Box Score of the Week

Kansas City Athletics at Chicago White Sox - September 28, 1958.

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The NARN Closer's playlist - 6/28/2026

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I'd listen to the words he'd say, but in his voice I heard decay.....

It's the last Sunday in June, which means 2026.....is half over?!?!?! WHAT?!?!?!

Regardless, a lot to get to on today's edition of my radio show The Closer. The 2-hour blitz will get started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

In the non-guest segments, I'll discuss the latest in the GOP battle for MN governor. Also, I'll address multiple complaints I received about last week's guest host Dave Osmek. 

At 1:15, geopolitical wonk Amanda Peterson will join the broadcast to weigh in on the latest with the Iran war as well as other foreign policy happenings. 

Finally at 2:30, newly crowned Miss Minnesota Anna Brennan will stop by to discuss her new title. 

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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Proud to be an American.....with conditions

Earlier this year when the Men's U.S. Olympic hockey team won the gold medal for the first time since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" squad, the excitement among Americans was palatable. Or at least it was among right-of-center politicos and those who are apolitical. Y'see political leftists, particularly over the past decade or two, have steadily lost pride in their country based largely upon the fact Donald J. Trump was elected President of the United States twice. As such, they couldn't even cheer on their fellow countrymen upon accomplishing something significant in the name of America. 

The World Cup is the latest thing. 

The triumph of the World Cup’s first two weeks — boosting the U.S.’s global reputation with sold-out stadiums and few logistical complications — has forced Democrats who had criticized President Donald Trump’s role in preparations to grudgingly reconsider.

“I think that there was a little bit of like liberal wishcasting that this would maybe be a disaster to sort of stick it to Trump,” said Rob Flaherty, the digital Democratic strategist and soccer fan who attended the U.S. group-stage match with Australia. “It hasn’t yet been.”

To be fair, there have been some Democrat officials who expressed delight with how the tournament has fared thus far. But a couple of big names just can't seem to put aside their disdain for Trump in order to give props. 

Though other prominent Democrats including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, along with (NYC Mayor Zohran) Mamdani and (New Jersey Governor Mikie) Sherrill, have all attended games, few among them have been willing to articulate anything that sounds like praise for the authorities putting on the event.

It's as if these thumb suckers believe that even tacit approval of the World Cup festivities is somehow tantamount to showing approval of Trump. What an absolute miserable existence. 

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Doesn't pass the sniff test

Hypothetical: Suppose you donated money to an individual running for political office and they took a significant percentage of those funds to line their own pockets. That would seem to be a blatant violation of basic campaign finance laws, right? Well, if the recipient looks to benefit personally from such donations (as opposed to utilizing funds directly for campaign activities like ads, literature, etc.), a quasi money laundering operation would certainly be more discrete. 

So, tell me. Do you believe I'm being hyperbolic in suggesting that mythical scenario draws parallels to a certain Minnesota gubernatorial campaign?

To put it lightly, Mike Lindell is a non-traditional candidate for governor. He has the unique backstory of going from a crack addict to the founder and CEO of one of Minnesota’s best-known companies. Now he also has an unusual method of campaigning. He’s giving away free pillows from My Pillow and copies of his autobiography.

“This is our little ‘Go Anywhere’ My Pillow,” he told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS on Tuesday while pulling one out from under his desk. “It’s like a mini-pillow. We’ve used it in promotions for a long, long time. I love doing parades.”

Video posted on social media shows Lindell and his campaign volunteers throwing the pillows to people along a parade route in Foley last week. There’s no question it’s clever campaigning, but there are questions about whether it’s legal under state campaign finance laws. Lindell says his lawyers say it is legal.

“These aren’t full-size pillows,” he says. “They’re little pillows just like if you gave away a hat or a shirt or anything. Our literature is inside it. We followed all the guidelines…”

Lindell sent 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS an invoice showing his campaign bought 2,500 pillows from My Pillow for $4.50 a piece, or a little over $13,275.94, including tax. Campaign finance reports from Lindell show he’s bought about $250,000 worth of his autobiography to give away instead of using campaign brochures.

So when Lindell sells merchandise, whether it be books or mini pillows, who benefits financially? I mean, it's possible he decided that his favorite charities, as opposed to himself, would be the recipient of funds derived from those specific items. But even then there are some grey areas as charitable contributions are tax deductible. He (or his business) still benefits. 

There have been some polls this past month which have shown Lindell leading the GOP field for Minnesota governor. If by some minor miracle he receives the nomination, his general election candidacy would be dead as a doornail even if he had a pristine background. But with questions regarding his handling of campaign funds looming over him, such a controversy would be amplified by orders of magnitude once he squares off with a well-funded Democrat like Amy Klobuchar. 

If there were no competitive statewide primaries on the DFL side, you can bet many Dem voters would take the liberty of crossing over to vote GOP in an attempt to elevate the most vulnerable general election Republicans. Thankfully, right-of-center voters have a golden opportunity in August to send Lindell packing. Our mission is clear. 

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Box Score of the Week

Toronto Blue Jays at Boston Red Sox - June 26, 2024

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Danny Jansen was the starting catcher for the Blue Jays this game, which ended up being suspended after one inning. 

The game resumed (and was completed) two months later on August 26. About a month earlier, Jansen was traded to Boston for three minor leaguers, so he was available for the Red Sox to be inserted into this contest in the top of the second inning. 

In essence, Jansen played for both teams in the same game. 

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Calling on the NARN farm team

I am away on assignment, so longtime friend of the Northern Alliance Radio Network (and former President of the MN Senate) Dave Osmek will be taking the reins of today's broadcast. The show will air in its usual 1-3 PM Central Time slot. 

Via Dave, here's what he has planned: 

1p to 115p: Opening discussion

115p to 145p:  Michelle Tafoya

145p to 2p:  Various topics, State Convention, Endorsement, Polls

2p to 230p:  Lisa Demuth (or Ryan Wilson)

230p to 3p:  Jeff Kolb, state of the races, endorsement

So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics Dave plans 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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Out of the office

Gone on vacation until June 25.

Talk to y'all when I return. 

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