aubrey Huff (@aubrey_huff) February 18, 2020

In this day and age, statements deemed as "unacceptable comments" are condemned more harshly than, say, leaving your own feces or dirty drug needles lying on the sidewalk.

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Bence bounces

My friend and Northern Alliance Radio Network colleague Mitch Berg has often stated the following observation about a certain Twin Cities gun-grabber organization and its leader:

The Reverend Nancy Nord Bence and Protect Minnesota have never, not once, made a statement about guns, gun rights, gun laws, gun crime, gun crime stats, gun rights groups, or the history, construction or meaning of the 2nd Amendment that is simultaneously substantial, original and true.

Keep that in mind as you read the following thread which Rev. Bence posted on her Twitter feed:

A few of her statements I'd like to address:

Working together we have changed the narrative about gun violence in Minnesota....

Is "changed the narrative" a euphemism for "lied about?"

,invested in the communities of color most impacted by gun violence,

Sorry Nance, but leasing office space in North Minneapolis and putting a sign on the front door of said office but literally never having a live person present is hardly an "investment." And getting photo ops behind Hennepin County attorney Mike Freeman while he holds a press conference detailing the latest gun death is more like exploitation and opportunism than an "investment."

,helped flip the House by electing 53 Orange Star candidates in 2018,

This would imply that MN voters' top concern in 2018 was gun violence. And that just wasn't true.

I’m choosing to step down now because nothing is more important for the future of gun violence prevention – and all that is good – than electing Democrats in November. Since Protect Minnesota is non-partisan (PFFFFT ZOMG BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! - ed.), I have been appropriately limited in my campaign involvement.

Two of the more prominent "gun control" House Republicans were (emphasis on were) Keith Franke (R-St. Paul Park) and Dario Anselmo (R-Edina). Yet the gun grabbers endorsed their 2018 DFL opponents Anne Claflin and Heather Edelson, respectively. So with all little due respect Reverend Bence, "non-partisan" my tuckus.

To end her thread, Rev. Bence signed off with one of Protect's vapid chanting points.

Unarmed and unafraid

Say, I recall Rev. Tim Christopher's testimony before the House Judiciary Committee last year. He indicated that those proclaiming to be "Unarmed and Unafraid" are welcome to escort congregants of his North Minneapolis church out to the parking lot amid the prospect of gun battles. Whatta ya say, Nance? It'll be a nice break from your protests in that gun haven that is Edina. Perhaps one of your staffers at the PM North Minneapolis office could stop on b.....HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. 😆😆😆😆😆

Oh. Oh, I slay me.

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Straddle the line in discord and rhyme....

Another Sunday, yet another edition of the Northern Alliance Radio Network program The Closer. The 2-hour bonanza gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time.

In the first hour I'll discuss the kickoff of the 2020 Minnesota Legislative session and how House Dems are already all in on "gun control." Also, Minnesota's own Sen. Amy Klobuchar finished third in the New Hampshire presidential primary; local media gushes.

For the entire 2:00 pm hour, Rev. Tim Christopher and Louis Dennard of the Black Minds Unchained podcast will join me in studio. Given the two are also staunch Second Amendment advocates, you can bet they'll have a thing or two to say about the sudden rise of Michael Bloomberg as a Dem presidential nominee.


So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 or, if you're near downtown Minneapolis/West Metro area, 107.5 FM 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 as well as Amazon Alexa (just say "Alexa, play The Patriot Minneapolis"). If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

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

Until then.....

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The "Klo-mentum" delusion

Sure, Sen. Amy Klobuchar's third place finish in the New Hampshire presidential primary was a surprise. And yes, her post debate fundraising haul last week and post primary influx this week is a definite positive for her campaign.

But as Jim Geraghty of National Review suggests, there's still no indication of any long term staying power.

Right before Christmas, we saw the Politico headline: “’The surge is real’: Klobuchar makes late push in Iowa.”

To the extent we can feel confident in the announced Iowa results, Klobuchar won 12.3 percent or so of the votes in the first round — nothing to sneeze at! That finish is pretty darn good for a candidate who began the cycle with almost no name recognition. But that total is also fifth place, and Klobuchar got one delegate out of Iowa.

The good news is that Klobuchar indeed appears to have closed strongly in New Hampshire . . . right around the 15 percent delegate threshold, anywhere from third to fifth place, depending on how Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren finish. Klobuchar could finish third tonight and generate a lot of buzz (she did and she did - ed.).

But in the limited polling we have in Nevada, Klobuchar is seventh, behind Andrew Yang. And in South Carolina, she’s eighth, behind Tulsi Gabbard. Maybe if Biden quit the race, a lot of not-openly-Socialist Democrats would be shopping around for a new candidate, and Klobuchar could pick up a bunch of supporters. But at this point, Biden sounds like he’s staying in the race until at least South Carolina.

Three days after South Carolina is Super Tuesday: fourteen states, deciding 1,344 delegates. The good news for Klobuchar is that one of them is Minnesota, and she should have a leg up on winning a majority of the state’s 75 delegates. But beyond that, it’s slim pickings for a candidate who hasn’t had the resources to build a big organization in every state. Nationally, Klobuchar is in sixth place, averaging just below 5 percent. She’s a distant seventh in California.

In the coming weeks, Klobuchar is probably going to experience the painful gap between “beating expectations” and “winning outright.” The problem with respectable third place finishes is that there’s two other rivals ahead of you, and it is almost impossible to get the nomination that way.

If by some unforeseen circumstances Klobee wins the Dem nomination, I'm certain she will humbly accept and be all in for unseating President Trump. However, this run has always felt like a trial balloon for 2024. Think about it. If Trump were to be reelected (a solid assumption as of today at least), Klobuchar would be well positioned to be the Dem front runner should she fall short this year. And since her Senate seat is up again in '24, it would allow her to forgo reelection for that office and be unshackled for another presidential run.

Regardless, the needy Minnesota media will still breathlessly report on everything she does the rest of this cycle. Pass the vomit bags.

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On a Mission....

AM 980 The Mission, that is.

This evening from 4:00 until 6:00 Central Time, I will be guest hosting in on Lee Michaels Live.

Guest lineup includes:

- Dr. Everett Piper, who recently retired as President of Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Dr. Piper has also written a book entitled Not a Day Care: The Devastating Consequences of Abandoning Truth and is also a weekly contributor to the Washington Times.

- Joe Field, who is a family law attorney in Anoka and recently published author. Joe's book Finding Joe Adams: Overcoming Great Odds A Son Searches For His Father chronicles his journey to meeting his father for the very first time just a few years ago.


So please call (651) 289-4499 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 980 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 as well as Amazon Alexa (just say "Alexa, play The Mission Minneapolis"). If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #NARNShow or "Like" our Northern Alliance Radio Network Facebook page.

Until then.....

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Quick Hits: Volume CCXII

- I concur with the sentiment that Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) could perhaps be President Trump's most formidable challenger should she emerge as the Dem nominee. That's simply because she doesn't come off as radical left as many of her fellow Dems vying for the nominee (closer scrutiny of her voting record might tell a different story however).

But this take shows just how virtually unknown she is nationally.

I wish Democrats understood Trump REQUIRES a foe he can destroy via branding. Some are VERY easy.

Sanders-Socialist
Buttigieg-38 ex-small town mayor, married to a man
Warren-Fauxahontas

Biden is tougher (old/weird), but with Klobuchar Trump would be like... “Uh, I got nothing.”

— John Ziegler (@Zigmanfreud) February 10, 2020

To which I would respond "Google Myon Burrell."


- An interesting query posed by long time Twin Cities sports scribe Patrick Reusse:

Going back to 1960, start of expansion era: Pro greatness in major team sports for athletes w/ full prep careers in MN — Larry Fitz Jr. has to be top 3 or 4, right?

— Reusse (@Patrick_Reusse) February 9, 2020

He then revealed his Top 5 (in no particular order) later on in the day: Paul Molitor, Dave Winfield, Kevin McHale, Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. and Phil Housley.


Another interesting tidbit? Of the five individuals named, two of them are married to ladies whom I know personally.

Apropos of nothing.


- America's foremost authoritarian, nanny-state politician is in some hot water.

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg strongly defended his “throw them up against the walls” stop-and-frisk policy in just-leaked audio of a 2015 Aspen Institute appearance, telling the audience that cops targeted minority neighborhoods “because that’s where all the crime is.”

The apparent audio of the five-year-old event, which Bloomberg blocked from public release at the time, was released by podcaster Benjamin Dixon.

Audio of @MikeBloomberg’s 2015 @AspenInstitute speech where he explains that “you can just Xerox (copy)” the description of male, minorities 16-25 and hand to cops.

Bloomberg had video of speech blocked.

Perhaps because of the problematic explanation he gives for #StopAndFrisk pic.twitter.com/Fm0YCi4ZRy

— Benjamin Dixon (@BenjaminPDixon) February 10, 2020

I wonder how black voters are viewing this Bloomberg for President campaign ad today in light of his comments made in 2015:




Rev. Tim Christopher and Louis Dennard, prominent 2nd amendment advocates and co-hosts of the podcast Black Minds Unchained, likely will have a few things to say about this on my radio program this Sunday. 

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Well I play an old guitar from nine till half past one....

For the first time in a few weeks I'll be back in the Patriot bunker on a Sunday. Today's edition of my 2-hour radio program The Closer gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time.

At 1:15, political wonk Matt Mackowiak will check in to discuss the awful week for Democrats, including the Iowa Caucus debacle, President Trump's widely lauded State of the Union address as well as his acquittal on impeachment charges.

In the second hour I will focus on some local goings-on, including the DFL sending a strong signal that outstate Dems are pretty much persona non grata.


So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 or, if you're near downtown Minneapolis/West Metro area, 107.5 FM 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 as well as Amazon Alexa (just say "Alexa, play The Patriot Minneapolis"). If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

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

Until then.....

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Among GOP, only Mitt would not acquit

In what should have been a surprise to absolutely no one, President Donald Trump on Wednesday was acquitted on both articles of impeachment. The only mystery going into the Senate vote was whether any Dem Senators (i.e. Sens. Manchin, Jones or Sinema) would vote to acquit or GOP Senators (i.e. Sens. Romney, Murkowski or Collins) vote to convict. In the end, only Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) broke with his party when he voted to convict on Article I.

As you might expect, the reaction of President Trump as well as many of his supporters was to bring out the proverbial long knives against Romney. This makes absolutely no sense given Romney's vote was of literally zero consequence to Trump. As such, it makes the ridiculous chanting point of "Romney is just trying to get his revenge for past Trump criticisms as well as for being denied the Secretary of State post" all the more absurd. Besides, I view this as classic projection given that using one's power in electoral politics in order to settle a personal score is something Trump would absolutely do.

The truth is there was no upside for Romney casting the vote to convict given Trump remaining in office was a fait accompli. I obviously don't know Romney personally but I 100% believed him when he said he was merely following his conscience. Watch the entire interview he conducted with Fox News's Chris Wallace on Wednesday. It appears to me that Romney was genuinely anguishing over what he believed he had to do.

But as with any viewpoints about Romney, it's many on the left who ignore their downright vile and slanderous statements from the 2011-2012 time frame to suddenly laud him as someone with moral courage. Peter Wehner writing for The Atlantic picked up on this, too.

Maybe Democrats and those in the media who delighted in vilifying Romney in 2012—Senator Harry Reid lied about Romney’s taxes; an Obama super PAC tied him to a woman’s cancer death—might, in their private moments, rethink and even feel some remorse for what they did. Maybe they will see, if only for a few fleeting seconds, that they allowed their partisanship to overwhelm their sense of decency, that they sought to destroy the reputation of a man of enormous personal integrity to further their political aims.

That would require a scintilla of self-awareness from leftists. Sorry, but that well has long run dry.

Here's the thing. It's perfectly OK to disagree with Romney's rationale for voting to convict (as I do) yet still respect him for doing what he believed was right. And if it costs him his Senate seat in 2024, he seems prepared to live with that.

It would be wise if Trump claimed his acquittal as a legit victory and moved on to the business of being President and running for reelection. However, given his penchant for never forgetting slights, Trump's impotent rage will continue to spill out over Twitter. Sad!

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Quick Hits: Volume CCXI

- If there was ever any doubt that the Minnesota Democrat party chooses to identify more with the Metro DFL as opposed to outstate Dems, look no further than this past weekend. Long time Senate DFL caucus leader Tom Bakk (D-Cook) was ousted in favor of Woodbury's Susan Kent.

Given that the MN legislative session is slated to begin next week, you can probably guess what the catalyst was for this leadership change.

Under Kent’s leadership, there could be more of a public push from Senate Democrats on gun control and safety measures. Sen. Jeff Hayden, DFL-Minneapolis, said that’s been a tension between metro and rural members in the past.

“The way that plays in Greater Minnesota is different from the direction that some in the metro want to take,” Hayden said.

Q.E.D.


- I hate to come off as though I'm partaking in schadenfreude after the Dem debacle in the Iowa caucuses Monday night........BAH, who am I kidding?!?!?! I absolutely participated in the gloat-fest among right-of-center politicos. And I have no shame in saying so.

But as Jim Geraghty of National Review notes, the Dems' own hubris bit them in the tuchus.

The party that constantly reminds us how they are the party of science, the party of education and educators, the party that is forward-looking and embraces the power of technology... cannot do math when it counts.

This was one of many cringe inducing moments throughout Monday evening.

Here’s the video of the best moment in 2020 politics so far: pic.twitter.com/HIBOvbeD56

— DUMPSTERFIRE2020 🔥 (@BridgetPhetasy) February 4, 2020

Ah, but we can't completely rain on the Dems' parade, so let's point out one silver lining here. The technology debacle distracted the public from the embarrassingly low voter turnout.


- As you can probably imagine, I was crestfallen over the news of conservative radio titan Rush Limbaugh being diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer.

As I've written in this space before, Rush was the reason for my identifying as a political righty nearly 30 years ago. And while I had the dream of being a talk radio host since my early 20s, it was Rush who inspired me to broaden my horizons from the sports genre to politics. Yes. it is literally due to him that I have been hosting a weekly conservative political talk show for the past 8-1/2 years.

On Tuesday during the State of the Union address, Rush was acknowledged by President Trump and then awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.





Keep fightin' the good fight, Rush.

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

Look inward

So, how 'bout the Super Bowl halftime show, eh?

To be honest, I only occasionally glanced up at the TV during the performances of mega pop stars Shakira and Jennifer "J-Lo" Lopez. But the ladies among our Super Bowl gathering were locked in to the show and thus conveyed such verbal reactions as "Oh my!" and "Is that supposed to be a stripper pole?" and "Wow, the hips truly do not lie!"

As with any high profile event, there are viral responses on social media. Youth Pastor Jeff Grenell recounted some of the more popular ones.

“Best halftime show ever“
“Worst halftime show ever“
“Love my Latinas & our culture“
“This isn’t a good image for us”
“Loved children on stage“
“This promotes child sex traffic“
“It’s just culture, art, and dance“
“Grabbing your crotch is not art”

America speaks.#SuperBowl

— y t h o l o g y (@jeffgrenell) February 3, 2020

Here's what I'd ask those who are on the more conservative side (as well as support Donald Trump), thus expressing moral outrage at the sight of the gals' gyrations and grabbing of nether regions. How do you reconcile that with your support of President Trump, who talked openly about grabbing women down there and proclaiming he doesn't need redemption for past sexual dalliances?

And for those prog women shrieking "SLAYYYYYYYYYY QUEEEEEEEEENS" during the JLo/Shakira show? How many of you applauded the Miss America organization for ditching the lifestyle and fitness competition (aka the bikini portion of the pageant) because it was sooooo degrading to the women and not the least bit empowering?

Just askin'......

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Super Bowl LIV: The Q&A

Well it's hard to believe but this is the fifteenth installment of this bit. My pal, whom we merely identify as Super Bowl Inquisitor (SBI), supplies the inquiries and I give the nonsensical retorts.

So let's get on with it, shall we.

Super Bowl Inquisitor: How appropriate we're doing this bit on Groundhog Day since you're wittiness on this blog only occurs once per year. 

Brad Carlson: You're giving me that much credit, eh? 

SBI: The Kansas City Chiefs are back in the Super Bowl in the 50th anniversary season of their last SB appearance. It's a shame the NFC team they played that year couldn't take 'em on this game. 

BC: Ah, getting in your cheap shots early I see. 

SBI: It's what I do. 

If the San Francisco 49ers emerge victorious, they will tie the New England Patriots and my Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl titles with six. How ya like them apples?

BC: Well, the numbers geek in me loves it. That would mean three franchises would account for one-third of the titles. 

SBI: Demi Lovato to sing the National Anthem. Your thoughts?

BC: To quote one of Demi's own song titles ---- "Really Don't Care."

SBI: I'm shocked you could even name one of her tunes. 

BC: Wikipedia is a helluva resource. 

SBI: And halftime entertainment by JLo and Shakira. That do anything for ya? 

BC: Let's just say that wardrobe malfunctions would be a feature, not a bug. 

SBI: Let's check out the coaching matchup. KC's head man Andy Reid and SF's Kyle Shanahan. Who has the advantage? 

BC: Between Reid's poor clock management and Shanahan's tendency to get too conservative with a big lead, it's whomever is not dumbest last. 

SBI: Speaking of Shanahan, he and his father Mike become the first father-son duo to lead teams to a Super Bowl. That's quite a historic feat, right? 
BC: Sure. But movie Oscar winning director John Huston directing his own Oscar winning actor father Walter in "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" is more impressive in my book.

SBI: And the other head coach in this game has the most victories of any coach to not win a Super Bowl. Any pop culture analogy you'd like to invoke here?
BC: Probably on par with Harrison Ford never winning an Oscar. I guess a movie like "Frantic" leaves a permanent stain.

SBI: What kind of fine dining will you be partaking in?
BC: If overloading on carbs and deep-fried foods is wrong, then I don't wanna be right.

SBI: Speaking of not being right, what's your prediction for the big game?
BC: The Chiefs are a 1-1/2 point favorite, so this game is essentially a toss up. I'm going 49ers with a 30-27 win.

With that, enjoy the game!


My 2019 Postseason Record:
Against the Spread: 4-5-1
Straight Up: 6-4

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

You and me goin' fishin' in the NARN............

Today from 1:00 until 3:00 PM Central Time, I will join my friend and Northern Alliance Radio Network colleague Mitch Berg at Medicine Lake in Plymouth. We will conduct a live broadcast at the Holes for Heroes ice fishing tournament which is put on by the indomitable crew with Fishing For Life.

Proceeds from this event go to benefit the immediate family members of those in active duty military.

One of the aspects of this broadcast I enjoy most is the myriad guests who join us at some point during the show. Tentatively we at least expect to hear from the following:

• Tom Goodrich, founder of Fishing for Life. 
• Phil Krinkie, whose company Snelling Heating & Cooling is generously sponsoring our broadcast.
• Alyssa Crum, singer of the National Anthem and first runner-up to Miss Minnesota 2019.

If time permits, Mitch and I will likely weigh in on the news of this past week.



So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 or, if you're near downtown Minneapolis/West Metro area, 107.5 FM 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 as well as Amazon Echo (just say "Alexa, play The Patriot Minneapolis"). If you're unable to tune in live, please check out Mitch's podcast page for the latest show post.

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

Until then.....


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