- Prog logic: The GOP blocking legislation from receiving a vote in the U.S. Senate is utilizing an antiquated, racist relic known as the filibuster. But Democrat state legislators fleeing their home state to prevent a quorum, thus disallowing legislation to be voted upon? THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!!!!!!!!!
The latter is the scenario playing out in the Texas Legislature, where Dem legislators hopped a flight to Washington, D.C. to demand Senate Republicans acquiesce to a Federal voter rights bill, essentially rendering any voter legislation at the state level irrelevant.
As Guy Benson of Townhall.com notes, this stunt is good for likes/retweets on Twitter, but little else.
What on earth are these Democrats thinking, from a public relations perspective alone? Their big move is to decamp from Texas and urge national Democrats to pass the a bill that is dead as a doornail in the US Senate. Not only do Senate Democrats lack the votes to kill the legislative filibuster, they also lack even a simple majority to pass their disastrous federal takeover of elections. So the alleged task at hand for this Texas contingent is a nonstarter right from the jump, which somehow feels fitting. They reportedly considered escaping to Arizona or West Virginia to "lobby" recalcitrant Democratic Senators, but instead settled on...Washington, DC. So these strategic geniuses are going to refuse to show up for work in Austin, instead flying to one of the most detested places in America, on privately chartered jets, loaded up with beer -- and to cap it all off, they're documenting it all with gleeful selfies in which they're grinning unmasked, which would get any of the Little People immediately tossed off a commercial flight. What a look.
If this is all part of Dems' grand strategy to turn Texas blue, this isn't going to have the impact they believe it will.
- MN State Rep. John Thompson (DFL-St. Paul.....or is it Wisconsin?) seemed to have dug himself a deeper hole when finally releasing an official statement regarding his being pulled over by St Paul police on July 4 for failure to display a front license plate. It was days after the arrest where Thompson, who had his driving privileges suspended in MN but was in possession of a WI driver's license, accused the tending officer of racial profiling.
While he somewhat backtracked on the racial profiling charge, Thompson did not even address whether or not he physically lives in the House District which he represents. As such, not even the Star Tribune Editorial Board is letting Thompson off the hook for this one.
There has been an uncomfortable silence on the part of House DFL leaders. DFL State Party Chair Ken Martin issued a tepid statement on Sunday expressing his "disappointment" in Thompson's conduct, noting that lawmakers are not above the law.
This situation, frankly, requires more. Thompson should be held accountable for his accusations. He should be required to furnish proof that he indeed resides in the state of Minnesota and, if he does, explain his application for a Wisconsin license. House leaders should insist that he take responsibility for his actions.
We'll soon find out if Urban Progress Privilege is the impenetrable shield I believe it to be.
- It's the end of an era for Minnesota's NHL team.
The Zach Parise and Ryan Suter era with the Wild is over.
After signing the two to identical 13-year, $98 million contracts nine years ago to revitalize the franchise, the Wild cut ties with both players Tuesday by announcing it will buy out the remainder of each's contract.
Parise and Suter had four seasons left on their deals.
"Zach and Ryan have been an integral part of the Wild's success over the past nine years and we'll always be grateful for their many contributions," General Manager Bill Guerin said in a statement. "There were numerous factors that entered into the difficult decision to buy out their contracts, but primarily these moves are a continuation of the transformation of our roster aimed at the eventual goal of winning a Stanley Cup."
"I want to thank Zach and Ryan for everything they did for our organization over the past nine seasons, both on and off the ice," owner Craig Leipold said in the statement. "They were tremendous ambassadors for our team and helped us win a lot of games. I wish them nothing but the best going forward."
I recall the day of July 4, 2012 when it was announced the two highest profile free agents that summer would be signing with the Wild. There was legit hope that for the first time in the franchise's then 12-year history a Stanley Cup run was realizable. And while the Wild qualified for postseason play in 8 of the 9 seasons with Parise and Suter on the roster, they only won two playoff series, never advancing past the second round.
For all the whining some Minnesota sports fans indulge in over their favorite teams not spending enough on payroll, the Wild serves as a cautionary tale. While I wholeheartedly endorsed (and still believe to this day it was the right call) the large contracts doled out nine years ago, it's proof positive that it takes more than spending the big bucks to make a sustained playoff run.
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