Secrets of the City

Ha! Reminds me of a large photo in the Strib, front page of sports section, above the fold, on a Monday after the Vikings beat Detroit. The hard copy is up on the office bulletin board; I wonder if it is in any Strib archives??? Game was October 14th, 2001, photo ran on the 15th.

The photo is really, really suggestive of, um, well it looks homoerotic. So incredible that of all the photos taken of the game, they ran this one.

We hide this when clients or upper management visit.

heyo!

Unfortunate? It’s priceless. I’m just glad I wasn’t drinking coffee when I opened the link.

First, the Prez got the Prize, and it was a big surprise, especially after the unprovoked bombing of the Moon this AM.

In other news, the EPA’s final report on particulate air pollution is out, and good news — all of Minnesota’s cities and counties got a passing grade. Hurrah for us.

Prizes all around.

The Rat is up for the Astronaut Hall of Fame.

@justpbob: I first read your line as “Minnesota’s cities and counties got passing gas …”

[slaps myself awake]

I wish there were prizes for low level government bureaucrats. The Noble Prize for pushing paper would be mine!

Noodleman: Preventing air pollution in Minnesota is a science, not a fart.

I’d vote for The Rat for the Astronaut Hall of Fame, but only if Don Knotts is voted in on the first ballot.

Your job is its own reward, kc! BTW, Mrs. Lungs is again doing temp work at the 1oth Distrct Court. Still looking for a perm. full time job.

I moved my cubicle two weeks ago…I’m finally getting around to actually moving the rest of my stuff (computer was moved). The over/under was six weeks on getting fully moved. Not sure if I’ll beat that or not since I’m losing my motivation after moving all my books.

If they give it posthumously to Knotts, it will only be as repudiation of the arrogant methods I used to defeat the Kobayashi Maru during my Starfleet training exercises.

Anyone else catch the Office last night, I wonder if writers/wardrobe picked dwights three wolves howling at the moon shirt or if rainn himself picked it out.

It’s amazing how quickly memes make it into TV productions these days.

It’s just that you don’t believe in the no-win scenario, Rat. I thought you demonstrated original thinking.

Well, I’m humbled, Bob.

sweet I’ve been needing phone batteries.

I’m humbled to announce that I’ve won the Nobel Prize for Wanting to be Better at Golf. Thank you.

Don’t sell yourself short, Kwatt. You’re a tremendous slouch.

@kwatt how do you measure yourself against other golfers?

You have the chance to go for the Gold in Rio, kevin. Don’t let America down!

Best headline was at Fark: Barack Obama linked to terrorist Yasser Arafat

From the WashPost: In an official statement, the Republican National Committee said: “The real question Americans are asking is, ‘What has President Obama actually accomplished?’”

You mean, besides kicking your butt, RNC?

Pretty ironic considering the most significant limitation on his accomplishments is them.

@jeffk: Yes!

Well, not really. Actually, the Republicans haven’t been able to block any of his major initiatives. He has more trouble with Blue Dog Dems in the Senate.

Where should I go to eat for lunch in the west metro…has to be friendly to gluten intolerant.

@justpbob: you lie!

Actually, the Republicans haven’t been able to block any of his major initiatives.

Not entirely true. Until Franken was sworn in — months after the beginning of the Congressional session — the Dems didn’t have a filibuster-proof majority and, thus, were reluctant to force votes knowing what the outcome might be. Had the Dems had their 60 votes, the Blue Dogs would’ve been a lot less influential IMHO.

No, really. Name one major bill/effort that has been stopped by Republicans since Obama became President. I can’t.

Another moment of Zen from Limbaugh: “They love a weakened, neutered U.S and this is their way of promoting that concept.”

Who are “they?” The Sweedes? Who knew?

I can’t wait for Michelle Bachmann’s reaction.

Even with Franken, they still don’t have 60 hard votes they can count on every time. I haven’t seen the Senate acting any more or less forcefully on Obama’s agenda since Franken was sworn in. The next big test is what comes to the Senate floor on health care, and what happens there.

@kwatt how do you measure yourself against other golfers?

Well, I played Hazeltine on Monday. Let’s just say I wouldn’t have made the cut at the PGA.

@kwatt the answer is by height…by height.

Bob, it’s like you mean Republicans get a free pass because it’s their job to be a pain in the ass or something. Forget about the Blue Dogs. There’s no reason a Republican couldn’t support what Obama’s doing with health care, for example. By not supporting him, they’re obstructing him, whether they’re a Blue Dog or a Republican.

Even with Franken, they still don’t have 60 hard votes they can count on every time.

Politicians seeks advantage where they can find it. If the Dems had had their 60 votes from the get-go, Blue Dog opposition would’ve been less likely in the momentum that followed Obama’s election. Yes, there would have been some compromising but any opposition would’ve less visible in the name of party unity. The Blue Dogs saw an opportunity to push their agenda forward when the party lacked a decisive Senate majority.

There’s no reason a Republican couldn’t support what Obama’s doing with health care, for example.

Oh, I can think of many reasons, starting with what he’s doing for health care.

@kwatt the answer is by height…by height.

Oh. Judging by the number of times I could see over the lip of a bunker at Hazeltine, I’d measure up poorly in that regard as well.

Ryanl, how west metro? There’s a coop in Mtka that must have a deli with gluten free stuff. Ditto the coop in Linden Hills. There must be other options… refresh me on what the gluten intolerant must avoid?

anything with wheat, my co-worker has celiac’s I think it’s called. We’ve been to lakewinds…not bad but the ambiance sucks. Usually we end up at a mexican joint cause he can have corn tortillas.

I expect viral panic any minute now

“Bob, it’s like you mean Republicans get a free pass because it’s their job to be a pain in the ass or something.”

That’s the role of the ‘loyal opposition’ in government. I don’t fault the Republicans for trying to block the President’s agenda, although it would be nice if they offered an alternative plan that the majority party and the President might consider signing on to. If they had, they may been able to broker a deal that included more of their ideas, in exchange for a block of assured Republican votes for the final bill.

I think that’s what Obama was hoping for. What he got was something else.

When we try to do that here, Bob, our efforts get tabled or ruled out of order. But you’re right, I’m sure Obama would be much more open-minded. He is, after all, a peace prize winner, much like Yassar Arafat.

I think he won the Prize more for what he’s Not Like than what he is like.

I should have also noted that it is the role of the majority party in government to crush the opposition without mercy, using whatever legal means at your disposal. But perhaps you are begging for mercy after defeat, much like the French.

Or “who,” Rat.

I weep for bipartisanship. How much decent legislation has never occurred because of this need to oppose whatever the other party does?

ryanl, how about Asian? There’s that Thahn Do in SLP.

Or Mort’s in Golden Valley?
http://morts-deli.com/pdf/Morts-Deli-Menu.pdf

Just realized you are probably already at lunch. And now that I’ve done food research, I’m really hungry and want Thanh Do or Mort’s.

We ended up at Biryani (chapati) in Edina pretty decent and lots of stuff with chickpea instead of flour.

That’s the role of the ‘loyal opposition’ in government.

Are you suggesting that the minority party should always try to block whatever the majority party is doing, regardless of its merits?

Oh, I can think of many reasons, starting with what he’s doing for health care.

It’s not perfect; we know what he would do if he could have his way – single payer. He can’t have his way *because* of Republicans – and corporate, moderate Democrats. What, exactly, would you like him to do?

Admit that if he could have his way he’d do single-payer, for starters.

If I could do it my way, I’d have single-payer too.

“Are you suggesting that the minority party should always try to block whatever the majority party is doing, regardless of its merits?”

No. I much prefer true bipartisanship, which both parties working in the best interests of the nation/state. However, like love, it can’t be forced on unwilling participants. At that’s where we are at.

What decent legislation has been passed with little bipartisan support? Not much. But perhaps health care will be an exception to that rule. If rank-and-file opposition to Obama doesn’t bear fruit for the GOP in 2010, then you might see a new strategy (as well as new leadership).

I do believe that in a hyperpartisan political environment, you should always start by extending an olive branch in one hand, but you have a club in the other, in case your peace offering is rejected.

kwatt, he campaigned on that. It’s no secret that’s what he thinks. And apparently nobody thought that would go anywhere. So what’s the point? How does that help?

kwatt can offer his views, but here’s mine: If Obama goes for the single-payer option only (one of the least likely options to pass Congress), his agenda — and leadership — can be said to be “failed,” even if a more modest health reform plan is signed into law. He could also be painted as “ultraliberal radical,” a tactic that didn’t work during the campaign.

On the other hand…

If Obama makes Congress do the work and shape the plan (with guidance from the White House), the final version may be one of several options, but arguably a step forward, something that hasn’t happened in 50 years. He then can call it his own, claim victory, and move on to other issues.

Right now, Obama is floating like a butterfly on this issue. If he can brush aside the critics and sign a halfway decent final bill this year, it will sting the GOP like a bee.

Butterfly leadership. How bold.

“he campaigned on that.”

Not according to Politifact:

“April 2007, a few months after he declared his candidacy for presidency, the Chicago Tribune reported, “Obama has pledged that, if elected, all Americans would have health-care coverage by the end of his first term. He has said he is reluctant to switch to a ’single-payer’ national health insurance system because of the difficulty in making a quick transition from the employer-based private system.”

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/jul/16/barack-obama/obama-statements-single-payer-have-changed-bit/

One of his most effective TV ads was the one in mid-October that alleged he opposed a government-run health care system.

None of the proposals offer a government-run health care system.

Single payer, not even universal coverage is equivalent to government-run health care.

“Butterfly leadership. How bold.”

Haven’t you ever heard of the Butterfly Effect? Perhaps you should reread Ray Bradbury’s “A Sound of Thunder.”

The lesson I take from this is that if Obama pursues his own agenda, he’s a tyrant, and if he tries to work in a bipartisan manner, he’s butterfly.

I don’t call that arguing in good faith.

“he’s butterfly”

I like that.

“Girl, that guy is butterfly.”

I love it when kwatt talks “urban.”

Not a big Keith Urban fan, Bob.

Max’s comment reminds me of Jon Stewart’s great “I think you might be confusing tyranny with losing” rant.

Both parties agree on one thing: Keith Urban sucks.

Someone in the world must love the fact that Keith Urban sucks.

I’m going to the T-Pups tonight and I was wondering…anybody here had luck bringing a DSLR Camera like a Canon Rebel into shoot the action?

The target center says they don’t allow “professional” cameras.

At this point, I don’t think the Timperwolves could afford to turn ANY fan away, ryanl.

Typo. Meant to say “Whimperwolves.”

You’d think they’d allow all cameras so people can snap photos to show their friends that the team still exists.

Hey, what’s the difference between a Republican and a lonely puppy?

A: Sooner or later, the puppy stops whinning.

Hey, what’s the difference between me and Bob?

A: Mrs. Lungs.

eh-oh!

Point taken that during the campaign he let this slide. It was something he was outspoken about a year or two before the campaign. But the statement “He has said he is reluctant to switch to a ’single-payer’ national health insurance system because of the difficulty in making a quick transition from the employer-based private system.” reads to me like he *wants* single-payer – as he openly did a few years ago – but simply finds the possibility unfeasible. In any case, I don’t think there’s much question as to what Obama would do if he knew congress would be fully cooperative. And I still don’t see why it matters that he won’t “admit” this. And I still haven’t seen one suggestion on how the issue should actually be handled from a conservative in the last six months.

kwatt: Heh! Going to a real Minnesota wedding today — a coworker is getting married. The dinner/reception is at the Dellwood Hills Golf Course. When they went up there to check it out, another wedding reception was just wrapping up — for Jesse Ventura’s daughter (Jade?).