Keeping up with web traffic.

Sorensen, here and here. (Nothing to do with the Rachel Paulose image). Pollination and counter-stagnation, respectively. Sorensen bonus story, here; indicating Matthew Pagano, as noted by Sorensen, might share a sensitivity training session, splitting fee payment, with Pat Garafolo.

Next, a where's Waldo post by Dan Burns, wherein Burns notes a GOP need for a "Diva of the Day," to save the day; which post is cause to post the photo of Ms. Paulose.

Bombastic. And using the "S-word." Sometimes some things get in the way of accurate perception, reasoned analysis and sensible discourse.

This link.

Did I say bombastic?

It must be cabin fever or something setting in, staying inside because of all the rain, Angst arising from that.

Abigale Whelan, do you have courage enough to accept the primary election debate challenge of Justin Boals? Or will you be another Scott Honour/Mike McFadden, and hide?

Earlier, a March 31, 2014 Crabgrass post, here, dealt with Minnesota HD 35B election prospects.

It was clear from that post that Peter Perovich is the candidate I favor, based upon personal knowledge of Perovich's ability, work ethic, character and willingness to listen and be reasonable. I completely trust his promise that if elected he could work with DFL leadership but also with the other party, in getting things done as needed rather than drawing silly lines in the sand over emotion-laden distractions from the business of running State government well and wisely. Reason over rhetoric.

That has not changed.

However, that post noted the Abigale Whelan [endorsed local Republican] primary likelihood, where Justin Boals is the other Republican seeking to advance to the general election. In comments to that post, Boals submitted information on his campaign website, which is:

http://www.democracy.com/justinboals

Again, to remove doubt about any biases of this site, after reading a bit Boals' site content, I believe he is the better choice of the two contesting Republicans. Go to the site, see for yourselves.

As best as I understand things (reader help via a comment would be most appreciated if I misunderstand), Abigale Whelan's campaign is using a Facebook page/site, which again is:

https://www.facebook.com/WhelanforHouse


Readers deserve an image fitting the post headline, so, these are the first three of Boals' homepage items:

[click the image to enlarge it for easier reading]

This very brief excerpt of the Boals site suggests the primary will shake out as a Liberty Republican vs. a Republican Theocrat. Boals being the former, Whelan being the latter. If true, a hope would be that the Liberty viewpoint between the two would triumph. Opinions may differ.

Here in thumbnail form are Boals' first seven items in his growing list of position bullet points [again click to enlarge]:

And that's "bullet points" in the sense of formatting parlance, not NRA related. I have no idea of how Boals and Whelan might differ on NRA stuff, nor do I care. Viewpoints may differ.

NOTE: Blogger sometimes for longer images presents barely legible image quality. Readers having any trouble reading the images are encouraged to access the two listed websites, Boals' and Wehlan's. Also, the post has been prepared quickly in the morning, so there may be UPDATE info, or typo/grammar corrections later.

THIS LOOKS AS IF IT COULD BE INTERESTING. ESPECIALLY IF WHELAN HAS THE COURAGE TO DEBATE BOALS. IT IS THE HOPE THAT FAIR PLAY NORMS MIGHT PREVAIL OVER ANY ENDORSED/FRONTRUNNER GAMESMANSHIP. THAT THERE WILL BE DEBATE.

________________UPDATE_______________
One thing I have to say, and some may view it as a bias, but I believe Boals is making a big-time tactical mistake with his "Contract With Minnesota" approach. It reminds me of Newt Gringrich, and his Contract With On America horseshit, and that man Gingrich and his ways and means makes my skin crawl. He is a weasel.

Others may harbor similar views of Gingrich, and Boals may be hurting his candidacy via that bit of conscious parallelism. If Boals has any character similarities to Gingrich I might have to reevaluate my weighing of his candidacy. I think it mistake rather than fellow-traveling, and my honest belief is Boals should stop that stuff right now and decisively. If he goes into debate thumping that theme strongly Whelan could turn him into chopped liver.

Again, opinions may differ.

__________FURTHER UPDATE___________
This HD 35B Republican primary contest differs greatly from the possible/likely HD 8B Republican primary contest noted here. In HD 8B, both Republican candidates appear to be both ignorant and frightful. In the HD 35B contest, in contrast, talent apparently is not lacking in either Whelan or Boals, and there seems to be a basic policy polarity of interest there, unlike HD 8B which seems contested on a lower and more sordid level. These are different. No apples/oranges comparison to insult either Whelan or Boals. Plus, in 35B there is already a strong DFL candidacy for voters to have a true and sound general election choice. It is unclear to me whether that will be so in HD 8B, where it seems to be circus time, all the time.

FURTHER UPDATE: Even re HD 8B, a collateral matter to this post, opinions differ (it would have benefited things if Gilmore had not turned a completely blind eye to the facts of the present and past Franson litigation).

___________FUTHER UPDATE____________
Back to the point of the post. And this is a bit of a letdown. After doing a word scan of Boals' campaign website homepage - and his "issues" page - I am saddened to report that neither contained either the word "minimum" or the word "wage." This augers poorly for any "debate" between Boals and Whelan touching upon the topic of relief for those putting in long hours for scant pay. That presumably will await debate between the GOP primary victor, and Perovich as the DFL candidate who favors worker rights and fair compensation for an hour's work. It makes one wonder whether employee rights of any kind might reach debate status, were there to actually be debate between Boals and Whelan.

Another disconcerting thing, found while looking at Boals' "issues" post, a will to amend our Constitution; yet another GOP penchant that way; but at least not [yet] any right-to-work [for less] suggestion there. Boals, instead offers this ticket-punching gem:

Amend!

As a responsible gun owner and shooting sport enthusiast, I believe in our right to own guns whether it is for personal protection, home security, sport or hunting. Currently, the Minnesota State Constitution has no wording that protects our right as law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. If elected, I will make it my first priority as a legislator to pick up a bill currently in the Senate to amend our Constitution to that effect. I will find support through like minded fellow legislators in the House and fight to have our constitution amended to guarantee and protect our right to keep and bear arms.

It is good to know Boals is "a responsible gun owner and shooting sport enthusiast," and perhaps he and Whelan in a debate might explore how far toward gross behaviorial excess one might need to go to transgress into the region of gun-related irresponsibility, before becoming an irresponsible gun owner.

Likely, they'd agree with the jury and with each other on Byron Smith's murder convictions for the Little Falls killings, but at least there is a hope they are confronted with the question and given an opportunity to respond. Any tub-thumper over NRA fodder should be called to opine, one way or the other, on "stand-your-ground" and the "castle" doctrine that there is no line to be crossed with intruders in the home. Each should go on record, one way or the other on each such debatable position.

Otherwise, where's debate vs. holding a love-in, GOP big-tent style, and then count primary votes?

FURTHER UPDATE: Perhaps here is a green issue the two can debate. "Nanny state" dimensions and all. It could be a hoot, Whelan on the issue (since Boals is already on record favoring a sane ending of the "War on Drugs" continuing its reach to marijuana).

Presumably neither of them were pulling for Walt to win out in Breaking Bad.

Is this news? A chip off the old Granite [State] block

Chip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, Chip-a-Dee-Ay, ... This Brodkorb link.

My oh my, what a wonderful day.

It's the truth
It's actual
Everything is satisfactual

____________UPDATE______________
This link. Here.

Republicans - a consolation prize; Miss Congeniality? What? Bridesmaid vs being named the bride?

Brodkorb, here. Should Lori Swanson be worried? Sure, no election/reelection is a slam dunk, ever. Oberstar will tell you that. However ...

RAMSEY - So this is supposed to be the city's official newspaper, giving us useful information, as citizen-voters. Right?

This link. Make of it what you will.

Sakry used to report the council vote split, and opinions expressed from the council table. We could learn how people representing us thought, which issues were in dispute and which were not.

What's this item worth, that way?

This one is mailing it in.

The drama of GOP House District 8B has reached its climax, if Tea Partier Sue Nelson will simply abide and go away.

Start with the news report, Franson got her 60 percent, no report on how many ballots were taken, beyond "several:"

At Saturday's Republican endorsing convention, Franson won with 60 percent of the vote in a contest with challenger Sue Nelson of rural Perham after several rounds of voting, according to Bill Schulz, secretary of the Republican Party of Otter Tail County.

Given that they are Republicans, and that Franson is experienced, there may be a ---- recount.

Likely not on the recount but the news would be if Sue Nelson were to abide, and that GOP drama would end not with a bang but a whimper. Or some such.

Now, what will Franson say in winning, what will Harpel do, given his implausible contention his suit, timed as it was, has no intention of impeding Franson's political career. (Given how one contention is she owes him money, one expects a rational view would be to hope she keeps the legislative paycheck. Get a judgment, get a garnishment.)

That last City Pages link, with regard to Sue Nelson, notes:

Nelson, meanwhile, hasn't acknowledged this week's controversy on her Facebook page and is instead citing Franson's narrow 2012 victory as her reason for challenging her.

"I see this seat as being in jeopardy," Nelson writes in a post published this morning. "It remained in the Republican column by only the narrowest of margins in the last election. The constantly diminishing election results are simply too close for many conservatives to bear."

That's it for now. What is to be read into "constantly diminishing election results are simply too close for many conservatives to bear" in terms of abiding or forcing a primary? That's yet to be fleshed out by the Nelson camp.

____________UPDATE____________
While I was aware of the outcome and wrote the above post, I later cleared email linking to Sorensen's earlier coverage, here. Of interest, Sorensen posts yet more detail, but speculates identically, i.e., have we heard the last from Sue Nelson this elelection cycle, or will there be a House Dist. 8B primary? Nelson appears to be leaving that route open while she, family, and close supporters hash out a course of action.

As an even money bet, she causes a primary and it will be a scrappy one.

_______FURTHER UPDATE________
With primary/no primary still not reported decisively, it took seven ballots for Franson to defeat Nelson by the required supermajority. See: here and here.

Sorensen's coverage unearthed news of what to me is the most intriguing aspect of this rural Minnesota saga. If Nelson does not cave in now, but forces a primary, what role will political for-hire consultant Gary Borgendale play, and will it be play for pay? I cannot envision Franson hiring him for damage control, should Nelson take the high road and shut her effort down at this point. That flyer under Borgendale's name, which Sorensen posted here, remains a curious piece of evidence. That captioned organizational name, "Americans for Marriage and Life," sure rings of astroturf vs. grassroot. An organization of who, Borgendale and his tape worm?

_______FURTHER UPDATE________
From Sue Nelson's campaign Facebook:




_______FURTHER UPDATE________
City Pages should be commended for posting the pleadings in the Harpel v. Franson litigation [but castigated for posting them via Scribd where you cannot download a pdf copy unless you've opened a Facebook account and who would ever want to do anything that stupid]. Aside from judging Scribd, the City Pages post focuses on some of the more troubling [and salacious] parts of Harpel's complaint. In doing that I feel they miss the heart of the entire dispute, that appearing to be at pages 6-7 of the Harpel Complaint for money due, per these screen captures:

click the images to enlarge and read

That's right, a good old-fashioned lawsuit about money. And why not? These, after all, are Republicans.

She promised to repay, the deeper pocket in the situation complains. She did not? Reputation aside, the gist of the complaint is that money is due.

Those considering themselves uber-Christian should not forget Jesus driving the money changers from the Temple. That was the inevitable beginning of the Crucifixion. Challenging the Roman and collabrationist ways and means, and keeping that attitude alive, is what the transgression against the status quo was about.

Mix in a bit of Golden Rule. Harpel pleads that beginning October 2010 and running through August 2011 [hence, onward to some unstated date] he put money in Franson's hands, in excess of fifty grand, and he wants it back.

March 2, 2012, is when Sorensen broke the "don't feed the animals" Franson video story.

One has to wonder, a divorced single parent apparently with custody of minor children and spousal support difficulty, appearing unable to meet expenses without help, how can such a person "do unto" those relying upon state provided assistance, after having herself illadvisedly not explored or utilized that sounder route to making ends meet, then think it proper to record that assistance should not be "done unto others," by well-reasoned and proper state function?

It is a bit mind boggling.

With the experience set that Franson appears to have endured, the litigation timed as it was as to filing, all that; Franson should switch parties from that party which elevates favoring the deep pocket to a near religion, to that party which favors it too, unfortunately, but less so.

What was the mindset at play, to record a "don't feed the animals" video while having the Sword of Damocles poised, if pleadings are true, as it was by the deep pocket player?

FURTHER UPDATE: If you care, Brodkorb, here, has a ballot-by-ballot "box score" for the HD 8B contest. A few "no endorsement" motions were considered but defeated. Franson survived to endorsement, seventh ballot. It reminds me of Revelation, opening the seven seals. Not that I pretend Revelation scholarship as an area of expertise, but comments are welcome from any reader who makes such a claim. I only know that numerologists have had a bonanza time looking at four horsemen, seven seals, number of the Beast, and such. Bless them in their efforts at reaching an understanding. Comments on the number of Nominations Committee reports [one I believe], No Endorsement votes, and such, the numerological implications going with seven ballots, any such comment would be appreciated. I do not understand Republicans, but I do recall, one Beast, one handmaiden of the Beast, and wonder how all that squares with HD 8B Republicanism.

Judge the "Liberty" man as a new thing, in light of the company he keeps?

This link. Flocking together.

A comment on the Bluestem Prairie website. A Republican named Roger says Sue Nelson is not his cup of Tea.

This link. Scroll to the comment.

Apart from that, Republican blogger Gary Gross has favored a term from time to time, "thuggish." Without any contextual connection, that remembrance just lept to mind. It's not as if contemplating Karl Rove, or some Governor with a grudge messing with an entire town's bridge traffic. The term just sprang to mind. I look forward to a Let Freedom Ring post about what may prove to be yet more despicable thuggery. Of a kind my friend Gary would not approve. Gary has published that in advance of any recent events in the district where Franson enjoys a GOP incumbency.

__________UPDATE__________
Gary Gross has live blogged events from time to time, which is commendable. I honestly mean that, and Gary is aware of how I feel about his efforts that way.

It would be a hoot if somebody were to live blog this confab. Stormy weather?

High bandwidth residential Internet service is real, some places.

Strib online, this link.

Renowned local Jesus Jockey Gary Borgendale mounts up for a role in the Franson fox hunt.

 photo credit from a "Baying for Blood" post.

Big time hat tip to Sorensen at Bluestem Prairie, this link, for breaking the story, and then posting enough story detail that I need not try to add further current Franson v. Nelson factoids. However, who is this Borgendale fellow - his priorities and biases? Easiest approach, he is who he has been, and who is that:

Start with a twist of Reed-Bachmann-Limmer, this link for the quote (links in original omitted); a few other names also in the mix:

September 1st, 2011 by The American Independent

The Minnesota Faith and Freedom Coalition (MFFC) is lending its voice to the battle over a constitutional amendment limiting marriage between a man and a woman in Minnesota. The group, founded by former Christian Coalition head Ralph Reed, has already gotten GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann and state Sen. Warren Limmer involved in their efforts on the ground in Minnesota. The group’s staffers have a long history of activism, especially around the issue of same-sex marriage.

MFFC is part of Reed’s national Faith and Freedom Coalition. He describes his group, which backs state and local affiliates around the country, as evolving, a “21st Century version of the Christian Coalition on steroids, married with MoveOn.org, with a sprinkling of the NRA.”

[...] Since its inception, the group has quickly staffed itself with Republican and conservative leaders. It’s also started organizing Christian conservatives and making friends with tea party groups in the state.

FFC hosted a roundtable of 30 conservative activists in April 2010 that included Michele Bachmann and Sen. Limmer.

A few months later, in August 2010, the group’s registration was accepted by the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office.

Some of the staff of MFFC have a great deal of political experience, others very little.

Terrie Myers is a classically trained artist. She helped organize pastors and tea partiers in 2010 to get out the vote and attended an October 2010 meeting of the Southwest Metro Tea Party to give a presentation. Myers was a small donor to Emmer ($50) and a slightly larger donor to Bachmann ($500). She’s an organizer for the group.

Carol Schulstad, MFFC’s president, introduced Bachmann at a Faith and Freedom Coalition event in June in Washington, D.C.

“She has been fearless to stop President Obama’s left-wing lies that are destroying America, and she remains fearless in her critics as her critics in the left-wing media attempt to assassinate her character,” she said. “Now, besides fearless, I must make a mention that as she is defending our faith and our freedom and her constituents and the cause for the conservatives of America, she is also serving her husband, her five children and her 23 foster children.”

[,,,] Schulstad was a candidate running against Rep. Betty McCollum in 1998 under the Minnesota Taxpayer Party. Schulstad garnered 2 percent of the vote.

But perhaps the most active of the MFFC officers is Gary Borgendale, the group’s vice president and a longtime proponent of an anti-gay marriage amendment in Minnesota. Borgendale was Local Ministry Director for KKMS, a conservative Christian radio station. Before that, Borgendale was the executive director and lobbyist for Minnesota for Marriage, a group that pushed for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage on the ballot in 2012.

Borgendale was an alternate delegate for John McCain at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul. He says he backed McCain because of his opposition to same-sex marriage.

Before his support for McCain, Borgendale was the chair of Minnesotans for Huckabee and conducted outreach to home-schooling families. He’s also listed as a precinct chair with the Senate District 51 Republicans.

In 2005, Borgendale organized the “Minnesota Pastors’ Summit,” an event that made headlines recently for its connection to Michele Bachmann. Her husband, Marcus Bachmann, gave a presentation called “The Truth About the Homosexual Agenda.”

The theme of the 2005 summit was “Equipping Churches to Engage Culture,” and also included controversial author David Barton and Colby May of American Center for Law and Justice, a legal outfit created by Pat Robertson.

“As pastors, you are on the forefront of this cultural conflict. Activist judges, political leaders and secular media are trying to dictate faith’s role in society. However, we can reverse that trend through a unified commitment to biblical principles in our communities,”Borgendale said. [...]

Beyond marriage, Borgendale has been outspoken against the LGBT community. In a July 2007 interview with KKMS (where he would later become an employee), he said, “The homosexual agenda issue is not going away by any means.” He added, “There’s an effort to put this in the public school settings even down to kindergarten. The agenda being pushed whether it be the business community the public schools or even the church.”

He said that same-sex marriage would lead to polygamy and pedophilia.

“It is a slippery slope because polygamy is now very high on the radar screen. You have what is this show ‘Big Love,’ there was this polygamy rally,” he said. [...]

He said that he also opposes any relationship recognition for same-sex couples including civil unions and domestic partnership benefits.

[...] “For my family and my children, I had to get involved,” he told a small crowd in St. Cloud. “One person can make a difference. If God is calling you, be involved. Answer the call.”

Also in the MFFC is John Henderson, who joined the group after a long career in business management.

[...] Henderson explained MFFC’s mission in Minnesota. “Build chapters throughout the state. Recruit members and make certain that the conservative, social-minded individuals fully understand the issues at hand,” he said.

“Our goal is to influence public policy and enact legislation that strengthens families, promotes time-honored values, protects the dignity of life and marriage, lowers the tax burden on small business and families, and requires government to tighten its belt and live within its means.”

[Italics and bolding added.]

Had enough? Of course not. Pastor Borgendale has written of a GOP God-given mission, one some might think small and partisan, but one large, to Borgendale:

Thursday, August 28, 2008
Gary Borgendale of St. Paul, Minnesota

Dear world wide believers in Christ:

Peace and joy from a fellow laborer in Minnesota, USA, Gary Borgendale.

Over a year ago, God impressed upon me the importance of prayer for the Republican National Convention. I did not understand what all this meant, but I initiated a call to prayer leaders and pastor leaders in St. Paul.

The 2008 Republican Convention will be here next week, running from September 1 – 4 at the Excel Center in St. Paul (www.gopconvention2008.com). For four days the world will be viewing St. Paul. The United States presidential conventions are second only to the Olympics for media coverage, surpassing even the NFL’s Super Bowl. Yes,the city chosen is St. Paul, named after the Apostle Paul, the great leader of the early church and whom God choose to minister to the Gentiles.

The GOP Prayer Team was formed consisting of prayer ministries leaders (Steve Loopstra, Sandra Roesner and Char Herzog) and pastors in St. Paul (Mike Smith, Bob Battle, and Cher Moua). The Prayer Team is not under the RNC, but believe it is our Christian responsibly to pray for major events held in our city.

We chose the following Bible verses to represent our efforts:

"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth." 1 Timothy 2: 1-4

This is our mission of the GOP Prayer Team

We desire to honor God and exalt the name of Jesus Christ by praying and serving in a non-partisan way for all aspects of the 2008 Republican National Convention, for the welfare of our nation, peace, protection and positive economic impact of our communities and guidance and wisdom in the political process.

God has put His people in ALL the right places; from political leaders, facility leaders and security personnel. Estimates are that 45, 000 people will be here for the event, plus 10-50,000 protesters. I believe America is on the verges of judgment. God cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the nearly 50 million babies that have been aborted nor with the continued efforts to remove Christianity from the public square. We are in a greater spiritual battle than a political battle. We have been praying and fasting for the Democratic convention this week, praying for the lost and the safety and security of the city. God has impressed upon me the need for our spiritual brothers and sisters from around the world to pray for us in Minnesota - to stand in the gap. Will you do this for us?

We have been praying for 6 areas:

Police and Security
Media
McCain Campaign
Protesters
Delegates & alternates
Workers & volunteersWe have great expectations that 1000’s will be led to the Lord.

Please let me know if you would be willing to pray for us. Please forward this to other leaders around the world.

Thank you for your willingness to partner with us as we serve Christ.

God Bless

Gary Borgendale

GOP Prayer Team Leader
612-598-9101
Web site: http://www.prayertransformation.com/RNC%20prayer.html
Posted by Brian Francis Hume at Thursday, August 28, 2008

Yeah, large to Borgendale, but not large enough for that last linked site to be maintained beyond placeholder status. The guess being prayer can only transform so far, then tedium must set in to the point of, "Oh, well ...". Actually, you think about it, that prayertransdformation .com site could have been used re the Franson fox hunt. Not so, so moving on -

Day after May Day, 2013; self promotion as well as promoting prayer, Strib reporting va an informative photo montage.

Next, what's a Borgendale "Oh Lord" retro report without --- fanfare please - Rick Santorum?

Strib again, here, March 19, 2012:

WASHINGTON - Minnesota Republican voters might have helped resuscitate Rick Santorum's presidential campaign, but the state's big GOP donors largely ignored the former Pennsylvania senator in favor of front-runner Mitt Romney.

The latest campaign finance reports show that Santorum has received less money from major donors in Minnesota than any of his Republican rivals, even as he cruised to an easy victory in the state's GOP caucuses last month.

Santorum backers say that what happened to him in Minnesota is a reflection of a nationwide grassroots campaign that has connected directly with newly energized social conservatives, [...]

"It reflects the broad nature of who he is appealing to," said Gary Borgendale, a Christian conservative leader who has championed Santorum's campaign in Minnesota. "It's a unique grassroots movement of social conservatives, fiscal conservatives and strong defense people."

In a GOP nominating contest that has revealed deep divisions between Romney's mainstream conservative appeal and Santorum's religiously tinged insurgency, the Minnesota fundraising totals confirm which side the donor class is on.

[italics added]

So, historically, God and Gays are the man's passions.


http://ffcoalition.com/
Ralph Reed has that website, and if you are truly bored you can follow the link. The point is to get "FFC" as an acronym into play, since there is this online "FFC in MN" each-picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words Ralph Reed ego trip photo montage, [UPDATE this link] including among other pics one of the good pastor in a "Moe is the Stooge in the Middle" photo of one who has been constant (even if discrete) in whoring to the Jesus wing of things Republican (and guess the "Reed-with" image to follow on that linked website):

Gary Borgendale, the company you keep!

Now, back to the Franson witch fox hunt theme, there via Sorensen's earlier-linked item we see the good pastor drumming for gun-bunny Sue Nelson's candidacy in opposition to Mary Franson's GOP incumbency. That addition makes the circle unbroker.

Sue and Brian Nelson into that mix, and lo, it is God, Gays, and Guns redux, ya betcha - deja vu all over again, so to speak (See Nelson family business Facebook page).

(Kiffmeyer's the only joke missing from what I found of the good pastor online. Reader commentary on any known Kiffmeyer-Borgendale tie-ins would be appreciated.)

HUCKSTER: Wrap-up time? Okay, the advertisement, Borgendale consulting, the good pastor's cash cow, apparently, with a "services" page stating in part:

Business to Consumer marketing intelligence is the driver behind our consulting, our success and our pricing.

What is your plan to beat the Democrats in 2014? We have everything the Republican candidate needs to target new constituents and party faithful.

[...] We will clearly define a consumer audience and deliver data for the candidate or issue to communicate directly to their target audiences voting concern.

[...]A Republican candidate needs to speak with the right message, through the right delivery channel. Micro-Targeting delivers results without having to blanket a district with the same message, which is called saturation marketing. Now your budget goes further and your results improve.


Best Pricing

This is the easy part . . . we have the lowest list prices in the industry!

The contact email is:

gary@borgendaleinsights.com

Do you suppose the Nelson family might have gotten some of that well targeted delivery channel good stuff, from Gary B., at one of "the lowest list prices in the industry!"

For free? Well. Anything's possible.

____________UPDATE____________
Curious myopia. Brodkorb's crying a river over Fitzsimmons being ambushed is interesting, juxtaposed to his dearth of attention to the ambush of Ms. Franson. All the animals on Animal Farm are unequal? Gary Gross earlier wrote, here, but seems equally tied up with other thoughts now, as with Brodkorb. Aplikowski wrote crying crocodile tears over earlier perceived persecution of poor Ms. Franson, for opening her mouth so that her foot would fit in, but now, no perceived persecution, just - politics? Is "All the News that's fit to Print" only somebody's slogan, or a reality, or what?

_________FURTHER UPDATE__________
Where is Norm, given this and this re Fitzsimmons' ambush, on Franson being "pilloried, reviled and attacked" for a "single vote" in support of industrial/agricultural hemp? Okay, sure, Fitzsimmons never got into any "don't feed the animals" briar patch, and as a worse sin did not narrowly approach losing a seat in an overwhelmingly "red" district last election, but still ...

___________FURTHER UPDATE____________
The for-a-price consultancy, photo here, and the Ralph Reed montage item photo here, do appear to be the same person; and the name is not like Jones or Johnson.

The man shows on the web a whole lot of stuff about being "called" for this and that, and responding. But then the ongoing selling of micro targeted election services, "right channel" and all; who called him to that? Or was it a wholly calculated volitional-secular personal decision making step to sell God-related organizational target marketing, something aside from any voice of insinuation from on high, "Go forth, use My name, make money?" Do you figure Ralph Reed was called?

Okay, that. But will Bradlee Dean hold a benefit concert?

Larry Litigeous and the cattle baron.

Big question is, if there is a benefit concert by Mr. Dean for his lawyer's new client, what other bands would Bradlee and Larry enlist?

All the big names?

Bernie Sanders to be in town Sunday. Progressivism lives, still, in Minnesota.

click image to enlarge and read
-or-
this link

UPDATE: This may be helpful (click the image to enlarge):

FURTHER UPDATE: Dan Burns at MPP posts of the event. Readers are urged to check the post, here, because Burns adds a bit of commentary I would be hard-pressed to contest as incorrect in any regard.

It happened in Ramsey.

Today in the steady cold rain I was driving along Alpine and there was a line of folks at the clubhouse turn of the Northfork golf course, standing there for some incomprehensible reason, in the steady rain.

It reminded me of Lee Trevino's answer to a reporter asking what he'd do if finding himself in the middle of an open golf course during a lightning storm. Trevino said he'd hold up a 1-iron, "Because even God cannot hit a 1-iron."

Have you ever looked back on a "Where are they now and how did they get there" photo, and felt a bit strange over it?

Mary Franson as political saga? Timing of a court filing with a likely contested primary for the seat Franson currently holds.

Coverage, here, here and City Pages, here. Each dated April 23, 2014. Read at your leisure.

This Court docket.



Filed April 21. Answer filed April 22.

TIMING, TIMING, TIMING: Of interest, the City Pages item notes earlier service, with the strangely timed delayed filing:

McLeod County MNGOP Chair Eric Harpel got in touch today to let us know he's sued his ex-girlfriend, Rep. Mary Franson, R-Alexandria, for defamation, illegally accessing his electronic communications, and breach of contract.

Harpel tells us Franson was served on December 7 of last year, "So it's not like she didn't know this was coming."

Wow. Served on Pearl Harbor day. I cannot get a song out of mind. James Brown. The Big Payback.

Also -- Old news, from Perhem. Brian Nelson? Who dat?

Poor Pauline, tied up on the rail tracks:

"PAID ADVERTISEMENT"

Again and again, the ostensible landlord of a Fridley purported subtenancy pays the subtenant; a curious reversal of general norms of landlord-tenant cash flow. What's up?

fair use image credit

Mr. Gingrich and Mr. West sometime ago had a policy disagreement. Might it be related to Mr. Nixon's "Southern Strategy" and Mssrs. Koch's and Ms. Kiffmeyer's voter ID amendment trainwreck? Notions of a GO Party "big tent" aside, GO Party effort toward an engineered voter "tiny bottleneck" may be an ever-present worry.

And who do you suppose Mr. Gingrich envisioned benefiting?

Add to that a hat tip to a reader who called my specific attention to Allen West, where previously I had only a vague ill-grounded notion of some idiot going around calling the Congressional Progressive Caucus a pack of marxists; Tail Gunner Joe style. I have done some reading about Mr. West. Whatever the criticism some might have, he seems something of a cut above Sarah Palin.

This link. This Google.

Then there is Kos.

Yes, old news from 2011, but it generates a thought of a "candidate know the turf" test. In that, I would want both Ms. Sivarajah and Ms. Whelan to drive Ramsey Blvd, and then expound on Republican tax policy as it relates to local government functioning in fundamental ways the public expects. I think there was much trumpet fanfare about the County Board "holding the line" on taxes, so, candidates, drive that road and explain declining basic spending over a tax-and-spend critical posturing.

In terms of that 2011 SNAFU -- Learn from history or repeat it; but don't make me take a poll test on it.

In terms of history - Ms. Kiffmeyer and history - Secretary of State is an important race in Minnesota politics.

Ramsey's current council: Passion for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me (Psalm 69:9 NLT).

Anonymity? JESUS does NOT cower or hide ... This link.

Over at Andy's Residual Forces: "Whom do the Democrats fear?"

A "Dear Delegate" letter from Team Thompson.

Seems I recall, "who" is the subjective form; "Who paid off the politician," being an example.

"Whom" is the objective form; "The bribe was given to whom," being an example.

Really. Don't Team Thompson have proof readers?

Or is it, doesn't team thompson have proof readers?

Team is singular, but it's The Thompson guy and the Benson woman, so, doesn't either of them have a proof reader?

End of the item, from "Dave." So don't blame Benson.

_____________UPDATE____________
Well, thinking about it a bit more. What sounds right? "Whom do the Democrats fear," seems, on reflecting back years to ninth grade grammar, the proper form. Democrats is the subject, as in, "The Democrats fear whom?"

Still, "Who do you trust," sounds right, more so than "Whom do you trust."

I think the language is evolving, and whom will become an obsolete usage, kept alive only by conservatives. True conservatives. So, then, is the currently proper grammatical form, "The true conservatives are whom?" The verb "to be" does not take an object, yet it sounds awkward, "Whom are the true conservatives?" Would you say, "Whom is the third batter in the lineup?" I bet ten out of ten major league managers would say, "Who is the third batter in the lineup?"

The language is evolving.

harold hamilton (and/or his blog ghostwriter) is really shoveling it thick and heavy lately.

Here:

THE WORKIN' MAN UNDER OBAMA

Image from here.

The mantra of the Left for generations has been that they're the party of the Workin' Man, the ones to protect the guy who rises early to work, gives it his all, and returns home at night to raise his family and contribute to his community and his country.

Then again, truth has never been a priority for the Left.

Under Obama, what has the Workin' Man really gained, besides the grand insult that the he only "clings to his guns and his religion."

There can be no doubt that the urban liberal, swathed in the religion of environmentalism, statism, and nihilism, is ascendant and rules the Democrat Party.

The new elites who rule the Progressive Movement have no time for the Workin' Man's guns, faith in God, V8 pick up, traditional family values, and belief that government should be efficient and fair in delivering government programs.

The Workin' Man really has no place in the new liberal hierarchy, other than to serve as a political step stool to be stood upon each election cycle by the liberal elites who use his vote to attain political power they will then use to restrict his gun rights, eliminate his job, and force upon him a fiscal and social issue agenda with which he vehemently disagrees.

And this week, proof positive was delivered to demonstrate that the liberal elites, personified by Barack Hussein Obama, have delivered the coup de grace to the Workin' Man.

A Labor Department economist delivered a white paper measuring the distribution of the rise in household income from 2008-2012, a period that directly coincides with the first term of the Liberal Man in the White House.

During that period, the average income level showed that income lost during the height of the recession from 2007-2009 had actually been regained.

The real problem is that the gains weren't evenly distributed.

In fact, it wasn't even close.

Under Obama, the wealthiest 20% (the top quintile), realized 80% of the income gains.

The next quintile realized nearly 19% of the income gains, meaning that the next 60% saw no gains income.

In fact, the lowest quintile lost wages.

This under a president who now decries the "inequality gap," which is a gap of his own making.

Now, in what portends to be the most cynical political campaign in American history, the Democrats propose to run on a platform that blames Republicans for these economic ills while proposing legislative solutions that are little more than further job killing salved by welfare spending that enslaves more citizens under the yoke of government dependency to replace the dignity of work they once knew.

But there are signs of life in the Workin' Man. He elected Chip Cravaack to Congress in 2010 in the 8th Congressional District.

There are signs in the polling data that Stewart Mills may catch another wave of Workin' Man anger this year that could propel him to Washington.

This all from a quite wealthy man owning a high-tech business. Without ever stating an opinion in favor of either unions or of raising the minimum wage.

Harold, does he drive a pickup truck, is he the tired and awful cliche he thinks persuasive? Anybody want to bet on that?

So, who writes that sutff? John K?

Trace income inequality back, if not earlier, at least to the Reagan tax cuts for the wealthy, and then the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, and someone has to pay and it is a two-party elite that has consistently been shipping jobs overseas and entering the nation into troublesome trade pacts while also war-mongering.

Surely, Obama has continued where Bush left off, but that part of the argument strangely is missing from the Dog liking fiction more than truth. Or more precisely, liking an edited hackneyed-up half truth over the entire ugly thing. He's got too much of an "our schmucks are just better than their schmucks - or we simply don't mention ours" attitude, and it is very bothersome. It denies any chance for a meaningful insight from the man and/or ghost writer.

Stuff like, "urban liberal, swathed in the religion of environmentalism, statism, and nihilism." Give me a break.

Who writes anything that gawd-awful? Harold? Actually, I give Harold credit for not being that phony. Not that dumb.

Some ghost, who?

It is simply terrible writing. Not as good as Agnew's speechwriter's "nattering nabobs of negativism." The ghost needs to go to school.

(Read it again. The gist is, there is a continuation of income inequality in the nation. Big news? Of course not.

It's been so and getting worse, an unbroken trend, and one everyone knows of, one which is due to the use of money and lobbying in DC that only those gaining from it can love.)

But -- such an inartful way of trying to spin it. From the Woofer. Delivered with condescension.

Handling it that ham-handedly insults the intelligence of Harold's readers.

____________UPDATE____________
The notion that an entrenched member of the powered and moneyed elite hateful toward taxation speaks for and identifies with the common man is ludicrous. It's expected that in expounding such an absurd notion, it would be done in a ludicrous way. Which it was.

Kathleen Geier writes truth. With links omitted from the original, this beginning quote:

Proof of Wealth’s Power Over Policy
> Kathleen Geier
April 10, 2014

Paul Krugman says we’re living in a “New Gilded Age,” an era of government of the rich, for the rich, and by the rich. Last week’s McCutcheon decision from the Supreme Court, which struck down the aggregate limit an individual can contribute in capped political donations, does not disabuse us of this notion. And now the world of social science brings forth even more proof that the wealthy overwhelmingly control our political institutions.

Writing for the Washington Post’s Monkey Cage blog, Princeton political scientist Larry Bartels discusses a forthcoming study in Perspectives in Politics by fellow poli-sci acedemics Martin Gilens and Benjamin Page. Their research provides stunning new evidence of the hegemonic dominance of the rich in our democracy.

Looking at 1,779 national policy outcomes in the United States over a period of over twenty years, Gilens and Page found that:

economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy, while mass-based interest groups and average citizens have little or no independent influence.

The differences between the influence of average people and moneyed elites on the policy-making process were not small, either. Bartels says that the preferences of economic elites (defined here as citizens at the 90th percentile or above of the income distribution) were fifteen times as important in affecting the government policies that were enacted on the national level.

The same pattern held for interest groups. “Mass-based interest groups,” says Bartels, mattered “only about half as much as business interest groups.” As the authors note, their findings reflect not only “the ability of actors to shape policy outcomes on contested issues” but also “their ability to shape the agenda that policy makers consider.” In other words, the wealthy have massive influence on which issues policymakers will even take into consideration in the first place. The power to rule an issue off the nation’s political agenda altogether may be the greatest political power of all.

There is much more to the item. It is cumulative, but proof by cumulative evidence is quite better than proof by scant evidence, or weak argument without much of any proof to speak of, that's dog-style argument, so to speak.

Now, considering the ending part of that above quote - power over agenda: Recall, single payer, favored by a sizable majority of the population was off the table, as was reform of pharmaceutical pricing, when Obama put forth federalized Romneycare, aka now, Obamacare. True major reform, not on the agenda, off the radar screen, Verboten.

Who sez?

Answer that one for yourself. Hint: They have a watchdog.

Woofing minimum wage stuff, huh?

mediagazer -- Netflix heartburn over The Merger.

Here and here. Linked to from here. Some sites some people might want to bookmark.

It arguably appears Netflix has the high ground on this disagreement.

___________UPDATE___________
Another Netflix item, here, linked to from mediagazer. More high ground for Netflix.

Then, is it news to explain news, this mediagazer link, with another link to The Awl, on topic.

More from mediagazer, a possible explanation why big box retail wants Amazon sales subjected to state sales taxes.

Finally, Businessweek creative director leaving for MTV, where his cover art likely might be too staid.

In general news aggregator sites are second rate. This "mediagazer" one seems above the rest.

DPLA - Digital Public Library of America.

Not an earlier incarnation of ZZ Top. Click here for detail.

Jim Abeler - Why his running for Senator, with less a chance of being in the general election than others, appears to be a stroke of genius.

Candidates for one office by tradition and for good reason, do not endorse other candidates running for other offices.

Presuming Abeler had enough with being in the Minnesota House since initial statehood, (or it seems that long), and, coincidently after one Theo-Tea primary challenge that has to have galled, Abeler might simply have announced retirement and not started what seems an ill-advised and under-funded run to oppose Franken.

Looked at from the standpoint that he's not going to be pressed to endorse any Republican primary contestant over another, particularly in the race he nominally is contesting, a big-time headache is avoided and later he can lukewarmly embrace primary winners of the GOP primary, the proper GOP posture for him to have as a long-time Republican, once names are set for going into the general election later this year.

He's left alone. Brilliant. Can you imagine his wrestling otherwise if pressed at this point to endorse Abigale Whelan?

Smart move, Jim.

Does anyone have any questions about who runs our nation, or how the private sector can influence government decision making?

Akin-Gump has a 117 page pdf item online here.

For openers - From it, one page [p.39 of 117 pages].

[readers - please click every one of the four thumbnails to be able to read enough to capture a flavor of the day, the Akin-Gump flavor of nation building]

Next, three consecutive pages, 69-71, of 117, note names please, and with those names party affiliations strangely appear to attach, one party or the other within the two-party system we all know and cherish.

Last, has anyone heard anything recently [if ever] from Rand Paul about auditing the FED? That was big with his dad, but Rand is wanting to run for President and is forming alliances and gaining financing to make that a real vs Pyrrhic victory. Real for Rand, but then is it Pyrrhic for all the rest of us, for liberty, among us? In the course of that, who will Rand Paul become, and indeed, who is he now?

I would bet there are few at Akin-Gump who'd enjoy seeing the FED audited, and a co-bet, the FED is not going to be audited.

Another bet I would make is that several at Akin-Gump are looking at Rand Paul, taking a measure of the man, and determining how to best deal with his candidacy for higher office. Within the ways and means they have to operate and deal with candidacies.

Just wondering that way, with no real info about that. So -- Don't ask me. Ask Akin-Gump. The Koch brothers and Soros can be money-bag lightning rods, Daddy Warbucks for the Tweedle Dee party vs for the Tweedle Dum one, but, can you infer anything about how an apparently harmonious firm like Akin-Gump can prosper and grow and operate levers within our clearly partisan two-party checks-and-balances nation? Ask yourself that hummer.

___________UPDATE____________
Two peas in a pod? Or, why I'd prefer Elizabeth Warren over Hillary, if the Dems feel it necessary to run a female Presidential candidate next cycle. Why I prefer Bernie Sanders over Barack Obama. Obama, who apparently failed to make it to the NCAA finals live; (probably a Secret Service precaution more than not fitting in).

________FURTHER UPDATE________
And this is ONLY a thought experiment. I solicit no comments. Who, of the several current CD6 candidate options do YOU see as the one most likely if sent to DC to most promptly sell out to the highest bidder(s)?

Does north metro Republican Party official Andy Aplikowski speak for his party and its candidates, in expressing a dislike of Medicare?

This link.

"Addicted to government" he calls reliance upon Medicare.

Will others disavow that position, or is it widespread among CD6 Republicans, including those seeking state house and senate seats?

What about Social Security, Andy and cadre? Disrespectful toward that too? Wanting to gut it?

We need to be watchful.

What is Andy's alternative to Medicare and Social Security? Pray?

UPDATE QUESTION: Are veterans' benefits next? Scuttle the VA? Where does this stop?

Visit www.peterperovich.org to contribute online or mail your donation to the address given below.

www.peterperovich.org

Among the several candidates, I believe Perovich has the maturity and diverse private sector work history within House District 35A to best represent the district. He has done more than work on other people's campaign and pursue academic goals. He is raising a family in the district in today's economic times, and knows what it takes to hold things together and do that well. He understands others in such a situation. I believe he will embrace the hopes of district residents he will represent and "work to protect the interest of affordable health care, job creation, and environmental protection." Those are his words from a mailing, which further states:

Now is the time to make sure our state remains progressive, keeping this the best state to live and raise our families. I look forward to hearing from you and welcome your suggestions, comments and ideas. I will be honored to represent you in the state legislature and will work hard in the months ahead to win in November.

Winning does require citizens who share many of Peter's values to help the campaign financially.

While I am not a wealthy person, (never mind not a 1%-er); Perovich is, so far, one of the two candidates for office in November's election who I have felt strongly enough about to contribute something to the campaign. I urge readers to do the same.

As already noted in the headline, the Peter Perovich for House website fosters e-contributions, while I prefer mailing a check. After all, checks get cash to the candidacy without any "Visa fee" or "ActBlue" sharing. It all goes to the effort to win in November.

So the address:

Peter Perovich for House
5435 152nd Ave NW
Ramsey, MN 55303

Please help, and bookmark the website.

[disclosure - I have no role, formal or informal, in the Perovich campaign/candidacy. I know him, like him, and respect his style, capability and judgment. That's it. Nutshell version. He is the best person running for the task of representing and listening to all residents of the district.]

ANOKA - WEST MAIN STREET - Authentic Mexican food, no liquor license, no noise, no pretense fake ambience, good food fairly priced and no big menu selection where things are cold by the time they reach your table.

And the help speaks Spanish, with a small Mexican food market next door.

Not Tony and Bridget Sutton and Bill Cooper Baja Sol astroturf Mexican imitation folded into bankruptcy because it was more hype than substance.

INSTEAD: Real.

Not where it's easily found, possibly not going to survive because of the obscured location -- but if enough people try it and like it, who knows?

TACOS LA PALOMA



530 West Main Street
Anoka, MN 55303

763-208-3349
Call to pre-order - take out or dine in.

The business card says: "Tacos, Burritos, Sopes, Tortas, Quesadillas, and More."

It has never been crowded when I've been there, and it should have more traffic/business to stay operational.

NO PRETENSES. 
DO NOT EXPECT ANY.

This Google Maps screen capture, Google's marker for the turn-in location. A left turn if heading west on Main Street, the place is in the back where the building dog-legs. Parking is never a problem.

click thumbnail to enlarge image

No website, but a Facebook page. This excerpt:

again, click the thumbnail image

While not liking Facebook in general, given that is the restaurant's web presence the main link is given above, and there's more - the menu, as a thumbnail of a screen capture, below (enlarged from the previous image), and a Facebook photo link to show what the food looks like (no thumbnail of that, access the page and judge it, please):

That's the story. Try it to see if you like it. And check that "see the food" link, as given above, and earlier, this sentence.

What an insult. "Bachmann calls Emmer 'so reflective of the district.' " Rubbing our noses in it.

Bay area coverage, this link.

UPDATE: We are not that bad, are we? If Emmer truly is "reflective of the district," the district is doomed.

No way. We have low-key educated people here too, besides Bachmann and Emmer. Reflect on that.

Anoka County has dumped taxpayer money into a cosmetic website redo.

Levy of Strib reports, here. Most useful page, the sitemap,

http://www.anokacounty.us/sitemap

Luckily, the property tax [assessor's] search page has not been tampered with [dumbed down]. Yet.

The money for the redo would have been better spent on County Road resurfacing in Ramsey [County Board District 1]. (At least a tad of cold patch pothole work has been done on Ramsey Blvd., making things better than otherwise.)

Levy noted:

“We wanted to design something that would look good and be easy to use on a phone or tablet,” said Martha Weaver, the county’s public information manager.

[link not in original]

UPDATE: All sizzle, no steak? In the search box I typed "liens." 51 items returned, none indicating I can find recorded lien data details, online. What's that worth? A redesign by some firm from Kansas, and no better extended data access? Thanks a bunch.

Our friends at Flaherty and Collins making Chicago area news. Arguably unfavorably so ...

The below screen capture is from this Chicago Tribune online report; click the image to enlarge and read or go to the original item for the full report.

That "Metra Triangle FC, LLC" thing, the M.O. being to form a thinly capatilized LLC for each Flaherty adventure. With the initials "FC" somewhere in the made-up name.

As in Ramsey. As in North Carolina.

I only saw David Flaherty once at a council work session. Well spoken, thin and looking as if he ran, exceptional suit, nice shoes, and an expensive looking gold wrist watch. Whether any accoutrements were subsidized, or purchased entirely from Flaherty's own money was then and remains unclear to me. Prior to his appearance to speak, he and the head of Coborns were in the Norman Castle lobby, chatting before the start of the meeting, and once the meeting started the Coborns man endorsed the Flaherty adventure in Town Center as in line with what he'd like to see happening there.

Does any reader know if there are any liens against Fhaherty's Town Center thing? If so, please add as detailed a comment to this post as time allows. And, thanks.

A later paragraph in the Trib's coverage indicated an 86% occupancy at Flaherty's Orland Park thing, with all the Flaherty people contacted clamming up about the lien foreclosure litigation.

____________UPDATE___________
Curiously, the official Village of Orland Park's website news page has yet to post mention of the lien foreclosure litigation; unless it was posted some time ago with the Trib only now noticing. Also, the Trib item is the only online reporting found so far.

__________FURTHER UPDATE__________
A request again for reader help. My best understanding of construction law, mechanics and materialsmen liens, is that they are filed with the county recorder's office; and that Anoka County does not make lien filings available to the public online. Is this so, or can one research liens against property online, without paying for any special service or going to the County records and researching there in person or via an agent? It seems sensible that such things would be online for citizen review, but sensible and Anoka County practices sometimes diverge.

Any reader knowing of the lien status of the Flaherty adventure, or how to check it out online, is requested to provide a comment, or to email using the sidebar address.

Doing a websearch =

contractor lien filings minnesota

did yield an interesting batch of links on lien/construction law in Minnesota, but nothing specific about any online county record searching opportunity.

__________FURTHER UPDATE___________
Doing web searching disclosed a previously missed Minneapolis report [on All Fool's Day] of Flaherty's empire building spree, nearby. Here [behind a paywall, so don't bother unless you care to see a lackluster rendering of the proposed apartment complex], and Bizjournal, here, with a bit more detail - an alleged $51 million thing, design by alleged architects, with expected detail:

Preliminary plans for the project include 248 apartments (studios and one- and two-bedroom units) and 7,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, according to the city. About 50 apartments would be affordable, defined at 50 percent of median income or below.

The developer has requested $1 million in federal funding and nearly $7.3 million in local tax exemptions through tax increment financing and tax-exempt bonds.

Subsidy sought, and from the rendering online, it looks ugly.

Same as it ever was? Except there over twice the retail square footage as was grudgingly accorded Ramsey, despite the multi-million loan subsidy, and the free parking ramp space. We don't rate 7000 sq.ft. retail? Just a pocket with cash to be reached out, but don't expect 7000 sq.ft. retail?

Another intriguing Flaherty item, this from Indiana, here; intriguing from the slant of the item and the comment stream. Not the local chamber of commerce thumping the glory of it all.

However, bottom line, all that additional info is irrelevant to something as basic as the construction contractors on a Flaherty adventure filing good faith claims of contracting debts not being paid. That is serious stuff. Especially with the same pack of operatives owing City of Ramsey money.

Strib has an online item about noisy restaurants, a turn-off for some.

I wonder how the Acapulco chain restaurants are doing these days.

Strib item, here.

I recall the one Acapulco restaurant years ago on Coon Rapids Blvd, back when the food was good and the serving staff seemed predominantly Mexican. The place had a now-lost ambiance and appeal.

And the food was really good, back then, there.

Before trendy times took over.

The food then was exceptional. Requirement numero uno.

_____________UPDATE_______________
Below a screen capture from Google+, of the service's most recent reviews received, re the Acapulco in Ramsey Town Center; none mentioning noise level:

click image to enlarge and read - this link to explore things

Developers are Crabgrass readers who use Google+ and have had recent dining experiences at the Town Center Acapulco outlet are urged to take a moment to post more current reviews of the place's status quo - including noise level as whether adding charm or annoyance - or as a non-factor in the dining experience. And, food/service?

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

Remember the days -- promise of high quality dining and shopping, "nice shops and restaurants" being the promotional buzzterm used by promotional propaganda from people involved there, that outcome -- if only the Town Center dream were to be launched in Ramsey ...

Reader comment of whether that's panned out as promised or not is welcome.

Pre-presidential preening. Same as it ever was. Including mainstream media lack of mention of Rand Paul forging ties with Ken Cuccinelli.

Yahoo News posting an interesting - where are they now, why it's New Hampshire - item, this link. It is well written and thorough. Readers are urged to follow the link.

From late in the item, this excerpt:

Conservatives who embrace the party’s traditionally robust foreign policy stance have severe reservations about [Kentucky's junior Senator, Rand] Paul's quest for executive power and views that the U.S. should play a more limited role abroad. Republican donors who gathered last month at the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas, Nev., expressed concern over Paul’s rise, telling TIME Magazine that they may have to undertake concerted efforts to undermine his political ambitions over such positions as cutting off all U.S. aid to Israel and other countries. Republican mega donor and casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, TIME reported, is considering spending massive sums to keep Paul from becoming the GOP nominee.

In response, Paul insists that those concerned about his foreign policy views just need more time to hear him out. Paul plans to discuss these issues with Adelson himself in the future, he said.

“When he gets to know me, he’ll like me too,” Paul told me.

I asked Paul about the time Christie called his foreign policy “dangerous” and when former U.S. ambassador to the U.N John Bolton described Republicans like Paul as “unfit to serve.” (Both men, particularly Christie, harbor presidential ambitions of their own.)

“The people who are saying that are the dangerous people,” Paul said. “The people who wake up at night thinking of which new country they want to bomb, which new country they want to be involved in, they don’t like restraint. They don’t like reluctance to go to war. They really wouldn’t like Ronald Reagan if they read anything he wrote or were introduced to it.”

[links in original]. Earlier Crabgrass noting of Rand Paul's romancing the ideologically proactive bloc of the GOP represented by Cuccinelli, here. It is unclear whether mainstream press' ignoring coverage of this questionable alliance is intentional, or inattentive negligence. What is "liberty" to mean, if attached to Cuccinelli and his peers on their desired and attempted force feeding of religious precepts upon the rest of us? Isn't freedom from religion a necessary aspect of true "liberty?"

The appearance is one of Rand Paul doing a fence-straddle attempt. One that is unbecoming and impeaching his professing certain core beliefs that simply fail to square with any force-feeding of Jesus to those not wanting the wafer or wine.

FINAL NOTE: John Bolton as a presidential hopeful? You have got to be kidding me. Neocons had their 15 minutes of fame yielding the Iraq fiasco and waterboarding becoming a too frequent addition to our public-debate vocabulary; and it's not coincidence that several oppose Condoleezza Rice as a U of Minn highly-compensated public visitor/speaker. Taxpayer money to the tune of $150,000 for the neocon retread's visit? Whatever happened to fiscal decency with public money? [here, naming the speaker's fee amount, also, here and here - interested readers can do their own web searching]


___________CORRECTION____________
The UM's Daily, here, makes it clear, the Rice speaker fee of a hundred and fifty grand is covered from private [Carlson] money and not taxpayer loot. I erred.

The Carlson Family Foundation will cover the $150,000 cost for Rice’s visit, which Stanoch said is not an unusually high price tag for this type of speaker.

Humphrey spokesman Kent Love-Ramirez said Rice will talk about overcoming adversity as an African-American woman who faced discrimination growing up in the southern U.S. The topic is consistent with the school’s yearlong series “Keeping Faith with a Legacy of Justice: The 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”

“We firmly believe in [students’] right to protest and welcome it as an extension of the public discussion,” he said.

Rice in promotional posting is billed as not talking politics, but rather, "Condoleezza Rice shares her perspectives on the progress achieved and challenges ahead in efforts to promote civil rights for all Americans." That's a little easier, but if not Rice, that Carlson cash could fund somebody else, say Dennis Kucinich, another up-by-the-bootstraps theme being possible. The bet is Dennis would charge less per pop and he's done one hell of a lot more to "promote civil rights for all Americans," than Rice ever has. Better Dennis, no doubt about that.

Rice and all that neocon trash pack, they remain offensive, even with the fee covered by Carlson Family cash.

Rice has every right to speak her mind. It is paying her to show up and do so that is less than ideal. Free speech (in the other sense) would offend less. Either way, show up for a Rice event or don't, that's your choice while it is not worth my time. Dennis? Maybe. Bill or Hillary? What's different from Rice except party ties?

One striking image from the televised U.Conn. - Kentuckey college basketball final was an in-attendence shot of Clinton and Bush II sitting together. Feathers very alike. Flocking together.