Quick Hits: Volume CCCII

 - It's official: infanticide is legal in Minnesota. 

Gov. Tim Walz, surrounded by creepily gleeful proggies, held a signing ceremony on Tuesday. 

Gov. Tim Walz just signed the bill codifying abortion rights into law. It's effective immediately.

"The message that we're sending to Minnesota today is very clear: your rights are protected in this state." pic.twitter.com/WxwReYQsmw

— Briana Bierschbach (@bbierschbach) January 31, 2023

Did ya catch the last part of that quote? "Your rights are protected in this state." How ironic given that DFLers are already gearing up for the next fight, which is "gun control." The right to keep and bear arms is a literal right as spelled out in the U.S. Constitution, yet Walz and Co. are looking to infringe upon that. 

That too is a very clear message being sent to Minnesotans: some rights are considered expendable.

- It appears the Denver Broncos have swung a deal with the New Orleans Saints to hire as their head coach Sean Payton. Since Payton was still under contract with the Saints, the Broncos will have to give up some draft capital to make this happen. 

Given that Payton will now be coaching in the AFC West, it would behoove star quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert to watch their ankles.  

- Throughout 2021 and into '22, Democrats slammed Georgia's new voter legislation as "Jim Crow 2.0," with the implication being that the black vote would be suppressed. The backlash was so intense that major companies Coca Cola and Delta Airlines slammed the law and Major League Baseball removed the 2021 All Star Game from the city of Atlanta. 

Of course, the 2022 midterms came and went with nary the apocalyptic scenarios the left predicted. In fact, Georgia had record midterm election turnout for both the '22 primary and general.

While leftists aren't capable of humbling themselves enough to apologize for their blatant misinformation campaign, this latest proposal could be a quasi mea culpa. 

Southern Democrats are banding together to urge President Joe Biden to select Atlanta for the 2024 Democratic National Convention, according to a letter obtained by NBC News, arguing the choice would solidify the party's gains in Georgia and demonstrate commitment to the entire region.

Atlanta is one of the three finalists to host the convention, along with New York City and Chicago. Houston was also in the running until recently; its mayor has now joined Atlanta’s bid, adding his name to the letter.

On second though, perhaps the Dems still consider Georgia as "Jim Crow 2.0." I mean, from their prospective, could there be a better gathering place for the party which founded the KKK?

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Lies, lies, lies yeah...........

It was absolutely infuriating listening to Minnesota Dems, their media lapdogs and prog PACs tell blatant lies about abortion policy during the 2022 midterm election cycle. Specifically how Republicans, were they to control state government, would vote to outlaw abortion in the state.

My opponent would sign an abortion ban into law, defund our public schools, and take away Minnesotans’ rights.

This November, let’s make sure he never makes it to the governor’s office.

— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) August 22, 2022

The fact is the 1995 MN Supreme Court case Doe v Gomez, for better or worse, ruled that abortion was legal in this state. And while the GOP gubernatorial ticket did a poor job of articulating that, they didn't engage in flat out fabrication. However, local news site Minnesota Reformer this past June actually accused 2022 GOP candidate Scott Jensen of lying about Gov. Walz's position on the issue. 

Really?!?!? Hey, that's great news!!!! Given that the MN House and Senate just passed an abortion bill with literally no restrictions, that means Walz will veto the legislation upon its arrival on his desk. Right?

 

Here in Minnesota, we trust people to make their own decisions about their bodies.

I’m ready to sign the PRO Act and codify reproductive rights into law.

— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) January 28, 2023

Lies upon lies upon lies......

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2022 NFL Playoffs: Conference Championship games

San Francisco 49ers (+2-1/2) at Philadelphia Eagles: I know that high powered offenses are the thing in today's NFL, but I certainly don't object to a good ol' defensive struggle now and then. Given the Niners and Eagles are the top two defenses, respectively, in terms of yards allowed, we may well get that in this game. 

San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy continues his unbeaten streak as he's now won his first seven NFL starts, including the 49ers' two playoff games. However, this will be by far his biggest test of his young career as his only two road starts (at Seattle and at Las Vegas) won't be nearly as intimidating as a Philly home crowd. 

Whatever struggles the Eagles had over their final three regular season games, there was no sign of them in their 38-7 beatdown of the New York Giants last week. The Eagles piled up 268 yards rushing in that win, but it'll be a tall order to approach that domination given the 49ers' defense allows a paltry 3.4 yards per carry. Yes, QB Jalen Hurts will have to be the guy like he was so often throughout the regular season. 

I love Purdy's story and have said before how it closely resembles Tom Brady's 2001 run to a championship. Unfortunately, Cinderella will turn into a pumpkin this game. 

Philadelphia 20 San Francisco 13

Cincinnati Bengals (+1-1/2) at Kansas City Chiefs: These teams have faced each other three times over the past 13 months (including last year's AFC Championship Game) with the Bengals emerging victorious in all three contests. 

While the Bengals were impressive in their thorough domination of the Buffalo Bills on the road last week, the Chiefs limped to a 27-20 home win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. KC quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a high ankle sprain in the first half last week, yet he returned in the second half and actually made some plays. However, such an injury typically requires multiple weeks to recover, yet Mahomes will start this game. 

I'm hard pressed to recall a defending conference champion that had been as underestimated as the Bengals....until last week. Their decimation of the Bills in Buffalo showed their run to the Super Bowl last year was not lightning in a bottle. Thanks to QB Joe Burrow et al, this team is built for the long haul. While the Bengals are once again thin on the offensive line, they somehow soldier on. It's hard to see Burrow take so many hits, but the one silver lining is he doesn't turn the ball over a lot. 

Typically the home team gets 3 points, so the Chiefs being only a 1-1/2 point pick despite being the top AFC seed tells you oddsmakers don't really trust Mahomes' bum ankle. To be honest, I don't either. 

Cincinnati 24 Kansas City 23

2022 postseason record:

Against the spread: 6-4

Straight up: 8-2

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The NARN Closer's playlist - 1/28/2023

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No need to abort, the countdown starts.....

With my friend and Northern Alliance Radio Network colleague Mitch Berg away on assignment, I will be at the helm of today's edition of The Headliner. The 2-hour bonanza begins at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

In the first hour, it'll be a lotta focus on local stories, including the extreme policies being touted by MN Democrat legislators. I will also opine on the fluid situation at Hamline University in the aftermath of an adjunct professor being accused of "Islamophobia." 

At 2:00, author and firearms expert Larry Correia will join the broadcast to discuss his latest book In Defense of the Second Amendment. 

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, where we also conduct a "Live Stream" of the broadcast.

Until then.....

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Bungled mess

The oldest university in the state of Minnesota is not acquitting itself well in that aftermath of not renewing an adjunct professor over an alleged incident of "Islamophobia."

As such, school employees are looking for a scapegoat. 

Hamline University’s full-time faculty on Tuesday asked President Fayneese Miller to resign over her administration’s handling of a Muslim student’s complaint about an adjunct professor who showed ancient art in class that depicted the Prophet Muhammad.

Various Hamline administrators have said that what took place in an October art history class was “undeniably inconsiderate, disrespectful and Islamophobic” and “an act of intolerance.” And Hamline rescinded its offer to have the adjunct professor, Erika Lopez Prater, teach again in the spring.

But after a wave of criticism from across the country, Miller conceded last week that she mishandled the episode.

In a joint statement Jan. 17 with the chair of Hamline’s board of trustees, Miller said “sometimes we misstep” and that it was “flawed” to have used the word “Islamophobic” to describe the incident.

On the same day, Lopez Prater sued the school for defamation and religious discrimination in Ramsey County District Court.

Hamline’s full-time faculty held a meeting Monday where they voted 71-12, with nine abstentions, to support a statement calling for Miller’s resignation, according to Jim Scheibel, a business professor and president of the faculty council.

“We are distressed that members of the administration have mishandled this issue and great harm has been done to the reputation of Minnesota’s oldest university,” the statement read, in part. “… As we no longer have faith in President Miller’s ability to lead the university forward, we call upon her to immediately tender her resignation to the Hamline University Board of Trustees.”

This is the inevitable conclusion when a high profile college tries to balance academic freedom with "wokeness." While the concept of academic freedom is the tenet of what universities are supposed to be about, the progressive tendencies of college admin and professors cause them to be scared to death of being shouted down by advocacy groups if they say something that "triggers" students. But had Hamline done the right thing and defended Ms. Lopez Prater based on the evidence gathered, they would have found that one of the largest Muslim advocacy organizations (i.e. CAIR) would've conceded to their findings. 

Here's hoping Ms. Lopez Prater is given a healthy settlement in light of this absolute debacle. 

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Quick Hits: Volume CCCI

 - Hey, remember when Georgia's voter integrity law was not only going to deny black people the right to vote but also deprive them of food and water? Oh, and how about the walking cadaver in the White House saying it'll make "Jim Crow look like Jim Eagle?" 

Good times. 

UGA poll: 0% of black respondents said their voting experience in Georgia was poor in the 2022 midterm election. Around 73% of black voters said it was excellent, equal to white voters. https://t.co/tQYs54wGgN pic.twitter.com/z67fwEJr0d

— Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) January 23, 2023

The good news is this legislation did not lead to voter suppression as so many progs claimed it would. The bad news is all the misinformation over the legislation prompted Major League Baseball to move the 2021 MLB All Star Game out of Atlanta, thus resulting in many black-owned businesses losing out on a potential economic boon. Great work, everyone. 

- The way too early read on the battle for control of the U.S. Senate in 2024. 

Crystal Ball: Initial Senate Ratings -- Democrats Playing a Ton of Defense to Start

WV starts in Leans R

AZ-MT-OH in Toss-up

All R seats in Safe R except FL/TX, both of which start in Likely R

Full rundown here: https://t.co/mYRpaXuHQo pic.twitter.com/efOWC53D7a

— Kyle Kondik (@kkondik) January 24, 2023

There's been talk that Democrat Sens. Bob Casey (PA) and Jon Tester (MT) may not even seek fourth terms. If so, Montana most assuredly flips red with Pennsylvania possibly moving to a "toss up." And given the dynamics in Arizona of incumbent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema leaving the Democrat party, that's also a realistic flip for the GOP if the Dem candidate and Sinema split the leftist/moderate Dem vote.

The one wildcard: As we learned in 2022, never underestimate Republicans' ability to squander a golden opportunity.

- More senseless deaths emerging from California. 

 

🚨#BREAKING: We made a map that shows California Mass shootings that happened in the past three days

📌Montery Park CA - 11 dead 10 injured
📌Half Moon Bay CA - 7 dead 1 injured
📌Oakland CA - 1 dead 7 Injured pic.twitter.com/qOoETgKLoJ

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 24, 2023

California has pretty much every conceivable gun control law in place, yet gun grabbers reflexively (and unironically) shriek "GUN CONTROL NOW!!!!!!!!" 

If we in the pro 2A crowd were to adopt gun grabber tactics, we would emphasize how the blood of those 18 dead people is on the hands of anti-2A politicians. This is due in large part to "gun control" undermining citizens' ability to purchase a firearm merely for self defense. 

And speaking of California Gov. Greaseball Gavin Newsom.....

 

Hey, about that.....

Larry will be on the #NARNShow with @Brad_Carlson this Saturday afternoon at 2:00 Central Time on @1280ThePatriot. #2A #rkba #InDefense2A https://t.co/APEmakMO5g

— #NARNShow (@NARNShow) January 24, 2023

I'm gonna guess Larry will weigh in on Newsom's denigration of 2A. 

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The NARN Closer's playlist - 1/22/2023

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I'll be your shoulder, you can tell me all........

Another Sunday, another edition of my radio show The Closer. The 2-hour festivities get started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

In the first hour I'll talk about some Minnesota stuff, including House DFLers voting to legalize infanticide. Also, I'll weigh in on the kerfuffle at Hamline University where an adjunct professor is suing over being released due to sharing artwork depicting the prophet Mohammed. 

At 2:00 PM, Joel Kotkin will join the broadcast via phone. Mr. Kotkin will discuss a Real Clear Investigations piece he co-wrote entitled “The Rise of the Single Woke (and Young, Democratic) Female.” 

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, where we also conduct a "Live Stream" of the broadcast.

Until then.....

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2022 NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round

Jacksonville Jaguars (+9) at Kansas City Chiefs: The Jags played in perhaps the most riveting game of wildcard weekend, rallying from 27-0 down to the L.A. Chargers to win 31-30 on a walk off field goal. The 2022 regular season was only the second time in the past fifteen years where they've had a winning record. Jacksonville looks to have gotten it right at quarterback with Trevor Lawrence and head coach Doug Pederson, so it won't take another decade-plus to amass multiple winning seasons.

Prior to drafting QB Patrick Mahomes in 2017, the Chiefs had not won a home playoff game since the 1993 season when Joe Montana was their quarterback. Since Mahomes became the full-time starter prior to the 2018 season, KC has never been eliminated before the AFC Championship game. While Lawrence has the potential to be an elite quarterback, he'll have to work hard to wrest the "Best QB in the NFL" title from the 27-year old Mahomes. I believe the Jags can hang for a while but KC will emerge victorious. 

Kansas City 31 Jacksonville 20 

New York Giants (+7-1/2) at Philadelphia Eagles: The Giants went from 4-13 in 2021 to 9-7-1 this regular season due to one major move: hiring Brian Daboll as their head coach. It also helped that oft injured stud running back Saquon Barkley was available for 16 games as he amassed 1,650 total yards from scrimmage. While quarterback Daniel Jones hardly set the world on fire in terms of passing yardage (3,205) and TD passes (15), he only threw five INTs in 16 starts. 

The Eagles were rolling along in 2022, winning 13 of their first 14 games only to lose QB Jalen Hurts to a shoulder injury. Philly lost the next two games without Hurts but won the regular season finale against the Giants to maintain the top seed in the NFC. Despite NY resting a lot of its starters, the Eagles struggled to put them away due in large part to Hurts' rustiness. This game will be only the second contest in which Hurts has played over a 5-week span. Will he be able to shake the rust? It won't be pretty but I believe the Eagles get it done. 

Philadelphia 27 New York 21

Cincinnati Bengals (+5-1/2) at Buffalo Bills: The defending AFC champion Bengals actually improved upon their 2021 record with a 12-4 season in '22, including winning their final 8 regular season contests. Despite possessing a top 10 offense, Cincy won their wildcard game on the strength of a huge defensive play as DE Sam Hubbard returned a fumble 98 yards for a touchdown to break a 17-17 tie against the Baltimore Ravens. 

The Bills barely squeaked by a severely depleted Miami Dolphins team last week with a 34-31 win. If Buffalo has three turnovers this game like they did last week, the Bengals definitely won't let them off the hook. 

This is a rematch of the Week 17 game where Bills safety Demar Hamlin collapsed to the turf after a seemingly benign hit on WR Tee Higgins. Given the traumatizing incident where Hamlin's heart stopped for a brief period, the game was postponed then ultimately canceled. No doubt these teams seeing each other again will be quite an emotional event. I don't really have a good feel for this game so I'll just go with the home club.

Buffalo 30 Cincinnati 27

Dallas Cowboys (+4) at San Francisco 49ers: I'll be the first to admit how I woefully underestimated Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott ahead of last week's playoff game in Tampa. Prescott played his best game of the season in Dallas's drubbing of the Buccaneers. Their reward is playing the hottest team in the NFL. 

The 49ers have won 11 consecutive games (including last week's postseason win over the Seattle Seahawks), with the past six featuring rookie QB Brock Purdy under center. Anybody else think Purdy is giving off a vibe of Tom Brady circa 2001? If you recall, Brady came in for injured starting QB Drew Bledsoe that year and led the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl championship in what was his first full season as a starter. Purdy's going to have to contend with Dallas's tough pass defense though, including beastly linebacker Micah Parsons (13.5 sacks in 2022).  It would behoove the Niners to pound RB Christian McCaffrey against the 22nd ranked rush defense. 

Honestly it's so hard to get a gauge on how Prescott will perform. He's been so up and down this season, sometimes showing that inconsistency in a single game. I have a hard time seeing him put up good numbers against this top ranked 49ers defense. I guess the only question remaining is if Purdy can keep the magic going for SF.

San Francisco 24 Dallas 17

My 2022 postseason record:

Against the spread: 4-2

Straight up: 5-1

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House DFLers vote to legalize infanticide

Abortion is already legal in Minnesota, but that wasn't good enough for the DFL ghouls in the state House. 

Democrats in the Minnesota House approved a bill Thursday guaranteeing state residents the right to an abortion and other reproductive health care.

The bill passed with a 69-65 vote after about four hours of debate. A companion bill could be voted on as early as next week in the Minnesota Senate.

Abortion is already protected by a 1995 Minnesota Supreme Court decision, Doe v. Gomez. Advocates for legal abortions say that is not enough because the make up of the state’s top court could change, as it did with the U.S. Supreme Court, which last year issued the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, a nearly 50-year decision Constitutionally protecting the right to abortion nationwide.

“No one is pro-abortion,” Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, DFL- Eden Prairie, the bill’s chief sponsor said shortly before the House began debate Thursday. “Abortion bans do not end abortions. They only end safe abortions.”

Wait, ya mean government banning something does not prevent that thing? It's a shame progs don't use that same logic regarding their approach to guns. But I digress. 

Given that Republicans are in the minority, the best they could do was try to mitigate whatever extreme measures the Dems looked to pass.  

GOP lawmakers tried unsuccessfully to amend the bill to regulate third-trimester abortions and to require facilities that perform the procedure to be licensed.

House Minority Leader Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, said Republicans “offered reasonable, common sense amendments, but they were rejected.”

Democrats have responded that late-term abortions are extraordinarily rare and should be a decision a patient makes with their doctor.

Of the 10,000 abortions performed in Minnesota in 2021, there was just one past the 25 week of pregnancy, according the state Department of Health abortion report.

So then if late-term abortions are so rare, then what's the issue with banning them? Whenever pro life people indicate they oppose abortion even in cases of rape or incest, their arguments of such pregnancies being statistically irrelevant are immediately shouted down. However, progs have no issue with the "very rare" talking point to defend their own extremism. 

It appears as though a companion bill will be voted on in the Senate within the next week or two. Given the DFL has a scant 34-33 majority, it will require literally only one Democrat to vote "No" to abort (heh - see what I did there?) this awful legislation. Here's hoping there's one pro choice Dem who isn't completely ghoulish on this issue. I'd like to think that's not too high a bar. 

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Forced advocacy

A little more than nine years ago, conservative commentator Erick Erickson wrote a piece entitled "You will be made to care." The essence of his essay was to address the culture having shifted to the majority of Americans approving of gay marriage. Even a good number of social conservatives, while disagreeing that such a union is indeed "marriage," acquiesced by saying "whatevs." As long as they don't force their views upon us, we'll do the courtesy of not doing the same. The problem is, the secular left isn't willing to play that game. It's no longer good enough to say "live and let live." Secular progs believe they're firmly entrenched in the moral high ground, so anything less than full acquiescence is unacceptable. No more hiding behind your deeply held religious beliefs, they say.

Fast forward to earlier this week when an NHL player chose to stand on principle. 

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov did not participate in the team's LGBTQ+ Pride Night festivities Tuesday night — which included wearing a rainbow-themed warmup jersey prior to the Flyers' game against the Anaheim Ducks.

The 26-year-old Provorov, who says he is Russian Orthodox, explained that he chose not to participate because of his religious beliefs.

"I respect everybody's choices," he told reporters after the game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, which the Flyers won 5-2. "My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion."

Flyers coach John Tortorella did not bench Provorov, and came to his defense, saying Provorov is "being true to himself and to his religion."

"This has to do with his belief and his religion," Tortorella said in his postgame comments. "It's one thing I respect about Provy: He's always true to himself. That's where we're at with that."

Good on coach Tortorella for backing his guy despite anticipating an intense backlash. 

Whenever sports and social issues intersect, it's give the sports media (the vast majority of whom lean left) an opportunity to sit at the adult table. Problem is, they come off as vacuous hacks. 

NHL analyst says on the NHL Network! that if Philly Flyers Provorov doesn’t want to wear a pro-LBGTQ uniform he should leave America, go back to Russia, and fight in the war against Ukraine. The tolerant left! Holy shit: pic.twitter.com/wWLFBy2stC

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) January 19, 2023

 

A chubby Canadian journalist is sobbing on air and pounding the table, demanding the Flyers be fined bc Provorov wouldn’t wear a Pride jersey

Also attacks religious believers and says they all have ugly livespic.twitter.com/GFfCYQsRYb

— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) January 18, 2023

 

But Provorov obviously does not respect “everyone”. If he did respect everyone, he would have taken part in warm-up and worn the Pride Night jersey. Don’t hide behind religion. https://t.co/Qk6dTgAnmP

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 18, 2023

 

Of course, Ivan Provorov is more than happy to play pregame dress-up when it does align with his belief system. pic.twitter.com/rOG0uoCsf4

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) January 18, 2023

In the end, Provorov gave everyone a blueprint on how to beat back the "wokes." That is, calmly and unapologetically state your beliefs and then don't address the situation again. Sure, the wokes will display their impotent rage for a few days, but then they'll move on to the next great affront. 

Leave it to a Russian born citizen to provide Americans the template for defending free expression.

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Quick Hits: Volume CCC

Insufferable leftist university being hit with a lawsuit. 

The adjunct professor accused of Islamophobia for showing artwork in class that depicted the Prophet Muhammad filed a lawsuit against Hamline University on Tuesday as Hamline’s president conceded the school mishandled the controversy.

Professor Erika Lopez Prater is suing the school in Ramsey County District Court for defamation, breach of contract and religious discrimination, among other claims.

Her complaint recounts the controversy that has been described in numerous news articles and opinion pieces in the last six weeks.

Lopez Prater says she warned students repeatedly — on the syllabus shown to students and Hamline higher-ups and during the Oct. 6 class itself — that visual depictions of Muhammad and other religious figures would be shown during her art history class.

Yet, when a Muslim student viewed the artwork and complained to Hamline administrators, the school sided with the student. Lopez Prater was allowed to finish teaching the class, but she says Hamline withdrew its offer to have her teach a contemporary art class in the spring.

In what felt like a preemptive strike ahead of being dealt a loss in court, some Hamline officials conceded to a "misstep" in how this situation was handled. 

As an aside from the lawsuit itself, I'll never get used to the idea of college kids being unable to tolerate an opposing viewpoint. Baby Boomers, Gen X and even some millennials made hay out of open debate with their college professors, a skill which proved useful in life. But today's generation? They seem to feel more empowerment from getting someone fired as opposed to fortifying their own beliefs through discourse. What a shame. 

- Speaking of attempts to squash dissent.......

Another day, another piece of constitutionally illiterate legislation coming out of Congress. This time it’s Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a Texas Democrat, whose new bill criminalizing “hate speech” would trample over the First Amendment and imperil free speech.

The “Leading Against White Supremacy Act” starts with a relatively uncontroversial premise, reiterating the illegal nature of white-supremacist-motivated hate crimes. If this was all it did, few would object. But it then also criminalizes those who engage in a “conspiracy” with the perpetrator of a hate crime—and defines it so broadly that it could encapture people who simply post racially insensitive things on social media.

If someone posts “hate speech that vilifies or is otherwise directed against any non-White person or group,” an eminently subjective category of speech, on social media or other public forums and then someone sees it and commits a hate crime, that original poster is now on the hook for hate crime conspiracy. Yes, even though they never met or spoke to their “co-conspirator” and had no involvement in any actual crime—and, even though the “hate speech” in question is, in fact, protected by the First Amendment.

Of course this is merely a symbolic gesture by Rep. Jackson Lee given a GOP House majority will never allow such a bill to see the light of day. But then, that may well be the point. Dems, assuming people aren't actually digging into the substance of this legislation, can put forth a chanting point of "REPUBLICANS SUPPORT HATE CRIMES!!!!" in an effort to tighten their 2024 campaign messages. 

Just ten years ago I wouldn't have believed voters were that gullible. Now? Let's just say I wouldn't bet my house on that sentiment. 

- Just four months ago, President Joe Biden said that the COVID-19 pandemic "is over." However, the Federal government's appetite for draconian COVID mitigation remains.  

The Justice Department on Tuesday asked an appeals court to reverse an April 2022 ruling that overturned the CDC’s public transportation mask mandate.

Appearing before a three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, Justice Department lawyer Brian Springer argued that the CDC should have the authority to declare universal mask requirements during a public-health crisis, such as the COVID pandemic. It is necessary “to prevent the possible infections and deaths that could result if people didn’t do the simple thing of just putting on a mask while they were traveling,” Springer argued, according to Reuters.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle ruled last year that the CDC’s mask mandate violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) because it was implemented “without allowing public participation through the APA’s notice and comment procedures.”

Masks have shown to be, at best, a mitigating factor in the spread of COVID. And in the nine months since the mask mandate was overturned, it's not like there's been an inordinate number of "super spreader events" due to people utilizing public transportation. 

In the end, the DOJ appeal has little to do with masks' effectiveness as opposed to defending Federal agencies' ability to implement arbitrary mandates. Here's hoping the initial overturn is allowed to stand. 

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2022 NFL Playoffs: Wildcard (Monday game)

Dallas Cowboys (-2-1/2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: I believe Dallas is the better team here but I have a hard time trusting quarterback Dak Prescott to not throw that key interception. In only 12 regular season starts he threw a career high 15 picks. Combine that with the fact the Bucs have a top ten pass defense, you have a situation where Prescott will have a rough go of it as he did in the season opener against Tampa. As such, the RB tandem of Ezekiel Elliot and Tony Pollard could make some hay against a pedestrian Tampa Bay run defense.

At 45-years old, Bucs QB Tom Brady had another 4,000+ yard passing season, yet it raised little more than an eyebrow. This season felt like Brady's final year with the New England Patriots in 2019 when his club won the division yet went one and done in the postseason. I firmly believe Brady will move on from Tampa after this year. Does he still have one more magical postseason run in him? I'd love to see it, but to say I'm skeptical is an understatement. 

Dallas 20 Tampa Bay 17

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The NARN Closer's playlist - 1/15/2023

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Well, every time that I come home, nobody wants to let me be......

It's the opening weekend of the NFL postseason. However, our Vikings don't start until 3:30, so get your Sunday afternoon started right with my 2-hour radio program The Closer. The festivities begin at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

In the first hour, I'll discuss how Dems at the local and national levels are no longer hiding their extremism on abortion. 

Then in the second hour, I'll weigh in on Joe Biden's own issues with co-opting classified documents and how the deep state may seize this opportunity to try to force him out of the White House. 

Finally at 2:30, Real Clear Investigations writer James Varney will join the broadcast to discuss a little known issue regarding Federal student loans and how it affects your tax dollars (hint: they're being wasted).

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, where we also conduct a "Live Stream" of the broadcast.

Until then.....

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2022 NFL Playoffs: Wildcard (Sunday games)

Miami Dolphins (+13-1/2) at Buffalo Bills: These division rivals split their regular season matchups with the home team winning each occasion (Miami 21-19 in Week 3; Buffalo 32-29 in Week 15). 

The Dolphins will be woefully short-handed as starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is still recovering from a third concussion he suffered this season. Third stringer Skylar Thompson will get the nod under center.

Even if Miami was at 100%, the Bills are riding an emotional high after their fallen comrade Damar Hamlin has made remarkable progress in the aftermath of a Week 17 incident where he needed CPR on the field. No way the Bills peter out this early. 

Buffalo 35 Miami 14

New York Giants (+3) at Minnesota Vikings: This is a rematch of a Christmas Eve game where my Vikings won 27-24 on a 61-yard Greg Joseph field goal at the gun. Of the six wildcard games this weekend, the national pundits seem to have targeted this one as the chic upset pick. 

If the Vikes can get a lead early, I say they let Dalvin Cook....uh.....cook. The Giants are in the bottom five in run defense, so it would behoove the Vikings to be a little more balanced. In the regular season game vs the Giants, they attempted 48 passes to only 19 runs. 

Giants QB Daniel Jones was very good in that Week 16 game, throwing for 334 yards. Add to that the Giants having no players with an injury designation (including stud RB Saquon Barkley) and you have a very formidable foe for the Vikes' first playoff game. Expect another thriller. 

Minnesota 28 New York 27

Baltimore Ravens (+8-1/2) at Cincinnati Bengals: The defending AFC champion Bengals are hosting their division rivals for a second consecutive week. The Ravens have stumbled down the stretch without their starting quarterback Lamar Jackson, who missed the final five games of the season with a knee injury. Jackson is out for this week . To make matter worse, backup Tyler Huntley is a "game time decision" due to shoulder and wrist ailments.

The Bengals will be close to full strength for this one. QB Joe Burrow having his full complement of offensive weapons against a porous Ravens pass defense will be the difference.

Cincinnati 31 Baltimore 17

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2022 NFL Playoffs: Wildcard (Saturday games)

Seattle Seahawks (+9-1/2) at San Francisco 49ers: The Niners won both meetings against their NFC West rivals in the regular season while utilizing three different quarterbacks. In Week 2, the 49ers supposed franchise quarterback Trey Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury, giving way to one-time franchise QB Jimmy Garoppolo in a 27-7 win. Garoppolo then suffered a broken foot in their Week 13 win against the Miami Dolphins, which meant rookie Brock Purdy was given the keys to the car the rest of the way. While Purdy has been solid in five starts (5-0, 13 touchdowns and 4 INTs), he hasn't had to be the magic as the 49ers sported the NFL's top ranked defense in yards allowed and points surrendered. 

In what was thought to be a rebuilding year after trading away franchise quarterback QB Russell Wilson, the Seahawks found a hidden gem at QB in veteran Geno Smith (teams wrote him off, but he "ain't write back"). Smith threw for more than 4,000 yards and 30 TDs in leading the Hawks to a 9-8 record.  

The key in this game will be Niners RB Christian McCaffrey against a Seattle defense which was ranked 30th against the run. McCaffrey gained nearly 140 all purpose yards in San Francisco's week 15 win. Given the heavy rain northern California will endure through this weekend, it bodes well for the Niners' style of play on both sides of the ball.

San Francisco 24 Seattle 10

Los Angeles Chargers (-2-1/2) at Jacksonville Jaguars: Two of the brightest young stars at quarterback will be featured in this game as Chargers QB Justin Herbert (third year) and Jags QB Trevor Lawrence (second year) will be making their postseason debuts. 

In Week 3, the Jaguars went into L.A. and pummeled the Chargers 38-10 on the strength of three Lawrence touchdown passes. While I believe Lawrence will get his this game, rookie running back Travis Etienne, who ran for 1,125 yards in the regular season, has a chance to have a monster game against a Chargers defense who allowed a league worst 5.4 yards per carry. 

If all that isn't bad enough for L.A., they will be without their top WR Mike Williams, who suffered a back injury in the regular season finale. The obvious question after last week was why was Williams even playing given the Chargers were locked in at the #5 seed in the AFC, win or lose? If indeed the Chargers go one-and-done this postseason, coach Brandon Staley may be on the hot seat. And if Staley is given a pink slip, he'll find a job in no time given he was the Defensive Coordinator for the the 2020 L.A. Rams, which boasted the NFL's top ranked unit in points and yards allowed. As luck would have it, my Minnesota Vikings may well be in the market for a D.C. after this season. That potential vacancy would be a good fit since the Rams' Offensive Coordinator in 2020, Kevin O' Connell, is the current head coach for the Vikes. 

But I digress. 

Jacksonville 27 Los Angeles 21

Extreme - MN style

The Democrats' radical abortion tactics are not exclusive to Dems at the national level. Here in Minnesota, the DFL, flush with complete control of state government, are looking to codify abortion even though the MN Supreme Court ruled it a Constitutional right in 1995. 

Alas, the current status of abortion in Minnesota is apparently not radical enough for DFLers. House File 91 seeks to repeal all statutes on regulating abortion. Rep. Anne Neu Brindley (R-North Branch) proposed a simple amendment to mandate that an infant born alive during such a process must receive medical care. The amendment was shot down by the Democrat majority on the Health Finance & Policy Committee. 

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A post shared by Alpha News MN (@mnalphanews)

About four years ago, then Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam got this infanticide kick rolling when discussing late-term abortion. 

“If a mother is in labor, I can tell you exactly what would happen,” he continued. “The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that’s what the mother and the family desired, and then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother.”

To think that stance sounds downright compassionate in comparison to what progs are proposing these days. 

I'm not really certain how God can keep his hand upon a nation which allows things like this to occur. 

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Extreme

Upon the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, pro lifers were labeled as radical extremists on the abortion issue, especially those who don't believe in abortions even in the cases of rape or incest. You can argue whether or not that's a sensible position, but the other end of the spectrum (i.e. not providing life-saving care to a newly born baby) is utterly indefensible. 

And yet.....

BREAKING: The House has passed a bill that requires doctors provide medical care to babies that survive an attempted abortion.

Every Republican voted Yes.

Every Democrat voted No except two, one of whom voted present. pic.twitter.com/a1HWs746j3

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 11, 2023

And check out this downright ghoulish logic:

 

Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI): "As a pro-choice Christian who chose life, this issue is personal to me... When I read scripture, I turn to Jeremiah 1:5 which states 'I knew you before I formed you and placed you in your mother's womb.' It doesn't say the government's womb." pic.twitter.com/IH6Z2KhT4f

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 11, 2023

In a divided Congress, these next two years will be little more than the two parties tightening up their messages for 2024. The fact Congressional Dems are perpetuating a culture of death isn't getting their '24 prospects off to the best start. 

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Quick Hits: Volume CCXCIX

 - Depending upon which political tribe member you're speaking to, this is either a "nothingburger" or "TREASONOUS!!!!!!!!!" Chances are it's firmly entrenched in the middle.

Several classified documents from President Joe Biden’s time as vice president were discovered last fall in a private office, Biden’s attorneys acknowledged Monday.

Attorney General Merrick Garland has asked the US attorney in Chicago to investigate the matter, a source familiar with the matter tells CNN, and congressional Republicans are also taking notice.

Biden’s lawyers say they found the government materials in November while closing out a Washington, DC-based office – the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement – that Biden used as part of his relationship with the University of Pennsylvania, where he was an honorary professor from 2017 to 2019.

Fewer than a dozen classified documents were found at Biden’s office, another source told CNN. It is unclear what the documents pertain to or why they were taken to Biden’s private office. Federal officeholders are required by law to relinquish official documents and classified records when their government service ends.

“The White House is cooperating with the National Archives and the Department of Justice regarding the discovery of what appear to be Obama-Biden Administration records, including a small number of documents with classified markings,” Richard Sauber, special counsel to President Biden, said in a statement. “The documents were discovered when the President’s personal attorneys were packing files housed in a locked closet to prepare to vacate office space at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, D.C. The President periodically used this space from mid-2017 until the start of the 2020 campaign. On the day of this discovery, November 2, 2022, the White House Counsel’s Office notified the National Archives. The Archives took possession of the materials the following morning.”

I'm not going to engage in "what-about-ism" here, specifically the nuclear-level coverage of classified material found last year at Donald Trump's residence. It's a pointless exercise. 

That being said, check out Andrew McCarthy's piece on how the incident involving Biden kinda puts a crimp in the Dept. of Justice's investigation of Trump for similar infractions. 

- I've been lamenting for some time the degradation of late night television. While I understand that no one will be able to approach the success of Johnny Carson, David Letterman and Conan O'Brien in their respective heydays, I don't believe it's too much to ask for late night entertainment shows to be...uh...entertaining. 

Today's lot of late night hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and James Corden spend an absurd amount of time either bashing right-of-center politicos, engaging in performative leg-humping of fellow proggies or using their monologues to lecture the public on social issues. Typically this results in displays of smug self-righteousness or cringe-inducing sketches.

A recent bit from Fallon sent the cringe-o-meter off the charts. 

I don't care if you're pro or anti... This is nuts! What the hell happened to @jimmyfallon?!? pic.twitter.com/Ckoux2btHC

— The Joe Rogan Experience Companion (@TheJRECompanion) January 9, 2023

Johnny Carson's estate may well have legit grounds for a lawsuit if ever his name is associated with the modern today Tonight Show.  

- The love we lost has been found!

Carlos Correa's deal with the Minnesota Twins is complete, the team announced Wednesday, meaning that he has passed his physical to finally bring his wild offseason saga to a close.

"He's home," the Twins posted to Twitter on Wednesday.

He's Home. pic.twitter.com/P2sMnJFOY9

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) January 11, 2023

After a solid 2022 season with the Twins, Correa opted out of his 3-year deal to become a free agent. In mid-December he agreed to a 13-year deal with the San Francisco Giants, only to have that agreement pulled due to the club's concerns over an old ankle injury. Not long after that, the New York Mets swooped in with their own 12-year pact (which Correa agreed to) but attempted to renegotiate it down when not satisfied with the results Correa's physical exam. It was at that point when the Twins took advantage of a short window to get a deal done. 

Sure, the Twins were Correa's third choice, but so what? If he can put forth seasons similar to his production last year, this unquestionably puts the Twins back into contention for a postseason berth provided they can avoid last year's persistent injury bug. And now that their top offseason priority has been checked off, the club can now focus on augmenting their pitching staff. 

Amazing, isn't it? A week ago at this time the Twins were a literal afterthought in the Twin Cities sports community. In about a week's time they went from that point to many fans counting down the number of days until Spring Training. 

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The NARN Closer's playlist - 1/8/2023

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First thing she learns is she's a citizen......

Well, the year 2023 is off to wild start, so we've got a lot to cover on today's edition of my radio program The Closer. The 2-hour broadcast will get started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

In the first hour I will weigh in on drawn out saga of the U.S. House voting for a new Speaker. Ultimately Kevin McCarthy was elected to a position he's coveted for some time. I will also opine on local politics, specifically how the DFL majority in the MN Legislature addressed pot and abortion right out of the chute. 

At 2:00, author Gregg Stebben will join the broadcast to discuss a book he co-authored entitled Does Putin Have to Die? (The Story of How Russia Becomes a Democracy After Losing to Ukraine).

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, where we also conduct a "Live Stream" of the broadcast.

Until then.....

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Unusual alliance

As it stands now, my Minnesota Vikings will enter the postseason as the #3 seed in the NFC, win or lose on Sunday. The only way that changes is if the Vikes win their regular season finale in Chicago against the Bears and the San Francisco 49ers lose at home to the lousy Arizona Cardinals. But that is highly unlikely given the Cards will be starting their fourth different quarterback this season (David Blough) and will also be without the services of star WR DeAndre Hopkins. 

Obviously it would be advantageous for the Vikings to secure the #2 seed since that would assure them a second home playoff game if they prevail in round one. But let's just assume the Vikes stay at #3. They would then host the New York Giants in a rematch of their 27-24 victory over the G-Men on Christmas Eve. So if the Vikings defeat the Giants in round one, the only way they have a home game in round two would be if the #2 seed (assuming it's the San Francisco 49ers) loses at home to the #7 seed. While the final playoff team has yet to be determined, there is a solid chance that team will be..............the Green Bay Packers. 

In short, to ensure my favorite club has a second home game in the postseason, I may well have to pin my hopes on the Pack defeating the Niners opening weekend. Remember, I can count on one hand the number of times I've rooted for Green Bay in my 45 years of NFL fandom (and yes, that number is higher than zero).

Anybody got a foam block of cheese I can borrow?

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Wake me when there's a House Speaker

Is it wrong that I don't care which Republican is voted in as Speaker of the House?

As I write this, Congressman Kevin McCarthy will still fall short of the Speakership Thursday morning in what will be the seventh ballot cast. My understanding is it's been about 100 years since a Speaker vote went to even a second ballot, so this just underscores the division with the Republican party. Until a Speaker is named, the next Congress can't convene. As a conservative, I see that as a feature, not a bug. 

It's getting to the point where McCarthy wants this post so badly that he's willing to water down the power of the position just to have the title of Speaker. 

It's about a 15-minute monologue, but conservative commentator Erick Erickson has some inside knowledge as to what concessions McCarthy is willing to make. 

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Deflecting blame

Former President Donald Trump has heard the rumblings about how the vast majority of his highly touted U.S. Senate and gubernatorial candidates woefully underperformed this past election cycle. But as Trump is wont to do, he deflects blame for his failures. 

"It wasn't my fault that the Republicans didn't live up to expectations in the midterms," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "It was the ‘abortion issue,’ poorly handled by many Republicans, especially those that firmly insisted on No Exceptions, even in the case of rape, incest or life of the mother, that lost large numbers of voters."

"Also, the people that pushed so hard, for decades, against abortion, got their wish from the U.S. Supreme Court, and just plain disappeared, not to be seen again," he added.

As usual, Trump is short on facts. While there are some pro life folks who believe abortion should not be legal even in the case of rape or incest, there is literally no credible voice who oppose it in instances of the mother's life being in jeopardy. Not one. The fact is the most heavily engaged pro life crowd knew full well that overturning Roe was merely the beginning. The next phase was to elect representation to draft laws severely restricting or outright banning abortion. So this idea they "just plain disappeared" is bull pucky. Also, Trump handpicking U.S. Senate candidates who were "pro choice" (Mehmet Oz in PA) or who paid a mistress to have an abortion (Herschel Walker in GA) wasn't exactly the most effective way to court the GOP's most loyal voting bloc. 

Trump's denigration of pro lifers' efforts over this past election cycle makes him D.O.A. if he happens to be the Republican presidential nominee in 2024. At this point, the only solid support he has for just the nomination is the Trump cultists. If indeed the GOP presidential field (outside of Trump) coalesces behind one candidate (i.e. Florida governor Ron DeSantis), they can easily avoid the 2016 scenario where Trump needed a mere plurality of votes to win the nomination. 

Perhaps the most stupefying aspect of Trump's shenanigans? He's behaving like his cultists are enough to put him over the top. Get ready for some more "RIGGED!!!!" talk once that proves to be a delusion.

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A harsh reminder

As someone who's been a fan of the National Football League for 45 years, I revel in the entertainment aspect of the sport. But as we witnessed on Monday evening, the job as an NFL player can literally be a matter of life and death. 

Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin had his heartbeat restored on the field after suffering cardiac arrest during the team's game Monday night against the Bengals, and he is currently in critical condition at a Cincinnati hospital, the Bills said in a statement early Tuesday morning.

The chilling scene midway through the opening quarter led the league to postpone the game about 90 minutes after kickoff.

CPR was administered to Hamlin, 24, on the field for multiple minutes after he collapsed following his tackle of Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin received oxygen, according to the ESPN broadcast, as he was placed in the ambulance and taken off the field some 16 minutes after he collapsed. He then was driven to the nearby University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

According to the Bills, he is currently sedated and listed in critical condition. The University of Cincinnati Medical Center did not anticipate making any statement early Tuesday morning.

I recall a game 25 years ago last month where the New York Jets were playing the Detroit Lions at the old Pontiac Silverdome. It was the regular season finale with both teams needing a victory to reach the postseason. On top of that, Lions star RB Barry Sanders needed to rush for 131 yards to become only the third player in NFL history to reach the 2,000-yard milestone in a season. Trailing 13-10 early in the 4th quarter, Jets RB Adrian Murrell ran up the middle for a 2-yard gain when he was tackled by Lions LB Reggie Brown. As Brown dove to make the tackle, the crown of his helmet rammed into the backside of a falling Jets lineman, resulting in Brown feeling complete paralysis and not being able to breathe. The 75,000+ fans packed into the stadium were eerily quiet as medical personnel tended to Brown for nearly 15 minutes, including administering CPR. Players on both sides knelt in prayer as well as openly wept before Brown was ultimately revived and taken to a hospital. But unlike Monday evening's game, play resumed in that '97 contest. To this day I have no idea how the players were able to get back into game focus, but somehow they did. With about two minutes remaining, Sanders eclipsed 2,000 yards for the season and the Lions prevailed by that 13-10 score.

While I wholeheartedly agreed with the decision to postpone Monday's game, why did they resume play in that Jets-Lions contest 25 years ago but not this week? Perhaps that can be a conversation for another day, but one theory which immediately leaps to mind is the NFL's reputation for having been so callous over player health and safety for so many years. To insist that play should resume Monday evening would have been unthinkable in light of the league giving assurances they're now a lot more judicious over the well being of their athletes. 

Another feature of this era, thanks to a plethora of internet platforms, is the deluge of theories and "hot takes" in the immediate aftermath of a high profile incident. 

This is a tragic and all too familiar sight right now: Athletes dropping suddenly.

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 3, 2023

 

I don’t even want to talk about any of this tonight. @HamlinIsland should be the only focus. But to see people ALREADY trying to spin this, and to announce what questions are and are not to okay to ask, is sickening. ENOUGH.

— Alex Berenson (@AlexBerenson) January 3, 2023

I'm getting to the point that the folks who insinuate healthy people suddenly dying must be tied to having received the COVID vaccine are on par with gun grabbers who insist a spree killer is a rightwing gun nut propped up by the NRA. Both groups of demagogues make outlandish claims before even a shred of information is released about a given incident, but will issue no mea culpas when ultimately proven wrong. 

As much as some of us like to decry that the world is going to hell, we can still be uplifted in the face of a tragedy. While in college at Pitt, Hamlin started a GoFundMe for a toy drive in support of his small Pennsylvania community. As I write this, the fundraiser (with a modest goal of $2,500) has exceeded $4 million!

This fundraiser was initially established to support a toy drive for Damar’s community, sponsored by the Chasing M’s Foundation.

However, it has received renewed support in light of Damar’s current battle, and we can’t thank all of you enough. Your generosity and compassion mean the world to us.

If you would like to show your support and contribute to Damar’s community initiatives and his current fight, this is the place to do so. This is the only current fund being used by the Hamlin Family.

Again, thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and generous support.

I'll admit that after my Vikings club got slaughtered on Sunday, I was in a pretty foul mood. But after Monday evening's harrowing incident, I'm embarrassed how much I let a seemingly trivial thing affect my outlook. 

My prayers for young Damar Hamlin and his loved ones will continue. 

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The NARN Closer's playlist - 1/1/2023

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Got a bum education, double-digit inflation.....

Happy New Year!!!

I have the honor of airing the first live broadcast for AM 1280 The Patriot in 2023, so check out today's edition of The Closer, 1-3 PM Central Time. 

In the first hour, I'll discuss the upcoming MN Legislative session and how the newly elected Legislature is touted as the "most diverse ever." Also, former MNGOP chair Jennifer Carnahan continues to make headlines for all the wrong reasons. 

Then in the second hour, I'll weigh in on some national news stories. Should serial fabulist George Santos (R-NY) face any repercussions before being seated for his U.S. House seat? Is it a big deal that President Joe Biden is on vacation in the Virgin Islands, thus requiring the $1.7 Trillion Omnibus bill to be flown to his location for a signature?

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, where we also conduct a "Live Stream" of the broadcast.

Until then.....

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