Secrets of the City

This should be fun.

I lived in NYC during the 2004 GOP convention, and it was actually pretty exciting to have so much anti-GOP activism. I would expect a similar experience here in 2008. It will be a significant inconvenience to people trying to go to work and get around town — because of both the convention and the protests — but a lot of it is pretty fun. I did some stuff with Billionaires for Bush, and hope they are still around in ‘08.

Also, I think this is a good choice for the GOP. MN is becoming a battleground state, and our cops are probably less likely to turn security into the fiasco that the NYPD created in ‘04 (e.g., “Guantanamo on the Hudson”). Plus, I was deeply offended that they held the ‘04 convention in NYC, trying to take political advantage of a terrorist strike on a liberal city that opposed Bush and most of his policies.

Should be interesting…

http://wcco.com/topstories/local_story_270132106.html

Wish I had your confidence in “our cops” mike s, but at least it’ll be in St Paul. The Mpls Thumpers / Gang of Blue would have to double the nightstick replacement order that month. I would think most of the “security” decisions wouldn’t be made by locals anyway.

Is Minnesota still a battleground? If Kennedy can’t get within a couple touchdowns of AmyK… Pawlenty is an exceptional politician who can tap dance away his awful policies. But, the signs are there that the jig is up and blue will rule. The Repubs can go back to be the cranky whiners who bitch and moan about government spending while enjoying the highest quality of life in the world.

this is terrorism in its own right.

Aurgh.

It shows the lengths the GOP will go to help Norm Coleman’s chances against Al Franken in 2008.

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/09/27/gopconvention/
http://www.minnesotamonitor.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=397

we’ll gladly take your money… just don’t expect us to vote for you

From ccn.com: “The last national convention in the Twin Cities was in 1892, when the GOP backed President Benjamin Harrison in an unsuccessful re-election bid.”

I guess they didn’t like it here too much the first time.

That’s exactly what they expect.

I wonder if they’ll bring their own water boards, or will we be expected to provide them?

Bring it.

I’ve never been arrested before. I think this might just be the opportunity I’ve been looking for.

This ain’t new york. The liberals in this town are either gray-haired hippies or sissies, or both.

There’s a few Indians as well.

But what about the flood of protesters comming in from everywhere? That said, since W is going to be out of the picture the protests will be much tamer in 08

This will occur right during State Fair time. Is nothing sacred to these people?

Hey! Governor Tim has a shot at being on that ticket! This could be way interesting.

This is a great opportunity to deflower a republican.

This ain’t new york. The liberals in this town are either gray-haired hippies or sissies, or both.

Say that to my face, bitch.

That’s funny. You should hear my speech about why there’s 10 reasons why NDNs don’t vote democrat. heh.

Maybe I’ll get a chance, sonny.

I’d love to hear your speech, except for the fact that Native Americans overwhelmingly vote Democratic, in some places the percentage is as high as 90 percent.

StephenE, I’m not talking about thumpers — every police force has a few of those. But the NYPD is institutionally opposed to nonviolent protests. I remember spending hours standing in pens in NYC, only to go home and find forwarded pictures of people marching down the middle of Hennepin Avenue here in Mpls. I suspect the MPD/SPPD will do a much better job of respecting protesters’ rights.

This is a great opportunity to deflower a republican

Sorry, Matt, I’m afraid both political parties lost their innocence a long time ago…as have many voters.

PS: Don’t mess with Matt, mazasapa. He may be small, but he’s wirey…

There’s a strong likelihood that the Democrats are going to select the Twin Cities as well. Technically, the Republicans have booked St. Paul, specifically the XCEL as their HQ, thus barring the Dems from using it. However, the Dems could technically still book MPLS, and Target Center, as their HQ. The national media has been pushing for the parties to utilize the same city for a long time so that they can cut their workload in half & don’t have to shift all of their resources in the 3 days in between. Having 2 distinct downtowns in close proximity will be highly advantageous, and this will be a huge boon for the downtown businesses (hotels & restaurants, esp.) during a usually dead week (State Fair & Labor Day)

I’d like to see “10 Reasons Why Hatemani is so Bitter and Conflicted”

…and as the photo above shows, he has lots of friends.

Even if the site was better when Rex was here.

And, I’ve seen him shoot. Not as good as his old man, but not bad.

As I told The Rat on this post, I’m a lousy marksman, but did discover an unlikely talent with grenades while in the Army.

We again digress from our subject, I fear. I’m sure we will greet our visitors with the charm and grace for which we Minnesotans, both native and immigrant, are known for.

mhansen: This will occur right during State Fair time. Is nothing sacred to these people?

AP story: By choosing the Twin Cities for 2008, the GOP will ensure plenty of news converge in media markets in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa

Does anyone else expect the local news media to continue to spend 90% of the nightly news documenting food on a stick and weathermen waving at rubes, with a quick “before we go” 10 second soundbite from the R’s at the X?

Sorry, Matt, I’m afraid both political parties lost their innocence a long time ago…as have many voters.

PS: Don’t mess with Matt, mazasapa. He may be small, but he’s wirey…

Wrong matt.

Anyways, I’ve been to DC. I’ve seen the interns. There’s a whole lot of deflowering left to do. Are you deflowering the innocence of youth? No, no. Probably more like the innocence of Friday. But a deflowering none the less.

What I’m sayin’ is: if you’re the patchouli type, why not knock boots with the Ann Taylor type? You might learn a thing or two about this or that.

I firmly believe there is nothing new under the sun. As such, why not endeavor to fully explore the really, really old stuff?

oh my, the demonstrations will be lovely! i hope the “yes men” show up with that gold lycra body suit of theirs. i want to watch the puppet show in the xcel on his giant wang.

Just think of all the money that the prostitutes will make!

Just think of all the money that the prostitutes will make!

Norm’s dad should be happy, the convention being in St. Paul and so close to Red’s Savoy.

Wonder who’ll show up? The state GOP candidates don’t seem to want to admit they ARE Republicans.

grote is my hero for today – how cool would a twin city, twin convention be? Too cool for words. And therefore I shall stop typing and go back to work.

I look forward to the dynamic of the event, but not the 3-days of sulfur smell I’ll have to endure.

“I think we have to go all out. I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody’s part.” Otter

Now the rumor on the wisecracker line is that the Dems were on the verge of announcing us as host of their 2008 convention, and the more Reps jumped on it first, stealing the Dem’s thunder and giving them fits. Karl Rove is cackling like a little girl right now.

Nice going Rybak! Let’s turn Minneapolis into Chicago, 1968 in which the entire world can see how violent we are in the upper midwest. This has got to be the stupidist, yet, worse idea in the history of the state. Right now, Harrod Stassen and Elmer Anderson are probably spinning in their graves over this!

Democrats in this town thinking about how they can make fools of themselves in public, republicans in this town thinking about how they can make a buck from it. heh. Because there is money to be made for the entrepreneurial types.

- I’m thinking horse-drawn carriages.
- Hillary look-alike contest, winner goes to the dunk tank
etc.

Big G,

Do you mean C. Elmer Anderson or Elmer L. Andersen?

Hey wait a minute!

I doubt we have enough transexual hookers in this town to service these repressed, twisted fuckos.

And there definitely aren’t enough strip joints in St. Paul to satisfy the Ammoral Majority.

Lock up your women and children (and young boys) the “Good Old Boys” are a comin’.

This is going to be awesome. I need VIP passes. Anyone?

“This will occur right during State Fair time.”

Two overhyped events in one week.

Come on, Rat. The State Fair and the National GOP convention aren’t new bands. Stop the James Dean “I’m over it” posing. Idiot.

I don’t know. Steve. This last go-round with the State Fair seemed to reach critical mass for hype.

How could anyone try to suck the joy out of the MN State Fair?

You truly are a spirit crushing curmudgeon Mr. Rat.

Here’s a link to the RNC Website with Info on the Convention.

Lock up your women and children (and young boys) the “Good Old Boys” are a comin’.

Well, let’s see: we managed to invite the gang summit here several years ago. That went over well like a bean’s basket. Then we had the super bowl here in 1990-1991, which nearly drove Saint Paul and it’s winter carnival events to the ground. At one point, we had the KKK doing a rally at the state captiol that nearly caused a riot of some sort a couple of years back. And now, we’re going to attact the social inbreed subhumans from the deep south in 2008 for their nazi, be-bop, hit piece rally where they can screem “sieg hell.” How lovely! Next thing you know that Minneapolis and Saint Paul would turned into Detrot, 1965, as rioting occurs.

That’s okay. I’ll be planning my vacation for a whole week in early September, just as the shit hits the fan back in town.

Next thing you know that Minneapolis and Saint Paul would turned into Detrot, 1965, as rioting occurs.

Not likely, and BTW, you are referring to Detroit Summer of 1967,

Damn you, Raindog, damn you… (now imagine an old man shaking his fist).

I’m personally very excited. This is a great opportunity to harness art and technology to expand people’s minds.

Any interested art/tech geeks (not traditional dogmatic activists, please) — I want to get a brainstorming group together. Think Bikes Against Bush.

I’ll be planning my vacation for a whole week in early September, just as the shit hits the fan back in town.

I thought the chronically unemployed were always on vacation.

I think we should lock up all the loonie lefties and other usual suspects during the convention the way you all keep your mentally defective aunt upstairs when company comes over. Afterall, the whole world will be watching and we don’t want to let on that our state nut houses are full.

I think we should lock up all the loonie lefties and other usual suspects during the convention the way you all keep your mentally defective aunt upstairs when company comes over

great idea…maybe we can give them their own reservation to live on…ass

(He wrote from the locked attic of his embarrassed nephew.)

I think we should lock up all the loonie lefties and other usual suspects during the convention the way you all keep your mentally defective aunt upstairs when company comes over. Afterall, the whole world will be watching and we don’t want to let on that our state nut houses are full.

Great plan, assuming the convention-goers don’t want any services or anything. Perhaps you have an army of robots that could operate the city while we’re away?

“Afterall, the whole world will be watching and we don’t want to let on that our state nut houses are full.”

The rest of the country already thinks we’re crazy.

I think we should put mazasapa in a dress and a wig and let the frat boys take turns with him outside of Savoy Pizza. Four wonderful GOP convention days and nights of that will prove he is truly submissive to his right-wing overlords.

A whole lot of intelligence displayed here today.

And there definitely aren’t enough strip joints in St. Paul to satisfy the Ammoral Majority

Oh, I don’t know. I covered the 96 GOP convention in San Diego, and did a story on a strip joint that had a Miss Nude Republican Convention Contest. The dancers said the business was down for the week. It was a pretty sad place, and somewhat creepy – most of the clients were sailors from the base, and the black lights made their white suits glow. You couldn’t see their faces, just the suits.

Anyone expecting hordes of angry yokel-Nazis will be disappointed; at most we’ll see a 47% increase in wierd old men with straw hats and vests covered entirely with buttons. Most of the revelry takes place at private parties held by Congressmen and Senators, and the collective hangover the day after the convention ends usually shows up on satellite weather maps.

See here for more on strippers and republicans.

we’re going to attact the social inbreed subhumans from the deep south in 2008 for their nazi, be-bop, hit piece rally where they can screem “sieg hell

I’d have to argue that democrats have a LOT more in common with the Nazis than republicans.

I can’t WAITfor the protests to start, it’ll be such an oh-so-entertaining circus show.

I’d have to argue that democrats have a LOT more in common with the Nazis than republicans.

Oh, please. All this Nazi talk is getting beyond idiotic. What the hell is the matter with you people — liberals and conservatives alike.

Godwin’s Law

“As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one”

“There is a tradition in many newsgroups and other Internet discussion forums that once such a comparison is made, the thread is finished and whoever mentioned the Nazis has automatically “lost” whatever debate was in progress. “

Score one for The Rat.

This will be insane.

I wonder if they will be using the normal Excel Staff for this thing?
I would think you could get in to see this whole thing just by applying for a job now at the X and working some shifts until next fall.

You might get to see/hear a few good concerts and Wild games in the mean time.

I’ve never been arrested before. I think this might just be the opportunity I’ve been looking for.

I agree 100% with this. I’m thinking maybe it’s my time to do a night in the pokey too.

Oh, and if they do have the DNC come to Mpls, it will prove once again why Minneapolis is better than St. Paul. “Ha ha, you guys got stuck with the lousy republicans!”

But seriously, I was in Boston for the last DNC with Kerry and that was insanity. Even in a super liberal place picking a local liberal candidate people were furious with all the shit they had to shut down for it. The commuters from the north of town were most angry because they shut down most of the transit links into town from the north because the arena it was held at was above north station where all the commuter trains on that side of town come into.

At least we don’t have a real transit system here to disrupt. Oh. ):

First of all – anyone who creates “laws” for internet discussion forums is pathetic beyond words.

No offense Rat but you trot this out EVERY TIME Nazis are mentioned and it’s getting a bit STALE.

I, for one, have changed my tune on the whole Repubs are Nazis bit. I think it waters down the attempt to demonize the GOP.

Yep. I am saying that simply calling Republicans “Nazis” is being too generous and frankly it is a moniker that far too many of them secretly welcome (is it the uniforms or the triumph of the will?).

So instead I have turned to revealing what I believe is the Conservatives’ ie “moderates” i.e “Neocons” i.e. “Reagam Democrats” i.e. “Moderate or Conservative Democrats” etc. etc inner nature and values.

Here are a few examples of what Republicans stand for.

Emjoy!

Sorry I was eating Peamut Butter!

Raindog and detester/mazasapa/trollmani are so much diametric equals that they are exactly the same. It causes magnetic distortion on my monitor’s screen.

“No offense Rat but you trot this out EVERY TIME Nazis are mentioned and it’s getting a bit STALE.”

You’re posts aren’t exactly a font of creativity, either. And they’re getting rather bizarre.

Hey Raindog66, are you going to keep linking to NAMBLA until someone mentions it? Here, I’m mentioning it now. Could you please stop doing that? Don’t think of it as “making a demand;” think of it as “attempting to appeal to your sense of decency and common courtesy.”

I’ve never been arrested before. I think this might just be the opportunity I’ve been looking for.

k.

The MORANS are coming!!!!

I live in St. Paul, just a few blocks from where the convention will actually be held. I have never been to Minneapolis but am thinking of staying over there for a few days, if I can find it.

Raindog and detester/mazasapa/trollmani are so much diametric equals that they are exactly the same.

I beg your pardon. I don’t use profanity and I don’t call people names … not even raindog. I simply provide explanations for common behavior and accurate characterizations of members of a certain political party for the benefit of those who are new to the area or ignorant in such matters.

Liberals are streetfighters, mazasapa.

And you’re a pompous shithead. Don’t leave that out Hatermani/Mestopholese.

No offense.

I am always impressed with Raindog’s erudition and eloquence.

At least she always ends with “no offense.”

Ricky: With all due respect, I didn’t realize you’d gotten experimental surgery to get your balls removed.

Terry: Just because you say “With all due respect” doesn’t mean you can say anything you want to.

Ricky: Yes it does. That’s exactly what it means. It says so.

Terry: Where?

Ricky: In the Constitution.

This means national news will be here!

Just remember the quiet ones may have the worst stuff (look at Littleton and Red Lake School Shootings). But whatever protests you are planning just be sure to make a good impression on the world (like Seattle). You guys are due for some serious international exposure.

BTW, of course I am pissed that the GOP beat the Dems to the Cities and to hold the convention in a Hockey stadium is sacrilege.