If you want to talk fishing, well I guess NARN'll be okay.....

After being postponed for two weeks, the Northern Alliance Radio Network's annual broadcast on Medicine Lake in Plymouth is finally a go! Yes, this afternoon we'll be live from the 11th annual Holes for Heroes ice fishing tournament, which is put on by the folks at Fishing for Life. 

I always appreciate Mitch Berg allowing me to be a guest co-host on the live broadcast from this wonderful event. As such, we'll be on the usual 1-3 PM Central Time slot. 

As is tradition, we'll wing it as far as guests go but we have tentatively scheduled the following to appear: 

• Tom Goodrich, founder of Fishing for Life. 
• Phil Krinkie, whose company Snelling Heating & Cooling is generously sponsoring our broadcast.
• Kathryn Kueppers, Miss Minnesota 2020 and singer of the National Anthem.

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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Rush Limbaugh: 1951-2021

He was the sole inspiration for my becoming politically conservative *and* a radio show host. And now he's gone. 

Rush Limbaugh, the monumentally influential media icon who transformed talk radio and politics in his decades behind the microphone, helping shape the modern-day Republican Party, died Wednesday morning at the age of 70 after a battle with lung cancer, his family announced.

Limbaugh's wife, Kathryn, made the announcement on his radio show. "Losing a loved one is terribly difficult, even more so when that loved one is larger than life," she said. "Rush will forever be the greatest of all time."

I've shared the story before of how I first heard Rush's radio program (kind of on accident) in early 1992. His show was syndicated here in the Twin Cities on talk station AM 1500 KSTP, the same station that happened to broadcast the then local NHL team Minnesota North Stars. After having listened to a Stars game one evening in my car, the station's settings remained on AM 1500 until I had an occasion to drive somewhere the following weekday afternoon. When the radio came on, I heard someone who came across as insufferably arrogant. "Talent on loan from God" was how he described himself. I soon learned I was listening to Rush Limbaugh, someone whom two of my best buds were encouraging me to check out. However, I had flatly refused their recommendation given I was a committed (or so I thought) Democrat voter. Nevertheless I stuck with Rush that day and found him oddly intriguing. It wasn't until his TV show debuted a few months later that I became a full-fledged "ditto head." And after vowing to never pick up another book upon graduating from college, I purchased (and read cover-to-cover multiple times) his first book The Way Things Ought to Be. 

This political transformation of mine didn't come without peril. My newfound beliefs alienated my staunch Democrat father and paternal grandmother. In fact, I recall a contentious incident one evening at my grandparents' home. When it was time for Rush's 10:30 PM TV show, I sneaked into the kitchen to watch his program on the little black and white television in there (No way my dad and grandma would acquiesce to changing the channel on the main TV in the family room). About five minutes into that night's show, my grandma walked into the kitchen to see what I was watching. She immediately switched off the TV, exclaiming that "piece of s**t Limbaugh" is not to be on in her house. I figured she was just having fun with me until I attempted to turn the television back on. You would have thought she was a Secret Service agent protecting the President of the United States from assassination as I walked towards the TV. However, such angry reactions from my family over Rush's political opinions only fortified my admiration of him. 

As I became more passionate about conservative politics, I needed an outlet far more productive than arguments with my family. Starting this blog in 2004 (and regularly posting since late 2005) was certainly a welcome platform. But my side hustle on AM 1280 The Patriot, of which I've been blessed with for almost ten years, was everything I could have hoped for as I became more engaged in politics. Everything I am and have (within the context of conservatism) is due to a man I've admired for nearly thirty years but was never blessed to meet in person. And if you read the sentiments from the myriad conservative talkers on the air these days, all will inevitably point to Rush as the trailblazer for what has been a dominant industry (i.e. conservative talk radio) for decades. 

Thank you again, Rush. We'll miss hearing you but the legacy you've left will press on. 

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Special programming note

I'll be taking a sabbatical from my Sunday radio show for the entire month of February. Nothing serious, just that I feel I need a break after what has been a mentally draining news cycle over the past few months. In the 9-1/2 years I've had my own show, I don't believe I have ever been off the air on consecutive Sundays, to say nothing of four. 

As such, blogging will be pretty scant over the next few weeks while I take the next four Sundays to.....well.....do nothing. And it will be glorious!

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Super Bowl LV: The Q & A

It's Super Bowl weekend! Sure, the season has been dulled somewhat by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the hype surrounding the big game itself has definitely approached its obligatory insufferable nature. 

As we begin our 16th(!) installment of this feature, I'll take the time to once again introduce you to Super Bowl Inquisitor (aka SBI). He makes his annual appearance on this blog in much the same way that stubborn small pile of snow hangs around in the northeast corner of my driveway until mid May. He provides the inquiries, I make often ill-fated attempts at levity. 

SBI: Several milestones this game. First, Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid (age 62) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians (68) setting a record for highest combined age of head coaches in Super Bowl history.

BC: Well it's about time old white guys catch a break in America.

SBI: The second milestone is largest age disparity between the two SB quarterbacks, as Bucs QB Tom Brady is 18 years older than the Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes. 

BC: To think that when Brady was in his first ever Super Bowl parade (early 2002), the then Kindergartner Mahomes was probably sitting in a circle with other 6-year olds, sipping apple juice. 

SBI: The third milestone entails the first ever Super Bowl matchup featuring the QBs who won the previous two Lombardi trophies. 

BC: Reminiscent of when Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington won Best Actor Oscars back-to-back (2000 & 2001) before starring in American Gangster a few years later. Let's just hope this game at least lives up to its hype. 

SBI: And finally, the Bucs are the first team to play in the Super Bowl on their home field. 

BC: It shouldn't be all that strange that some people are working from home during a pandemic. 

SBI: This is an intriguing matchup from the standpoint that the Chiefs & Bucs are the #1 and #2 pass offenses, respectively, in the NFL. So much for "Defense wins championships," eh?

BC: Anyone who still subscribes to that philosophy probably also needs to replace the vacuum tube in their television. 

SBI: Musicians Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan will team up to sing the National Anthem. Your thoughts. 

BC: I'm not familiar with either artist, but one can't go wrong with Church on a Sunday. 

SBI: Any insights on the halftime entertainment by The Weeknd? 

BC: What, you're putting me on a deadline now? I'll have my thoughts for you right now.....

 SBI: No, no. The halftime show is by a musician who goes by the moniker The Weeknd.

BC: Oh. Well then, one can't go wrong with The Weeknd on a weekend. 

SBI: Will you be following the CDC guidance which discourages gatherings for the Super Bowl?

BC: Yes. The good news is we recently purchased a TCL 65-inch TV for our viewing pleasure! The bad news is I have to pony up for all the food and beverages.

SBI: Speaking of which, what's on the menu for your little gathering?

BC: Let's just say I eschew *any* health organization's guidance when it pertains to my eating and drinking habits on this day. 

SBI: And finally, the Chiefs are a 3-point favorite to repeat as Super Bowl champions. What's your official prediction?

BC: Brady has six Super Bowl rings, easily the most of any individual player. But even if he loses this game, there is literally only one player with even a remote chance of approaching six titles. That would be Mahomes. And after Sunday, I believe he will be a third of the way to Brady's number of championships when he captures his second title.

The Chiefs prevail 34-27.

Thanks again for following along!

My 2020 NFL postseason record:

Against the spread: 3-8-1

Straight up: 7-5

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Ben there, Don that.....

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) has maintained his opposition to Donald Trump since literally day one of the latter's quest for President of the United States. 

Sasse is still here. Trump is gone. And Sen. Sasse's diagnosis of that scenario is spot on!

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On The Mission

I am always honored to have an opportunity to guest host on The Patriot's sister station AM 980 The Mission! I will be on the air this evening 5-6 PM Central Time, filling in for regular host Lee Michaels on his program Crosswalk. 

Joining me for today's program is Dr. Nate Ruch, who is the lead pastor at Emmanuel Christian Center, which is the church my wife and I have been attending for nearly 19 years. Pastor Nate will weigh in on many topics, including how some church congregants' political worldview has usurped scripture in their eyes. 

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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