Secrets of the City

weird. not seeking higher office, not leaving immediately….wonder if he’ll give us the old “To Spend More Time with the Family”

That one’s a shame–he has been such an advocate in congress for programs that help folks living with mental illness and addictions to get treatment and lead better lives.

A lot of times a pol will leave when their party shows no prospects of regaining power, but in his case I wonder why he wouldn’t just switch parties. MN GOPers have often accused him of being a RINO anyway and as a Dem, I’ve liked many of his votes more than Colin Peterson’s.

Was beating Wendy Wilde 65-35 too much work for him? Was there noise of a primary challenge? Will he claim an onset of MS? Will he bash the GOP on his way out, a la Chaffee?

Some thoughts from Eric Black.

Should open the door for a well-connected Democrat.

Hope he enjoys a new chapter in his life.

Upon reading Eric Black’s column, I feel fully qualified to do his job. (How much does Google AdSense pay, again?)

whose job, eric’s or ramstad’s?
i’m not seeing any googleads on eric’s site…

He’s always been one of the truly decent people who, surprisingly enough, can get lots of other people to vote for him, time after time. It’ll be a shame to see him go. But where’s the surprise? He’s been there for nine terms, and it’s probably as hostile and contentious as it’s ever been.

But, seriously, what’s with this new shitty paradigm of Unspeak that we’re seeing more and more these days? I’m referring to this:

“The officials spoke on the condition that they not be identified so as not to pre-empt Ramstad’s announcement. “

Fuck them. They just DID pre-empt his announcement. What it should have said was “Ramstead should be the one to announce this, but I’m not going to pass up trading this news to this reporter for future benefit for me, as long as this reporter doesn’t let anyone know I’m the asshole who couldn’t keep his mouth shut.”

Bobby, I don’t share her outrage over the leaking of the Ramstad announcement.

I don’t see any harm in the leak. And Ramstad’s been in politics long enough to understand the truth to the addage: Anything that can be leaked probably will be.

Politics is considerably about mutual backscratching; once Ramstad decided to become a lame duck, of course people seeking to gain some immediate or future benefit are going to redirect their loayalties away from him. That’s life. No big deal.

So take a chill-pill, Bobby.

Nope, not gonna chill.

When someone centrally hooked up into our political system casually says “i’m not giving my name because I’m not supposed to be doing this”, and we’re so jaded by the casual breaking of an honorable code that there’s no surprise anymore, and you tell me that, ergo, it’s okay, that’s a damning indictement right there. And we’re seeing this kind of dishonesty all over, left and right.

If you really don’t want to pre-empt, don’t. If you don’t care, say so and stay anon. But to say it the way they said it here makes it sound like it’s okay and aboveboard and honest.

It’s not.

that should’ve been: …share your [not her] outrage

Except, don’t they actually want somebody to leak this stuff, so that the media knows they should pay attention to the press conference? Isn’t this all part of the game?

“The game.”

Why is it all a game? Why do we find that acceptable as the culture for our government?

“Good bye Jim! Don’t hit your way out the door with that bottle of Jack Daniels in your hand!”

Singed by the religious fruitcakes of the Republican Party.

“Singed by the religious fruitcakes of the Republican Party.“

Yeah, you can tell they were outraged just by the way they kicked him to the curb before his tenth term even started.

Give it a rest, Bobby.

Geez, at times you just get louder and more long-winded the less you’ve really got worth saying.

Again, this is not a big deal.

You’re trying to lead a parade of outraged MnSpeak villagers carrying pitchforks and torches, but nobody here is buying it.

So let it go, mm-kay?

When someone centrally hooked up into our political system casually says “i’m not giving my name because I’m not supposed to be doing this”, and we’re so jaded by the casual breaking of an honorable code that there’s no surprise anymore,

But Grampa Bush I learned it from you!

“Geez, at times you just get louder and more long-winded the less you’ve really got worth saying.“

Yeah, I didn’t expect honor and honesty to resonate much with you. But then, that’s why it wasn’t aimed at you.

The modern republican party is a great example of honor and integrity.

*snicker*

….honor and honesty….

Again, how full of shit you are.

Honor and honesty have always been in short supply in politics. Everyone knows that. Your attempt to characterize it as a disturbing recent developement is ridiculous.

So, for once in your life, please pipe down.

The guy’s a double talking scumbag who uses his “Gee Whiz” demeanor to cover up for his shitty policies. Opportunist and dishonest, just like all the rest. He has done nothing but betray the word he gave Wellstone before he died.

I predict he has some sort of Potty incident that he is leaving to avoid having to deal with.

Good riddance, Rammer! Don’t let the door hit you on your ass on the way out.

Those of you who adore this scumbag, here’s a news flash: Santa Claus is fake as well…

I meant Black’s, but let me amend my statement to read: “fully qualified to do his job save for the required professional attention to detail.”

Missed that Ramstad just got married last year, too. Maybe he’ll be made chief lobbyist for Hazelden or something!

uh, yeah, bobby … seriously, are you saying ‘honor’ and ‘honesty’ have been a part of politics ever?

because … major LOLage there.

Typically classy Raindog response!

“seriously, are you saying ‘honor’ and ‘honesty’ have been a part of politics ever?“

This is a thread about Ramstead. From the state of Mondale and Humphrey.

So, yeah, that’s what I’m saying.

As long as we say “they’re all crooks” and accept that as the normal state of things – as long as some puerile knob can just say “everyone knows that” – we’ll get what we deserve. We’ll get smart self-serving pretty faces looking to get rich off the sheep, looking to get the public adoration, looking for their place in history, but not really looking out for us.

As long as we say “they’re all crooks” and accept that as the normal state of things – as long as some puerile knob can just say “everyone knows that” – we’ll get what we deserve. We’ll get smart self-serving pretty faces looking to get rich off the sheep, looking to get the public adoration, looking for their place in history, but not really looking out for us

That’s what we have on both sides. To think that the democrats are any better if foolish and only proves Bobby’s statement above. We are all guilty to some degree. We vote for these idiots and then are surprised when they are self serving when they get there. We all fall into the my team vs your team game and fail to look at the character of the person running.

I am a fiscal conservative and a social liberal. I interned for Jim in the campaign office during college and volunteered for him after. And I did this while voting for Clinton which made for many jokes in the office.

I have nothing but the highest respect for the man and what he has accomplished.

I wish him the best and look forward to seeing him again.

You expect anyone to get upset that Ramstad’s retirement was leaked – surely on purpose – so the media would cover it?

Get off your retarded high horse, dude.

It was not “leaked” and for those takling credit for “breaking news” are full of crap.

When the press release went out for the press conference an attachment was included titled “retire_announce”.

That gave it away.

I am a fiscal conservative and a social liberal.

just out of curiousity…does anyone ever label themselves “fiscally liberal and socially conservative”? would that be an ineffective campaign stance?

grote,

I have a lot of friends in politics and I must admit, I have never seen fiscally liberal and socially conservative.

Politics is a strange thing, maybe soon we will see someone say it.

I know there is a lot of reflexive “I have to disagree with that guy” stuff on this board. However, Bobby does have a point. (It’s on the top of his head. (sorry I couldn’t resist.))

Someone calls a press conference, because they have something to say to the people. They want compliance with the media to give their message. However, in the attempt to “scoop” some other news source, they “leak” the contents of the announcement ahead of time. Thus, we know what the news conference is about before it happens. Hence, making the actual “News Conference” a complete waste of time. It is at least anti-climactic.

And, apparently most people are fine with that state of things. (The anonymous source is usually the one informing the press what the press conference is about.)

fiscally liberal and socially conservative

Interesting thought grote – I could see some of today’s church going youth going this way.

fiscally liberal and socially conservative

The catholic church

grote, I think it would perfectly appropriate to say the current administration fits your model. They spend money faster than a drunk at a craps table, then proceed to tell you to go speak to Jesus about your gambling problem.

fiscally liberal and socially conservative

“We’ll pay you to stop being gay!”

Ramstad has a surprisingly good environmental record and has proven that care for the environment doesn’t have to be a partisan issue. Whatever his faults in other areas, on that count it’s a shame to see him go.

Ramstad has a surprisingly good environmental record and has proven that care for the environment doesn’t have to be a partisan issue.

Yeah. Since republicans have their own, private air and water supplies, they sure don’t have to be in favor of the clean air and water the rest of the people use.

maz, I’m pretty sure that if this was a talk-a-post and not a read-a-post, your comment would have been indistinguishable considering how firmly your tongue was planted within your cheek.

The vast expanse called The Middle is socially liberal and fiscally conservative. It’s the next Grea Thing if the parties could pull their collective thumbs out from their derrieres.

Sadly, care for the environment as expressed by voting records often is partisan with elected officials, which it really doesn’t need to be. If you’d like to check out the environmental record for the Minnesota delegation, you can find it at the League of Conservation voters website.

http://www.lcv.org/in-your-state/

Me no type so gud.

As long as we say “they’re all crooks” and accept that as the normal state of things – as long as some puerile knob can just say “everyone knows that” – we’ll get what we deserve.

They’re people just like us. And you know how we have to be watched.

“just out of curiousity…does anyone ever label themselves “fiscally liberal and socially conservative”? would that be an ineffective campaign stance?“

Worked for Bush.

No, wait, he forgot to tell us before the election.

“You expect anyone to get upset that Ramstad’s retirement was leaked – surely on purpose – so the media would cover it?

Get off your retarded high horse, dude.“

We should have a rating system so that people unable to do that abstract thought thing wouldn’t get themselves all worked up and could go right to the lolcats.

This sort of leaking has been going on for eons, and has been getting more and more blatant recently. It usually happens out of State or CIA. The Ramstad retirement is simply the convenient vehicle for my statement. Sometimes we speak of problems that have arisen more than just once, but if we raise the issue when one such incident is fresh in the news and then speak in terms of that incident, it has more relevance for people with short memories, and is more understandable for people who are unable to think abstractly. So, try to picture lots of Ramstads running around and all of them getting their press releases trumped, and some of the releases would be about stuff like invasions, and appointments. You could even do a little diagram, if that would help.

(Thanks, though, for the “retarded, high horse” comment. It’s useful to get clues that allow you to tailor a response to a sort of intellectual range. Or, sometimes, even just a discrete point.)

The Uptake exclusive — video of Ramstad at his retirement announcement talking about moving away from extremes on both sides of the aisle.

Chuck, that video proves my point about the vast middle. Both parties are killing themselves. And good riddance! Time for a moderate revolution…which would be kind of funny, actually.

Thanks, though, for the “retarded, high horse” comment.

You gave me the same “high horse” lecture in the case of Larry Craig. I was guilty of blue-nosing myself because I thought cruising for sex in airport bathrooms was unseemly.

Sadly, care for the environment as expressed by voting records often is partisan with elected officials, which it really doesn’t need to be.

Voting to give government more power and control over the energy industry doesn’t make you an environmentalist. It only makes you a leftist.

And good riddance! Time for a moderate revolution

Name a heroic political figure from history who was a moderate.

In politics, a hero is overrated. They walk a fine line between hero and dismal failure. Look at Newt Gingrich.

Fidel Castro is a hero to many. The Greatest Cuban Who Ever Lived.

In an environment like this — stable government, enlightented, educated population — we have little use for heroes. Push the paper, move the government, don’t rock the boat too much and we’ll survive and prosper. Iin the U.S. we’re happy to tinker around the edges.

What do want Maz, more? More of what?

bobby_b: Look at you, talking down all fancy-like!

So, do you think a U.S. Congressman would want to retire without anyone knowing about it?

If you’re saying the little game/charade of “leaking” this sort of news is silly, well I’d agree with that. But to say it’s somehow deeply immoral to let the media know they might want to get a camera down to a congressman’s retirement announcement is – yes – retarded.

Abstract thought. If you want to stop talking about this specific event and talk about a larger issue of media leaks, just say so. In an era of closed-door information control, we might never learn of domestic spying (for example) without leaks to the media. I’m almost always in favor of the public’s right to know in such cases, unless there’s a real demonstrable threat to someone’s safety.

In the U.S. we’re happy to tinker around the edges.

If you want to change course (and most politically active people do, or they wouldn’t be politically active) you’ve gotta be willing to turn the rudder.

Hillary Clinton is allegedly going to propose a mandatory participation in a government run or sponsored health insurance system. That’s not a moderate proposal. But this nation’s “moderates” will simply nod their heads and go along with the idea.

It won’t be “moderates” who oppose it, it’ll be people with principle who will be labeled as extremists.

Hillary Clinton is allegedly going to propose a mandatory participation in a government run or sponsored health insurance system. That’s not a moderate proposal.

No, it isn’t. She proposed it today. It’s for people who aren’t covered already, I believe. You can stay in the plan you have if you want to.

And it could cost her the election. But I suppose she believes in it.

I’m not certain she’ll even get the nomination.

But I suppose she believes in it.

Of course she believes in it. She believes in anything that gives the government more power and control over the people.

When governments attempt to control the health care system for the good of the people, they end up controlling the people for the good of the health care system.

Hope you all quit smoking by then. I’d hate to see you in jail alongside all the fat people.

Give me a break, Maz. You don’t hear much about “second hand eating” from health professionals, do you? As someone born with asthma and allergies, I’m glad to know the government is concerned about the health of its citizens and the dangers of second-hand smoke. So is most everyone I know.

As someone born with asthma and allergies, I’m glad to know the government is concerned about the health of its citizens and the dangers of second-hand smoke.

I’m not scared of second hand smoke. And I have allergies.

But what Maz, I think, is trying to say is: Try and get treated for illness if you’re a smoker or you are obese under a new health care regime. You might end up in the back of the line.

The jail reference is just hyperbole, as is his wont.

She believes in anything that gives the government more power and control over the people.

No. She’s a policy wonk. She believes in government, and its ability for change. You believe in something else. Can you just drop the pretense for awhile, Mr. Unpretentious?

When governments attempt to control the health care system for the good of the people, they end up controlling the people for the good of the health care system.

when maz says the same things over and over, over and over the same things says maz.

At family Christmases, I was often a victim of second hand eating…hence my propensity for spiting on my food.

You laugh. Want to see Hillary care in action? Go visit a rez. Or the veterans hospital. If the federal government is footing the bill for health care, don’t you suppose there will be rules for living so the budget doesn’t get out of hand? Don’t you think that perhaps certain behaviors will become illegal because they contribute to poor health which then costs everybody more and more tax money?

Musta caught Jason Lewis today, Maz. So did I.

I haven’t listened to jason lewis since the mid-90s. I rather listen to country music.

I should, too. Talk radio is something I listen to because I’m a sinful person.

Early Christians would beat themselves with knotted cords for the same reason.

“I should, too. Talk radio is something I listen to because I’m a sinful person.“

That’s like saying I use heroin because I’m an addictive person. Confuses cause and effect.

Talk radio is valuable if you dread forgetting exactly why those other bums should be castrated and then shot, which you didn’t ever really believe until you spent time listening to talk radio.

When my daughter broke her collar bone in Spain, we didn’t have to show proof insurance or ability to pay. They just took care of her because she is a citizen. She has always received excellent care there. And so far I haven’t noticed any Spanish fat people or smokers in jail. This country is barbaric.

When I go visit the rez, I can go into the grocery store and get $100 worth of groceries for free. Outside the rez, I have to pay for my own. This country is barbaric.

I’m not scared of second hand smoke.

That’s because, unlike Chuck, you don’t know enough about it, Rat. You two live a few blocks — and a few worlds — apart.

Maz, could you pick me up some groceries at the rez? You can say they are for my neighbor, Mrs. Whiterabbit, if questioned.

That’s right, secondhand smoke has Rat Poison in it. Saw the picture of dead rats on the side of a bus.

We have you to thank for that one, Bob?

That’s right, secondhand smoke has Rat Poison in it. Saw the picture of dead rats on the side of a bus.

We have you to thank for that one, Bob?

You can thank ClearWay Minnesota for those ads. Tobacco isn’t going to get you, Rat, because you live in a smokefree city and (very wisely) don’t smoke. So relex — I hope none of those dead rats were friends or relatives.

There will be a lot of media on this topic, soon. Look for a story from Forum Communications (which owns the Duluth, Fargo, and many other regional papers) soon. Talked to the reporter yesterday.

Sadly, care for the environment as expressed by voting records often is partisan with elected officials, which it really doesn’t need to be.
KellyF

Voting to give government more power and control over the energy industry doesn’t make you an environmentalist. It only makes you a leftist.
»» Submitted by »»» mazasapa

And voting to give the energy industry more power and control amounting to free range rights over land and air quality, price fixing and obstruction of alternatives would make one….what? an Enron lobbyist? A Friend of George? a dope?

The current energy industry can hardly be considered a free market player. Even without governmental cronies they need to be overseen – but with them, we’ve got another Teapot Dome brewing.