80389 - Tue May 19 15:22:14 2009 - [Governor Sweeps Democrats] By: Web Hound |
Taxpayers League of Minnesota eUpdate
1. Yankees Sweep Twins; Governor Sweeps Democrats
2. As Predicted, No Veto Override this Session
3. Constitutional Tax Increase Spends Money for Nothing
4. A Bill to Saddle Future Generations With Debt
5. Last Chance for your Tax Cut Rally T-Shirt
1. Yankees Sweep Twins; Governor Sweeps Democrats
The legislature’s work done or undone, the Minnesota Constitution requires the legislature to adjourn by the third Monday in May. Thanks to the Constitution and Governor Pawlenty, Minnesotans will be spared another tax increase.
Just like the Twins who failed in four attempts to beat the New York Yankees, the DFL controlled legislature went down swinging in their fourth desperate attempt to extort more money from Minnesota taxpayers. Their last strike out was similar to their previous at bats which contain higher income taxes and a doubling of taxes on alcohol.
Like a runner trying to steal home, this last ditch effort by the Democrats will be thrown out when it reaches the Governor’s desk. Similar to the Twins returning home after losing four straight, the Democrats are leaving the Capitol after four and a half months, having failed to balance the state’s budget.
2. As Predicted, No Veto Override this Session
As the clock struck midnight on Monday, this year’s legislative session ended. There was no “fairy tale” ending for the tax-loving liberals leading the House and Senate as they were unable to override Governor Pawlenty’s veto of their tax bill. The tax bill vetoed two weekends ago would have increased taxes by $1 billion, and DFL leadership attempted to override the veto of this tax increase because they can’t bare the thought of shrinking state government.
With their addiction to spending so strong, the only option they had was to place a bigger burden on Minnesota’s taxpayers. After the DFL leadership in the House failed to override Governor Pawlenty’s veto of their first $1 billion tax increase bill (which not even every DFLer voted for), they pushed through a second $1 billion tax increase bill in the wee hours of Monday night.
Their continued “fairy tale” of increasing taxes will not come true, because Governor Pawlenty will likely veto their last desperate attempt to raise taxes. Governor Pawlenty understands that the majority of Minnesotans can’t afford higher taxes, especially during this recession. It’s the same reason why the DFL couldn’t even force all their members to vote for these bloated tax increases, much less find three Republicans to join them in overriding a veto.
3. Constitutional Tax Increase Spends Money for Nothing
Another deal struck during the final hours of the legislative session was a bill spending the money from the last election’s Constitutional tax increase. The money will come from an increase in the state sales tax by 3/8 of one percent beginning July 1st.
In a session of constant spending scrutiny, the Legislative Commission appointed to spend the new tax revenue was basically the only place where fiscal restraint wasn’t “necessary” because the money was Constitutionally dedicated to be spent on arts and outdoor recreation.
Thus the Commission chose to spend $36 million of taxpayer money on something not only unnecessary, but also on something that Minnesotans already have. The $36 million would go to a paper company, UPM Blandin, in northern Minnesota to buy “conservation easements” so that the company will continue to allow hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts to use their land. But UPM Blandin has maintained this practice for the last hundred years without one dime of taxpayer money. So why would the legislature fork over $36 million to pay for what we already receive at no cost? That’s the $36 million question!
4. A Bill to Saddle Future Generations With Debt
On a federal note, Congress passed a bill last week to spend $6.4 billion in taxpayer money on green projects for schools across the country. We’re in a sad state when $6.4 billion doesn’t seem like much money. Rep. John Kline from Minnesota’s 2nd District sought to remind us how ridiculous Congress’ spending habits have become by introducing an amendment to this bill that would change the name of the bill to “a bill to saddle future generations with billions in debt, and for other purposes.” Needless to say, our “spend, spend, spend” liberal Congress voted the amendment down.
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80388 - Tue May 19 15:14:19 2009 - [CAUTION: Typical DFLer!] By: Who's Craig |
Typical DFLer!
http://duluth.craigslist.org/msr/1137386490.html
MODERATOR: Free speech but view at your own risk. |
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80387 - Tue May 19 14:49:54 2009 - [Must Be Election Time for Oberstar] By: Javier |
Got this from Howie Hanson’s blow at www.howiehanson.com
Fit City Duluth is poised to receive $1,853,160 as a High Priority Project (HPP) in a surface transportation bill Congressman Jim Oberstar, DFL-Chisholm, will soon introduce in the 111th Congress.
According to its website, Fit City Duluth is a public/private community initiative designed to change the social and physical environment of Duluth to encourage active, healthy lifestyles. Through information and advocacy, it aims to prevent and reduce chronic health issues and to facilitate healthy built environments that reinforce human powered and public transportation.
With the HPP funding, Fit City Duluth would develop a “How To Toolkit” that motivates, inspires and documents best practices to help communities transform their transportation systems in ways that foster health, safety, active living and increased utilization of public transit.
The goal is to demonstrate to other communities how to transform their own transportation systems based on the experience in Duluth, which faces many challenges because of Duluth’s steep hills, harsh winters and aging infrastructure.
Although the vast majority of the funding is distributed to states and local governments by formula, a small percentage is held aside for Members of Congress to designate for High Priority Projects (HPPs) in their states and congressional districts.
Now, why on God’s green earth does the City of Duluth need $1.9 million dollars to develop a “How To Tookit”? Is this for bike paths, or what?
If this ain’t pork, I don’t know what is. I’m glad it’s someone else’s money (wink, wink)
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80386 - Tue May 19 14:39:07 2009 - [Smack or bitch slap - You decide] By: Web Hound |
RUSS STEWART politely smacks the little pipsqueak DFL HACK RALPH DOTY right between the eyeballs in the Transistor!
http://transistormag.com/ |
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80385 - Tue May 19 12:16:52 2009 - [Gardner should step down] By: Sky |
gardner could take a lesson from the UK.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8057203.stm
Speaker quits 'for sake of unity' |
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80384 - Mon May 18 23:52:07 2009 - [Big govenment doen't stimulate economy] By: RonPaulGuy |
heres one for the numberscruncher.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mKE16Exh9k&feature=related |
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80383 - Mon May 18 11:59:05 2009 - [DFL Property tax fleecing continues] By: Cynic |
First three property transactions I checked today:
1. 1021 E 10th St sold for $109,900 assessed $114,500
2. 2205 W 10th St sold for $87,500 assessed $109,400
3. 501 N 22nd Ave W sold for $89,000 assessed $112,700
Do properties also sell for more than assessed value....sure...that's not my point. |
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80382 - Mon May 18 11:29:00 2009 - [$3.33 a 12 pack ] By: Big Iron |
| Mr. Wrestling II, if you like Coors, it's $3.33 a 12 pack after the rebate, at the Keyport. |
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80380 - Mon May 18 11:05:23 2009 - [A & Dubbs and Sammy's preferred] By: jthyme |
| As much as I prefer eating in Superior (C's, Anchor, Upper Deck, Grizzlys, Applebees) now that summer has arrived, I'll be chowing down at A&Dubs. Also, the pizza joints in Superior stink so I'll continue to patronize Duluth's Sammys. |
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80379 - Mon May 18 08:37:17 2009 - [Boycott tax stealing DFL parasites] By: Mr. Wrestling II |
Big Iron:
I am heading over to Soup Town to pick up my beer for Memorial Day weekend today. You betcha I try and buy everything outside of Duluth. Thanks for supporting the cause! |
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80378 - Mon May 18 06:37:26 2009 - [DFL doesn't want you to see ] By: Subdude |
The DFL doesn't want you to see this
http://unclejayexplains.com/2009/05/17/uncle-jay-explains-may-18-2009/ |
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80377 - Sun May 17 21:52:55 2009 - [Rich white man hater] By: Javier |
| Holy Moly, this woman sounds like she's afraid of penises. What happened to her to make her hate men so much. |
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80376 - Sun May 17 21:51:23 2009 - [Gardner's racist sexist comments below] By: Javier |
From Kim Johnson's blog at http://www.wdio.com/article/11479/:
Councilor Sharla Gardner had some strong things to say about the city council at the DFL Duluth Convention this morning...lashing out at the right-of-center councilors.
"I am stunned by the rhetoric that continues to be dominated by the right wing," she said.
Gardner told the friendly Democratic audience that if more progressive candidates do not get elected to the council this fall, she is "concerned about the council's ability to work together and get things done."
"There are people that get on the council that complain about government and the size of government and then when they get involved they make damn sure that government can’t accomplish anything," Gardner said. "That is a big problem."
Gardner also took issue at the disparity of women on the council and in the administration.
"I've stepped out of my comfort zone working with eight men on the council, a male CAO and a male city attorney," she said. "I don’t want our city dominated by rich, white business men," she said. "Not that I have problem with rich, white business men, but they just don’t represent the city."
Gardner says it has been a tough week for her in light of another councilor, Todd Fedora, accusing her of having a conflict of interest. The day after the accusation, she called Fedora sexist and abusive.
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80375 - Sun May 17 21:49:25 2009 - [AFSCME & DFDer buy outside of Duluth] By: Big Iron |
| I stopped on my way through Superior today and picked up a few cases of beer. According to the DCB'ers, everyone is supposed to be spending money outside of Duluth, right? |
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80374 - Sun May 17 13:53:18 2009 - [Anti-business Duluth] By: Joe Don |
The Unions are up to their old tactics again on Central Entrance. The new hotel has hired a LOCAL company to do the dirt work but they are not union. The union people have already started picketing and have even started throwing the tire deflation devices around.
I have no problems with the picketing but keep it clean and respectful. The employees of non-union labor have families they are trying to feed also and are actually ahead of the unions cause they are working right now and not being childish out there! We all live in the same community so lets all just get along!! Grow up! |
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80373 - Sun May 17 08:39:45 2009 - [Democracy at its best] By: LIB Reader Online |
I had no idea!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPvqYK2JevI |
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80371 - Sat May 16 21:41:41 2009 - [Lakeview Christian Academy Golf Scramble] By: Erik H |
Tired of only talking to each other via this website? Lets all get together, support a good cause and enjoy a morning of golf.
I invite all of you to the annual Lakeview Christian Academy Golf Scramble Saturday, June 6 at Nemadji Golf Course in Superior. The cost of the best ball tournament is $65 per golfer and includes a round of golf, a cart, and an awards lunch.
If you manage to get a hole in one on the right hole you can win a car, and many other prizes will be given out at the awards lunch.
If you care to participate call 723-8844 to sign up.
Come on out and meet some of the others who participate on this blog. |
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80370 - Sat May 16 12:57:31 2009 - [Conservative radio best with DEMS in] By: John T |
| Don't be fooled by the Lew Latto return. This entire "firing" and "return" was nothing more than a PR stunt. This guy Stone was hired by Midwest to shake things up and create real conservative stations on both KDAL and WDSM to ride the Obama win. Conservative stations do best when democrats are in control. When have these two stations had as much attention as they have had in the past 6 months? Anyone with half a brain can see through this. Lew was part of it all. This is his last hurrah...I have worked with several radio managers and I have never seen one that can manipulate PR like this one. Midwest is banking on big ratings from all this. |
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80369 - Sat May 16 08:02:58 2009 - [Want to save the jail? BUY IT, PAY TAXES] By: LIB Reader Online |
This letter writer states "conflict of interest". Did Councilor Gary Eckenberg take money from somebody for a trip and then vote to give them money, like Councilor Sharla Gardner did? Of course not.
If the letter writer fells so strong about the jail, just buy it and get it on the tax rolls paying property taxes like the rest of us. The solution is simple, all he has to do is put him money where his mouth is.
If this becomes another burden on Duluth taxpayers or another non-profit not paying property and sales taxes, you will have one more reason to go GREEN and read the LIB online for free saving money, energy and the trees.
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Duluth News Tribune
Published May 16 2009
Reader's view: Commission, council not interested in saving jail
As evidenced by recent comments from City Councilor Gary Eckenberg, the admonition that county commissioners and preservation organizations work together has been revealed as a sham. I have trashed my drafted response to the May 3 editorial (Our view: “Give old jail a final gasp”), in which I appealed to the commissioners to provide some helpful data, to put away the attacks on the objectives of the preservationists, and to work purposefully and cooperatively toward the goal of reusing the jail by the private sector.
Certainly, an improved level of cooperation would have required adherence to facts and the truth. The oft-cited 1999 reuse study found the building to be structurally sound. The reuse study described the building’s structural issues as far less serious than currently claimed.
Because Councilor Eckenberg persuaded his colleagues that the matter would inevitably be decided in the courts, it was evident the singular aim of the council and of commissioners was to force it there.
Eckenberg even swung the vote as he denied his obvious conflict of interest (as county deputy administrator). There will be no arrested decay of the building as the commissioners continue to be derelict in their responsibilities to maintain their trust obligations, and there will be no cooperation from the council or the commissioners. It also is apparent preservation organizations have been effectively ridiculed as focused on wasteful activities, unable to approach preservation issues with economic reality.
Rest assured I, among many others, will work toward reconciliation and a truly cooperative effort with council and commissioners to achieve the goal of reuse of the historic jail.
Gene Shull
Duluth
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80368 - Sat May 16 07:50:20 2009 - [Lew Latto Poll] By: LIB Reader Online |
Poll
Will you listen to Lew Latto's radio show when he returns to WDSM-AM?
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/poll/created/2009-05-15/question/Will%2520you%2520listen%2520to%2520Lew%2520Latto%2527s%2520radio%2520show%2520when%2520he%2520returns%2520to%2520WDSM%252DAM%253F/ |
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80366 - Fri May 15 22:41:49 2009 - [Big Iron's morning bunk buddies] By: Dennis Miller |
| Radio what are they going to call the new show? Butt buddies in the morning? Will Big Iron be the producer? Barney Frank Jr. will be a regular after his morning bottle of Exlax. |
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80365 - Fri May 15 22:01:07 2009 - [A new co-anchor for Lew?] By: Radio Man |
| It is rumored Herb Bergson will be a co-anchor with Lew. |
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80364 - Fri May 15 21:04:46 2009 - [Glad Lew is back ] By: Johnny Bravo |
| Glad to hear Lew is back on DSM. Now if Midwest Communications will stcik with a format and leave it instead of being a revolving door with hiring talent and then firing them. Let's get Shelly Bergan back on KDAL now. |
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80363 - Fri May 15 19:21:29 2009 - [The truth according to a DFL thief] By: big iron |
Still spewing that bullshit, Parrot? Iranian newspapers allow more "free speech" than this dump.
STARFIRE: big iron, how's my litttle buddy big iron doing? I'm a little confused. If the DCB is such a dump as you claim, then how much credibility should the rest of us give to you as you post here regularly? Don't like it, quit whining, slither away. I hear that Claire is looking for someone to run her Watch site. Why don't you crawl out of the bunk with your boyfriend at the firehall and make yourself useful and try running a blog. |
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80362 - Fri May 15 18:39:20 2009 - [Your choices vs. DFL theft ] By: NC Fan |
DFL09 = Dumb Ass Rhetoric and steals your money through unfunded retiree health care, unfunded Social Security, unfunded government spending, embarrassingly under achieving public education, and most of all an underfunded failing national economy. Why even let this fact feeble moron post here moderators?
Numbers Cruncher = Individual choice on where to invest your own money, exposes the Social Security Ponzi scheme and more. Great site Numbers Cruncher and thank you!
The truth hurts the DFL09 types and Ron Paul was right. Need anyone say more about the truth?
PARROT: NC Fan, we’re all about Free Speech on the DCB and all opinions are welcome. For example, I like the Number Cruncher site, but there’s so much video to watch. I’ve been up until 3:00 in the morning because I’m shocked by what I’ve learned. If you haven’t seen the site, check it out at this link: http://numberscruncher.blogspot.com/
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80361 - Fri May 15 15:18:35 2009 - [Lew Latto coming back!] By: jthyme |
Lew Latto coming back!
Lew Latto is set to return to local airwaves June 1st on 710 WDSM-AM.
Latto returns to his previous time slot, Monday through Friday 7am to 9am.
“We are happy to have Lew back with on WDSM and we believe the agreement we reached will have long lasting benefits for Lew’s listenership, 710 WDSM-AM, the show’s sponsors, and Lew himself,” said Derek Moran, acting Operations Manager for Midwest Communications Duluth, “It gives us a solid- local morning line-up on the station with Lew from 7a-9a and Brad Bennett from 9a-11a.”
Latto commented, “I'm very excited to get back on-the-air at WDSM-AM 710, and I’m grateful for all of the e-mails I have received from listeners. So much is going on in America today and I know listeners in Minnesota and Wisconsin want to have a forum to talk about some of these important subjects like the future of the auto industry, proposed universal health care, the financial condition of
Medicare and Social Security, plus the huge national debt this country is racking up.”
The show will be available for listening at 710 AM as well online streaming at
www.WDSM710.com.
Latto has been off the air since March 26th, 2009.
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80360 - Fri May 15 12:33:18 2009 - [DFL favorite Hillary misled nation] By: Griff |
Benjamen, why act surprised, it is a learned behavior..check this out..
Hillary misled nation re: con-artist fundraiser
Jim Brown - OneNewsNow - 5/15/2009 6:00:00
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Business/Default.aspx?id=529704 |
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80359 - Fri May 15 12:15:19 2009 - [Duluth DFL convention tomorrow] By: Javier |
Kim Johnson’s blog at http://www.wdio.com/article/11479/
For all you political geeks out there...the Duluth DFL convention is tomorrow. City council candidates for districts 2, 4 and at-large will be vying for democrat backing. School board candidates are also invited to part-take in the fun, however secretary Deb Taylor says no one has signed up.
You may be wondering why the convention is held this early in the race, when certainly more folks will be throwing their hat in sometime between now and when the filing period ends in July. Taylor says it's in an effort to keep all campaigns on an even playing field. It's no secret there are cases of one campaign having closer ties to party officers which can give that candidate an advantage. They'll know when the convention will be and can have more time to contact delegates and gain support. Taylor says because of that, they settled on having the convention between May 15 and June 15 in odd numbered years.
"The relatively early date was selected because it allows candidates that are committed to the DFL platform to get the endorsement, and therefore access to local and State Party resources, relatively early in their campaigns," Taylor said.
Taylor says it is possible there will be another convention after the primary, if their endorsed candidate loses.
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80358 - Fri May 15 11:53:52 2009 - [New DFL Duluth Sister City - CHICAGO] By: Adam R |
Lib Reader, Does anybody really consider these drug dealers are locals? Local according to whom, Stahlalinski? I bet if I axed one of them where they are from I could detect an accent from one of Duluth's sister cities in the upper midwest.
It is nice to see what DFL Duluth is bringing to town to build the economy they ruined. Drug dealers, gang bangers, thugs, and almost any other form of low life from Duluth's newest sister cities program with Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis. The only problem is that they all come to Duluth for DFL handouts and don't leave. Thanks DFL for making Duluth a "World Class" cesspool! |
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80357 - Fri May 15 11:32:36 2009 - [AFSCME & DFL are HERE TO STAY!] By: DFL09 |
Dennis Miller,
We are all here just sick of reading the DCB bitch-fest.
Are you getting a little worried? If we stop feeding you I'm sure you'll get tired of talking to yourself and go away.
Besides, it gets old hearing about your fantasy of the death of unions, the crash of the stock market (number cruncher), and DFL extinction.
AFSCME and the DFL are HERE TO STAY! The VOTERS have spoken.
Get over it!!!! |
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80356 - Fri May 15 11:18:32 2009 - [Schooled] By: Hose Dragger |
Hey it's terrorize a biker on your way to work day. In your travels today, if you see one of the euphorians infringing on a traffic lane, feel free to give them a little brush back just to piss em off.
Kudos to the four ignorant bikewads leading the parade down E. Superior St. this morning.......you sure schooled me.
FEAR THE CREW CAB. |
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80355 - Fri May 15 10:46:14 2009 - [Garder broke the law] By: Benjamin |
From the League of Minnesota Cities official “Conflict of Interest” publication dated May, 2004
Page 9
Elected and appointed “local officials” may not receive a gift from any “interested person”. An “interested person” is a person, or representative of a person or an association, who has a direct fincial interest in a decision that a local official is authorized to make. This law applies to all cities in Minnesota (Minn. Stat. section 471.895
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80354 - Fri May 15 09:37:39 2009 - [Kudos to the DPD] By: Tara |
| Kudos to the DPD on the drug arrests! Great job and thank you! |
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80353 - Fri May 15 07:56:44 2009 - [Kenwood neighbor-HOOD drug pushers] By: LIB Reader Online |
There must be good money in cocaine distribution as these "locals" live in a nice Kenwood neighbor-HOOD house.
I wonder if they have lived in Duluth for a long time. The drugs came from Chicago. I wonder if they are from Chicago also. And of course I wonder who is buying the product being sold by these “inspiring” entrepreneurs in our booming DFL job market.
The is another fine example of DFL job creation in Duluth and is one more reason to go GREEN and read the LIB online for free saving money, energy and the trees.
Go to the link and click on the 2 to see her pic. May be you will recognize our finest drug distributors from a nice Duluth neighbor-HOOD.
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/120296/group/News/
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Duluth News Tribune
Published May 15 2009
Man, woman charged with selling crack
A man and woman who share a home were arraigned in St. Louis County District Court Thursday, accused of selling crack cocaine at least
By: Mark Stodghill, Duluth News Tribune
1 2
William "Dre" Andre Dotson
Eugenia "T" Katrina Patterson
A man and woman who share a home were arraigned in St. Louis County District Court Thursday, accused of selling crack cocaine at least
90 times in the past six months, according to a search warrant filed in the case.
William “Dre’’ Andre Dotson, 40, and Eugenia “T’’ Katrina Patterson, 40, are each charged with first- and second-degree sale of cocaine, first-degree possession with intent to sell cocaine, and possession of marijuana. Dotson was being held in the St. Louis County Jail on $60,000 bail and Patterson was being held on $25,000 bail, set by 6th Judicial District Judge Mark Munger.
The arrests were the result of a sting by the Lake Superior Drug and Gang Task Force, in which a confidential witness wearing an electronic monitoring device allegedly purchased drugs supplied by Dotson and Patterson.
The defendants were living at 116 W. Cleveland St.
According to the criminal complaints, the confidential witness used $1,000 in bills with recorded serial numbers to buy a bag of crack cocaine from Patterson on April 6 at Mesaba Avenue and Third Street as officers maintained audio and video surveillance of the transaction.
On May 6, the drug and gang task force conducted another controlled buy. A call was placed to Dotson, and he told the confidential witness to call Patterson, the complaint said. A deal was made, and officers set up surveillance of Patterson’s residence and the 800 block of the West Fifth Street alley. The confidential witness told Patterson where to go. The witness purchased crack cocaine from Patterson using $300 in prerecorded bills, the complaint alleges.
With that evidence, the officers obtained a search warrant for the defendants’ residence. On Monday, officers stopped Patterson’s car on Interstate 35 in Duluth. Officers found crack cocaine, marijuana and $8,000 in cash in the trunk of her vehicle.
A short time later officers stopped a vehicle driven by Dotson. He was read his rights and during an interview he admitted that the crack, marijuana and cash in Patterson’s car belonged to him. He said Patterson didn’t know it was there.
Dotson told officers that Patterson did not make the sales of controlled substances on her own, but at his direction.
At the couple’s residence, officers found drug-packaging material and a digital scale.
Dotson has two prior cocaine possession convictions in 2007.
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80352 - Fri May 15 00:22:34 2009 - [Comrade Pudknocker, her & the old lady] By: Ben Dover |
Dennis Miller: Don't be surprised that Claire's Watch site is down. Her and the old lady must be out of town with Kit Kat spending some of that trust money. Rumor has it that things look pretty dark in the KKK neighborhood these days.
I am surprised that she was unable to get any takers to take over her hate site while she is away. Not even the Pudknocker filled in for her. What kind of a comrade is he anyway? |
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80351 - Thu May 14 23:25:47 2009 - [DFL councilors don't respect citizens] By: Dave |
| I especially enjoyed watching Garnder at the last council meeting when she told the citizen who spoke up at the council meeting with his sewer problem to email the council with his issue. When he told her that he had emailed them last week and no responded she had the deer caught in the headlights look. Gilbert was an ass to the poor guy and was mocking him him after he left. I already had no respect for these people but now my respect for them is in the minus category. |
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80350 - Thu May 14 23:02:10 2009 - [Gardner-Duluth's New Cut & Paste Queen] By: B as in B and S as in S |
| Gardner is dumb. There's no way she wrote that. One of AFSCME's wackey attornies wrote that email. She cuts and paste that reply to many who emailed her, just like the last AFSCME CLOWNcilor who can't sell her London Rd. house. |
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80349 - Thu May 14 22:49:16 2009 - [Griswold Family Vacation?] By: Dennis Miller |
| Is Claire AKA Truthism and 17 other aliases out of town or what? The DCB and Buzz are much quieter and the Watch is dead, down and out, crushed by the most well known blog, the DCB, WHERE THE ACTION IS! I wonder if Clark Griswold and Claire have loaded up for a National Lampoon Family Vacation stay tuned. |
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80348 - Thu May 14 22:30:12 2009 - [Who paid for what? You, the taxpayers] By: Double Cross |
Read Carefully,
Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Conflict of Interest
From: Sharla Gardner
To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dear Mrs sxxxxxxxxxx,
Thank you for your email and providing me with your opinion. Please know, I accepted no money and paid the majority of my expenses. I do not believe there was a conflict, because I was there on official city business,
representing the Mayor. If the City attorney deems otherwise, I will abide by his opinion and pay the difference back to the Sister Cities program. Prior to my departure last year, I was informed there was no conflict and have acted in good faith. I deeply regret I disappointed you and hope that all my work on the Council is not disregarded or discounted by you because of this incident.
Regards,
Sharla Gardner
3rd District City Councilor
Note the comment: "Please know, I
accepted no money and paid the majority of my expenses."
So, here's the several hundred dollar question . . . how can you "accept no money" and be "paid the MAJORITY OF MY EXPENSES"? Another contradiction? |
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80345 - Thu May 14 17:35:13 2009 - [FED Trillions of Dollars Lost] By: Numbers Cruncher |
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Can You Handle The Social Security Ponzi Scheme Truth?
See for yourself, a video of Rep. Alan Grayson asks the Federal Reserve Inspector General about the trillions of dollars lent or spent by the Federal Reserve and where it went, and the trillions of off balance sheet obligations. Inspector General Elizabeth Coleman responds that the IG does not know and is not tracking where this money is.
http://numberscruncher.blogspot.com
NC |
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80344 - Thu May 14 13:31:37 2009 - [Doesn't sound attacking or sexist] By: Web Hound |
Listen to the tone of Fedora who sounds super calm to me, not attacking or sexist.
http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/S929677.shtml?cat=10335 |
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80343 - Thu May 14 13:15:29 2009 - [Gardner-No credibility and should resign] By: Jeanne |
Benjamin they are changing the books as we speak. This is the same dishonest DFL that changed the ballots in the Ford and Franken elections in the recount phases, so hiding a few THOUSAND dollars is nothing to them. What's next, checking in the Hazelden for a pseudo drinking problem like Alan Netland did after getting caught lying about his time doing case work at the county. Both Gardner and Netland are in the same social services pot, both have been high up in AFSCME and in my opinion are as corrupt as they come and have no credibility. Gardner needs to resign!!
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80342 - Thu May 14 12:46:56 2009 - [Audit Sister Cities and Gardner ] By: Benjamin |
From the WDIO news broadcast Wednesday night, 6:00 p.m., as reported by Kim Johnson:
“Gardner wouldn’t say how much money she was given because she said, quote, didn’t want to dignify this with specific answers, end quote”
Why won’t Gardner or Sister Cities verify how much money we’re talking about, beyond a “few hundred dollars”? I think the city should investigate and find out how much. Get a cancelled check, or inspect their books, unless they’ve already been cooked. How much money are we talking about here?
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80341 - Thu May 14 11:23:44 2009 - [Another one bites the dust] By: C |
Push-Button Publishing
THE DCB WATCH IS DEAD.
http://dcbwatch.blogspot.com/
Blog has been removed
Sorry, the blog at dcbwatch.blogspot.com has been removed. This address is not available for new blogs.
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80340 - Thu May 14 07:38:49 2009 - [In solidarity Gardner never cut the cord] By: Inspector Clouseau |
I remember what Sharla Gardner was elected and resign from the AFSCME executive committee. Her resignation letter was signed, "In solidarity, Sharla".
In reality she never cut the AFSCME umbilical cord.
AFSCME has been robbing us blind for decades. Look at Ken Loffler-Kemp buying the materials for his half million dollar house at Hawk Ridge Estates, in Superior to save paying city sales tax, the same tax that feeds his union member families. And Kemp didn't use union labor for building his mansion, though he demands that out of the public.
Gardner too is AFSCME leadership, has attend Saul Alinsky training, just like Loffler-Kemp. Both are thieves and Gardner's actions taking money for a trip from a non-profit she voted to fund as a public official in another example in a long list of AFSCME thievery in Duluth.
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80339 - Thu May 14 01:03:11 2009 - [Gardner made an ass out of herself] By: council watcher |
| this issue about Gardner and Fedora is just a bunch of BS. A councilor asks a question of another councilor due to perceived conflict of interest. Gardner unleashed a liberal slap on Fedora. A liberal slap is when you are winning an argument against a liberal using logic and or facts and a liberal responds by personally attacking you. This is what Gardner did. She got caught and didn't want to face the music so she "liberal slapped" Fedora. This is a tactic in the book titled, Rules for Radicals. The DFL'ers and the Liberals do this all the time to deflect attention to the matter at hand knowing full well Brandon Stahlinski from the "rag" will fall for it and make a story out of nothing. The left, the liberals, the DFL'ers, DFD pac and others do this on a regular basis. The citizenry is onto this tactic and it is falling by the wayside. Good for Fedora for not responding back attacking her personally but stayed on task of getting his question answered. Remember the definition of a "biggot" is a conservative winning an argument with a liberal using logic and facts. Gardner made an ass out of herself. end of story |
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80338 - Wed May 13 22:28:12 2009 - [Neo-communist defense by Gardner ] By: Send in the Clowns |
Looks like our Clowncilors are at it again. Classic response by the adult child clowncilor Gardner. When confronted with facts and reality she immediately resorts to accusations of "sexism". Typical neo-communist defensive tactic. When confronted with the truth, immediately resorts to "victim" status. She needs to toughen up. She needs to put on her big girl panties and develop some self esteem. (Perhaps "C" can loan her a pair ?) A lesson in ethics and accountability are in order for the adult children on the council.
BTW, who is this "Barney Frank Jr" on the council I keep hearing about ? To my knowledge Barney Frank (Sr. ?) never had any kids. Based upon my knowledge of human reproduction, you can't conceive a child by DELETED another guy DELETED the DELETED.
Don't you love farce?
My fault I fear.
I thought that you'd want what I want.
Sorry, my dear.
But where are the clowns?
Quick, send in the clowns.
Don't bother, they're here.
Isn't it rich?
Isn't it QUEER,
Losing my timing this late
In my career?
And where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns.
Well, maybe next year.
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80337 - Wed May 13 21:47:07 2009 - [Stabbing] By: Locals Gone Wild |
DATE:May 13, 2009
SUBJECT:Stabbing
CASE #:09275634
INCIDENT DATE:May 13, 2009
INCIDENT TIME:1534
INCIDENT LOCATION:300 Block East 5 Street
NATURE OF INCIDENT:Stabbing
BY:Officer Brad Wick
________________________________________________________________________________
Description:On Wednesday, May 13, 2009, Duluth Police, Gold Cross Ambulance, and the Duluth Fire Department responded to the 200 block of East 6 Street on the report that a male had been stabbed. A 28 year old male victim was found with a stab wound to the abdomen. The victim was transported to St. Mary's Hospital where he underwent surgery for what appeared to be a non life threatening wound.
It was deteremined that the actual incident occurred in the 300 block of East 5 Street and a suspect was located and taken into custody.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing at this time.
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80336 - Wed May 13 21:42:42 2009 - [Chicago coming chaos is fought by?] By: Pitt Street Panther |
Second Amendment is that video at the Chester Creek Cafe or the Hippy Bakery that Observer Gal mentioned.
Either way, do you think the 39 DFDers on the job tonight will help or the 12 police on duty? My guess is the DFD will sleep through the coming chaos.
And one mo thing, the big drug bust is straight from Chicago LOCO. |
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80335 - Wed May 13 21:22:20 2009 - [Narcotics Arrest] By: Locals Gone Wild |
DATE: May 13, 2009
CASE #: 09274616
INCIDENT DATE: May 11, 2009
INCIDENT TIME:. 1930 hours
INCIDENT LOCATION: I-35, Carlton County, MN
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Narcotics Arrest
BY (Officer): Lt. Steve Stracek
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On 051109, at approximately 1930 hours, Officers from the Duluth Police Department Neighborhood Impact Team, Lake Superior Druga and Gang task force, Cloquet police Department, and the Minnesota State Patrol conducted a stop of two individuals identified as the subjects of an on-going a narcotics investigation. The stop occurred on I-35 near Cloquet, Minnesota.
The suspects in the investigation were identified as:
William Andre Dotson, DOB/121068 and
Eugenia Katrina Patterson, DOB/040269
During a search incident to their arrest and pursuant to a search warrant, approximately 7.5 ounces of crack cocaine, 1 pound of marijuana, and $8000.00 in cash were seized. Both parties were lodged at the St. Louis County Jail on charges of 1st degree possession of a controlled substance and related charges.
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80334 - Wed May 13 19:18:49 2009 - ["Hippy Dippy" bakery bitchers] By: Observer Gal |
If a liberal brings up something it's called a QUESTION.
If a conservative brings up something it's called an ATTACK.
Also, a few years ago when citizens, tourists and Canal Park business's were getting fed up with behavior by some of the kiddies and wino's down there, they were branded by the Liberals as intollerant and not accepting of others and just plain mean! This was despite the kiddies damaging property and running over people with their skateboards, and wino's urinating in plain view of families, etc.
Now it's the Ultra Lib's at the "Hippy Dippy" bakery who are leading the complaining!! Too funny! |
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80333 - Wed May 13 18:48:43 2009 - [Force out of business by Obama?] By: Barney U. |
| Anyone know which Auto Dealers in Duluth will be forced to go out of business by GM and Chrysler? |
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80332 - Wed May 13 16:20:13 2009 - [Show where Fedora crossed the line] By: Lee F |
| Please show me where Mr. Fedora crossed the line. While watching the council meeting on Monday night, I found his demeanor and stature to be quite professional. All he did was ask questions. Is he not to ask questions? Finally, we have someone who has balls enough to ask questions on behalf of the taxpayer. |
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80331 - Wed May 13 15:05:44 2009 - [Gardner now blames Gilbert] By: Web Hound Jr. |
GARDNER IS A KOOK! NOW SHE IS BLAMING GILBERT. WHAT A NUTCASE.
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/pages/buzz
The sound and the fury
If you've sat through nearly every city council meeting since the beginning of last year as I have, then the personalities of each councilor sort of just become ... normal. Natural. It takes a lot for something to stick out.
Which is to say that while Fedora did have his hackles up Monday night during the Sister Cities debate, I've honestly seen him go after other councilors or city staff like that before, and often times much worse. Earlier that night, for example, after Garry Krause made two proposals to modify the jail demolition timelines -- both got nixed badly -- Fedora said something to the effect "What you just saw was an attempt to throw jell-o at the wall and see what sticks."
I honestly don't think he realizes this, but he can seem aggressive and combative even when he's not trying to be -- sometimes, as my wife pointed out after watching the meeting on PACT-TV, even when he's giving a compliment. Sometimes when he's asking questions it can seem like he has an agenda behind them -- like he's setting up for an attack. That's just the way he is; and you get used to it after awhile. So when he's really trying to prove a point, when he's trying to get other councilors to agree with him, to show him his logic and the error of their ways, he can go a bit over the top.
So I can also completely understand that other councilors felt Fedora did cross the line Monday night.
"I think he was being personal and attacking a colleague," councilor Jeff Anderson said.
"Yeah, it probably got a little carried away last night and I sincerely wish it had not," said Jim Stauber -- who voted with Fedora on the conflict of interest issue.
In her interview with me yesterday, Gardner was very critical of council president Greg Gilbert for not stopping the debate when she felt it went too far.
I asked Gilbert about the debate, and while he said that Gardner didn't have a conflict of interest, he essentially gave me a no-comment on whether Fedora went too far, and if he should stopped the debate.
"That's something for them to talk about," he said.
Where does the council go from here? Likely there will be some attempt to heal some wounds and move forward, but we're talking about the two most outspoken members of the city council. Still, Gardner said repeatedly that she sees this as a non-issue and asked me not to do a story (sorry, but when one elected official calls another sexist and abusive, it's a story). She called it a side-show.
"I know it makes for good blogging, it makes for good stories, but it just makes for lousy government. I don’t think Fedora is actually doing himself any good either, but I don’t think he understands that," she said. "Or cares, I don’t know."
Fedora, however, believes this is a legitimate issue, believing firmly that Gardner can't be impartial when she's voting on appropriating money for organizations that provide assistance to her.
So, to answer my own question: I don't know, but I don't expect it to be forgotten soon.
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80330 - Wed May 13 12:17:47 2009 - [Gardner has a legal problem] By: Research Whiz |
The relevant language, in Section 30(A), page 10 of the Duluth City Charter reads:
"No officer or employee of the city shall solicit or receive, any pay, commission, MONEY or thing of value, or derive ANY BENEFIT, profit or advantage, directly or indirectly, from, or by reason of, any improvement, alteration or repair required by authority of the city, OR ANY CONTRACT TO WHICH THE CITY SHALL BE A PARTY, except the lawful compensation or salary of such officer or employee. No officer or employee of the city, except as otherwise provided in this Charter, shall solicit, ACCEPT OR RECEIVE, directly or indirectly, from any public service corporation, or the owner of any public utility or franchise, in the city, any pass, frank, free ticket, free service, OR ANY OTHER FAVOR, upon terms more favorable than those granted the public generally." (Emphasis added)
Paragraph B goes on:
"Violation of the provisions of paragraph (a) by any elected official shall be a misdemeanor. An attempt (as defined in the state statutes) to violate the provisions of paragraph (a) shall also be a misdemeanor. It shall be the duty of the city attorney to prosecute any violation . . . "
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80329 - Wed May 13 10:13:45 2009 - [Jeff Anderson- "Fedora attacked Gardner"] By: Dick |
Barney Frank Jr. has spoken-http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/120115/
Councilor Jeff Anderson — who is supportive of Sister Cities — said he felt Fedora was out of line and that he attacked Gardner. |
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80328 - Wed May 13 10:01:41 2009 - [The future of DFL Duluth?] By: Second Amendment |
Is this the future of DFL Duluth? These types won’t give up their weapons and are exactly why we must maintain our right to bear arms.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmyz8iYapJo |
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80327 - Wed May 13 09:13:09 2009 - [Show or No Show, time will tell] By: Danny G |
| The invitation has been sent out to Gardner for DDD (my "pud"cast). |
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80326 - Wed May 13 00:50:13 2009 - [Typical Buffon DFL Spin by Gardner] By: Ben Dover |
Gardner, Barney Frank Jr., what do you expect from these bought and paid for AFSCME operatives?
"It was an attack directed at me to embarrass and humiliate me," Gardner said. Nice try Sharla. It was more like you you are pissed off that you got caught with your hand in the cookie jar. I know that you learned how to travel on the taxpayers dime from Donny Boy Ness, but you just got busted. Now, in true DFL Duluth fashion you will try to spin your way out of it. In the real world you would be out on the street, but in DFL Duluth, you might get a promotion for blatantly stealing from the taxpayers. Too funny these DFL maggots are indeed.
Conflict of interest that only Laurie Johnson can really appreciate. Vote to force the taxpayers to pay for the cookies and then you get caught with your hand right in the cookie jar. What a buffoon! |
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80325 - Tue May 12 23:47:18 2009 - [Foreclosure numbers increasing] By: EMU |
In March, more than 340,000 properties were affected nationwide, up 17 percent from February and 46 percent from a year earlier. Now that's change I can beleive in.
http://wcco.com/national/foreclosure.mortgage.threat.2.986239.html |
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80324 - Tue May 12 23:42:00 2009 - [CA Road trip?] By: Subdude |
| I'm with Claire is she out of town with Joel in CA? The watch site has had no activity? I wonder if Danny will interview Fedora and Gardner on his pudcast? |
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80323 - Tue May 12 23:37:55 2009 - [Did Gardner break the law?] By: EMU |
| Does anyone know if Gardner broke any laws? This is the way to deal with this. If the law was broken then deal with it, otherwise this is more tabliod reporting by Stahlalinski. |
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80322 - Tue May 12 23:28:48 2009 - [How much money did Gardner get?] By: Barb J |
| Todd Fedora is watching out for the tax payers and we should all be thankful. Sharla Garder should be held accountable with our money and she should explain where the sexism occured last night. I watched the meeting and didn't see and sexism and am troubled by such statements. I hope the DNT will ask Sharla to explain the sexism and I want to know how much money did she get from the Sister Cities. |
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80321 - Tue May 12 23:02:11 2009 - [Councilors shouldn't question everything] By: I'm with Claire |
| Fedora is a racist, sexist, masochist and bi, Deb. His grandstanding and asking questions has got to stop. I, for one, do not want a city councilor to question everything . . . that's what makes Duluth so great. |
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80320 - Tue May 12 23:01:45 2009 - [Sharla Gardner did nothing wrong ] By: DFL09 |
| The DCB is a sexist racist homophobe hope of dopes, morons and other hate filled extremists. Your Fedora could have taken the trip to Ohara but didn’t and he’s on a jealously driven GOP extremist witch hunt. Sharla Gardner did nothing wrong and is a hero for calling out Fedora for what he is, a sexist. Fedora is the one who must resign or I will sue him! |
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80319 - Tue May 12 22:44:05 2009 - [Gardner Another DFL tax cheat?] By: Mr. Magoo |
OK, let's think logically about this.
- Gardner takes money from Sister Cities Duluth for a trip to Japan
- She has either got to process a travel and entertainment expense request form through the City of Duluth, which I doubt happened (STAHL?)
- If she didn't file a travel and entertainment report, that means she received "income" from the Sister Cities organization
- If she received income greater than $600, she was required to receive a 1099-MISC to claim miscellaneous taxable income, reported on 2008 tax return.
Does anyone know what amount we're talking about here? I mean, from a conflict standpoint, in my opinion, $1 is too much when you're approving contracts. But, if the amount received was greater than $600, then a 1099-MISC was required.
I would think that if Sister Cities Duluth is receiving my tax money, that they should come clean on exactly how much was paid to Gardner. Anyone have a clue? |
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80318 - Tue May 12 22:35:06 2009 - [Equal opportunity sexist?] By: Deb T |
| I wonder if Barney Frank Jr. on the Duluth City Council thinks Fedora is a sexist. Would that then make Fedora bi? |
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80317 - Tue May 12 21:51:06 2009 - [Gardner caught with hand in cookie jar] By: LIB Reader Online |
What do you expect from an AFSCME fox guarding the hen house? Gardner has a sweet tooth for any and all tax money and she is caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
Gardner should step down from the city council before she embarrasses the city and herself anymore. Gardner has committed a crime similar to that of a shoplifter and Gardner is not fit to server the people of Duluth. Her tirade is right out of Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rules_for_Radicals
DFL and AFSCME endorsed Sharla Gardner is on more reason you need to go GREEN and read the LIB online for free saving money, energy and the trees.
________________________________________________________________________
Duluth News Tribune
Published May 12 2009
Duluth councilor calls Fedora sexist after conflict-of-interest dispute
A day after a tense Duluth City Council debate over funding for Sister Cities trips, Sharla Gardner in an interview with the News Tribune called Councilor Todd Fedora sexist and abusive.
By: Brandon Stahl, Duluth News Tribune
A day after a tense Duluth City Council debate over funding for Sister Cities trips, Sharla Gardner in an interview with the News Tribune called Councilor Todd Fedora sexist and abusive.
“It was an attack directed at me to embarrass and humiliate me,” Gardner said. “I think "Fedora
is out of control. I don’t think he should have a right to behave like that.”
Before the council voted Monday on whether to allocate $34,000 to Duluth Sister Cities International, Fedora introduced an amendment to bar councilors from going on Sister Cities trips using money from the nonprofit. The amendment was a response to Gardner’s trip last fall to Ohara, Japan, for a Sister Cities exchange. Last spring, the council voted 6-3 to give $60,000 in tourism tax dollars to Sister Cities.
Fedora’s amendment Monday night failed 6-3, but not before heated words were exchanged between him and Gardner.
Gardner said Tuesday she paid most of the trip’s cost herself but relied on money raised through a Sister Cities fundraiser to pay “a few hundred dollars” of her airfare.
Gardner she felt her integrity was impugned by Fedora’s proposed amendment.
But Fedora didn’t back down Tuesday, calling the trip a conflict of interest and saying Gardner should not have taken it.
“How objective or impartial can an elected official be if they’re receiving financial assistance from the very group they’re approving contracts for?” Fedora asked.
Fedora called charges of sexism and abuse “absurd.”
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80316 - Tue May 12 20:14:07 2009 - [Don't layoff police or fire] By: James |
| Although I believe we should cut back as much as possible- I would not lay off From the Police and Fire Department. At some point in everyone's life, you get to meet the one that saves your butt, and it won't be the number cruncher who cut the dept. Just saying thanks to all of those who serve the citizens of Duluth. |
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80315 - Tue May 12 19:04:13 2009 - [Socialist Gardner takes up name calling] By: Abe |
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/120084/group/home/
So Fedora asks if a conflict of interest is in play, after Gardner receives money from Sister Cities, and she immediately claims sexism. I think he asked some questions last year and was immediately labeled racist. I watch these meetings and there was absolutely nothing of the sort, in either case.
Christ, can't you ask any questions in this fu----- town without being called names? C'mon Gardner, if you took the money, deal with it. It's a conflict you moron. I'm glad Fedora's around. He certainly has the balls to ask questions and I appreciate it. Plus he makes the Monday evening comedy hour all that much more entertaining.
Oh yeah, and who cares how much a councilor makes, if it's 3 figures, 5 figures or 6 figures. Who gives a shit. Being a city councilor didn't make you chief of the "income stabilization committee". Oh, I forgot, you're a socialist. Nevermind. |
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80314 - Tue May 12 18:30:16 2009 - [Liberal hate mongers like DFL09] By: Cyrus the Virus |
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22413.html
Miss California: Same as Barack Obama
Punished for free speech by liberal hate mongers like DFL09
|
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80313 - Tue May 12 17:22:17 2009 - [Back off DFL09] By: Fire |
| Back off DFL09. We know those firefighters will save everybody. Dumb or not. |
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80312 - Tue May 12 17:20:29 2009 - [DFD supports community events] By: Fire |
Anonymous,
Boat "resucus"? I bet they love "pancaces"! I saw them PAY for them at the Lions Pancake Day while supporting that community event. Free at Perkins? I bet not. |
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80311 - Tue May 12 17:06:15 2009 - [Idiot should pay for being stupid ] By: DFL09 |
| The DFD isn't the issue here. They should make the idiot pay for being stupid just like you DCBers. I didn't see any of you DCBers risking your life to save the idiot. |
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80310 - Tue May 12 16:57:40 2009 - [DFD needs to be downsized ] By: Anonymous |
| The fire department needs to be downsized just like the rest of the economy. Boat resuces! What's next, free pancake disposal in their bellies at Perkins? |
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80309 - Tue May 12 15:30:41 2009 - [Two sides to the story?] By: Cynic |
Don't know if this guy knows what he's talking about but could be part of the picture.
bryan b.
Duluth, MN 05/12/2009 1:36 PM
"The firefighters pictured were not part of the response to the initial incident. The intial call was to a location off Lake Place park. The firefighters pictured were on their way back from Park Point and were bridged when they noticed the canoe as they crossed the bridge. They walked into the emergency and needed to take quick action to prevent a tragedy. Of course, had they been a part of the response and were responding to a water emergency they would have been equipped for what they encountered. The Coast Guard was initially responding and was apparently cancelled when the gentleman was helped to land." |
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80308 - Tue May 12 15:26:45 2009 - [Are you as dumb as a rock?] By: Fire |
| Oh yeah, if you didn't see the sarcasm in my last post you're as dumb as a rock. |
|
80307 - Tue May 12 12:24:35 2009 - [Too much government double dipping] By: Fire |
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/120070
100 million dollar coast guard station a few blocks away. Why do we need stupid firefighters in this city? WAIT! Where was the coast guard? I wonder if the fire department used that same $500 boat they used at the water rescue yesterday in Gary. I also wonder if the rescue in the canal was so time critical the firefighters had to put their ass, with no lifejacket, on the line to get this guy and his dog out of the water. Hate to say it but good job, firefighters! |
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80306 - Tue May 12 12:08:15 2009 - [Is this all a dream?] By: scoobydont c |
| I had a dream,it was raining and cloudy,outside the city hall,the towns people were gathered in front of the steps, mayor donny ness,peaks out his window,then closes his curtains, and sits back at his desk with his feat on his desk,eating a yogurt. all of a sudden the towns people run up the stairs,to his office,donny screams SECURITY!! THE OLDER TOWNS PEOPLE REPLY,MOVE OVER KID, we got work to do,so the people of duluth,are working on paper work from the file cabinets, donny says UMMM...I AM THE MAYOR,the elder man says,we want our city back!!!we care! dont worry ,you can be a mayor in soup town next,then the senate,then congress,...we live here! go chear lead for starbuck or what ever that old mans name is..........was this all a dream? can this happen? |
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80305 - Tue May 12 11:37:36 2009 - [Economic termoil is just starting] By: Numbers Cruncher |
Dave C,
I am not a fan of either of the two major political parties in the US. The US political system is broken, bought and paid for.
What is happening is a bipartisan transferring of US citizen wealth to the richest people in the world. Poor people will remain poor and much of the middle class will be joining them. The end of the good old days has just begun as the Ponzi economy is going down thanks to the government that created the problems, the Federal Reserve, and the government that through all its doing the wrong things is increasing the probability of hyperinflation and an event much worse than a severe recession.
I want to be wrong but the numbers don't lie and leading economists worldwide agree on a very sobering outlook for the US. All the political rhetoric in the world cannot pull us out of this tailspin.
The view maybe better with your head in the sand, but 24 months from now things will be much different, heads will be extracted from the sand, and we will be in for very rough decade.
Check out my latest:
The wave of economic turmoil is just getting started
http://numberscruncher.blogspot.com/
NC
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80304 - Tue May 12 09:11:01 2009 - [Caution Obama fans] By: Dave B |
Obama lovers may not want to go here:
http://www.worstbailoutintheworld.com/ |
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80302 - Tue May 12 00:33:49 2009 - [Obama policies will destroy US economy] By: RonPaulGuy |
| I am laughing loud and hysterically at Dave C right now. I'm laughing at the stupidity and naivity of this man. Dave, do you really think that the numbers lie. My God man, wake up. Turn off the propoganda on tv. The banks are stabalizing, the housing prices have hit bottom. Ha! Obama does not control the stock market, you are right about that but, did you consider how his policies affect the market? This administation is the most radical anti-capitalist, wealth distributing, incentive killing, tax raising, government growth and spending the country has ever seen. The market and the system could rally for the short term but, eventually someone has to pay for that massive spending. You and me. Hold on to your wallet, taxes are going up every time you turn around. And wait until they start printing money. Numberscruncher does not lie. Take heed my friend, and don't be so niave. The shit has not even begun to hit the fan. |
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80301 - Mon May 11 21:58:14 2009 - [Old report, right?] By: Andy |
| Joesph: You realize the report is from 2008, right? 10+ months of which we had a different president. |
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80299 - Mon May 11 18:42:25 2009 - [Obama spying on American citizens ] By: Joesph S. |
Careful what you say. When it comes to spying on American citizens Obama makes Bush look like a Sunday school kid. You could be monitored right here on this site.
LIFE WITH BIG BROTHER
'Electronic Police State' report cites U.S.
Ultimate Big Brother 'basics are in place'
Posted: May 10, 2009
9:05 pm Eastern
By Bob Unruh
© 2009 WorldNetDaily
In what may be the first assessment of its kind, a private company that offers a range of privacy products for computers and other technology is ranking the United States No. 6 in the world for having the most aggressive procedures for monitoring residents electronically.
The report, called The Electronic Police State, assesses the status of governmental surveillance in 52 nations around the globe for 2008.
The document was released Cryptohippie, Inc., which was set up in 2007 through the acquisition of several little-known but highly regarded providers of privacy technologies.
Not surprisingly, China and North Korea ranked No. 1 and No. 2, with Belarus and Russia following up. But the United Kingdom ranked fifth followed by the United States. |
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80298 - Mon May 11 18:19:56 2009 - [Bennett not a pompus DFL stuffed shirt] By: JBBP |
Mr. America, I happen to like hearing people who can still laugh, despite the times. Mr. Latto was often rather droll. What the guy does in his personal life is his business, though, not mine.
It's refreshing to hear Brad's sidekick, and it's great that this young person is interested in learning about the world. Remember, all of us were young at one time...except maybe, Lew.
I guess it's all about taste. I prefer to listen to people who have a sense of humor, who aren't all gloom and doom all the time. Brad Bennett most certainly isn't a stuffed shirt, that's for sure.
And, give me en example of the "lies" he's told about housing in Duluth. It's news to me.
Thank you. |
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80297 - Mon May 11 17:38:50 2009 - [Another DFLer ignoring the market facts] By: Dave C |
| Numbers Cruncher - I am not an Obama fan either, but quit making crap up about the market. I know you can't stand that you're wrong. The housing markets are nearing a bottom, the banks are stabilizing, and corporations are reporting better earnings. Like it or not Obama does not control the stock market. Rip on him all you want but you're just making things up when it comes to the market. |
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80296 - Mon May 11 16:58:10 2009 - [Economy if far from healed] By: Jeanne |
Number Cruncher - thanks for so quality writing here. I received this from a friend today on selling short and all I can say is the economy if far from healed.
Selling Shorts Out Naked in the Cold
by The Mogambo Guru
Tampa Bay, Florida
In a bit of good news, NyTimes.com had the headline "Goodbye to Naked Shorting" by Floyd Norris. He reports that it looks like "naked shorting - the practice of selling shares short without borrowing them - is almost gone."
Thank goodness! As a greedy optimist, one can certainly understand the attraction of naked short-selling because (for one thing), "Naked short-selling can save a trader the costs of borrowing shares."
Instantly, I thought of myself and my job in the context of my employer trying to cut expenses, since everybody is seemingly losing sales, losing jobs, and the old "pre-Clinton" way of measurement of the unemployment rate is now running at 12% or more! Some estimate up to 18% unemployment!! Yikes! Double exclamation points!
"...my new plan is to simply negate contracts with customers, keep the money the suckers already paid us, sue them for more money, and then reluctantly settle at the last minute by paying the whining and litigious customers back with shares of stock, which I don’t have, either! I love this naked-short thing!"
From the depths of my sudden despair, I realize that I could use this to my advantage! On the wall of my office I wrote, "Since a reason for allowing naked short-selling is because it saves a greedy trader a necessary expense (the cost of borrowing shares), then it must be similarly okay for me to lie to customers about the ownership of assets in order for customers to give me money!"
I love it! I love the simplicity of it! No accomplices to pay off, no bribes to pay, no more spending night after night in some desperate blackmail scheme, watching somebody's house until you catch them doing something bad, and then, when you finally face them in your moment of ultimate triumph and hit them with the sordid evidence, they turn around and whip out those old photos of you with that Swedish ballerina in the storage locker, and they laugh at you when you try to explain, for the thousandth time, "You should have seen her right BEFORE this photo was taken! It was her idea! She was lovin' it, I'm telling ya!"
Since my career as a competent employee long ago turned into a farce and my backup plan as extortionist extraordinaire now lay in flames, too, my new plan is to simply negate contracts with customers, keep the money the suckers already paid us, sue them for more money, and then reluctantly settle at the last minute by paying the whining and litigious customers back with shares of stock, which I don't have, either! I love this naked-short thing! Hahahaha!
Additionally, the article notes that naked short-selling "can make it possible to short a stock where borrowing is very difficult because so many others want to sell it short," which is a weird situation, and, I admit, the whole reason that I formed Mogambo Enterprises, a company long reviled by Wall Street and small-minded people who wouldn't know quality pornography if it came over there and squatted down on their faces.
But the idea is that Mogambo Enterprises would be a small outfit with an incompetent, corrupt management, zero capital or assets, mysterious liabilities, a total capitalization of 100 shares of almost worthless value and zero float (since nobody in their right mind would buy any shares), but which could (and this where it suddenly gets interesting!) suddenly have thousands of its shares sold short if there were a rumor that the price of the shares would plummet from almost-zero to absolute zero. Tens of thousands of shares could be sold short! Millions of shares!
By this time I am screaming in glee "Billions of shares of Mogambo Enterprises could 'exist' by virtue of being sold naked-short!"
There is, obviously, no upper limit on the number of shares that can exist if you allow unlimited naked short-selling, which is Very, Very Interesting (VVI) since there would theoretically be a Huge Freaking Squeeze (HFS) on short-sellers, driving the price of the entire Mogambo Enterprises shares to astronomical levels, if Mogambo Enterprises suddenly declared a dividend of $5 per share!
Instantly, the stock would rise in price from almost zero to at least $5 per share! The stock would go to the moon if there were only 100 real shares to satisfy a billion short positions that need to be filled! The moon, I tells ya! Hahaha!
Not surprisingly, since one of the Laws Of The Jungle (LOTJ) is that the majority of investors must lose money or purchasing power, or both, "the primary evidence of naked short-selling is a large number of trades where shares were not delivered on time, causing a 'fail' in Wall Street jargon."
We all admit that "A large number of fails does not prove naked short- selling, since there are other reasons for trades to fail" but even the NY Times admits, "such a number does indicate it is likely."
Then Mr. Norris says, "Critics of naked short-selling often say it produces 'counterfeit shares,' but that term is misleading."
I naturally leap to my feet and shout, like a whiny little kid, "No it is not! It's a blatant, state-sanctified fraud against the guy who contracted in good faith to buy a share of stock, but received only a promise of a share of stock! Ain't the same thing!"
It's the same thing with the blatant naked-shorting of gold on the Comex, but that is a whole other story, when we should be paying attention to gold, which is apparently a favorite of Mother Economic Nature in that, historically, gold has won every time against everything else over the long-term.
Whee! This investing stuff is easy!
Until next time,
The Mogambo Guru
for The Daily Reckoning
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80295 - Mon May 11 15:55:20 2009 - [Qualifications?] By: Curious |
| What exactly are the qualifications of Brad Bennett and Corinda Horton?....One was on a school board that couldn't make a decision to save its life and the other lost to GREG GILBERT. |
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80294 - Mon May 11 14:04:50 2009 - [Shut up with your accusations] By: Cynic |
| Oh come on Mr. America. You say there are things about Lew Latto that would make one's skin crawl and then leave it there. Let's hear it or shut up with your accusations. |
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80293 - Mon May 11 12:06:32 2009 - [Short sellers taking it in the shorts] By: Numbers Cruncher |
Big Iron,
Excellent question. The majority of the market upswing in the last 8 or so weeks is because of short sales.
Short selling is the borrowing a security and selling it, with the understanding that it must later be bought back “hopefully” at a lower price. Selling short is a technique used by investors who try to profit from the falling price of a stock.
Many “short sellers” who borrowed and gambled on the continued market decline got caught and have panicked when stock prices didn’t drop. The panic selling to get out actually has caused a much greater increase than expected over the last 40 days or so. The market is very volatile and short selling is very risky.
This is hardly a sign of market stability but has provide for some good opportunities for some to make some much needed dollars, but the short sellers are taking it in the shorts so to speak.
On the good side the market volumes have started to increase which appears to be a good indicator for the near future, but a big decline is ahead. It’s not if, it’s a matter of when.
NC
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80292 - Mon May 11 08:27:37 2009 - [Not a Brad Bennett fan-Turn the station] By: Mr. America |
JBBP:
You have got to be kidding me? The Brad Bennett Show SUCKS. That 'he he he' kiddie laugh and that goon of a co host who sounds all of 16 and has no life experience with which to form an honest opinion is sickening to say the least.
I in no way was a Lew Latto fan. There are things I know about him that would make your skin crawl. But thats for another day. That being said, in know way do I think that Brad had better ratings than Lew. I have talked to too many conservatives that only listened to Lew. I am sure Ron Stone heard some of the Lew 'rumours' and said "hmmm, he don't fit the plan", and fired him.
All i am saying is BRAD SUCKS! Between his half truths and all out lies when he talks about housing is an insult to all Duluthians who stumble across this bumpkin when he is on the air. Thats all I have to say for now!
Thank you |
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80291 - Sun May 10 23:33:12 2009 - [Goon Doty's gossip-toxin to poison ] By: JBBP |
I like listening to Brad Bennett, Carinda Horton, Russ Stewart, and Glenn Beck.
I don't like it when my favorite shows are interrupted to listen to hockey, football, basketball games, or anything else that I don't tune in to a particular station for.
Lew Latto was somewhat of an icon around here, but I do believe that he wasn't drawing as big of an audience as Brad Bennett, which is why his show was yanked. Money talks, especially in radio, where the lion's share of money is earned through advertising. There needs to be a viable audience for that concept to be effective. I kinda like Lew, and agree with some things that he says, but his schtick was starting to get a little tiresome.
Ron Stone did a good job, and it's too bad he's leaving.
Ralph Doty is incorrect about Stone's getting fired, anyway. From what I understand, Ron decided that it was time for him to find a job closer to where he lives so he could devote more of his time to his family. He spent too much time going back and forth from home to work.
Since the Doty types have relied so heavily on the chance that the public either doesn't remember things or doesn't bother to read information, I suppose he figures his little "incorrection" will just slip by with enough gossip-toxin to poison people's minds about Stone and KDAL.
What a goon.
KDAL and WDSM ROCK!
Thank you. |
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80290 - Sun May 10 23:19:25 2009 - [DCB free speech is the right place] By: Big Iron |
| A public employee bashing blog is the wrong place to post that, Barbara. |
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80289 - Sun May 10 22:55:26 2009 - [What happened?] By: Big Iron |
| Numbers Cruncher, on March 30 you said the DOW would be between 6300 and 6000. What happened? |
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80288 - Sun May 10 22:27:02 2009 - [US Dollar collapse starts now! ] By: Numbers Cruncher |
The US Dollar collapse starts now!
http://numberscruncher.blogspot.com/ |
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80287 - Sun May 10 22:18:19 2009 - [Ralph Doty = cheap shot] By: KDAL Fan |
| Ralph Doty's article is sickening! What a cheap shot. Mr. Doty you ought to just leave the radio/newspaper/ business. I like the new format, not pandering to the same old politicians of this area. I've never met Ron Stone but I like what he did to jazz up the airwaves! |
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80286 - Sun May 10 21:56:42 2009 - [Railroaded into more DFL Doomsday debt] By: mp |
For the space cadets that think Duluth can support a passenger train service, consider New York City, a city with a few more people than Duluth. Their train service is broke. From the May 9-15,2009 Economist magazine:
http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13611479
A state bail-out is the only way to keep the trains on the tracks
AMERICA’S fifth-biggest debtor, behind California, New York state and city, and Massachusetts, is a transport system: the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which runs New York’s subway, commuter trains and bus routes. And it is in terrible trouble. Passenger numbers are sliding, by 3.3% this February over last. Revenue from property taxes has been falling. The MTA now faces a deficit of $2 billion, and some 20% of its operating budget is now dedicated to repaying its debt
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80285 - Sun May 10 20:17:32 2009 - [Obama and DFL are out of touch] By: Barbara |
Interesting story today in the DNT. Many local officers have given their lives while protecting us. We do not appreciate these true heroes. To bad Obama does not see it that way.
Obama to Cut Slain Officer’s Benefits in Half
Posted on May 9, 2009
-By Warner Todd Huston
In a fit of hypocrisy sure to outrage, just as Attorney General Eric Holder makes ready to attend a ceremony to honor fallen police officers, the Obama administration is proposing to cut almost in half a program that provides benefits to the future families left behind.
So much for the more loving, more caring president “we’ve been waiting for.” So, wouldn’t you think the Old Media would be braying at the hypocrisy here? Wouldn’t you rather think that the Old Media would be up in arms about this one? Isn’t this typically the type of story that would get them motivated to get their high dudgeon on? Guess not because it is nearly invisible in the media today.
Of the very few reporting on this, the Associated Press reported on May 7 that the president’s proposed budget calls for cuts in the Public Safety Officer’s Death Benefits Program. Obama wants to cut $50 million from the program, the budget to fall from $110 million to $60 million.
Apparently Obama imagines that his ascension to the White House will heal the tortured minds of those criminal miscreants and cop-killers that might be lurking around out there because according to the reasoning offered to cut program funds, Obama claims that the number of on-the-job police killings is supposed to drop.
Justice Department budget documents say the reduction is being made because “claims are anticipated to decrease” because the number of officers killed in the line of duty has been decreasing.
The director of a police survivors group begs to differ, however. They have found that police officers killed on duty have gone up 21 percent over last year’s numbers already.
But, let’s consider how this story would be reported if it were Bush proposing to cut survivor’s benefits like this. Who cannot imagine that the media would be falling all over itself to scold Bush if he should have been the one to propose such steep cuts to benefits for the families of our fallen police officers?
It would have been ginned up into a firestorm of outrage against a president Bush, wouldn’t it?
Yet, for Obama, mums the word.
Imagine that? |
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80284 - Sun May 10 19:29:20 2009 - [FCC released to Judicial Watch documents] By: mp |
The FCC released to Judicial Watch documents and emails on the proposed Localism regulation of radio stations. Here is the link:
http://www.judicialwatch.org/files/documents/2009/FCC_Fairness_Docs.pdf |
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80283 - Sun May 10 12:54:33 2009 - [KDAL sucks!] By: d |
| I don't care what you all think about Ralph Doty, the one thing is KDAL sucks! even if you turn it on at 3 am and I thought you all were upset when Latto was fired |
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80282 - Sun May 10 10:44:02 2009 - [You will never defeat the DFD] By: Bubba |
In today's DNT you can read why you will never defeat the DFD. I am sure that if the DNT did a story on the Duluth Animal Shelter you would get the same enthusiasm to pour more money into it. Our fire department is the best money can buy.
Is there a hidden agenda behind Duluth fire training course?
Some say the annual Fire Operations 101 event is a vehicle for candidates to gain a political endorsement.
By: Brandon Stahl, Duluth News Tribune |
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80281 - Sat May 9 22:57:37 2009 - [Latest Ralph Doty douche diatribe] By: Danny G |
I've come up with an alternate title for that latest Ralph Doty diatribe:
"ONE DOUCHE BITCHING ABOUT ANOTHER DOUCHE"
Thank you.
Good Night.
D
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80280 - Sat May 9 17:44:20 2009 - [Definition of ralph] By: Deduced |
Definition of ralph
ralph verb
To vomit.
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80279 - Sat May 9 17:34:42 2009 - [A woman named Ralph and her scorn? ] By: Tara |
| There's nothing like a woman's scorn and I sense this in Ralph Doty's article. Did Ron Stone fire Ralph and Ralph have a personal vendetta? Ralph's comments tend to make me think so. |
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80278 - Sat May 9 15:01:39 2009 - [Little man disease and intolerance] By: ralph doty sucks |
Ralph Doty is a mean spirited senile old man suffering from "little man" disease and ED that only visits Duluth in the summer. Doty’s writing of his simply uninformed, slanderous and more leftist political DFL spin merchandising. No wonder the old lady dumped him after so many years. Ralph has lost it and it amazes me that even the failing Duluth Budgeteer allows the venomous hate to spew out of the senile little man. Ralph Doty is nothing more than a intolerant hate monger on witch hunt. Ralph you're nothing more than a little piece of dog shit that barks but has no ability to bite.
Duluth Budgeteer
Published May 08 2009
Ralph Doty: Goodbye and good riddance to Midwest manager
Budgeteer columnist Ralph Doty thinks departing Midwest radio manager Ron Stone had a huge effect on Twin Ports radio — and not a good one.
By: Ralph Doty, Duluth Budgeteer News
Twin Ports radio listeners got welcome news last week when the person who single-handedly destroyed — or dramatically hurt — six Twin Ports radio stations, “resigned” as market manager.
Ronald Stone told his Midwest Communications staff in an e-mail that he was leaving his job; he would no longer be overseeing its Duluth stations (KDAL-610 AM, WDSM-710 AM, WGEE-970 AM, KDAL-95.7 FM, KTCO-98.9 FM and KHQG-FM).
There is much speculation on why Stone resigned, but this much is certain: His bosses at corporate headquarters in Green Bay didn’t like his work.
For instance, Stone often fired people whose political views he didn’t like, regardless of their performance. Lew Latto’s demise on WDSM-AM was a good example. When Latto — a social liberal and fiscal conservative — was told he was finished as weekday talk show host, he decided to leave on a high note by bidding a non-threatening farewell to his faithful listeners on his final program on a Friday.
Suddenly, and without warning, Stone wrote an e-mail to Latto, saying his show would be pulled a day earlier than planned, and that conservative talk show giggler Brad Bennett would take over the 7-9 a.m. program on Latto’s presumed last day.
Stone apparently suspected that Latto would be critical of his boss during his final show, so he took Latto off the air a day early. Stone badly misjudged Latto, and Lew’s faithful audience went berserk.
Other local radio personalities, like Midwest’s sports director and UMD hockey play-by-play announcer Bruce Ciske, were also treated poorly by Stone.
When Ciske was called into Stone’s office a few months ago, he was told he was making too much money (no one in this radio market can be accused of that transgression). He was being laid off to save company funds.
Stone’s tenure in Duluth was not helped by the latest Arbitron listener survey which showed that in December, 2008, five of his six stations had less listeners than the survey taken six months earlier.
One of Ron Stone’s biggest transgressions was the systematic demise of radio giant KDAL. He recklessly changed its programming and talk show hosts — with most changes coming on a single day last fall. He moved KDAL morning talk show co-host Johnny Lee Walker, a controversial but fascinating personality, to the “dead zone” of afternoons at KTCO-FM.
That same day, Stone dumped Joe Sucheray, a syndicated talk show host. It was a move he later rescinded after listeners protested — but the damage had been done to KDAL’s credibility.
Stone was rightly accused of poor programming balance, despite a tradition in the Twin Ports radio market of presenting various sides of issues. As I see it, Stone’s philosophy was simple: If a talk show host wasn’t politically to the right of Genghis Khan, he or she had no place on his stations. Thus, it was easy for ultraconservative Carinda Horton to find a talk show niche on KDAL AM. And Russ Stewart, a political middle-of-the road Duluth city councilor turned radio talk show host, suddenly moved sharply to the political right, presumably to satisfy Stone and keep his job.
And then there were the UMD hockey broadcasts. For decades, all Bulldog men’s hockey games were carried on KDAL. A few years ago, former Midwest manager Roxanne Charles decided that KDAL would not place a bid to continue carrying Bulldog hockey games. KDAL’s program director at the time, Kerry Rodd, argued with Charles about her decision. Rodd resigned in protest and is now at WKLK-AM.
Charles later capitulated and told a relieved UMD athletics department the Bulldogs would stay on AM 610 for at least another year.
Then came Ron Stone, who decided shortly after his arrival at Midwest that UMD men’s hockey games would be moved from KDAL to the FM dial — to a hard rock music station called “The Hog.” Stone argued he made the change because The Hog’s signal traveled farther than KDAL’s. But reality was that even though The Hog’s signal reached every tree in northwestern Wisconsin, The Hog’s
signal did not match KDAL’s on the Iron Range, a hotbed of hockey fans.
The word on the street is that UMD will probably seek another radio station to carry its hockey games this fall. It’s likely WEBC-AM 560 — now the local ESPN sports outlet after Stone dumped ESPN from WGEE-AM’s schedule in favor of music from the ’40s and ’50s — will bid on the contract.
KDAL was once considered a rock-solid anchor station. Carl Casperson, Hunter Como, Dick Anthony, Eddie Williams, Don Mason, John Russell, Don Cannon, Bill Krueger, Greg O’Brien, Warren Huddleson and Bill Cortes have been replaced by Carinda Horton, Russ Stewart and Glenn Beck.
On WDSM-AM, thanks to Ron Stone, we now can be treated to syndicated talk show host Michael Savage, whose show is so awful that Great Britain recently told him his programs were being banned in that country. Reason: He is an agent of extremism and intolerance. Savage’s name is on the same “banned” list as Fred Phelps of Topeka, Kan., who claims that God hates gays and is taking his revenge on the United States for tolerating them.
And so we bid what we hope will be a final farewell to Ron Stone, a radio executive who has done more to destroy this radio market than anyone dreamed possible. We can only pray that he doesn’t return to Duluth in another attempt to bring his brand of radio to this media market.
Ralph Doty has worked in Twin Ports radio (mostly part time) since 1960, including stints at KDAL and WEBC. Contact him at rdoty71963@aol.com.
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80276 - Sat May 9 00:29:32 2009 - [Only the best for Big Iron] By: Big Iron |
| I upgraded to a 225 HP Evinrude E-Tec last year. Come try little boys. |
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80275 - Fri May 8 20:17:41 2009 - [Big Iron and the Swamp Thing] By: BJ |
Mr. Angus Y.:
You be safe brother!! I know you will be fishing on the same lake as Big Iron and if you run into him, swamp his boat for me! Please!!! You my friend be safe! |
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80274 - Fri May 8 18:31:19 2009 - [Demand down for Great Lakes freighters] By: Bob |
Demand down for Great Lakes freighters
http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090501/NEWS02/305019933
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80273 - Fri May 8 16:37:34 2009 - [No desire to ever come back to DFL DLH] By: Keith |
| LRO you're right about the DFL Duluth thing. People there are dumb and the DFL is why we left and have no desire to ever come back. No one in their right mind would invest or move to such a decaying city. 14 years away and way better off. |
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80272 - Fri May 8 09:30:11 2009 - [Bickering is holding Duluth back] By: LIB Reader Online |
This is a well written letter that says the way it has been, is and time will tell, continute to be in DFL Duluth.
One more reason to go GREEN and read the LIB online for free saving money, energy, and the trees.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Duluth News Tribune
Published May 08 2009
Reader's view: Duluth’s constant bickering is holding city back
Do the headlines in Duluth ever change? Duluthians have argued about dilapidated streets, closing schools, historic preservation and rental houses near the University of Minnesota Duluth for at least 27 years.
Meanwhile, the once-less significant cities of Fargo, N.D., Rochester, Minn., and Sioux Falls, S.D., have burgeoned and are flush with money.
Fargo has a Microsoft campus, employing thousands. IBM runs a global operation in Rochester. Financial service companies have flocked to Sioux Falls.
Duluth’s Swedish sister city, Växjö, is home to 7,000 home-grown and multinational companies. It is a model city to Duluth.
Notwithstanding growth at UMD, at St. Mary’s Duluth Clinic, and in tourism, Duluth’s economy is languishing. Duluth’s hospitals serve a contracting regional population. UMD is not producing spinoff companies. Duluth has not evolved its tourist market much beyond Twin Cities’ families.
United Healthcare and Cirrus Design represent the only inward investment by outside companies.
In fact, more appears to be leaving the area than coming in. Lakehead Pipeline moved its headquarters out of Duluth amid a boom of Canadian crude oil and pipeline expansion in the region.
The effects of population stagnation and an eroded tax base have resulted in public service cuts, budget deficits, low wages, rising crime, poor job opportunities and high taxes.
A succession of promising schemes have failed to bear fruit in Duluth as they did elsewhere, including the SoftCenter at the Technology Village, the aquarium and the Omnimax.
What is the problem in Duluth? Is it professional expertise, community support, labor relations or bureaucracy?
There are many reasons for Duluth to be a successful, vibrant and bustling little metropolis, but it clearly is moving in the opposite direction.
Once the city’s budget crisis is resolved, I hope Mayor Don Ness redoubles his efforts on job creation and city services.
Douglas Pazienza
London
The writer is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth
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80271 - Fri May 8 08:26:16 2009 - [Celebrate Obama's first 100 days] By: Cyrus the Virus |
Celebrate Obama's first 100 days with this catchy tune
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1E-V0QHets&feature=popular |
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80270 - Fri May 8 08:21:19 2009 - [Good Scandinavian heritage] By: Al |
| Must be locals gone bad, the names appear to be of good Scandinavian heritage. |
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80269 - Fri May 8 07:55:55 2009 - [Good luck and be safe fishermen] By: Angus Y |
| To All Fishermen- Good Luck and be Safe. To All Politicians-don't spend it all while we're gone! Enjoy Folks-it's a short Life. |
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80268 - Fri May 8 07:49:15 2009 - [Any connections?] By: History Buff |
Locals gone wild, check out this link, http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=mn&vol=sc%5C9903%5Cc095889&invol=1
On January 18, 1995, a St. Louis County jury convicted Todd Michael Warren of three separate counts of murder in the first degree in violation of Minn. Stat. § 609.185(1) (1998) for the March 28, 1994, shooting deaths of Samuel WITHERSPOON, Keith Hermanson, and Peter Moore.
WITHERSPOON was celebrating his birthday, and both he and Moore encouraged Deanna Towle to continue drinking. After doing so, Deanna Towle began to feel like she was going to throw up and went into the dining room and sat down on a couch. At some point, Brademan began feeling tired and laid down in the dining room. A couple of the men at the party started to harass Brademan and comment on how drunk she was. She was then dragged by her feet from the dining room to the living room, which caused the sweatshirt she was wearing to ride up.
Eventually someone removed Brademan's sweatshirt, at which point sexual comments were made. Running reportedly told Kern to roll Brademan over and undo her bra so they could see her breasts, and that if Kern blew in Brademan's ear, her pants would come down. Although Brademan's bra was not removed, one of her breasts did become exposed and was allegedly fondled by Kern.
These events took place in full view of Brademan's friends, including Warren. Deanna Towle told people to leave Brademan alone, but then passed out and did not regain consciousness until three that afternoon. Swanstrom did not think that what was happening to Brademan was a big deal, and J. Johnson testified that Brademan was giggling and did not appear to be aware of what was happening. Warren testified that he did not do anything about what was happening to Brademan because he assumed that, if Brademan felt threatened, she would have said something. Brademan testified that while she was bothered by what was going on, she did not believe that she was in any kind of danger.
After Brademan was covered with a blanket, D. Johnson told her that she could go to an upstairs bedroom and lie down, which she did, locking the door behind her. Using J. Johnson's credit card, WITHERSPOON unlocked the door and let himself into the bedroom. Once inside, WITHERSPOON allegedly forced Brademan to engage in sexual intercourse.
Some time later, Warren went upstairs to look for Deanna Towle and found WITHERSPOON and Brademan in the bedroom engaging in sexual intercourse. When Warren entered the room, Brademan said, “Todd, why don't you save me? Why can't anybody help me?” Warren asked WITHERSPOON to come downstairs and drink with him, and WITHERSPOON responded by telling Warren that he should go away, at which point, according to Brademan, Warren left the room. Warren went downstairs and, without seeming to be particularly concerned, asked Swanstrom if he knew where Deanna Towle was. After Swanstrom told him that he did not know, Warren went to the basement to look for her. He did not say anything to Swanstrom about seeing Brademan and WITHERSPOON engaging in sexual intercourse.
Read the whole case at the Minnesota Supreme Court with the link. Just wondering if anyone knows of any connections here? |
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80267 - Thu May 7 22:26:25 2009 - [Arrest of Robbery Suspects] By: Locals Gone Wild |
DATE:07/07/2009
SUBJECT:Arrest of Robbery Suspects
CASE #:09267817 and 09267820
INCIDENT DATE:04/30/2009
INCIDENT TIME:10:26 pm
INCIDENT LOCATION:1100 Block E. 7 Street
NATURE OF INCIDENT:Robbery
BY:Officer Brad Wick
________________________________________________________________________________
Description:On Thursday, April 30, 2009, a male and female were returning home in the 1100 Block of East 7 Street when they were robbed outside by three males. During the robbery a handgun was displayed and a single shot was fired into the air.
While officers were on scene investigating this robbery, they learned of a second robbery by the same suspects in which the suspects entered a home in the 1100 Block of East 7 Street and assaulted a male. During this second robbery, a handgun was also displayed and a shot fired. The suspects fled the area in a vehicle prior to officers arriving on scene.
At this time, two of the suspects have been located and arrested. They are:
DINERO RASHAUD MILLER dob 01/06/1989
PRINCETON LEE WITHERSPOON dob 12/24/1988
Both MILLER and WITHERSPOON have been charged with two counts of Burglary in the First Degree and three counts of Aggravated Robbery in the First Degree.
A third suspect is still at large and police are asking the publics assistance in locating:
TOMMY DAVID HOLLOWAY dob 01/21/1987
If anyone has knowledge of HOLLOWAY or his whereabouts, they are asked to call 911.
For additional information on this, you can contact Public Information Officer Brad Wick at 218-428-5296.
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80266 - Thu May 7 17:56:15 2009 - [DFD dumbDELETED drinking & blogging ] By: Big Iron |
| Thanks moderator, for giving me yet another reason to stick it to DELETED. When will you dumbDELETEDs ever learn? |
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80265 - Thu May 7 14:37:26 2009 - [If GREEN revolt takes place] By: Mr. Duluth |
I like the system we have, except the low end folks do suffer and if this number grows, well then we may become a Cuba. I'm at top of my field, getting paid well for what I do. I work at it on my own time many years ago to get good at what I do. Some just want to work. People that don't try should still have a wage that gives them a life. They also need to work and work should be out there for them.
Japan, France and a few other industrial nations are seeing a population drop, causing a flood of foreign workers to come to their country to keep up with demand. This drop is also causing a drop in worth overall with no population base to support current worth of property, etc. and also the support needed to fund these nations once the bulk of the population is retired. I bet wages are up for the real citizens of these countries. It is supply and demand with labor.
It would be nice to see a drop in our population, then the demand for labor goes up and so do wages, but not as far as the economy pushed Japan and the rest to not breed and not having the up coming population base.
But, getting back to our plight here in the US, real wages for many only cover basic needs. Do the credulous rich believe that the econmic poor people don't watch TV and see how the other half lives, or drive and see the big houses out east and see the Jones better off; and don't expect history to repeat in this day in age also. Believe in that?
Something may give, but Marx was wrong and perhaps maybe myself too about the worker class revolting someday. For Marx never saw new industries and products fueling a capital society, so if this GREEN revolt takes place, then perhaps more jobs will be out there for the work force and labor may win down the road.
***Remember to recycle as part of this GREEN revolt. The Vikings are doing so with Number 4. |
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80263 - Thu May 7 11:59:44 2009 - [Revolt you roll the dice] By: Cynic |
| Mr Duluth, I simply stated my observations for 60 years. What I've seen of countries going through or that have went through revolutions is most people end up with even less than they started. When I see pictures of Cuba I can see how that revolution went. When you revolt you roll the dice. Most in this country have it pretty good as compared to much of the world. |
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80262 - Thu May 7 10:10:06 2009 - [Medical cost rise faster than wages] By: Mr. Duluth |
Why do the medical cost rise faster than my wages or what I charge for my products I produce? My daughter when to St. Lukes for an ear infection, emergency room cost in 2001 or so, COST $200. 3 years ago, that same room was at $400. In seven years that cost doubled.
It is a business and if you want this service, you must pay and deal with what ever they feel like charging. |
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80261 - Thu May 7 06:25:23 2009 - [Why move to or invest in DFL Duluth] By: LIB Reader Online |
Why would anyone or any business want to move to or invest in DFL Duluth when you do not have to pay for the mother of all fees not to exclude all of the "just a little more" fees on top of continuous double digit tax increases.
DFL Duluth is today's reason you need to go GREEN and read the LIB online for free saving money, energy and the trees.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Duluth News Tribune
Published May 07 2009
Our view: Expect the unexpected, even from the city
Bob and Pam Ardis were blindsided. They were among 275 homeowners in Duluth who received a letter from the city this spring giving them 1½ months to repair the sanitary sewer line that runs from their house out to the city’s pipe beneath the street. The couple called a contractor. The estimate: $9,116, they reported in a letter back to City Hall.
Bob and Pam Ardis were blindsided. They were among 275 homeowners in Duluth who received a letter from the city this spring giving them 1½ months to repair the sanitary sewer line that runs from their house out to the city’s pipe beneath the street. The couple called a contractor. The estimate: $9,116, they reported in a letter back to City Hall.
“Does this approach really make any sense at all to you?” they asked in the letter.
Their alarm was understandable. But would their jaws have dropped any further had the estimate been to repair a failing basement wall? Or had the dollar figure been the balance of a medical bill not covered by insurance?
Living life — and owning a home, especially one of Duluth’s many older ones — comes with risks and unexpected expenses. Foundations give way. Emergency repairs have to be made. A car is totaled. A new one has to be bought.
And yes, the city can hit you with a bill to fix a broken pipe that’s contributing to raw sewage spilling into Lake Superior.
Overflows have been a pollution problem for decades. The city is finally doing something about them. The approach is three-pronged: sump pumps in basements, massive overflow tanks to catch and hold sewage before it reaches the lake and the requirement that homeowners like Bob and Pam Ardis repair their so-called “lateral lines.”
“That’s our plan of action,” the city’s Sandy Mass told the News Tribune editorial page yesterday. It’s a plan that has been agreed to by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and federal Environmental Protection Agency.
Without the plan, the city faced stiff fines from those agencies and the very real and very disastrous prospect of a moratorium on building permits.
With the plan, some homeowners are getting stuck with unexpected bills for $7,500, on average, according to a study paid for by the city last year. If they don’t pay and don’t complete their repairs, they face monthly fines of $250.
Help is out there. As the News Tribune explained yesterday (“How will she come up with $6,000?”), no-interest loans are available to low-income homeowners through the city’s Community Development Block Grant program. And Neighborhood Housing Services offers 10-year loans at an interest rate of 7.25 percent.
In addition, at least two banks in Duluth offer loan programs for precisely this sort of work to people in homes with little equity and to homeowners with low or moderate incomes. Hundreds in Morgan Park, after being referred by the city, took advantage of these programs several years ago when sewer and water pipes were replaced throughout their neighborhood.
Also, Duluth Mayor Don Ness said his administration is crafting a plan to help homeowners even more. He hopes to present it to the City Council by mid-June.
His plan can’t come soon enough for Bob and Pam Ardis, or for others who received a letter from the city this spring. Many of them would agree the work is necessary. Few could argue the cost is painful. But is it any more painful than any of life’s other unexpected bumps?
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80260 - Thu May 7 06:01:34 2009 - [Historic job losses under socialism] By: employed for now |
| Truthism can't comprehend how many millions of workers that produce cars, insure them, and work on them, miners, steelworkers, part suppliers and more that will not have jobs and not be able to pay taxes. Then if dumb could only get dumber, Truthism is going after medical workers. I was a democrat but am not a socialist. Ten million or more people will be out of work in the USA with the Truthisms of the world setting policy and then who will pay for Truthisms socialist regime? History has show that socialism sucks for the majority of the poeple in a society. |
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80259 - Wed May 6 22:32:41 2009 - [Quit being so blind!!!!] By: Neil |
| Quit being so blind!!!! when world leaders or rich people from other countries with socialized medicine get sick where do they come for treatment? The USA. They cannot afford to wait or be told that you are not worth the expense to save your life. The current course is not what we want. |
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80258 - Wed May 6 21:07:47 2009 - [US education system is broke already] By: JBBP |
Another thought, Truthism...
If you can't go to the doctor because you can't afford it- don't have insurance(a hidden tax, by the way), it may be a drag but you won't get into any legal trouble for it. HOWEVER- we pay for education through taxation whether or not we have kids going to school, and we're in big trouble if we don't educate the kids, aren't we?
Thanks once again. |
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80257 - Wed May 6 21:02:42 2009 - [Why go to college in Truthisms world?] By: JBBP |
Hey, Truthism, did you know that doctors go to college for say, 12 years? That's a lot of money to pay back, don't you think? Did you also know that they need to spend a ton of money on malpractice insurance, thanks to greedy trial lawyers(not that all suits are unjustified- some have merit, of course)?
Are you a doctor, Truthism? Neither am I. Why is that? It's probably because these people are much more gifted than you or I in the learning and practice of medicine. I agree that they make an awful lot of money; however, insurance companies helped to make that possible...insurance companies are kind of like a combination bank/employer/union for them. How many doctors can afford to take on patients who don't have health insurance, hmmmm? Or for that matter, how about dentists? Think about it for longer than 30 seconds and you'll see I'm on the right track about this one.
Thanks again.
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80256 - Wed May 6 20:52:54 2009 - [DFD attitude of arrogance shines bright] By: JBBP |
STARFIRE, maybe kudos should be given to Big Iron. Regardless of where he has worked, it seems obvious that he knows how to handle his money. I'm all for people using their own resources in such a way. Wouldn't it be great if the politicians handled our money like that?
It's too bad that he displays such an attitude of arrogance. He should be thanking the taxpayers for making sure he gets a paycheck, much like people who make a decent living in the private sector should be thankful to their bosses, too.
As for me...I don't make that much money. It kind of irks me sometimes when I consider the fact that people who perform the same sort of job that I do- only they work for the government, usually the county- are compensated much more handsomely than I am(not for lack of skill or talent on my part, I might add). They even get healthcare benefits. I could get them too, if I could afford to pay half of my monthly wages for them. Can't do that...I need to pay for everything else, including property taxes...which go in large part to pay for salaries of workers who make more than I do. I try not to think about it.
So far, I have managed to keep things together, I suspect with much less money than Big Iron makes. It is very, very hard to do so at times. I'm not complaining...I'm very fortunate to have been able to even find a job around here. But it ain't no bed of roses, that's for sure.
Instead fo being so arrogant, Big Iron, how about you give a little credit to the people who work very hard to keep a roof over their heads, even if they don't work for the government? How about acknowledging the fact that it isn't easy for most of them to keep on paying exhorbitant taxes, in light of the wages many, if not most, receive in the private sector?
I would say it's a safe bet that, for every government union-dues-paying member who threatens to strike unless they get higher wages and benefits, there are 100 people who would be more than happy to settle for the current rate or even a little less, just to have the job.
Big Iron, and all other government workers, should start counting their blessings- the number of paying taxpayers contributing to their livelihoods. Understand that your comparatively high wages and benefits- awarded to you by your unions and their political crones, not the taxpayers who earn less than you do, especially- are a huge factor as to why we are all in such a huge fiscal and economic dilemma.
Can the government afford to employ everybody? No. Not unless all businesses were owned by the government, and all of its workers took a huge pay-cut. Oh, but that would be communist socialism, wouldn't it? Does anybody want to go there?
If the government wants to make enough money to operate and pay its workers, then it stands to reason that it makes no fiscal sense to pay its workers MORE than most private workers can realistically afford to pay into the system. It's simple math. It's a catch-22 for the politicians who want to keep on getting their campaigns funded by unions...they want to get that money by hook or by crook, but they don't realize how they've overfished the tax pool, because the taxpayers have been used to taking the same old shiney, phoney-baloney bait...and so have the unions who depended on them.
Is the answer to tax the rich even more so that unions can keep their members satisfied? No. The growing discontent and resentment towards government workers working average jobs but getting more pay than non-government workers(like Big Iron, perhaps)- courtesy of taxes imposed on private workers- is very real and will lead to revolution, of some sort. It adds insult to injury when government/union workers get smug, demanding, and arrogant about what is beginning to look like ill-gotten gains and quasi-entitlements. The people are feeling robbed.
Thank you. |
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80255 - Wed May 6 20:26:15 2009 - [A TEST OF MORALITY] By: Dennis Miller |
BE HONEST......
TEST OF MORALITY
The One (1) Question Test
This test only has one question, but it's a very important one.. By giving an honest answer, you will discover where you stand morally.
The test features an unlikely, completely fictional situation in which you will have to make a decision.
Remember that your answer needs to be honest, yet spontaneous.
Please scroll down slowly and give due consideration to each line.
THE SITUATION:
You are in Florida , Miami to be specific. There is chaos all around you caused by a hurricane with severe flooding. This is a flood of biblical proportions. You are photojournalist working for a major newspaper, and you're caught in the middle of this epic disaster. The situation is nearly hopeless.
You're trying to shoot career-making photos There are houses and people swirling around you, some disappearing under the water.
Nature is unleashing all of its destructive fury.
===============================================
THE TEST:
Suddenly you see a man and a woman in the water. They are fighting for their lives, trying not to be taken do wn with the debris. You move closer.
Somehow they look familiar. You suddenly realize who they are. It's Barrack Obama and Nancy Pelosi!! At the same time you notice that the raging waters are about to take them under forever. You have two options: You can save their lives or you can shoot a dramatic Pulitzer Prize winning photo, documenting the deaths of two of the world's most
powerful people.
===============================================
THE QUESTION:
Here's the question, and please give an honest answer...
Would you select high contrast color film, or would you go with the classic simplicity of black and white?
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80254 - Wed May 6 19:05:02 2009 - [Tell me why people should not revolt] By: Mr. Duluth |
It is easy to say revolution, but yet why revolt? Here would be the reasons why I would revolt now at $40,000 a year.
1. Too many people making less than me or have a wage that barely covers their needs. If wages covered basic needs, no problem, but they don’t. It seems some people don’t care if this number grows, which it is. I believe in a high wage control, like a minimum wage. Or that minimum wage able to cover one’s needs.
One issue, but what are the needs? Food, clothing, and shelter? Health care? Vacation? Retirement? Entertainment? This list could go on. This is what the people want, yet many don’t get it because some make too much money, or we want people to put down. Which are you and tell me why these people should not revolt? Don’t feed me that god crap about getting it all after death if you are good.
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80253 - Wed May 6 12:25:25 2009 - [All YOUR wages should go to the DFL] By: Truthism |
| How many doctors have huge homes and luxury cars PAID FOR?? Are they parasites on society also? Are all people who have their shit together, own homes, pay bills, and WORK for a living parasites? You pay the doctor big money to have your temp taken. You pay big $ to have a guy fix your car, or plumbing in your home. You pay big $ to insure your shit for an incident that may NEVER happen. Compaired to my examples, you pay LITTLE mone to have your children educated. You pay LITTLE to have people keep you safe. You pay LITTLE to have snow removed. Sure it adds up but not as much as the bloodsucking business owners and doctors (who often own their office). Seem you should be bitching about anyone who wants your money! Especially if you have a shitty job which matches your worth! |
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80252 - Wed May 6 11:08:33 2009 - [DFL Duluth has dug its own grave] By: I C RED PEOPLE |
Is George Will taking about Duluth or California? The same dogma is in play as both Duluth and CA have dug their own graves.
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California Sagging
by George Will
WASHINGTON -- California's increasingly severe and largely self-inflicted economic crisis will deepen on May 19 if, as is probable and desirable, voters reject most of the ballot measures that were drafted as part of a "solution" to the state's budget deficit. They would make matters worse. National economic revival is being impeded because one-eighth of the nation's population lives in a state that is driving itself into permanent stagnation. California's perennial boast -- that it is the incubator of America's future -- now has an increasingly dark urgency.
Under Arnold Schwarzenegger, the best governor the states contiguous to California have ever had, people and businesses have been relocating in those states. For four consecutive years, more Americans have moved out of California than have moved in. California's business costs are more than 20 percent higher than the average state's. In the last decade, net out-migration of Americans has been 1.4 million. California is exporting talent while importing Mexico's poverty. The latter is not California's fault; the former is.
If, since 1990, state spending increases had been held to the inflation rate plus population growth, the state would have a $15 billion surplus instead of a $42 billion budget deficit, which is larger than the budgets of all but 10 states. Since 1990, the number of state employees has increased by more than a third. In Schwarzenegger's less than six years as governor, per capita government spending, adjusted for inflation, has increased nearly 20 percent.
Liberal orthodoxy has made the state dependent on a volatile source of revenues -- high income tax rates on the wealthy. In 2006, the top 1 percent of earners paid 48 percent of the income taxes. California's income and sales taxes are among the nation's highest, its business conditions among the worst, as measured by 16 variables directly influenced by the Legislature. Unemployment, the nation's fourth highest, is 11.2 percent.
Required by law to balance the budget, the Legislature has "solved" the problem by, among other things, increasing the income, sales, gas and vehicle taxes. This, although one rationale for the federal government's gargantuan "stimulus" was to spare states the need to raise taxes which, in California, will more than vitiate the stimulus.
Proposition 1A would create a complicated -- hence probably porous -- spending cap, and a rainy day fund. Realists, however, do not trust the Legislature to obey the law, which may be why some public employees unions cynically support 1A. Another May 19 proposition, opaquely titled the "Lottery Modernization Act," would authorize borrowing $5 billion from future hypothetical lottery receipts. The title is a measure of the political class' meretriciousness.
If voters pass 1A's hypothetical restraint on government spending, their reward will be two extra years (another $16 billion) of actual income, sales and vehicle tax increases. The increases were supposed to be for just two years. Voters are being warned that if they reject the propositions, there might have to be $14 billion in spending cuts. (Note the $15 billion number four paragraphs above.) Even teachers might be laid off. California teachers -- the nation's highest paid, with salaries about 25 percent above the national average -- are emblematic of the grip government employees unions have on the state, where 57 percent of government workers are unionized (the national average is 37 percent).
Flinching from serious budget cutting, and from confronting public employees unions, some Californians focus on process questions. They devise candidate-selection rules designed to diminish the role of parties, thereby supposedly making more likely the election of "moderates" amenable to even more tax increases.
But what actually ails California is centrist evasions. The state's crisis has been caused by "moderation," understood as splitting the difference between extreme liberalism and hyperliberalism, a "reasonableness" that merely moderates the speed at which the ever-expanding public sector suffocates the private sector.
California has become liberalism's laboratory, in which the case for fiscal conservatism is being confirmed. The state is a slow learner and hence will remain a drag on the nation's economy. But it will be a net benefit to the nation if the federal government and other state governments profit from California's negative example, which Californians can make more vividly instructive by voting down the propositions on May 19.
Remember the story of the mule that paid attention only after being walloped by a two-by-four? The Democratic-controlled state Legislature is like that. Fortunately, it has handed voters some two-by-fours -- the initiatives. Resounding rejections of them should get Sacramento's attention.
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80251 - Wed May 6 09:51:35 2009 - [DFL is responsible for the mess] By: Michael |
Bravo Ben Dover! The question of the day is:
HOW MANY JOBS WILL BE LOST IN DFL COUNTRY TODAY?
There's only one party to blame people. |
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80249 - Tue May 5 23:54:42 2009 - [DFLer sees almost 20% drop in taxes!!!!!] By: Big Iron |
Lets see, Bend. My house is paid for. My 2008 truck is almost paid for. My property taxes have dropped 13.4% in the last 3 years. I don't owe anything on my 1 credit card. Things are pretty good. Just for your information, the County has cut about 400 jobs in the last 10 years.
STARFIRE: Big Iron, as a parasite on society, I have no doubt that you are in an especially comfortable financial position. You must have given your bunk mates boyfriend a good hummer for that kind of treatment from the assessor's office. The rest of the taxpayers have seen nothing but increases. But then again, no real surprise here either. Nice try on the 400 jobs too. So lame I won't even address it. |
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80248 - Tue May 5 23:35:49 2009 - [He's a catcher] By: William DC |
I heard that DELETED Fedora and Lew Latto broke up.
The DELETED Fedora was the catcher. |
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80247 - Tue May 5 21:09:23 2009 - [DFL fun is just beginning] By: Ben Dover |
Cynic: Good question, but it seems quite clear that the when is the only real question.
Although many Americans feel that they have more today than people who lived 40 years ago, the opposite is actually true. Ask a person how much of their annual income it took to buy an item such as a car in 1960 and compare it to today. How about a home? The reality is that the standard of living has been steadily decreasing while promises of good pensions and great retirements are nothing but another ponzi scheme. Sure a few people will realize such pensions. That is the lure to get others to follow. The reality is that if you look at how far this country is in debt, there is no way possible to pay the obligations that have been promised. In the meantime everyone is out for themselves trying to get more before the final bell. Those successful enough will have cashed out and out of USD, but they will be very few. Obama and Co. talk about the car industry and how great it will be, but it won't. Don't listen to me, follow someone who knows a thing or two. Warren Buffet is investing big in the Chinese Auto Industry. What does that tell anyone besides a DFLer as we all know that they will never get it?
When people can no longer pay their property taxes which in turn pays for thsoe who steal the most from all of us, only then will the U.S. begin a new chapter. But while Rome burns, special interests groups all across this nation have their hands out trying to get as much as they can. How about that Tom Dooher commercial running at every break the past few days paid for by taxpayer money.
American companies will continue their exodus to countries where they can make a profit and with them will go millions of American jobs. Obama is chasing them away as he looks for the quick buck. Then the government will have to figure out how to pay for all those promises of great pensions when the money dries up in the private sector. By the way, 70 jobs gone yesterday at Nels Nelson and 300 more today at Northshore Mining. How many have been eliminated in the city, county, state, or federal governments? None. They are growing because DFL school teaches that spending and spending will ultimately fix any problem. Not this time kids. What is Obama going to do when he finds out that spending trillions does not work and the U.S. is even trillions more in debt and the currency crashes?
By the way, check out the 10 year T-notes for an indication of where interest rates are heading. The fun is just beginning. |
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80246 - Tue May 5 19:49:05 2009 - [Hearing about revolt but see no action] By: Cynic |
| Mr. Duluth, I've been hearing about this "revolt" since I was a teenager. I'm now in my sixties and still hearing it but never see any action. Did see some riots along the way but mostly just inner cities blowing up. |
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80245 - Tue May 5 18:04:29 2009 - [Scam by both parties = revolt] By: Mr. Duluth |
JBBP, I believe both parties blind the common person with these core issues: abortion, gun-control, spending, etc., then pass bills in favor of big business and the rich. It is a sin that people like me who makes around $40,000 or less suffer. I think it is some kind of scam by both parties. At one time, I thought it was a cycle of sort. The Democrats come in and spend for 4 to 8 years and then the Republicans come in and cut and fix the books for 4 to 8 years. They do feed off each other and once again looking at the Coleman/Franklin fight, where did their campaign money come from. Not from Minnesota.
Each year, people want to make more money because of merit, inflation, or pay scales allowing this increase. Who do you think gets the less of this deal each year and who does the best? I think I mentioned them above.
I’m sorry, my $40,000 doesn’t cover what it did a few years ago and I blame the hands up our politician’s azzes, controlling their moves and votes like a puppet. I figure one day the common person will see this and revolt.
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80244 - Tue May 5 17:43:09 2009 - [Mayor Don Ness saves Duluth] By: Web Hound |
Breaking News: Mayor Don Ness saves Duluth
http://www.howiehanson.com/?p=14559 |
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80243 - Tue May 5 16:56:14 2009 - [Obama is a 'Post Turtle'] By: EMU |
While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75 year old rancher, who's hand was caught in the gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Obama and his bid to be our president.
The old rancher said, 'Well, ya know, Obama is a 'Post Turtle''..
Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him, what a 'post turtle' was.
The old rancher said, 'When you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a 'post turtle'.
The old rancher saw the puzzled look on the doctor's face so he continued to explain. 'You know he didn't get up there by himself, he doesn't belong up there, he doesn't know what to do while he's up there, and you just wonder what kind of dumb ass put him up there to begin with'.
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80242 - Tue May 5 16:43:07 2009 - [Union-Do not fuel the tax paying economy] By: Deduced |
Out of the "you can't make this shit up" category, if government doesn't support the people paying the taxes; who is going to support the government?
Read for yourselves:
http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_12298807?nclick_check=1
Union to Minnesota: Wanna save money? Fire the managers, consultants
Associated Press
Updated: 05/05/2009 01:11:49 PM CDT
A public employee union said Minnesota leaders should more aggressively chase debts to the state, cut agency managers and limit the use of consultants.
The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees put out a blueprint today for patching at least $350 million of a projected $4.6 billion state budget deficit.
The ideas include a ramped-up drive to collect delinquent fees and taxes, and a push to use state workers for assignments now outsourced to consultants.
Union leader Jim Monroe couldn't say how much added enforcement would cost, but he said Minnesota could expect a sizable return on its investment in that area.
Another recommendation is that state agencies abide by a staffing ratio that limits management to 15 percent of total department employees.
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80241 - Tue May 5 16:35:54 2009 - [Republicans suck as much as Democrats] By: JBBP |
I'm not too pleased with either one of the major political parties at the moment.
I'm pissed at the Republicans for not having the political backbone to stand by conservative principles, too often caving in to more liberal agendas. Too many of them pretended to endorse concepts that the party platform itself does not embrace, in a failed effort to "reach out" to the other side.
I think that crooks abound in both parties. When a Republican gets caught being a 'crook' or a deviate, they're labeled as 'hypocrites' and all sorts of other bad names. When a Democrat gets caught being a crook(such as not paying taxes) or a deviate, it is said that they "made a mistake" or we here some nonsense about "embracing diversity." Or the matter just simply...disappears.
Since there have been very slim pickings offered by 3rd parties, I have supported the Republican party, because my beliefs are more in line with their party platform than that of the Democrats.
It makes me sick that there are Republicans who reveal, by their votes, that they do not accept the party platform. That's almost as bad as a priest or a minister endorsing abortion(prochoice), or perhaps engaging in sexual conduct with a child.
If you proclaim yourself to be a Republican or a Democrat, and you expect your party to endorse your campaign, then you should have the courage of conviction to adhere to the principles of your party platform. Otherwise, you're like a trojan horse.
Right is right, wrong is wrong. If people don't agree with you, you can try to persuasively educate them about why you think about issues the way you do, but you don't abandon your principles and go along with something, just to appease them.
"If you can't beat 'em, join 'em"...that's been the Republican way, far too often, and it's been the way of the populace who feels hapless to accept sanctions, taxation, regulations, and other circumstances they don't want, never asked for, and shouldn't have been burdened with in the first place. The Machine seems unstoppable.
Is it?
Thank you. |
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80240 - Tue May 5 16:00:17 2009 - [Duluth no deal compared to Range cities] By: Cynic |
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing in 2000 in Virginia 0.6 percent, Hibbing 0.7 percent, Grand Rapids 0.7 percent..........Source City-Data.com
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80239 - Tue May 5 15:45:03 2009 - [Duluth's median property taxes are up] By: Cynic |
Quote from City-data.com : Data for St. Paul: "Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2007: $1,926 (0.9%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2007: $2,147 (1.0%)"
Since Duluth has now jumped to 1.0 percent it looks like those in Duluth and St Paul are paying almost the exact amount in property taxes. Perhaps St Paul is now higher on average than it was with these 2007 figures and if anyone can point that out to me and show me the data then fine do that. |
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80238 - Tue May 5 15:24:34 2009 - [Do they not want you to know?] By: Iwanna No |
At what point in Duluth's history did public employees earn the right to threaten and harass the public that pays their wage? Why are some government employees so touchy about citizens rights and to access public records and information?
Why not clear the deck and BAN any and all self-serving public employees who collect high wages and benefits at taxpayers expense? |
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80237 - Tue May 5 08:09:14 2009 - [Blame game is getting old] By: Pitt Street Panther |
| Yeah the stock market is going up, more people that ever are out of work, tent cities are growing at record paces, homeless numbers worse than ever seen, companies are fleeing the US and big numbers of job losses to come. The TRUTH IS the DEMOCRATS have had control of Congress since 2006 and the destruction of the economy continues. |
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80236 - Tue May 5 07:43:03 2009 - [Bullied by the Thugs in City Hall] By: Johnson |
| I don't give a hoot if your left, right, or up the middle. Listen to the stories of these homeowners(sewer fixes) being bullied by the Thugs in City Hall.This is the type of decision being made by our CITY COUNCIL that everyone should be concerned about. What the hell are all of you thinking when you decide to punish the very people who put you in office. Wake-up City Council and do the right thing and help these hard working tax paying citizens. SHAME on ALL of you. |
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80234 - Mon May 4 22:42:26 2009 - [Someone has to pay for freeloaders] By: Truthism |
Cyrus,
The GOP no tax mentality didn't work, eh? Where did bush expect to get $ to pad his pockets! WE ALL need to do a part in fixing the bush mess if we love the country. Pay taxes!
STARFIRE: DFL 09, I see that Obama just hosed a few more million workers by making sure that their employers leave the U.S. for good. Having the highest corporate tax rate at 35% is not good enough for Obama. He will be happy only when all the people in the U.S. belong to AFSCME. Then who will pay? |
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80233 - Mon May 4 22:38:43 2009 - [AFSCME screwing us all] By: Truthism aka DFL 09 |
1928,
If this your birth year, I'd say you're Latto! Or out of touch with reality! Yes, I will explain how the DFL is fixing us all as soon as you tell me why the GOP screwed us all!! Remember, the economy was passed on to Obama.
STARFIRE: DFL 09, actually DFL 09, when I look at who is screwing me, AFSCME seems to lead the way. As a matter of fact, AFSCME and DFL Duluth are the only ones screwing all of us. |
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80232 - Mon May 4 21:50:42 2009 - [Massive inflation will reduce US debt] By: Cyrus the Virus |
| 1928, Truthism is just another DFL douchebag using his dumbfounded DFL koolaid talking points. Warren Buffett predicts massive inflation to reduce debt. Many know inflation is a hidden tax and all working people are going to get screwed. |
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80231 - Mon May 4 21:26:49 2009 - [Economic practices & policies?] By: 1928 |
Truthism,
Would be so kind as to explain how the DFL is making our economy better? What policies and economic practices are is the DFL and Obama putiing in place to offer us all a secure free future? |
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80230 - Mon May 4 21:05:01 2009 - [Some employers can't make it in Duluth] By: Sojourner Tru |
| I think it is a shame some businesses just can't make it in Duluth. Take DELETED up by the mall, they will be all gone soon. They try to cut costs by moving off Central Entrance, now who can find 'em. Furthermore, they do not pay their bills anymore. Don;t order anything there, you may not get it............. |
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080229 - Mon May 4 20:56:31 2009 - [Infected animals can infect others] By: MP |
Messing with mother nature - CDC combining flu viruses.
From a U of M Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy:
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/panflu/news/jan1404hybrids.html
"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will soon launch experiments designed to combine the H5N1 virus and human flu viruses and then see how the resulting hybrids affect animals. The goal is to assess the chances that such a "reassortant" virus will emerge and how dangerous it might be...
The plans call for trying two methods to create hybrid viruses, CDC spokesman David Daigle told CIDRAP News via e-mail. One is to infect cells in a laboratory tissue culture with H5N1 and human flu viruses at the same time and then watch to see if they mix. For the human virus, investigators will use A (H3N2), the strain that has caused most human flu cases in recent years, according to the CP report.
The other method is reverse genetics—assembling a new virus with sets of genes from the H5N1 and H3N2 viruses. Reverse genetics has already been used to create H5N1 candidate vaccines in several laboratories, according to Daigle. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) said recently it would soon launch a clinical trial of one of those vaccines.
Of the two methods, the co-infection approach was described as slower and more laborious, though closer to what happens in nature.
Any viable viruses that emerge from these processes will be seeded into animals that are considered good models for testing how flu viruses behave in humans, according to Daigle. The aim will be to observe whether the animals get sick and whether infected animals can infect others...."
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