There's a solid analysis by MinnPost reporter Jay Weiner on the current gubernatorial recount effort and the Republican lawsuit.
Weiner of course wrote award-winning stories on the Coleman-Franken recount and now has a book out about it called "This is not Florida."
His piece in MinnPost is a solid and enlightening analysis by a journalist who had in-depth knowledge of this issue and the complicated legal proceedings that can surround it. You'll get a feel for the likelihood of success for the GOP court challenge.
He also talks to Blue Earth County's own Patty O'Connor, longtime elections director and on the board of the statewide election officials organization. She provides some interesting insights on his own.
He also provides lots of links to past rulings, current court statements and basically everything you need to understand and get up to speed on this issue.
What I like about Weiner's journalism is that he digs deep into places others don't even know about -- Minnesota administrative rules on elections, for example.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Cal Thomas agrees with me, and other thoughts
Free Press conservative columnist and Foxnews contributor Cal Thomas agrees with me on a number of things.
He writes in his column in Thursday's Free Press that "Individuals who make wise decisions, care for themselves and refuse Social Security and Medicare (which should be means tested), should get tax breaks."
I'm all for the tax breaks for people who can show they won't be a burden on government, but more than that, I'm all for making Social Security and Medicare means tested. Bill Gates shouldn't be eligible. Nor should Warren Buffet, who actually probably wouldn't mind, but as long as these folks have a free gift handed to them, why wouldn't they take it.
Actually, Social Security is kind of means tested now, those who mean to retire 30 years from won't get it, or will get much less than anyone who's getting it now. But, it is basically a welfare program, so if we're trying to provide things to people who need them, let's make it dependent on income.
The flip side of the tax breaks for people who take care of themselves, it a reduction in tax breaks for corporations that cost us more money. Thomas agrees with me on this too, as he has endorsed the federal spending cuts and reduction of tax breaks advocated by the Heritage Foundation.
Of course, Cal doesn't have to run for office, so he can go around saying things like that. I've not heard it from anyone who has a real stake in the game, but we'll be watching closely the new powers that be in Washington.
Bush popularity likely rising
Today's Free Press editorial gives due respect to President George W. Bush for the tales in his recent book, and his willingness to accept responsibility and talk plainly about some of the mistakes and successes of his presidency.
I watched NBC's Matt Lauer interview W. and will say it's the most impressed I've ever been with the former president, mainly because he acknowledged his mistakes, and took full out responsibility for the bank bailouts saying anyone who believes Obama started the TARP program is dead wrong.
He said he believes in free market principles, but when experts told him the banking system could collapse and create a depression, he believed them and did what he believes was the right thing by authorizing TARP.
That action is the essence of what we should expect our presidents to do. It's sometimes lost on the angry crowd of "low information voters." (I like that term).
He also showed great respect for the presidency by refraining from criticizing Obama. I think he knows Obama is doing a pretty good job. Whenever you've been there, you're a little more reluctant to throw stones. We can't say as much for the former vice president.
Good job, W. :)
He writes in his column in Thursday's Free Press that "Individuals who make wise decisions, care for themselves and refuse Social Security and Medicare (which should be means tested), should get tax breaks."
I'm all for the tax breaks for people who can show they won't be a burden on government, but more than that, I'm all for making Social Security and Medicare means tested. Bill Gates shouldn't be eligible. Nor should Warren Buffet, who actually probably wouldn't mind, but as long as these folks have a free gift handed to them, why wouldn't they take it.
Actually, Social Security is kind of means tested now, those who mean to retire 30 years from won't get it, or will get much less than anyone who's getting it now. But, it is basically a welfare program, so if we're trying to provide things to people who need them, let's make it dependent on income.
The flip side of the tax breaks for people who take care of themselves, it a reduction in tax breaks for corporations that cost us more money. Thomas agrees with me on this too, as he has endorsed the federal spending cuts and reduction of tax breaks advocated by the Heritage Foundation.
Of course, Cal doesn't have to run for office, so he can go around saying things like that. I've not heard it from anyone who has a real stake in the game, but we'll be watching closely the new powers that be in Washington.
Bush popularity likely rising
Today's Free Press editorial gives due respect to President George W. Bush for the tales in his recent book, and his willingness to accept responsibility and talk plainly about some of the mistakes and successes of his presidency.
I watched NBC's Matt Lauer interview W. and will say it's the most impressed I've ever been with the former president, mainly because he acknowledged his mistakes, and took full out responsibility for the bank bailouts saying anyone who believes Obama started the TARP program is dead wrong.
He said he believes in free market principles, but when experts told him the banking system could collapse and create a depression, he believed them and did what he believes was the right thing by authorizing TARP.
That action is the essence of what we should expect our presidents to do. It's sometimes lost on the angry crowd of "low information voters." (I like that term).
He also showed great respect for the presidency by refraining from criticizing Obama. I think he knows Obama is doing a pretty good job. Whenever you've been there, you're a little more reluctant to throw stones. We can't say as much for the former vice president.
Good job, W. :)
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
GMG Hall of Fame: a big crowd, compelling stories
The Greater Mankato Growth Hall of Fame awards banquet at the Verizon Center last night drew one of the biggest crowds ever, filling dozens of tables in the main ballroom.
The local chamber group has expanded its array of awards this year that included some "design" awards, recognizing business projects that add an interesting and attractive physical aspect to the community. That was a nice addition for recognition. The way a city looks says a lot about the commitment of its business owners and city leaders.
This list of award winners can be found on The Free Press website, along with Tim Krohn's coverage.
Here's some videos of top three award winners that are short and worth watching.
There were, as always, many great stories about people starting out in business. Many had very humble beginnings and just worked liked crazy to make things happen.
It was very clear listening to owners speak about their businesses, that they all had one thing at the top of their list: serving customers. Many did not dwell on their own expertise or their staff's acumen, but thanked the people in the room and the community at large for being their customers.
It was also great to see that the Hall of Fame Inductees - the Abdo, Eick and Meyers Accounting firm and Mankato Independent Originals started as small family businesses. You often hear how chains or big box retailers can have such an advantage over small homegrown businesses, but that is clearly not the case with these two winners.
Mankato Independent Originals - Patrick and Chris Person and Tasha O'Hara - run four independent unique restaurants, including Neighbors, Dino's, Tav on the Ave. and Number Four. Their business started with Pat and Chris's parents, Adrian and John Person who for years ran Adrian's restaurant.
The Abdo firm was founded by longtime Mankato businessman Joe Abdo, who started out working for another longtime family business - Schwickert Hardware store.
All in all, it was a solid event and business winners were no doubt an inspiration to those in attendance.
The local chamber group has expanded its array of awards this year that included some "design" awards, recognizing business projects that add an interesting and attractive physical aspect to the community. That was a nice addition for recognition. The way a city looks says a lot about the commitment of its business owners and city leaders.
This list of award winners can be found on The Free Press website, along with Tim Krohn's coverage.
Here's some videos of top three award winners that are short and worth watching.
There were, as always, many great stories about people starting out in business. Many had very humble beginnings and just worked liked crazy to make things happen.
It was very clear listening to owners speak about their businesses, that they all had one thing at the top of their list: serving customers. Many did not dwell on their own expertise or their staff's acumen, but thanked the people in the room and the community at large for being their customers.
It was also great to see that the Hall of Fame Inductees - the Abdo, Eick and Meyers Accounting firm and Mankato Independent Originals started as small family businesses. You often hear how chains or big box retailers can have such an advantage over small homegrown businesses, but that is clearly not the case with these two winners.
Mankato Independent Originals - Patrick and Chris Person and Tasha O'Hara - run four independent unique restaurants, including Neighbors, Dino's, Tav on the Ave. and Number Four. Their business started with Pat and Chris's parents, Adrian and John Person who for years ran Adrian's restaurant.
The Abdo firm was founded by longtime Mankato businessman Joe Abdo, who started out working for another longtime family business - Schwickert Hardware store.
All in all, it was a solid event and business winners were no doubt an inspiration to those in attendance.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
News I'm watching, thinking about
There was a very intriguing interview with former Secretary of State Colin Powell on Larry King Monday, Nov. 15.
It will be worth your time to watch it.
Some highlights: Obama should've focused on economy before health care before anything else. President is doing a good job on economy but hasn't communicated it very well.
Powell says he's a moderate Republican, which means for small government, strong national defense and help the people who need help as much as is necessary.
We need to provide Pakistan more help, more tools to root out Taliban. Afghanistan President is increasingly in a tough spot. Bin Laden may be alive, but he's not operating as normal, he's hiding, so he can't be anywhere near as effective as he was when he orchestrated 9/11 attacks.
When King asked Powell if he was ticked by being misled about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, he gave a mad-as-hell sounding "yes." But said many, many intelligence agencies were saying it was true and he spent 4-days at CIA headquarters going over the information, asking questions about its veracity every way he could.
Asked if he's talked to Rumsfeld or Cheney lately, he simply said "No," abruptly ending answer. King chuckled and said "Well said."
Powell said new Republicans are kidding themselves if they think they can balance the budget without raising some kind of revenue. He noted they're asked often what they would cut and no one can come up with the answers.
King suggested others were pushing Powell to become Obama's chief of staff, to which Powell said, "I haven't been asked and I don't want to work in the government. I worked in the government for 40 years" etc..But he did say, when the president asks, you have to at least listen.
It will be worth your time to watch it.
Some highlights: Obama should've focused on economy before health care before anything else. President is doing a good job on economy but hasn't communicated it very well.
Powell says he's a moderate Republican, which means for small government, strong national defense and help the people who need help as much as is necessary.
We need to provide Pakistan more help, more tools to root out Taliban. Afghanistan President is increasingly in a tough spot. Bin Laden may be alive, but he's not operating as normal, he's hiding, so he can't be anywhere near as effective as he was when he orchestrated 9/11 attacks.
When King asked Powell if he was ticked by being misled about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, he gave a mad-as-hell sounding "yes." But said many, many intelligence agencies were saying it was true and he spent 4-days at CIA headquarters going over the information, asking questions about its veracity every way he could.
Asked if he's talked to Rumsfeld or Cheney lately, he simply said "No," abruptly ending answer. King chuckled and said "Well said."
Powell said new Republicans are kidding themselves if they think they can balance the budget without raising some kind of revenue. He noted they're asked often what they would cut and no one can come up with the answers.
King suggested others were pushing Powell to become Obama's chief of staff, to which Powell said, "I haven't been asked and I don't want to work in the government. I worked in the government for 40 years" etc..But he did say, when the president asks, you have to at least listen.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Here's my problem with George Will
Conservative columnist George Will is one of the best conservative minds around, and as far as columnists go, he can be pretty compelling a lot of the time, even if you don't agree with him.
I don't have a problem with the content of his opinions from time to time, but he does have a tendency to sometimes state his opinions or analysis as fact. It reminds me of Daniel Patrick Moynihan's longtime quote "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts."
Such a stating of opinion as fact is one of my pet peeves. It annoys me because stating opinion as fact is misleading and wrong and most importantly, intellectually dishonest. I don't let Free Press letter writers get away with it.
So, I will take George Will to task for a column in Tuesday's Free Press.
Will's opinion stated as fact: "Card check legislation would make it easier to herd private sector workers into unions by abolishing the right to secret ballots in unionization votes."
Will's intellectual dishonesty comes in the phrase "abolishing the right to secret ballots in unionization votes."
The card check legislation does not "abolish" the secret ballot. Rather, it allows those organizing unions two options when organizing a union vote. It allows them a new option known as the card check. In other words, they could simply ask employees to vote up or down on a union by using a card, yes or no. If 50 percent of workers say yes, the union can be established.
However, they can also request a secret ballot under the card check law.
When Will says the law would "abolish," one takes that to mean "abolish the secret ballot in every and any case." But that's not the case, as reported below by Politifact, a division of the St. Petersburg Times newspaper that both political parties often use to back up their facts.
In 2009 when the Card Check issue was hot, (it never made it anywhere), here's how Politifact described it:
"Here's how union elections work now:
Union organizers try to get employees in a particular business or unit of a business to sign cards indicating they want the union to represent them in negotiations with the employer. The employer is not permitted to see the cards before they are turned in to the National Labor Relations Board — or often even after that — or engage in any other kind of surveillance to try to discern which employees are union adherents and which are not.
If more than 30 percent of the employees sign, the union can ask the National Labor Relations Board to conduct an election. If more than 50 percent sign, the employer must either accept the union or ask the board for an election.
Most employers ask for an election. It takes place a few weeks later at the employer's place of business. It's a secret-ballot election and is run by the National Labor Relations Board. If a majority votes for the union, the union wins.
Here's what would happen under the Employee Free Choice Act:(or Card Check).
Just like before, if unions got more than 30 percent of the employees to sign cards, they could ask for a secret-ballot election. But if they got more than 50 percent, the union would win automatically. The employer would no longer have the right to insist on a secret-ballot election and would have to negotiate with the union.
"Decertification" elections, where the employees vote on whether to cease being represented by their union, are currently secret-ballot elections, and would continue to be under the Employee Free Choice Act.
As a practical matter, secret-ballot elections would be far less frequent if the Employee Free Choice Act were passed. But they would still take place under certain circumstances: during decertification contests, or on the occasions where unions won the support of more than 30 percent but less than 50 percent of the employees (but unions don't generally ask for elections unless they have the support of more than half).
There would also continue to be secret-ballot elections in instances where a majority of employees say they want one. That is, where more than 50 percent of the employees sign cards requesting a vote on unionization rather than cards saying they want a union to represent them."
Here's the whole Politifact article
So Will appears unwilling to go into the nuances and would rather just state his opinion as a fact.
I'd be much more comfortable with him if he just said "Card check HAS THE EFFECT of abolishing secret ballots." That's much more of an honest argument and it lets the reader know there is a nuance here, and maybe someone might have another take on this.
That would be more intellectually honest.
In fact, Politifact, when assessing a similar statement on Card Check by Sen. Arlen Specter decided what he was saying was "mostly true." But that's still not absolutely true, as Will would have well-meaning Free Press readers believe.
I don't have a problem with the content of his opinions from time to time, but he does have a tendency to sometimes state his opinions or analysis as fact. It reminds me of Daniel Patrick Moynihan's longtime quote "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts."
Such a stating of opinion as fact is one of my pet peeves. It annoys me because stating opinion as fact is misleading and wrong and most importantly, intellectually dishonest. I don't let Free Press letter writers get away with it.
So, I will take George Will to task for a column in Tuesday's Free Press.
Will's opinion stated as fact: "Card check legislation would make it easier to herd private sector workers into unions by abolishing the right to secret ballots in unionization votes."
Will's intellectual dishonesty comes in the phrase "abolishing the right to secret ballots in unionization votes."
The card check legislation does not "abolish" the secret ballot. Rather, it allows those organizing unions two options when organizing a union vote. It allows them a new option known as the card check. In other words, they could simply ask employees to vote up or down on a union by using a card, yes or no. If 50 percent of workers say yes, the union can be established.
However, they can also request a secret ballot under the card check law.
When Will says the law would "abolish," one takes that to mean "abolish the secret ballot in every and any case." But that's not the case, as reported below by Politifact, a division of the St. Petersburg Times newspaper that both political parties often use to back up their facts.
In 2009 when the Card Check issue was hot, (it never made it anywhere), here's how Politifact described it:
"Here's how union elections work now:
Union organizers try to get employees in a particular business or unit of a business to sign cards indicating they want the union to represent them in negotiations with the employer. The employer is not permitted to see the cards before they are turned in to the National Labor Relations Board — or often even after that — or engage in any other kind of surveillance to try to discern which employees are union adherents and which are not.
If more than 30 percent of the employees sign, the union can ask the National Labor Relations Board to conduct an election. If more than 50 percent sign, the employer must either accept the union or ask the board for an election.
Most employers ask for an election. It takes place a few weeks later at the employer's place of business. It's a secret-ballot election and is run by the National Labor Relations Board. If a majority votes for the union, the union wins.
Here's what would happen under the Employee Free Choice Act:(or Card Check).
Just like before, if unions got more than 30 percent of the employees to sign cards, they could ask for a secret-ballot election. But if they got more than 50 percent, the union would win automatically. The employer would no longer have the right to insist on a secret-ballot election and would have to negotiate with the union.
"Decertification" elections, where the employees vote on whether to cease being represented by their union, are currently secret-ballot elections, and would continue to be under the Employee Free Choice Act.
As a practical matter, secret-ballot elections would be far less frequent if the Employee Free Choice Act were passed. But they would still take place under certain circumstances: during decertification contests, or on the occasions where unions won the support of more than 30 percent but less than 50 percent of the employees (but unions don't generally ask for elections unless they have the support of more than half).
There would also continue to be secret-ballot elections in instances where a majority of employees say they want one. That is, where more than 50 percent of the employees sign cards requesting a vote on unionization rather than cards saying they want a union to represent them."
Here's the whole Politifact article
So Will appears unwilling to go into the nuances and would rather just state his opinion as a fact.
I'd be much more comfortable with him if he just said "Card check HAS THE EFFECT of abolishing secret ballots." That's much more of an honest argument and it lets the reader know there is a nuance here, and maybe someone might have another take on this.
That would be more intellectually honest.
In fact, Politifact, when assessing a similar statement on Card Check by Sen. Arlen Specter decided what he was saying was "mostly true." But that's still not absolutely true, as Will would have well-meaning Free Press readers believe.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Deficit commission and your money
The federal so-called deficit commission captured a lot of headlines this week when the bipartisan group put out a draft proposal with something for every American to dislike.
Tough choices on Social Security, Medicare, defense spending, entitlements and taxes, both individual and corporate. I think it is the most courageous political act I've seen in decades and I applaud co-chairman former Republican Sen. Alan Simpson and former Clinton Chief of staff Erskine Bowles.
A lot of my colleagues in the media write their stories with a cynical edges noting by themselves or others, often unnamed, that it "will never pass."
They're right, the first draft proposal won't pass, but I believe something will, something that is substantive, fair, bipartisan and tough.
The chairman freely conceded that this was going to be tough on a lot of Americans but they also said we have a history of a willingness to sacrifice when we know our country will be better for our children.
And that's exactly what will happen if some of this stuff is passed. Really. You heard it hear first. I'm optimistic.
Here's a link to the report. It's 50 pages, but don't let that scare you, it's done in powerpoint-style big type etc.
Tough choices on Social Security, Medicare, defense spending, entitlements and taxes, both individual and corporate. I think it is the most courageous political act I've seen in decades and I applaud co-chairman former Republican Sen. Alan Simpson and former Clinton Chief of staff Erskine Bowles.
A lot of my colleagues in the media write their stories with a cynical edges noting by themselves or others, often unnamed, that it "will never pass."
They're right, the first draft proposal won't pass, but I believe something will, something that is substantive, fair, bipartisan and tough.
The chairman freely conceded that this was going to be tough on a lot of Americans but they also said we have a history of a willingness to sacrifice when we know our country will be better for our children.
And that's exactly what will happen if some of this stuff is passed. Really. You heard it hear first. I'm optimistic.
Here's a link to the report. It's 50 pages, but don't let that scare you, it's done in powerpoint-style big type etc.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Talk issues with us on Facebook
Hey everyone in Katoland, we're trying to engage our community and you a little bit more as an effort to make everything we do more interest and exciting for our readers and divergent and civil voices.
Go to our Facebook page for our take on news of the day and tell us what you think about it. Talk politics, city hall, county board or give us suggestions for covering a story.
We know that it's not possible for 25 people in our newsroom to be smarter than the 60,000 or so people who live in this well-educated community. So give us your ideas, comments, off the cuff remarks.
You can go here for our Facebook page or to our home page and click on our Facebook inset on the lower right. It can be an intriguing and enlightening conversation at times.
Hot topics our Facebookers (is that a name?) are commenting on include Blue Earth County new administrator search, sex assault at MSU and what can be done, Vikings and the Brad Childress saga as well as bonuses, or compensation, for university presidents in these tough times.
Join the party. Engage us!
Go to our Facebook page for our take on news of the day and tell us what you think about it. Talk politics, city hall, county board or give us suggestions for covering a story.
We know that it's not possible for 25 people in our newsroom to be smarter than the 60,000 or so people who live in this well-educated community. So give us your ideas, comments, off the cuff remarks.
You can go here for our Facebook page or to our home page and click on our Facebook inset on the lower right. It can be an intriguing and enlightening conversation at times.
Hot topics our Facebookers (is that a name?) are commenting on include Blue Earth County new administrator search, sex assault at MSU and what can be done, Vikings and the Brad Childress saga as well as bonuses, or compensation, for university presidents in these tough times.
Join the party. Engage us!
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