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Duluth Politics: John Beargrease sled dog race.

John Beargrease sled dog race.

Our view: Duluth utilities decisions belong with elected leaders | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

I find it interesting that our Council President is more worried about being re-elected than doing the very thing he was elected to do. Also, I absolutely LOVE that the paper took him to task on transparency! Seeing as how last week he went to the City Attorney for protection from my question.


Our view: Duluth utilities decisions belong with elected leaders | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

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Sports a Top Prioity?

As I looked at the paper on line today, I found an interesting story. The story was about the Minnesota Twins caravan that stopped in Duluth yesterday. It seems as if the stop was a relief from the painful loss by the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Really?

More at http://www.duluthpolitics.blogspot.com/

Blogs, Message Boards, and Facebook Pages

When I posted a little comment about my Duluth Message Board (a parody project) yesterday, I had no idea that the comment thread would end up being what it is at this time -- 32 comments. I think it just proves that when the subject of the discredited duluthcitizensblog.com comes up -- it can generate comments. Does anyone remember this from Brandon Stahl's blog last year? Fedora and duluthcitizensblog -- 89 comments.

Since then, the message board has been driven off a cliff. Does Fedora still tacitly endorse the message board? Carinda Horton rightly called it "very sad." The message board is effectively dead. I think most Republicans in Duluth (except for maybe one city councilor) would like to see it go away.

I believe that this year Facebook pages are going to be "where the action is." Blogs like John Rathe's Duluth Politics will still be very relevent, but 1980s style message boards are going to be irrelevant this election season.

The Duluth Politics Facebook Group Page

Duluth Politics Blog Fan Page

In Today's World.

As some one who is not a huge fan of political correctness. I sure do understand it. This post is going to be about something that happened to a friend at work.

He had his 90 day review and it was going good until they got to personal issues. It mainly focuses on how you act with others at work. Let me start by saying, most everyone does what this guy does at work. It is a way for them to blow off steam in the line of work we do, it is good to blow off steam. While I don't do it, I understand why the others do.

They tell and talk nasty. They tell nasty jokes, yes more then likely very inappropriate most of the time. I have never said anything to anyone about it. I just walk away and don't take part in it when that goes on.

The thing is, in his review he was told he would not be continuing to work with the company because of his conversations and jokes. Someone had complained about his jokes. They found them to be harassing. It reminds me that you must watch what you are saying in today's world. People have the right to complain if they don't like some thing. And yes, they should have this right, I have always believed in free speech. That said, if it is offensive to someone, especially in public, people need to be aware of their environment. It is not okay just to say hey did you hear the joke about the white guys, Indian, and black guy.........rest of joke here................ You need to be mindful of the people around you and think could this effect someone in a negative way? So want to hear my dirty joke?

Okay, well it is even if you don't want to. The pig rolls in the mud. I know lame.

Well, I believe in telling people what I believe in I don't like blatant disregard for others. My friend will have lost his job over dumb jokes. He should have took time to think what others might think. Watch your p's and q's.

I believe people have the right to say what they wish, however people must be mindful of everyone. Don't tell a joke, or make a comment if it may make someone mad. You could lose your job in the workplace.

Buzz Blog : Guest blogger: Claire Kirch

No one can rile up the right-wing dopes that inhabit the local blogosphere like Claire Kirch can. The wingnuts even have a message board that is almost solely devoted to her. Luckily for her, she is much smarter than the right-wing message boarders and she can write circles around them -- that is why she drives them absolutely nuts.

Guest blogger: Claire Kirch
The article's comment thread

Councilor Jeff Anderson Weighs in on the Tower Issue

On today's "Buzz Blog" at the Duluth News Tribune, the guest blogger was City Councilor Jeff Anderson. He had some very interesting things to say about the East Superior Street Cell Tower Issue:

Cell Tower Update

"The Duluth City Council has received numerous e-mails concerning our decision to grant AT&T a conditional use permit for a cell tower on East Superior Street. In fact there was a Letter to the Editor in the January 20th edition of the Duluth News Tribune which was very critical of our decision.

I think it’s important for those concerned individuals to know how the conditional use permit granted by the council fits with the comprehensive plan.

The initial request for a conditional use permit ("CUP") came on August 13th. The city planning commission held a public hearing on October 13th. The planning commission sent the proposal to the city council without a recommendation because the motion to recommend the CUP failed on a 5-5 vote. On October 22nd, this matter came before the city council and was tabled until November 9th. At the November 9th meeting, the council voted 7-2 to approve the cell tower CUP.

Up until this point, there were few, if any, communications with the council that this tower was of concern to wildlife. In fact, one of my council colleagues spoke with a representative from U.S. Fish and Wildlife and they indicated no concern.

Our planning staff reviewed the CUP proposal for zoning and comprehensive plan compliance. In Minnesota, the law requires that if the comprehensive plan and zoning are in conflict, the zoning prevails. These types of towers are an allowable special use within the zoning at issue.

The city has now issued its final decision on the CUP. Revoking the CUP at this time would likely generate litigation for the City.

Federal law significantly restricts the City's ability to control the placement of these types of towers through zoning. Rest assured that the new zoning code is being carefully crafted to comply with the federal law."

I find it interesting that Anderson quotes an unnamed Councilor as a resource for information from Fish and Wildlife. He makes it sound like Fish and Wildlife was contacted prior to the vote. In light of the FACT that Fish and Wildlife took the time to send the City of Duluth an Official warning about the danger to birds at this site, I find his claim dubious at best. We'll see if he will give me an answer as to who he is quoting. I have a pretty good idea who it is and I know for a FACT that that councilor was NOT told there was no concern. This possible misrepresentation really disturbs me.

Also, he does not say that AT&T pulled this item off the agenda, which is why it was tabled in the first place. Fact is, it was also slated for a review from the Environmental Advisory Council and pulling it off the agenda caused it to also be pulled from that committee's agenda....convenient much? The Environmental Advisory Council meets quite infrequently, pulling this item fast tracked it to the council. It never did have an environmental council review.

Facebook | Duluth Politics

I am personally not into Facebook much myself, but I think it is probably "where the action is" today, and it is only going to get bigger. John Rathe has created a Duluth Politics group page on Facebook. In a very short time, it has taken off. It is already the best website to discuss local politics and it is only going to get more popular in the coming weeks. The group, at this time, has 59 members. I predict it will soon have over 200. Kudos to John.

Duluth Politics : KDAL's Line Up Change.

Duluth Politics : KDAL's Line Up Change.

A Couple of Interesting Reads

There are a couple of interesting posts on the biz blog of the Duluth News Tribune. One is about KDAL and their new line up. I will have a post on Duluth Politics about the line up later. The biz blog also has a post about the resumed talks at SMDC.

SMDC and Steelworkers.

In an effort to avoid a picket SMDC and the Steelworkers union have resumed talks on a contract. Read more at http://www.duluthpolitics.blgospot.com/ .

I think it is a good thing the two sides are back in talks.

Kozy Bar.

Eric Ringsred says he wants to sell or lease the Kozy Bar. He has owned it for a little more then three years. Ringsred said he has not been able to set his vision forward for the bar and that it is time to get out of the bar business.

Ringsred who has been in a storm of controversy the last three or four years for the Kozy and for the NorShore building, which he also owns.

Police say that the area that includes the Kozy has improved; I say show me how. I go downtown quite a bit and see the problems in the bar area. I have never set foot in the Kozy, nor will I. I think even though the number of problems have fallen a bit, it is not enough to warrant keeping the bar open. It is still my hope that the Kozy Bar will close.

Duluth Politics I MLK Day.

Duluth Politics : MLK Day.

Norm Coleman: Not This Time.

Note: I know this is not what Norman Coleman looks like today, but I couldn't help myself -- I love this photo.

John Rathe's Duluth Politics : Norm Coleman: Not This Time.

My Summer is in a Canning Jar: Time for a Creative Break

My Summer is in a Canning Jar: Time for a Creative Break

Duluth MLK Holiday Events

Duluth MLK Holiday Events

My Summer is in a Canning Jar: Follow the Money

My Summer is in a Canning Jar: Follow the Money

Favre, Vikings advance with 34-3 win over Cowboys | StarTribune.com

I was expecting a Viking loss today, but they really surprised me. Favre was very good today. The Vikings went after Favre specifically for games like this. I don't really expect the Vikings to win next week, but maybe Favre still has a little magic left in his 40 year old arm. And now, even if the Vikings lose next week, this season has not been a failure. Making it to the final four is an accomplishment. However, if they would have lost today, I do believe the season would been a disappointment. This was a very good win. Go Vikes!

Favre, Vikings rough up Romo, Cowboys in 34-3 win | StarTribune.com

Haiti teeters on brink of chaos | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

I am going to be on the road this weekend. I will have a tiny laptop with me, but I am probably not going to post anything until Tuesday. I will be able to moderate comments (if there are any), but I won't be writing anything.

I am posting the DNT article about Haiti here because Haiti overshadows everything else right now -- there might be as many as 150,000 dead.

Haiti teeters on brink of chaos | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

Post Script:
I am going to wait until Tuesday to post a comment about how the DNT's comment threads have become festivals of hate. I just hope the hatemongers don't hijack the comments for this latest DNT article about Haiti.

Hot Topics -- NLX and SMDC

Union informs SMDC of intent to stage informational picket | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

SMDC Comments | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

Our view: Going global with globetrotting senator | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is well aware of the debate in Duluth over NLX, the proposed Northern Lights Express high-speed train between the Twin Ports and Twin Cities, and its prospects of success. Skeptics, she said, may not be seeing a big enough picture.

Comments NLX | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

Haiti Earthquake Relief: How You Can Help

In the big scheme of things, this little blog is not important. That is made clear when big things (like a catastrophe) happen. I am very fortunate to now have two contributors, John and Kelly, who both happen to be good people. We are averaging somewhere about 40 unique visitors per day -- no big deal, but if you would have told me when I started this site that we would get 40 people a day reading this blog, I would have been happy with that because that is 40 more than zero. So now, if just one person who happens to read this decides to donate just five dollars (TEXT YELE TO 501 501) -- I will be more than happy, but don't do it for me, do it to help relieve some of the suffering in Haiti. Thank you!



Haiti Earthquake Relief: How You Can Help

Congressman's view: A critical moment for Haiti

Our congressman knows something about Haiti and he has submitted a well written letter to the DNT.

Again, it is so disappointing that morons feel compelled to write stupid and insensitive comments on a article/letter like this, but it is par for the course and it why the DNT's comments are almost never worth reading. I noticed that the DNT has removed one particularly offensive comment, but how big of an asshole do you have to be in order to use a catastrophe like the earthquake in Haiti as an opportunity to write a stupid and snarky comment.?

Enough Already!

The DNT's opinion page continues to disappoint -- they publish dumb letters to editors nearly every single day, a letter denying global climate change backed by "facts" gleaned from a Fat Hate Radio Clown would be one example of that. The DNT has also failed to properly vet phony organizations like the Citizen Research Council, an organization that does absolutely no research. Global climate change is a topic that could be debated intelligently -- it just so happens that the DNT has yet to publish an intelligent letter from a denier -- but, debating religion on the opinion page is pointless. Enough Already!

Reader's view: The Bible isn't a fairy tale | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

United Steelworkers Union

As many people know, the United Steelworkers Union Local 9460 has authorized a strike. The union that represents about 1,400 members in SMDC Health System is possibly going to have to strike.

SMDC has given their best offer. The best offer SMDC is willing to give is no pay increase over the next year. They are willing to look at the 2nd and 3rd years of the contract.

The employees have rejected the contract twice and now have given the union the authorization to strike. That said, most union members don't want to go on strike. They hope for a settlement between the union and SMDC.

SMDC has nine other contracts coming due on top of the steelworkers. The disrespect that SMDC is showing its workers unreal. These are the people that keep you running yet you are willing to do nothing for them. You can however give your top people who already make well of a Million dollars a 19 % increase. One top official said, "You guys are crazy if you think you are going to get anything. We have nine other contracts coming up."

Today's Best Letter to the DNT Editors

The writer makes a great point -- the Dec. 29 letter shouldn't have been printed because it added nothing to what should be a serious discussion. I have been disappointed by the numerous amount of just plain dumb letters that get published in the DNT and it is about time that someone called them on it.

Reader's view: Ugly abortion rant wasn’t worth printing | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

Go Cardinals!

Update: The Arizona Cardinals won in overtime 51 - 45.

As a somewhat fatalistic Vikings fan, I would like to see Arizona win today. That would eliminate the possibility that the Packers could match up against the Vikings in the NFC Championship game in the Metrodome. My nightmare scenario would be the Packers winning that game and going to the Super Bowl. I believe the Vikings are a long shot to go to the Super Bowl, but if they get eliminated, I sure hope the NFC is represented by a team other than the Packers.

Carinda Horton

I like Carinda Horton, she is a good person and although I almost always oppose Republicans, I am going to support Mrs. Horton's candidacy. I have my reasons for doing this, but I am (for now) going to keep them to myself.

Carinda Horton for MN State Representative, District 7A

News Tribune Announces Restructuring

I am not sure what to make of this, other than it is bad news for the DNT. I don't know to what extent Mr. Karwath was responsible for the DNT's current state of crappiness. Was Karwath in any way responsible for content of the opinion page? Is it Karwath's fault that mouth breathing right-wing morons (like Dan H, Grant, Dr Z, and Hugh j) highjack almost all of the comment threads. Was it Karwath who didn't vet the phony Citizens Research Council? If any of this was Karwath's fault, I for one won't miss him.

Perfect Duluth Day's Comment Thread on the DNT's Restructuring

News Tribune announces restructuring | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

Feel Good Story of the Year (So Far)

You have got to love a happy ending. Ham the lost bulldog was found after 11 days outside in the freezing cold. Ham's owner talked to Dan Barriero (KFAN) today. The podcast of that hour is available if you right-click and select "Save target as" this link.

Bulldog lost in blizzard found after 11 frigid days | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

Vikings Win And Get 2nd Seed

Yesterday, the Vikings smoked the Giants 44 - 7. Then they needed the Cowboys to beat the Eagles in order to secure the NFC's second seed and a first round bye in the playoffs. The Cowboys delivered and they will host the Eagles again next week. If the Cowboys win next week, they will play the Vikings in the Metrodome in the second round of the playoffs. If the Eagles win in Dallas, they will play the Saints and the Vikings will host the winner of next week's game between the Cardinals and the Packers.

Most Intriguing Scenario:
The Vikings beat the Cowboys and the Packers beat the Saints setting up a game where the Vikings host the Packers. Farve and the Vikings beat the Packers for the third time and go to the Superbowl. Will it happen? Probably not, but it would be a great story.

Vikings crush Giants and get bye | StarTribune.com