Good thing I have a platform like a weekly talk radio show, otherwise my head would explode with all the unregurgitated thoughts I have regarding the plethora of COVID talk over the past week.
With that said, I will discuss it in detail on this Sunday's broadcast as I have a family situation to tend to posthaste.
Hope y'all ring in 2022 safely!
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The legendary John Madden passed away Tuesday morning.
John Madden, a legend, has passed away at 85. pic.twitter.com/1moYjueROe
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 29, 2021
National Review's Dan McLaughlin summed it up beautifully.
RIP John Madden, who managed to have a second act so compelling, it made coaching a Super Bowl champion a footnote on his career. Nobody did more to explain football to the average fan, or to bring the joy of the NFL into every broadcast.
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) December 29, 2021
Save a turducken leg for the man.
Another amazing feat in Madden's life is how he's perceived so differently among multiple generations. My dad's generation (Baby Boomers) first came to know him as a Hall of Fame coach with the then Oakland Raiders. Generation X (my generation) remember him more as the legendary NFL analyst on CBS (1979-1994), FOX (1994-2002), ABC (2002-2006) and NBC (2006-2009), thus making him the only announcer to occupy a broadcast booth on all four major TV networks. And if you mention "Madden" to Millennials and Gen Z, they're likely to think of the high tech NFL video game bearing his name. But to Madden, there was no doubt how he viewed himself.
"People always ask, are you a coach or a broadcaster or a video game guy?'' he said when was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "I'm a coach, always been a coach.''
That may be, but he certainly found himself a successful (and very lucrative) post-coaching career. My sincere condolences to his loved ones.
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It's bad form to speak ill of the dead, so I'll just express my condolences to Harry Reid's family and friends. The former U.S. Senator from Nevada died Tuesday at the age of 82.
That is all.
P.S. If you're interested, here's all the times I've ever mentioned Reid in my writings.
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I hope you all had a blessed Christmas!
I will be taking a rare and well-deserved break from the radio show today, but tune in if you're able as I will be replaying last week's power packed broadcast.
- After balking at supporting President Joe Biden's recent spending orgy, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) seems to be getting, at best, light recruitment to switch political parties.
this takes it a step further
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) December 22, 2021
McConnell says he’s spoken to Manchin about keeping the top slot on Energy and Public Works.
Remember: If Manchin switches parties — no clue if he will, he has said he wont — McConnell will become majority leader.
A lot of this is saber rattling https://t.co/oFttyK0MWm
I'm in the camp of letting the Dem majority in the Senate self destruct. If Manchin were to switch to the GOP (thus giving Republicans an outright Senate majority), President Biden and Dem members of Congress could go with a message of "Republican obstructionism" in an effort to stem the tide of a 2022 "red wave." But if the Dems continue to get nothing done in the next 10-1/2 months despite having a majority in all of D.C., the GOP is almost certain to take all of Congress in '22 (they're already in a good position now to do so).
The Dems overplaying their hand was as predictable as the sun setting in the west.
- This.......
.@DrLeanaWen: "Don't wear a cloth mask. Cloth masks are little more than facial decorations. There's no place for them in light of Omicron." pic.twitter.com/Kpoj18sxdi
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) December 21, 2021
.......is more a confirmation than a revelation.
- Speaking of COVID.....
— Jessica Sidman (@jsidman) December 22, 2021
And here is the percentage of D.C. residents who are vaccinated.
It was 20 years ago today that the first film in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring, made it's debut in the theaters. I partook in a screening within the first week.
Exactly 20 years prior to that, my Minnesota Vikings played their final game at their home venue of Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington (I attended said game).
The crazy thing about time? The 20-year span from 12/20/1981 to 12/20/2001 felt a heckuva lot longer than 12/20/2021 to today. Bizarre.
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It's my final live show of 2021, so we hope to go out in style. Today's 2-hour edition of my radio show The Closer gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time.
I'll weigh in some of the big local stories, like the latest in the Kim Potter trial as well as Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson refusing to resign despite a recent DUI.
At 1:30, President of the Thomas A. Fordham Institute Michael Petrilli will join the broadcast. Mr. Petrilli will discuss Fordham's newest study ranking schools in the nation’s 100 largest metro areas, with heavy focus on academic growth.
Finally at 2:00, former Vikings offensive tackle and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Ron Yary will join us via phone to discuss his life after football, his thoughts on the modern day NFL, etc.
So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.
- I've seen a lotta proverbial gnashing of teeth over the MNGOP gubernatorial straw poll conducted this past the weekend.
Gov straw vote @mngop #scc2021 pic.twitter.com/0aQtgkV5FB
— Jennifer DeJournett (@JenDeJournett) December 11, 2021
First, the obvious. This was a poll of state central delegates, not the grassroots delegates who will be casting votes next spring. And secondly, a lot of the people up in arms over this result were claiming they were done with MNGOP politics, so why do they give a flip whom the potential candidate is? Seriously, get a grip.
For the record, Matt Dean won this same straw poll back in late 2017. He was out of the gov race within a few months after that. Sen. Paul Gazelka may fare better but there's no way he'll be the GOP nominee for MN Governor in 2022. Book it.
- Tesla founder Elon Musk (who someone indicated is this country's wealthiest African-American) was recently named Time Magazine's "Person of the Year." something which Fauxcahontas Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) referred to in a tweet the other day.
Let’s change the rigged tax code so The Person of the Year will actually pay taxes and stop freeloading off everyone else. https://t.co/jqQxL9Run6
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) December 13, 2021
Musk's replies had people calling 9-1-1 to report a murder.
You remind me of when I was a kid and my friend’s angry Mom would just randomly yell at everyone for no reason
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 14, 2021
Please don’t call the manager on me, Senator Karen 🙏
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 14, 2021
Oh, he wasn't done.
Don’t spend it all at once … oh wait you did already
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 14, 2021
I guess Elon can launch rhetorical rockets just as effectively as literal ones.
- Woke sports network ESPN decided recently to broadcast an on-air doc about the rise in prominence of a black athlete in a predominately white sport.
Last year, a noose was found in Bubba Wallace's stall at Talladega Superspeedway. The next day, the NASCAR community stood with him in unity.
— ESPN (@espn) December 14, 2021
"I was like, 'Holy s---, it's the whole garage.' ... That's when I lost it." pic.twitter.com/Zh5HWumagX
Look, I'm all for a poignant display of unity and love, regardless the venue. But if you weren't at all familiar with this particular story, you wouldn't guess that the alleged "hate crime" was.....not a crime of any kind. A fact which ESPN themselves reported on.
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) December 14, 2021
It's almost as if, in some people's eyes, it's more virtuous to be a victim of a racism than to work to eradicate the practice altogether. It's the only explanation I have for why fabrications of this kind get shouted from the hills before even a millisecond of healthy skepticism is conveyed.
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I'm assuming the nearly 1-1/2 feet of snowfall Eagan recently endured has been cleared by now, so I'll be in the Patriot bunker for my 2-hour radio show The Closer. The broadcast gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time.
From a local standpoint, I'll weigh in on the projected MN budget surplus, the beginning of the Kim Potter trial and an MNGOP gubernatorial straw poll.
Regarding national news, I'll opine on the Biden administration coordinating with media to better shape the narrative on economic news, actor Jussie Smollett being found guilty of staging a hate crime hoax, and the Georgia gubernatorial race.
At 1:30, Executive Director of the Minnesota Conservative Energy Forum Kayla Christensen will check in to tout her organization's work.
From CNN.com's "newsletter:"
With my Minnesota Vikings losing to the 0-10-1 Detroit Lions this past Sunday, many of my fellow Vikes fans were understandably not happy. Hey, I've been a Vikings fan for more than 40 years and thus have been so angry over tough losses that it's likely shaved minutes off my life. Thankfully as I've gotten older I've learned to rein in the yelling for the most part.
With that being said, when I was at my absolute worst as a fan (i.e. screaming, cussing, throwing things, etc.), it never occurred to me to threaten players or coaches, to say nothing of their families. That's why I found this utterly appalling.
- As expected, The Minnesota Department of Management and Budget announced Tuesday that the state is projected to have a significant budget surplus (approximately $7.7 billion in this case). And as expected, DFLers believe it's a good thing that the state takes more taxpayer dollars than is necessary to run things.
Oh, and what a surprise that Gov. Tim Walz already has plans to soak up those excess funds.
Walz says of $1 billion deficit in the unemployment insurance fund, which businesses will pay for through higher taxes without action: "We’ll get that one fixed."
— Theo Keith (@TheoKeith) December 7, 2021
Asked if he wants to use federal money to wipe it out, Walz doesn't say.
If Minnesota Republicans want a certain winning issue for 2022, some sort of "give it back" program wouldn't be the worst place to start.
- There was a CNN.com piece published Tuesday with the following headline:
As millions fell into poverty during the pandemic, billionaires' wealth soared
Spike Cohen, who was the Libertarian VP candidate in 2020, gives a spot-on explanation as to why.
Yeah, that's what happens when you shut down almost every small business, mandate that we only be allowed to visit big box stores or stay home and order from Amazon and watch Netflix, and bail out all the other big businesses with taxpayer dollars.
2020 was the largest transfer of wealth from those with the least, to those with the most, in human history.
And you corporate media outlets cheered the whole thing on, while trying to shame those of us who were exposing your swindle from day one.
Of the many scams the government perpetuates, the one where they create a massive problem and propose to solve it via (you guessed it) heavy-handed legislation has to be the most pervasive.
- It appears that Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) is receiving a primary challenge for his reelection bid in 2022. Former Sen. David Perdue, who was defeated last election cycle by the vapid Jon Ossoff, will look to oust Kemp and thus be the candidate to take on Democrat Stacey Abrams in the general election.
Naturally, this was music to former President Donald Trump's ears.
Wow, it looks like highly respected Senator David Perdue will be running against RINO Brian Kemp for Governor of Georgia. David was a great Senator, and he truly loves his State and his Country. This will be very interesting, and I can’t imagine that Brian Kemp, who has hurt election integrity in Georgia so badly, can do well at the ballot box (unless the election is rigged, of course). He cost us two Senate seats and a Presidential victory in the Great State of Georgia.
Gee, what a shock that the butthurt former POTUS doesn't acknowledge his predominate role in torpedoing the GOP's prospects in those two Senate races 11 months ago.
Here's how this is gonna go: Gov. Kemp will be the Republican nominee. Trump will continue his personal animosity towards Kemp not overturning his legit 2020 loss to Biden in the state and thus will perpetuate the false notion of a rigged election system in Georgia. This will sow distrust among the Trump-supporting Republicans in the state who will stay home in droves on Election Day 2022, just as they did in the January 2021 runoffs.
Will that then be enough to swing the election to Abrams? Possibly. But if the GOP can somehow overcome Trump's likely negative impact on the race, it could go a long way to crippling his viability going forward. Anything that can contribute to Trump not running for POTUS in 2024 would be a good thing.
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I was in for Mitch this past Saturday, so this is a special "NARN Headliner" playlist:
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.
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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- 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):
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:
— Paul Blume (@PaulBlume_FOX9) November 30, 2021
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.
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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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.”
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.
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.
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
For the second time in five days, a high profile homicide trial yielded just outcomes.
Last week it was Kyle Rittenhouse acquitted of the five charges (including two being murder) against him.
On Wednesday, all three men accused of killing Georgia man Ahmaud Arbery were found guilty.
As I mentioned in a blog post earlier this week, there are still some irregularities in our justice system which need to be rectified. However, we can rejoice that the proper (and just) decisions were meted out in the two cases I've cited here. It's a good day.
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Newly acquitted Kyle Rittenhouse sat down for an interview with Fox News personality Tucker Carlson over the weekend. I imagine it's one which kook leftists don't want you to see given how articulate and lucid Kyle is for a very young man. I linked to the interview above, so you can see it in its entirety if you so desire. However, there are two excerpts which I would like to highlight.
First, Kyle confirms what many of us already know about the deplorable Lin Wood in that he's a master grifter.
Kyle Rittenhouse tells Tucker Carlson that Lin Wood and John Pierce could have bailed him out of jail in September but kept him in there until November to "raise money so they can take it for their own benefit. Not trying to set me free." pic.twitter.com/wejY86igiY
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) November 23, 2021
And secondly, Kyle lays out some hard truths about our justice system.
Kyle Rittenhouse, in his first interview, with @TuckerCarlson, says of prosecutors:
— Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs (@NickAtNews) November 23, 2021
"If they did this to me, imagine what they could've done to a person of color who doesn't maybe have the resources I do, or [if] it's not widely publicized like my case." pic.twitter.com/zFEiHQg09i
This is an area where legitimate fact-seeking journalism could play a vital role. For all the gnashing of teeth many media members engaged in over what they considered slanted coverage of the Gabby Petito disappearance (i.e. missing minorities don't get near that attention), they could actually take an active role in highlighting such disparities. But that probably doesn't bring in nearly the ratings they desire, does it?
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OK, longtime sketch show Saturday Night Live doesn't emit laughter with even that kind of frequency anymore, but they nailed it at least once this past weekend.
Just watch:
Republican or Not? pic.twitter.com/d4x9yGf8p8
— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) November 21, 2021
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Given the jury in the homicide trial of Kyle Rittenhouse had deliberated for three days without reaching a verdict, I was certain a mistrial or hung jury would ultimately be declared.
So when the verdict of NOT GUILTY on all five charges was announced Friday afternoon, I was quite surprised.
Rittenhouse, 18, began to choke up, fell to the floor and then hugged one of his attorneys upon hearing the verdict.
He had been charged with homicide, attempted homicide and reckless endangering after killing two men and wounding a third with an AR-style semi-automatic rifle during a tumultuous night of protests over police violence against Black people (**DRINK** - ed.) in the summer of 2020. The former police youth cadet is white, as were those he shot.
The jury, which appeared to be overwhelmingly white (**DRINK** - ed.), deliberated for close to 3 1/2 days.
Rittenhouse could have gotten life in prison if found guilty on the most serious charge, first-degree intentional homicide, or what some other states call first-degree murder.
As he dismissed the jurors, Circuit Judge Bruce Schroeder assured them the court would take "every measure" to keep them safe.
A sheriff's deputy immediately whisked Rittenhouse out a back door through the judge's chambers.
In reaction to the verdict, prosecutor Thomas Binger said the jury had spoken.
I can't lie to ya. I got quite misty about 8 or 9 minutes into the broadcast of the verdict when Rittenhouse collapsed in his chair upon being acquitted on all charges.
NBA veteran Enes Kanter is becoming someone which cannot be ignored, as much as his league wishes it were so.
With the National Basketball Association having a financially lucrative partnership with China, it's mighty inconvenient for them to have a player in their league not mincing words when it comes to that country's egregious record on human rights abuses. And Kanter is calling out the major sponsors and players whom he feels are complicit in this.
Enes Kanter blasted Nike again on Thursday over its use of slave labor in China and attacked fellow basketball star LeBron James, who has a lifetime deal with the company and has not spoken out against its practices.
“Money over Morals for the ‘King,’” Kanter tweeted alongside photos of several pairs of sneakers designed to call attention to Nike’s relationship with China.
The writing on the toes of one pair reads “Principals > Money” and “Morals > Money.”
“Sad & disgusting how these athletes pretend they care about social justice,” he added in the tweet, in which he tagged James and Nike.
He added that athletes “really do ‘shut up & dribble’” when “Big Boss” China tells them to, asserting that James and the NBA have remained silent on China’s human rights abuses to protect the multibillion-dollar relationship.
Money over Morals for the “King” 👑
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) November 18, 2021
Sad & disgusting how these athletes pretend they care about social justice
They really do “shut up & dribble” when Big Boss 🇨🇳 says so
Did you educate yourself about the slave labor that made your shoes or is that not part of your research? pic.twitter.com/YUA8rGYeoZ
Not surprisingly, Kanter has essentially been deemed persona non grata by his Boston Celtics club. Despite averaging double digit points and rebounds over the previous four seasons, Kanter has played in only four of the Celts' 15 games this NBA season. And given he signed only a 1-year/$2.6 million contract this past August, it's not out of the realm of possibility that he may not even be in the league beyond 2022.
Sadly, Kanter is not getting near the publicity as Colin Kaepernick when the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback knelt during the National Anthem throughout the 2016 NFL season. And even more disgraceful is the fact Kanter doesn't have nearly as many allies (if any at all) as Kaepernick did within their respective leagues.
I guess one could say Kanter truly does believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.
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In my humble (but accurate) opinion, Minnesota Twins centerfielder Byron Buxton is the franchise's most exciting and dynamic players since the days of Kirby Puckett. Yeah, I know he's been bit by the injury bug since first breaking into the big leagues in 2015. But he's proven that his presence in the lineup 100-120 games per season is on par or superior to 150 or more games of any other outfielder in Major League Baseball.
After turning down a 7-year incentive laden offer from the Twins last year, Buxton's immediate future with the club is very much uncertain. The Twins' brass apparently listened to trade offers for Buxton last July but, thankfully, weren't blown away by anything. With Buxton a free agent after the 2022 season, you would think a definitive decision will have to be made by Spring Training, which is slated to begin in about three months.
“There’s no rush,” Buxton said. “As far as the contract stuff, I don’t really know too much about it. It’s more of keeping it going. Obviously, everybody knows the situation. Just got to keep being myself, keep being me and communicate.”
Before the Twins would move Buxton, they would want to make sure they are unable to reach an agreement with him on an extension. The parties continue to communicate, but have not made progress toward a deal, sources said.
Finding a middle ground will not be easy. Buxton’s representatives want him to be paid like a potential superstar. The Twins, meanwhile, want to protect against the possibility that Buxton will continue to miss a large number of games due to injuries. Their budgetary restrictions make it difficult for them to absorb bad contracts.
I understand how the organization might be a little gun shy given the big contract they doled out to Joe Mauer in 2010, only to see him not put forth the type of production he amassed the five seasons prior to the beginning of that deal (the first year of Mauer's extension was 2011, a disastrous season for him and the franchise). Nevertheless, a guy like Buxton is a once-in-a-generation type player, one that, if his upside is realized, can be the cornerstone of a championship team. And with the solid young core the Twins have compiled via trades of stars Nelson Cruz and Jose Berrios as well as recent drafts, re-upping Buxton is a risk absolutely worth taking.
Put it this way: if the Twins trade Buxton in 2022 or allow him to walk after that season, an already impatient fan base will stay away in droves for the foreseeable future. Yeah, a dormant Target Field will be even less enticing for potential free agents beyond '22.
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- As newly elected leader of the Republican Party of Minnesota, David Hann has (to put it mildly) his work cut out for him.
One of many obstacles to overcome is that of the party being characterized as a mouthpiece for Donald J. Trump.
But unlike (previous MNGOP Chair Jennifer) Carnahan, who quickly became a full-throated amplifier of Trump’s messages on social media, Hann appears to be attempting to walk a fine line of moderation among the the party’s all-in-for-Trump members, as well as those who for years have remained privately uncomfortable with Trump but publicly supportive or mute.
For example, Hann rejected the idea that the Republican Party can today be called “the party of Trump.”
“I don’t know that that identification persists past the time the president is in office,” he said. “I would not agree that the Republican Party equals Donald Trump and whatever his vision is. He’s a private citizen at this point. He may be a candidate again. I don’t know. There are other people who are seeking to become the nominee the next presidential cycle.
“There are clearly people in the Republican Party who like President Trump and want to see him run again, but there are others who don’t. … To me, it seems odd to say ‘it’s the party of Trump’ when he’s not the president. You could say the Democratic Party is the party of Joe Biden.”
Here’s another angle. This wasn’t a spontaneous crowd chant. This was led from the stage. pic.twitter.com/tWh9vvasau
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 14, 2021
This took place at Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, TX.
Put aside that the chant "Let's Go, Brandon" is a euphemism for a phrase one shouldn't even utter in polite company, let alone a church. The idea that a Christian house of worship is giving off the vibe that they're steep in partisan politics would seem to fly in the face of they're ultimate goal -- sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm pretty certain Jesus would have us witness all those who are lost, including Democrats.
- Perhaps the Democrat party's most demagogic and vacuous personality is running for elected office once more.
I’m running for governor.
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) November 15, 2021
Together, we can push past the small and divisive politics that we see in Texas today — and get back to the big, bold vision that used to define Texas. A Texas big enough for all of us.
Join us: https://t.co/eMY5wwf6an pic.twitter.com/yrG1WOkpqk
O'Rourke really made a name for himself in 2018 when he ran for U.S. Senate opposing Sen. Ted Cruz. Despite a campaign which saw him draw huge swaths of people at every stop, O'Rourke lost by 2.5% in that election. However, he was not nearly as open about his desire to institute a gun buyback program or removing some churches' tax exempt status as he was when vying for the 2020 Dem nominee for President. Also, 2018 was the first midterm election in Donald Trump's presidency, so that environment typically favors the party opposite the one controlling the White House. If Beto couldn't win in 2018 given those circumstances, how is he delusional enough to believe he can prevail in a statewide election (in still solidly red Texas no less) in an environment strongly favoring Republicans while also having since conveyed some of his more radical policy ideas?
If indeed O'Rourke is the 2022 Democrat nominee for Governor of Texas, then congratulations on your reelection, Gov. Greg Abbott.
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My friend and Northern Alliance Radio Network colleague Mitch Berg is away on assignment today, so I will assume the reins of The Headliner edition of the NARN. Today's 2-hour tilt gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time.
On the local scene, I'll discuss some news involving the trial of former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter, who is being charged with manslaughter in the death of 20-year old Daunte Wright.
Speaking of high profile shootings, I will weigh in on the homicide trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, specifically how national media outlets have shed any pretense of objectivity towards the proceedings.
At 1:30, Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate (and, for purposes of full disclosure, personal friend) Michelle Benson will check in with the latest from the campaign trail.
- I promise you, the material Jimmy Kimmel used to write for the NFL on Fox pregame show back in the early 2000s was funny. Really, it was. But if you didn't see that stuff live and thus the only familiarity you have with Kimmel is the unfunny deranged prog on his late night ABC talk show, then I understand why you think I'm full of it.
Anyhow, here's a clip from his painfully unfunny monologue from earlier this week.
.@jimmykimmel: The reason @VP Harris is so unpopular is because Americans are sexist and racist pic.twitter.com/Bnhzpvvnrd
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) November 10, 2021
So what does it say about the political party (y'know, the one Kimmel supports) that so roundly rejected Harris's 2020 bid for President that she ended her campaign before the Iowa Caucus?
- There's been a lot of bizarre twists and turns in this week's homicide trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager who last summer killed two men and injured another (all in self-defense, in my opinion) while roaming the streets of Kenosha, WI.
Perhaps one of the more bizarre reactions was to the presiding judge's ringtone on his cell phone, which rang during the trial.
Judge Schroeder’s phone rings in the middle of the Rittenhouse trial, and it just happens to be the theme song from the Trump rallies when he walks on stage. Go figure. pic.twitter.com/3LE44QwNkB
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) November 10, 2021
What, you'd rather he don a crocheted vagina atop his head?
- The media pig pile on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was in full force in the aftermath of his 40-minute diatribe on Pat McAfee's podcast a week ago. Apparently Rodgers' rationale for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine (and then actually coming down with COVID) was left wanting.
I don’t think people understand the severity of this…
— Kyle Hooten (@KyleHooten2) November 7, 2021
A self described “gang” broke into the apartment where a Minneapolis judge lives and LIVE STREAMED IT
Where were the cops? pic.twitter.com/5URC9lsgKc
The purpose of Rice compiling this video was to demand that Potter's trial be broadcast live. Apparently said demand had to be made in front of the trial judge's residence. Yeah, no underlying message there, huh?
Oh, and what I'm sure was a completely independent decision.......
A new ruling in the trial of former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter, charged in Daunte Wright's killing, will allow cameras in the courtroom and for the trial to be shown live.
The ruling comes after a coalition of Twin Cities journalists challenged a previous decision in August denying cameras in the courtroom for the trial. In the recent decision, the judge writes that the decision to deny audio-visual coverage was based on the belief that the COVID-19 pandemic would wane, allowing for a full audience in the courtroom.
I guess mob mentality is sufficient, provided it achieves your preferred end goal.
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When conveying his disappointment that Minneapolis Ballot Question #2 (aka "Defund the Police") failed in last Tuesday's election, DFLer Javier Morillo's rationale was......interesting.
"(W)ith the rise in crime that was...that happened across the country, but, um, here was successfully, y'know...I think...um...uh...'weaponized' to make an art to scare people, right? To scare people. And when people are scared about their safety, they're not...not thinking big."
I think I can interpret incoherent spin doctoring. What Javy is essentially saying here is that those damn citizens living in a major city where violent crime is reaching record levels just aren't looking at the bigger picture. Sure, there's an increased risk of being car jacked these days. But if ya just take one for the team, we promise the city will be safer eventually. This is equivalent to saying the undeniable increase in costs of everyday items (i.e. food, gasoline, etc.) was "weaponized" to scare people into voting for fiscal conservatives.
Javy then went on with an unsubstantiated national media claim (parroted by Rep. Ilhan Omar and former City Council President Lisa Bender) that Minneapolis police officers have openly talked about slowing down services in the city, thus resulting in the spike in crime. He even threw Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) and Gov. Tim Walz under the bus for good measure.
I hope you are refreshed from that extra hour of sleep! Today's edition of my radio show The Closer will be on from 1:00 until 3:00 PM Central Time.
In the first hour I will recap Tuesday's local and national election results. As usual, "progressives" didn't learn a thing.
At 2:00 CT, I will be joined by Mark Hemingway, who co-authored with his wife Mollie a book entitled "Rigged: How the Media, Big Tech, and the Democrats Seized Our Elections."
For my money, ESPN.com writer Kevin Seifert best summarized this latest Aaron Rodgers saga in which the Green Bay Packers QB tested positive for COVID-19.
The most important thing to worry about is Rodgers' health in both the short- and long-term. The best-case scenario is that he will re-join the team the day before the Packers' Nov. 14 game against the Seahawks. So it's not out of the question that he could miss two games, and that's assuming he tests negative and is asymptomatic at the 10-day mark.
Chatter throughout the day Wednesday centered on the surprise of Rodgers' unvaccinated status, but the health of all involved should be the top priority.
Wow, there is so much to unpack regarding Tuesday's elections, so thank goodness I have a weekly radio show as an outlet. As such, this Sunday's broadcast is pretty well set.
Just a few general thoughts in the aftermath:
- It's clear proggies and their media lapdogs have learned nothing about what propelled the GOP to dominate a blue state like Virginia. Telling parents they shouldn't have a say in what is going on in their kids' schools was the gift that kept on giving. And consistently calling Republicans and their voters "racists" is felony stupid in light of the party having a black female Lt Gov candidate and a Hispanic Attorney General candidate both emerge victorious. But by all means, continue with that chanting point, progs.
- Virginia (and even New Jersey) showed there is a way forward for the Republican party without Trump.
Virginia is what a post-Trump GOP could look like. Engaged in the culture. Focused on issues that really matter to parents and families. Mobilized. Fighting smart. And crucially: not revolving around one single personality like Donald Trump. This is the way forward.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) November 2, 2021
Trump promptly took credit for Glenn Youngkin winning the Virginia gubernatorial race, but the fact of the matter is Youngkin was laser focused on salient issues which Trump championed without invoking the man himself.
- As is usually the case in election season, we in Minnesota celebrate nationally but mourn locally. While I was encouraged by the number of conservative school board candidates who stepped up to run in various districts, not nearly enough broke through with victories. However, Minnesota wasn't a total loss as most Minneapolis residents showed they're not quite ready to embrace a Mad Max style post-apocalyptic city. The "defund the police" ballot initiative was overwhelmingly defeated as were city council members Phillipe Cunningham & Jeremy Schroeder, both of whom were big time advocates of the movement. Not even far left Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN-05) or her predecessor (and current MN Atty General) Keith Ellison could drag it across the finish line.
- And now the 2022 battle lines have been drawn. There is no question the GOP is on track to take over more state legislatures and gubernatorial offices as well as reestablish a majority in the U.S. Congress. Basically, the Republicans just have to not screw anything up over the next 12 months.....which is far from a sure thing, unfortunately.
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On Monday evening it was decided by the Salem Communications-Twin Cities powers-that-be that we would conduct a special Election Night broadcast cast this evening. It was such short notice that my Northern Alliance Radio Network colleagues Mitch Berg and Jack Tomczak are unavailable, so I will be flying solo 8-11 PM Central Time (Three hours?!?!?! YIKES!).
I'm tentatively scheduled to have some Minnesota conservative school board candidates phone in with an update on their respective races, hopefully even performing victory laps. Regardless, I will keep tabs on a lot of these local elections, including some highly publicized ballot initiatives in both Minneapolis and St. Paul.
I'll be honest. I'm not really all that enthused about this "Let's Go Brandon" phase. If you don't know what I'm talking about, said phrase is a euphemism for "F*ck Joe Biden." While I admit to putting forth a good chuckle at how the "Let's Go, Brandon" chant came to fruition, it's become overkill at this point. You can call me a killjoy or prod me to lighten up all you want, but I just don't find this kind of "discourse" at all productive or helpful.
Now, with all that said, as tedious as I consider the "LGB" chant to be, it pales in comparison to the overreactions emitting from leftists and their media cohorts. The fact of the matter is the vast majority of those people made nary a peep about the vile characterizations of President George W. Bush (e.g. "BusHitler", "Buck Fush," or "smirking chimp") or the fact there was a fictional film depicting his assassination. And while I couldn't fathom another GOP President could ever be more maligned than Bush, it was somehow vastly exceeded during the Donald Trump era (Trump was also the subject of an assassination fantasy).
So for those of you who celebrated (or virtually ignored) all the vile invective thrown at GOP Presidents but are suddenly collapsing to your fainting couches over a three-word phrase not even containing a word the FCC would find objectionable? Well......I'd be a hypocrite if I uttered the three-word phrase which immediately comes to mind.
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