Politicize now, mourn later (if at all)

Like many, I was shocked and devastated when hearing of the account of a helicopter colliding in midair with a commercial airliner Wednesday evening. The collision occurred near Reagan International airport in Washington, D.C. 

Obviously there are procedures and protocols in place to investigate these disasters to ensure such fatal errors never occur again. But in today's era of hot takes and political polarization, we just can't take the time to mourn the nearly 70 victims who perished in this crash. No, the obligatory blame game must commence immediately. 

Erick Erickson correctly points out that the immediate urge to play said blame game transcends politics. 

The national media is doing a really good job of discrediting itself and showing just how infested it is, with progressive partisans quick to blame Republicans and, in particular, Donald Trump. Not a single conservative rushed to point out the FAA is heading to trial because it refused to hire qualified air traffic controllers because they were white. That happened when Obama was President, and the trial started this year. It is not relevant to the situation any more than a Trump order from eight days ago is relevant.

It’s just so ghoulish to rush in and blame the other side politically. I’ve been pretty consistent in pointing out Republicans and Democrats alike doing this to each other. When the immediate response is to rush to social media to blame the other side instead of praying for those involved, there’s just a soul sickness.

People who worship God turn to prayer in tragedy. People who worship government turn to politics in tragedy.

Unfortunately, President Trump also indulged in unhelpful finger pointing. 

 

As first responders are tirelessly working to recover the bodies of the 67 victims who are presumed dead after this plane crash, President Donald Trump is baselessly blaming Democrats and diversity programs for the tragedy. @InsidePolitics pic.twitter.com/USVEk1kpHk

— Dana Bash (@DanaBashCNN) January 30, 2025

Yes, I understand that Trump was likely hitting back at the baseless claims that were levied towards his administration literally within minutes of the crash. However, he needs to stay above the fray (Yeah, I get it. It's *never* been his strong suit). 

I know I will definitely be praying for the victims' families, specifically that they can feel some semblance of peace in what is an unfathomable loss. 

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

Update: still no lessons have been learned

In this the second term of President Donald J. Trump, prog media continues to do the same thing it did Trump's first term, yet are expecting a different result. 

Voters weren't convinced that the election of Trump in November was tantamount to giving rise to a modern day Hitler, yet the legacy media is still running with that narrative despite his successful election. And Trump's closest allies/supporters are also going to bear the brunt of that impotent rage.

CBS58 fired the meteorologist Sam Kuffel even though all she did was the equivalent of open a window, stick out her hand, and tell us it was raining, writes Dave Zirin. We all saw Musk's gesture. It can accurately be called a Nazi salute. https://t.co/SG1eX9rHfP

— The Nation (@thenation) January 27, 2025

Even the Anti Defamation League (not exactly conservative stooges) called bull pucky.  

And despite Trump being elected via the most diverse coalition a Republican has seen in more than a half century, the efforts to dismiss his supporters as merely a bunch of whities are still in full force. 

As you can probably surmise, you're not getting the whole picture (figuratively and literally). 

New York Magazine crops black people out of Trump inauguration party photo, then reports "almost everyone is white" https://t.co/OoTBX3mzQA via @Not_the_Bee

— #NARNShow (@NARNShow) January 28, 2025

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that an industry facing an all-time low in trust among the public at large can't possibly survive if they keep up this pace for the next 1,450 days. 

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

Super Bowl rematch

After participating in one of the more thrilling Super Bowls ever two years ago, the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles are slated for a rematch in Super Bowl LIX on February 9.

This was the general sentiment conveyed once that matchup was set:

Who America is rooting for in the Super Bowl pic.twitter.com/23wjq88haE

— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) January 27, 2025

I dunno what it is about sports fans, but if it's not their favorite team in the midst of a dynastic run, they have little appetite for other teams putting together many impressive seasons over a decade's time. That and the perceived incessant fawning over Taylor Swift are likely the main reasons NFL fans outside of Missouri and Kansas have grown tired of the Chiefs. And while the Eagles seem to have some solid citizens (and downright likeable dudes) on their roster, the Philly fanbase is viewed as some of the more insufferably boorish and obnoxious collectives in sports. As such, many NFL fans' "moral code" would state the team shouldn't be allowed to win as a result. 

I firmly recall the vibes when the Chiefs fell to the New England Patriots at home in the 2018 AFC Championship Game (the Pats would win their sixth Super Bowl in 18 years just a couple of weeks later, punctuating their dynasty). The Patriots were universally reviled by NFL fans outside of New England, and the common complaints included how NFL officials consistently rigged games for Tom Brady & Co., as well as the obligatory vapid screeds of growing weary of seeing one team win so much. Believe me, pretty much every KC fan in my social media community seven years ago was also screeching those sentiments. How ironic that today's Chiefs are now the target of that invective. 

With all that said, I'm not ready to make my Super Bowl prognostication just yet. I'll definitely post it here the weekend of the big game though.

Until then.........

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

Still on assignment

I still have some family business to tend to, so I will be absent from my radio show once again today. 

Special guest host (and one time Congressional candidate and gubernatorial candidate) Kendall Qualls will be filling in on AM 1280 The Patriot, 1-3 PM Central Time.

I'm looking forward to being back on the air next week!

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

2024 NFL Playoffs: Conference Championship games

Washington Redskins (sorry, they'll always be Redskins to me) (+6) at Philadelphia Eagles: These NFC East rivals split their two regular season matchups with the home team winning each contest. The 'skins seemed like a fun, hang loose team with a bright future for most of the season. However, they elevated to a team capable of making a deep playoff run after a thrilling 36-33 come-from-behind win over Philly in Week 16, a win which denied Philly a chance at the top seed in the NFC. And given his body of work during the regular season and playoffs, rookie QB Jayden Daniels is downright unflappable.

If I had a vote, Eagles RB Saquon Barkley would be league MVP. Despite quarterback Jalen Hurts having a lackluster season, Barkley led the NFL with 2,005 yards rushing. By midseason, opposing teams pretty much assumed Barkley was the Eagles' offense, yet they still couldn't slow him down. And given the Commies allowed 4.8 yards per rush (28th in the NFL) during the regular season and Barkley himself totaled 296 yards and 4 rushing TDs in the two games against Washington, Sunday's game plan seems set in stone. That and the Eagles' top tier defense will put the clamps down on Daniels & Co.

Philadelphia 27 Washington 17

Buffalo Bills (+1-1/2) at Kansas City Chiefs: An editor's note before I weigh in on the game: I have absolutely zero issue with how often cameras pan to Taylor Swift whenever the Chiefs have a positive play, when game coverage resumes after a commercial, etc. As long as there aren't gratuitous shots of Tay Tay during literal game action, I honestly don't care how much screen time she receives. That said, it's only fair that there are reaction shots of Hailee Steinfeld when her fiancé (who happens to be the Bills' starting quarterback) has solid plays. In fact, I demand equal time. 

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

The rivalry between Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is becoming the modern day Peyton Manning v. Tom Brady. The two QBs have faced off eight times with Allen up 4-1 in regular season games while Mahomes has a perfect 3-0 record in the playoffs. Manning eventually broke through and won Super Bowls, but not before being dealt two losses to Brady in the playoffs. Can Allen ultimately overcome the specter of Mahomes & Co.? 

My mantra when making NFL predictions in Brady's Patriot years was I never pick against the combo of QB Brady and coach Bill Belichick in home playoff games. I have now transferred that philosophy to the Chiefs duo of Mahomes and coach Andy Reid. It won't be easy, but as they've done so often in this incredible six-year stretch, KC will find a way. 

Kansas City 24 Buffalo 21

My 2024 postseason record:

Against the spread: 4-6

Straight up: 5-5

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

More of this, progs!!

By now many of you have seen video footage of leftist scum interrupting a committee meeting among MN House members (Definitely NOT safe for work): 

Amber Muhm with the Aliveness Project leads protesters in disrupting a committee meeting on Tuesday, accusing Republicans of conducting a “coup” for continuing to convene as the Minnesota DFL boycotts the session.

Video credit: @WalterHudson pic.twitter.com/0krY9Fvs7y

— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) January 22, 2025

Progs can continue to squeal like stuck pigs when claiming there is no House quorum (that issue is currently being litigated) and it'll be met with a collective yawn. But tactics like this provide no political upside to leftists. With a DFL governor, any legislation an all GOP House passes (assuming a legal ruling ultimately validates the gathering a quorum) would likely be D.O.A. on the off chance any bills even reach Gov. Tim Walz's desk. But a duly elected DFL legislator seemingly encouraging this behavior? 

Yeah, that's going to have political ramifications leading up to 2026. And for what? Just so deranged lefty thumb suckers can engage in some sort of catharsis? 

This is a gift, MNGOP. Don't let this crisis go to waste. 

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

Hitting the ground running vs. hitting the ground with a thud

Fresh off being inaugurated the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump didn't waste any time getting to work. 

Here are some video clips of his working away in the Oval Office Monday evening while also answering questions from media for about an hour: 

The Boss is still at it!
Here is President Trump in the Oval Office signing an Executive Order designating the Mexican Cartels as a Terrorist Organization 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/CCSjxnRBTY

— MAGA Kitty (@SaveUSAKitty) January 21, 2025

President Trump finds letter from President Biden left for him in the Resolute desk in the Oval Office. pic.twitter.com/VTEHM0fT8c

— CSPAN (@cspan) January 21, 2025

REPORTER: What was it like walking into the Oval Office?

TRUMP: What a great feeling. One of the better feelings I've ever had.

REPORTER: Do you like this better than 2017?

TRUMP: Well, we have experience now. You'd say nobody has experience like I have. We know the good and… pic.twitter.com/oQSDCMSjqk

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 21, 2025

Susie Wiles, Dan Scavino, Natalie Harp, Sergio Gor, Peter Navarro, Boris Ephshteyn and other staff spotted in the Oval Office with Trump pic.twitter.com/F7uLHx33zH

— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) January 21, 2025

JUST IN: President Trump pardons 1,500 Jan. 6 prisoners in the Oval Office as one of the first actions of his second term. "We hope they come out tonight," Trump said. pic.twitter.com/jGZgpXiIzk

— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 21, 2025

JUST NOW: In Trump's first moments in the Oval Office as the 47th president of the United States, he signed an executive order against radical gender ideology. It's a new dawn 🙏 pic.twitter.com/MWSZWeJSDj

— Gays Against Groomers (@againstgrmrs) January 21, 2025

Stephen Miller (no, not Trump's senior adviser) noticed something different about this President compared to the previous administration. 

This is the first time I've seen a President take spontaneous questions in the Oval Office without catty aides screaming at media members in 4 years.

— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) January 21, 2025

And if other journalists are not making this same observation then you know they were in on the cover-up of Biden's decline. https://t.co/qxw1Mf9woP

— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) January 21, 2025

Yup. In fact, the media was enduring those "catty aides" (and thus aiding and abetting the cover-up of Biden's decline) literally within the first few days of the Biden administration.  

Biden's dogs can be heard barking as he signed an executive order in the Oval Office. pic.twitter.com/HQGj3OO12c

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) January 25, 2021

If you're wondering why that Griffin character chose to hone in on the barking dogs as opposed to media members being shooed away is because he's part of the leftist cabal at MSNBC. They were among the chief gaslighters when discussing Biden's very obvious physical and mental decline. 

Oh, and in the event you're curious as to whether the legacy media has done any introspection over why their industry is deemed less trustworthy than a used car salesman, here are a few excerpts from Monday. 

Hard hitting Trump obsessed news is back. pic.twitter.com/OdPGv4Mrh0

— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) January 20, 2025

Trump is freeing his violent paramilitary wing from prison because he wants his supporters to be unconstrained to commit violence.

— Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) January 21, 2025

Billionaire Elon Musk gave what appeared to be a fascist salute Monday while making a speech at the post-inauguration celebration for President Donald Trump at the Capital One Arena.

“Some elections are important, some are not. But this one, this one really mattered and I just… pic.twitter.com/K8Fo0sdozL

— PBS News (@NewsHour) January 20, 2025

Keep in mind that it is we the American taxpayers who are funding PBS, which has degraded into little more than a leftist propaganda arm. 

The good news is, as I conveyed in my Monday post, the media is so untrustworthy that their nonsensical takes and attempts to go "viral" have only empowered Trump, so much so that Independents and moderates are no longer buying what they're selling (see CNN and MSNBC's imploding ratings). Yes, today's mainstream media is essentially a prog echo chamber which offers little more than a place for leftists to "hate watch." Hard to imagine that's at all a sustainable business model. 

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

Inauguration Day

In the aftermath of the January 6, 2021 riots at the U.S. Capitol building, this meme circulated: 

The message here is that on 1/20/2017, Donald J. Trump went from being easily the biggest outsider ever to be inaugurated the President of the United States to his term ending in a bizarre, carnival-like fashion. I was convinced that shameful display by some of his most ardent supporters on 1/6/2021 would define Trump's legacy. Throw on top of that a second impeachment as well as multiple criminal indictments, it seemed a forgone conclusion that a third campaign for President of the United States would be even a bigger joke than how people viewed his 2016 run.

And yet......here we are today as Trump was officially inaugurated the 47th POTUS in the culmination of the most improbable political comeback our nation has ever seen. 

Said comeback would still be tops if he "only" faced a perpetually hostile media, two impeachment attempts and those multiple indictments. But add to that two assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign and you now have a President Trump who is far more empowered and emboldened than he was his initial term. Yes, any attempts to gin up, say, a "Russia collusion" type hoax will be met with scoffing and ridicule due to the fact Trump effectively broke the collective backs of the legacy media. Until that institution does some serious introspection, alternative forms of media (i.e. podcasts, online streaming, etc.) will continue to dominate the day. The crazies know this, which is why there have been attempts to kill Trump. It's literally the only option to stop the proverbial Trump train. 

I have been a frequent critic of Trump and thus haven't been shy of the fact that I wish he would have imposed a self-banishment. And while I won't shy away from pointing out areas where I feel he is in grave error, I will absolutely give credit where credit is due here: Donald J. Trump is the most compelling political figure of my lifetime and he has overcome challenges which I believe no other presidential candidate could have surmounted. Like his predecessors, he will be in my daily prayers. 

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

Out of the office

I will be absent from the Patriot bunker the next two Sundays due to an arising need within my family. 

In the interim, my friend and NARN colleague Mitch Berg will be in for me today and a surprise special guest host next Sunday the 26th. 

Talk soon!

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

2024 NFL Playoffs: Divisional round

Houston Texans (+8) at Kansas City Chiefs: I wasn't shocked that Houston defeated the L.A. Chargers last week, but I was taken aback how dominant they were after the first quarter. Their defense, which looked leaky much of the second half of the season, really stepped up in that game. And despite a drop off from his 2023 Rookie of the Year campaign, QB C.J. Stroud seemed to have his mojo back. However, Chiefs' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has designed some of the best postseason game plans in the 21st century. As such, Stroud & Co. may well be in for a long day. 

Through 16 games of the 2024 season, the Chiefs were 15-1, yet appeared to be the most boring 15-1 team in NFL history. They also seemed to be going through the motions in the '23 campaign, but were able to flip that switch when playoff time arrived. They even had to go on the road for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, yet were able to win tough games in Buffalo and Baltimore to get to the Super Bowl. After repeating as champs last year, KC is going for the first ever "three-peat" in the Super Bowl era. In his first six years as Chiefs' starting QB, Mahomes has never been ousted prior to the AFC Championship game. At minimum, that trend will hold this year. 

Kansas City 24 Houston 13

Washington Redskins Football Team Commanders (+9-1/2) at Detroit Lions: I'm hard pressed to recall a rookie quarterback as unflappable as Washington's Jayden Daniels. In his first ever playoff game in Tampa last week, he was as accurate and poised as he'd been all season in leading his club to a victory over the Buccaneers. If there was an opportunity for a "do over" in the 2024 draft, is there any question Daniels would be the top pick? I know the Commanders are going into a tough environment at Detroit's Ford Field, but they will definitely move the ball effectively against a depleted Lions defense. The question is can the Commies defense get any stops against the Lions dynamic offense? 

The Lions were still kinda playing with house money last year, and got within a whisker of the Super Bowl. But as the NFC's top seed, anything short of the ultimate game will be a disappointment. The matchup to watch here is Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs going up against a defense which ranked 30th in the NFL in stopping the run. And if that's not bad enough for the Commanders, RB David Montgomery was just activated off the I.R. list. I believe QB Jared Goff will get his, but it would behoove the Lions to keep Daniels and Co. off the field, so just keep pounding the ball.

I have a feeling Washington will hang tough and be right in it at the end, but the Lions just have too much firepower on offense. 

Detroit 38 Washington 31

Los Angeles Rams (+6-1/2) at Philadelphia Eagles: Even though these teams played each other back in Week 12, it feels like Philly RB Saquon Barkley is still ripping off 10-yard runs against the Rams. Barkley led the NFL this season with 2,005 yards rushing, including a career high 255 in that 37-20 win in L.A. And that Eagles defense is downright stifling having allowed the second fewest points this season and the fewest yards. 

Not much more to say about this one other than we may be witnessing the final game in the stellar career of Rams QB Matthew Stafford. 

Philadelphia 31 Los Angeles 17

Baltimore Ravens (-1) at Buffalo Bills: In Week 4, the Ravens crushed the Bills 35-10, which was easily Buffalo's worst game of 2024. The Ravens also wore down the Bills defense to the tune of 271 yards rushing. And given there's a decent chance of snow in upstate New York on Sunday, why not continue to pound Derrick Henry & Co.? 

Of course, the story of this game is the quarterbacks as Baltimore's Lamar Jackson and Buffalo's Josh Allen are the top two contenders for NFL MVP. Allen will definitely get his against one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL and Jackson will do his Lamar thing with the dual threat of pass and run. As the 1-point spread indicates, this game is pretty much a toss up.

Baltimore 27 Buffalo 24

My 2024 postseason record:

Against the spread: 2-4

Straight up: 3-3

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

(D)isrespectful

Remember when Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) declared on the House floor that she was "tired of women of color, in particular, being ignored?"

Flashback to nearly eight years ago:

So, what was Rep. Hortman's reaction to newly elected House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who happens to be the first woman of color elected to that post, being ignored by every single solitary Democrat this week? Well....we have no idea since she's part of the collective that is not only ignoring Speaker Demuth but also not even showing up in the House chamber. 

I guess in Mel's world, not all women of color are created equal.

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

The good news and bad news of the Vikings' 2024 season

One of the best regular seasons in the 64-year history of the Minnesota Vikings ended with a resounding thud Monday evening. 

With that, here are some quick good news/bad news bullet points of the 2024 campaign: 

Good news: The Vikings appear to have gotten it right with the head coach hire in Kevin O’Connell. He’s the only Vikes coach in franchise history to have multiple seasons of 13 or more wins. 

Bad news: In his three seasons at the helm, O’Connell has guided his club to the postseason twice, going “one and done” both times. 

Good news: Through the first 16 games of the 2024 regular season, QB Sam Darnold lived up to the hype that resulted in his being the #3 overall draft pick in 2018. His borderline MVP performance was projected to land him a free agent contract in the neighborhood of 4 years, $220 million.

Bad news: The ’24 regular season finale and Monday’s playoff game show why he was written off after his first few seasons. Those awful performances also likely cost him nearly nine figures in guaranteed money. 

Good news: The Vikings have identified their franchise quarterback, having selected JJ McCarthy #10 overall in the 2024 draft. 

Bad news: The club may take a step back in the early part of next year due to McCarthy having zero experience playing in an NFL regular season. 

Good news: The expectations were absurdly low for the Vikings coming into this season, but they proved they have legit talent all over the roster. 

Bad news: They’re still woefully deficient on the interior offensive line (a decade-plus problem) and red zone running game. 

Good news: The Vikings should be able to adequately shore up their weaknesses given they have nearly $70 million in salary cap space going into the offseason.

Bad news: They can't miss on any of the free agent signings since their 2025 draft capital is scarce. As of right now they possess merely three picks (first round selection and two fifth rounders). 

Good news: Even with little salary cap flexibility last offseason (they had a $25 million dead cap hit from Kirk Cousins’ contract), the Vikings shored up their defense with the acquisitions of pass rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel (both Pro Bowl selections) as well as LB Blake Cashman. As a result, they allowed the fifth fewest points in 2024.

Bad news: With the D’s stellar performance, this may well result in the unit’s architect, Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores, being hired as a head coach elsewhere. 

Good news: With stud WR Justin Jefferson locked into a long-term contract extension and the temptation removed to retain Darnold, people can finally STFU about either Jefferson or McCarthy being traded. 

Bad news: These same trade speculation idiots are now glomming onto a report of teams inquiring about a trade for coach O’Connell. 

On to 2025!

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

Will they or won't they? (UPDATE: They didn't)

With the 2025 Minnesota legislative session slated to begin today at Noon, the question remains whether or not DFL House members will follow through on a threat to sit out the first two weeks. When the idea was first broached, the Dems were reminded that they don't get paid if they aren't officially sworn in as legislators. 

Nope. Those Democrats can't be paid if they're NOT sworn in to #mnleg. If they are not there to be sworn in on opening day the House Majority - who actually show up - can (will) vote to deem them as not Members. That's how the MN Law & Constitution is written. https://t.co/OwAuAiJYkK pic.twitter.com/ot9eBnwziV

— Sean Nienow (@SNienow) January 6, 2025

Their solution? Why, get sworn in out of the public view before session even begins, natch.

In an unprecedented action, House DFL members held a mass secret swearing in ceremony Sunday. The move comes as GOP officials threaten recall petitions if DFLers follow through on a threat to not show up for session on Tuesday in a power-sharing dispute with the House GOP. pic.twitter.com/iYkd2to7pX

— Tom Hauser (@thauserkstp) January 13, 2025

Look, this kinda thing wouldn't surprise me were it executed by House members in Minneapolis & St. Paul districts as well as reps in solid blue first-ring suburban areas. But literally all 66 House DFLers (including a DFLer whose "victory" is still in a legal dispute) went along with this, even those who barely won races in swing districts that could easily tilt the other way in 2026. Not only would this appear to be political suicide, but its legality is also in serious question. 

https://t.co/Xg3UE6CW65 pic.twitter.com/qliQuE032f

— MN House Republicans (@mnhousegop) January 13, 2025

In the end, none of this makes any sense. Even if the GOP miraculously won the special election in House District 40B or a possible new election in the disputed 54A (thus giving them a majority for at least the next two years), the governor's mansion will still be occupied by a Dem this next biennium. Any legislation that somehow made it to Gov. Tim Walz's desk would likely have significant bipartisan support due to a (likely) Dem controlled Senate and, at worst for the DFL, a slight GOP House majority. I mean, far be it from me to try to prevent Democrats from running into a sawblade, but there is just absolutely no upside to this. 

We'll definitely check back in at Noon today. 

UPDATE: DFL members don't show up. GOP moves forward with a quorum (Yes, 67 of 133 is a majority, thus a quorum) and elects the first ever African-American female Speaker of the House!

Constitutional crisis underway as @mnhousegop appoint Rep. Paul Anderson to preside over the chamber in Simon's absence. Declare SoS Simon's adjournment improper, and move on to electing @LisaDemuthMN as speaker. #mnleg pic.twitter.com/M7SBTi0H5D

— Rob Doar (@robdoar) January 14, 2025

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

2024 NFL Playoffs: Wildcard (Monday game)

Minnesota Vikings (-2-1/2) vs. Los Angeles Rams: Due to the horrific wildfires plaguing Southern California, this game has been moved to the home stadium of the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, AZ. While this definitely benefits the Vikings, this isn't exactly like the Green Bay Packers having to abandon a home game at Lambeau Field. 

In this matchup, my Vikings take on one of the two teams who defeated them in what was a shockingly great regular season. In what was supposed to be a bridge year to 2025 when the Vikings would hand the reins to QB JJ McCarthy as well as sport an augmented roster due to the likelihood of spending big money in free agency, the Vikes exceeded all expectations by going 14-3. And while I expected coach Kevin O'Connell to unlock something in QB Sam Darnold in much the same way he did with Kirk Cousins, I never envisioned a scenario where Darnold would be considered a top 5 MVP candidate as late as Week 17. But after a (to be charitable) clunker in the regular season finale at Detroit, Darnold now faces even more pressure in a "win or go home" scenario, a situation he's never experienced in his NFL career. 

You could argue the turning point of the Rams' 2024 season was that Week 8 win over the Vikings. After starting the season 1-4, the Rams limped to an unimpressive win over a mediocre Raiders club four days before that Week 8 contest. There was already serious discussion at that point that if L.A. didn't turn things around, Pro Bowl WR Cooper Kupp and possibly QB Matthew Stafford could be traded by the November 5 deadline. But the Rams finished strong by winning 9 of 11 games after that 1-4 start, thus conquering the NFC West. 

After the loss to the Rams on Thursday Night Football in Week 8, some Vikings coaches admitted they were caught flat-footed by the return of star WRs Kupp and Puka Nacua, who were both activated from the Injured Reserve list just prior to that matchup. In addition to that, the Vikes were without LB Blake Cashman, which severely hampered their blitz packages. Since Stafford is statistically the worst NFL QB when blitzed, you better believe Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores will bring the house more than the mere 20% put forth in that regular season matchup, especially with Cashman back in the fold. 

There were multiple times during this Cinderella season where skeptics were certain Darnold & Co. were about to turn back into a pumpkin only to see the Vikes bounce back in impressive fashion. Last week's loss to Detroit was another opportunity for the doubters to feel validated. For one week, however, I believe the Vikings will rise up again. 

Minnesota 27 Los Angeles 21

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

The NARN Closer's playlist - 1/12/2025

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

I won't be walking on thin ice to get through the night......

Less than two weeks into 2025 and it's been awfully news-y. As usual, I will be getting to as much as I can on today's edition of my radio show The Closer. The 2-hour extravaganza gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

In the first hour I will be weighing in on Minnesota political news, specifically how the DFL seems to have lost any semblance of political acumen. 

Then in the second hour I'll discuss the horrific scenes out of Southern California where there's been little to no containment of multiple wild fires. And finally, Dems begrudgingly certify Donald Trump's election victory. 

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.....

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

2024 NFL Playoffs: Wildcard (Sunday games)

Denver Broncos (+8) at Buffalo Bills: Sean Payton may be a major douche, but the guy can coach football. With the Broncos organization being viewed as a dumpster fire in 2022, they fired rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett before the end of the season. They had also committed an ungodly amount of money to QB Russell Wilson, only to find out that he looked all washed up. Two years later, rookie QB Bo Nix led Denver to a 10-win season with little more than WR Courtland Sutton putting up decent offensive numbers. And major kudos to defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who has elevated the Broncos' D to a top 10 unit. 

Hey, remember when the Buffalo Bills traded their best WR in Stefon Diggs and how that would hamper the productivity of QB Josh Allen? Good times! Yeah, Allen has only been responsible for 40 touchdowns (28 passing, 12 rushing) this season while having nary a 1,000-yard receiver. Buffalo is also the second highest scoring offense in the NFL with an average of nearly 31 points per game. 

While it appears Nix has a bright future for Denver, a rookie quarterback winning his postseason debut in Buffalo is a tall order. 

Buffalo 28 Denver 17

Green Bay Packers (+3-1/2) at Philadelphia Eagles: These two teams met in the 2024 NFL opener, a 34-29 Eagles win in São Paulo, Brazil. So what impact will that have on this game? Absolutely none. 

The Packers were a surprise entrant in the playoffs last year, yet had a nice showing when they whipped the Cowboys in Dallas and then lost a close game on the road the following week against the eventual NFC champion San Francisco 49ers. With that postseason run came high expectations for the 2024 season. And while the Pack finished a solid 11-6, they went 0-5 against the three NFC teams with superior records. While QB Jordan Love had another solid season, Green Bay really shined in the run game with free agent RB Josh Jacobs running for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

But as good as Jacobs was, Philly RB Saquon Barkley was downright phenomenal, running for more than 2,000 yards. And the Eagles needed that type of production since QB Jalen Hurts didn't even throw for 3,000 yards. In my opinion, Hurts has taken a downturn since Philadelphia's Super Bowl loss two years ago. And the fact he didn't even clear concussion protocol until Friday morning doesn't bode well for the Philly offense. As such, Barkley could see an even heavier workload. 

The Eagles' defense allowed the second fewest point in the '24 campaign while also allowing the fewest yards. They too will have to step up big time if Hurts is still wobbly. 

Philadelphia 20 Green Bay 17

Washington Commanders (+2-1/2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Yet another Week 1 rematch, won by the Bucs 37-20. But, again, we can't glean a whole lot from that given Commies QB Jayden Daniels was making his NFL debut. Needless to say, Daniels eventually figured it out as he amassed nearly 4,500 total yards (3,568 yards passing, 891 yards rushing), putting him on the inside track for 2024 NFL Rookie of the Year. 

I have to say that I'm happy for long-suffering Redskins Washington Football Team Commanders fans now that the sniveling weasel punk Dan Snyder no longer owns the club, thus making the organization's morale orders of magnitude better. And they appear to have gotten it right with head coach Dan Quinn, who led the squad to 12 victories in his first season at the helm. This shouldn't be a huge surprise given he was Seattle's defensive coordinator in the "Legion of Boom" era when the Seahawks won the franchise's only Super Bowl and then three seasons later guided the Atlanta Falcons to the big game while serving as head coach. 

After 10 games in 2024, the Bucs looked dead in the water as they sported a 4-6 record while losing WR Chris Godwin to a season-ending ankle injury as well as being without to WR Mike Evans for a few games. However, QB Baker Mayfield's resurgence is real as he compiled career highs in pass yards (4,500) touchdown passes (41) and completion percentage (71.4%). Tampa has also looked better defensively down the stretch, playing a vital role in the winning six of their final seven games. Add to that stud Safety Antoine Winfield, Jr. being on track to play this game and you have a Bucs team that could make deep run this postseason. 

I believe Washington's future is bright and they will acquit themselves well this game, but they're not quite ready for prime time. 

Tampa Bay 31 Washington 24

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

2024 NFL Playoffs: Wildcard (Saturday games)

Los Angeles Chargers (-2-1/2) at Houston Texans: In his debut season as head coach of the Chargers, Jim Harbaugh proves he's still got that ability to elevate a team in short order. In his first season as 49ers coach in 2011, he guided San Francisco to a seven-win improvement over the previous year. With L.A., it was a six-win upgrade over 2023. While stud QB Justin Herbert had another solid year, the Chargers did it with defense this season as they allowed the fewest points in the NFL. 

After a terrific rookie season in 2023, Texans QB C.J. Stroud seems to have endured the ol' sophomore slump in '24. While he wasn't abysmal, he certainly didn't have the same vibe as last year. While their defense overall was pretty solid (#6 in terms of yards allowed), they've looked pretty leaky against upper echelon teams in the second half of the season. 

Los Angeles 21 Houston 16

Pittsburgh Steelers (+8-1/2) at Baltimore Ravens: Thirteen games into the 2024 campaign, the Steelers were riding high at 10-3 with QB Russell Wilson somewhat resembling the perennial Pro Bowl player he was in Seattle. But the Steelers fizzled down the stretch going 0-4 while allowing 27 points per game. Even worse, Wilson reverted to the stiff the Denver Broncos jettisoned after two lackluster seasons. And while RB Najee Harris had another 1,000-yard season, the sledding will be awfully tough against the Ravens' top ranked rush defense. 

After starting 0-2, the Ravens won 12 of their last 15 games to secure another AFC North title. And what a surprise, QB Lamar Jackson has put forth another MVP-caliber season (it'll come down to Jackson, Bills QB Josh Allen or Eagles RB Saquon Barkley). Oh, and more than just Jackson can run the ball as first year Raven Derrick Henry just missed a second career 2,000-yard season by running for 1,921. And this was his ninth season overall. Incredible. 

I believe we're going to see a similar game that occurred in Week 16 when the Ravens pounded the Steelers in a game that basically settled the race in the AFC North.

Baltimore 27 Pittsburgh 13

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

Just gonna leave this here

Uber podcaster Joe Rogan left L.A. for Austin, TX a few years ago. There were many reasons for that decision, not the least of which southern Cali was on the verge of collapse economically, socially and naturally. 

The lamenting over California's ill-preparedness with the out of control fires occurring this week in the Pacific Palisades area was actually a first guess as opposed to Monday morning quarterbacking. 

Check out Rogan's prescient statement from six months ago: 

And how 'bout Adam Carolla's testimony before Congress a few years ago? 

California is on fire because of DEI@adamcarolla applied to be a fireman in LA and was told to wait 7 years to test because he’s white

7 years later when he took the test he asked a black women there how long she waited to test. She responded “Wednesday” (less than a week) pic.twitter.com/PZkDyLkHsG

— Pharmwhistleblower (@pharmwhistlblow) January 8, 2025

Will lessons be learned? Well, the entire state of California is under ironclad progressive representation, so to say I'm not terribly optimistic would be the equivalent of saying the Joseph "Elephant Man" Merrick had a slight acne problem. 

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

Quick Hits: Volume CCCLXII

 - Minnesota Democrats personify the spoiled child. After getting whatever they wanted for the previous two legislative sessions, they are presently throwing a full-fledged tantrum now that they're no longer getting their way. 

In essence, DFL House members are looking to take their ball and go home. 

House Democrats are mulling not showing up for the first two weeks of the legislative session to prevent the chamber from achieving a 68-member quorum, according to lobbyists who’ve spoken to members and confirmed by two DFL legislative sources. Doing so would effectively shut down the House as Democrats seek to block Republicans from using their temporary, 1-seat advantage to elect a GOP House speaker.

The gambit would attract national media attention and likely lead to a political and legal firestorm.

State Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor leader, declined to comment except to say that House Democrats “want a power sharing agreement we’ve spent 60 days negotiating, and we’d like Republicans to honor their agreement. Sixty-seven is not a majority.”

Leave it to attorney extraordinaire (and my state rep) Harry Niska to throw cold water on that assumption.

Basic legal error here: The Minnesota Constitution does not set 68 as the quorum.

It says “[a] majority of each house constitutes a quorum to transact business.”

On January 14, there will be (at most) 133 members of the Minnesota House, so a quorum is 67 members. https://t.co/6gCp55uJDB

— Rep. Harry Niska (@HarryNiska) January 6, 2025

So if indeed DFLers follow through on their "threat?" 

 

"What if Democrats don't show up on day one?"

Speaker-Designate Demuth: "What I will tell you is that House Republicans will be here on day one and we'll be ready to go to work for the State of Minnesota." pic.twitter.com/a6XSzOTYDe

— MN House GOP War Room (@MNHRCWarRoom) January 6, 2025

Because the Dems needed literally zero GOP input to implement their radical agenda over the past two years, it's almost as if their political acumen "muscle" has completely atrophied. Not sure why they believe this is a smart play politically, but far be it from me to warn them that they're about walk into a buzz saw. 

- Speaking of unearned righteousness.........

 

Democrats to GOP: That's how you certify an election https://t.co/pc64E8Mf8D

— Axios (@axios) January 7, 2025

Uhh.....despite a handful of idiots having a temper tantrum on 1/6/2021, Joe Biden's 2020 victory was ultimately certified by the Vice President on 2020's losing ticket. Now, if you're suggesting that certification should be little more than a rubber stamp, then Democrats have hardly lived up to that standard the over the past 32 years when faced with confirming a GOP victor (See: George W. Bush's 2000 & 2004 victories and Donald Trump's 2016 triumph).

Despite suggestions that Monday's certification was a ho-hum affair, there was actually a history making moment. 

The first woman of color to certify her own election defeat.

Another glass ceiling shattered pic.twitter.com/0k91t18wEe

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 6, 2025

Given what happened four years earlier, a ceremonial shattering of glass might've been too triggering. 

- Over the summer, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg gave sort of a mea culpa for acquiescing to the Biden administration's demands that Facebook posts which they believed contained "COVID-19 misinformation" be flagged as such. 

Then this week he announced that his company will be taking it a step further. 

Meta will replace its fact checking program with the “community notes” system pioneered by Elon Musk’s X as part of the tech giant’s move to revive free speech on its social media platforms, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Tuesday morning.

Over the years, Meta has been found to have engaged in censorship of conservatives at the behest of the Biden administration. The company is now moving away from those dubious practices less than two weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. The change will affect Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

“We’re gonna get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms,” Zuckerberg said in a five-minute video. “More specifically, here’s what we’re going to do. First, we’re going to get rid of fact checkers and replace them with Community Notes similar to X, starting in the U.S.”

Despite progs gaslighting us into thinking that Twitter "X" is dying, the fact of the matter is there's been more engagement there than similar platforms such as Threads as well as the prog safe space cesspool known as Bluesky. And obviously Zuck has noticed the bad rap Facebook has gotten. combined with the fact the Biden administration's desire to regulate social media platforms played no small role in his presidency cratering.

Just as fact checkers were about to awaken from their 4-year slumber, they get hit with this. Ya love to see it. 

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

The NARN Closer's playlist - 1/5/2025

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

We've got preachers dealing in politics and diamond mines......

Happy New Year!

It's my first broadcast of 2025, and the year is definitely off to a raucous start. I'll be back in the Patriot bunker today for my radio show The Closer. The 2-hour blitz gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

On New Years Day alone, two harrowing terrorist incidents in two different major cities showed just how inept the FBI has become. 

At 1:30, former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Francis Rooney will join the broadcast to discuss what foreign policy should look like in Donald Trump's second presidential term. 

Then at 2:00, MNGOP candidate Paul Wikstrom will join the broadcast to discuss his candidacy in the special election for Minnesota House District 40B (northern Roseville, eastern Shoreview).  

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.....

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

The Biden admin's parting gifts

The two separate terror incidents which occurred New Years Day (one in New Orleans, LA and the other in Las Vegas, NV) were not committed by "white supremacists," which was the group President Joe Biden and his administration deemed as the country's biggest domestic terror threat. 

First, the horrific incident in New Orleans.

Federal authorities said a Texas man was behind the wheel of a pickup truck that plowed into a crowd of New Year’s revelers in New Orleans’ French Quarter early Wednesday, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more.

The FBI identified the suspect as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen and Army veteran who lived in north Houston, public records show. After ramming into the crowd, Jabbar crashed the truck and opened fire on police, injuring two officers before he was fatally shot by law enforcement, FBI officials said.

Inside Jabbar’s truck — a Ford pickup that “appears to have been rented” — was an Islamic State flag, weapons and a potential improvised explosive device, according to an FBI statement. The agency said it is investigating the slaughter as “an act of terrorism” and looking into how Jabbar gained possession of the vehicle.

But hey, at least elderly Catholic women who protested outside abortion clinics were safely behind bars. 

And then a massive explosion in Vegas. 

The suspect who rented the Cybertruck that exploded outside of the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas on New Year's Day has been identified as U.S. Army Master Sgt. Matthew Livelsberger, 37, a Special Operations soldier who was on leave from his base in Germany, investigators said.

After a day of examining the remains found inside the vehicle, the Clark County Coroner confirmed Livelsberger was the driver, the Las Vegas Metro Police Department said. The coroner's office said Livelsberger sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and a handgun was found at his feet.

Seven people suffered minor injuries when the truck, which was filled with fireworks-style mortars and gas canisters, exploded around 8:40 a.m. PT. Investigators believe the explosion was intentional, but hadn't determined a motive, Sherriff Kevin McMahill told reporters at a news conference Thursday.

Emphasis mine. 

Look, I'm all for letting the investigation play out to determine what was going through the perpetrator's mind. But whenever someone kills multiple people with a firearm, fingers are immediately pointed at the gun lobby and Republican members of Congress literally before the bodies of victims are even cold (then the story inevitably disappears, especially when it's a trans person committing the atrocities). Yet when some dude detonates an explosion in front of a property owned by the left and media's (PTR) enemy #1 in a vehicle produced by the company owned by a top Trump surrogate in Elon Musk....well....by golly, let's not get too overzealous in jumping to conclusions here. 

Regardless, I believe Erick is on to something.

It's not unlikely that this Livelsberger fella witnessed the fawning and adulation over a dude literally setting himself on fire while shouting "Free Palestine!" As such, there's a nonzero chance he fashioned himself a martyr. 

While there have been confirmed terror elements which have come across the southern U.S. border during the Biden years, we now have a surge of a more frightening scenario: American citizens vulnerable to radicalization by elements who do not even have to be in the country. Between them and those who stand in solidarity with Hamas, that doesn't bode well for the West's survival. 

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