With only three days before the election, it's amazing that the whirlwind of events doesn't just blow us over sometimes.
The newsroom becomes a busy place: candidates roll in every other day; letters flood the editor's desk, with the writers calling and anxious that their letter get in.
In my experience, this year ranks much higher for the amount of voter interest than other mid-term elections. Voters are stressed, angry, confused and in some cases voraciously defending their favorite pols in a year when all seem at risk for losing their jobs.
I was honored and fortunate to be in the middle of it at times while I hosted two debates through Debate Minnesota, an organization I have volunteered for now for three elections. Debate Minnesota is a nonpartisan group dedicated to rigorous but fair and civil discussion of the issues of the day.
They require orderly crowds as well and one of my jobs was to be the "no clapping" policeman.
I hosted with Pete Steiner of KTOE the 1st Congressional District Debate between Tim Walz, Randy Demmer and Steven Wilson. I also hosted the Minnesota gubernatorial debate at MSU with longtime St. Paul Pioneer Press political reporter Bill Salisbury.
I enjoyed doing both debates and take my hat off to all the candidates. It never ceases to amaze me the time and commitment these candidates put into their races. They take time away from their jobs, their families and their life in general to put themselves out there with their ideas, often unfairly attacked by their opponents.
It's a wonder we have anyone willing to run at all.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Editor talks sports, Vikes, Twins, therapy
Four words and a mathematical equation
Randy Moss = Vikings Superbowl
How's that for brevity? Exciting to see the length the Wilfs are willing to go to make the Vikings real contenders. Realistically, in the last 12 years, the Vikings should've won two Superbowls, one in 1998 and one last year. But who's holding on to old disappointments?
With Moss back, it may or may not happen. (How's that for a Vikings fan employing the tools of disappointment therapy?). But it sure could happen, and the season just got worth watching every game again. Typically, when the Vikings appear to be underachieving, I'll not watch the games they definitely should win.
It's my defense mechanism. But, now with Moss, I'll be suckered back into the purple haze, rain, -- to mix a Hendrix and Prince metaphor.
Twins and Yankees: I don't want to watch, but I will
I'm tempted not to watch the Twins and the Yankees. The Yankees and Jeter are the most ignorant people in the world. How are they ignorant? They're too ignorant to ever doubt their ability to win in any way, in any situation against any opponent. Of yeah, they're arrogant too.
The Twins have seemed lackluster at best in the last what is it? eight games? Talk about playing to their competition.
Gardenhire hasn't dealt with this kind of letdown before psychologically. So he's in new territory as a manager to figure out the psychology of the team and work with it. Without Morneau and Nathan, the odds are stacked even higher against us. Matt Capps is no Joe Nathan. I hope to be proven wrong.
But again, the Yankees are ignorant and arrogant.
Randy Moss = Vikings Superbowl
How's that for brevity? Exciting to see the length the Wilfs are willing to go to make the Vikings real contenders. Realistically, in the last 12 years, the Vikings should've won two Superbowls, one in 1998 and one last year. But who's holding on to old disappointments?
With Moss back, it may or may not happen. (How's that for a Vikings fan employing the tools of disappointment therapy?). But it sure could happen, and the season just got worth watching every game again. Typically, when the Vikings appear to be underachieving, I'll not watch the games they definitely should win.
It's my defense mechanism. But, now with Moss, I'll be suckered back into the purple haze, rain, -- to mix a Hendrix and Prince metaphor.
Twins and Yankees: I don't want to watch, but I will
I'm tempted not to watch the Twins and the Yankees. The Yankees and Jeter are the most ignorant people in the world. How are they ignorant? They're too ignorant to ever doubt their ability to win in any way, in any situation against any opponent. Of yeah, they're arrogant too.
The Twins have seemed lackluster at best in the last what is it? eight games? Talk about playing to their competition.
Gardenhire hasn't dealt with this kind of letdown before psychologically. So he's in new territory as a manager to figure out the psychology of the team and work with it. Without Morneau and Nathan, the odds are stacked even higher against us. Matt Capps is no Joe Nathan. I hope to be proven wrong.
But again, the Yankees are ignorant and arrogant.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Mankato economy: some surprises
Mankato's economic indicators for this month are offering some surprises to the positive side.
Twelve indicators are up and five are down, according to the data provided in Free Press Media's Minnesota Valley Business magazine, a business magazine that's a must for anyone who is in business. (You can get on the list for free if your are a business owner or you can subscribe for $19.95 per year. Call 625-4451 to subscribe or e-mail to readerservice@mankatofreepress.com).
But the most positive signs appear in the area of jobs. The Mankato/North Mankato metropolitan statistical area has about 1,000 more jobs than a year ago through August. The number of jobs is 54,350. But what's interesting looking at the historical data, we hit 55,343 jobs in April of this year, the highest level going all the way back to 2001.
Other indicators that are positive: initial claims for unemployment down 50 percent in nine county region from a year ago; The number of people looking for jobs is down by about 500 for the same place and time; unemployment rates for nine counties are all down; residential building permits in Mankato and North Mankato are up over last year comparing August, and prices for corn, soybeans, hogs and milk are up; vehicle sales and general sales are up in Mankato, compared to a year ago May.
Still, the economic impact of the state balancing a $6 billion deficit is likely to his the Mankato region more so than other places. In 2009, 10 percent of all wages paid in Blue Earth County came from state government. In Nicollet County, 17 percent of all wages came from state government jobs.
Twelve indicators are up and five are down, according to the data provided in Free Press Media's Minnesota Valley Business magazine, a business magazine that's a must for anyone who is in business. (You can get on the list for free if your are a business owner or you can subscribe for $19.95 per year. Call 625-4451 to subscribe or e-mail to readerservice@mankatofreepress.com).
But the most positive signs appear in the area of jobs. The Mankato/North Mankato metropolitan statistical area has about 1,000 more jobs than a year ago through August. The number of jobs is 54,350. But what's interesting looking at the historical data, we hit 55,343 jobs in April of this year, the highest level going all the way back to 2001.
Other indicators that are positive: initial claims for unemployment down 50 percent in nine county region from a year ago; The number of people looking for jobs is down by about 500 for the same place and time; unemployment rates for nine counties are all down; residential building permits in Mankato and North Mankato are up over last year comparing August, and prices for corn, soybeans, hogs and milk are up; vehicle sales and general sales are up in Mankato, compared to a year ago May.
Still, the economic impact of the state balancing a $6 billion deficit is likely to his the Mankato region more so than other places. In 2009, 10 percent of all wages paid in Blue Earth County came from state government. In Nicollet County, 17 percent of all wages came from state government jobs.
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