Let's put a cap on Kap

One year there may be an NFL season where a team suffers a catastrophic injury to its quarterback and we don't hear the name "Colin Kaepernick" invoked. 

But 2023 is not that year. 

 

In a letter shared on social media by musician J. Cole, Kaepernick reached out to (New York Jets GM Joe) Douglas last week, explaining why he hoped the organization would give him a chance with the practice squad.

Kaepernick, 35, explained that he would help give the defense an added advantage in preparing for the Week 4, 5 and 6 matchups, while also give the Jets a chance to evaluate him without pressuring Zach Wilson.

“I would be honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to come in and lead the practice squad,” Kaepernick wrote. “I would do this with the sole mission of getting your defense ready each week. If I were able to fill this role, I believe this allows for multiple things.”

It is no secret that the Jets have struggled with Wilson as the No. 1 quarterback since Aaron Rodgers went down with a season-ending Achilles injury just four plays into Week 1.

J. Cole has released Colin Kaepernick's letter to the Jets requesting to join their practice squad 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Kjn3af3u9G

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 26, 2023

Let's toss aside all the sentiments why some people are so vehement that Kaepernick be given an opportunity to catch on with an NFL team. The fact is it's laughable that any 35-year old NFL quarterback who hasn't taken a snap in a live game in more than six years would be considered to be brought in for any meaningful role. Now, you can argue that Kaepernick not having played in that long was due more to his activism as opposed to a decline in skills, and I wouldn't totally disagree. But that doesn't change the fact the lack of NFL game action would be a detriment to whatever he looks to accomplish on the field. 

Kaepernick ended his letter by citing four references the Jets' brass could contact in the event they chose to vet him further. Two references named stood out to me: Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis and Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Huh. If only those two gentlemen had any authority or influence with their respective teams so as to sign Kaepernick to their practice squad. I mean, both clubs have had injury issues at the QB position in the not too recent past (heck, Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was in concussion protocol until Thursday afternoon). Seems to me the Raiders or Ravens bringing on Kaepernick in some capacity would, if nothing else, show the rest of the league what they're missing out on.

Isn't amazing how so many NFL team officials say Kaepernick, at minimum, deserves to be brought in for a workout yet not of those same officials in positions of authority are willing to bring him on to their squads? It's almost as if they'd rather signal their virtue as opposed to taking a principled stance. 

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Commence pruning process

No, I did not watch the GOP presidential debate on Wednesday evening because I'm not a masochist. And it would appear my instincts are sound given how some of my favorite conservative writers like Erick Erickson, Ed Morrissey and Jim Geraghty declared the festivities a complete dud. 

While it's highly likely Donald Trump will emerge as the Republican candidate in 2024, there should still be a concerted effort to put forth a nominee who matches up better against President Joe Biden (right now Trump polls worse head-to-head vs. Biden than do Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis). 

Karol Markowicz at the New York Post says the winnowing of the field down to those two non-Trump hopefuls needs to happen posthaste. 

People are still moving to Florida to experience Gov. DeSantis’s leadership. It wasn’t a Covid fluke.

My new neighbors from Connecticut sport their DeSantis merch and can’t wait to vote for him for president.

What he has done in Florida is revolutionary and has been a model for other states.

But revolutions are scary and it’s not crazy that some Republican voters want to go back to a Republican model they understand.

Nikki Haley represents that model.

There was a few moments tonight where the candidates got to really challenge each other, but the ideas really didn’t come through.

When Tim Scott is attacking Nikki Haley for expensive drapes, voters at home have no idea what’s going on.

And when Christie looks into the camera and talks to Donald Trump, it doesn’t advance the conversation about what he stands for.

Yes, he hates Trump now but where has he been for the last six years?

There’s a future to consider and the crowded stage means that the frontrunners angle for time with also-rans.

Polls aren’t everything, but they are already used to whittle down who gets into the conversation.

Lines always get drawn to consider who gets to be in the debate.

The next debate should feature some sharper ones.

Voters might enjoy a sideshow, but they deserve a debate of real ideas.

Let the top two candidates get a real chance to present those ideas to voters.

There can only be one. But let’s start with two.

And there's only one candidate who is decisively and substantively going after Trump. 

 

👀 pic.twitter.com/Wiun4jAvvi

— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) September 28, 2023

In a normal political cycle, this rhetorical smackdown would've resulted in a noticeable wound on the frontrunner. Unfortunately any semblance of "normal" dissipated back in about July 2015. 

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Quick Hits: Volume CCCXXVI

 - I've been saying for some time now that President Joe Biden will not be the Democrat candidate for President in 2024. That's not to say he's going to die as much as it is that his team will no longer be able to keep up the façade of his being mentally and physically capable of the campaign grind. Team Biden's unwitting admission of this fact has been apparent for a while now. 

Less than two months ago Biden surrogates attempted to photoshop his physical superiority to his likely GOP opponent Donald Trump. Now? They're employing tactics just to keep Biden upright. 

President Biden and his campaign are working on a critical project for his re-election bid: Make sure he doesn't trip.

Driving the news: As voters express deep concerns about the 80-year-old president's age and fitness for office, Biden's team is taking extra steps to prevent him from stumbling in public — as he did in June, when he tripped over a sandbag at the Air Force Academy.

• With a physical therapist, Biden has been doing exercises to improve his balance as far back as November 2021.
• Since his stumble in June, he has been wearing tennis shoes more often to avoid slipping — and using the short stairs on Air Force One, entering the plane on a lower deck than before.

Why it matters: Democrats, including some in the administration, are terrified that Biden will have a bad fall — with a nightmare scenario of it happening in the weeks before the November 2024 election.

Zoom in: Some senior Democrats privately have been frustrated with Biden's advance team for months, citing the sandbag incident and noting that the president often appears not to know which direction to go after he speaks at a podium.

• Often without context, Republicans have used video clips of Biden looking confused about where to go after speeches to raise further questions about his age.

Sorry, progs. The ol' "Republicans POUNCE!" retort isn't going to save y'all on this one.  

- I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but these certain legal decisions get my wheels spinning. I'll come back to that. 

But first......

Probation & multiple dropped charges for a guy who carried an AR-15 into Mall of America to commit armed robbery.

State law says he should have received 3 to 20 years of prison time for each charge.

Instead he’s spun back out on the street.

Why do we tolerate this? #mnleg https://t.co/lm1Fz48hPU pic.twitter.com/Lfx2vKd2xC

— Andrew Wagner (@andrewwagner) September 26, 2023

The legal officials making these decisions are of the far left political ilk. The issue in which leftists are the most insufferable demagogues is in the area of what they call "gun violence." 

So what's my "theory" you may ask? 

Well, by giving a slap on the wrist to repeat offenders who commit gun crimes, said criminals are highly likely to re-offend. With guns. Meaning progs will cite more instances of gun crimes to use as fodder to in an attempt to enact "gun control." 

So do I believe that's what's taking place here, legal officials are deliberately kicking cases to strengthen their "gun control" arguments? Nah. Admittedly that's pretty far fetched. But will gun grabbers unashamedly continue to use any crime involving guns as a way to demagogue for "gun control" as opposed to demanding more accountability from judges and prosecuting attorneys who are unwittingly exacerbating the crime problem? Without. A. Doubt.

- This is what it's all about. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jim Kelly (@jimkelly1212)

That's Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly sharing his personal testimony of what lead to his baptism at age 63. 

Kelly experienced professional heartbreak by failing to deliver his beloved city of Buffalo a Super Bowl championship despite guiding his Buffalo Bills to the big game in four consecutive seasons. But that doesn't even register in the adversity realm when you consider he had to bury a son as well as personally enduring two grueling bouts with cancer. 

Despite all that, Kelly is now experiencing perfect peace. And he is acknowledging the ultimate Source in those triumphs over personal trials. 

God bless, Jim!

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Box Score of the Week

Pittsburgh Pirates at New York Mets - September 20, 1969.

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Pirates pitcher Bob Moose pitched a no-hitter this game, making him the first hurler in MLB history to record a save and a no-hitter in the same season (the "save" became an official statistic in 1969).

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The NARN Closer's playlist (Headliner edition) -9/23/2023

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I got no friends 'cause they read the papers....

Mitch and I are switching broadcasts this weekend on the Northern Alliance Radio Network, so I will be on today, 1-3 PM Central Time. 

At 1:00, Minnesota State Rep. Elliott Engen (R-White Bear Township) will join the broadcast to discuss the growing concern of multiple law enforcement jurisdictions declining to participate in the School Resource Officer program. 

Then at 2:00, Anoka-Hennepin school board candidate Linda Hoekman will to stop by to tout her candidacy. 

In the non-guest segments, I'll weigh in on some national news from this past week, including Donald Trump's incoherence on basic issues (I know; it doesn't matter), Nikki Haley's surge in the GOP presidential polls, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's bad week. 

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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Not exactly reassuring

Over the past 2-3 weeks, it's felt like at least one Minnesota law enforcement jurisdiction per day has pulled School Resource Officers out of schools within their respective districts due to a lack of clarity on a new law passed in this year's legislative session. 

Many Republican lawmakers have urged Gov. Tim Walz to call a special session of the Legislature in an effort to fix a law that seemed to cause more uncertainty than necessary. Walz has declined to do so, instead choosing to politicize the issue. 

Wow — The Governor met today with vulnerable DFLers so they could get a photo op telling everyone they're working on a solution (while avoiding a special session).

It's all political—they're not interested in solving the problem, they just want the headache to go away. #mnleg pic.twitter.com/xy5mVccnGc

— Andrew Wagner (@andrewwagner) September 20, 2023

Ah, but Walz and AG Keith Ellison now seem to believe they've now done all that is necessary to quell any concerns. 

 

Attorney General Keith Ellison issued a legal opinion about the law in August and put forth a supplemented opinion Wednesday. His office said there have been “significant misunderstandings about the impact” of changes to the state law, including an interpretation by some that SROs couldn’t use any physical contact to address non-violent behavior, but Ellison said that is not the case.

Walz met Wednesday with law enforcement, legislative leaders and Ellison, which he described Thursday as a productive meeting “where we made significant progress in coming to an agreement that will help ensure school safety.”

“Law enforcement leaders came to the Attorney General with valid questions, and I am grateful for the Attorney General’s binding opinion clarifying that school resource officers can continue to do their jobs effectively,” he said in a statement. “I am committed to further addressing this issue next legislative session and eager to see school resource officers return to schools as soon as possible.”

Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association are taking this under advisement. 

MPPOA plans to issue guidance to law enforcement members, but a spokesperson agreed Wednesday’s meeting was productive and said she expects some law enforcement agencies could reinstate SRO programs soon.

The police association was concerned that the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) could take action against an officer’s license if, under the changed SRO law, an officer’s use of force was regarded as unauthorized or unreasonable.

The POST Board told law enforcement associations Thursday that it understands Ellison’s legal opinion is binding.

I guess my question is why did it take law enforcement jurisdictions pulling SROs from schools to get the Walz administration to actively engage this issue instead of dismissing the concerns as coming from a minority of districts? And AG Ellison's "supplemental opinion" certainly could have been issued soon after concerns were raised as opposed to when this issue was suddenly becoming politically inconvenient to Dems. 

Bottom line is the absence of SROs will only serve to embolden bad actors within the schools. It shouldn't take a violent incident like what happened in Mankato to emphasize how vital it is to resolve this once and for all. 

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Quick Hits: Volume CCCXXV

 - Whenever Donald Trump speaks, I can't determine whether his words comes via a legitimate stream of consciousness or regurgitating talking points his presidential campaign advisors gave him. Regardless, it's a bad look. 

NEW: Trump says he will compromise with Democrats on abortion so that they’re nice to him: “Both sides are going to like me.”

Then he says it’s “a terrible thing” babies with heartbeats are protected in Iowa, Florida, and South Carolina.@RonDeSantis will NEVER sell out… pic.twitter.com/8c5zpGhVjW

— DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) September 17, 2023

This occurred less than a week after his interview with Megyn Kelly where he couldn't coherently answer a simple question.

Megyn Kelly: Can a man become a woman?

Trump: Ummmmmmmmm .....

Defend this crap! I dare you! We are about to find out who all the frauds are on the right. This is indefensible. pic.twitter.com/VIBdyYzVzA

— Unfiltered☢Boss (@Unfilteredboss1) September 15, 2023

Trump says he shouldn't have to debate other GOP presidential candidates because he's ahead by such a large margin. He may honestly believe that exempts him, but the real truth may be that he doesn't have the chops to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis. 

In 48 hours, Trump couldn’t answer if a man could become a woman and denounced pro-life legislation. I think I’ve seen enough.

— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) September 17, 2023

I echo Erick's sentiments and these incidents would normally spell trouble for candidates. However, Trump's cultists are not at all interested in serious engagement on issues. Sad! 

- Yeah, I've seen the footage of Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and her date fondling each other while at a Colorado theater. And yes, I concur it's degenerate behavior. But I do not buy one iota the outrage being conveyed by progs, especially those demanding she resign her Congressional seat over such a display. After all, many of these same leftists are perfectly fine with scantily clad adults gyrating in front of kids while marching in a "Pride parade." 

If @laurenboebert broke Colorado law for lewdness, the people at this Denver pride fest who twerked and simulated sex acts for kids need to be investigated pic.twitter.com/cpgRCI4CNc

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 19, 2023

But perhaps the most amazing aspect of all this? Video footage of this saga was attained almost instantaneously whereas incidents in well surveilled locations like the jail where Jeffrey Epstein "killed himself" or the White House room where cocaine was discovered remain total mysteries. 

- I was told that if I voted to reelect President Donald Trump in 2020 that there would continue to be a destruction of norms in Washington, D.C. 

And they were right. 

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has quietly changed the Senate’s informal dress code to allow senators to wear whatever they want on the floor, a person with direct knowledge said.

A notice went out to the Senate sergeant-at-arms and relevant staff members late Friday, and the change will go into effect starting Monday, the source said.

The change would let Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who is often seen wearing a hoodie and baseball shorts, wear his casual attire on the Senate floor whenever he wants. Fetterman, who was elected in last year’s midterm elections, wore a suit and a tie at his swearing-in in January.

However, he has worn his casual clothes after he returned to the Senate following treatment for clinical depression this year.

As conservative commentator Erick Erickson astutely observes, this is part of the Dems' continuing pattern of accommodating an infinitesimal minority. 

Reminiscent of the 2020 Democrat presidential debate when candidate Julian Castro made a vow to protect abortion rights of a "trans female." Uhhhhhhh..............

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Box Score of the Week

Seattle Mariners at Toronto Blue Jays - May 16, 2002.

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Have a day, Mike Cameron! The Mariners' outfielder became the first player in the modern era (since 1900) to hit a grand slam homerun and steal three bases in a single game. 

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The NARN Closer's playlist - 9/17/2023

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You look like a fine upstandin' young man, I think you'll do......

No Vikings game today, so hopefully that means more of y'all listening live to my radio show The Closer. The 2-hour blitz gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

In the first hour I'll discuss the ever growing sentiment that President Joe Biden is too old to run for a second term - only this time it's a substantial number of Democrats conveying that belief. I will also weigh in on Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) being universally rebuffed in her attempts to institute a gun ban via executive fiat. 

At 2:00, I will welcome to the Patriot bunker Mike and Jenna Dicks, who will discuss their newly created organization United Parenting Coalition.

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.....

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

Hmmmmm........

With my Minnesota Vikings falling to 0-2 after a Thursday night loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, they are now projected to have only a 10% chance of making the postseason. Coming off an inexplicable 13-win season last year, the 2023 Vikes were expected to once again win the NFC North and then make a run in the playoffs. That could still happen, but man they've dug themselves a hole. And it's painfully obvious through the first two games that the Vikings have some serious issues, particularly the perpetual deficiencies along the offensive line. Again, that's not to say the season is over but a "must win" scenario in week three at home against the Los Angeles Chargers is not optimal. 

So.....is it time to burn it all down and start anew as some have suggested? I'm not convinced of that, but it's interesting how so many NFL talking heads have suggested that a trade of quarterback Kirk Cousins actually makes sense from the Vikings' perspective. 

"Kirk Cousins to the Jets! Who says no?"@Espngreeny is "all in" for New York to make the trade for the QB 😅 pic.twitter.com/GyE3HZiNcE

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) September 15, 2023

Update...

Greeny and Bart Scott just said the Jets should call the Vikings and offer a 1st round pick for Kirk Cousins.

A - Would you do this if you ran the Vikings (me - yes)

B - Would Kirk Cousins waive his no-trade clause to play for the Jets?

Juicy.

— Phil Mackey 🎙 (@PhilMackey) September 15, 2023

 

It's early in the #NFL season but @richeisen says #TakeFlight should make a YOLO trade offer to #SKOL for Kirk Cousins:#NFL #TNF pic.twitter.com/5wpnCDaJbZ

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) September 15, 2023

When the Vikings were looking to sign Cousins as a free agent prior to the 2018 season, there was one other serious suitor for Cousins' services - the New York Jets. Ultimately the Vikes won the bidding war due to guaranteeing a then unheard of 3-year, $84 million pact. Cousins has since put up good numbers in a Vikings uniform but is still dogged by the fact he's won only one postseason game in six seasons in Minnesota. 

On the other hand, the Jets, who went all in on future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers this year only to see his season end after four snaps, are built to win now given they have a championship caliber defense and outstanding young offensive players at the skill positions. Their one glaring weakness? Quarterback. While third year man Zach Wilson may eventually evolve into the franchise QB the Jets have long sought, he's definitely not ready to lead a team to a Super Bowl this season. So do the Jets believe Cousins could be that guy? Well, again, he's been a starter for eight full seasons while making the playoffs only three times and winning all of one game. While that's not exactly a championship pedigree, perhaps the Jets believe that merely a very good (not great) quarterback is all that's needed to lead them to the proverbial Promised Land. And given Cousins has only one year remaining on his deal, this would truly be an all or nothing scenario.

If all this were as simple as the Jets needing a QB and thus willing to offer a first rounder for Cousins, they likely would've been on the phone to Minnesota by now. However, there are other factors to weigh. First, does the Vikings' brass consider this season a lost cause? I doubt it, but I obviously have no insight into their thinking. But even if the Vikes entertain an offer for Cousins, they still have to entice him to waive his no-trade clause. Again, there's no way to know for sure if he'd be willing to do so. 

Bottom line: Cousins will stay put in Minnesota. Whether it's due to his rejecting a trade request or the Vikings willing to stand pat is what'll be the most interesting aspect of all this.

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Mitt to quit

I had a sneaking suspicion this was coming. 

Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney announced Wednesday that he will not run for reelection to the Senate and called for a “new generation of leaders” as he criticized both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

In a video message, Romney outlined a range of what he described as critical issues, including rising national debt and the climate crisis, and said “neither President Biden nor former President Trump are leading their party to confront those issues.”

The Utah Republican’s decision will mark the departure of a distinctive voice from the Senate of a lawmaker willing to take on his own party. Romney, who was the 2012 GOP presidential nominee, has long been a rare member of the Republican party who has been an outspoken critic of Trump.

Given Romney's unabashed criticism of Trump, it earned him "strange new respect" from those who assassinated his character (or echoed the invective) when he was the GOP nominee for President in 2012. In a way, that particular campaign laid the groundwork for a Trump candidacy in 2016. Think about it. The prevailing sentiment among the majority of Republicans in '16 was that they grew weary of the borderline slanderous attacks levied on the party's past presidential candidates (amplified by willing accomplices in the media) with the subject of those attacks not punching pack nearly as hard. I often think about how dramatically different America would look were Romney elected POTUS in 2012 then reelected in '16. I'm under no delusion that there'd be zero divisiveness, but the political environment would almost assuredly be more dignified. 

In the end, I appreciate Romney's sentiment of a call for a "new generation of leaders." It's very clear that the Baby Boomer wing of Congress is woefully out of touch in how to govern a country which is changing at a breakneck pace. And while there was a decent chance Romney would've been upended in the GOP primary next year anyways, it shouldn't undermine his sentiment that D.C. needs to get younger.

Godspeed, Sen. Romney.

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Quick Hits: CCCXXIV

 - When CNN starts reporting on the obvious embellishments and falsehoods put forth by the walking cadaver in the White House, ya know it's pretty serious.

 

CNN's DANIEL DALE: "This president has a pattern, at this point, of either inventing or embellishing stories about his own past, his biography — he did it three times in one speech last month alone!" pic.twitter.com/r0juAJYGwo

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 12, 2023

I love how Mr. Dale says "at this point," as if Biden's lies are a new development. Perhaps Dan-O should be advised to check out a highlight reel of Biden in his 40s. 

At this point? Biden is merely adding cuts to his greatest hits.

- As the NFL regular season began, Jack's bar in Milwaukee, WI declared they would pick up the tab of their patrons on the days the New York Jets lose a game started by former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 

On Monday night, Rodgers started for the Jets and took four snaps before departing with what was later determined to be a torn achilles. As you can imagine, Jack's patrons quickly ran up their respective tabs fully expecting the Jets to lose, thus forcing the establishment to make good on their pledge. Ah, but there was one minor flaw in that plan: the Jets actually won in overtime. And a reporter from the CBS affiliate in Milwaukee was reporting live from Jack's when the game concluded. 

So, uh, we were live on the air at Jack's when the Jets won, and everyone realized they weren't drinking for free after all pic.twitter.com/VCZJNGBaym

— A.J. Bayatpour (@AJBayatpour) September 12, 2023

I believe that's what the kids refer to as "instant karma." 

- New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham recently declared that she will unilaterally institute gun restrictions in certain parts of her state due to her claims of out-of-control gun violence. How she planned on enforcing that edict was never really made clear, but no matter. Law enforcement leaders came out shortly thereafter declaring they are under no obligation to violate the U.S. Constitution. 

Soon after, New Mexico's Democrat Attorney General declared the governor's order a bridge too far. 

NM Attorney General Raul Torrez says he will NOT defend the governor in several already filed lawsuits related to her 30-day gun ban. “I do not believe that the Emergency Order will have any meaningful impact on public safety…I do not believe it passes constitutional muster.” pic.twitter.com/XsgZjie2eT

— Brittany Costello (@BrittanyKOB) September 12, 2023

I'd love to see a Venn diagram of those who were outraged over President Donald Trump's actions on 1/6/2021 and those who are A-OK with the New Mexico governor unabashadley looking to skirt the U.S. Constitution. 

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Box Score of the Week

St Louis Cardinals at New York Giants - July 5, 1945.

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At the age of 18 years, 345 days, the Giants' Whitey Lockman hit a home run in his first career MLB at-bat. He remains the youngest player ever to do so. 

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The NARN Closer's playlist - 9/10/2023

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The silicon chip inside her head gets switched to overload.....

It's the first Sunday of the 2023 NFL season!

As much as I love football, I fully acknowledge that the typical audience for my radio show The Closer may be a bit sparse. Regardless, today's 2-hour broadcast will begin at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

In the non-guest segments I'll discuss a DFL vice chair sharing her account of being carjacked at her Minneapolis home. In national news, NYC Mayor Eric Adams laments the influx of migrants to his city. 

At 1:30, author Faris Cassell will join the broadcast to discuss her latest book Inseparable: The Hess Twins' Holocaust Journey through Bergen-Belsen to America. 

Finally at 2:30, legal fellow at National Opportunity Project Daniel Suhr will be on to share details of a study showing how certain public schools engage in openly discriminatory hiring practices. 

You can listen 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.

Until then.....

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

Not helpful

DFL vice chair Shivanthi Sathanandan was brutally attacked in the driveway of her Minneapolis home on Tuesday. 

She detailed her account of the incident via her Facebook page.

(On Tuesday) my children and I were violently car jacked in the driveway of our home in Minneapolis. Four very young men, all carrying guns, beat me violently down to the ground in front of our kids. The young men held our neighbors up at gunpoint when they ran over and tried to help me. All in broad daylight.

Look at my face in the picture. This is the face of a mother who just had the sh$t beaten out of her. A mother whose only thought was, "let me run far enough and fight hard enough so that my kids have a chance to get away." This is the face of a mother who just listened to her four year old daughter screaming non-stop, her 7 year old son wailing for someone to come help because bad guys are murdering his Mama in the back yard, her neighbors screaming in outrage... all while being beaten with guns and kicks and fists.

I have a broken leg, deep lacerations on my head, bruising and cuts all over my body.

And I have rage.

These men knew what they were doing. I have NO DOUBT they have done this before. Yet they are still on OUR STREETS. Killing mothers. Giving babies psychological trauma that a lifetime of therapy cannot erase. With no hesitation and no remorse.

I'm now part of the statistics. I wasn't silent when I fought these men to save my life and my babies, and I won't be silent now. We need to get illegal guns off of our streets, catch these young people who are running wild creating chaos across our city and HOLD THEM IN CUSTODY AND PROSECUTE THEM. PERIOD.

Look at my face. REMEMBER ME when you are thinking about supporting letting juveniles and young people out of custody to roam our streets instead of HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

You could have been reading the obituary for me and my children today. But instead I'm here. To write this.

Look at my face. These criminals will not win. We need to take back our city. And this will not be the last you hear from me about this.

Thank you to the incredible Minneapolis 4th Precinct Officers, Mayor Frey, Chief O'Hara, Paramedics, neighbors, friends and DFL family, who all came to our aide during this terrifying experience. I'm so grateful for this community that wraps us in love.

And given she is a far left activist living in the city of Minneapolis, you can probably ascertain what her past chanting points have been concerning police. In fact, she's been quite vocal on social media regarding her beliefs. 

Since her Facebook post was made public, Ms. Sathanandan received a bum rush of comments from "Back the Blue" advocates as well as political righties, many of whom reminded her of her political party's stance on public safety. 

Sure, Ms. Sathanandan and her fellow progressives have supported policies which have shown to be destructive when it comes to maintaining law and order in a big city like Minneapolis. So does that mean she's ready to entertain a pivot away from her anti-policing beliefs by acknowledging that the far left's current philosophy just isn't working? Maybe, maybe not. But I gotta tell ya that those on the political right who choose to shame her for her previous stances in the aftermath of her being brutalized in front of her young children isn't the best tactic to win hearts and minds. If you're a "Back the Blue" advocate who has a strong desire to radically improve public safety, ya might wanna use methods to win people to your side. Almost implying a crime victim "had it coming" ain't gonna win 'em to your side. 

This was perhaps my greatest concern over the increase in violent crime recently. Specifically that it would take a harrowing incident close to home in order to lift the blinders off those who insist Minneapolis is a "vibrant" city. 

Above all else, it is my sincere hope that Ms. Sathanandan recovers sufficiently and that she & her children can adequately heal from any emotional trauma. Anything short of supporting the full healing process of the family is wholly unproductive. 

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Doesn't pass the smell test

I don't doubt that Donald Trump is the frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination. But what I'm having a difficult time believing is polling numbers showing him leading by 30+ points over the nearest Republican hopeful in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. I know the Trump cultists are buying it hook, line and sinker, but those who normally vote Republican find such a whopping margin rather implausible. 

Like in 2016, Trump polls the worst of all Republican hopefuls in a head-to-head matchup with the Democrat candidate. However, a perfect storm catapulted him to victory then. But, similar to 2020, he will have no such fortune next year. If Republican voters actually pause and think through this rationally, Trump absolutely can not be the nominee next year if there is even a smidgen of interest in saving our republic. 

Erick Erickson conveyed his thoughts on this dynamic. 

I know too many Republicans who won’t vote for Trump in 2024 under any circumstance. In fact, I dare say there are more of those than there are Trump voters who are only Trump.

If the GOP moves past Trump, it makes every win easier. If the GOP does not, gravity weighs the party down further. I just must wonder if the party, particularly its fifty and older crowd that claims to care so much about their grandchildren’s future, is as invested in Trump as they tell pollsters.

Both parties — after all, we cannot ignore how much voters disdain Biden as well — seem intent on putting their worst foot forward, insisting that everyone will like it or else.

But is that really true? Are the polls measuring support reflective in ballots or just in passions that won’t translate to ballots?

We are in a political realignment, and every voter, myself included, will be forced to feel uncomfortable with portions of their party and its candidates. But I still struggle with the idea that the two men a majority of Americans say are not fit to lead the nation will be their parties’ nominees. Something just feels off about the dynamics and polling right now. Or maybe we are all in a national suicide pact and have chosen the bullet.

Erick also laid out a harsh reality that could serve to undermine whomever the GOP nominee may be. 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Erick Erickson (@ewerickson)

Oh we've seen this movie before, haven't we? Yeah, specifically in January 2021 when Trump sowed such distrust in the two U.S. Senate races out of Georgia that it cost the Republicans the Senate majority. All of the destructive fiscal policies that were ramrodded through in the first two years of Joe Biden's presidency could've been stopped had the GOP maintained just one of those two seats. In a way, Trump only served to make D.C. swampier. 

If somehow Trump is denied the GOP nomination next year, you'll see a similar scorched earth strategy from him, resulting in the party sliding down a hill to a permanent minority. This further underscores my belief that Trump isn't the least but interested in "making America great" if he isn't the one receiving sole credit. 

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Box Score of the Week

Boston Red Sox at Texas Rangers - July 23, 1991.

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Rangers' starting pitcher Nolan Ryan got the victory this game - the 308th of his career. 

Rich "Goose" Gossage was credited with a save - the 308th of his career. 

Photo courtesy of "The Baseball Factory"

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The NARN Closer's playlist - 9/3/2023

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I don't wanna waste my time, become another casualty of society....

It's Labor Day weekend, so we'll definitely be "puttin' in work" on today's edition of my radio show The Closer. The 2-hour broadcast gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

The fallout of the bad laws from this year's Minnesota legislative session continues. This week it had to do with concerns over the authority of School Resource Officers. In national news, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell with another high profile "freeze up." Also, the media's propensity for "narrative journalism" was on full display this past week. 

At 1:30, Joel Kiekbusch of the Warrior 196 Leadership Foundation will join the broadcast to discuss a 5K race coming up where proceeds will provide scholarships to students in MN Independent School District 196 (Eagan, Apple Valley and Rosemount). 

Finally at 2:30, the senior U.S. Senator out of Oklahoma James Lankford will appear via phone to tout his role as keynote speaker at this Friday's annual Minnesota Family Council dinner. 

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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