The NARN Closer's playlist (special Headliner edition) - 12/4/2021

 I was in for Mitch this past Saturday, so this is a special "NARN Headliner" playlist: 

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Well, its eight o'clock in Boise, Idaho................

With my friend and Northern Alliance Radio Network colleague Mitch Berg on assignment, I will be at the helm of The Headliner edition of the NARN this afternoon. The 2-hour festivities get started at 1:00 Central Time. 

In the first hour I will look at the latest in the trial of former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter, specifically the process of selecting the jury this past week. In another local angle, Minnesota apparently has the second documented case of the Omicron variant in the U.S. 

At 2:00, journalist Aaron Maté will join the broadcast. Aaron will be on to discuss his piece at Real Clear Investigations, which talks about the media's general lack of accountability over trafficking in the dubious Steele dossier when discussing the alleged Trump-Russia collusion.

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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It's heeeeere

Whenever something pertaining to Minnesota makes national news, many residents and media members alike practically pee themselves. With the omicron variant of COVID-19 being the latest worldwide boogeyman, I can't help but wonder what those categories of Minnesotans are thinking given the latest developments.

A coronavirus infection involving the omicron variant has been identified in a Minnesotan who recently traveled to New York.

Genomic sequencing of samples from infected people identified the COVID-19 case, which Minnesota leaders said was inevitable given how quickly the omicron variant spreads.

"This news is concerning, but it is not a surprise," Gov. Tim Walz said. "We know that this virus is highly infectious and moves quickly throughout the world."

The infection involved a vaccinated man from Hennepin County who developed mild symptoms Nov. 22 and sought testing two days later. The man, who has recovered, spoke with state investigators and confirmed he traveled to New York City and attended the Anime NYC convention Nov. 19-21. He received a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine in early November.

Obviously there's still information being gathered about this strain, but the fact it was rumored to be able to bust through the booster (confirmed with this case here in Minneapolis) while many who have contracted it were experiencing mild symptoms presents an interesting dilemma for both health advisors and elected officials. They and their media lapdogs have already breathlessly touted this as a borderline plague and thus continue trying to shame the non-vaxxed into getting vaxxed, yet early indications are it doesn't even result in hospitalizations. Again, information is still fluid at this point, so it would be irresponsible of me to be too dismissive. 

One thing I can't help but wonder though. Suppose that the vast majority of omicron cases continue to result in mild symptoms. And what if, as with other strains, significant antibodies are built up, resulting in natural immunity (which isn't touted nearly enough, IMO). I'm not saying I desire to become mildly ill and thus will take all the precautions necessary (I'm getting boosted next week). But if this "perfect storm" I've laid out comes together, bullying people into getting fully vaccinated (which apparently now entails two jabs plus a booster) is going to be a tougher sell than ever before. 

Regardless, even if this variant is oversold, it won't quell the constant barrage from the army of Karens. 

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Quick Hits: Volume CCLXVIII

 - Former University of Minnesota football coach Jerry Kill just accepted a head coaching position with New Mexico State last week. Kill's first game as NMSU head man will be in 2022 when his Aggies travel to.......Minnesota. And Kill is already anticipating the reception he'll receive. 

I’ll get booed out of that stadium, probably. I don’t know. It will be interesting. I’ve had several people let me know that we are playing Minnesota. I did not know that when I took the job, but we’ll go up there.”

Kill then engaged in what would appear to be some self-motivation. 

 

“I got a little chip on my shoulder,” Kill said. “… I want to show people that, hey, you counted the old man out. You’re wrong. I’m back.”

Uhhh....hey, Jer? The reason you were "counted out" is because in 2015 you resigned your post with the Gophers due to health issues, essentially saying you had nothing more to give. So if anyone "counted the old man out," you were leading the pack with that sentiment. 

But hey, whatever ya need to do to get yourself jacked up for a game. 

- The trial of actor Jussie Smollett, who is facing disorderly conduct charges in Chicago, began this past week. It's being alleged that Smollett faked being a victim of a "hate crime" in early 2019.

For a refresher of what transpired in January 2019, here is comedian Dave Chappelle with the pertinent details (WARNING - strong language): 

- Speaking of high profile trials, jury selection began this week for the trial of former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter regarding her role in the shooting death of 20-year old Daunte Wright. 

If you want an early indication of how picking an impartial jury is faring, here's some interesting samples: 

Judge dismisses #5 #PotterTrial #DaunteWright

— Chao Xiong (@ChaoStrib) November 30, 2021

 

Juror #2 is seated to jury. He works as an editor for a medical association, said he feels "very unfavorable" about Blue Lives Matter b/c it seems to counter Black Lives Matter #PotterTrial #DaunteWright

— Chao Xiong (@ChaoStrib) November 30, 2021

 #KimPotterTrial JURY DEMOGRAPHICS:

Juror #2: white male, 50s
Juror #6: white woman, 60s
Juror #7: white male, 20s
Juror #11: Asian woman, 40s

One last note. Defense had to use 1st strike (they get 5) to close out day to dismiss Juror #15, the AG Ellison campaign volunteer.

— Paul Blume (@PaulBlume_FOX9) November 30, 2021

Why the judge didn't dismiss #15 immediately as opposed to the Defense having to use one of their "strikes" is unfathomable to me. I'm not saying Potter won't ultimately receive a fair trial but to say it's looking to be even more of an uphill battle is an understatement.  

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BUCK YEAH!!!!!

I have to admit that I thought the prospects of the Minnesota Twins signing Byron Buxton to a long-term contract extension were 50-50 at best. Thankfully, a deal got hammered out. 

When it came to completing what some had described as a next-to-impossible contract extension with the Twins, a major-league source said Buxton’s top priority was obtaining a full no-trade clause.

After declining to offer it in previous negotiations, the Twins included the sweetener during this round of talks. Once the clause was incorporated, Buxton and the Twins finalized an incentive-heavy seven-year deal worth at least $100 million Sunday, sources confirmed. The deal, which includes bonuses for elite performance and plate appearances, is pending a physical exam.

In agreeing to the deal, Buxton, who turns 28 next month, bypassed an opportunity to become a free agent after the 2022 season at what could be the peak of his career. Buxton belted a career-high 19 home runs and hit .306/.358/.647 in 254 plate appearances this past season.

But Buxton, the No. 2 pick of the 2012 amateur draft and one of the most talented players to ever wear a Twins jersey, set the tone back in March when he acknowledged wanting an extension and discussed his desire to play for one team for his entire career.

“I’ve been blessed to stay with this one team in my career,” Buxton said. “To be able to put on this (uniform for my entire) career and go out there every day, it’s something that many guys can’t do.

“I want to be one of those guys that was there with that one team. This place just means a lot.”

I obviously don't know Buxton personally, but I can only surmise that he is a cool, easy-going dude. I mean, to desire to stay with a franchise after they openly listened to trade offers for you last July as well as blatantly manipulated your service time to delay your free agency eligibility says a lot about one's character. 

By sending Buxton home (in September 2018) instead of promoting him from Triple A, the Twins pushed back the outfielder’s free agency from the end of 2021 to 2022. Through it all, Buxton has remained steadfast that he wanted to be with the Twins for the rest of his career. Once they made clear that was their desire, too, he quickly agreed.

I've long maintained that Buxton is a top 3 center fielder even if he only plays 100-120 games per season. If he can shake the injury bug and play upwards of 140 games in a given year, the incentives heaped upon the $100 million guaranteed will be well within reach. Kudos to Buck for betting on himself as well as to the Twins organization for taking a smart, calculated risk. 

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The NARN Closer's playlist

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You have to face up, you can't run and hide....

It's the Sunday after Thanksgiving, but the Northern Alliance Radio Network will be live today! My 2-hour radio show The Closer will be on 1-3 PM Central Time.

No guests today, so we'll recap some of the bigger news stories from this past week, including the media quietly dropping the Waukesha, WI parade incident. Also, Kyle Rittenhouse sat down with Fox News personality Tucker Carlson this past week in his first interview since being acquitted of homicide. Speaking of justice being served, Ahmaud Arbery's killers will likely never see the light of day again. 

So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.

The Axe is back!

Even though it's been an uneven (and at times downright frustrating) season for my Univ. of Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, all seems fine and dandy when they wrest control of Paul Bunyan's Axe! With a 23-13 win over the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday, the Axe comes back to Dinkytown for only the second time in 18 seasons. 

Anyone that has been to a Badger game at Camp Randall knows how extra baller hearing Jump Around as Gophers celebrate is. pic.twitter.com/LNfZUMCFv0

— Zach Freimark (@zach_freimark) November 28, 2021

 

 

How. Sweet. It. Is.

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