Pages

Friday, July 30, 2010

Deputy confiscates woman's cell phone

Delaware County sergeant suspected device could be gun

Thursday, July 29, 2010  09:50 PM
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg60/mrmorgan_chs/BarneyFife2.jpgWhen a deputy sheriff began questioning Melissa Greenfield's boyfriend at a Delaware County truck stop, she began recording video with her cell phone.

She never thought that she, or her phone, could be viewed as a danger while she documented the activities of public employees in a public place.

"I'm a 115-pound, 20-year-old girl wearing a cervical collar with nothing but a cell phone. I was not going to harm any officer," Greenfield said today.

However, a sheriff's sergeant saw the situation differently after Greenfield announced she was recording video "for legal purposes and our own safety."

Sgt. Jonathan Burke wrote that he repeatedly ordered Greenfield to place the "unknown" object in her pocket and keep her hands free. When Greenfield refused, she was arrested and charged with obstructing official business and resisting arrest.

Burke wrote in his report that he feared that Greenfield could have been holding a dangerous object such as a "cell-phone gun..."



After Greenfield got her phone back, she said the video she took of the deputies at the Flying J truck stop at I-71 and Rt. 37 on July 9 had been deleted, along with a couple of vacation videos.

Deputies did not delete any video, Davis said. A warrant would have been required to search the phone, and one was not obtained, he said...

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Build That Turtle Fence

Real Housewives of Minnesota

Episode 1 (Pilot) Synopsis:

Our Housewives are: Helen, Laura, Jan, Nikki and Emily.

Our housewives are virtually indistinquishable because they are real, right? And, implants, botox, lipo, daily nail appointments and skin tight clothes are alian concepts here; this is real!

Each of the housewives on a lark walks into Bloomingdales at the Mall (as I was writing this synopsis it occured to me that we have no real, large, local retailers left-is Herbergers even based in Minnesota anymore?)takes one look at the first price tag on a random item in the Women's Department, laughs uproariously, shakes head and runs straight to SuperTarget.

The ladies, who all know each other (of course), try to schedule a lunch but it doesn't happen because between kids, husband, work, pets, in-laws, life and other events they can never agree on a time or date that works for everyone. Because they can not include everyone, they just don't meet for lunch-ever.

When they talk they are always on their cell phones in the minivan as their kids scream in the background; except for Emily who the other gals secretly hate because she is single (divorced) no children.

Nikki thinks Helen's husband is hot. She doesn't say so but we see her drooling on camera, either that or the surgery didn't work.

All the housewives are pretty similar and this show is so boring that it was not picked up-even Oxygen laughed it out the screening room.

Study says Amish expanding westward



HARRISBURG, Pa. — The search by the booming North American population of Amish for affordable, fertile farmland has produced settlements in 28 states and Ontario — and has even led parties to scout recently for suitable properties in Alaska and Mexico.

A new study estimates the number of Amish has increased nearly 10 percent in the past two years alone, to a total population of 249,000, compared with about 227,000 in 2008. That figure was just 124,000 in 1992. Nearly all Amish descended from a group of about 5,000 in the early 20th century...

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Paging Pope Joan, Pick up line 1



The Catholic Coalition for Church Reform's

Synod of the Baptized

Claiming Our Place at the Table

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Ramada Plaza Hotel, Minneapolis, MN



Coalition Members

ARCC Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church
...seeks to institutionalize a collegial understanding of Church in which decision-making is shared and accountability is realized among Catholics of every kind and condition

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Call to Action – Minnesota
...has a mission to champion the fullness of baptism, advance the renewal of the Church, affirm diversity, promote inclusion, and encourage service in the Spirit of Christ.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CPCSM Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities
...is a grassroots, self-supporting, and independent coalition dedicated to promoting ministry to, with, and on behalf of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CORPUS
...is a faith community affirming an inclusive priesthoold rooted in a reformed and renewed church.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dignity Twin Cities
...is a small Christian community that provides a spiritual base for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Catholics, their families and friends.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minnesota St Joan’s Community
...has for 30 years initiated activites to promote women's ordination and women's equality in church and society.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PVC The Progressive Catholic Voice
...is a grassroots forum for reflection, dialogue, and the exchange of ideas within the Catholic community of Minnesota and beyond.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RCWPriests Roman Catholic Women Priests
...offers a renewed model of priestly ministry in serving the sacramental needs of the People of God. RCWP is an international initiative with Minnesota members.

In the Year 2000...




Related:
Seminarians in the Third Millennium

Hump day haiku



Are we there yet?

Vatican's dress code
Says wear appropriate clothes
Check out the Swiss Guard



Ode to St. Bernard's

Soon-to-be August
State Fair around the corner
No more Bulldog lounge

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Animal Warfare: Could the Taliban Train Monkeys to Shoot?

http://www.foxnews.com/static/managed/img/Scitech/monkey_397x224.jpg

(Fox News) A bizarre report of Taliban insurgents training monkeys and baboons to shoot at U.S. and NATO soldiers in Afghanistan seems unrealistic at best, according to an expert.

The story that appeared this month in the Chinese People's Daily suggested that insurgents used a reward-and-punishment system to train macaques and baboons to target soldiers wearing U.S. military uniforms. The Taliban supposedly "taught monkeys how to use the Kalashnikov, Bren light machine gun and trench mortars," the People's Daily wrote. [Top 10 Animal Recruits of War]...

Seminarians in the Third Millennium


h/t to Fr. Z.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

We are family





BTW: They did have a cat category if Cathy was interested in submitting her photos, unless they are already there.
"Gosh, doesn't everyone bring their statues of The Virgin with them to the beach?" - Cathy of Alex

Sopranos Sunday Dinner

In his Homily today, our pastor mentioned he was heading to his Mom's family's house for Sunday dinner. Oh! In my family when we have extended family dinners we set it up buffet style; partly for practicality, partly to avoid explosions. When you are all looking at one another, here come the accusations, the memories everyone wants to forget, etc. Culminating in someone stomping out after vowing they are never coming back!!!!

Who hasn't had family Sunday dinners like this?

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Biker Putin roars into Ukraine rally on a Harley


SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine, July 24, 2010 (AFP) - Leaving a cloud of dust in his wake, a black-clad Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin roared into a rally in Ukraine on a Harley Davidson and hailed bikes as a "symbol of freedom".

Putin drove into the rally of bikers on the southern Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea astride a gigantic three-wheeled Lehman trike conversion Harley Davidson motorbike, wearing dark glasses and waving his black gloved hands.

The Russian prime minister is on a one-day trip to the south of Ukraine for talks with President Viktor Yanukovych but rarely misses any chance to burnish his hard man image.

"I greet you brothers!" he told the gathering of some 7,000 bikers after dismounting and taking to the stage for a speech.

The motorbike is the "the most democratic means of transport," declaimed Putin, who has been repeatedly criticised by activists for doing little to help political democracy in Russia.

"It’s the boldest, the quickest transport and gives the biker the sweet feeling of freedom," said Putin.


http://laist.com/attachments/la_zach/obama_rides_bicycle.jpg

Convicts escape jail guarded by mannequin

Two convicted armed robbers escaped from an Argentine prison that was so understaffed that it was using a dummy dressed as a guard.

"For an obvious strategic reason we could not say it before, but now the news is out, I admit that we have a type of mannequin," director of penitentiary service Daniel Verges told Britain's Guardian newspaper...

Friday, July 23, 2010

Today He Settled All Church Business


Father Zuhlsdorf had an interesting live phone discussion with Father Keyes in "Z-Chat" last night.

Then Snup mentioned Bishop Cordileone, and one thing led to another...

"Fr. Kung, you're a brother priest, and I love you. But don't ever take sides with anyone against the family again. Ever."
"Now listen: I want somebody good -- and I mean very good -- to plant that '62 missal. I don't want Father coming out of that sacristy with just his biretta in his hands, alright?"
"But I'm a superstitious man. And if some unlucky accident should occur during Mass - If we hear On Eagle's Wings, Sing a New Church, or any songs from Glory and Praise, then I'm going to blame some of the people in this room, and that I do not forgive. But, that aside, let me say that I swear, on the The Spirit of Vatican II, that I will not be the one to break the peace we've made here today."







Rocky J. Squirrel Rest in Peace.

http://www.noeviltwin.com/images/squirrel.jpgVincenzo sent me a note the other day all in a tizzy.

It read:

"A squirrel followed me today. I think it was looking for food. I've never seen anything like it. I thought it was going to attack me"

It's a fact that Vin carries food with him nearly everywhere he goes. It's a fact that he loves to eat. It's weird that he even worried about this little squirrel.

Anyone or any critter jumping Vin for food is going to be taken out. Period.

Words to live by.

This public service announcement has been brought to you by: Cathy of Alex

Patron saints

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Man Disguised as 'Darth Vader' Robs Bank



SETAUKET, N.Y. (WPIX) - Be on the lookout for Darth Vader, with a gun.

That's what police in Long Island are saying after a man robbed a Setauket bank Thursday morning dressed as the Star Wars character.

While the suspect did wear a full Vader helmet and mask for his 11:30 a.m. hit, the rest of his costume was off the mark. Investigators report he was sporting a blue cape and camouflage pants.


The man, who's described as 6 feet, 2 inches tall, was last seen fleeing through a nearby parking lot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The Star Wars-themed bank job is the latest in a series of odd robberies in the New York area.

On Monday, New York City police arrested a man who robbed a bank with a bouquet of flowers in hand. And investigators are still searching for a woman who's recently robbed retail stores while wearing a cat mask.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Hump day haiku




Dancing with the Stars
How I miss your mindless goo
Just wish you wore clothes

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Orans posture
Done at Mass by laity
Confuses my kids

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And, something along the lines of Burma Shave

Catholic stores cost a bit more
While Amazon and others can work on the cheap
Feed your brains, buy some books
And help them a meager profit reap
LOOME BOOKSELLERS

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Lights Out!

A true story...settle in kids!

Last Saturday it was a dark and stormy night: gale force winds, tornado warnings, sirens going off, rain, thunder, lightning, wall to wall weather coverage, I was in my basement with my severe weather gear and my cats. You know just another humid summer night in Minnesota!

Anyway, Bede emailed me on the day after (Sunday) to say her big suburban Catholic parish had no power at the first Mass! Lights out!

"Gosh, Bede, were the liturgical dancers unable to go on?" (mock concern)
"Now, Cathy, you know we only have liturgical dance at certain times of the year! In any event, if they'd been scheduled, they are professionals and I'm sure they would've still interpreted the Scriptures! Rather than long flowing scarves, they would've carried flashlights or lanterns!"

Thus, came to a disappointing end my brief moment of happiness wherein I lived in a world where I recommended turning the lights out at parishes to stop people who couldn't make dance line in high school from doing Tai Chi and Yoga poses as The Word is proclaimed.

Oh, well, back to the circuit, er, drawing board!

The End.

You Are a Strawberry Cheesecake

http://www.keeyool.com/carnegie_deli_06.jpg

You are a true original, in every sense of the word. You are crafty and creative.

You really get into your own projects - so much so that you lose track of everything else and get totally focused.

Of all the types, you are the most likely to make a cheesecake completely from scratch.

You tend to be a little flaky and not very punctual. You are easily distracted.

Truck Accident That Killed Rafters in Canyon Sparks Truck-Canyon-Rafter Reform Debate

New Technology has Creators Floating On Air

July 19, 2010 - 11:32 AM | by: Anita Vogel

What's faster than a speeding bullet, doesn't require a cape and isn't deterred by kryptonite?


It's called the X-51 Waverider...and is the latest creation of Boeing and Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne. This past May it completed the longest hypersonic combustion (scramjet) powered flight in aviation history, reaching a speed of about Mach five, or five times the speed of sound.

A scramjet engine is often likened to an air-breathing engine...it has no moving parts, and sucks in air from the atmosphere, rather than using oxidizers or additional fuel.

It is new technology engineers say will allow aircraft to fly faster and farther while using less overall fuel.

Officials from Boeing and Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne say the future applications are beyond exciting.

 They range from high speed military operations, commercial flights and improved access to space.  Engineers envision cross-country flights from Los Angeles to New York in a mere 45 minutes, and eventually an easier, cheaper and faster method of carrying payloads to and from the space station...

Monday, July 19, 2010

Mexico arrests man with 18 titi monkeys around his waist

By Julian Miglierini
BBC News, Mexico

One of the 18 titi monkeys recovered by Mexican customs The monkeys were rolled up in socks and slung on a belt
Mexican authorities have arrested a man who was trying to smuggle 18 small monkeys into the country by carrying them in his clothing.

Roberto Sol Cabrera, a Mexican citizen, was stopped at a random check at Mexico City's international airport last Friday after arriving from Lima.

In a statement, police said Mr Cabrera Zavaleta had been behaving "nervously".

Once he was searched, it was discovered that he had hidden 18 titi monkeys in a girdle around his waist.

Mr Sol Cabrera later confessed that the animals had travelled in his luggage, and that he had put them under his clothing "to protect them from X-rays" as he was going through customs.

The animals had been put into socks, police explained, and two of them were dead at the time of confiscation.

Many species of titi monkeys, a species from South America, are in an endangered animal list by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites).

The Mexican government recently restricted imports of primates and since Mr Sol Cabrera did not have any permits, he will remain in custody while more investigations take place...

Sunday, July 18, 2010

More Imponderables



Why do clocks run clockwise?
Why do doughnuts have holes?
Why do kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Cathy TV

If Kourtney and Khloe and that former Playboy bunny can have their own TV shows I should have one too! Heck, if LBJ (Lebron James to those who have no idea there was an earlier and more influential man with those initials) can have a prime time show devoted to watching him make a decision, why can't I?

Because no one but me and a few people care about Ms. Cathy of Alex, that's why? Or, do they? What's the point of blogging, then? Do a few followers on your blog make a future reality show make?

Honestly, how many truly cared about Lebron's decision? Be honest. Hardly anybody. It wasn't the decision that mattered, it wasn't even the man that mattered, it was the cultural event that mattered. You had to be there for the crazy. If your local bar was having every TV tuned to watch, gosh, maybe I better be there! If they talk about it at work tomorrow, I better be able to weigh in.

I find it interesting that people agonize and worry about being able to offer an opinion on stuff like this but have no qualms about looking like a complete dope when asked a question like "What do you think of Kagan's qualifications to be on the High Court?" Huh? Who? Is the American Airlines Arena now the High Court?

So, if I had a reality TV show and anyone cared or was afraid of looking like an idiot if they couldn't talk about what I did today, here would be today's episode:

7:00 a.m.: Wake up slightly and say "nah"
8:45 a.m.: Wake up, pet my cats who are sleeping with me, stagger into the bathroom for my morning ablutions, turn my laptop and cell phone on
9:00 a.m.: Decide it's going to be cooler today and open windows, shut A/C off, get the paper out of the bin near the front door (yes, I subscribe to the daily PRINT paper-sue me), put food and fresh water out for the cats
9:10 a.m.: Get clean laundry from the basement, dump it on my bed to be put away later
9:15 a.m.: Check emails and FB, my Twitter feed says Father Z is in town-hmmmmm, Call Vincenzo who is bouncing off the walls having consumed 2 POTS of coffee in 5 hours or some amentior thing like that!
9:20 a.m.: Figure out what to wear for Mass
9:23-9:40 a.m. Dress and comb out my mane brush the fangs and put some makeup on, God only gave me so much to work with so I do what I can
9:40-10:40 a.m. Honestly, I have no idea what the heck I really did. I puttered around. I'm a notorious putterer. I'm not kidding. I think I brushed my cats
10:40 a.m. Headed to Mass
11:00 a.m. Mass started
11:10 a.m. Suddenly felt I needed to go to Confession. The Confessional was still open as there were two priests and one was in the Confessional while the other celebrated Mass! Came out Praising God!
11:10 a.m-11:45 a.m. Rest of Mass. Father Z says a fast Mass. I'm not kidding. I looked at my watch and was surprised it wasn't noon yet. LOL
11:45 a.m. Chat with the always gracious and charming (well, to me anyway-lol) Father Z after Mass
11:50-12:05 Head home, note the cops have pulled a cab over near Marion and Rice- about time they crack down on those cab fares!!!!!
12:05-12:20: Get out of the church clothes and go slob
12:20-1:10: Get coffee going, bacon frying, hashbrowns cooked. Update my Twitter feed, check FB, read paper, eat breakfast, drink coffee, read Vincenzo's email and other blog comments sent to my email
1:15: Fold and put away those clothes I dumped out on my bed
1:25: Pet cats as they are busy dozing
1:25-2:10: Plan to blog rest of day and came up with this lame post and wrote it.

Does This Look Like a Meatball Pizza?

It is according to Snup:

Lunch by tfanetti.

It looks more like a McDonald's Apple Pie to me:

Total Eclipse of the Heart - Literal Version

Friday, July 16, 2010

Obama Bumper Sticker Removal Kit

Grease Megamix


July 16, 1969
9:32am EDT -
Ignition view from the launch tower.
“Lift-off. ..we have lift-off, lift-off on Apollo 11!” cries Jack King from the launch control center. Fire and smoke have erupted from the bottom of the launch pad as the countdown reaches zero. Columns of flame rise on either side of the Saturn V. At the press and V.I.P. viewings sites, the spectacle unfolds in silence. From three miles away sound waves have not yet reached the viewers. But on television and radio microphones capture the thundering sound of the liquid engines as they roar to full thrust- 7.5 million pounds unleashed.
Now, slowly and majestically Saturn V rises into the air above the pad, with the great five F-1 rocket engines steering the booster away from the launch tower to avoid a collision. It is the heaviest and biggest object ever to leave the Earth, and it does so now riding a tail of flame 1,000 feet long. As the bottom of the F-1 engines clear the top of the hammerhead crane on the tower, the call goes out “tower clear!” Control of the mission now passes seamlessly to the Manned Space Center in Houston, Texas.
Inside Columbia Neil Armstrong follows the rocket’s progress carefully. He would later report that the Saturn was a series of vibrations rather than loud noise-with the great booster steering itself into the sky in a series of small, jerky movements. For the first 450 feet of the flight the rocket was vertical. Then it pitches over into a tilt and roll program to line up the rocket’s center of mass with the thrusting engines. The guidance computer inside the Instrument Unit holds Saturn in a tilt arrest profile for the remainder of the first stage’s burn. The computer is compensating for the wind conditions average for late July.
Heading skyward to make the journey from the Earth to the Moon.
From the observation stands the sound now hits the viewers. It is rolling, rhythmic sound that rattles pocket change and makes speech difficult. The crowd is on its feet now cheering, and all along the beaches millions roar their approval-Go! At one minute five seconds into the flight Saturn V hits the Sound Barrier and goes supersonic- from zero to 760 MPH in 65 seconds.
Stage one fires perfectly and drops away, followed some six minutes later by stage two. Stage three fires briefly to insert the rocket unit and the two spacecraft into a parking Earth orbit. At cut-off, it has been just over 11 minutes since lift-off.

12:02pm EDT -After a two hour and twenty-one minute checkout in orbit, the third stage fires up for about six more minutes. Apollo 11 becomes the third manned craft to leave Earth orbit.

12:52pm EDT -After the engine shuts down, Mike Collins takes control of Columbia. Explosive bolts detonate and four panels holding the Command and Service Modules to the top of the third stage fall away. Using his hand controls, Collins fires thrusters around the side of the Service Module, and Columbia moves out and away from the rocket, then turns around and doubles back. A probe in the nose of Columbia links with a receptacle atop the Lunar Module Eagle, nestled inside of the third stage rocket.
When latched together, Collins slowly pulls Eagle free of the now-spent rocket and the docked Apollo 11 spacecraft begin their three day voyage to the Moon. It has been four and a half hours now since lift-off.

LINK

Deep Thoughts With Belinda

 https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rqVjipr3eKizWAJqZAd6yIjIvgR1DBzeGSj5riwCiEHcK6GZ2uyeNJnSeGXFaD740_7FqZqOUlgY8ZDAa7nQJ37npXIqAdz0hgvXeacAjx2ZxgOYPzvXXn1BwS3i3YjYzHcWoqj15WE/s1600/belindasteampunk.jpg
"I saw a very large young man wearing glasses and jean shorts down to his knees which nearly touched the top of his tube socks strolling through the lingerie department with his sister, mother girlfriend, wife or significant other and all the while looking at bras and  making suggestions about style, comfort, and fit. He made himself at home and commented about everything she looked at as she  asked for his opinion  repeatedly. (Which in MY opinion wasn't worth squat.) Naturally I wanted to hurl right then and there but not wanting to cause a scene I simply gave him the death stare, and my personal favorite- The "WTH" is your problem", stare.
*****
I don't ever want to see  men in the ladies department. I don't care if your with your wife, grandmother or best buddy. You don't belong there and what would you know about comfort and fit? If you want to buy these things for you wife order it on line.  Now if your ordering online for yourself, your brother in law, your mom or even for your girlfriend then I still have a problem with you but then that would  be an entirely  different post.."

A Mystery Over China

by Mike Krumboltz

On July 7, something unusual happened near the Xiaoshan Airport in Hangzhou, China. An oddly shaped bright light appeared, forcing the airport to close down and delay 18 flights. Things are now back to normal, but people are wondering, what was that "thing"?

An ABC News article on the mysterious sighting explains that some who witnessed the light are calling it a UFO. But, keep in mind, a UFO doesn't necessarily mean little, green men.

There is plenty of speculation on whether or not the object was some sort of military aircraft or missile. The ABC article explains that a day following the sighting, "an anonymous source told China Daily that authorities already discovered the identity of the UFO after an investigation but could not publically disclose the information because 'there was a military connection.'"

Authorities are continuing to look into the incident, but no public conclusions have yet been made. Despite, or perhaps because of the mystery, Web searches on "china ufo" quickly soared 576%. Related queries on "china ufo video 2010," "china ufo sightings," and "hangzou china ufo" also posted triple digit gains. Even now, a week after the sighting, online lookups remain high.

Truth be told, there's not much left to be said. Something weird happened. Nobody knows what it was. And if they do, they aren't saying. Check out the video below and judge for yourself.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs017.ash2/34231_1517979392496_1324837194_31421085_8204744_n.jpg

h/t Swissmiss

Mugabe threatens to flood the world with diamonds


Robert Mugabe has threatened to flood the world's diamond markets - despite being slapped down by the world's diamond control body...

'No one should doubt our resolve to sell our diamonds,' Mr Mugabe told politicians at the ceremonial opening of the Parliament in Harare...

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Hump day haiku



Appropriate Pizza Toppings

Blatty knew the score
devil really does exist
not because of 'shrooms

"Conference on Exorcism Will Make Your Head Spin" - National Catholic Reporter's Richard McBrien



By Richard McBrien

"Many years ago, when the National Catholic Reporter was a young newspaper, it ran a feature in the left-hand column of Page 1 that highlighted embarrassingly dumb items that had recently appeared in parish bulletins and other ecclesiastical documents.

If that feature were still active, I would have an entry to submit.

In a letter dated May 18 of this year and addressed to "Eminences" and "Excellencies" of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Thomas Paprocki, self-described as "Bishop Designate of Springfield in Illinois," announced that the bishops' Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance, of which Paprocki is chairman, is sponsoring a special Conference on the Liturgical and Pastoral Practice of Exorcism, to be held in Baltimore in early November, just before the bishops' semiannual meeting.

Those with a deep interest in Catholic issues will recognize immediately how pertinent and even urgent this conference will be, given the present state of the church and the world, what with the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the tragic oil spill and loss of 11 lives in the Gulf of Mexico...."

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

The reason I moved back to Minnesota...


You have to love a State where standing in line at your local polling place means you can have discussions with folks about what kind of detergent works best with orange jump suits. And if they prefer their candidate in feather boas or diapers.

From FOXNews
Felons Voting Illegally May Have Put Franken Over the Top in Minnesota


The six-month election recount that turned former "Saturday Night Live" comedian Al Franken into a U.S. senator may have been decided by convicted felons who voted illegally in Minnesota's Twin Cities.

That's the finding of an 18-month study conducted by Minnesota Majority, a conservative watchdog group, which found that at least 341 convicted felons in largely Democratic Minneapolis-St. Paul voted illegally in the 2008 Senate race between Franken, a Democrat, and his Republican opponent, then-incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman.

The final recount vote in the race, determined six months after Election Day, showed Franken beat Coleman by 312 votes -- fewer votes than the number of felons whose illegal ballots were counted, according to Minnesota Majority's newly released study, which matched publicly available conviction lists with voting records.

Furthermore, the report charges that efforts to get state and federal authorities to act on its findings have been "stonewalled."

"We aren't trying to change the result of the last election. That legally can't be done," said Dan McGrath, Minnesota Majority's executive director. "We are just trying to make sure the integrity of the next election isn't compromised."


MORE

Mushroom Facts

For Vincenzo, well-known fungi fan!