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188 Reader Comments

Binky .357 (not verified)05:47am
Feb 20

Robinson told police he brought a loaded revolver to a house in the 2600 block of Logan Avenue N., and began jokingly pulling the trigger, according to a criminal complaint filed Tuesday.

Why does the image from Boondock Saints keep coming to mind?

Rocco: "That's FUNNY! That's really FUCKIN' FUNNY!"

Dumbass.

The one time an idiot (another Private) aimed his rifle at me in basic training, I told him not to point a rifle at me. He kept doing it, so I moved three steps to the left. He followed me with it, keeping it pointed at me. "Goddamit, don't aim that rifle at me."

He squeezed the trigger. I can tell ya, the loudest sound in the world is the sound of a hammer falling on an empty chamber.

The second loudest sound is the sound of a butt-stroke to the head. When the Drill Sergeant came running up and asked why the private was on the ground and I was standing over him cussing, all he could say was, "I was only playin'!"

When I explained, a little more coherently, why I saw fit to put him in the dirt with a headache, the drill (while still pretty pissed) saw it my way. Pvt. Headache got KP for a couple of days, I got a stean lecture and a "get back to your platoon."

kwatt06:24am
Feb 20

MN2020 is not a news organization.

teucer07:10am
Feb 20

Impressive, Mr Binky. Most people have to reach the rank of at least Lieutenant before someone on their own side attempts to frag them. I'm amazed that it could happen as early as basic training.

OTOH, it is good that you are not dead, as I am sure you will agree.

yoder  url07:10am
Feb 20

It does not take reading and interpreting statistics to know that Minnesota roads are deteriorating faster than they are being repaired.

Binky .357 (not verified)07:31am
Feb 20

Impressive, Mr Binky. Most people have to reach the rank of at least Lieutenant before someone on their own side attempts to frag them. I'm amazed that it could happen as early as basic training.

If I'd genuinely pissed this guy off, I might have been flattered. But the fact that he was fucking around on a live-fire range for no other reason than that he "was just bored"... well, that provoked my ire better than anything else a person might do to me.

Comments sponsored by
jderusha07:34am
Feb 20

Kevin brings up a good point. Looking over more than a month of dailylinks, nothing has been linked in Local News other than MSM or online news organizations (Daily Planet, MinMon, Daily Mole, etc.).

MN2020 is run by the former head of the DFL and is staffed by DFL people; but it acts somewhat like Minnesota Monitor in that it has fellows (like the author of the road story) who are former reporters.

So in my circular way of arguing, I think this story probably fits in "Daily News," although it may fit better in the Politics In MN links. Are there conservative think tanks functioning like MN2020?

Binky .357 (not verified)07:39am
Feb 20

Are there conservative think tanks functioning like MN2020?

100.3 KTLK

mazasapa07:42am
Feb 20

"Minnesota 2020 is a progressive, non-partisan think tank."

Well, how about ...

"The Taxpayers League of Minnesota is a nonpartisan, nonprofit grassroots taxpayer advocacy organization ..."

tit? meet tat.

mazasapa07:45am
Feb 20

"Conrad deFiebre comes to Minnesota 2020 after 34 years as an editor and reporter at the Minneapolis Star Tribune"

I'm shocked, SHOCKED that a former strib reporter and editor is a liberal!!

aliecat  url08:11am
Feb 20

I'm trying to think of a situation where anyone would think it's a JOKE to bring a LOADED gun and pull the trigger at someone.

ericam  url08:44am
Feb 20

I'm trying to think of a situation where anyone would think it's a JOKE to bring a LOADED gun and pull the trigger at someone.

Seriously! That is one stupid little fuck and I hope he gets what's coming to him.

I mean, of course, rehabilitation would be great and all. But he deserves a hefty penalty for being That Fucking Stupid.

kwatt08:47am
Feb 20

I've fired a gun probably less than five times my whole life and know not to point guns at people. Geez.

Maz said tit.

Mpls Simpleton (not verified)08:48am
Feb 20

It's usually this part of the winter where I give up on caring what humans do to each other and really start hoping for that Bird Flu to wipeout a good chunk of the population.

mb2108:54am
Feb 20

Wow. Happy Wednesday everybody!

wayno (not verified)09:04am
Feb 20

yes, we can't afford to keep transportation infrastructure from falling apart. now we can't even afford to hire civil servants anymore!

Great job, TPaw. When the fuck are you going to realize your whole no-new-taxes-whatsoever-ever thing is destroying what used to be a pretty productive and progressive state? Seriously, how long until some of those fortune 500 companies headquartered here start thinking of picking up shop for somewhere that's not falling apart (in every sense of the phrase)?

Ratfink bastard.

just sayin' (not verified)09:06am
Feb 20

I'm shocked, SHOCKED that a former strib reporter and editor is a liberal!!

yes, masapaz, because it doesn't make ANY sense that the people who actually DO pay attention to the news would lean that way. people working in a newsroom tend to be some of the better informed people around, and I'm sure there's a reason they tend to be a bit liberal. I'm guessing it has something to do with all that reality destroying their little pie-in-the-sky fantasy land.

wayno (not verified)09:08am
Feb 20

oh also, I've been shooting before and literally the FIRST thing I was told was to never ever ever ever ever EVER point the gun at another person. even if you think it's unloaded. also not to put your finger on the trigger until it's actually pointed somewhere you want to shoot it.

kwatt09:12am
Feb 20

Of course, they then qualified that with "unless the person is driving a car."

;)

wayno (not verified)09:15am
Feb 20

no, that would have been the case had I learned how to shoot in southern California. instead I learned in Massachusetts, where the only acceptable time to shoot someone is if they're a Yankees fan.

swandog (not verified)09:20am
Feb 20

It's usually this part of the winter where I give up on caring what humans do to each other and really start hoping for that Bird Flu to wipeout a good chunk of the population.

Oh my god I finally fully agree with the simpleton.

vlado409:34am
Feb 20

It's usually this part of the winter where I give up on caring what humans do to each other and really start hoping for that Bird Flu to wipeout a good chunk of the population.

Ahh what pleasant sentiments. I can just feel the brotherly love of fellow human beings.

I suppose large portions of the population dying is totally awesome as long as it is not you right?

Perhaps a higher power will grant your wishes, and the birdflu will hopefully start at your houses.

baker09:37am
Feb 20

anyone hear the piece about voting vs. where you live this morning on MPR? pretty interesting.
Their webpage articlae about it leaves a bit to be desired though.

wow, that guy pointing the gun.... He's probably better off in jail, staying away from people with sense.

kc!  url09:42am
Feb 20

wayne, thanks for pointing out the state hiring freeze. I got that email yesterday and my heart sunk. We have some critical positions that need to be filled, but now looks like we won't be able to. This will hurt (poor) Minnesotans much more than a slight tax relief will help them.

Plus, isn't giving people jobs an economic stimulis? I would guess it has to be better than the $600 everyone is going to get fromt he feds.

ericam  url09:42am
Feb 20
kwatt09:46am
Feb 20

I've been saying that for a long time. Being validated by MPR isn't going to help me get folks to believe me.

Bixby  url09:47am
Feb 20

"The Taxpayers League of Minnesota is a nonpartisan, nonprofit grassroots taxpayer advocacy organization ..."

Wait, are you saying that the Taxpayers League really is nonpartisan?

The Taxpayers League is totally on Team Conservative regardless of the bullshit non-partisanship that they claim.

baker09:48am
Feb 20

yea that's it erica. Very short and lacking details on the page though. I thought it just sounded better as a radio bit becuase there was so much more they could have done with charts and graphs, (and maps) and the one map they have makes a cartographer cringe.

Binky .357 (not verified)10:03am
Feb 20

Ahh what pleasant sentiments. I can just feel the brotherly love of fellow human beings.

To clarify my "brotherly love" for my fellow man; if you are a threat to me or my loved ones, I will not shed a tear if nature (or other forces) weed you out.

I look at someone stupid enough to point a loaded gun at someone as a "joke" as a threat to the whole of society, not just my family---therefore, such an idiot forfeits any right to life and to any sympathy I might give others upon their death under different circumstances.

acalhoun10:05am
Feb 20

Seems like Jason's itching for some more MnSpeak exposure....

Pick me! Pick me!

justpbob  url10:13am
Feb 20

One of my last jobs in the Army was going to the scene of one of those "I didn't know it was loaded" incidents. It was a sight I'll never forget -- see the consequences of a human being being shot, up close and personal, and you can't get it out of your mind. I'm not sure if charges were ever filed against the shooter, but it sounded fishy to me. Our firearm control practicies and policies were very strict in the 1st AD -- I just couldn't believe that live round was in the chamber by "accident."

The Rat (not verified)10:27am
Feb 20

"yes, masapaz, because it doesn't make ANY sense that the people who actually DO pay attention to the news would lean that way. people working in a newsroom tend to be some of the better informed people around, and I'm sure there's a reason they tend to be a bit liberal."

I think its simpler than that. Certain types of people are attracted to certain jobs. If reporters tend to fall within a certain political philosophy (and that's not to say that the news they write or broadcast does) it's often because they like being part of important things.

I think that might be changing some. I bet more conservatives are in the newsrooms, now.

Same with university professors. They might be more idealistic. Really, I think conservatives ought to be embarrassed that so few of their numbers are interested in teaching and shaping minds.

yuck yuck hyuck (not verified)10:27am
Feb 20

"It's almost as if the Republicans are being drawn to the big blinking red light, as moths, whereas the Democrats are being drawn to the big, blinking purple light," Jacobs says.

But I thought prince used to live on Lake Minnetonka?

just sayin' (not verified)10:29am
Feb 20

I think conservatives ought to be embarrassed that so few of their numbers are interested in teaching and shaping minds.

But it's easier to just shout others down and call them terrorist sympathizers or idiot youths than to try to actually use logic to convince them of something!

mnblrmkr  url10:41am
Feb 20

To clarify my "brotherly love" for my fellow man; if you are a threat to me or my loved ones, I will not shed a tear if nature (or other forces) weed you out.

Then why wish for something as indiscriminate as an avian flu pandemic? 99%+ of the victims will have been of no threat to your or your loved ones.

swandog (not verified)10:45am
Feb 20

Same with university professors. They might be more idealistic. Really, I think conservatives ought to be embarrassed that so few of their numbers are interested in teaching and shaping minds

why does every liberal feel that it is my problem or others problem to change the world. The goal of many people is to be left alone and keep their own money. Fiscal Conservatives are sick of a program in every pot. I want to keep my own money and if others feel they are entitled to it well screw them. I don't give a shit about some idealistic ideal of teaching and collecting a government sponsored pay check. Someone has to pay the taxes and it is obviously not you. The welfare class is alive and well in this state and when fiscal conservatives push back the welfare class screams bloody murder.

The Rat (not verified)10:49am
Feb 20

If I'm not paying taxes who gets those big checks I send every three months, Swandog? They're cashed by somebody.

But thanks for the comment. Very illustrative.

jderusha10:53am
Feb 20

Seems like Jason's itching for some more MnSpeak exposure.... Pick me! Pick me!

Did you even read what I wrote?

Mpls Simpleton (not verified)10:59am
Feb 20

Do most people really matter to me? No! If half the population of the earth were raptured tomorrow I probably wouldn't notice other there would be a 50% greater chance than I wouldn't have to wait for some moron in the self check lane that doesn't know how to look up the code for a green pepper.

Binky .357 (not verified)11:03am
Feb 20

Then why wish for something as indiscriminate as an avian flu pandemic? 99%+ of the victims will have been of no threat to your or your loved ones.

I, personally, never said "bring on the plague". That would have been someone else.

swandog (not verified)11:03am
Feb 20

If I'm not paying taxes who gets those big checks I send every three months, Swandog? They're cashed by somebody.

The real question is the paycheck provided by a governmental job or is it earned in the private sector. If you pay taxes with taxpayer provided money what difference does it make if you send a portion of that income back into the tax pool.

kc!  url11:06am
Feb 20

If you pay taxes with taxpayer provided money what difference does it make if you send a portion of that income back into the tax pool.

That's an awesome idea. No taxes for government employees.

Mpls Simpleton (not verified)11:08am
Feb 20

No taxes for government employees.

45 Holidays a year aren't enough for you?

kc!  url11:12am
Feb 20

Oh, I was kidding. Sarcasm people.

And like we get 45 holidays a year. Many people I know in the private sector get a lot more days off than I do.

kwatt11:14am
Feb 20

I've always said having government employees pay income tax is dumb. Save us all the hassle and don't give us the money in the first place.

The Rat (not verified)11:16am
Feb 20

The real question is the paycheck provided by a governmental job or is it earned in the private sector

Now that you've changed the criteria that becomes the "real question." First I was just a layabout collecting welfare. Now that it's established that I do pay taxes, you've moved the goalposts.

mnblrmkr  url11:18am
Feb 20

Then why wish for something as indiscriminate as an avian flu pandemic? 99%+ of the victims will have been of no threat to your or your loved ones.

I, personally, never said "bring on the plague". That would have been someone else.

oops, sorry, I misread a comment.

acalhoun11:21am
Feb 20

It's the winter, Jason. By February I can barely answer a "hello." Alas, I forget that my feeble attempts at jokes are non-transferable to the Internet realm.

aliecat  url11:22am
Feb 20

Sounds like another epidemic of ass crabbies is going around again.

Max Sparber  url11:24am
Feb 20

I keep wondering when the art fans are going to start showing up and taking advantage of all the fine art links I'm providing.

TheDTs11:27am
Feb 20

Max, it will probably be about the time MNSpeak can no longer be distilled to a single comic panel:

http://xkcd.com/386/

mnblrmkr  url11:28am
Feb 20

Do most people really matter to me?

But most people do matter to someone else. To wish, ill fortune on people who never harmed you, even if you've never met, and probably never will, just so you can get through the grocery checkout a little bit quicker, wow.

jderusha11:40am
Feb 20

@acalhoun I have the same problem. My sarcasm in type rarely translates. Of course, my sarcasm in voice rarely translates. The cold must be causing chapping of more than just my lips. Sorry for jumping there.

rugburn11:40am
Feb 20

Can someone confirm that Maxwell's is on fire? That would really upset me.

baker11:41am
Feb 20

ass crabbies?

jderusha11:42am
Feb 20

Maxwell is streaming live at CCO too. Click on the link at the top of the page.

DouglasG  url11:43am
Feb 20

Do most people really matter to me?

I hate to inform you of this, but they do matter. Who milks the cows for your breakfast cereal? Who grows the grain of your breakfast cereal? Who grinds that grain into flour for you cereal? Who processes that flour into your breakfast cereal? Who delivers that cereal to your grocery store? Who stocks the cereal? Who delivers your UPC code to the prize redemption center? Etc.

Everyone's life is tangled up in SOOOOOOOO many other people's lives. You may want them to not interact with you, but a single death can send ripples into a lot of lives. A 50% reduction in the population would be catastrophic!

champs11:44am
Feb 20

I'm not sure if there will be a politics post today, so I'll just openly wonder about the inside baseball involved with Dick Day taking a pass on endorsement for the CD1 primary.

kc!  url11:47am
Feb 20

I can't watch the live streaming on 'cco, but I'm guessing it is a big fire? The St. Paul Fire Department took off on 94 heading west about a half an hour ago.

Big fire at 34th and Nicollet right now too.

aliecat  url11:47am
Feb 20

Ass crabbies is my variation of "crabby ass" as in "Why are you such a crabby ass today?"

JACC11:53am
Feb 20
Cat11:58am
Feb 20

The bus crash story is so sad. I can't imagine what the family is going through having lost both sons.
There's a lot to be thankful for people so maybe give the bitchies a rest for a bit.

kc!  url12:15pm
Feb 20

picture (from my bedroom window) of the fire at 34th and Nicollet here.

JACC12:20pm
Feb 20

@kc! - Whoa!

kc!  url12:24pm
Feb 20

And it is the second time it has been on fire today. At 4:00 in the morning it was on fire too.

baker12:47pm
Feb 20

ass crabbies & bitchies.

Mpls Simpleton (not verified)12:48pm
Feb 20

I guess I just hate people. No one has ever personally went out of their way to help me in school, career, life. I have never had a mentor or boss that cared one lick if I improve or go anywhere. I have worked some of the most disgusting physically demanding jobs without any reward. I rarely ever miss work and my peers that I work with request to work with me again and again. Then I sit back and watch people that schmooze well and come from the right family get promoted again and again. After 20 years you tend to not give a shit about other people anymore. Just leave me alone and stay out of my way and thing will be fine. If you can't handle the self check don't get upset when I call you a moron.

justpbob  url12:56pm
Feb 20

Err, anyone know the number for the F.B.I.?

JACC12:58pm
Feb 20

1-800-flowers

swandog (not verified)01:01pm
Feb 20

I guess I just hate people. No one has ever personally went out of their way to help me in school, career, life. I have never had a mentor or boss that cared one lick if I improve or go anywhere. I have worked some of the most disgusting physically demanding jobs without any reward. I rarely ever miss work and my peers that I work with request to work with me again and again. Then I sit back and watch people that schmooze well and come from the right family get promoted again and again. After 20 years you tend to not give a shit about other people anymore. Just leave me alone and stay out of my way and thing will be fine. If you can't handle the self check don't get upset when I call you a moron.

Dude I am a negative person but this makes me look like a happy guy. People probably care more than you think. You can't let others control how you feel. People are always going to get promoted due to their ability kiss ass but don't let it get you down this much. For go sakes simpleton you can't get down because then you will not insult my posts like you do so well. Hang in their spring is coming.

Cat01:02pm
Feb 20

ass crabbies & bitchies:n. a state characterized by anxiety, restlessness, and irritability, arising from a prolonged state in a confined place, weathering freezing-ass cold, and witnessing endless moronic behavior.

champs01:03pm
Feb 20

So now the question is whether I go to 34th and Nicollet to check out the wicked carnage and ice this afternoon, or downtown to check out the lowered dam.

justpbob  url01:03pm
Feb 20

That's the CIA Black Ops number. Call that number, say "I'd like to send a dozen roses to my Uncle Musharrf in Pakistan" and BINGO! -- instant regime change! It works, I tells ya!

Max Sparber  url01:06pm
Feb 20

Simpleton can be a misanthrope if he wants to. As long as he isn't shining a shotgun and whispering to it about the day of vengeance coming, no harm done.

ericam  url01:09pm
Feb 20

What's on fire at 34th & Nicollet?

aliecat  url01:09pm
Feb 20

Simpleton, I saw a personalized license plate that you might appreciate and/or want for yourself: "URSTUPD."

mazasapa01:13pm
Feb 20

Hey, you know what Simpleton? The same thing happened to me. No one ever went out of their way to help or mentor me either. And even I did more and better work than my peers, someone else always got the promotion. So eventually, I said screw it. I started my own company.

Today I make more than George Bush. Ocassionally I get a phone call or an email from one of my old co-workers who is looking for a job. That always brightens my day.

justpbob  url01:15pm
Feb 20

Today I make more than George Bush.

Make more what? Mistakes? Enemies? Trips to the bathroom?

Max Sparber  url01:16pm
Feb 20

Blog forum comments?

mazasapa01:17pm
Feb 20

Hey, George Bush had Bob Geldorf on Airforce One yesterday. So there.

jane01:17pm
Feb 20

I think a lot of us are jumpy and crabby from the gloomy weather. Winter just gets to ya after a while. I know I've been extra gloomy and/or crabby lately. It actually cheers me up a little to see I'm not the only one. Just need to hang on, it will warm up soon.

ericam  url01:19pm
Feb 20

I think a lot of us are jumpy and crabby from the gloomy weather.

Cabin fever! I don't know what maz's excuse is, though.

justpbob  url01:20pm
Feb 20

Hey, George Bush had Bob Geldorf on Airforce One yesterday.

Jane, is your last name Goodall? 'Cause you know what ails us apes in winter.

justpbob  url01:22pm
Feb 20

Sorry. Ape no can type.

Hey, George Bush had Bob Geldorf on Airforce One yesterday.

Define "had."

Okay, that was a lot of work for such a lame joke.

The Rat (not verified)01:23pm
Feb 20

it will warm up soon.

No, it won't. It's just going to get worse.

Someone exploded at me awhile ago because I couldn't find green peppers on the self checkout.

Lotta stuff in those grocery stories.

mb2101:23pm
Feb 20

Who put a quarter in Uncle Ethanol today??

mazasapa01:24pm
Feb 20

Really, I think conservatives ought to be embarrassed that so few of their numbers are interested in teaching and shaping minds.

»» Submitted by The Rat

If you want to attract conservatives to academia, you need to do two things: get rid of the union and get rid of tenure. Conservatives don't do unions, it's against our religion, and we do better in environments where we're held accountable ... you know, you perform or you're out. It would be embarrassing to a conservative to have to explain to their child why they work in a tenured position.

kc!  url01:24pm
Feb 20

On fire is a Latino Grocery and a Hip Hop Clothing store.

aliecat  url01:24pm
Feb 20

Sounds like you need a lightbox, Rat. I know I do, but they're not covered by my insurance...

justpbob  url01:26pm
Feb 20

Cabin fever! I don't know what maz's excuse is, though.

Teepee fever.

I usualy resist the easy NA joke, but I just couldn't help myself, maz. ;-)

kwatt01:27pm
Feb 20

I put a picture of the Burj al Arab as my desktop, and that helps a lot. Who wouldn't rather be there right now?

The Rat (not verified)01:27pm
Feb 20

If you want to attract conservatives to academia, you need to do two things: get rid of the union and get rid of tenure.

Oh, what rot!

That might be the biggest load of crap I've ever read by you, Maz.

justpbob  url01:29pm
Feb 20

Who put a quarter in Uncle Ethanol today??

My doc. I really shouldn't comment while on pain meds. Signing off.

miller01:30pm
Feb 20

Then I sit back and watch people that schmooze well and come from the right family get promoted again and again.

You don't schmooze well? I'm surprised, because you seem positively charming.

The Rat (not verified)01:32pm
Feb 20

Sounds like you need a lightbox, Rat.

I'm just tired and jetlagged

Raindog6601:34pm
Feb 20

Random Thoughts

Why are most Reporters Liberals?

Simple. They spend their life in pursuit of the Truth.

And unlike their Conservative counterparts, the Left can't just sit passively by while the world goes to hell in a hand basket without at least putting themselves out there in an effort to make positive change.

When bridges collapse and people die Liberals call for action and seek the truth. Republicans produce "Veto Pens," deny responsibility and look to muddy (or bloody) the water with deception and innuendo.

============================================
Anyone who expresses surprise (or outrage) that someone would aim a gun at Blinky, is a Liar.
=============================================
I still can't get kevinneedsatransplant's comment about Jimmy Carter being a bigger dope than W out of my head from yesterday. Your position a a Republitroll will never be in jeopardy, kev.

The Rat (not verified)01:40pm
Feb 20

Why are most Reporters Liberals?

Simple. They spend their life in pursuit of the Truth.

Many of the ones I've known have spent a lot of their lives in pursuit of spectator sports. And they weren't even sports reporters.

mazasapa01:45pm
Feb 20

Actually, rainy, it goes like this:

There are three kinds of people in this world ... those who make things happen (conservatives), those who watch things happen (liberal reporters), and those who have things happen to them (liberals in general).

grote (not verified)01:45pm
Feb 20

Then I sit back and watch people that schmooze well and come from the right family get promoted again and again.

boy...you'd sure hate me if we ever met.

mazasapa01:48pm
Feb 20

and come from the right family

My great-great grandfather was a famous sioux chief, so that ain't true.

Max Sparber  url01:49pm
Feb 20

God, this "liberals are such and such, conservatives are such and such" nonsense is so boring. Just stop it. Try actually contributing something other than mindless invective. That goes for both Maz and Raindog, who are our worst offenders, proving that both sides of the debate are really skilled at poisoning dialogue.

mazasapa01:51pm
Feb 20

What debate?

Paul Lynde (not verified)01:53pm
Feb 20

Moderators are so bitchy...Papa likes!

mb2101:54pm
Feb 20

Bob - come back, I was just teasing.

aliecat  url01:59pm
Feb 20

They both make me want to vote for Nader, Max.

Max Sparber  url01:59pm
Feb 20

Thank you, ghost of Paul Lynde.

grote (not verified)02:00pm
Feb 20

speaking of coming from the right family...i had a Par Ridder sighting yesterday. 'twas like seeing a ghost.

Cat02:02pm
Feb 20

I put a picture of the Burj al Arab as my desktop

That place looks so awesome.

I can't complain as I'm heading out on Friday for warmth for a weekish.

Mpls Simpleton (not verified)02:22pm
Feb 20

Thank the the advice folks. Nothing like sitting in a meeting that has absolutely nothing to do with you to make you listless and catatonic.

Now I get to write my yearly review that my boss who is taking college algebra will review and determine how big or small of a raise I will get.

I figured out a while ago that there is no way my standard of living will change significantly for the rest of my life so why fight for that extra 1%.

grote (not verified)02:42pm
Feb 20
mnblrmkr  url03:08pm
Feb 20

Boy, an attitude like simpleton's and he's still got a boyfriend, whereas I can't even find, well, I guess I won't go there.

The guy's must be either a saint or a masochist.

Mpls Simpleton (not verified)03:14pm
Feb 20

Saint! I told him I was nuts going in. There was full disclosure.

Mostly I try to keep the seething hate in check. Nothing like standing out in the cold waiting for the bus for an extra 15 minutes to really turn your mood fast. Our public transportation is a disgrace.

justpbob  url03:20pm
Feb 20

It would be a lot warmer for you guys if you didn't always insist on wearing chaps sans pants, simpleton.

Or is that just the one bus stop in front of the Eagle? ;-)

Hope you are having a better day. Give our best to "the Saint."

grote (not verified)03:21pm
Feb 20

don't get wayne started. don't even get him started.

sometimes on freezing cold evenings I walk past the bus stop on the way to my late model sedan in the heated garage. just to try to muster some empathy for the bus riders and homeless people.

justpbob  url03:23pm
Feb 20

just to try to muster some empathy for the bus riders and homeless people.

Well, for starters, you could stop pointing and laughing...

grote (not verified)03:26pm
Feb 20

actually they look at me, in my suit with no coat on, as though I'm some sort of crazy person...which I am.

Mpls Simpleton (not verified)03:31pm
Feb 20

The saint just got a 10% raise today and a promotion. I make less than the kids that are a year out of college that manage fewer projects and have automatic promotions built in.

The Rat (not verified)03:34pm
Feb 20

sometimes on freezing cold evenings I walk past the bus stop on the way to my late model sedan

If you were getting in a minivan, the homeless and the bus riders might be try to muster some empathy for you.

grote (not verified)03:38pm
Feb 20

actually, I switched cars with the Mrs. this morning because I have to run the carpool tonight...so I am driving the minivan. dammitalltohell!

aliecat  url03:46pm
Feb 20

There goes all your street cred, grote.

Cat04:13pm
Feb 20

Walk proud to that minivan, grote.
Otherwise it will be the homeless and bus riders pointing and laughing.
Maybe you could pimp it... nah, it would still be a minivan.

jane04:23pm
Feb 20

Totally just ordered a lightbox yesterday! I called my insurance company TWICE to make sure it is covered.

kwatt04:41pm
Feb 20

I'm more worried about the Burj al Arab's structural footing than I am getting caught with dope.

aliecat  url04:52pm
Feb 20

Jane, unfortunately my health plan no longer covers DME. Sad.

The Rat (not verified)04:53pm
Feb 20

I think they charge you good money just to walk in to the Burj.

jane04:58pm
Feb 20

The place I ordered from was very surprised my ins. co. covers this, so we'll see if it really is covered. They don't complete the order until they verify insurance covers it 100%, so I won't get hit with the $250 tab.

Binky .357 (not verified)01:23am
Feb 21

Anyone who expresses surprise (or outrage) that someone would aim a gun at Blinky, is a Liar.

Awww... more projection, Rainy? You best be careful, people might start to think you're the one prone to violence, little girl...

The Rat (not verified)12:46pm
Feb 22

So what are we to say of the news this morning? Is it relevant that the woman was not a legal resident?

Can the issue even be broached without people calling the broacher a xenophobic homophobe or homophobic xenophobe, or a knuckle dragging, gap-toothed Confederate flag waving moron. Or possibly a candy-assed pencil-necked pinko liberal who wants to give away the sovereignty of the country.

Have I missed anything?

Max Sparber  url12:47pm
Feb 22

Is it relevant? Is there a stream of illegal immigrants crashing minivans into people?

The Rat (not verified)12:49pm
Feb 22

Do I take that as a no from you, Max?

Seems the journal of record in Minneapolis thought it was news.

Max Sparber  url12:50pm
Feb 22

I'm not saying its not news. I'm just saying I don't think this news affects the issues regarding illegal immigration is any way.

aliecat  url12:53pm
Feb 22

Would those kids be any less dead if she had been a legal immigrant or a white drunk driver? Her status is irrelavent, IMO.

Max Sparber  url12:57pm
Feb 22

I would say that the fake ID is an issue. There must be some flaw in the system that she exploited. But it's probably not significantly different than whatever mechanism teenagers use to get IDs so they can get into bars and annoy me.

aliecat  url12:58pm
Feb 22

Furthermore, many citizens drive on suspended licenses everyday.

bud jr (not verified)01:28pm
Feb 22

The authorities should have sent her back last time she crashed.

Those kids would then be alive today.

I find the excuse makers who wriggle and dance to explain away the fact that this is an illegal person driving with no license and no insurance (presumably), and killing innocent children, to be simply abhorrent.

But plenty indicative of the problems we face as a society.

kc!  url01:35pm
Feb 22

If anything, this tragedy should be used as a case for giving undocumented immigrants driver's liscenses.

And it is undocumented, people, not illegal.

kc!  url01:35pm
Feb 22

If anything, this tragedy should be used as a case for giving undocumented immigrants driver's liscenses.

And it is undocumented, people, not illegal.

kc!  url01:36pm
Feb 22

Why did it double post? I blame undocumented immigrants.

The Rat (not verified)01:38pm
Feb 22

And it is undocumented, people, not illegal.

How do you make the distinction?

mazasapa01:48pm
Feb 22

If anything, this tragedy should be used as a case for giving undocumented immigrants driver's liscenses.

Yeah, isn't mrs. clinton in favor of this? I think it should be on the democrat party platform.

aliecat  url01:58pm
Feb 22

Are you aware of the amount of traffic deaths in rural areas that are perpetrated by American citizens who are 1) drunk and 2) driving on a suspended license and 3) do not have insurance, to back up that statement/comparison/racist assumption bud? I'd be willing to bet that the number would surprise you. Oh, and those kids are more likely dead b/c they weren't belted in.

Now, I'm done feeding teh beast on this subject.

The Rat (not verified)02:03pm
Feb 22

How is what Bud said racist, Alie?

bud jr (not verified)02:08pm
Feb 22

To clarify, you are here illegally if you do not follow the prescribed laws when immigrating.

Therefore, you are then identified as an ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT.

And further, you are more likely to ignore the laws once you are here.

The PC BS only goes so far.

mazasapa02:09pm
Feb 22

Actually, the kids were crushed when she drove her van right through the side of the bus ... so belting them in wouldn't have mattered. I'm guessing she was on her cell phone and didn't see the stop sign.

bud jr (not verified)02:10pm
Feb 22

Do not irritate the liberals with those kind of questions, Rat.

The Rat (not verified)02:14pm
Feb 22

I don't mean to irritate anyone. But clouding the debate with euphemisms (undocumented v illegal) and calling people with an opposing view racists doesn't make for a clear-eyed discussion, does it?

mazasapa02:15pm
Feb 22

See, here's my problem with the fake state ID ... we have illegal aliens walking around with state IDs which enable them to register to vote. We have anywhere from 12 to 20 million illiegal aliens in this country.

Do you really want non-citizens, in fact illegals, picking the next president of the united states? Don't bother answering that. I guess I already know.

Max Sparber  url02:16pm
Feb 22

Are you actually trying to make the case that Bud isn't a racist? Are you new here?

bud jr (not verified)02:17pm
Feb 22

Please do not irritate the liberals with the facts, Maz.

swandog (not verified)02:18pm
Feb 22

Would those kids be any less dead if she had been a legal immigrant or a white drunk driver? Her status is irrelavent, IMO.

This why people get angry. This is not about white drunk drivers who are citizens, who pay for their license. This is about a broken system that has caused the death of Young children. To race bait the issue is ridiculous. How can anyone say that it is OK to allow millions of illegals into this country that do drive on our roads and do kill people. This woman drove without a license, got caught once and was not deported and killed four kids. Your politically correct bullshit does not fly on this one the fact remains that the authorities did the wrong thing the first time she was caught and not we have four dead kids. Ask the parents of the kids what they think about this wonderful woman just trying to get by. I encourage legal immigration but not illegals coming to this country and raising our taxes to pay for their every need.

The Rat (not verified)02:20pm
Feb 22

Are you actually trying to make the case that Bud isn't a racist?

I don't know what's in anyone's heart, Max and neither do you. I just know what they say and it didn't seem to me that he said anything racist.

bud jr (not verified)02:21pm
Feb 22

max, you are way out of line.

aliecat  url02:21pm
Feb 22

How can anyone say that it is OK to allow millions of illegals into this country that do drive on our roads and do kill people.

Care to back that up with facts?

/Really, I'm done now...It's starting to sound like an American Legion in here.

kc!  url02:23pm
Feb 22

People are not illegal, they do illegal things.

To clarify, you are here illegally if you do not follow the prescribed laws when immigrating.

And to clarify further, most undocumented people come to the United States in a legal manner, that is known to the government, but overstay their Visa. They do not come in an illegal manner.

But clearly, they are coming to elect a Democrat and run over kids, so we should stop all tourism and visits to the States, right?

mazasapa02:26pm
Feb 22

It's starting to sound like an American Legion in here

yeah ... like sunlight to a vampire.

Max Sparber  url02:26pm
Feb 22

How can anyone say that it is OK to allow millions of illegals into this country that do drive on our roads and do kill people.

Nobody has said that.

kc!  url02:27pm
Feb 22

And if the people who come to this country and/or stay in an illegal fashion could do it legally, don't you think they would? Do you think they want to break the law?

And whether or not anyone on this board is not my place, but I will say that the American Immigration System and the laws in which it is based is racist and antiquicated.

mazasapa02:27pm
Feb 22

Kc, I know you're not stupid, so I guess you're just being disingenuous.

kc!  url02:28pm
Feb 22

should be "anyone on this board is racist is not my place..."

justpbob  url02:29pm
Feb 22

I wouldn't sweat it, swandog. We can't seem to raise taxes to pay for our roads and bridges, something everyone agrees is needed, much less "pay for every need" of people here illegally.

Mpls Simpleton (not verified)02:30pm
Feb 22

It's clear Maz has zero understanding about how ballots are cast, counted and verified in Minnesota. Just because you have a fake state ID does not mean your vote will be counted. I'm not going to try to do the job your 8th grade social studies teacher should have done. Why don't you look up the state statutes about registering to vote, provisional ballots and registering at the polls.

How can you be so old and so uninformed?

mazasapa02:31pm
Feb 22

Unfortunately, my comment to Kc doesn't apply to you simpleton.

justpbob  url02:32pm
Feb 22

It's starting to sound like an American Legion in here

Okay by me. Beer is cheaper, the air is finally clean and they serve great little cups of warm cashews for a buck.

kc!  url02:33pm
Feb 22

Maz, disingenuous about what?

About the anti-immigrant group on here being totally chicken littleish? You are the one who implied that people come to this country to vote illegally. Others implied they come to break laws and run over our children. Since most come as tourists and visitors first, I guess you all think we should stop that stream of potential democrat voting baby killers.

Raindogatthebar (not verified)02:34pm
Feb 22

Please do not irritate the Conservatives with the TRUTH, Mpls Simpleton.

justpbob  url02:34pm
Feb 22

Speaking of which, let's all take a deep breath and relax, folks. I know this is an emotional issue, and a real tragedy for the folks in Cottonwood. I don't think we honor the memory of the kids well by calling each other names here.

grote (not verified)02:35pm
Feb 22

Maz, I know you're not stupid, so I guess you're just being indigenous.

The Rat (not verified)02:38pm
Feb 22

KC: But doesn't "undocumented" imply that they're merely missing some paperwork? Something they meant to take care of but just haven't gotten around to it?

Max Sparber  url02:38pm
Feb 22

We also don't honor their memory by hijacking their tragedy to affix it to whatever our pet political issue is. I find that behavior contemptible. But it seems to happen whenever something bad happens in this state, and both sides of the political coin are equally guilty.

mb2102:41pm
Feb 22

You took the words right out of my fingers Max. Well said.

kc!  url02:43pm
Feb 22

But doesn't "undocumented" imply that they're merely missing some paperwork? Something they meant to take care of but just haven't gotten around to it?

Doesn't "unliscensed" imply they are just missing some paperwork too- not everything that goes with it like taking and passing some tests and paying a fee? Or in some cases, years of schooling or background checks or safety checks?

And some undocumented people have just let their status slip. It happens, I've seen it. But undocumented is the politically correct and government sanctioned term to use.

Raindogandjameson (not verified)02:43pm
Feb 22

How do we KNOW that, grote? Maz could very well be stoopid. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt.

Mpls Simpleton (not verified)02:49pm
Feb 22

Maz is one again showing his side of "I know I'm right don't confuse me with the facts."

bud jr (not verified)02:49pm
Feb 22

It's not about "pet political issues".

It's about right and wrong.

That's where your disconnect is.

The Rat (not verified)02:53pm
Feb 22

But undocumented is the politically correct and government sanctioned term to use.

Which seems to be a formula for fuzzy language and euphemisms.

Max Sparber  url02:53pm
Feb 22

You're not in any position to determine right and wrong, bud. In the same way we don't let people who are dressed as Napoleon make decisions about what the army should do.

bud jr (not verified)02:54pm
Feb 22

And just to clarify, I wasn't hijacking anyone's tragedy.

I simply pointed out that the facts regarding the criminal (person in the wrong) here were not revealed by the local newspaper of record until 11:25a today on their website.

I want to know why that is.

Why they intentionally held it out of today's paper.

And why we have citizens who think it's just fine and dandy that we have illegal immigrants coming here and doing things like this.

Helen's Ready (not verified)02:54pm
Feb 22

If loving Bud is wrong, I don't wanna be Right...

mnblrmkr  url02:54pm
Feb 22

And further, you are more likely to ignore the laws once you are here.

Actually, there main desire is to go unnoticed by law enforcement. Much harder to do that if you're breaking laws.

Rat, the racisim I see in bud's comments here is that he sees that the driver is Hispanic, and immediately jumps to the conclusion that she is here illegally. He did the same thing when Fidel Danilo Sanchez-Flores fell to his death at the IDS Center.

Mpls Simpleton (not verified)02:54pm
Feb 22

I'm starting to have a hard time understanding why people read MNSpeak. For the most part there is no enlightened thoughts and recently a whole lot less interesting discussions. I think I'm going to take a few week break. I get frustrated enough without having to read the rantings of complete assholes, if i wanted that I would read antistrib.

I would encourage the rest of you to stop commenting also. This forum (MnSpeak) for discussion is dead. The horse has been beat. It's dead.

Goodnight.

Max Sparber  url02:56pm
Feb 22

And why we have citizens who think it's just fine and dandy that we have illegal immigrants coming here and doing things like this.

Who would that be?

mnblrmkr  url02:58pm
Feb 22

...illegal immigrants coming here and doing things like this.

We have far more examples of licensed, US citizens doing things like this than we have of people here illegally.

Townsperson (not verified)02:58pm
Feb 22

Bud is right! Where were the throngs bearing torches and screaming for the Illegal's blood? (They're coming.)

aliecat  url02:59pm
Feb 22

Simpleton, if you stop reading, the terrorists win...

aliecat  url03:00pm
Feb 22

mnblrmkr, I've tried saying that many times, seems to not be getting through...wonder why that is?

The Rat (not verified)03:38pm
Feb 22

there is no enlightened thoughts

Like urinating on peoples' graves because you think they make too much money?

kc!  url03:41pm
Feb 22

Okay, so why should the newspaper print the status of ONE person's status? If you failed to notice, no one else's statuses were printed either. What if one of the victim's status was undocumented? How would that matter to the story?

And I can see it:

Tim Pawlenty (American Citizen) met today with the Dhali Lama (Visitor's Visa) today at the home of Mike Smith (unknown status at this time.)

kc!  url03:54pm
Feb 22

Hey bud, did you see this?
A vet was killed in a car accident. The driver who hit her is being charged with vehicular homicide, but the Strib has not released her Immigration Status. I bet they know what it is too. Why don't you care about this one?

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