Acceptable bigotry

Hat tip to my friend Jeff Kolb, who unearthed bigoted tweets put forth by the Legislative Assistant to MN State Sen. Erin Maye Quade (DFL-Apple Valley). 

The fact that @ErinMayeQuade employs, at taxpayer expense, a virulent anti-Semite is not particularly noteworthy, as that is the mainstream DFL position now.

But the fact that the staffer remained employed after publicly attacking a fellow Senator is noteworthy. pic.twitter.com/xOcFiaSn5y

— Jeff Kolb (@jpkolb) May 15, 2024

Fox 9's Seth Kaplan confirmed that Ayana Smith-Kooiman has retained her position as an L.A. despite such inappropriate rhetoric. 

The anti-Israel sentiments (and, by extensions, bigotry towards Jews) has so permeated much of the left that anyone with a pro-Israel worldview is subject to hostile treatment, even if they're members of the same political party. 

Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park) is as leftist as they come. But ever since he publicly spoke out against attacks on Israel (to say nothing of the fact he is Jewish), Latz has been persona non grata among many elected DFL'ers. And typically when there is a policy disagreement among members, it's hashed out behind closed doors. Ah, but Latz wasn't afforded that courtesy earlier this week.

Rep. Mike Howard directly and Sen. Lindsey Port indirectly blamed fellow DFL lawmaker Ron Latz for playing hardball to kill a provision in a massive omnibus bill. 📝 @CallaghanPeter https://t.co/L35qjMhBzQ

— MinnPost (@MinnPost) May 15, 2024

Combine that with the fact that Senate DFL Chief of Staff Carly Melin was essentially relieved of her duties about a month before this legislative session due to what Melin alleged was her husband Joe Radinovich's support for Israel (Melin considered a lawsuit, but she ultimately reached a settlement with the Senate). 

In the end, this is all hubris on steroids. The DFL has been so drunk on its absolute power over these past two legislative sessions that they don't care one iota how brazen they appear. There's no better example of that belief than the allowance of one their own members to literally be the deciding vote on critical legislation despite said member being credibly accused of felony burglary.

If the DFL doesn't lose their House majority this November, I don't believe there's any turning back. 

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

Quick Hits: Volume CCCXLVII

 - Given the utter bizarre and crazy legislation that the DFL trifecta has passed in Minnesota over the previous 16 months, you'd be forgiven if the reading of these bills sounded as though it came straight from a sketch show. A sketch show like......Saturday Night Live perhaps???? 

If you're tempted to dismiss that notion as hyperbole, check out the floor speech of Rep. Jim Nash (R-Waconia) regarding yet another goofy policy proposal brought forth by MN Dems. 

The DFL's Elections Bill allows a voter to register by describing where they live instead of providing a physical address.

Meaning, as Rep. Nash put it, "in a van down by the river" would be enough to vote. pic.twitter.com/ACCzCz0u3A

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

I only wish Rep. Nash had the foresight to tell his fellow members that this particular bill should not amount.....to......JACK. SQUAT. 

- Even though the 2024 NFL regular season schedule will not be officially released until Wednesday, there have been a few high profile matchups already announced. 

For instance, the first Monday Night Football game in the 2024 campaign.......

Primetime at our place 🤩

We'll kick off the 2024 season vs the Jets on Monday Night Football. @ESPNNFL x @NFL

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 14, 2024

Aaron Rodgers leading the Jets in the first MNF game of a season? What could possibly go wrong???? 

- I'm half expecting President Joe Biden's cadaver-looking skin to turn orange any day now. 

I just imposed a series of tariffs on goods made in China:

25% on steel and aluminum,
50% on semiconductors,
100% on EVs,
And 50% on solar panels.

China is determined to dominate these industries.

I'm determined to ensure America leads the world in them.

— President Biden (@POTUS) May 14, 2024

And this just a few weeks after Biden had his own "Charlottesville moment," a circumstance which he proclaimed was his sole motivation for entering the 2020 presidential race. 

Given Donald Trump has consistently lead Biden in the 2024 polls over the past few months, perhaps the President's strategy is to morph into Trump in an effort to appeal to voters? 

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

Box Score of the Week

In honor of Mother's Day, let's check out a 2006 game taking place on that special day. 

New York Mets at Milwaukee Brewers - May 14, 2006.

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

From MLB.com:

Shortstop Bill Hall provided one of the game's all-time best Mother's Day moments when he delivered a walk-off homer in front of his mother, Vergie, who had driven 10 hours from Nettleton, Miss., to see her son play. Hall was not only using a pink bat (it was the first year players had used the pink bats on Mother's Day), but his had his mother's name engraved on it instead of his own. He stepped to the plate in the bottom of the 10th with two outs and nobody on, and used that special bat to send the Brewers home with a 6-5 victory over the Mets.

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

The NARN Closer's playlist - 5/12/2024

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

They make you restless, it's nothin' you ain't seen before......

Happy Mother's Day! I hope all you moms are properly celebrated on this day. 

Today's edition of my radio show The Closer will be on from 1:00 until 3:00 PM Central Time. 

Right at 1:00, Minnesota State Senator (and longtime friend of the broadcast) Karin Housley (R-Stillwater) will join via phone to discuss her participation in the ethics hearing for Sen. Nicole Mitchell. 

At 1:30, Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute Dr. Benjamin Ginsberg will join the broadcast to weigh in on the rampant anti-Israel protests occurring on elite college campuses. 

In the non-guest segments I will discuss the latest in presidential politics as well as call out my friend and NARN colleague Mitch Berg for a questionable take. 

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.....

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

To File 13 with the 4th

There's a long way to go in the NBA playoffs, but my Minnesota Timberwolves have been arguably the most impressive looking squad thus far. They've won each of their first six postseason games by an average of 15+ points, including a 26-point drubbing of the defending champion Denver Nuggets last Monday in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals -- and on Denver's home court, no less. 

As such, this has many basketball commentators blown away by the Wolves' prowess. 

.@stephenasmith says the Timberwolves are the new championship favorites 👀 pic.twitter.com/umtHDwqFMu

— First Take (@FirstTake) May 7, 2024

I shared that particular clip because my friend and valued NARN colleague Mitch Berg used it to troll Minnesota sports fans, specifically as possible validation for one of his "laws."

Berg’s Fourth Law of Media/Sports Inversion reads as follows: 

A Minnesota sports team may be a contender until the moment the local media actually believes they will be contenders. At that moment – be it spring training, late November in the NFL season, or week 72 of the NHL playoffs – the season will fall irredeemably apart.

A couple of issues here.

First, the obvious. In no way shape or form can ESPN or Stephen A. Smith be remotely considered "local media." And second, a "Minnesota sports team" is open to broad interpretation. If it's merely limited to the four major men's pro sports teams (Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves or Wild), this would track. After all, the last time any of those four won a championship was the 1991 Twins. Given Mitch's blog did not even debut until 2002, this 20+ year "law" has stood the test of time among those four clubs. However, the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx absolutely falls under the category of a "Minnesota sports team." And from 2011 thru 2017, the local media without a doubt believed that squad was a contender, a belief that was rewarded with four championships in that 7-year span. 

Bottom line: if a judge were to make a legal ruling based on the wording of Berg's 4th Law, he/she would most certainly declare it obsolete as of October 7, 2011. 

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

Predictable theater

I expected no meaningful resolution from a certain high profile Minnesota legislative hearing that occurred Tuesday evening. And my expectations were met. 

Republican state senators clashed with attorneys representing DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell during a closely watched ethics committee hearing Tuesday evening, arguing the senator who was charged with felony first-degree burglary violated the chamber's ethical standards and should face legislative punishment.

Mitchell's legal team countered that she is entitled to due process. Attorney Bruce Ringstrom Jr. accused GOP senators of engaging in a "witch hunt" by trying to make a definitive judgment before Mitchell's criminal case has played out.

While Mr. Ringstrom is correct in his assessment, it would've been nice to hear from Sen. Mitchell herself as to why her first public statement regarding her arrest contradicted what she told authorities the night of the incident. If indeed she performed an "about face" just to be able to stay in the Senate in order to cast the deciding vote on critical pieces of legislation, that would certainly pose some ethical dilemmas. 

Even the Chair of the Senate Ethics Committee was hard pressed to make a coherent defense of his DFL colleague. 

DFL Sen. Bobby Joe Champion and GOP Sen. Jeremy Miller get in a tense exchange at DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell's ethics hearing. pic.twitter.com/LJXqQiyeLE

— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) May 8, 2024

 

Ah, but fear not, as the media will continue to run cover for Mitchell until session ends. Despite the fact she is under criminal prosecution for felony burglary, she was allowed to cast the deciding vote on legislation banning binary triggers. And in the Minneapolis Star Tribune story reporting on the passage of that bill, Mitchell's name was not mentioned once. 

The end of this legislative session can't come fast enough. 

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

Trump Veepstakes

With the Republican National Convention about two months away, speculation continues to build as to whom Donald Trump will choose as his running mate. 

Conservative commentator Erick Erickson weighs in. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Erick Erickson (@ewerickson)

As someone who has made a vow to leave the presidential race blank on this November's ballot, I would even concede that a Trump-Scott ticket would be quite formidable for the reasons Erickson lays out. 

But the best part? Witnessing the sanctimonious media types implying that Scott is some sort of "race traitor" or "Uncle Tom" for aligning with the raaaaaaacist Trump.

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

Box Score of the Week

St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates - September 3, 1944. 

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

The Pirates completed a four-game sweep of the Cards with this victory. It was the first time St. Louis had been swept in a series of 2+ games since 1942. The 125 consecutive 2+ game series without being swept is still an MLB record. However, the Baltimore Orioles have an active streak of 103 series, so stay tuned!

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

The NARN Closer's playlist - 5/5/2024

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

I look far behind me to see where I went wrong..........

Happy Cinco de Mayo to those who celebrate! For me, I'll be in my usual time slot of 1-3 PM Central for today's installment of my radio show The Closer. 

Right at 1:00, endorsed GOP candidate in Minnesota's third Congressional District Tad Jude will be on to discuss his candidacy. 

At 2:30, NBA.com writer (and former beat writer for the Minnesota Timberwolves with the Minneapolis Star Tribune) Steve Aschburner will be on to talk T-Wolves news both on and off the court. 

In the non-guest segments, I'll weigh in on the continued shamelessness of Minnesota Senate Dems in dealing with Sen. Nicole Mitchell (DFL-Woodbury). Also, the walking cadaver in the White House *finally* makes a statement about the rampant anti-semitism on college campuses. 

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.....

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

Embarrassment of riches

A recap of the past week's activity among three of the men's pro sports teams here in the Twin Cities: 

- For the first time in franchise history, the Minnesota Vikings drafted a quarterback within the Top 10. While it's hard to gauge if indeed JJ McCarthy will be that elite franchise QB the Vikes have not had since the days of Daunte Culpepper, he definitely has the best possible supporting cast a rookie quarterback could ask for. 

- For the first time in literally 20 seasons (and for only the second time in the franchise's 35-year history), the Minnesota Timberwolves move on to the second round of the NBA playoffs after sweeping the Phoenix Suns in round one. Despite being dominated by Phoenix in the regular season (losing all three games by an average of 16 points), the Wolves completely flipped the script in the postseason. Also, the nation is now learning what we in the Twin Cities have known for a few seasons: Anthony Edwards is a superstar. 

- And for the first time since 2006, the Minnesota Twins have (as of Friday evening) won 11 consecutive games, all without arguably their most potent offensive weapon in Royce Lewis. The only buzzkill is now very few fans can even watch the games on TV or stream them online. The good news is the weather is getting better, so high time we get out to Target Field!

Yeah, I get it. Compared to the other metro areas which have a team representing each of the four professional men's sports leagues (NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL), these accomplishments likely elicit a yawn. However, me and my fellow Twin Cities sports enthusiasts are going to be excited about these latest developments until we're given a reason not to be. 

When the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers snapped their city's 52-year championship drought with a title in June 2016, Minneapolis and Washington, D.C. were tied with the longest active dry spell (25 years) among cities with at least 3 of the 4 sports leagues. However, the NHL's Washington Capitals won a Stanley Cup in 2018, which then left Minny all alone with the longest run without a championship (now 32-1/2 years and counting). The problem there is you can't very well win a title if you're not even competing for one. 

I point you to this tweet from just over a year ago: 

The Twins won the 1991 WS.

Since then, Twin Cities teams have made the playoffs 50 times in MLB/NBA/NFL/NHL & have failed to reach the championship round every time.

No other metro area in MLB/NBA/NFL/NHL history has had even 30 straight playoff trips without making the finals.

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) April 29, 2023

The Twins would go on to make the playoffs last October (and FINALLY win a postseason series for the first time since 2002), but did not reach the World Series. So that number now stands at 51 consecutive postseason appearances without reaching the championship round.

Will that streak be broken in 2024? I'm hard pressed to think of a year over the past three decades when not only one but multiple teams have a legit opportunity to end that suffering. 

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

Quick Hits: Volume CCCXLVI

 - Minnesota State Senator (and admitted felon) Nicole Mitchell made her return to the Legislature this week. Upon doing so, the first order of business by the Senate was to take up a motion to call for the expulsion of legislators until they complete their scheduled ethics hearing. On a straight party line vote, this was rejected 34-33. This means Sen. Mitchell was essentially the deciding vote on a motion that would have determined her fate. 

My friend Sen. Julia Coleman gets to the heart of the matter. 

Democrats voted down our motion to have the senate request Sen. Mitchell resign. Sen. Mitchell was the deciding vote against this. They would rather protect a charged felon than work with Republicans for the remainder of session. It is clear they choose power over people. #mnleg pic.twitter.com/52YFLD9TOJ

— Julia Coleman (@JuliaEColeman) April 30, 2024

Yup. And the majority caucus is doing all they can to shield Sen. Mitchell from scrutiny. 

Senate Democrat leadership taking proactive steps to make it easier for their embattled Senator facing felony charges to participate in floor session and avoid scrutiny from the press.#mnleg https://t.co/lJ2cTi2eNd

— Andrew Wagner (@andrewwagner) April 29, 2024

Many are (correctly) pointing out how Dems are little more than power-hungry opportunists who are making a mockery of the legislative branch. And while I think that needs to be continually shouted from the hills, it's not going to have even a small impact on their behavior. Y'see, that would require the Senate Dems possessing even an ounce of shame. As we've witnessed over the past two Minnesota legislative sessions, that well is bone dry. 

- Drew Barrymore recently had on her TV talk show (yeah, I too didn't know she had one) VP Kamala Harris. And like many other vapid progressives, Drew basically turned into a slobbering kid when in the presence of an elected Dem. 

 

I'm dying man lmao pic.twitter.com/dChBDP3yYB

— harvard has fallen (@lib_crusher) April 29, 2024

This has the same cringy vibe of former MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry (who once donned tampon earrings on her show) asking then US Attorney General Eric Holder to quack like a duck for her. 

It bears repeating: Progressivism is a mental disorder. 

- Y'know, there was a time when the state of California elected governors who wouldn't pander but rather speak the truth plainly, even if feelings were hurt. 

 

Imagine if California’s governor spoke like this. pic.twitter.com/eFaknuOOka

— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) April 29, 2024

 Yeah, back in those days, "protests" would have never escalated to this point: 

The moment a Jewısh student is blocked by Pro-PaIestine students (or paid agitators) from getting to his class.

Notice who is masked and who is not?

This moment led to everything that transpired at UCLA last night.

Along with American Flags being ripped down and replaced with… pic.twitter.com/BaWDmOXR3o

— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) May 1, 2024

 

A Jewish student at UCLA was reportedly sent to the hospital after being beaten unconscious by pro-Palestinian protesters on campus. pic.twitter.com/9uHqIi1Jx1

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 1, 2024

And of course you have most media outlets framing this as mostly peaceful protests standing in solidarity with Palestinians while conveniently omitting these same protesters threatening Jewish students or committing violent acts. I guess the WaPo was right. Democracy does indeed die in darkness. 

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