retire geoff michel

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126259352011-08-26T20:08:03.112-05:00retire geoff michelHelping Senator Geoff Michel ease his way back into a private life of making the world safe for insurance companies. Spot's email is blogspotdog at gmail dot com. Tips and comments are always welcome either as a blog post comment or by sending Spot an email.Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.comBlogger951100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1154563356513030842006-08-02T18:59:00.000-05:002006-08-28T22:00:09.946-05:00For the time being . . .

Although he really likes the name of this blog, and the name does bring some taffic, Spot is finding that keeping up two blogs is more than a poor dog can handle. Therefore, for the time being, all posts, including those that refer to Spot's very own state senator, Geoff Michel, will be at The Cucking Stool. See you there.For those of you especially interested in Geoff Michel, and you probably

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1153579510145636552006-07-22T09:45:00.000-05:002006-07-22T10:12:02.540-05:00Bob remembers

Bob remembers where he put the good stuff. After a couple of tumblers of it over ice, he pens this in this week's Edina Sun Current: To the editor: My wife and I had a marvelous time at the Edina Fourth of July parade. We helped decorate a float and then had a ball handing out red, white and blue beads to the veterans and all the kids. We gave beads to everyone who smiled or put out

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1151447573651662152006-06-27T17:32:00.000-05:002006-06-27T17:32:53.723-05:00Democrats open field office here in Edina

Here is a press release that Spotty received today. Democrats Open Field Office in EdinaGrand Opening on Wednesday June 28th5:30PM to 7:30 PMBuilding on their success in the western suburbs in 2004 and 2005 the DFL has opened a Field Office in Edina for the 2006 elections. All are invited to the grand opening on Wednesday June 28th from 5:30PM to 7:30PM at 6950 France Avenue, Edina, MN, Suite 108

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1150657801089352632006-06-18T14:07:00.000-05:002006-06-18T14:10:01.100-05:00If Spot was a betting dog

Check out this post on the Cucking Stool that mentiones Sen. Michel.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1148076854961600322006-05-19T17:12:00.000-05:002006-05-19T17:14:14.973-05:00The perfect compromise

Spot has the perfect compromise for the Gophers stadium. Bill Cooper still pays $35 milliion but does not get naming rights. It could work.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1147888275504822272006-05-17T12:49:00.000-05:002006-05-17T12:51:15.526-05:002020 Caucus

Spot has a new post about the 2020 Caucus and Geoff Michel up on the Cucking Stool.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1147211925853329562006-05-09T16:58:00.000-05:002006-05-09T17:00:00.406-05:00The Great Pretender Re-revealed

The Great Pretender reveals himself yet again! Senator Geoff Michel (R-41) has been talking all session (and last, too) about his bi-partisan efforts to get the Gophers a new on-campus football stadium. A bill passed the Minnesota Senate today to do just that. Michel voted lock-step with the rest of the Republicans in the body and voted NO. What you say? Why?You see, the bill provided for

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1147028390753596882006-05-07T13:51:00.000-05:002006-05-07T16:32:28.146-05:00The Andrew and Geoff show

Geoff Michel was on Almanac last Friday night, interviewed about the Gophers (Geoff went to Dartmouth to undergraduate school, by the way) stadium and his upcoming race against Andrew Borene. Sen. Michel said he "didn't know if there was a target painted on his back" for the fall. If he doesn't know, he's the only one. Maybe someone ought to tell him!Dean Johnson was interviewed about Michel's

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1146755712453756732006-05-04T10:03:00.000-05:002006-05-04T10:15:12.473-05:00Does not play well with others

Now it seems that Republicans in general are unhappy that Senator Michel may not get to bask in the sunshine of a Gophers stadium:Efforts to approve the bill without the tax failed when Republicans complained that instead of Republican Sen. Geoff Michel, not Sen. Pogemiller, should be the chief author of the bill because he'd worked on the issue for two years.Aw, the senator from Edina champions

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1146716484344765012006-05-03T23:12:00.000-05:002006-05-03T23:22:29.250-05:00More Great Pretenderisms

Speaking of the Gopher stadium bill which he has sponsored, and for which Bill Cooper's savings and loan, TCF, was to get naming rights, but is now in trouble in the Senate Tax Committee, the senator said:"Until it hit this committee it was very bipartisan and it was a bipartisan product. I worry we've taken a big step backward," said Sen. Geoff Michel, R-Edina.Well cry Spot a river senator.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1146349520698532252006-04-29T17:24:00.000-05:002006-04-29T17:25:20.716-05:00Local resident wins Spotty!

You can read all about it here.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1146002370486948862006-04-25T16:59:00.000-05:002006-04-25T17:06:19.670-05:00Activism opportunities

Other than Dave Thul, who is now off to parts unknown, Spotty’s most persistent critic is Julie Risser. Julie has a much better attention span than Spot, which is damnation with faint praise. But still. Julie has sent emails to Spot about some things that might be of interest to Spot’s readers.First, there will be a forum on immigration policy at the Edina Library at starting at 4:00 PM on May

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1145397882901278762006-04-18T17:02:00.000-05:002006-04-18T17:04:42.913-05:00Sabo sez vote for Borene

Spotty keeps getting scooped by MNPublius on Borene stuff. Here's another endorsement, this time from outgoing US House member Martin Sabo.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1144705292883828592006-04-10T16:39:00.000-05:002006-04-10T16:41:32.906-05:00From an SD41 press release

SD 41 DEMOCRATS ENDORSE LOCAL IRAQ VETERAN AND FORMER BANKER FORSTATE SENATE Andrew Borene, who served as a U.S. Marine Intelligence Officerduring the 2003 invasion of Iraq, received a unanimous endorse-ment from approximately 300 delegates who attended Minnesota’sSenate District 41 Democratic Convention on Saturday afternoon March 29. The district is traditionally a Republican

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1143652672534388712006-03-29T11:16:00.000-06:002006-03-29T11:17:52.546-06:00A stadium by any other name

A new post at the Cucking Stool that should be of interest to Senate 41 voters.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1143147661728072482006-03-23T14:35:00.000-06:002006-03-23T15:01:01.770-06:00A leopard . . .

Cannot change its spots. Nor a skunk its stripes. The signature you see on the left belongs to Geoff Michel, and it is on the ethics complaint filed against Majority Leader Dean Johnson. You can read the whole thing here, if you are so inclined.Spot has already commented on l'affaire de johnson at the Cucking Stool. And he'll probably have more to say about it in coming days. Right now, though,

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1142990889310266722006-03-21T19:15:00.000-06:002006-03-22T12:53:43.620-06:00Too many Mexicans!

Both Reps. Erhardt and Peterson voted for this bill. It is intended to override local ordinances in our center cities intended to keep cops out of the immigration business. It will inhibit cooperation with the police by undocumented aliens. This subject was raised at the town hall meeting with the legislators a few weeks ago. It was the sense of the crowd that a bill like this was a bad

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1142914086186860502006-03-20T22:02:00.000-06:002006-03-20T22:08:06.210-06:00Doesn't play well with others

Geoff Michel supported Michele Bachmann's (unsuccessful) efforts to pull the anti-gay marriage amendment bill out of the committee process for a vote on the Senate floor. Watchers of Michel's voting record will recall that he tried to do this with the Conceal and Carry handgun legislation before the issue blew up in his fact in his district and he got permission from Dick Day to vote against the

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1142823981132928552006-03-19T20:52:00.000-06:002006-03-19T21:06:21.146-06:00A picture . . .

Lies better than a thousand words. The Great Pretender is back trying to convince us he is a friend of public education. He is not. Check out Spot's post about Geoff Michel from last session. Read also about his support of the divisive, anti-public education former Education Commissioner, Cheri Pearson Yecke. And Michel is a supporter of school vouchers.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1142353139766078172006-03-14T10:18:00.000-06:002006-03-14T10:18:59.776-06:00Caucusing in Cakeville . . .

That's the title of Spot's post on minvolved about the SD41 caucuses last week You can read it here.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1142045047487691492006-03-10T20:41:00.000-06:002006-03-10T20:44:07.500-06:00Expressed as a percentage . . .

More on the 70% solution at The Cucking Stool. Pretty much everyone, including the governor on Almanac tonight, declared this duck dead, dead, dead.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1141845822073283942006-03-08T13:10:00.000-06:002006-03-08T13:23:42.100-06:00No I'm/she's not . . .

In posting some proposed caucus resolutions written by Carol Overland, who practices law in Northfield, Spotty identified Carol as a Green party member. There were two messages in Spotty's email inbox this morning related to the post.The first one was from Carol herself, saying that she was not a Green. Spot inferred from the rest of her message that she was sort of, kind of, not altogether

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1141752154194661832006-03-07T11:22:00.000-06:002006-03-07T11:31:52.426-06:00Well, this is different . . .

Here's a blog post that almost writes itself. A couple of correspondents have written to Spot with ideas for the caucuses tonight. Since Spot is not a party activist, he is not a big proposer of resolutions at the caucus, but he's going to pass these along, dear readers, for your consideration.First, Pete Westre at Left in the Heartland has some resolutions directed to putting the "L" back in DFL

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1141703155338918832006-03-06T21:41:00.000-06:002006-03-06T21:45:55.353-06:00Borene gets another endorsement

Candidate for Senate District 41 (and the presumptive DFL endorsee) Andrew Borene picked the endorsement of the Service Employees International Union. MN Publius has the story.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1141058844427370342006-02-27T10:44:00.000-06:002006-02-27T10:47:24.440-06:00Town hall meeting report . . .

Spot has a report of last Thursday's (2/23) town hall meeting up at minvolved. This is the meeting at the Edina City Hall with Reps. Erhardt and Peterson and Sen. Michel.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1140481638869049892006-02-20T18:26:00.000-06:002006-02-20T18:27:18.883-06:00Borene gets important endorsement

Read about the DFL Veterans Caucus endorsement here.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1140451891540709602006-02-20T09:56:00.000-06:002006-02-20T10:11:31.573-06:00Mea culpa . . .

Mea maxima culpa! Spot has neglected his first-born for entirely too long while lavishing attention on that strumpet, the Cucking Stool. The next session of the Legislature starts in about a week, so that will soon change.On Thursday night, the 23rd, the District 41 legislators - Neil Peterson, Ron Erhardt, and Geoff Michel - will hold a town hall meeting at the Edina City Hall at 7 PM. Spot has

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1137712617357881152006-01-19T17:16:00.000-06:002006-01-19T17:18:57.303-06:00Senate Republican 41 war on terra . . .

Ok, all you Senate District 41 Republicans, turn to the same page in your hymnals. Someone is not listening to instructions. Please note the following:On Tuesday Senator Geoff Michel was quoted in a story on Kare11.com. Michel says facing a military vet (Andrew Borene who made the official announcement last night) won't change his focus or his campaign strategy, "When I go to the Capitol in Saint

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1136341703938602072006-01-03T20:23:00.000-06:002006-01-03T20:28:23.950-06:00Attention to the race.

The Minnesota Senate 41 race is starting to attract some attention from around the state. The buzz is that Geoff Michel is much more conservative than his district, and that Andrew Borene, the likely DFL challenger, is a great guy.Tags: Andrew Borene versus Geoff Michel

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1136308385802888052006-01-03T11:11:00.000-06:002006-01-03T11:13:05.813-06:00Check out the Spotty . . .

There is a new Spotty award here at the Cucking Stool that refers to Geoff Michel.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1134680112646953172005-12-15T14:55:00.000-06:002005-12-15T14:58:44.320-06:00The Great Pretender, part two

In the Great Pretender, Spotty told his readers about state senator Geoff Michel’s efforts to run away – rhetorically only, of course – from his Republican caucus in the Minnesota Legislature. He needs to do so, of course, because of the bluing of Edina, Geoff’s hometown. Oh, what a tangled web we weave!Now, Spotty wants to spend some time over the next several days talking about the real Geoff

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1134275177045295462005-12-10T22:29:00.000-06:002005-12-10T22:29:36.380-06:00The Great Pretender

A Minnesota state senator, not the crooner. Geoff Michel, not Freddie Mercury and the Platters.Oh yes I'm the great pretender (ooh ooh)Pretending I'm doing well (ooh ooh)My need is such I pretend too muchI'm lonely but no one can tellYes, Geoff has been getting lonelier and lonelier since the election in 2004. John Kerry carried Geoff’s district (41) which includes the salons of Edina. The same

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1129059198779850682005-10-11T14:33:00.000-05:002005-10-11T14:33:18.786-05:00Bob and Brien on the Stool . . .

Spotty says check out his post Bagpipes? on the cucking stool. He refers to a couple of district 41 denizens.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1128122404519326592005-09-30T18:19:00.000-05:002005-09-30T19:34:25.356-05:00All he got was twenty bucks?

People are scratching their heads over Tom DeLay's PAC's contributions to local Republicans in the last election cycle. Mark Kennedy and John Kline each got, in round numbers, $30,000; Gil Guteneckt got, Spotty recalls, about $6,000. And Jim Ramstad got a measly $20. That's right: twenty bucks. What's that all about? asks Wendy Wilde and others. Spotty will tell you.That is a highly symbolic $20.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1127857010244545512005-09-27T16:38:00.000-05:002005-09-27T16:43:14.103-05:00Rode hard and put up wet . . .

Spotty, just like Katie, has a day in history he wants readers to remember. But not in a good way. Today is the eleventh anniversary of the photo-op signing of the “Contract with America” on the steps of the US Capitol by Congressional Republicans. These were the thrilling days of yesteryear for Sheriff Newton and his faithful deputy Annette Meeks, now of the Center of the American Experiment.In

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1127702429497208202005-09-25T23:09:00.000-05:002005-09-25T23:09:06.316-05:00Michele and Michel's kind of place.

Over at Dump Michele Bachmann, there is a link to a story about a child who was expelled from a Christian school because her parents are lesbians.ONTARIO, Calif.A 14-year-old student was expelled from a Christian school because her parents are lesbians, the school's superintendent said in a letter.Shay Clark was expelled from Ontario Christian School on Thursday."Your family does not meet the

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1127610987836360572005-09-24T20:23:00.000-05:002005-09-24T20:23:17.553-05:00Nice try, Brien . . .

Brien Martin is a demagogue and a crummy historian to boot. He wails with outrage that people have the temerity to disagree with Congressman Ramstad – or him, for that matter –in a letter printed in the Edina Sun Current on September 15th. His tut tutting over the recent Edina town hall meeting with the Congressman is laughable.The Congressman, like most seasoned politicians, is practiced at the

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1127514170262676832005-09-23T17:25:00.000-05:002005-09-24T09:44:12.483-05:00Hor, Hor, Hor!

Spotty missed International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Arggh! And he had a pist in mind, so he did! So heers a beelated pist fer ya.English is hard enough for a Dalmatian, much less pirate dialect, so Spot will continue in his version of standard English.Andrew Bourne, a former marine officer and a candidate for Geoff Michel’s senate seat, wrote an op-ed piece for the Minnesota Daily entitled

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1126732167865591792005-09-14T16:10:00.000-05:002005-09-14T16:09:27.880-05:00Check out a post on the Stool . . .

Spotty has a post today about a post on the sd41 gop website here.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1125887206012584652005-09-04T21:26:00.000-05:002005-09-04T21:26:46.020-05:00Buddy, can you spare a dime?

Or maybe a bucket of toiletries like soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, and toothbrushes? Or clean usable clothing (or new stuff if you are so inclined) for kids or adults? Or blankets? How about that soccer ball, football, or basketball that has been lying around? Or just about anything that might be of use to someone who fled from home with only the clothes the person was wearing?On

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1125368664289348912005-08-30T20:33:00.000-05:002005-08-30T20:32:18.410-05:00GEOFF MICHEL SLIPS PRECIPITOUSLY!

That's the word from the Taxpayers League of Minnesota. More to follow as details become available! Stay tuned!

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1124116441391295102005-08-15T09:29:00.000-05:002005-08-15T09:34:01.396-05:00Borene's writings about Iraq and veterans . . .

Some of the veterans in Operation Truth have a page on the site with a short biography and a link to some of that veteran's writings. You can find Andrew Borene's, DFL candidate for the Minnesota Senate, here.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1123701465663059902005-08-10T14:15:00.000-05:002005-08-10T21:36:09.686-05:00Andrew Borene gets some nice ink . . .

Nick Coleman has been back on the beat after a few weeks parental leave. He has a great column today on why it is time to talk about the Iraq war as grownups. The reason for mentioning this here rather than on The Cucking Stool is that along the way Nick made some nice comments about Andrew Borene, who is running for the Senate seat currently held by Geoff Michel. An excerpt: The troops are not

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1123251872107841112005-08-05T09:24:00.000-05:002005-08-05T09:24:32.113-05:00

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1123120561559586462005-08-03T20:55:00.000-05:002005-08-08T19:26:57.643-05:00A grave injustice . . .

Jim Ramstad held a town hall meeting tonight at the Edina City Hall. Spotty had a reporter in attendance, and you can read more about the meeting on his other blog The Cucking Stool. However, there is one thing the Congressman said that need to be mentioned over here.Ramstad gave Geoff Michel a plug on transportation issues in Minnesota. Geoff Michel. Sweet Jesus, a good transportation bill

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1122906088971272662005-08-01T09:21:00.000-05:002005-08-01T11:21:57.026-05:00Spotty gets a plug . . .

Spotty understands that the Senate District 41 DFL webpage has a post with a link to Spotty's site. If any of you are reading this blog for the first time because of the link, welcome. Spot tries to follow 41 politics with particular emphasis on the district's first-term senator, Geoff Michel. It is perhaps obvious that Spot thinks that Senator Michel should be replaced with someone more

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1122650813094315762005-07-29T10:26:00.000-05:002005-07-29T10:26:53.103-05:00Your Honor, we offer into evidence . . .

Spotty says success has a thousand fathers while failure is a orphan. Exhibit A for this proposition is Geoff Michel's slippery interview with James Zwilling of the Edina Sun Current, printed in the July 28th edition. Michel is understandably in full damage-control mode after the legislature and governor's lamentable performance in the last session. But, he tries to take credit for things that

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1121128218756233022005-07-11T19:22:00.000-05:002005-08-07T20:05:49.956-05:00The wit and wisdom of Geoff Michel . . .

A faithful correspondent sent in a couple of Senator's Michel's recent ponderings:"I feel like I've been let out of jail,'' said Republican Sen. Geoff Michel of Edina [in response to a question about what it was like to have the session over] in the July 9th StarTribune.It's probably just one of those hyperbole kind of things. Anyway, Senator, you will be pleased to know that there are people

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1120665630824040072005-07-06T10:58:00.000-05:002005-07-06T11:00:30.830-05:00Go back and check out part one . . .

After you read You will be known by the company you keep, part two, go back and read, or reread, part one.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1120608454443640842005-07-05T18:51:00.000-05:002005-07-05T19:07:34.446-05:00You will be known by the company you keep.

Part two.On Spotty's other blog, The Cucking Stool, there is a new post about William Cooper's activities in the establishment of charter schools. The reasons this is news over here is because of the connection between the Coop and our senator, Geoff Michel.Spotty's readers will recall that Senator G signed the No New Taxes Ever, I Really Mean It, Cross my Heart and Hope to Die pledge of the

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1119467803730450762005-06-22T14:15:00.000-05:002005-06-22T14:16:43.736-05:00Gone fishing . . .

Back in a few days.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1118951766882941822005-06-16T14:55:00.000-05:002005-06-16T14:56:22.253-05:00Geoff Michel has a challenger . . .

A note to Spotty from Patrick at Minnesota Republican Watch:A brief article, available at http://www.mnsun.com/story.asp?city=Bloomington&story=159788 : Lifelong Edina resident Andrew Borene is exploring a DFL candidacy for state Senate District 41 in the November 2006 election. Borene, a former banker and U.S. Marine intelligence officer filed his campaign committee with the Minnesota

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1118850242989602792005-06-15T10:43:00.000-05:002005-06-15T10:44:02.993-05:00Senator Michel scores 100%!

The Taxpayers League of Minnesota gave our senator a 100% rating last year. That means, among other things that the senator:1) voted to confirm Cheri Pierson Yecke as education commissioner,2) voted for school vouchers, which would exacerbate public school funding problems, including in Edina and Bloomington (see Spotty's Vouchers Smouchers post about the constitutionality of vouchers schemes in

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1118514027427929862005-06-11T13:17:00.000-05:002005-06-11T13:20:27.430-05:00Not much news . . .

Things are pretty quiet at the Legislature, although you can be sure there is a lot of activity under the surface. Spotty doesn't have anything to report about the senator.Look for a new installment of You will be known by the company you keep. It should be posted in a few days.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1117134138540919622005-06-04T19:49:00.000-05:002005-06-05T20:41:49.473-05:00You will be known by the company you keep.

Part OneAt least that's what Spotty's mom always used to say; Spot thinks she was right. Spot has written before, here and here, about Geoff Michel, his commitment to public education, and his commitment to Cheri Pierson Yecke. In summary, Spotty says that you can tell a lot about what Senator Michel thinks about public education, and what he is willing to do to support it, by looking at the

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1117896538305359772005-06-04T09:48:00.000-05:002005-06-04T09:48:58.310-05:00More about the gimmicky 65% solution . . .

This from the June 4th Star Triune op-ed page: Rep. Karen Klinzing's bill to put 65 percent of every operational dollar into "regular instruction" appears to be another unfunded mandate. The word "classroom(s)" appears 14 times in Klinzing's May 27 Commentary page article but only once in House File 616. "Regular instruction" appears four times in her legislation but not once in Klinzing's

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1117811441296333152005-06-03T10:10:00.000-05:002005-08-08T20:52:23.170-05:00From Spotty's perspective . . .

Several days ago, Spot asked readers to say what they thought that Ron Erhardt and Geoff Michel had in common. Mitch wrote to say they both wear neckties in public, but no one else could think of anything apparently.For Spot's admittedly different perspective, the biggest thing they have in common is that they are both bipeds. Spotty is a quadruped, of course, so he notices things like this.Ron

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1117506784739496742005-05-31T12:32:00.000-05:002005-05-31T12:33:53.240-05:00Contact District 41's legislators about gambling.

Apparently, H.R. 1 in the special session is a gambling bill, for the "racino" Spotty thinks. All three of district 41's legislators said at the March town hall meeting that they were opposed to an expansion of gambling. Contact them and let them know you expect them to continue that opposition. Email addresses are in the sidebar.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1117520269253215582005-05-31T01:13:00.000-05:002005-05-31T01:19:06.073-05:00Have a look . . .

. . . at Spotty's new blog The Cucking Stool. It's a little broader in scope than this blog and intends to take on some of the silly things politicians, op-ed columnists and editorial writers, and even letters to the editor say.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1117469532065011042005-05-30T11:11:00.000-05:002005-07-07T09:50:58.730-05:00The tragedy of pseudo-sincerity . . . part deux

Spot has written before about the tragedy of pseudo-sincerity.Spotty learned a long time ago that a friendly pat on the head does not necessarily mean he is going to be fed or exercised. He has learned to look for that move for the kibble bag or the leash.Senator Michel gives the occasional pat on the head to his constituents, but he hasn't made much of a move for the kibble bag on the budget

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1117468271560910132005-05-30T10:37:00.000-05:002005-05-30T10:51:11.563-05:00On Memorial Day . . .

Spotty wants you to meet Clarence. Clarence is a homeless man who lives in Detroit. He is a veteran of the Afghan war. If Clarence doesn't make you weep, you have no heart. There are probably people like Clarence in Minnesota, too, especially among the National Guard, who receive even less in benefits than regular armed forces personnel after active duty ends.The health care cuts urged by the

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1117259191460285952005-05-28T00:46:00.000-05:002005-05-28T00:48:45.443-05:00Read 'em if you can . . .

Ron Erhardt's survey results that Spotty mentioned a couple of posts ago. Click the box if the survey does not appear.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1117257306937162442005-05-28T00:15:00.000-05:002005-05-28T16:00:25.520-05:00Ron Erhardt and Geoff Michel

What do these two have in common? Please make your comments and then Spotty will weigh in in a few days. (Click the box above if you don't see the photos.)

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1117082332750300792005-05-27T12:07:00.000-05:002005-05-27T12:10:08.560-05:00The tragedy of pseudo-sincerity . . .

Before the session started, Geoff Michel sent a letter to the Star Tribune, co-authored by an Inver Grove Heights DFLer, stating how important bi-partisanship was going to be. Recently, he circulated an article from the Pioneer Press in the district about his joining a bi-partisan legislative group. Then, just yesterday, the Edina Sun Current published a letter wherein the senator says he is in

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1117153293402051942005-05-26T19:21:00.000-05:002005-05-28T00:09:56.876-05:00Michel's latest magnanimous but ultimately empty gesture . . .

Michel says he won't accept OT pay(Created 5/26/2005 2:57:23 PM)To the editor:Five months should be long enough. Twenty weeks should be long enough. And deadlines should matter. This week the state Legislature has, once again, failed to complete our business by the constitutional deadline of May 23.School districts, local governments, health care programs and others are relying upon the

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1117128344906121722005-05-26T12:26:00.000-05:002005-05-26T12:26:07.343-05:00Ron Erhardt's survey results . . .

Every year, Representative Ron Erhardt sends out a questionnaire for residents in his district to identify issues and priorities. Mr. and Mrs. Spot got their copy of a summary of the responses to the questionnaire the other day. If you didn't paticipate in the survey (shame on you), I don't think the Representative sent you a copy of the results. They are illuminating, however, and Spot suggests

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1117053048917012302005-05-25T15:30:00.000-05:002005-05-25T15:37:33.893-05:00Vouchers Smouchers . . .

Spot has written before about the Minnesota Constitution and public education. He believes that the proposal of the governor (supported by Geoff Michel; Spotty doesn't know what Reps. Erhardt and Peterson think about this, but he is going to find out) for "school choice," meaning vouchers, is against the explicit terms of the Minnesota Constitution.For good order's sake, Spot reproduces the first

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1116993197846231002005-05-24T22:53:00.000-05:002005-05-25T09:02:13.236-05:00Shall Issue Conceal and Carry signed by the Governor . . .

The shall issue conceal and carry firearms bill was signed by the governor today. Spotty promised a few days ago to tell you about the votes of our legislators here in Edina.Representative Ron Erhardt is a reliable vote against this madness, and he voted against it again. Spotty says send him an email to thank him for his steadfastness.Representative Neil Peterson voted for the bill. Spot is

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1116956927809669442005-05-24T12:48:00.000-05:002005-05-24T12:48:47.813-05:00blogspotdog

blogspotdog Originally uploaded by blog spot dog. Spot needs some help in figuring out what kind of dog he is. Tragically, as is so often in the case of dogs, Spot is the product of a broken home. Spot is a white (except for the spots, of course) male. He thought for a while he was a Dalmatain, but his spots are the wrong color. Then he though maybe he had some Brittany spaniel blood, but

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1116947422595283272005-05-24T10:10:00.000-05:002005-05-24T18:08:08.140-05:00Academic Freedom . . .

Yeti at Frozen Tundra Blog has a extensive post about Senator Michele Bachmann's so-called defense of academic freedom bill that is currently pending in the Legislature. Senator Bachmann is, of course, the reigning clown princess of Minnesota politics (but with Cheri Pierson Yecke and Pat Pariseau snapping at her heels; Spotty can't seem to shake the canine metaphors).Sens. Michel and Bachmann

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1116726424379528082005-05-21T20:46:00.000-05:002005-05-22T09:22:17.073-05:00Just say NO . . .

Spot quotes first two sections of Article XIII of the Minnesota Constitution:Section 1. UNIFORM SYSTEM OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The stability of a republican form of government depending mainly upon the intelligence of the people, it is the duty of the legislature to establish a general and uniform system of public schools. The legislature shall make such provisions by taxation or otherwise as will

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1116690373406904082005-05-21T10:45:00.000-05:002005-05-21T18:41:00.473-05:00You really would think . . .

. . . that it would occur to a bunch of economists that perhaps it might be a little more important to people in choosing where to live that Minnesota is prosperous enough to have a median income for a family of four that is 15% higher than the national average? And that the surrounding states with whom we are "competing" compare with Minnesota on the same measure thusly:Minnesota . . .

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1116618076685911642005-05-20T15:35:00.000-05:002005-05-21T09:13:53.626-05:00Letter to a Young Conservative . . .

Spotty has been ruminating about this one for a while. But here goes. There is high school senior in Edina who runs a blog called http://ih8liberals.blogspot.com/. Spot really doesn't have to describe it to you. Now, Spot sometimes has sharp words for people, including specifically Geoff Michel. But Spotty doesn't hate Geoff Michel; his politics are dismal, and Spot tries to be quick in pointing

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1116531973269840052005-05-19T17:20:00.000-05:002005-05-19T17:23:56.580-05:00Catch 22 . . .

This is the text of a letter in the Star Tribune on May 19th: Don't take rights I am a handgun permit holder, and I believe if the man accused of killing Billy Walsh is found guilty of murder, he should be executed. The alleged killer violated his permit to carry by drinking. But we shouldn't quit issuing permits because of him or a few criminals. Americans have a constitutional

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1116524937071725732005-05-19T12:48:00.000-05:002005-05-19T23:30:33.476-05:00If you wish upon a star . . .

Our governor, Jiminy Cricket (he wants us to wish on a star to solve the state's problems, and quit bothering him) has threatened to, and undoubtedly will, veto the gasoline tax increase measure approved by both bodies in the Minnesota Legislature. The bill did not pass by veto-proof margins in either house. As Spot mentioned before, our two representatives voted for the measure, and they are

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1116516423715906372005-05-19T10:26:00.000-05:002005-05-19T11:14:01.466-05:00Spot's probably not a watchdog . . .

Spotty got a copy of a letter recently calling him a "watch dog." He is flattered, but he thinks he is more of a hound.

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1116465614227376842005-05-18T20:20:00.000-05:002005-05-19T09:47:50.436-05:00Senate approves bill with ten cent gas tax . . .

Today the Minnesota Senate passed a bill along - you guessed it - straight party lines to increase the gasoline tax ten cents per gallon. A Star Tribune article describing the bill can be found here. You will recall that Representatives Ron Erhardt (R - 41A) and Neil Peterson (R - 41B) and a handful of other Republicans in the House voted with all of the DFLers to pass a bill in that body to

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1116369399941737782005-05-18T10:50:00.000-05:002005-05-18T10:50:21.626-05:00Ok, Spotty is back on the scent . . .

Senator Steve Kelley (DFL - Hopkins) sent out an email message concerning the passage of an education by the Minnesota Senate. The bill is SF2267, and the Senator, who is the Chair of the Senate Education Committee, says it is a good one. Spotty is still reading it, but it is supposed to contain the first genuine increases in the state's education appropriation for four years.It passed

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1116424061906368982005-05-18T08:47:00.000-05:002005-05-18T08:47:41.913-05:00An amplification . . .

Spotty forgot to mention in an earlier post that public school districts must provide special education services to private school students, too. It's in If Schools had the Same Accounting Systems as Business . . . .

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1116368336942534962005-05-17T17:18:00.000-05:002005-05-17T22:44:22.020-05:00Some people say that Norm Coleman is a liar . . .

And if they're wrong, there will have to be consequences for that.This is essentially Coleman's response to the slicing and dicing he got today from George Galloway. He said that there would be consequences if Galloway lied to the committee. Notice he didn't say that Galloway DID lie. If Coleman had any real proof that Galloway was involved in the Iraqi oil for food business or that Galloway was

Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04320639130804814361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12625935.post-1116360175900834362005-05-17T15:02:00.000-05:002005-05-17T15:02:55.906-05:00Sigh, you really want to look at this . . .