21st Century, we see civilization triumphant, and smile at the dark ages when lords and barons kept retainers to enforce their rule.

After the newer post below on the institutionalized humiliation and shaming effort aimed against the RNC 8, and such, earlier items on point but not linked there: here, here (and who is that mystery man), here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and to prove it was coldly intentional, here. Here? Here? Does web image match reality? Why would there be a gap?

Mom, Mom, Daddy's home. For some readers who might not have been born before 1955.

James Dobson's formative years. Thanks, Political Muse:


And a good dog doesn't pee indoors.

It will go to the door and whine prettily to be let out. Pleading noises. Not barking.

And it will fetch the paper and bring it in, on the way back. Just to be good. To be appreciated.

RNC 8.

This image.



These links, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. The rnc8.org site has subpages you can explore as you like.

This petition.

Another image. This google. This google.

The bulk of online opinion seems to favor the defendants. Post links via comments, if you know of a pro-law enforcement or pro-prosecution viewpoint online. Post comments if you have an opinion, either way.

NOTE: I did a google = minnesota patriot act. I got links to things like the socialists' report, etc., but could not find a legislative link to the text/history/passage of the legislation. A bit of searching gave detail, key statutory text leading to the bill as passed, and brief legislative history, here and here. See "long title," and "House Research Bill Summary." Passed in 2002, early Bushco-hysteria days, great passion and little thought. With those links you can track down sponsorship, committees, passage majorities, voting in both chambers, etc., all things that could be interesting - a know your legislator kind of thing. If you read any of that stuff, reflect, does it make you feel any more secure in your person and property? Do you feel more exposed to some cop, some time, saying "Gotcha." I feel the latter. The entire damned thing should be repealed. Having all that stuff at the national level is bad enough. Imitated overreaching stupidity is how I view it, yet these eight people could be put in the slammer for years. Check their online biographies. Are they criminals, in your view? Should they be at such a risk as they are, as a moral question, answer it as you will. This image, from the "bio page."




__________UPDATE_________

Reader exercise: Rate these kids. This link. Also note, I did a cut/paste of their source for the below "DONATE" button, intending that you use it and that it cut over to their donate page. Defending against the weight of the heel of the state costs. Help them, that way.

________FURTHER UPDATE________
Today's "criminal," tomorrow's legend. Today's sheriff, tomorrow's too.

The Arab world is not monolithic nor unsophisticated. Things interesting for themselves and as examples of something else.

The Emirates are not Wahhabi-ist, and heads are not universally chopped off in public squares for instances of adultry. Compare, here, here, here and here. Scandalize them then send them on their way is not uniquely a western concept of properly dealing with minor misbehavior.

But that's hardly the point of things. Not with Gaza happening.

Objective argument of a position with stridency and Islamist fundamentalism wholly absent from the analysis, as largely collateral to the political realities of what's going on, is clear from these three Abu Dhabi items, two on Gaza and one on - of all things, possibly positive implications of the Madoff situation; respectively, here, here and here.

Tone and sophistication are apparent as "western-style" reporting, particularly British, per Economist or Guardian.

On Gaza, to show a range of material is out there for the taking by Mainstream Media, and that we perhaps are being propagandized that way with Bushco in alliance, here is a reprinted Russian item, from a "western" UN source.

We have to be cautious to not have our opinions influenced too much by what we are told, without a questioning mind toward those "telling us." We should try for a spectrum of sources giving us a broad perspective for opinion formation, which is what our government, State Department in particular, does. The only failure of "intelligence" leading to the Iraq invasion was of that between the ears of those looking for plausible lies to tell us, to justify their already formed decisions. That would be Bush, Cheney, Powell, Rice and their cabal of neocons and other misfits. Lessons exist. It is for us to learn them.

__________
AIPAC can have its say. It's graphics and its terminology. We believe what we think credible, and are better at it if there is not a single insistent and uncontradicted drumbeat - repetition being a key element to propagandizing a population.

Mention of Economist, without linking to their online Gaza coverage, would be remiss. See, here, here and here. Compare the Abu Dhabi "The National" items. Same writers? Same university schooling?

Finally, to be immune to propaganda, you must be a good person and go to church regularly, and listen to what they tell you. Pastor Blair at Lord of Life in Ramsey will even endorse candidates for you, mentioning his church affiliation with his name, but expressing a personal opinion not necessarily that of his congregation or Bishop. 501(c)(3) and all that. Pastor Mac dodged a bullet, so far, credit the lawyering. He preaches that God wants you to be rich and prosper and tithe yourself for his church's benefit. In part at least, it's an easy thing to believe. He believes it. The church buys airplanes for him. A demonstrated prosperity.

This is offensive. Very offensive. Let Zygi take this brand back to his home in New Jersey.

Strib, in Wonderland:

With the state and federal governments looking for ways to jump-start the economy, a New Jersey businessman has an ambitious public works project he says will create more than 5,500 jobs and provide $500 million or more to local contractors.

The businessman is Zygi Wilf, principal owner of the Minnesota Vikings.

The project: A $954 million, state-of-the-art stadium for his football team in downtown Minneapolis -- to be constructed using more than $635 million in public money.

"Why not? The Vikings are a public asset," said Lester Bagley, the Vikings' vice president in charge of stadium development. "This is going to create an economic boost."

The team has been trying to get public money to build a stadium for more than a decade. And even though Minnesota is facing one of the worst economic crises in its history, the team will once again approach the Legislature this month and ask for the money.

These guys pile it so deep you need hip waders on to navigate it. Offensive is too mild a word. Insultingly offensive, that's what it is. The man is special.

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NOTE: The photo is an editorial statement not in the original article.

Richardson's withdrawal from cabinet consideration involved an individual who'd donated heavily to Obama's campaign.

The report is here.

I post it as interesting because the second page, apart from earlier pay-to-play allusions in the story, noted:

Rubin's firm, which helps local and state governments issue bonds, is no stranger to scandal and controversy. The IRS has investigated him on suspiciously high fees and concerns about his ties to banks who his firm connects with governments to issue bonds. The Justice Department raided his offices in 2006. No charges have been brought, and Rubin has denied any wrongdoing.

In early September – two weeks before Rubin attended Obama's Beverly Hills fundraiser – a group of Alabamans sued Rubin's firm and others over multi-billion dollar bond deals. The suit alleged CDR was part of a conspiracy which defrauded citizens and with bribery and corruption.

[emphasis added] This triggered in mind the thought that as part of due diligence, a new City of Ramsey council should look at the books.

With the biggest bonding in City history for the opulent new city hall and building of the large parking ramp, the questions to ask - what fees were charged, what financing arrangements were consummated, were fees in line with normal market charges or excessive, and if excessive how did deals come into place - what individuals played what roles, etc.

Due diligence, we expect.

It is a duty our council, and staff, owe taxpayers.

Transparency should accompany due diligence. How did the finance committee oversee and arrange things, which banks or other bond purchasers [assuming a private placement] were involved, how diversified is bond ownership at present, all those things should be reported to the citizens, by council.

Especially with the EDA involved in the lease-revenue financing thing - indirection for some reason not yet fully understandable to me - it was not a plain vanilla issuance of general obligation bonds, so - WHAT HAPPENED, ALL OKAY, OR PROBLEMS?

Not that we should presume problems, but vigilance is the price of many things, liberty being one under worn platitudes. Vigilance is not a bad thing. It is good, and keeps bureaucrats and others on their toes. Who got what fees out of that deal?

And in times of economic downturns often looking back reveals inadequate attention at earlier flush times where scrutiny might have been too much an afterthought.

New officials - check the books, please.

It would reassure those who elected you.

_________UPDATE________
I corrected two typos, but otherwise I like what I said. New people are coming into place knowing there has been community dissatisfaction with the directions the city has taken, and with attitudes toward responsible management of other peoples' money. Taxpayers deserve to expect bang for the buck, and lean effective management. And a Comp Plan handled as it was insulted us all and there should be consequent assessment and housecleaning. By the Council. They are the City's board of directors.

A Special Report: Lawyers next, to pursue what is, of course, best for you and how you voted.

Special as a Democrat, special now as a Republican, offshore drilling advocate and special friend to offshore drilling business owner Nasser Kazeminy, he will take his special issue to court - for the good of the nation, especially as a matter of principle; AP reporting:

MINNEAPOLIS – No longer a U.S. senator, Republican Norm Coleman was headed to court Tuesday, seeking to overturn a state board's certification that Democrat Al Franken won the U.S. Senate recount.

Coleman's lawyers had promised a legal challenge a day earlier, arguing that some ballots were mishandled and others were wrongly excluded from the recount. Coleman scheduled an afternoon news conference at the State Capitol in St. Paul to discuss his next steps.

Minnesota law prohibits final certification of a winner in the face of such a lawsuit, meaning the race could remain in limbo for several more months.

Franken declared victory Monday, but a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said in Washington the former "Saturday Night Live" personality would not be sworn in with new senators Tuesday.

Franken spokeswoman Jess McIntosh declined Tuesday to reveal if he was in Washington or what he would do during a legal challenge.

Minnesota's Canvassing Board certified Monday that Franken won 225 more votes than Coleman, out of almost 3 million cast.

"I am proud to stand before you as the next senator from Minnesota," Franken told reporters outside his downtown condominium.

The Canvassing Board's certification of the recount results started a seven-day clock for Coleman to file a lawsuit. His attorney, Tony Trimble, said Monday afternoon that the challenge would be filed within 24 hours.

"This process isn't at an end," Trimble said. "It is now just at the beginning."

A lawsuit would open doors closed to the campaigns during the administrative recount. The campaigns would be able to access voter rolls, inspect machines and get testimony from election workers.

When the smoke cleared after the election, Coleman appeared to hold a 215-vote lead. But Franken made up the deficit over seven tortuous weeks of ballot-sifting, in part by winning more of the challenges that both campaigns brought against thousands of ballots.

Franken also did better than Coleman when election officials opened and counted more than 900 absentee ballots that had erroneously been disqualified on Election Day.

Likely to be a major feature of any lawsuit is the argument by Coleman's lawyers that some ballots were mishandled and others were wrongly excluded from the recount, giving Franken an unfair advantage.

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie was careful Monday to note that the board was simply signing off on the numbers found by the recount: Franken, with 1,212,431 votes, and Coleman, with 1,212,206 votes.

"We're not doing anything today that declares winners or losers or anything to that effect," Ritchie said.

All five members of the canvassing board — Ritchie, plus two state Supreme Court justices and two Ramsey County judges — voted to accept the recount results.

Meanwhile, PiPress' Dave Orrick reports Q's and A's:

Republican Norm Coleman, whose U.S. Senate term expired Saturday, announced Monday his offices are closed. There are a lot more Q's than A's on this topic, but here's our best shot as of Monday evening.

Coleman issued a statement that called the situation "unique in the history of the Senate" and promised that constituent needs would continue to be met.

"It has always been a high priority of mine to ensure that constituent service was being handled expeditiously and efficiently," Coleman said in a statement. "... Minnesotans should contact Sen. (Amy) Klobuchar's office or their local representative with any new casework needs they have. During this time we will also continue working to ensure constituents with outstanding and urgent casework needs are being served appropriately and effectively."

Q Why did the offices close?

A The Senate Rules Committee, which is controlled by Democrat Charles Schumer, of New York, ordered them closed. Senate dollars pay for those offices, and the Rules Committee has jurisdiction over such things. Coleman, apparently, has decided not to fight the decision. Another key fact that might have had an effect: The state canvassing board officially declared Monday that Democratic challenger Al Franken received 225 more votes than Coleman on Election Day.

Coleman has vowed to sue, and he'll speak publicly today. His attorneys have said the recount process is "broken."

Q What does it mean that he closed his offices?

A Literally, it means the doors on his four Minnesota offices and his Washington, D.C., offices are closed to the public, and workers won't be answering the main numbers.

Q Are his workers out of jobs?

A It's unclear. His press secretary, LeRoy Coleman (no relation), was still responding to reporters' questions Monday, and it appears some workers who deal with constituent services will be working.

Q What if I need my senator's help?

A We still have one senator: Klobuchar. Her spokesman issued the following statement Monday: "Until this is resolved, Senator Klobuchar and our staff will do everything we can to fill the gap and work with Minnesotans who contact us for help. That is our major focus right now."

There is no word whether he's also been ousted from his DC digs, rented to him by husband of a former Coleman staffer, who also reportedly fronted the cash for the Sarah Palin campaign wardrobe.**

Robocall guru Jeff Larson, please go easy on former Senator Coleman.

No evictions, please.

He's special.

__________________
**She looks special, acted special, dressed special, and she did that without any special help from Nasser Kazeminy buying her any of that specially nice stuff.

Landlord Jeff, they say, took that hit:



The Atlantic reported:

What hasn’t yet gotten any attention is who bought it for her. But buried in the same FEC disclosure form that revealed Palin’s taste for the fine life is the name of the man who appears to have been her personal shopper: Jeff Larson.

Does the name Jeff Larson sound familiar? It should. Larson is the Karl Rove protégé who’s a principal in the robocalling firm of FLS Connect (the “FLS” stands for Tony Feather, Jeff Larson, and Tom Synhorst*, all veteran Republican political operatives). Larson’s firm is the same one that launched the scurrilous robocalls against John McCain in 2000, and that McCain has now hired to make robocalls connecting Barack Obama to Bill Ayers. He’s also well known in Minnesota for leasing his basement apartment at a steeply discounted rate to embattled Republican Senator Norm Coleman. Evidently, Larson also has quite the eye for women’s fashion. Even hateful liberals would have to admit that Palin dresses awfully nicely.

What’s so incompetent about this from a political tradecraft perspective is that both parties ordinarily take the easy precaution of making sure such embarrassing material isn’t obvious to reporters, which they do by routing the payment through a law firm [insurance firm??] or consultant. Here they neglected to do so. Larson may not be able to look forward to a lucrative contract with a McCain administration. But who knows? He may land his own show on Bravo.

We live in special times.

Atlantic has the image showing the wardrobe - Larson connection, NYTimes has the expense sheet on dresing the Palins [allegedly, she could dress a bagged moose, but needed help dressing herself].

Where was Nasser when needed? Where was Hays Companies?

Why Jeff?

He's a landlord, he's a credit card, he's what else - but very, very special.