The NARN Closer's playlist - 3/31/2024

 

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Don't want your money, don't want your key......

Yes, there will be an original broadcast of my radio show The Closer today. The 2-hour Easter broadcast gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

In the first hour I'll weigh in on the gutless wonders at NBCUniversal, who caved in to their on air personalities' snit fit over the hiring of Ronna McDaniel as a network contributor. 

At 1:30, I will chat with longtime Wall Street worker Paul Tice regarding his latest book The Race to Zero: How ESG Investing will Crater the Global Financial System. 

And of course......He is risen!!

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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It's like déjà vu all over again

It was late August of 2016 when then GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump toured hurricane ravaged Louisiana. After witnessing the thorough destruction a recent storm had caused, Trump donated money and a truckload of supplies to residents in an effort to help in the region's recovery. There was even a photo showing him assisting in unloading trucks upon arrival of supplies. Naturally this was dismissed as "opportunism" by supporters of his Democrat opponent Hillary Clinton. But whether or not this was a publicity stunt by Trump, it was undeniable that those who were suffering received some welcome relief thanks to his generosity. And it also wasn't lost on the American people that Mrs. Clinton herself was conspicuously absent. 

Fast forward to Thursday of this week when Trump was invited to New York to attend the wake of Jonathan Diller, a 31-year old member of the NYPD who was killed in the line of duty. 

And what was the White House's current occupant up to that evening in the very same area? 

President Biden participated in a star-studded fundraiser with former Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton on Thursday in New York City in an event expected to raise more than $25 million for the president's re-election campaign.

Thursday's New York City fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall was hosted by actress Mindy Kaling and featured performances by several musical guests and artists, including Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele. The event was capped off with a nearly hourlong discussion between Mr. Biden, Obama and Clinton moderated by "The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert.

I wonder how many of those celebs named support some sort of "defund the police" initiative? 

Yeah, I know. We are still a little more than 7 months away from Election Day, so a lot could happen between now and then. But what we can't get around is how Biden ran in 2020 on "restoring decency and compassion" but has failed to deliver on that campaign pledge. Whether it was taking more than a year to visit East Palestine, OH in the aftermath of a severe train derailment or bizarrely inserting himself into the Maui tragedy with a fabricated story or butchering the name of a murdered college woman only express regret for how he described her killer, Biden's reputation as an empathetic figure has proven to be an urban myth. Meanwhile, Trump is making inroads with Americans who are feeling marginalized......just like he did in 2016. 

I'm not here to suggest that Trump is this 100% genuinely compassionate figure, but I'm guessing people will accept his goodwill (contrived or not) over someone who claims to have empathy but shows the exact opposite. 

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Gutless

If NBC News was a parent, then a number of their on-air personalities are their fit-throwing children. In essence, the parent gave in to the demands of their petulant kids. 

NBC News has cut ties with former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel, just days after she was announced as a paid analyst for the network. There had been a growing internal backlash at the division over her hire.

Meanwhile, CAA also has dropped McDaniel as a client, sources familiar with the situation tell Deadline.

A source also confirmed reports that McDaniel was seeking potential legal options for her next steps.

NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde made the announcement about McDaniel’s exit in an memo to staffers. In his missive, Conde took responsibility for what happened, but it was unclear whether there will be further repercussions.

“No organization, particularly a newsroom, can succeed unless it is cohesive and aligned. Over the last few days, it has become clear that this appointment undermines that goal,” Conde wrote in the memo.

He added, “I want to personally apologize to our team members who felt we let them down. While this was a collective recommendation by some members of our leadership team, I approved it and take full responsibility for it.”

I was especially amused by Conde's assertion that it's imperative for a newsroom to be "cohesive and aligned." 

You mean everyone should be as anti-Semitic as Rev. Al Sharpton? Or as bigoted as Joy Reid? Or being prone to spread election disinformation as Little Red Lying Hood Jen Psaki has? 

Look, it's not like McDaniel was going to have her own show. She was set to be a contributor. So if these NBC personalities were so concerned about her viewpoints and the alleged danger they pose, then they should be able to easily refute said views when sitting on the same panel with her. Or better yet if she appeared as a solo contributor on one of the primetime programs (all hosted by far leftists), then any of the program hosts should be able to successfully rebut her commentary. Is there a better, more effective way to poke holes in objectionable worldviews than through intellectual discourse? The fact the network brass would rather acquiesce to their thumb-sucking TV hosts says to me that they're not all that secure in the validity of their personalities' talking points. 

While the NBC & MSNBC personalities can high five each other for standing in solidarity against the hiring of McDaniel while also continuing to receive the proverbial dopamine hit that occurs when shouting into their echo chamber, there are behind-the-scenes employees who have to live in the real world where there's repercussions for such a debacle. 

Now, NBC staffers are bracing for Republican backlash, fielding texts from angry GOP sources.

“Political reporters here didn’t take part in the backlash, nor did they get to give input on the hire,” one NBC News journalist said. “But they’ll be the ones who have to pick up the pieces with sources who are now dismayed with the organization.”

Four NBC News staffers expressed concern that instead of fixing the problem, hiring and then firing McDaniel had only alienated liberal viewers while confirming Republican fears. Two Republican aides told Semafor they’d texted their NBC News contacts to express their anger with the decision.

For a collective that got the vapors over then President Donald Trump declaring them the "enemy of the people," they sure as heck work overtime to give off that impression........at least towards about 74 million people. 

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Box Score of the Week

Baseball is back!!

Yeah, I know. The regular season got started last week with a couple of games in Seoul, South Korea, but this week's games feel more official. 

Anyhow, to honor Opening Day, let's check out a game from the 2018 opener - Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers. 

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As he did in the 2017 opener, the Astros' George Springer led off the game with a home run. As such, Springer became the first player in MLB history to hit leadoff home runs on Opening Day in consecutive seasons.

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The NARN Closer's playlist - 3/24/2024

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Everybody got to him and he finally had to make a show......

There may or may not be a spring snowmageddon, but either way I'll be ensconced in the Patriot bunker for today's edition of my radio show The Closer. The 2-hour broadcast kicks off at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

In the first hour I'll discuss how Trump Derangement Syndrome has gone off the charts, so much so that progs and their media lapdogs aren't even trying to hide it anymore. At 1:30, Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute Dr. Phillip W. Magness will join the broadcast to discuss President Joe Biden's insane Federal budget proposal. 

In the 2:00 hour, there are plenty of Minnesota based stories to discuss, including Democrats' continued hostility towards civil liberties. 

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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Calling out progs' disingenuousness

I said just last week how elected Dems' approach to stemming the tide of "gun violence" was long on grandstanding and woefully short on substance. 

Kudos to Minnesota State Senator (and longtime friend of the Northern Alliance Radio Network) Julia Coleman for calling 'em on it. 

Of all the gun legislation which has been passed at the Federal and State levels over the years, it has had little to no meaningful impact on "gun violence." If anything, these laws have served to undermine law abiding citizens' attempts to purchase firearms, thus inhibiting their opportunities to defend themselves and their loved ones when facing a lethal threat.

Legislation to increase the penalties for a straw purchase has been something which Second Amendment advocates as well as pro-2A representatives have been pushing for long before the tragedy in Burnsville last month. But since that isn't a sexy enough headline for gun grabbers as would be in the aftermath of an "assault weapons ban," they view a stalemate as more valuable, which in turn allows them to fundraise off such chanting points as "rEpUbLiCaNs CaRe MoRe AbOuT gUnS tHaN tHe ChIlDrEn." 

But now that there's been a high profile tragedy where harsher punishment for a straw purchase may have had an impact, the Minnesota DFL looks to jump on the bandwagon. By hijacking Sen. Coleman's bill. Y'know, the one that passed unanimously out of committee last year only to be blocked from a floor vote this session?

There is also a federal straw purchase law.
Shooter had straw purchased weapons. His girlfriend, the alleged buyer, is charged federally and faces a longer sentence as a result.https://t.co/B4c8b6p1R8

— Corin Hoggard (@corinhoggard) March 21, 2024

She offered the GOP author, Sen. Coleman, to be listed as co-author, but Coleman declined.

— Corin Hoggard (@corinhoggard) March 21, 2024

This is a function of being drunk on power. I don't doubt that DFLers got such a high over leftist media fawning over they and their 2023 passed legislation that they just aren't willing to allow anyone else (i.e. eeeeeeevil Republicans) an opportunity to pass substantive measures which will actually benefit all Minnesotans. 

So the next time the progressive death cult accuses right wingers of playing politics with people's lives, this incident alone is validation that it's Imax theater level projection. 

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Quick Hits: Volume CCCXLIII

 - I admit I rolled my eyes when some Minnesota talking heads contended that this year's MN legislative session would not be as intense as last year. After all, the far left progs have hijacked the DFL, so never underestimate the party's desire to perpetuate their radicalism. For starters, their attempts to gut the First and Second Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. 

Religious freedom is under an unprecedented attack in Minnesota. Last week a fundamental consensus was broken, and the foundations of the 1st Amendment are threatened. Please listen, get informed, and get active.

You can help me fight back here: https://t.co/Qtt6TvY0nu pic.twitter.com/Ygm1ZoO5Hn

— Rep. Harry Niska (@HarryNiska) March 4, 2024

 

Rep. Niska posted an update on Tuesday regarding the left's war on faith. 

“The Senate Democrats had a chance to restore the law to our long-held consensus that religious communities in Minnesota have the autonomy to decide questions of faith,” Niska said. “House Democrats, Senate Democrats and Gov. Walz had more than two weeks to step back off the ledge and do what’s right for Minnesotans. Instead, they only further entrenched themselves in their radical position that your religious freedoms take a back seat to the state’s rule, and the separation of church and state no longer exists in Minnesota.”

Before last year, when gender identity was included (or subsumed) within the MHRA definition of sexual orientation, the still-existing religious exemption for sexual orientation covered gender identity claims as well. When a new, separate definition of gender identity was created last year, there was no corresponding religious exemption added. This issue caused alarm among Minnesota’s faith community and Niska worked with religious leaders to craft an amendment to MHRA legislation S.F. 4292. House Democrats and Senate Democrats then voted to keep that language off the overriding bill.

Kinda puts a whole new spin on Gov. Walz's goal for a "One Minnesota," eh?

- In the event you think progs can't be any more deranged, get a load of this one. 

As mentally damaged as some people have become in the era of Donald Trump, I wouldn't be shocked if this Sington character had Barron Trump's 18th birthday marked on his calendar. According to Mr. Sington's Twitter bio, he's a former NBCUniversal "Senior Executive." He deleted that tweet within a couple hours of posting it. 

Not sure what the insinuation is, but I'm guessing it's in response to political righties suggesting that the current President's son, Hunter Biden, is "fair game" for criticism. If indeed that was Mr. Sington's contention, it is the falsest of false equivalencies. First off, right-of-center politicos aren't going after Hunter for sport. There are credible allegations of his selling access to his then VP father in order to enhance his business dealings. Also, it appears he may skate on a gun charge of which ordinary citizens likely wouldn't be afforded the same courtesy. 

Bottom line: if Barron Trump ever engages in similar nefarious activities, then I would concur he's opened himself up to criticism. But to declare him "fair game" for maligning just because of who his father is? You might wanna see a shrink posthaste. 

- A good number of Donald Trump supporters in my social network have been sharing this photo lately. 

The date listed was about 2 weeks after COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. By this point, a lot of businesses closed down in an effort to "flatten the curve," so the majority of the population were working their jobs from home (assuming they were still employed), not gathering socially, etc. As such, car travel was reduced significantly. And if people aren't driving, they don't need to put gas in their cars as often. So if the demand for gas goes down, the price (SURPRISE!) also goes down. 

Do Trumpkins really wanna conjure up a moment in American history where their guy acquiesced to the recommendations of health officials to lock down the country, thus hampering the American economy? Might wanna re-think this chanting point. 

 

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In case you weren't aware......

 .....,the leftist media and other progs do not at all believe Donald Trump's warning of a "bloodbath" is a call to violence in the event President Joe Biden is reelected . They just think you're easily manipulated. 

You want proof?

SUPERCUT!

Trump critics would never use a term like “bloodbath” pic.twitter.com/6dSTMwsfJa

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) March 17, 2024

Also, Andy McCarthy with the truth bomb: 

The irony is that everyone knows Trump’s election would lead to violent rioting, and that the same people clutching pearls over the ‘bloodbath’ kerfuffle would describe *that* as ‘mostly peaceful protest.’

— Andy McCarthy (@AndrewCMcCarthy) March 18, 2024

You only need to look back at the aftermath of Trump's victorious election in 2016 to know that isn't exactly a stretch. But since the prog media gave such incidents merely a cursory mention (or flat out justified said incidents), you're forgiven if you are unable to find anything in the news archives. 

If indeed Trump is elected this November, the media will once again ignore its culpability in manifesting something they worked overtime to prevent. 

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The NARN Closer's playlist - 3/17/2024

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Sometimes I know, and sometimes I'm on the go......

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I'm not even a little bit Irish, so I'll be in my usual spot on today, 1-3 PM Central Time. Yep, my radio show The Closer will be live from the Patriot bunker as regularly scheduled. 

Right at 1:00, I'll be joined by Minnesota State Senator Jim Abeler (R-Anoka). Sen. Abeler will be on to discuss recent legislation to provide clarification for School Resource Officers who were not present in schools over the past year-plus. 

A lotta other local stories to get to, including more DFL efforts to enact "gun control," Uber & Lyft ceasing operations in Minneapolis as of May 1, and a task force to address mental health issues due to....climate change?!?!

And as a Minnesota sports fan, I'll weigh in on QB Kirk Cousins leaving the Vikings to go play for the Atlanta Falcons. 

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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DFLers' empty rhetoric on guns

My friend and NARN colleague Mitch Berg (who has forgotten more about firearms legalese than I will ever know) has said often that "gun control" advocates "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."

Right on cue, not one single gun control proposal that gun-grabbing politicians have brought up lately would have prevented this tragedy. 

The two AR-15-style firearms used to kill three Burnsville first responders and wound another last month were bought by the shooter's girlfriend just weeks before he used them to unload more than 100 rounds during an hourslong standoff at the couple's home, according to new federal charges unsealed Thursday.

A federal grand jury indicted Ashley Anne Dyrdahl, 35, on 11 counts, including conspiracy, straw purchasing and making false statements for procuring five firearms on behalf of (the shooter), who was prohibited from having them based on a prior conviction.

Two rifles used in the Feb. 18 shooting were bought by Dyrdahl on Jan. 5 and Jan. 25, respectively, weeks before (the shooter) shot and killed officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27, and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth, 40, then took his own life. Dyrdahl was living at the home with (the shooter)on the day police were called in response to a domestic abuse call, where (the shooter) barricaded himself inside with seven children present. (The shooter) also wounded Burnsville police Sgt. Adam Medlicott during the shootout.

As has been mentioned before, staunch Second Amendment advocates have been more than willing to work with anti-gun politicos in an attempt to prevent people like the Burnsville shooter (who had his 2A rights revoked due to felony convictions) from ever acquiring guns. And it is certainly plausible to craft legislation that will accomplish that while not undermining the rights of law abiding citizens. 

Unfortunately, gun-grabbing elected officials pay little more than lip service when they insist they want to curb "gun violence." 

 

Rep Dave Pinto, arguing AGAINST hiking the penalty for straw purchasers, says that criminals are not charged under the existing law because it is only a gross misdemeanor and not a felony.

Rep. Scott's bill would have increased the penalty from a gross misdemeanor to a felony. pic.twitter.com/LwZLdk6QX0

— MN House GOP War Room (@MNHRCWarRoom) March 14, 2024

In essence, a bill that would directly address the loopholes present in the Burnsville tragedy while preserving the right of law-abiding gun owners did not receive enough support of those who claim to be the biggest advocates for victims of "gun violence." 

It's almost as if the anti-2A crowd has ulterior motives when putting forth their draconian proposals. 

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Quick Hits: Volume CCCXLII

 - When Donald Trump first ran for President 8 years ago, his main appeal was he claimed to eschew "politics as usual." In fact, one of the rallying cries from his staunch supporters was that he would go to Washington, D.C. to "drain the swamp" of corruption, bloated bureaucracy, etc. 

So when bipartisan agreement was reached by the U.S. House of Representatives demanding TikTok  divest from its parent company ByteDance (which is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party who in turn controls the app's algorithm to spy on and spread disinformation to Americans), Trump was not on board. Why? 

A couple of reasons really. First is this legislation isn't supported by a GOP megadonor who has a significant financial stake in ByteDance (rather "swampy" to be bought and paid for by a wealthy donor, no?). The other (and, sadly, more plausible) scenario? Trump's general pettiness, specifically how such legislation, while perhaps beneficial to America, might give an advantage to a Trump enemy.

If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business. I don’t want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better. They are a true Enemy of the People!

At least Mark Zuckerberg can absolve himself from being a stooge for the CCP.  

- I don't know that this year's Minnesota Legislative session could approach the dark lunacy that occurred in 2023, but the prog majority is going to do its part to make it competitive. 

SF 4846 dropped on Monday. Here's its description:

Climate change effects on mental health advisory task force establishment and appropriation. 

For decades now you've had leftists play the role of "Chicken Little" by constantly giving arbitrary timelines of our planet reaching a "point of no return" if we don't address "climate change," and then feel the need to establish another layer of bureaucracy in an effort to mitigate a problem (i.e. Americans convinced we're on the verge of the apocalypse) they essentially created. They do this with economic and social issues as well. 

Not a bad gig, eh? 

- No amount of spin is going to convince enough Americans that President Joe Biden is not a feeble man with a poor memory. Nevertheless, prog politicians (and their media lapdogs) aren't going down without a fight, hence the attempts to undermine the credibility of Special Counsel Robert Hur, who interviewed Biden over his mishandling of classified documents. 

But once the transcript of the Hur's interview with Biden was released recently, leftists and anti-Trumpers were flailing in their attempts to refute the notion that the White House's current occupant was as forgetful as the Special Counsel suggested. 

Ah, but Axios (hardly a conservative rag) pointed out some pretty damning excerpts. 

Over the course of the two-day interview, which took place in the immediate aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Biden repeatedly asked for help remembering certain important dates — and his lawyers frequently stepped in.

• "When did I announce for President [in 2019]?," he asked.
• "If it was 2013 — when did I stop being vice president?"
• "In 2009, am I still vice president?"
• "Trump gets elected in November of 2017?," Biden asked, before someone noted it was November 2016.

Since Biden gave off a vibe in last week's State of the Union address that it will require an ether-soaked rag and a lead pipe to keep him from running for reelection, gaslighting is the only tactic available to leftists and non-Trump Republicans in an effort to drag him to the winner's circle. And the fact it isn't the least bit effective has them downright freaked. 

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I like that!

It's been rumored for weeks that the Minnesota Vikings' franchise quarterback would be moving on. 

It became official on Monday. 

The Atlanta Falcons have finally solved their franchise quarterback issues.

The club agreed to terms on a four-year deal with former Minnesota Vikings free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins on Monday, according to his agent, Mike McCartney.

A source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Cousins' deal is worth $180 million ($45 million per season), including $100 million guaranteed.

As I write this, only the Vikings' GM has made an official team statement. 

 

"After significant and positive dialogue with Kirk and his representatives, we were unable to reach agreement on a contract that fits the short- and long-term visions for both Kirk and the Minnesota Vikings," Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in a statement. "Kirk holds a special place in Vikings history, and we appreciate his leadership and contributions to the team and the Minneapolis-St. Paul community over the past six seasons. We wish him; his wife, Julie; and their children all the best. Our approach heading into free agency always included layers of contingencies regarding the quarterback position. We are moving forward with plans that allow us to continue building a roster that can compete for a championship."

In six years as Vikings QB, Cousins was an elite quarterback in terms of earning power, raking in $185 million in his time with Minnesota. And while he put up some impressive numbers in his Vikes career, it felt like empty calories as he led the team to only two playoff appearances, winning one game. Of course the staunch Cousins defenders (the loudest ones being on Twitter "X") will tell us that Kirk never had a full supporting cast in all that time and thus if he had better pass protection or a solid defense, the Vikings would have definitely made deeper playoff runs. What these people seem to forget is Cousins took the reins of a team which the previous season made a run to the NFC title game with journeyman QB Case Keenum at the helm. Essentially Cousins was brought in to be a mercenary since the team already had the top ranked defense in the NFL. And while the Vikes' D finished #5 overall in Cousins' first season, the team finished a lackluster 8-7-1 while missing the postseason altogether. In the subsequent three seasons, the Vikes compiled a record of 25-24, ultimately costing coach Mike Zimmer (who was rumored to have adamantly opposed the Cousins signing from day one) and GM Rick Spielman their jobs. 

It was apparent that current Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell unlocked something in Cousins when he took over in 2022. While Cousins didn't have his best season in '22 in terms of yardage and touchdown passes, he led the NFL with eight 4th quarter comebacks. This was something that dogged Cousins in his time with the Washington Redskins and first four seasons with the Vikings, which was he put up impressive stats but rarely when it mattered most. Unfortunately for Cousins and the Vikes, they had the second worst defense in the NFL, thus resulting in a "one and done" in the playoffs. Once again the Cousins stans proclaimed how the loss wasn't Kirk's fault in that he had a phenomenal performance against the Giants in that postseason contest, but was undermined by a horrendous defense. And therein lies the rub. The Vikings desperately needed reinforcements on the defensive side of the ball but were hamstrung due to Cousins' large salary cap figure. The idea that the Vikings organization was going to devote $100+ million to a 36-year old QB coming off a torn Achilles tendon just four months earlier was a stretch. 

In the end, I am fully on board with the Vikings taking a step back in an effort to reshape their roster (signing three free agents for their defense is a great start) while they identify a franchise QB. After all, that's the main reason O'Connell was hired as head coach given his reputation as a "quarterback whisperer." He will have significant input as to whom the Vikings will select in next month's draft (assuming QB is a top priority). Will they stand pat at the 11th overall pick or attempt to move into the top five to draft one of the blue chip prospects? And if indeed they identify a franchise QB, who will they have as their signal caller next year while the rookie gets acclimated to the NFL game? 

This is perhaps the most consequential offseason the Vikings have had since the Wilf family bought the team nearly twenty years ago. Make it count, Kwesi et al.

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The NARN Closer's playlist - 3/10/2024

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Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce the hi-hat......

Despite operating on one less hour of sleep than normal, I'll be rarin' to go at 1:00 PM Central Time for today's edition of my radio show The Closer. 

Say, does anyone remember how this year's Minnesota legislative session wasn't going to be as loony as 2023? Good times! Yeah, the DFL trifecta is looking to effectively gut the U.S. Constitution. 

At 2:00, political commentator Jon Gabriel will join the broadcast to discuss national political news occurring in his home state of Arizona as well as the latest goings-on in the presidential race. 

Then at 2:30, addiction specialist Dr. Nicholas Kardaras will be on to discuss how the toxic impact of our tech obsession and corrosive social media (especially on teenagers and young adults) contributes to the decline of our young people’s mental health.

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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I believe the children are our future.....

 ......and our future would appear bleak as a result. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Erick Erickson (@ewerickson)

Even though this proposed legislation has nothing to do with banning TikTok, many young people were falsely led to believe that was the case and thus many called members of Congress to tell them not to do something which Congress had no intention of doing in the first place (some of these kids threatened suicide at the thought of being without their precious TikTok). 

Essentially, Congress is trying to prevent the Chinese Communist Party from controlling the algorithm in order to spread disinformation to the American public. Because if any government is going to propagandize the American people, it should be our own government or something. 

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The Chronicles of NARN

It was March 6, 2004 when the Northern Alliance Radio Network conducted its inaugural broadcast on AM 1280 The Patriot. 

My friend and valued NARN colleague Mitch Berg has been a part of that collection since day one, so he obviously has a much better perspective on the 20th anniversary of the Twin Cities' best conservative grassroots political talk show. 

I’ve told the story so many times, I sometimes wonder if the details have gotten burnished in the re-telling.

Many of the things in my life that actually worked out, started as offhanded, sarcastic, frustrated or intoxicated jokes. My move to the city, my career, this blog…

…and, in 2003, the kind of “what the heck, why not?” vibe that caused me to send an email to the other principals of the “Northern Alliance of Blogs” and ask “Why not try to do a talk radio show?”

The answer was…well, “find the opportunity, and we’ll think about it”. I can’t imagine how far out of left field the idea must have sounded to the rest of the guys – John Hinderaker and Scott Johnson of Powerline, Brian and Chad and Atomizer and JB Doubtless from Fraters Libertas, Ed Morrissey then of Captain’s Quarters, King Banaian of SCSU Scholars, and – trivia alert – a husband and wife pair of lawyers from a short-lived blog called Spitbull whom Hugh Hewitt had added to the NAoB in a frenzy of solicitousness, who weren’t interested in doing the show, and whose names I can’t even begin to remember.

So on Halloween 2003, we met with AM1280 – and to my amazement, they were interested. On January 23, 2004, at a get-together with Hugh Hewitt at the long-defunct Billy’s Lighthouse in Wayzata, we got the formal go-ahead.

And 20 years ago today, the Northern Alliance Radio Network did its first show.

Definitely check out Mitch's entire piece.  

I didn't become aware of the NARN until the summer of 2004. But once I tuned in for the first time, the Saturday broadcast became appointment radio for me (there was only one show the first few years -  11:00 AM until 2:00 PM Saturdays). That fall I met most of the guys in person at a downtown Minneapolis hotel ballroom where they were hosting a presidential debate party ahead of the third and final debate between President George W. Bush and opponent John Kerry. About twice per year, the NARN gang would put on "blogger parties" at the now defunct Keegan's Irish Pub in northeast Minneapolis. I would go every chance I got in an effort to rub elbows with insightful, funny and smart people in addition to dropping subtle hints that I too have done talk radio before. 

It was the 2007 Minnesota State Fair where I opened the door just a crack in an effort to perhaps get some air time on AM 1280. It was the second Saturday of the fair that year when the guys had on as a guest former St Paul Mayor Randy Kelly. Despite being a Democrat, Kelly endorsed President Bush's reelection bid three years earlier, a move that resulted in Kelly being voted out of office in the 2005 mayoral race. Anyhow, Kelly was a fellow St Paul Harding High School alum and once made a visit to my political science class in 1986 when he was a MN House member. To earn extra credit for that class, I dropped literature as well as knocked doors in an attempt to register voters for the upcoming election cycle. When sharing that anecdote on air with Mr. Kelly, NARN host Brian "St Paul" Ward was impressed with my poise and demeanor while knowing I was on the radio. Upon the show's conclusion, Brian took me aside and asked if I'd be willing to guest co-host if ever his regular radio partners John Hinderaker or Chad "The Elder" Doughty were away "on assignment" (the trio collaborated on one of what was three active Saturday shows by then).  I basically asked where could I sign up!

It was two-and-a-half years later that Brian reached out asking if I'd be interested in joining him for a broadcast at the River Centre in St Paul on a Saturday in January. So on January 16, 2010, I made my debut on the Northern Alliance Radio Network. Little did I know that 18 months after that I would be offered a chance to host a solo program Sundays 1-3 PM Central Time (for the first few months, however, it was 3-4 PM Saturdays). A mere 12 years & 9 months later, I'm still in that 1-3 time slot. 

As I wrapped up this past Sunday's show, I thanked many people who had a hand in assisting me in achieving and sustaining a decades long dream. If I had to be done broadcasting right at this moment, I could still honestly say that I've gotten way more from hosting my radio show than I've ever put into it. Seriously, I almost feel pangs of guilt being able to do this for as long as I have. 

So here's to 20 years of the NARN! I have no idea how long it'll soldier on but I don't sense a stop sign on the horizon. 

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Quick Hits: Volume CCCXLI

 - The Republicans have a decent shot to seize the U.S. Senate this election cycle. With the Democrats holding a slim 51-49 majority, it would merely require two GOP flips to make that happen (or one if there's a Republican president). 

With Sen. Joe Manchin not seeking reelection, West Virginia is all but assured to go Republican. But what about Arizona in light of this latest news? 

Independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema (who caucuses with the Democrats - ed.) of Arizona announced Tuesday she will not seek reelection.

The moderate senator’s decision to bow out allows her to avoid a three-way contest for her seat and creates a likely matchup between Democratic Representative Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake.

“Because I choose civility, understanding, listening, working together to get stuff done, I will leave the Senate at the end of this year,” Sinema said in a video message on Tuesday.

Sinema was elected as a Democrat in 2018 but realized early in her term that her pragmatic, independent streak was a non-starter in that party. As such, the Dems are putting forth a candidate whose ideology squares with that of "The Squad" (i.e. Ilhan Omar, AOC, Rashida Tlaib, etc.).  In any other era, this would be a easy pickup for the Republicans, except when anyone with the stink of Donald J. Trump is the nominee. That was Lake's downfall when she ran for governor of Arizona in 2022. Can she overcome that this cycle with a Senate run? Remains to be seen.

Let's just say I don't envy the binary choice Arizonans are facing with this race. 

- Rep. Tide Pod Evita Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 3+ years ago: 

And AOC on Monday: 

Brooklyn — Leftist congresswoman @AOC was confronted and chased out of a cinema by leftist protesters who want her to more strongly condemn Israel. Ocasio-Cortez had previously advocated for protest tactics that make targets "uncomfortable." pic.twitter.com/6yNaOD64c7

— Andy Ngô 🏳️‍🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) March 5, 2024

I'd say Sandy looked quite uncomfortable there, no?

-  As a fan of the Minnesota Vikings, I've been paying rapt attention to the saga surrounding their franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins. Given the salary cap constraints as well as the significant risk to re-sign a soon-to-be 36-year old QB coming off a torn achilles four months ago, the Vikings will unlikely be able to match what offers Cousins will receive on the open market next week. 

If Cousins' departure occurs, what's Plan B at quarterback for Minnesota? Well, this year's NFL draft is the deepest QB draft in quite some time. However, with the 11th overall pick, the Vikes would have to part with significant capital to move up into the top 5 to assure they get a blue chip prospect. That sounds great in theory, but what if none of the teams in those current slots are willing to play ball?

If certain rumors floating about are true, perhaps the Vikings have their "Plan C," which is to get a veteran bridge QB as well as make a trade for a potential future franchise signal caller. 

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A post shared by The Rich Eisen Show (@richeisenshow)

While that sounds like a classic feelgood story of the MN kid playing for his home state NFL team, we have no idea if Trey Lance is a legit pro quarterback (he's only made 4 starts in three seasons). But if Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell is this big time "quarterback whisperer" as he's being touted by some, then perhaps he can unlock something in Lance. I say it's at least worth the risk. 

I'm hard pressed to think of another pro sports league where the offseason is almost as intriguing as the on-field competition. 

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Bad start to the week for progs

On Monday morning, leftists were handed the grim reality that if the presidential election were held that day, Donald Trump would defeat Joe Biden. 

Look, I get it. This is just a snapshot in time and a lot can happen in the veritable eternity that is eight months in politics. But as Erick Erickson explains, this is the beginning of a trend. 

Everything Democrats have fired at Trump has only made him stronger. Biden’s presence on the national stage only helps Trump. This is all really funny to watch as the great media/Democrat freakout escalates.

Meanwhile, Americans are watching increasing anti-semitism rise and, despite years of lectures about far-right radical anti-semites, the anti-semitism is actually coming from the left. From the newsrooms of Washington and New York to the college campuses of the elite, anti-semitism is rising and, because it comes from the left, the media is rather subdued in its coverage. Joe Biden refuses to denounce it aggressively. The left is starting to divide.

Joe Biden may be the only Democrat who cannot beat Donald Trump. He is also the keystone of the Democratic Party. With his removal, the party collapses. With his insistence on staying, Trump gets closer and closer to a White House return.

The only way progs could console themselves was the possibility of Trump being left of the presidential ballot in enough states so as to make it impossible for him to prevail. Ah, but that sentiment lasted all of a few hours when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the state of Colorado overstepped its authority in removing Trump from their statewide ballot. 

Given their maniacal rantings all over social media, leftists definitely had a baaaaaad case of the Mondays. 

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The NARN Closer's playlist - 3/3/2024

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Give me what you can tonight, time is all we have to play........

It's the 20th anniversary weekend of the Northern Alliance Radio Network, so I'm hard pressed to think of a better way to celebrate than a live 2-hour broadcast. My radio show The Closer will get started at 1:00 PM Central Time.

In the first hour, I'll weigh in on the Minnesota Legislature's continued attempts to ram through "gun control." Also, progressivism's death cult was on full display this past week. 

At 2:00, Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute Dr. David Beito will join the broadcast to tout his latest book The New Deal’s War on the Bill of Rights: The Untold Story of FDR’s Concentration Camps, Censorship, and Mass Surveillance. 

Then at 2:30, Captain Josh Polanco, Salvation Army Twin Cities commander, will be on to discuss his organization's annual food drive. 

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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