You're on your own, NYT (UPDATE: Other outlets earning "Enemy of the People" label?)

I feel as though I say on a weekly basis that President Trump labeling certain media outlets as the "enemy of the people" is at best counterproductive and at worst flat out wrong.

However, I think I'm finally to the point where I no longer carry any sympathy for (as Trump calls it) "the failing New York Times."

New York Times releases a second edition with a different headline after Twitter backlash and liberals announce they’re canceling subscriptions. pic.twitter.com/fxLav5pQHP

— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) August 6, 2019

Some of these outlets are little more than transcript services these days.


UPDATE: Closed circuit to the media members approving of Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) doxxing Trump donors? You've earned the "Enemy of the People" label. Choke it down.


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

Just a few more things

Regarding the horrific mass shootings which occurred in El Paso, TX and Dayton, OH over the weekend:

• During his Monday morning presser addressing the shootings, President Trump unequivocally denounced the sinister ideology (i.e. white supremacy) conveyed by the shooters. It won't be enough to placate critics who chide Trump himself as a white supremacist, but it was the right thing to do nonetheless. The President even indicated he'd be open to utilizing the death penalty for those who commit these types of mass murders. He's gonna turn progs into pro-lifers yet, isn't he?

• What happened in Dayton and El Paso over the weekend is, sadly, standard fare for the city of Chicago (particularly this past weekend) on a weekly basis. Why aren't these incidents touted more often by large media outlets? Well, because elitist media is typically headed up by lily white progressives, so they typically don't like to tout when at least two of their favorite narratives are busted. One is the victims don't look like their kids. And secondly, Chicago has in place much of the gun control provisions which proggies shriek for in the aftermath of shootings they do deem fit to cover. 

• You ever notice that the elected officials/political candidates who most loudly decry calls for "thoughts and prayers" after a spree killing are often the same folks who send out fundraising emails exploiting the tragedy?

• Speakings of thoughts and prayers, I don't care one iota if they're considered passe in such a time as this. James 5:16 says "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." I shall remain fervent!

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

Box Score of the Week

California Angels at Seattle Mariners - August 8, 1982.

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

Within the past couple of weeks, Minnesota Twins DH Nelson Cruz hit 3 home runs in one game twice within a 10-day span. Such a feat had not occurred since 1982 when the Angels' Doug DeCinces did so on August 3 and August 8 (the game referenced above). 

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

And the award for most stunning lack of self-awareness goes to....

.....America's favorite septuagenarian commie.

Flashback to the 2017 when Bernie declared that the proposed Republican healthcare plan would kill millions of Americans. A few months later, a crazed "Bernie bro" shot at several Congressional Republicans on a baseball field. 

Ummm.....say, Bernie? Unless you too are willing to admit your own rhetoric incited the nut bag who nearly killed Rep. Steve Scalise, I say you sit this one out, gramps. 

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

I knew right from the beginning that you would end up winning....

It's a guest-a-palooza on today's edition of my radio program The Closer. The 2-hour festivities get kicked off at 1:00 PM Central Time.

Today's guest lineup:

- Andrew Richter of Community Solutions Minnesota is of the opinion that the MNGOP won nothing in their battle with the St. Louis Park City Council. He'll join the broadcast right at 1:00.

- Lt. Col. Harry T. Stewart, Jr., who is the subject of the book Soaring to Glory: A Tuskegee Airman's Firsthand Account of World War II, will be on at 2:00.

 - Peter Johnson, founder of Archway Defense, is tentatively scheduled to join us at 2:15. He spoke with law enforcement officials on the ground in the aftermath of yesterday's spree killing in El Paso, TX.

- Cyber security expert D. Greg Scott will stop by at 2:30 to weigh in on the Capital One data breach.


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.

Until then.....

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

Soaring to Glory

I cherish any opportunity to be in the presence of World War II veterans, so I feel extremely privileged to chat with one such individual on my radio show this Sunday.

Lt. Col. Harry T. Stewart, Jr. is one of only a handful of surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen, a unit of African American pilots segregated from the rest of the Air Force. Despite the 1940s being a time where segregation was normal in America, Lt. Col. Stewart served his country with pride having been raised by his parents to be extremely patriotic. 

Given he just turned 95 years old, Lt. Col. Stewart felt it was important for his story to be documented. With the help of author Philip Handleman, Soaring to Glory: A Tuskegee Airman's Firsthand Account of World War II is a story which needs to be shared with all Americans.

Lt. Col. Stewart will join the broadcast right at 2:00 PM Central Time this Sunday.

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

Relieved

Anyone who has watched the Minnesota Twins this 2019 season has known full well they needed to bolster their bullpen. Sure, another starting pitcher would be nice but their relief corps (which was largely ignored among their off-season acquisitions last winter) was in dire need of improvement.

With the trade deadline occurring at 3:00 PM Central Time on Wednesday, I believe it was mission accomplished.

After trading for Sergio Romo on Saturday, they added Giants righthander Sam Dyson minutes before the 3 p.m. trade deadline Wednesday. The Twins sent San Francisco three prospects — outfielder Jaylin Davis, righthander Prelander Berroa and righthander Kai-Wei Teng — for Dyson, who saved 38 games for the Rangers in 2016.

The deal was agreed upon about five minutes before the deadline, giving the Twins a reliever who was 4-1 with 2.47 ERA and two saves for the Giants. Now, pairing Tyson with Romo, the Twins say they believe there’s a stronger bridge to the ninth inning.

“[Dyson has] pitched really well for them toward the back end of games,” Twins Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey said. “He’s a guy who has had a lot of late-game experience. So we put him on a list. As we got a little bit closer to the deadline, having conversations with the Giants ultimately led us down the path where we were talking about a few of their guys. Ultimately Sam was the one we were able to access and bring to the team, and I’m excited about that.”

While Romo is far from the clutch performer he was with the Giants' three World Series champions in 2010, 2012 and 2014, he is still very effective against right handed hitters with that funky slider. He is also an amusing, gregarious chap who will be a positive addition to the clubhouse atmosphere.

Seriously, how great is Sergio Romo?pic.twitter.com/HmHilIMOTy

— Phil Mackey (@PhilMackey) July 31, 2019

Dyson is a guy that I was in on since early June. When the Giants made it known that they were willing to listen to offers for any member of their bullpen, I figured it would be a coup if the Twins could wind up with both Dyson and lefty closer Will Smith.

Not sure if there were ever any serious inquiries for Smith but I'm grateful for the acquisition of Dyson, who has good control and allows less than one base runner per inning (0.902 WHIP). Another appealing aspect of Dyson is he's under team control through 2020, so there shouldn't be as many holes to fill among next year's bullpen staff.

Alas, many Twins "fans" shrieked a variation of "CHEAP ASS POHLADS" or "ZOMG, I'M SO DONE WITH THIS TEAM" when the club failed to acquire a front line starting pitcher. But of the high profile starters available, only Zack Greinke of Arizona, Trevor Bauer of Cleveland and Marcus Stroman of Toronto ended up being traded. The Twins had no realistic shot at Greinke since they were one of 15 teams on his "no-trade" list. And the Indians (who are still well within striking distance of the Twins in the AL Central) would've rather taken Bauer out back and shot him as opposed to trading him within the division.

I will say I'm a little disappointed that more of an effort wasn't made to acquire Stroman since the price the New York Mets paid were merely their #6 and #7 prospects. Despite the Twins strongly indicating a reluctance to trade their top two prospects (Royce Lewis and Alex Kirilloff), I can't imagine they wouldn't have been willing to at least meet if not exceed what the Mets surrendered. However, I've also read reports where the Blue Jays seemed locked in on what the Mets were offering, so perhaps there wasn't even an opportunity for the Twins to make a counter offer.

Bottom line is the Twins not trading for a stud starting pitcher was more a function of not wanting to sacrifice potential future all stars and less about hesitance to add salary. Heck, owner Jim Pohlad supported the possibility of augmenting payroll if the right move was within reach. So for those who declare they're jumping off the Twins bandwagon because of a perceived lack of deadline activity? You're either a) lying or b) have never been that invested in the team from the get-go.

To summarize, this Twins team is markedly better as a result of its deadline moves.

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

Legit chess master?

I've never subscribed to the Trump-kin theory that Donald Trump's outlandish rhetoric (whether via Twitter or spoken word) is the equivalent of his playing ultra-level chess to that of his detractors' checkers.

But if President Trump's bashing of Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and the awful conditions within the city of Baltimore result in multiple Democrat candidates for President showering praise upon noted race-hustler & virulent anti-Semite Al Sharpton?

Well....I'm still skeptical of the "chess master" moniker. However, this is the first incident which has actually given me pause.

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

Box Score of the Week

Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds - April 28, 1991.

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

I thought of this game when Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer angrily chucked a baseball over the center field wall in Kansas City this past Sunday. 

Upon closing out that Reds' victory over the Cubs, Cincinnati reliever Rob Dibble launched a baseball towards the Riverfront Stadium outfield after being dissatisfied with his performance. The ball went towards the center field seats, striking a fan in the elbow. The incident resulted in Dibble receiving a four-game suspension. 

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

You're running out of luck, I won't get kicked around.....

Hard to believe we're almost through the month of July. Nevertheless, I'll be in the Patriot bunker for today's edition of my radio program The Closer. The 2-hour bonanza begins at 1:00 PM Central Time.

At 1:15, I will be joined by political wonk Matt Mackowiak to discuss the fallout of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's testimony before House committees last week (hint: impeachment of Trump is dead). Also, Matt is on the front lines of the effort to reverse the homeless camping ordinance put in place by his home city of Austin, TX, so I'll get an update on that.

In the non-guest segments, I'll weigh on an interview Al Franken gave The New Yorker, specifically how he regrets resigning his U.S. Senate seat. Also, progressives look to impugn the character of newly inducted Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera over his support of (GASP!!!) Israel.


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.

Until then.....

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

Yer busted

Since the Minnesota Vikings released running back Adrian Peterson after the 2016 season, I always assumed he was running (no pun intended) on fumes. However, he popped up in 2018 as a member of the Washington Redskins and came through with a 1,000-yard rushing season. Despite the success he had last year, I was still a bit surprised that he chose to come back in 2019 given he's 34 years old with even more tread on the proverbial tires.

A story about Peterson's financial situation may have provided us a rationale as to why he's continuing his football career.

Washington running back Adrian Peterson has made about $100 million in salary, and millions more in endorsements, during his NFL career. But he’s deep in debt after his lawyer says he trusted people who ripped him off.

“The truth behind Adrian Peterson’s current financial situation is more than is being reported at this time,” attorney Chase Carlson said in a statement. “Because of ongoing legal matters, I am unable to go into detail, but I will say this is yet another situation of an athlete trusting the wrong people and being taken advantage of by those he trusted. Adrian and his family look forward to sharing further details when appropriate.”

The statement came hours after TheAthletic.com reported that Peterson is being sued in Pennsylvania for failing to pay back a $5.2 million loan. In two separate matters, judges have ordered Peterson to pay $2.4 million to one creditor and $600,000 to another creditor.

Despite the fortune Peterson has made, he appears to be nearly broke, with debts that he is struggling to pay, and debts that he’ll continue to struggle to pay even after getting a $1.5 million signing bonus to remain in Washington this year, with another $1 million in salary on the way for the season.

Sadly, Peterson is just another statistic among well compensated professional athletes. The ESPN 30 for 30 film Broke cited some very sobering (if not shocking) statistics.

According to a 2009 Sports Illustrated article, 60 percent of former NBA players are broke within five years of retirement. By the time they have been retired for two years, 78% of former NFL players have gone bankrupt or are under financial stress. Sucked into bad investments, stalked by freeloaders, saddled with medical problems, and naturally prone to showing off, many pro athletes get shocked by harsh economic realities after years of living the high life.

It's been no secret that Peterson has fathered multiple children with several women, so child support costs alone are exorbitant. And just four years ago he threw himself a 30th birthday bash where one of the indulgences included dressing up as Aladdin and riding in on an actual camel!

One aspect of the film Broke talked about the NFL rookie symposium hosting a breakout session dealing specifically with financial matters. However, the young men attending largely tuned out of what was being said by former players and other assorted advisers. I get a sense that the air of invincibility is at its highest upon signing a pro contract.

With his highest earning potential behind him, Peterson faces a frighteningly uncertain future. Unfortunately, he appears to have been his own worst enemy.

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

Quick Hits: Volume CXCIV

- Mariano Rivera became the first player in Major League Baseball in history to be a first ballot unanimous selection to the Baseball Hall of Fame. This past weekend he was officially inducted.

As has been a disturbing trend over the past few years, an athlete's shining moment is attempted to be drown out by past indiscretions or by what "progressives" deem a questionable worldview.

You're up, Daily Beast.

(O)ver the past three years, (Rivera)’s also served at the pleasure of a racist president, taken part in thinly veiled propaganda on behalf of a far-right government in Israel, and gotten chummy with outright bigots and apocalyptic loons. None of this will be inscribed on his Hall of Fame plaque. It should, even if much of the sports world would very much like to pretend none of it exists.

By the way, Rivera's "service" to President Trump includes his support of the Opioid Drug Abuse Commission as well as the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. Why do leftists hate healthy, drug-free kids???

And "far-right" government in Israel? They're the most forward thinking state in that whole region. And current PM Benjamin Netanyahu has been democratically elected and re-elected. Now leftists hate thriving democracies too??


- If you predicted the inevitable moral collapse of the western world included a woman being labeled a bigot for refusing to wax a trans woman's scrotum, collect your winnings!



- Last year during the confirmation hearings of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, allegations surfaced of his being involved in a sexual assault 35 years earlier when he was age 17. Despite no corroborating evidence and no history of such behavior by Kavanaugh, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's accusation, we were told, was beyond reproach. All women are to be believed, due process be damned.

So now that we're more than 18 months removed from Al Franken being forced to resign his U.S. Senate seat due to multiple allegations of inappropriate touching, is the "WOKE!" crowd now reconsidering its stance on due process?

A remarkable number of Franken’s Senate colleagues have regrets about their own roles in his fall. Seven current and former U.S. senators who demanded Franken’s resignation in 2017 told me that they’d been wrong to do so. Such admissions are unusual in an institution whose members rarely concede mistakes.

What they're essentially saying is they should have rode out the storm, which would have eventually blew over (even though more accusations were likely to surface). One shining example of that is Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax (D-VA), who has denied allegations of sexual assault against him. There were initial demands for his resignation, which he resisted. How often are we hearing about Fairfax's saga these days?

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

Box Score of the Week

Houston Astros at Atlanta Braves - September 29, 1973.

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

In this game Hank Aaron hit his 40th home run of the season for the Braves. That gave Atlanta three hitters (Aaron, Davey Johnson and Darrell Evans) who clubbed at least 40 homers that year, the first time such a feat occurred in MLB history.  

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

Spending every dime for a wonderful time.....

After a one week hiatus I will be back in the Patriot bunker for this afternoon's edition of my radio show The Closer. The 2-hour blitz gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time.

I'll cover some local stories in the first hour, particularly the St Louis Park City Council reversing its decision to ban the Pledge of Allegiance. I will also weigh in on the sh*t show that is the MN Dept. of Human Services. 

In the second hour I will obviously weigh in on President Trump's war of words with the "Squad" and how neither side came out with a shred of dignity. 

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.

Until then.....

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

I pray I possess this kind of grace

I oppose the death penalty on religious grounds. But even if I didn't subscribe to the Christian worldview, I would still be against capital punishment due to even the slightest possibility of a wrongful conviction.

Q.E.D.

FREE MAN: Corey Atchison, who served 28 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, walked out of an Oklahoma prison after a district judge dropped the charges.

"I can't hold no grudge," he said. "Life's too short." https://t.co/RWy2qPEHmQ pic.twitter.com/MzbgXXrwxn

— ABC News (@ABC) July 17, 2019

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

He really said that?

Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden has been accused of plagiarism multiple times over the nearly five decades of his political career. Apparently he's back at it.

Speaking at the AARP presidential forum in Iowa, Biden drew a contrast between his (health care) plan, which would give people a Medicare-like public option, and the “Medicare for All” plan championed by more progressive Democratic presidential candidates including Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

“If you like your health care plan, your employer-based plan, you can keep it. If in fact you have private insurance, you can keep it,” Biden said.

Biden’s speech echoed the now-infamous “if you like your doctor, you’re going to be able to keep your doctor” catchphrase former President Obama repeatedly said in 2009 and 2010 when he was trying to sell the public on the benefits of the Affordable Care Act.

I'm no expert, but if one is going to plagiarize anything it would behoove one to repeat something uplifting or inspirational. Repeating a quote which Politifact (hardly a conservative bastion, by the way) determined as the "Lie of the Year" in 2013 doesn't exactly fit that criteria.

If Biden is ever pressed on why Americans should believe that rhetoric now after years of the Obama administration (in which he served as VP) falsely uttering it, perhaps he can steal a quote from another infamous figure. It was boxing promoter Bob Arum who infamously proclaimed "Yesterday I was lying, today I'm telling the truth." If nothing else, the leftist media (PTR) will provide some cover with their focus being on conservatives "seizing" upon it.

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

Quick Hits: Volume CXCIII

- The occurrence of a circular firing squad pitting U.S. House Democrat leadership vs. proggie darlings Tide Pod Evita Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, et al, it was an undeserved gift to Republicans, particularly President Donald Trump.

Ah, but if we know anything about the White House's current occupant, he just can't stand prosperity.

From a tweet thread put forth by Trump:

So interesting to see “Progressive” Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run. Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how it is done. These places need your help badly, you can’t leave fast enough. I’m sure that Nancy Pelosi would be very happy to quickly work out free travel arrangements!

One of the appeals of Trump's 2016 candidacy was that he wasn't the typical politician and, for better or worse, wasn't interested in political correctness. But lack of political savvy is to his detriment here given that you should never interrupt your opponents savaging each other.

As the Dem civil war was raging, I made the comment that all they had to do was portray themselves as just moderately sane and they would likely hand Trump a re-election defeat similar to that of George H. W. Bush in 1992. But the President's latest tweet storm gives the Dems (for now anyways) the moral high ground.

It looks as though 2020 will once again be a scenario where whomever is dumbest last loses.


- On Monday evening, the St. Louis Park City Council reversed a controversial decision where they banned the Pledge of Allegiance prior to meetings.

After recently voting to reduce the recital of the Pledge, the council received significant pushback from community members.

On Monday night, council member Thom Miller started the meeting by moving to reinstate the pledge. Then, each council member took turns speaking on the issue and voted unanimously to reinstate it.

This saga ended up being way more of an ordeal than it needed to be. As I've said before, anyone attending these city council meetings shouldn't be required to recite the Pledge. But to outright ban it almost smacks of a First Amendment issue.

Let's hope the victors here don't get too haughty by shaming those who choose to not recite it or stand during it.


- So what the heck's going on with the Minnesota DHS???

The commissioner of the state's sprawling social service agency abruptly resigned Monday after just six months on the job, producing the first major shake-up of the new administration of Gov. Tim Walz.

Tony Lourey, who left the state Senate to become the commissioner of Human Services in January, wrote a letter to Walz saying his resignation would take effect at the end of the day, stunning some members of the Minnesota Legislature. No reason was given.

Lourey's sudden departure comes after the resignations of his two top deputies last week, raising anew questions about chaos at the top ranks of the $17.5 billion state agency.

When Lourey resigned from the state Senate to accept this post, his former seat went to a special election. It wound being won by Republican Jason Rarick, which increased the razor-thin GOP majority from 34-33 to 35-32. This is an especially big blow to the Walz administration given that Lourey moved on from DHS commish less than six months after proclaiming the job was one which "I’ve dedicated my life to."

Given the rampant fraud which has occurred in multiple state public assistance programs, this chaos couldn't have come at a worse time. Stay tuned I guess.

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

Box Score of the Week

Baltimore Orioles at Oakland A's - July 13, 1991.

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

Last Friday evening, two Los Angeles Angels pitchers combined to no-hit the Seattle Mariners in the Angels' first home game since the sudden death of teammate Tyler Skaggs eleven days earlier. In that game, the Angels players all donned Skaggs name and jersey number. Afterwards they all laid their game-worn jerseys on the pitcher's mound as a tribute to their fallen teammate.

That means last Friday's game was the first combined no-hitter in the state of California since that Orioles-A's matchup on July 13, 1991 ----  the very day Skaggs was born.

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

On assignment

I will be on assignment for today's edition of my radio show The Closer. However, my friend and valued Northern Alliance Radio Network colleague Mitch Berg will be filling in for me 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. central time.

Tune in!

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

Consistently inconsistent

When House Speaker Paul Ryan chose not to seek re-election in 2018, President Trump tweeted the following:

Speaker Paul Ryan is a truly good man, and while he will not be seeking re-election, he will leave a legacy of achievement that nobody can question. We are with you Paul!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018

But as is the moral code Trump subscribes to, his praise can be easily yanked if he perceives someone as "disloyal." So when it was revealed that excerpts of Ryan's upcoming book was less than complimentary towards the White House's current occupant, Trump responded with this tweet storm:

Paul Ryan, the failed V.P. candidate & former Speaker of the House, whose record of achievement was atrocious (except during my first two years as President), ultimately became a long running lame duck failure, leaving his Party in the lurch both as a fundraiser & leader......

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 12, 2019

....He had the Majority & blew it away with his poor leadership and bad timing. Never knew how to go after the Dems like they go after us. Couldn’t get him out of Congress fast enough!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 12, 2019

You can bet your last dollar that over the next year on the campaign trail, Trump will continue to tout the success of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, of which Ryan was heavily involved in orchestrating. And he will do so without a scintilla of shame.

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

What's the problem?

How big a national story has the Pledge of Allegiance kerfuffle in St. Louis Park become? So much so that the President of the United States weighed in.

Outrage is growing in the Great State of Minnesota where our Patriots are now having to fight for the right to say the Pledge of Allegiance. I will be fighting with you! @foxandfriends

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2019

As I see it, the SLP City Council vote to eliminate the Pledge prior to meetings seemed to be a mass over-correction to a vague problem. The council's rationale for eliminating it was "due to concern that some residents in their 'increasingly diverse community' might find it unwelcoming." My question is how exactly is it unwelcoming? Are there a slew of atheists populating the city who might object to the phrase "One Nation under God...?" Is it due to new immigrants residing there who would prefer to pledge loyalty to their country of origin?

I, for one, don't believe in "forced patriotism." If there are folks who object to the Pledge, then I have zero issue with them remaining silent, staying seated or, dare I say, kneeling. But this idea that a municipal government forbids reciting it altogether smacks of a First Amendment violation.

This isn't over by a long shot.

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

Box Score of the Week

It's the All-Star break, so let's check out the 2008 All-Star game.

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

This game took place at the old Yankee Stadium in its final season. It also marked the longest ASG game in terms of time (4 hours, 50 minutes) and tied for longest at 15 innings. 

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

Got to pay your dues if you wanna sing the blues....

First Sunday in July! The summer is moving on quick, but we at the Northern Alliance Radio Network are HERE FOR IT! Today's 2-hour edition of my radio show The Closer gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time.

I will throw in my two cents regarding Colin Kaepernick discouraging Nike from manufacturing a shoe with a logo of the Betsy Ross designed flag. Also, are "Never Trump" Republicans obligated to vote for the Democrat presidential candidate in 2020?

Locally, I will weigh in on the St Louis Park city council barring the Pledge of Allegiance prior to their meetings.

At 2:15, Super Bowl champ/singer/brain injury advocate Ben Utecht will stop by to promote a big time musical event taking place in the Twin Cities later this month. The subject of football is also likely to come up.


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.

Until then.....

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

Sixty Nine

I don't have a "bucket list." However, if I did, meeting my all time favorite pop singer Huey Lewis would easily be in my top 10. 

Today Hugh Anthony Cregg III turned 69 years of age. Sadly he's unable to perform music these days due to a mysterious hearing loss. But if a minor miracle occurs and he is somehow able to return to the stage, I will definitely be in the audience as I have been for numerous shows in my 37 years as a Huey Lewis and the News fan!

Anyhow, if you're so inclined, take a gander at my commemoration of Huey's 60th birthday nine years ago (click here). 

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

Quick Hits: Volume CXCII

- Election Day 2020 is merely 16 months away (a veritable whiff of time in today's political realm). As such, announcements like this are starting to trickle in.

Some news: pic.twitter.com/Kg2vxDQeMI

— Karin Housley (@KarinHousley) July 2, 2019

This is the right decision, especially in light of Minnesota Republicans being able to win statewide has become so elusive. And now that Sen. Tina Smith is an elected incumbent, the task of defeating her would be that much more formidable.

As of right now, the GOP holds a slim 35-32 majority in the MN Senate. With suburban Republicans becoming an endangered species in this state, there are some ripe opportunities for the DFL to flip some of those seats (i.e. Housley in SD39, Paul Anderson in SD44, Scott Jensen in SD47 and Dan Hall in SD56) and thus attain a majority. It's going to be difficult enough for incumbent Republican senators to win re-election in 2020 to say nothing of first time candidates.

I know where a fair amount of my campaign contributions are going next year.


- I really don't care that Nike has chosen to forgo a sneaker featuring an American flag logo in the motif of the one designed by Betsy Ross. And I'm certainly not going to unload invective on former NFL QB (and now Nike spokesperson) Colin Kaepernick for allegedly encouraging the shoe company to nix the idea.

In the end Nike is a business and, to be honest, a savvy one at that. How many national news stories have they been a part of over the past several days? Oh, and have you checked their stock price lately?

Well played, Nike.


- I was crestfallen to hear the news of former St Paul mayor and U.S. senator Norm Coleman having been diagnosed with cancer for a third time.

However, I soon thereafter became inspired when I read the frank but inspiring words written by.....Norm Coleman.

I can’t avoid my cancer.

But, I will not let it decide how I will live my life.

I am blessed with family and friends and caregivers who have given me countless reasons to know better than to let the demons of despair partner with the beast of cancer to bring me to my knees.

When I go to my knees it is in prayer. I’ve gone back to putting on Tefillin as part of my morning prayers.

Prayer for the blessings of modern medicine – thankful for the host of Prayer Warriors – thankful for a family that loves me – friends that sustain me – and countless other gifts of plenty that have given me an abundant life.

I firmly believe that in spite of this affliction I am immeasurably blessed.

There will be another battle against the beast and I am ready for it.

To the beast I say this to you: My war against cancer isn’t won.

Yet.

That's the sign of a quality human being when he can make others feel uplifted and inspired about the horrific adversity that he himself is battling.

I've been praying almost daily over the past several months for Norm and his family. I certainly ain't stopping now.

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Box Score of the Week

The 4th of July is this Thursday, so let's check out the Astros-Reds matchup from Independence Day 1980.

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

Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan is the all-time strikeouts leader with 5,714. In this game, as a member of the Houston Astros, Ryan recorded his 3,000 career K. 

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Here comes Johnny singing oldies, goldies....

It's the final day of June, so we'll attempt to go out of the month with a bang on this week's edition of my radio program The Closer. The 2-hour blitz gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time.

At 1:30, I will be joined by author Tara Ross, who will be on to promote her book "Why We Need the Electoral College." 

Then at 2:00, Iowa and Minnesota Communications Director for the Republican National Committee Preya Samsundar will be in studio. Preya will discuss the first Democrat presidential debates from this past week as well as the national media finally catching on to Ilhan Omar's deceit that Preya and other locals reported on 2+ years ago. 

In the non-guest segments, I will weigh in on the southern border crisis as well as Congressional Dems' desire to cancel student loan debt. 

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.

Until then.....

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The latest Venn diagram I'd like to see

*People who rejoiced over Miss America ditching the swimsuit competition due to it "sexually objectifying women."

*People who basically shout "SLAAAAAAYYYYYY QUEEN!!!" in support of young males dressing in drag and dancing among scantily clad adults.


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Miss Minnesota 2019

Last week was Miss Minnesota week!

For the fifth consecutive year I had the honor of being co-emcee for all three nights of competition. The week culminated this past Saturday with the crowning of a new Miss Minnesota.





I've come to know Kathryn Kueppers and her family pretty well over the past few years and consider them friends. In fact, Kathryn's mom Vicki (who still serves as a valued mentor within the Miss Minnesota organization) was crowned Miss MN back in 1983, which makes the two the first mother/daughter duo to be crowned as titleholders in this state. So it goes without saying that I was absolutely thrilled on Kathryn's behalf, particularly since she finished first runner up the previous year. To return to competition this year knowing that there was literally only one way to top last year's result had to be a tremendous amount of pressure. Nevertheless, Kathryn showed an incredible combination of poise, confidence and grace that goes well beyond her 21 years of age. And it was just enough to catapult her to victory in what was a formidable group of candidates.

Another tradition over the past five years is the newly crowned Miss Minnesota makes her first media appearance on my Sunday radio show.

As an added bonus, I was slated to be a guest co-host on the Up and At 'Em show podcast with Ben Kruse on Tuesday evening. So whom do you think we chose to be our main guest on that episode?

Congrats again, Kathryn. Enjoy every minute over the next 51+ weeks. You earned this!


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Box Score of the Week

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw tosses a no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies on June 18, 2014.

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Kershaw struck out 15 batters, which is a record in a no-hit game. 

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She fills up every corner like she's born in black and white.....

Another Sunday, yet another edition of The Northern Alliance Radio Network program The Closer. is on tap. The 2-hour broadcast gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time.

We'll weigh in on Kyle Kashuv having his Harvard enrollment rescinded over private racist texts sent as a 16-year old. Also, should burning an American flag be banned? President Trump and some conservative pundits believe so. 

At 1:30, we'll chat with cyber security D. Greg Scott, who will discuss the recent software breakdown involving Target store cash registers. 

Then at 2:30, newly crowned Miss Minnesota 2019 Kathryn Kueppers will stop by the Patriot bunker to discuss her new title and what's on tap for the next 364 days. 

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.

Until then.....

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There will be literal riots in blue cities for days.....

.....if this scenario comes to fruition.

A very plausible 2020 scenario Dems have to take seriously:

Trump loses popular vote by ~5 million as Dems narrow deficit in TX, expand lead in CA & flip MI/PA blue

BUT Trump narrowly holds onto AZ, FL, NC & WI and wins reelection by a single electoral vote.

— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) June 19, 2019

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Quick Hits: Volume CXCI

- I can't emphasize enough how grateful I am to have been a teenager in a pre social media era. But with social media being so ubiquitous today, it can result in mindless youthful indiscretions turning into life altering consequences.

For high profile Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School alum Kyle Kashuv, the verdict is a lost opportunity to study at an elite Ivy League institution.

He’s apologized repeatedly, publicly to the world and privately to Harvard, and offered to do so again in person after they rescinded his acceptance. No dice. A Twitter pal wondered: If it had been David Hogg instead of Kashuv who got caught sh*tposting as a younger teen, would that apology have been enough? Would Harvard at least have offered him a meeting?

Maybe not, actually. This isn’t the first time the school has rescinded an acceptance for outre Internet musings. Ten applicants lost their admissions two years ago when the school was made aware of a Facebook group chat populated by Harvard admittees that involved “images with captions that were racist and anti-Semitic and that made light of pedophilia, among other offensive themes.” They may have bounced Kashuv this time as matter of simple consistency, to show that a student with an unusually high public profile would receive no special exemption from precedent.

Either way, when you’re 18 and remorseful for something you did when you were 16, an apology should suffice for forgiveness in all cases not involving a felony. Harvard disagrees.

I can't defend Kashuv's use of the N-word when he was 16. However, I absolutely believe in redemption and there have been Americans who have gone on to make tremendous contributions to our country despite having done much worse things earlier in life.

This is once again a disturbing example of a society which believes one can't evolve and learn from the egregious mistakes one made as a younger person.


- We were told by the in-the-tank Trump supporters in 2016 that if we conservatives didn't hop on their bandwagon, the next President would look to erode our civil liberties.

All in for Senator Steve Daines as he proposes an Amendment for a strong BAN on burning our American Flag. A no brainer!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 15, 2019

And they were right.


-  So O.J. Simpson joined Twitter recently.

Coming Soon!!! pic.twitter.com/R1tXOuuLgO

— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) June 15, 2019

That first tweet was posted just three days before the 25th anniversary of Simpson hiding in the back seat of his pal Al Cowlings' white Ford Bronco while being pursued by several police cars on a southern California freeway. It was at that moment where Simpson was considered a fugitive of justice given an arrest warrant was issued for him in the murders of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. Earlier that day, Simpson lawyers Robert Shapiro and Robert Kardashian held a press conference essentially begging O.J. to turn himself in.

About seven years ago, David Burge (aka @Iowahawkblog, the best twitter follow out there IMO) summed up today's pop culture perfectly.

If OJ Simpson had blown out his knee at USC, you would never have heard of the Kardashians. #ButterflyEffect

— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 20, 2012

 


Indeed.

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Box Score of the Week

New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox - September 21, 1956.

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The Yankees left 20 runners on base, which is a record for a 9-inning game. 

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Masquerading as a man with a reason.....

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there! Here's hoping all you dads (and everyone else for that matter) tunes in to the Northern Alliance Radio Network for today's edition of The Closer. The 2-hour extravaganza gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time.

Right at 1:00, I will be joined by Jason Flohrs, who is the State Director for the Minnesota chapter of Americans for Prosperity. We'll discuss the legislation which was passed out of the special legislative session a few weeks ago as well as the prospects for another special session to address emergency insulin. 

In other segments, I will weigh in on Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and her inability to avoid stepping on rakes. I will also discuss how Social Justice Warriors look to stifle free expression via judicial and legislative fiat. 

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.

Until then.....

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Mission: possible

I will be guest hosting Lee Michaels Live this evening on The Patriot's sister station AM 980 KKMS (The Mission). The 2-hour broadcast gets started at 4:00 PM Central Time.

There will be lots of discussion regarding secularists' attempts to silence the Christian worldview as well as forcing acquiescence to secularism via legislative or judicial fiat.

At 4:30, I will welcome to the broadcast Joanna Hyatt, who is Director of Strategic Partnerships with the pro life organization Live Action.

Then at 5:00 PM CT, former Oklahoma Wesleyan University president Dr. Everett Piper will join the broadcast to discuss the misguided notions behind "pride" month, how Christians should navigate the culture war, etc. 

So please call (651) 289-4499 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 980 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 Echo (just say "Alexa, play The Mission 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 Northern Alliance Radio Network Facebook page.

Until then.....

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When you've lost the Star Tribune.....

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has not even been in Congress half a year, but it feels like half a decade given she can't stay out of the news.

Because she and colleague Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) are the first ever female Muslim members of Congress, diversity-obsessed leftists often dismiss any criticism of them as racist, misogynistic or Islamophobic. In fact, these two freshman reps are so insulated from critiques that it was suggested using Omar's own words against her is tantamount to inciting violence.

So if you want any inkling how much difficulty Rep. Omar faces over campaign finance violations as well as marriage/tax fraud, the major Twin Cities newspaper in the heart of her Congressional District called her out.

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar is back in the news again, and not in a good way. The former state representative who won a seat in Congress last fall continues to be dogged by past missteps, this time eight violations of Minnesota campaign-finance law that will cost her nearly $3,500 in reimbursements and civil penalties.

So complex were the allegations that the state Campaign Finance Board spent nearly a year assessing the case, deposing staff people and former staff people, along with Omar herself. The investigation was broadened in October — just a month before her election to Congress — to look more deeply into the allegations. Board Executive Director Jeff Sigurdson said that between six and eight people were deposed separately.

In an October 2018 editorial, we called on Omar to more fully explain her travel and other expenses. We noted that the allegations “suggest a pattern of carelessness and/or self-dealing with legally restricted funds. Neither conclusion inspires the confidence voters deserve to have in someone they send to the U.S. House to represent them.”

Heh. She was running for U.S. House in Minnesota's CD 5, which is a D+22 district. Even if that matter had been resolved before the election, Omar still would've won handily.

It is even more disturbing, therefore, to learn that among the board’s latest findings was a troubling discovery that is far beyond its jurisdiction, but worthy of greater scrutiny nevertheless. Omar, for two years running, filed joint tax returns with a man she was living with but not legally married to. Complicating matters further, she was legally married to another man at the time.

It’s against the law in Minnesota to file jointly unless one filer is legally married to the other. Last year Omar told the Star Tribune that she had married her partner “in her faith,” and had earlier divorced her first husband “in her faith.” That’s fine for religious purposes. But for tax purposes, only civil marriages qualify. It’s not known whether she benefited materially by filing jointly. That is something that voters, who are obliged to follow tax laws no matter how painful, are entitled to know.

Again, true but irrelevant. Whatever name is next to "DFL" gets, minimum, 65% in that district. I highly doubt it would have adversely affected her election prospects.

It’s not too much to expect that a lawmaker would check with a tax attorney on a rather complicated marital status before filing. And when questions arise, it’s a violation to use campaign funds to clear up those personal issues, as Omar apparently did. The Campaign Finance Board has ordered that she reimburse her campaign $3,469 for violations related to her tax returns and non-campaign travel costs. She must also pay a $500 civil penalty.

Omar is no stranger to controversy. As a new state House member, she collected $2,500 in speaking fees — $2,000 from Normandale Community College and $500 from Inver Hills Community College — for appearances made shortly after she took office. Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, who publicly noted that state law prohibits legislators from collecting such fees from groups that have business before the Legislature, made that public, and Omar returned the money. Drazkowski also filed the latest complaint. “It’s very clear there are huge ethical problems with Rep. Omar,” he told an editorial writer, adding that the House should consider an ethics investigation.

Whoa, whoa! What's with all the incitement there, Rep. Drazkowski?!?!? Using someone's faux pas against them is equivalent to whipping up the mob don'cha know.

If this pattern continues, further investigation may be necessary. Omar could have avoided nearly every infraction by taking simple measures in advance to determine whether her actions would pass legal muster. In its findings, the board noted that Minnesota “House Research staff did explain that generally when they discuss whether a member can accept something of value, for example, travel and lodging reimbursement ... they discuss whether that would violate the gift prohibition,” but do not advise. “Rather, they commonly refer members to the Board. The Omar committee did not contact Board staff ... on the appropriateness of using committee funds for the travel reviewed in this investigation.”

Omar’s political rise has been marred by a series of unforced errors, including intemperate remarks and tweets earlier this year that were widely perceived as anti-Semitic. Every month seems to bring a fresh problem.

Well it took until the second-to-last paragraph, but Omar's blatant anti-Semitism is finally referenced. It's disgraceful that it's almost a footnote to her financial troubles, especially since she represents a city (St. Louis Park) where a significant portion of Minnesota's Jewish population resides.

As an elected representative for Minnesota and one of the first Muslim women and Somali refugees elected to Congress, Omar is helping to break new ground. But more is expected of her than the symbolism attached to her victory. Omar has a special obligation to be worthy of the trust so many have placed in her, including many still-new Americans who expect better.

Bingo! Omar's candidacy was always long on symbolism (i.e. the potential to be the first Muslim female in Congress) and woefully short on substance. Unfortunately electing such a candidate often leads to horrible policy ideas and resounding blunders. Heh. Come to think of it, that sounds like an apt characterization of a certain other proggie cult of personality.

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Quick Hits: Volume CXC

- Today's "progressives" perfectly embody the proverb "If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail." 

The latest lunacy?

The push by several NBA teams to remove the title "owner" from the person who purchases and manages the team has earned the praise of social justice warrior and the wokest of woke rapper, Common.

Speaking with TMZ Sports, the politically outspoken performer said the term owner "never sat right with me."

"I'm so pleased," Common told the outlet. "The term owner — it didn't sit right with me. The history of what we have and we are as black people in this country ... it's just not really being considerate of the history."

The title "owner" refers to a person owning a sports franchise and all the rights associated with it. To define that as owning human beings is beyond asinine. The relationship between owner and player is similar to that of, say, the CEO of Target and an IT professional at Target headquarters. And to imply either of those relationships are even the slightest resemblance to a slave owner and slave is to trivialize what slaves endured.

Have I mentioned lately that we live in very stupid times???


- Here is a headline from the Washington Post on June 7:

Dodgeball is tool of 'oppression' used to 'dehumanize' others, researchers argue.


Aaaaaaand three days later from The Hill:

Michelle Obama to lead female celebrity dodgeball team in 'Late Late Show' face-off.


Those damn leftists and their science denials.


- This reads like a Martin Scorsese movie.

Police in the Dominican Republic believe former Boston Red Sox star David 'Big Papi' Ortiz was shot by two cops hired by a Dominican Republic drug lord who believed the baseball player was having an affair with his wife, DailyMail.com has learned.

Three law enforcement sources confirmed the motive on Monday as Ortiz, 43, recovered in the hospital.

The drug lord has not been named.

On Monday, Ortiz's representative Leo Lopez denied that the shooting had anything to do with a woman but said it was the act of 'hired' killers.

'There is no doubt that it was an act of hired killers.

'If we had known that there was a dangerous situation, he would not have been there at that moment,' Leo Lopez told Diario Libre.

Ortiz has since been flown to Mass General in Boston where additional procedures have taken place. He is now being reported as "stable."

Between an American woman being brutally assaulted, an American couple found dead in their hotel room and multiple individuals mysteriously dying or becoming violently ill, the Dominican Republic should pretty much be avoided when considering a foreign vacation destination.

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Box Score of the Week

Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres - April 14, 1986.

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In a Hall of Fame career comprising of 2,440 games, the Padres' Tony Gwynn struck out three times in a game only once --- that April 1986 contest vs. the Dodgers.

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

Second time around, I'm still believing words that you said.....

Another Sunday, which means yet another edition of my radio program The Closer. The 2-hour broadcast gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time.

I definitely want to weigh in on the arrest of Scot Peterson, the armed resource officer who failed to engage an active shooter in the Parkland, FL school shooting 16 months ago. If precedents are any indication, he likely will not be convicted.

At 1:45, Salem Communications-Twin Cities General Manager Nic Anderson will check in to promote Saturday's AM 1280 The Patriot event with keynote speaker Dr. Sebastian Gorka.

Then at 2:30, NY Post columnist Karol Markowicz will join the broadcast. On an episode of The Daily Show this past week, Karol (who was born in the Soviet Union) was featured in a segment used to whitewash Bernie Sanders' socialism. She will be on to explain how Sen. Sanders is completely misguided about what he's looking to implement should be become President of the United States.


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.

Until then.....

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Ummm......

Anybody else notice something a little off???

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

Everyone considered him the coward of (Broward) county

It's been nearly 16 months since the the tragedy at Parkland, Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where a gunman killed 17 people. In the time frame since the shooting, there has been an investigation into the actions (or non actions) of Scot Peterson, the armed resource officer on the campus who didn't enter the school to confront the gunman.

On Tuesday, it was determined that Peterson will be criminally charged for his abdication of duty.

For more than a year after the February 2018 attack in Parkland, Fla., grieving parents have demanded that Mr. Peterson — along with the gunman who killed 17 and injured 17 — be held accountable in what would prove to be one of the nation’s worst school shootings. On Tuesday, law enforcement responded with a sweeping list of charges that resulted in Mr. Peterson’s arrest. His alleged crime: failing to protect the students.

America’s long history of mass shootings have brought a variety of responses: Calls for tighter gun laws, civil lawsuits against companies that manufacture guns and firearm components (none of which would deter a motivated spree killer - ed.), collective mourning. But Tuesday’s charges represented a highly unusual case of a lawman arrested for failing to save lives.

I'm not certain if Peterson will ultimately be found criminally liable since there have been past legal decisions stating that law enforcement does not have a constitutional duty to protect citizens from harm. So if indeed Peterson is not convicted, it will only fortify vigilance in the Second Amendment. A non-conviction will also fly in the face of a prolific gun-grabbers chanting point of "only law enforcement and military should be allowed to handle guns."

I don't believe it's a dramatic overstatement to say a lot will be riding on this case -- legally and politically. 

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

Swift reaction

Pop singer Taylor Swift when performing:



via GIPHY



And TayTay when discussing political/social issues: 

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Quick Hits: Volume CLXXXIX

- In 2018, the United States had "a five-year high in approvals of citizenship applications." Leftist narratives hardest hit.

Those numbers contradict the criticisms of congressional Democrats who had complained about backlogs building at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Homeland Security branch that handles legal immigration.

The new report also suggests that far from a crackdown, the government is processing more asylum-seeker petitions than any of the last four years. That included a 61 percent increase from 2017 to 2018 in affirmative asylum applications — though refugee interviews are down from more than 1250,000 in 2016, the last year under President Barack Obama, to just 26,400 in fiscal year 2018 under President Trump.

Still, when the whole panoply of humanitarian programs is considered — asylum, refugees, crime victim visas, Temporary Protected Status and screening for credible fear or reasonable fear of persecution — the numbers were 32 percent higher than fiscal year 2017. Credible fear and reasonable fear are first steps on the asylum track.

Whenever leftists chided the political right as being "anti-immigrant," most righties were quick to correct them by emphasizing we're anti illegal immigration. Hence, the vapid proggie retort of "no human is illegal" (accept if they're in the womb of course). It's an attempt to divert from the fact there is a legitimate crisis at the southern border, so obfuscation is the left's go-to tactic.

As a certain wise man once said - "Facts don't care about your feelings."


- I can't emphasize enough that President Trump labeling media outlets "Enemy of the people" is highly inappropriate.

However, when certain media types pull stunts like doxxing (or threatening to dox) private citizens who show even tacit approval of Trump (See here, here and here)? They sure as hell aren't showing themselves as "allies."


- Sentencing has been handed down in a high profile incident which occurred at the Mall of America nearly two months ago.

The man who pleaded guilty to throwing a 5-year-old boy off a third-story balcony at the Mall of America was sentenced to 19 years in prison Monday.

Emmanuel Aranda stood in court listening to victim impact statements being read by a prosecutor, tears welling in his eyes. Of that 19-year sentence, Minnesota law mandates that he serve 12 of them, with 53 days off for time served.

When given the opportunity to make a statement or apologize to the family of his victim, Aranda said nothing.

In mid-May the 24-year-old pleaded guilty to first degree attempted murder in the case, in exchange for an agreed-upon sentence of 19 years.

Amazingly there are some silver linings to this story. First off, it appears the victim (identified only as "Landen") is recovering (albeit slowly) and that upcoming procedures are related to “non-life threatening complications.” And secondly, Landen's mother showed the kind of grace and compassion which should serve as a sterling example to us all.

"I want you to know I forgive you, not because what you did was OK, not because I want to, but because God wants me to," she wrote. "I refuse to be full of anger and hatred. I refuse to let you let you take my joy. My sweet precious baby, my amazing gift from God is going to be OK."

More evidence of how God can take any horrible, ugly situation and make it beautiful. Continued prayers to Landen and his family.

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

Box Score of the Week

Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals - June 25, 2015.

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

Atlanta outfielder Nick Markakis committed an error, breaking a streak of 398 consecutive games without a fielding miscue. That streak is a record for non-pitchers. 

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Break it up, break it down. All this bad news keeps on hanging' around.....

It was the first weekend in June 8 years ago when I debuted my show on the Northern Alliance Radio Network. We're still at it, so be sure to tune in today for another edition of The Closer, which gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time.

It's a guest intensive show this week:

- At 1:00 PM, Peter Johnson of Archway Defense will weigh in on the mass shooting at a Virginia Beach municipal office and how leftist calls for gun legislation are misguided. 

- Then at 1:30, MN state senator (and longtime friend of the broadcast) Karin Housley (R-St. Mary's Point) will check in to recap the end of the MN legislative session. She'll also do a proverbial victory lap over her elder care legislation passing. 

- Finally at 2:00 PM, political wonk Matt Mackowiak will join the broadcast to discuss the presser put on this past week by special counsel Robert Mueller and what (if anything) it means for the prospects of impeaching President Trump.

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.

Until then.....

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