tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84045382011-08-16T22:05:49.812-05:00Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comBlogger10211100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-39221571863067213652009-03-09T14:55:00.008-05:002009-03-09T15:03:26.274-05:00

I am now posting at the Minnesota Free Market Institute and True North. I am still taking comments via email at westover4@yahoo.com. Thanks for stopping by.

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-674299173922959272008-04-09T09:27:00.000-05:002008-04-09T09:35:15.378-05:00

How doth the loyal St. Paul repImprove her bonding tale,And pour on language full of pepTo try to make the sale!How righteously she speaks her piece,How neatly spreads her viewThat general welfare will increaseWith taxes paid by you.— With apologies to the Rev. Charles Dodgson.Better known as "Lewis Carroll," Charles Dodgson penned, "How Doth the Little Crocodile" as a parody of Isaac Watts' poem

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-14417858005938971132008-04-08T07:27:00.000-05:002008-04-08T07:33:43.552-05:00

ABU DHABI (AFP) - The crown prince of the United Arab Emirates of Dubai has bought a female camel for a record 2.72 million dollars, an organiser at a camel beauty pageant said on Monday. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktoum "bought camels... worth 16.5 million dirhams (4.49 million dollars), including a female camel... for 10 million dirhams (2.72 million dollars)," Hamad bin

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-79518223359859722332008-04-07T08:49:00.001-05:002008-04-07T08:56:54.698-05:00

Interesting email from AM 950 KTNF this morning that highlights the difference in the way the political right and left look at religion. The email promotes the Progressive Faith Conference, "Voting Justice, Voting Hope." It reads in part:Get Ready to Change the Way You Think About Faith and Politics at the national gathering "Voting Justice, Voting Hope: Progressive Faith Taking Action in 2008"

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-65299990990442552152008-04-04T15:33:00.000-05:002008-04-04T15:39:03.919-05:00

Back in the days when grammar, not global warming, was taught in public schools, we learned that some adjectives can't be modified. "Unique," for example. Either something's unique — that is, one of a kind — or it isn't."Essential" is another. Rep. Alice Hausman, DFL-St. Paul, the chief House sponsor of the bonding bill, must have missed class the day they taught grammar; she most certainly

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-73678070601809567182008-03-28T09:54:00.000-05:002008-03-28T09:56:55.473-05:00

So the vandals have sacked Rome, and now they are fighting over the spoils. Ripped from the Pioneer Press headlines, 'Fight erupts over new sales taxes for transit. At issue: whether money should be used to bail out Met Council.' Wow. Even I thought the transit kids would play nice together a little longer than this.A couple of weeks ago, I cited comments by Rep. Bernie Lieder, a DFLer from

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-43139540273016301862008-03-25T10:49:00.000-05:002008-03-25T10:54:23.503-05:00

The Star Tribune is reporting today that Forest Lake Area High School Students abruptly canceled the appearance of the National Heroes Tour, featuring decorated veteran from the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.Steve Massey, the school principal, said the decision to cancel was prompted by concerns that the event was becoming political rather than educational and therefore was not suitable for a

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-11040715656337680442008-03-20T11:01:00.002-05:002008-03-20T11:12:43.503-05:00

Driven by cost reduction, the recommendations of the Governor's Health Care Transformation Task Force, many of which are rapidly moving through the Legislature in health care reform bills, are, as I discussed in Wednesday's column, a fundamentally flawed approach to health care reform.The Legislature charged the Transformation Task Force with reducing the cost of Minnesota's health care system by

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-27063332155477841582008-03-19T06:46:00.001-05:002008-03-20T11:09:15.190-05:00

Among the pressing issues facing the Minnesota Legislature this session are some very real problems with the health care system: Health insurance premiums are rising, and many employers are reducing or dropping health care coverage.Individuals without employer coverage are finding it difficult to obtain health insurance. Increased costs and reduced reimbursements from health plans, especially

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-83766090912141926402008-03-14T11:17:00.001-05:002008-03-14T11:24:54.949-05:00

The "Override Six" have been alternately flogged and fawned over as "traitors" to the GOP and "courageous" legislators who put "principle over party." As you'll recall, the six — Reps. Neil Peterson, Jim Abler, Kathy Tingelstad, Bud Heidgerken, Ron Erhardt and Rod Hamilton — voted with Democrats to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty's veto of a $6.6 billion tax increase included in the transportation

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-43657158403326381362008-03-12T17:26:00.000-05:002008-03-12T17:27:55.708-05:00

We can't talk about it.

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-52675252007425570702008-03-11T09:07:00.000-05:002008-03-11T09:16:03.759-05:00

In case your neural implants were down and you didn't get Karl Rove's talking points last month, in the February Issue of Townhall Magazine Rove responds to a question from Mary Katherine Ham about the 3 things a Republican nominee must do to beat Hillary. The question may already be dated, but Rove's answer is not. It applies not just to a potential Republican presidential candidate, but also to

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-52003724537086248082008-03-10T12:15:00.000-05:002008-03-10T12:20:42.757-05:00

If you liked "The Moffitt" you may like "The Play's the Thing," the "Community Voices" piece in today's MinnPost.The Play's the ThingScene – A local bar where patrons are staging a "play" to exploit a loophole in the state smoking ban. An author of the ban Sen. Kathy Sheran peers through the window.Sheran: Fair is foul, and foul is fair:Hover through the fog and filthy air.These peasants dare to

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-37740117788406379562008-03-10T11:32:00.000-05:002008-03-10T11:36:52.993-05:00

Excellent piece by Mike Kaszuba in the Star Tribune on the behind the scene dealings that went into securing Republican Rod Hamilton’s vote for the Transportation Bill. It also makes note of Democrat-Farmer-Labor Rep. Bernie Lieder’s sanding off the truth when it comes to “earmarks.”I definitely don't like earmarks, that's correct," Lieder said. "This is kind of a general, if you want to call it,

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-38400672272977185622008-03-07T09:12:00.000-06:002008-03-07T09:16:26.029-06:00

There are promises, and there are political promises, which, lacking the maintenance of sincerity, crumble faster than a rural road in a Minnesota winter. Seems the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party is busy sanding off the truth around the promises it made in exchange for support of the $6.6 billion tax increase, nee "transportation bill," railroaded over Gov. Tim Pawlenty's veto.In an interview with

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-9772009527825685212007-05-03T08:11:00.000-05:002007-05-03T08:19:30.891-05:00

Wednesday, May 03, 2007I'd read quite a bit about the Supreme Court opinion in Gonzales v. Carhart - the "partial-birth" abortion case - but finally sat down last weekend and read for myself Justice Anthony Kennedy's opinion and Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsberg's dissent. Viscerally and philosophically, Kennedy's opinion is pretty upsetting to a hobby columnist who holds abortion to be a negative

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-31299554759507903042007-04-20T08:05:00.000-05:002007-04-20T08:10:11.948-05:00

Friday, April 20, 2007I have to admit mixed emotions over the firing of Don Imus. On one hand, Imus' banishment from medialand is vindication of the value of free speech. Speech may be free, but it has consequences. Offend people's sensibilities, and you pay the price. The tribe has spoken. I'm not going to miss the race-baiting shock jock. But I am going to miss the activist who took on issues

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-38609978464986537432007-04-04T17:18:00.000-05:002007-04-04T17:23:43.945-05:00

Wednesday, April 4, 2007It was a week where the Minnesota DFL taxed even our patience with proposals for tax increases on just about everything else. The time seems right for a good old-fashioned rant on the arrogance, self-serving politics and downright socialist propensity of the DFL (motto: "Willing to force someone else to pay for a better Minnesota"). Although such a rant would be indeed

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-5225350740432774352007-03-30T08:52:00.000-05:002007-03-30T12:27:41.879-05:00

Thursday, March 29, 2007A scribe writing for the venture-capital asset across the river took recent delight in goring the "sacred cow" of charter schools. The Minnesota Senate's education budget bill, which caps public charter schools at 150 (the current level plus those scheduled to open in the fall), logically makes sense, he wrote. The "experiment" is out of control. With Manichean paranoia he

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-57096215990574705642007-03-14T09:25:00.000-05:002007-03-14T09:30:23.639-05:00

Wednesday March 14, 2007Molly Olson, volunteer executive director of the Center for Parental Responsibility, has hammered away for seven years at reforming family law policy and divorce practice that discourages both parents from being fully involved in the lives of their children. Most often, she is on the side of noncustodial dads who want, both financially and emotionally, to be a part of

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-65344842374140132692007-03-01T06:42:00.000-06:002007-03-30T09:02:30.076-05:00

Thursday March 1, 2007Pre-emption — a legislative clause prohibiting communities from passing ordinances that are stricter than state law — has been ricocheting through committee hearings on the statewide smoking ban like a bounding football. Rule of law, as opposed to whim of men, demands a consistent application of pre-emption. Pre-emption is not just a loophole to be opened or closed.As

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-71637972262470816542007-02-27T15:08:00.000-06:002007-02-27T15:11:29.196-06:00

I'm interested in reaction to the talked about VMT system and the proposals in this PiPress editorial. Thanks.Think outside the pumpIn his budget proposal, Gov. Tim Pawlenty set aside $5 million to study technologies that could move Minnesota off a per-gallon gas tax and onto a "vehicle-miles-traveled" (VMT) tax — for good reason.As in many states, gas tax revenue in Minnesota is flattening out —

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-76947065776194645832007-02-23T07:30:00.000-06:002007-02-23T07:53:03.092-06:00

Thursday, February 22, 2007Like most Minnesotans, I have lain awake nights tossing and turning over the plight of our state senators who suffer under the burden of an expense allowance of but $66 a day. How would you like to feed yourself on just $66 a day? And now, like Oliver Twist asking for a little more gruel, our senators humbly beg for a 45 percent increase to $96 a day, and some would

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-87611353296875546252007-02-16T10:30:00.000-06:002007-02-16T10:39:22.284-06:00

Friday, February 17, 2007Choosing a topic for a weekly column is sometimes like picking a puppy in a pet store. Ideas are constantly barking for attention, but you've got to choose just one. Do you go with the playful idea and have fun with it? Or do you play to the loyal reader base? Or do you go the attack dog route? It can be a tough call.Two ideas gnawed at me this week. Fortunately,

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-13855192101139175022007-02-12T09:25:00.000-06:002007-02-11T16:11:11.016-06:00

A good commentary from Mitch Pearlstein --An urban, low-cost private school did a lot to reduce the achievement gap for blacks.As Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislators consider how to improve urban education, they may want to ponder research findings like these:Citing data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), political scientist Abigail Thernstrom and her historian husband,

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-91452812286994765892007-02-11T16:00:00.000-06:002007-02-11T15:56:23.273-06:00

Perhaps you’ve noticed a slight resemblance between Survivor Fiji contestant Gary Stritesky, from Ramsey, Minnesota --And Captain Fishsticks.It is not mere coincidence. We share the same great-great grandfather.Go Gary! (If he wins the million, I'll have to add him to the Christmas card list.)

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-3213409276696429852007-02-10T19:17:00.000-06:002007-02-10T19:20:18.461-06:00

MINNESOTA NATURAL HEALTH COALITION For Immediate ReleasePeople who choose to get a flu shot can still find some mercury-free doses throughout the Twin Cities area. Both Park Nicollet and Fairview Clinics reported this week that they still have a supply of the mercury-free version. Clinic representatives advised calling before arriving, to verify that the mercury-free formula is still in supply.

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-42064625926245950522007-02-09T09:30:00.000-06:002007-02-08T14:21:36.616-06:00

Some good background for discussion.ISLAM-OPED: POLITICS, NOT FAITH, BEHIND SHIA-SUNNI DIVIDE IN IRAQBy Parvez Ahmed[Parvez Ahmed is board chairman of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group. He may be contacted at pahmed@cair.com.]Almost daily, we hear distressing stories of sectarian violence in Iraq. This has caused many Americans

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-6708504388823777802007-02-08T14:16:00.000-06:002007-02-08T06:57:33.519-06:00

This is one of those pieces that is so good, I wish I'd have written it.February 8, 2007Dear Mr. Chair and Members of the Health and Human Services Committee,RE: HF 1 - Author Rep. Thissen (Children's Health Security Act)Thank you for this opportunity to share our thoughts about HF 1. As you know, I had planned to testify in person, however, I have a previous commitment today that cannot be

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-18462016842791975292007-02-08T06:48:00.000-06:002007-02-08T06:52:21.953-06:00

Thursday, February 8, 2007John Adams' defense of British soldiers accused in the 1770 Boston Massacre (and of the greater principle of due process) gave us his oft-quoted observation, "Facts are stubborn things, and whatever may be our inclinations, or the dictums of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."Facts are still stubborn things.Last week, the Health and Human

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-47836556293182180162007-01-31T13:32:00.000-06:002007-01-31T16:30:27.314-06:00

Here's an opportunity. "Pay-for-performance" for physicians is not the kind of health care reform that ought to be encouraged. From a Bachmann press release.(Washington, D.C.) - Congresswoman Michele Bachmann congratulated Fairview Northland Regional Hospital on being named one of the top performers in a groundbreaking Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Premier Inc.

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-36183995283069724492007-01-31T10:50:00.000-06:002007-01-31T10:56:06.244-06:00

Wednesday, January 31, 2007An indication of the problem we face making any kind of real education reform is in the dueling education reports that recently came across my desk.From the Center on Education Policy comes a defense of the traditional public school system, "Why We Still Need Public Schools." It declares a primary purpose of public education is "accomplishing certain collective missions

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-68047665091475177422007-01-24T14:55:00.000-06:002007-01-24T15:00:24.559-06:00

From the Cato Institute web site comes the best analysis of the best part of the President's State of the Union address."Aside from energy, the major focus of Mr. Bush's domestic proposals was an effort to expand access to affordable health insurance, by creating a new tax benefit for those buying insurance on their own rather than through their employer," reports The New York Times. "The new

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-32854936648309806302007-01-24T08:50:00.000-06:002007-01-24T09:01:23.042-06:00

Wednesday, January 24, 2007"After reading yet another pro-smoker rant from Craig Westover, I'm beginning to think that he is nothing but a paid spokesman for the tobacco industry … Is that the case, Mr. Westover?" — Letter to the editorCriticism is part of the game for a columnist, hobby or otherwise. Criticism that flips the switch on an unconsidered point of view or opens up a new line of

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-49069802868576745472007-01-23T12:57:00.000-06:002007-01-27T11:27:31.366-06:00

Monday, January 22, 2007Better government, better energy, better health care and better education are part of Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s vision of a better Minnesota, but in the governor’s state-of-the-state address, the greatest of these is education. The governor spent almost half his speech on education, detailing very specific proposals, which will be debated, modified, rejected or implemented by

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-43507716412311601572007-01-22T18:13:00.000-06:002007-01-24T08:42:47.272-06:00

Back in November, the Pioneer Press ran this little blurb --Fantasy BudgetingMaybe it’s her experience with poker-night promotions at her bar, Stub and Herb’s, or it could be her experience running against Gov. Tim Pawlenty in the Republican primary. Whatever her inspiration, the ever-feisty Sue (I’m not done with politics just yet) Jeffers has set the inside betting line on the “over/under” for

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-58366540821216642402007-01-18T12:51:00.000-06:002007-01-18T13:00:00.113-06:00

Jerry Taylor and Peter Van Doren of the Cato Institute provide what is the best take on the Democratic action to over 10 years cut $14 billion in subsidies headed for the petroleum industry. Their contention is, we free market advocates really have little to get excited about on one hand, but on the other hand, yup, the cuts are just more of Democrats being Democrats.There is no identifiable

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-311045952009806502007-01-18T11:03:00.001-06:002007-01-19T09:32:44.651-06:00

Via email comes this note from Kevin --See the hypocrisy of the Ontario provincial government and their smoking ban (here).Thank goodness the State of Minnesota isn't in the casino business.Coincidently, this is the example I used to argue that Minnesota shouldn't be in the casino business.A state-tribal casino would not just compete with other tribal casinos; it would compete with private

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-44463179168856927962007-01-17T05:31:00.000-06:002007-01-19T14:32:40.298-06:00

Wednesday, January 17, 2007I make no bones about writing from a libertarian-conservative point of view. My conservative side bristles and finds an awful lot to disagree with in Stillwater author Anthony Signorelli's book, 'Call to Liberty: Bridging the Divide Between Liberals and Conservatives.' But the libertarian in me finds much to agree with. In a bridging-the-divide spirit, agreement is the

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-50377557659562910462007-01-14T11:10:00.000-06:002007-01-14T11:21:33.441-06:00

Sue Jeffers in the St. Cloud Times.

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1168558244796724932007-01-11T17:30:00.000-06:002007-01-14T11:21:04.084-06:00

“All boats should rise with the tide – not just the yachts,” said Jeremy Funk, spokesman for Americans United. “For far too long, ordinary hardworking Minnesotans have been denied a livable wage, but the passage of this bill to raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour with such strong bipartisan unity is an extraordinarily positive step forward. It’s just disappointing that Rep. Bachmann chose to

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1168473573416422822007-01-10T17:57:00.000-06:002007-01-14T11:16:22.979-06:00

According to an Associated Press story, the young adults ages 18-24 of Generation Next are more likely to be Democratic voters than their predecessors, Generation X. That according to the Pew Research Center, which also found that group is less inclined to vote than older generations. Among the other characteristics of the generation that leans toward the Democratic Party:-- Believes casual sex,

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1168470139990916802007-01-10T17:01:00.000-06:002007-01-14T11:17:19.117-06:00

I'm sure Alec Baldwin's comments about Joe Lieberman will come off better in the major motion picture version when he can run slow motion of the “longhoped-for bullet” entering Lieberman's brain.A lot of talk about what the Dems should do now that they are at the wheel. Two people this Congress should not let up on. Cheney, obviously. Can't let the opportunity slip away to prosecute Pinochet-ney

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1168434150730872032007-01-10T06:30:00.000-06:002007-01-14T11:28:56.848-06:00

Following my Pioneer Press column is a column that appeared Monday in the St. Paul Legal Ledger. Taken together, the columns make the case that regardless of the outcome on the statewide smoking ban, the state ought to define limits to it's authority to make individual health issues "public health issues" as it defined limits to its authority of eminent domain.Wednesday, January 10, 2007In the

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1168099714631742512007-01-06T10:07:00.000-06:002007-01-14T11:19:12.091-06:00

this is the approach lawmakers would be discussing.

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1167929305072789652007-01-04T10:42:00.000-06:002007-01-14T11:20:17.835-06:00

That Keith Ellison chose a Qur’an once owned by Thomas Jefferson for his ceremonial swearing in.Grant it, Jefferson had a deist’s skepticism of Islamic dogma. And he did wage America’s first undeclared preemptive war against Muslim Barbary pirates. And I can’t speak to Ellison’s motives.Nonetheless, I like the choice of Jefferson’s Qur’an as a third alternative to the Qur’an/Bible much ado about

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1167924954103465862007-01-04T09:26:00.000-06:002007-01-14T11:24:18.261-06:00

Like an overly ambitious pup taking a run at the alpha male, Spotty sends me an email whenever he mentions my name in a post, which does remind of his existence. Like this post on Education Week’s “Chance for Success Index” (which ranks Minnesota third in the nation), Spotty’s posts are more bash than bite and not worth more than quick skim. What inspires my post is not Spot’s rant, but his email

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1167831144889201962007-01-03T07:31:00.000-06:002007-01-14T11:25:41.332-06:00

Wednesday, January 3, 2007So we have another "social justice" problem — the "urban grocery gap." The Pioneer Press reports there are fewer major grocery stores in Minneapolis and St. Paul than in the suburbs. Consequently, urban shoppers pay premium prices for groceries at smaller markets and convenience stores, which generally don't have the variety of healthy foods available at the larger chain

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1167507355672910372006-12-30T13:05:00.000-06:002007-01-14T11:28:01.889-06:00

Thursday, December 28, 2006In his opinion piece ("As discoveries multiply, popular understanding of science must deepen," Dec. 22), science teacher Peter Pitman argues that policymakers ought to better understand fundamental principles of science and math on which policy is based; specifically, that judges and lawmakers should understand the science of global climate change.I've made much the

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1166629699268156532006-12-20T09:43:00.000-06:002006-12-20T09:48:19.800-06:00

Friday, December 20, 2006Once upon a time, nearly every high school student read Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" and probably memorized at least the opening lines of Marc Antony's funeral oration ("I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him"). In his speech, Antony subtly sways the crowd against Caesar's assassins ("all honorable men"), by reflecting their charges of political ambition against Caesar

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1166199200415382042006-12-15T09:45:00.000-06:002006-12-15T10:13:21.206-06:00

Okay, the guy’s a rookie, so I’ll cut him some slack for drinking the kool-aid and trying to sound like a congressman, but not for foolishness he espouses. From a press release –Congressman-elect Tim Walz announced today that legislation to raise the federal minimum wage will be the first bill he co-sponsors as a member of Congress. The minimum wage has remained stagnant at $5.15 per hour since

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1166191233645573952006-12-15T07:50:00.000-06:002006-12-15T08:06:09.876-06:00

Friday, December 15, 2006Washington Post writer David Broder, whose column "Dealing with urgent problem, grown-up group worked it out" appeared on this page last week, quotes former Republican Sen. Alan Simpson gushing over the process that produced the Iraq Study Group report."This could be an example, not only of how to handle Iraq, but it could apply to immigration, Social Security and all

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1165768901333591702006-12-10T10:41:00.000-06:002006-12-10T10:48:15.580-06:00

Mistaken for Michael Jordan, so he suesAllen Heckard of Portland, Ore. "says he’s been mistaken as Michael Jordan nearly every day over the past 15 years and he’s tired of it." So he's suing the basketball star and Nike founder Phil Knight for $832 million in all.“'I'm constantly being accused of looking like Michael and it makes it very uncomfortable for me,' said Heckard.Heckard is suing Jordan

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1165683726882855782006-12-09T11:01:00.000-06:002006-12-09T11:02:07.180-06:00

Via Vox Day . . .Warning, liberals at "work" and . . . .another argument against "one size fits all" government standards

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1165582873992064162006-12-08T06:55:00.000-06:002006-12-08T07:01:14.420-06:00

This letter from John Kerry to the father of a serviceman in Iraq is, well, reminiscent of the hooker that charges extra for sincerity. The Dad’s response comments better than I can or have a right to.

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1165531124889641002006-12-07T16:36:00.000-06:002006-12-07T16:38:45.106-06:00

Use the whole surplus to purchase lottery tickets. Randomly distribute the tickets to all Minnesotans. The state’s big buy creates a huge jackpot that is splashed on state-purchased billboards, enticing people to toss in their own dollars. As the state-sponsored commercial says, “Nature will love us for it.” Plus, the state gets to tax the winner. The state encourages Minnesotans, so it must be a

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1165416121613526302006-12-06T08:19:00.000-06:002006-12-07T10:15:40.103-06:00

Wednesday, December 6, 2006Trade-offs, always trade-offs, but who will control them?Regions Hospital is discontinuing bariatric surgery — reducing the size of the stomach or bypassing parts of it — as a treatment for obesity. According to an article in the Pioneer Press, a key factor in its decision was a decreasing number of patients eligible for the surgery — "eligible" as defined by tighter

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1164938131007136782006-11-30T19:52:00.000-06:002006-11-30T19:58:03.796-06:00

When I read Minnesota Monitor’s account of the Dennis Prager column criticizing Kieth Ellison for taking the oath of office on the Qur’an rather than the Bible, I was inclined to toss them a nod and agree. Then I read Prager’s column. Yes, he goes a little over the top, but the point of his column is well-taken.When all elected officials take their oaths of office with their hands on the very

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1164925978136900832006-11-30T16:11:00.000-06:002006-11-30T16:32:58.466-06:00

Thursday, November 30, 2006Soon-to-be-former state Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson, with recent remarks, has set the controversy over claims that he had conversations about the Defense of Marriage Act with Minnesota Supreme Court justices back to square one. Once again, there’s no nice way to say it – somebody’s lying. The question is, does it still matter? I think it does.Individuals are

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1164753425911165402006-11-28T16:37:00.000-06:002006-11-28T16:50:33.886-06:00

Sailors build lighthouses for the lights of their livesHappy Birthday, Tammer!

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1164199341288551592006-11-22T06:21:00.000-06:002006-11-22T06:50:06.246-06:00

Wednesday, November 22, 2006"Lord, we cleared this land. We plowed it, sowed it, and harvested it. We cooked the harvest. It wouldn't be here, and we wouldn't be eating it, if we hadn't done it all ourselves. We worked dog-bone hard for every crumb and morsel, but we thank you, Lord, just the same for the food we're about to eat. Amen."Not what you'd call a traditional Thanksgiving prayer.If you

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1164035892367676632006-11-20T09:09:00.000-06:002006-11-20T09:18:19.656-06:00

You read it first here and then here, and today in the Pioneer Press --MediaNews Group, which owns the St. Paul Pioneer Press, and six other major newspaper publishers plan to announce today a broad partnership with Internet search giant Yahoo Inc. that intends to deliver employment listings, advertising, Internet search capabilities and news content throughout their respective Web sites.As the

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1163600049254243332006-11-15T07:33:00.000-06:002006-11-15T08:15:44.320-06:00

Wednesday, November 15, 2006Well, after a hard-fought, photo-finish campaign between Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Democrat Attorney General Mike Hatch, we find out who had the best ideas to move Minnesota forward — Independence Party candidate Peter Hutchinson.Republican Pawlenty kicked off his campaign riffing that Minnesota's "worst nightmare" is "big spending, tax raising, abortion

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1163125573348338482006-11-13T13:30:00.000-06:002006-11-13T13:59:35.300-06:00

November 10, 2002[Some ideas are perennials that keep popping up every year. Others are annuals that need to be replanted and nurtured each season. The following column, which appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer Press following the 2002 elections and was posted prior to the 2004 election is a little bit of both. That every cycle politicians flatter voters before elections and insult their

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1163167620491240202006-11-10T08:06:00.000-06:002006-11-10T08:07:00.856-06:00

First, Michele Bachmann wasn’t going to win the 6th District because she was a right-wing kook. Then she wasn’t going to win because she was such a harsh contrast to the sympathetic Patty Wetterling. Then she was going to lose because the Mark Foley scandal turned the tables on her and highlighted Wetterling. Then she was going to lose because of her appearance at Living Word Christian Center.

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1162982393561128552006-11-08T04:29:00.000-06:002006-11-08T04:40:01.440-06:00

Wednesday, November 8, 2006As I write this, sunrise voters are heading to the polls. No matter whom they select, we know they will cast their votes for "a leader." We know because the candidates told us so.Every candidate claimed to be "a leader." Is it any wonder Congress can't get anything done, with 435 leaders in the House and another 100 leaders in the Senate? Or that the Minnesota

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1162981451449746532006-11-08T03:40:00.000-06:002006-11-08T04:24:11.856-06:00

Three-thirty-three. Pawlenty has finished his victory speech. Michele Bachmann won. Dean Johnson lost. So did Phil Krinkie, which is for me, personally, the most significant event of the night. More than ever, Krinkie's real fiscal conservatism is needed in Minnesota government. Also significant is why he lost -- he didn't bring home the bacon for his district. Over his career, Krinkie became

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1162901502902063532006-11-07T06:09:00.000-06:002006-11-07T06:11:45.610-06:00

From “Autism and the GOP – Why Parents are Fed UP” by David Kirby, author of “Evidence of Harm.” (Tip of the sou'wester to the indefatigable Anne Dachel.)Thousands of moms and dads are convinced that environmental toxins - and mercury in particular -- played a pivotal role in their children's illness. But this idea has been very unpopular in George Bush's Washington.Then came the Combating Autism

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1162490343362868532006-11-02T11:55:00.000-06:002006-11-06T09:27:05.673-06:00

Honesty is refreshing, but it is not an excuse.Update: Independence Party candidate Peter Hutchinson's statement:"I have known Judy Dutcher for many years; I consider her a friend. And I know that she is no dummy. I am confident that she asked Mike Hatch to brief her on his plan for energy independence. So, I went to his website and looked it up. It is 27 pages long with 217 footnotes. But the

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1162489556808511172006-11-02T11:29:00.000-06:002006-11-02T11:45:57.436-06:00

A guess it's not really a pledge, just a promise, but I'm at a loss to explain how the kind of commitment described in this press release from Americans United differs in form from supporting a "No New Taxes" pledge. It's an inflexible commitment to an outside interest group.One can argue the details and practicality of various social security "choice" or "privatization" plans, but the motivation

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1162330976636823562006-10-31T15:42:00.000-06:002006-10-31T15:45:34.596-06:00

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1162245670739350322006-10-30T16:00:00.000-06:002006-10-30T20:44:13.333-06:00

The following appeared on the Pioneer Press website Friday afternoon and on the Opinion Page on Saturday:CorrectionThe campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives seat from the 2nd District of Minnesota has been edgy on both sides, but in our opinion page endorsement of John Kline on Friday we erroneously reported that the Coleen Rowley campaign had produced a misleading negative video tying

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1162211183370857152006-10-30T06:17:00.000-06:002006-10-30T20:22:47.783-06:00

From the Strib’s predicable endorsement of Mike Hatch for Governor –Pawlenty says he has made mistakes and learned a lot. But he's given Minnesotans little reason to believe that he will charge hard at what Hatch correctly sees as state government's biggest challenge: retaining a large and secure middle class.Aside from the misstatement that Pawlenty won’t charge hard at pumping benefits to the

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1161982632857110992006-10-27T15:54:00.000-05:002006-10-27T17:03:58.526-05:00

Eva Young gloats today in a comment thread –“The Pioneer Press endorsed Patty Wetterling. Will you be highlighting that editorial?”When I get around to it – like now.The editorial is a pretty harsh criticism of Bachmann, and I’m not talking out of school when I say I disagreed with the endorsement. But the editorial is a consensus piece, and while I didn’t write it, I did contribute to it – I

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1161883834374626662006-10-26T12:23:00.000-05:002006-10-26T12:30:34.726-05:00

A couple of interesting letters in the Pioneer Press. The first stands alone and needs no comment, just thoughtful contemplation.Why disparage the Bachmanns?Regarding "Time from a busy schedule" (Oct. 19): A Chassidic Rabbi once asked his child, "Where does God reside?" The child answered, "Wherever they let Him in." Hitler and Pol Pot never let God into their lives. Sen. Bachmann and her husband

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1161881719391029382006-10-26T11:33:00.000-05:002006-10-26T11:55:20.006-05:00

The GOP takes too short a cut in this release --“The new Hatch plan to hike gas taxes by $300 million will hurt Minnesota families and destroy jobs. By reaffirming his support today for a $300 million gas tax increase on hard working Minnesotans, Mike Hatch again demonstrates he is a politician who can’t be trusted to keep his word on taxes.”- Ron Carey, Republican Party of Minnesota ChairmanFor

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1161878529046124712006-10-26T10:44:00.000-05:002006-10-26T11:02:09.290-05:00

This quote from today's Strib "Shortcuts" --"Economic resentment (among the upper middle class) toward the top 1% is the new wild card in public life. Ordinary workers won't rise up against ultras because they take it as given that 'the rich get richer.' But the hopes and dreams of today's educated class are based on the idea that market capitalism is a meritocracy. The unreachable success of the

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1161866028750004352006-10-26T07:14:00.000-05:002006-10-26T07:55:33.853-05:00

Local Bloggers catch Michele Bachmann on tape with cell phoneRecent reports out of Britain that contend cell phones can reduce male sperm count by up to 30 percent have Democrats pushing for a federal subsidy for universal cell phone ownership.“If Republicans would stop pushing their divisive campaign to ban abortion and join me in reducing the number of abortions by providing American males who

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1161860775875210012006-10-26T05:57:00.000-05:002006-10-26T06:06:43.290-05:00

Mark W. Everson, the commissioner of the I.R.S., has repeatedly warned that the agency will crack down on religious organizations that violate laws barring charities of any type from involvement in partisan political activities.This election cycle, additional accusations of such violations have been made against religious organizations in California, Minnesota, Missouri and Ohio.The New York

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1161722795765661952006-10-24T15:31:00.000-05:002006-10-24T15:46:36.363-05:00

Gutsy column. Prager on Wetterling.Democrats who excuse her (for her misleading Mark Foley ad) point to the fact that she suffered the unspeakable tragedy of having her own child abducted 18 years ago.This is a new development in American moral discourse -- the granting to people who have suffered the loss of a child moral credibility, thereby excusing them from normal moral judgments. The father

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1161711854172877532006-10-24T12:43:00.000-05:002006-10-24T13:02:28.970-05:00

Saint Paul at Frater Libertas notes another "non-partisan" gathering of the faithful. He also takes a little shot at the motivations of the local guardians of separation of church and state. As if the Archdiocese of Mpls/St. Paul doesn't have enough to do in saving the souls of all the sinners in these parts, they've announced their participation in this crucial initiative:The Office for Social

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1161652525892101382006-10-23T20:11:00.000-05:002006-10-23T20:15:26.096-05:00

Press release from the Council on American-Islamic Relations(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/23/06) - Beginning Wednesday, October 25, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will air its "Not in the Name of Islam" anti-terror television advertisement on cable networks in Minnesota, including during a Monday night Vikings football game.CAIR's 30-second spot features American Muslims stating: "We

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1161527862470444762006-10-22T09:37:00.000-05:002006-10-22T10:06:06.426-05:00

The Strib runs a column today by Gregory Boyd, senior pastor of Woodland Hills Church in Maplewood, whom I've quoted before as pretty close to my personal view on religion and politics.Yes, Jesus was all about transforming society -- but not by political means. This is why he said the movement he came to bring was "not of this world." This simply wasn't the kind of power Jesus was interested

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1161444907158650742006-10-21T10:22:00.000-05:002006-10-21T10:35:08.470-05:00

From the PiPress --Neither science nor religion, but, in context, a way to think critically One of the first things I learned as an undergraduate student of philosophy was "Never deny, seldom affirm, always distinguish." Even if this was meant as a joke, it contains a good deal of wisdom.Paul Hanle's essay, "War on evolution has a price" (Oct. 3), contains a number of hysterical reactions to the

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1161259884265109402006-10-19T06:56:00.000-05:002006-10-19T07:13:35.716-05:00

I haven't posted on the Living Word Christian Center controversy, but I contributed to today's editorial in the Pioneer Press.Policing the pulpitWe're hard pressed to figure out which cliche best describes this weekend's flap over a pastor's from-the-pulpit endorsement of 6th District congressional candidate Michele Bachmann.The group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, CREW,

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1161223514493806882006-10-18T20:58:00.000-05:002006-10-18T21:05:14.866-05:00

[Via David Strom of the Taxpayer's League] From Kathleen Anderson, Congressman Sabo's District Director:Why I'm Voting for Tammy LeeFor the past 28 years, Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District has been represented by Martin Sabo—a man whom all agree has demonstrated the highest ethical standards. In my years working for Martin, I never once had to wince or blush because of his personal or

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1161170432216424012006-10-18T06:20:00.000-05:002006-10-18T06:23:21.760-05:00

Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006OK, enough about same-sex marriage. It's a distraction from important issues. People on the street don't care. A gay marriage amendment is unnecessary. We have a law. Let's move on.Would that we could. What politicians and a gay-marriage-weary straight society are missing is this: The "unnecessary" debate, right here in Ole and Lena's Minnesota, has set a rising level of

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1161120246559242682006-10-17T16:16:00.000-05:002006-10-17T16:57:47.886-05:00

Hatch pledges direct support of new portable hand-mixer(Duluth) -- DFL gubernatorial candidate Mike Hatch stirred up quite a controversy yesterday when he pledged his support to purchase a new Oster Inspire 2529 6-Speed Hand Mixer with Storage Case for Mrs. Glenda Guernsey while in Duluth pledging his support for the new DECC Arena.While Mrs. Guensey also has support from incumbent Governor Tim

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1161005314714863232006-10-16T08:23:00.000-05:002006-10-16T08:42:04.690-05:00

Responding to a previous letter in the PiPress (Spotlight Letter not online), a letter writer on Sunday contrasted the Foley and Clinton scandals. Not going to get into the equivocation of “my scandal is not as bad as your scandal,” which is where the letter writer goes. However, the writer’s last point is worth looking at because it reflects a prevalent view.“Finally, the Democratic Party does

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1160925882904172322006-10-15T10:14:00.000-05:002006-10-15T10:34:09.650-05:00

The Kennedy campaign has issued a press release in response to Eric Black’s Strib piece reporting on Kennedy’s ad saying Amy Klobuchar wants to provide social security to illegal aliens, which Black has responded to by saying he stands by his story.Here are the grafs at issue. First Black –To back up the ad's claims, the Kennedy campaign cites the fact that Klobuchar has said she would have voted

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1160785313589720282006-10-13T19:20:00.000-05:002006-10-13T19:21:54.536-05:00

From email:If the Yahoo! Buzz Index (http://buzz.yahoo.com) is an indicator of how a Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert combo would fare in a presidential election, the duo will be running the White House come 2008. At the intersection of pop culture and politics, Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert were “Top Movers” on Yahoo! Search earlier this week, with a 1,596% increase in searches

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1160783379599894752006-10-13T18:33:00.000-05:002006-10-13T18:52:10.876-05:00

Eva Young sent me a link to MN Publius and an NRCC ad attacking Patty Wetterling. I've made it pretty clear on my blog and in the PiPress that I don't like the negative advertising that the state GOP is doing. Ditto the NRCC. However, looking at the NRCC ad posted at MN Publius, while I'd rather see a pro Bachmann ad than this negativity, this ad uses an effective if exaggerated metaphor, but it

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1160671378404114632006-10-12T11:39:00.000-05:002006-10-12T11:43:04.646-05:00

Press release from the Indpendence Party --Peter Hutchinson, Independence Party candidate for Governor, today announced his fiscally responsible plan to rebate the expected statebudget surplus to current taxpayers and future generations.The state Finance Department quarterly tax collection update indicatesthat there will likely be a forecasted surplus of several hundred million dollars in the

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1160568150123644712006-10-11T06:59:00.000-05:002006-10-11T16:50:53.853-05:00

Yesterday I attended the Citizen’s Council on Health Care event “Setting a Bright Course for Health Care.” I’ll post more on the content later, but for now a quick observation.The CCHC is an organization that believes in a free-market approach to health care, so predictably the presentations leaned in that direction, and while the audience of physicians, policy makers, and local think tank wonks

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1160561737224497992006-10-11T05:14:00.000-05:002006-10-11T05:25:47.560-05:00

Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006When irony becomes commonplace it loses some of its sarcastic potential. Instead of appreciating the irony in St. Paul's subsidizing of outdoor patios to entice smokers back to bars and restaurants from which the city banned them in the first place, we want to assume there's some common sense at work:Outdoor smoking really isn't that big a deal. It's not as bad as smoking

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1160398842417399482006-10-09T08:00:00.000-05:002006-10-09T08:00:42.486-05:00

Just after posting the Borowitz column below this email arrived:Thought you might like our new conservative satire site, www.gunsnbutter.com Think The Onion, but conservative. We're not just some yahoos with five dollars and some Internet access. We've written for National Review Online, The Weekly Standard, The American Spectator, The Washington Times, The Cato Institute, The Boston Globe, and

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1160396599718052132006-10-09T07:23:00.000-05:002006-10-09T07:23:20.233-05:00

I've often noted that good satire works because it has more than a grain truth. This piece from Andy Borowitz also puts the scandal in its proper political perspective.Poll: Majority of Americans Fear Being Instant-Messaged By a RepublicanTops Terrorism, North Korean Nukes in New SurveyA new survey released today indicates that a majority of Americans are more afraid of being instant-messaged or

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1160248651507732762006-10-07T14:05:00.000-05:002006-10-07T14:20:03.923-05:00

Just had a chance to read the Eric Black/Hugh Hewitt debate over Patty Wetterling’s “cover-up” ad and whether or not Patty lied and Black contrived to cut her some slack. Both make good cases for their positions; both miss the point.My work here is not done. Wetterling did not lie in her ad. She dispensed bullshit.In his interview of Black, Hewitt made the point that Wetterling’s statement about

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1160181436281662672006-10-06T19:30:00.000-05:002006-10-07T10:17:34.826-05:00

The DCCC has issued a release of Patty Wetterling’s Democratic response to President Bush’s weekly radio address. It is embargoed until 11:06 EST tomorrow.The address calls for holding House leadership responsible for the Foley affair as well it should. To be honest, it is less harsh a call than I expected, and less harsh than I think it could have legitimately been. And if anyone has the

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404538.post-1160171815432179432006-10-06T16:39:00.000-05:002006-10-06T16:56:57.056-05:00

Strom doesn't mince words and cuts to the chase. Hastert should resign for political reasons, yes, but Strom doesn't let him off the hook on personal responsibility -- even if Hastert didn't know about Foley's activities, he should have known. Even if the Democrats knew about Foley and conspired to turn him into an October surprise -- doesn't matter. There's no gray in this issue -- there is a

Craig Westovernoreply@blogger.com