Thursday, April 16, 2026

Oh well, Swalwell

It was 2018 when I first became aware of the name Eric Swalwell. While he was merely 1 of 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, he made a name for himself by suggesting the government could use nukes against law abiding gun owners. 




So when my wife and I visited Washington, D.C. four months later, I decided to troll him outside his Congressional office. 




I am, by nature, *not* a violent person. However, if anyone ever posed a hypothetical of which member of Congress I would most likely punch in the face if ever encountered, Swalwell would easily be in the top five. 


Given he represented a D+19 Congressional district in California, Swalwell was often used as the attack dog by his Democrat colleagues. Specifically, he could give Dems in swing districts political cover by advocating for some of the most insane leftist policy. As such, his vulnerable colleagues could have plausible deniability if there were attempts to bring such looniness to the mainstream. In that vain, I often viewed Swalwell as a west coast Anthony Weiner. That is, he appeared to be little more than an egomaniacal, power hungry leftist who was using his time in Congress as a stepping stone to something greater. For Weiner, it was Mayor of New York City. And for Swalwell is was Governor of California (only after his 2020 presidential run predictably crashed and burned). How ironic that, much like Weiner, Swalwell allowed his base urges to ruin his aspirations. Not only did this result in Swalwell suspending his gubernatorial campaign, but also forced him to resign his Congressional seat. And the warp speed at which he went from being anointed the next gov of Cali to a unemployed loser needs to be studied for the history books. 





As I write this, there are multiple women who have come forward to allege that Swalwell sexually assaulted/harassed them. And as much as I am tempted to pig pile upon that smug jackass, I can't help but think of what his wife and three young children are having to endure. While Mrs. Swalwell likely understood that the spouse of a high profile politician will be under at least a modicum of scrutiny, I'm guessing she wasn't prepared for her husband to abuse his power and morph into a complete dirtbag. 


While we can rejoice that an elected official like Swalwell has slinked away from public life, our celebration should be tempered by the fact his ilk are like cockroaches: you can stomp out one, but such action only serves to attract more. 


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Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Quick Hits: volume CDVII

 - I'm not saying the open U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota is in play for Republicans this cycle, but......





That's more money than the other four (five? six?) GOP hopefuls have raised combined. Given that fundraising prowess in addition to significantly high name recognition, Tafoya is in a strong position for the nomination. But do we dare to dream that she can snap the party's 20-year losing streak in Minnesota statewide elections? To say it's *not* hopeless is actually a step in the right direction. 


I'll say this: making Minnesota competitive enough to where the Democrats have to divert financial resources to a reliably blue state would go a long way to keeping the U.S. Senate under Republican control. 



- File this under the category of "A confirmation, not a revelation." 


The Biden administration worked alongside pro-abortion activists to track the activities of pro-lifers, some of whom the Department of Justice later prosecuted for their peaceful protest actions thanks to dossiers from pro-abortion groups, according to a new report from the Trump administration.

The Justice Department’s Weaponization Working Group on Tuesday published a nearly 900-page report documenting the Biden administration’s weaponization of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.

Investigators who analyzed more than 700,000 internal records found that pro-abortion groups including the National Abortion Federation, Planned Parenthood, and Feminist Majority Foundation used their close relationship with the Biden DOJ to gain internal information and push targets for enforcement.

The weaponization was carried out in large part by the National Task Force on Violence Against Reproductive Health Care Providers, which operated out of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division under the direction of Sanjay Patel.

The report reveals Patel was on “texting terms” with the National Abortion Federation Security Team and that he also “regularly communicated” with the other two groups.

In messages from November 2021, Patel introduced an unidentified FBI agent to Michelle Davidson, the security director for the National Abortion Federation, calling her a “wonderful contact for me as it relates to FACE Act investigations.”

“She has been an MVP bringing incidents to my attention, often in real-time, which usually result in investigation/prosecution,” Patel said.


For a collective that likes to shriek "NO KINGS" or proclaim they oppose fascism, they sure are conspicuously silent on this one. 



- I can't even pretend to understand what Sen. John Hoffman (DFL-Champlin) has been through in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on he and his family 10 months ago. But it's clear he's still enduring significant PTSD over the incident given his outburst during a recent Senate committee hearing. 





To suggest he was shot due to people using "dehumanizing language" is a stretch if you read any of the gunman's manifesto. To me, this just appeared to be Sen. Hoffman's attempt to enact the typical leftist strategy of attempting to prevail in a debate by eliciting emotion over facts. But hey, if Sen. Hoffman is going to begin a crusade to tamp down "dehumanizing language," a good place to start are the replies to any social media post put forth by the likes of Reps. Mary Franson and Walter Hudson. 


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Monday, April 13, 2026

Box Score of the Week

Baltimore Orioles at Detroit Tigers - June 4, 1989.

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The O's completed a four-game sweep over the Tigers with this win. The series also featured four different relief pitchers recording a save, which marked the first time since the save became a statistic (1969) that such a feat occurred. 

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Sunday, April 12, 2026

The NARN Closer's playlist - 4/12/2026



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Regimental in my way, detrimental at the end of the day.........

Look, I get it. Today in the Twin Cities is likely to be the first 80 degree day of 2026. So be sure to bring along your radio/laptop/smartphone while engaging in your favorite outdoor activities to ensure you don't miss a minute of my radio show The Closer. The 2-hour blitz begins at 1:00 PM Central Time. 


In the first hour, I'll discuss Minnesota's bleak economic outlook, specifically how it impacts the hospitality industry. Also, out-of-control state government spending is going to result in some difficult choices over the next few years. 


At 1:30, Minnesota Family Council CEO Jeff Evans will join the broadcast to promote the organization's annual dinner as well as share details about their advocacy at the MN Legislature. 


At 2:00, geopolitical wonk Amanda Peterson will stop by to talk about the latest in the U.S. war with Iran. 



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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Friday, April 10, 2026

A bright light amid a dark diagnosis

It's been nearly 100 days since former Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. While he's never shied away from his disease being a death sentence, Sasse has been steadfast in his desire to be a bright spiritual light despite the unfathomable physical pain he endures on a daily basis. 


Here are a couple of excerpts from a recent interview he granted NY Times columnist Ross Douthat. 





When we humans think of our mortality, I would suspect the vast majority of us would, if given the choice, desire to pass away while sleeping as opposed to perpetual physical pain until our day of death approaches. But Sasse wasn't given that choice, yet he approaches the end of his time on Earth with joy, peace and humor. What a legacy. 


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Wednesday, April 08, 2026

Quick Hits: Volume CDVI

 - With significant wealth departing the state of Minneota in addition to leftist policy being hostile to small businesses, this is the inevitable result


Minnesota’s nearly $9 billion hospitality industry “is on the brink of no return,” according to a new report warning years of mounting regulation and economic uncertainty threaten to decimate a key part of the state’s economy.

The new survey from Hospitality Minnesota found only a third of restaurants, hotels and other tourism businesses expect a better spring than last year. In contrast, nearly three-quarters expected a better spring in 2021.

“We’ve not recovered since the pandemic,” said Angie Whitcomb, Hospitality Minnesota’s president and CEO. “We are at a point now where it is dire and we’re starting to see the effects of this.”

In 2025, more than half of hospitality businesses in the state saw foot traffic and profits drop year over year. Slightly less than half reported being in financial decline, an increase of 12 percentage points over 2024.

Several hot spots closed in 2025, including Keys Cafe, Zen Box Izakaya, Soberfish, Cocina del Barrio and Petit León.

The report cites a slew of pressures on the industry, which employs about 230,000 people statewide. Federal tariffs have raised wholesale prices; state and local regulations have added new costs and red tape; and widespread economic uncertainty has consumers spending less.

Yeah, the Trump administration certainly doesn't get a pass here given how higher costs due to tariffs are essentially regressive taxes. And with the war in Iran, fuel costs are also a factor in raised prices. 

But hey, at least we have a new state flag in Minnesota!


- Just gonna leave this here: 




I imagine the patented prog responses were shrieks of "rIcH pEoPlE nEeD tO pAy ThEiR fAiR sHaRe." But, again, since may upper income individuals have moved elsewhere, that well is quickly running dry. It also means that the left's definition of "rich" is going to shift also. 



- With Minneapolis beset with crime, employers leaving the downtown area and residents departing the city for the 'burbs or outstate (if not leaving Minnesota completely), you'd think city officials would be laser focused on reversing those trends, right? Right?? RIGHT?!?!


Minneapolis city leaders are considering legalizing adult bathhouses and sex venues where sexual activity between consenting adults would be allowed.

The City Council will decide Thursday, April 9, whether to have city staff research several ordinances that would allow adult bathhouses and sex venues to operate again after a 38-year ban.

The ordinances would remove “stigmatizing language” and add “new definitions to be inclusive of establishments where sexual activity between consenting adults may be facilitated.”

Adult bathhouses were popular among some men in the U.S. until public pressure and laws led to their closures in the 1980s during the AIDS crisis.

In Minneapolis, bathhouses and sex clubs operated until a 1988 ordinance banned businesses that facilitate “high-risk sexual conduct” — which it defined as fellatio, anal intercourse and vaginal intercourse for pay.


Because nothing says "progress" like bringing back the depravity and moral decay of 1980s San Francisco. 


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Monday, April 06, 2026

Box Score of the Week

Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Indians - September 12, 1977.


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In this game, 19-year old Tigers' rookie Alan Trammell reached based safely for the fourth consecutive game to start his MLB career. That was a record streak for a teenager in the division era (starting in 1969), eventually tied by Andruw Jones in 1996. 


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