Gun protests!!!

"Yes kiddies, the adults in the room also want this senseless school violence to end. When you want to address the real problem, the core issues which cause it, we will be there with you. However, witch hunts against a civil rights organization like the NRA are only going to divide us more." 

Yawn....Sorry - dozed off for a minute. Why? I was just thinking about our little darlings having yet another day off of school. And why again? To protest school shootings. In particular, to protest the people (once again) who have NOTHING to do with a single school shooting. That would be LAW ABIDING citizens who own fire arms, and some of whom happen to belong to a civil rights organization call the NRA.

Since I have addressed this issue dozens of times before, I will take a different slant this time. I want more gun rights, not fewer. Yes, you bleeding hearts out there - that is exactly what I said. For example, in February I went to get a Florida gun permit while on vacation down there. I had already re-upped my Minnesota permit. My background had been thoroughly vetted in Minnesota, and then I went through a deeper anal exam in Florida. 

Then last week, I bought a handgun I have been eyeing for a while. Something with a bit more punch than my 9 mm. I bought a S+W, M+P, 40 cal. Sweet weapon with a very nice feel. However when I went to buy it, I had to show my driver's licence, my gun permit, and then take a test to prove my intentions with this purchase were indeed honorable. (Like if they were not, would I tell them?) Anyhow, that was my third vetting so far this year. All so I can buy and use an item the Constitution has already defined as a natural right. 

So here is what I want. First off, I want reciprocity in all 50 states. Enough of this horse pucky whereas each state may or may not recognize your state's permit. That is crip crap to the 10th degree. Next, I want "Stand your ground" to be the law of the land in all 50 states. After seeing a thug beat the tar out of an innocent bus driver for NO REASON what so ever, it is time to see some of these low lifes get smoked by the victims.

But here is what I really want. Instead of gun permits, I want Constitutional Carry to be the law of the land. Just like in the days of the founders. It was ASSUMED back then, that anyone who bought a gun was innocent, until shown otherwise. We have a ton of gun laws on the books right now. It is up to you when you buy a gun to know what those laws are. In other words, caveat emptor  (let the buyer beware).

Yes kiddies, the adults in the room also want this senseless school violence to end. When you want to address the real problem, the core issues which cause it, we will be there with you. However, witch hunts against a civil rights organization like the NRA are only going to divide us further. 

That is my protest this morning. I plan to walk out of the house at 10 am to signify this protest. I might even do some yard cleanup at the same time - since it is finally Spring.

The Early Childhood Dilema

"Dayton's correct statement should have been, 'We are a high taxed state with little to show for it in education'. Then we could finally agree on something."  

My daughter recently enrolled my grandson in a Montessori School. Now, I will come clean. I will admit that for decades now, mostly due to my ignorance, I thought Montessori was just a bunch of New Age "psycho-babble". That is, until we took a recent cruise down in the Caribbean, and I learned a thing or two. 

Two of the islands (in different countries) we visited, had a different take on schooling than we have in the US. Start early, and finish early. One island started their kids at age 3, and the other started their kids at age 2! Why so dang early? For the same reason that Maria Montessori thought it was good to have kids in school at age three. The ability to learn at that age is phenomenal. With the right curriculum, and right environment, a child's brain soaks up learning at that age like a sponge soaks up water. 

But is there a caveat? Of course - there is always a caveat. The government. Government schools. The unholy cabal of Education Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Education. Because we have secularized and PC'd our schools to the max, true Montessori learning is not possible. And that includes Dayton's early education scheme. His view has nothing to do with learning. It has everything to do with a payback to the teacher's union.

By the way, the schools in the two islands we visited are nothing like our schools. For example, in the way God is handled in the classroom. Rather than being eschewed like He is in many United States government schools, He is welcomed with open arms in the faith rich Caribbean. So there is no worries about kids starting early. They won't be confronted about gender identity, guilt due the Paris Accord, which bathroom to use, and so forth. Just the A,B, C's of learning. Kind of like the old days in this country, before the socialism invaded education in the 60's.

By the way, ever wonder why home schooled kids do so well? Curriculum and environment. I have yet to meet a home schooled kid who was lacking in anything. Home schools, private schools, some charter schools, and Montessori schools are (I am convinced), the wave of the future. Government schools, which at one time were the backbone of our country, are now nothing more than cesspools of hyper-sensitivity and political gobblety gook.

A few years ago, Marx Dayton was quoted as saying, "Minnesota is a high tax, high value state." Well Marx - you were half right. We pay 1/3 of our sky high taxes in this state to support a corrupt and broken public education system. Dayton's correct statement should have been, "We are a high taxed state with little to show for it in education". Then we could finally agree on something.  

Sanctuary Minnesota

"And if the Blue Wave does happen, many on the Right, the bill payers, the makers, will have a wave of their own. It will be called the 'good-bye' wave, as we head for a normal state to live in."  

Our trio of Loon birds, who are vying for the D(fl) Governor nomination this year, have one very important thing in common. They want to be like their big brothers and sisters on the East and Left Coast. That is right - this trio of Loons not only want to make Minnesota VERY blue from the much anticipated "Blue Wave", but they also want to fix the "bigots" in this area by declaring the entire state - (drum roll, please) - sanctuary.

I had already suggested we be made a sanctuary state for refugees who are sick to death of paying our sky high state income tax. And I would be one of them. Nope. Walz, Otto and Murphy want this state to be a refuge for anyone who came here illegally. A safe place, where we could tell ICE agents to pound sand, and then send them packing. In fact, we could follow California's lead, and give the illegals driver's licences. Give them all the right to vote. Give them all the maximum benefits we have worked for our entire lives. I mean - why go through the rigors of normal citizenship when you can cheat the system. Works in New York and California. Why not Minnesota?

Truthfully - do these stooges in the D(fl) take the normal people in Minnesota for fools? Who is going to pay the freight on all of this? Who is going to explain to the LEGAL immigrants how and why they got screwed. Who is going to explain to the relatives of victims after the first Kate Steinle incident, that it is okay. Their sacrifice was after all, for the greater good.

The D(fl) with all their PC nonsense, have turned this state into a freak show. Now we have elementary age kids questioning what gender they are. Which bathroom to use. We have snowflakes on the campus of the University, demanding that if cops are allowed on campus, they not be armed. Huh? Has anyone seen the crime rate down there? What are cops suppose to do, blow their whistle and run after a Glock carrying thug holding only a billy club? 

If the D(fl) really wants to drive this states into total ruination, all they need do is keep on with what they are doing. The "Prairie Populists" as Garrison Keillor liked to call us, might have to change our name to the "All Day Suckers" instead. I really don't understand why we have become so upside down in our culture. I can easily paint a very dystopian picture of what will happen to this state if the dreaded "Blue Wave" happens. And by the way, that picture is not pretty.

If the "Blue Wave" does happen, many on the Right, the bill payers, the makers, will have a wave of their own. It will be called the "good-bye" wave, as we head for a much more normal state to live in.  

My change - PLEASE!!!

"It is OUR money, and the people we send to St. Paul or Washington WORK FOR US! I know it is hard for them to understand, so let's all keep reminding them of those two very important facts."

Yesterday for lunch, I went out for a burger and a soft drink. The restaurant on the corner was having a special where (after tax), the total cost of the lunch was only $8. These days - not bad. I had a pleasant server, we chatted while I ate, and then she brought me my bill - as promised, $8 to the penny. I was going to give her a nice tip, so I gave her a $20 and with the $12 of change, I was going to voluntarily share some of it with her. But that stopped in a heartbeat.

She came back with only four dollars. I was a bit stunned. I told her in the nicest way possible, I thought she made a mistake. "Nope" she replied, "The owner has plans for the other $8. You got your four, so you should be happy." I was almost speechless, so I started to sputter - "But, but, but - that is my money! What gives your owner the right to keep my money? That is like theft!" The server went on, "Oh yes - we hear that all the time. But the owner has your money now, and he is not giving it back."

By this time I am seeing red - but I knew I had to control myself. So, I tried a different tactic. "Is the owner having some financial problems? Is he going out of business? Is he ready to lose the lease on the restaurant?" Now the server was get agitated with me - big time. "No, no, and no again. He is going fine financially. In fact, his lease has already been paid off for the next year or so." Now I am going out of my mind. "They why in the Sam Hill does he need my money more than me?!?!" Before she walked away and I left in a huff, she gave me her parting words. "That really is none of your business."

No, the lunch story is not true. But the getting back only 1/3 of what we are owed might be coming true. Currently, that is the plan in St. Paul. This is an off year, and the state government is fully funded. How fully funded? So funded, there is money left over. Our money. Over taxed money. But the leaders in St. Paul (sadly, one is even from my BPOU) do not want to give it all back to the owners of the money - us. Just take your third and shut up.

Here is some irony to this story. Last weekend at my district convention, I cornered one of our Representatives (not mine for sure!). I asked about when we were going to fix Social Security like most of the other states have done. He looked at me and said we were trying, but it is hard. It is going to be hard to afford. He went on to say that maybe we could do it over five years, so the pain to the state would not be too great.

Get the picture? The state has a $300+M surplus, and we can't give our seniors relief on Social Security? If that is the company line, it might be time to get a new company.

Keep spreading this message folks - GIVE IT BACK!!! Don't settle for the usual gobblety gook which comes out of Washington or St. Paul. It is OUR money, and the people we send to St. Paul or Washington WORK FOR US! I know it is hard for them to understand, so let's all keep reminding them of those two very important facts. 

An urgent plea for a SOS (not distress - or is it?)

"If we could get Jeff Johnson as Governor, Doug Wadlow as AG, Pam Myhra as Auditor and Mary G. Stephens as Secretary of State - we could have a 'knock it out of the park' administration. They would be change agents with extreme acumen and very high ethics."

This has been an interesting political season already. Just like two years ago, it gave me the chance to meet some new people. Some are still around - others have somewhat faded from view. This time around I have had the chance to meet some of the people running for Governor who I have not met before. I have known Jeff Johnson for four years, and Matt Dean not quite as long. Both are strong and moral men and very good friends. Keith Downey, I helped interview when we was running for State Chair of MN GOP. Let's just leave it this way. I have been more than disappointed in Keith.

I Also had the chance to get to know Phil Parrish. What an incredibly nice man! Not only nice - he has guts. He WILL tell it like it is, even when the story is painful. He and I are both Navy vets, both LCDR's. I am sorry Phil - this year, the race belongs to Jeff Johnson. There is a place for you my friend - we NEED people like you. Please stay involved once this is over.

Mary Giuliani Stephens. You have wowed the socks off of me. You are poised, articulate, confident and smart. But - we can have only one Governor. This year that person will be Jeff Johnson. HOWEVER - I would LOVE to see you file to run as for the Secretary of State. Right now we have nobody, and that is really a crime.

Before the 2008 election, when the undeserving Al Franken fraudulently won the senate seat from Norm Coleman, it is rumored George Soros funded the "SOS Program". Why? Get super progressive Secretary of States in most states. They are the final arbiters. If they put their thumb on the scale during a recount (even slightly) - heck, you might end up with a disgraced comic and ObamaCare.

The bottom line is this. We have not had a real Secretary of State for years. Today, we need one with high values. That would be Mary. We need someone who is a lawyer by trade, and razor sharp. That would be Mary. We need someone with administration experience of note. That would be the Mayor of Woodbury, Mary Giuliani Stephens.

If we could get Jeff Johnson elected as Governor, Doug Wadlow as AG, Pam Myhra as Auditor, and Mary G. Stephens as Secretary of State - we could have a "knock it out of the park" administration. They would be change agents, blessed with extreme acumen and very high ethics.

But until someone electable steps forward to run for that Secretary of State position, we are like a big smile with a front tooth missing.





  

The battle for the north

"If you live in the 8th, this is the time for all hands on deck. If you don't live in the 8th, and still would like to help, contact the district party or Pete's campaign and ask what you can do." 

Someone brought up a very good point at the convention last weekend. The DFL is dead, and has been for over a year now. The "F" was for farmers, and they have been leaving the DFL prison camp for years. The "L" (labor) started jumping ship when this real estate guy from New York ran for President as a Republican in 2016. His message really hit home with the folks who take showers after work, as well as before. That just leaves the Loony Left - the "D" as in disillusioned. 

Even though there are parts of the country where this midterm might be a bloodbath for the red team, Minnesota could definitely buck the trend. This is the strongest the Republicans have been for many a year. The "R"s should be able to hold on to the 2nd and 6th for sure - and maybe the 3rd. Then there are the pickup districts. There is a better than 50-50 chance we could pick up the 1st, 7th and 8th. What about the 4th and 5th you might ask? We have ceded those two deep blue areas to the Bolsheviks. For those Republicans who live in those two districts - leave now!

The area of biggest interest to many of us is the Cold Bold North - aka the 8th District. The past two election cycles, the "R"s ran Stewart Mills against Rick (the 60's Hippie) Nolan. Even though the second time Mills ran, he made a close race out of it, the Loony Left had a field day with Stewart. His hair, his bloodline, whatever. Truth is, if you ever chatted with Stewart Mills (I have more than once), you would find out he was very solid. NOTHING like the Left painted him. In any event, Stewart decided that two times was enough. Enter Pete Stauber - an even more solid candidate than Stewart was.

As chaotic as the Left is this year up in the 8th, with no endorsement and five candidates probably heading to the primary, the red team stands firm behind Stauber. The 8th is a district that Trump did well in during the past election. The people in that neck of the woods (literally and figuratively), are salt of the Earth, hard workers. That is, except for some ancient flower children who make up the artsy crafty area up the coast near the border. 

Have no doubt - the President would LOVE to turn Minnesota red this year. He is still talking about how he came within a whisker of taking this state in 2016. In 2020, he wants this state to be firmly within his reach. Turning this state red with 5 or 6 districts going Republican in 2018, would certainly help Trump in 2020.

If you live in the 8th, this is the time for all hands on deck. If you don't live in the 8th, and still would like to help, contact the district party or Pete's campaign and ask what you can do. We have not held this district since Chip Cravaack held it for a short time a few years ago. And before Chip, it was held for an eternity by that carpet bagger, Jim Oberstar. 

One final thing. In the paper today, Ken Martin (the ringleader of the Loony Left in MN), said the five candidates vying for the nomination are not going to attack each other before the primary - their attacks will only be for Pete Stauber. If you believe that pile of horse pucky, I have some land to sell you someplace. 

Whats the plan, man?

"The world has had its share of bad guys, thank you. Now it is time for a real world 'justice league' - and Russia could be a part of it." 

As a former negotiator, on the first things I had to learn was to try and understand what the person on the other side of the table was thinking. What were his or her motivations or plans? It was helpful to know as much as possible in trying to craft a deal. Over the years, I actually got to be quite good at it.

I still do it today. I try to read between the lines, and figure out someone's motivation for doing things. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. Lets take Putin for example. I have zero clue in what he is trying to do. What his end game is. 

The bottom line is this - Russia has never fully recovered from the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Putin has been quoted as saying the day the Union fell, was one of the worst days in his life. His "spy craft" he learned in the KGB, became all but useless. He hated the fact Russia was trying to westernize itself and be more like Europe, or the hated America. But Russia was broke and broken. All they really had going for them was a rich abundance of oil and natural gas. If prices stay high - good. If the United States becomes an energy exporter and floods the market - bad.

So what is Putin doing in Syria? What is the game plan? Why try to prop up a man who is morally corrupt and totally evil? After what the Russia went through in World War II with the barbaric cruelty of the Nazis, one would think those memories still burned hot within them.

Right now, Russia could have a golden street stretched out in front of them. That is, if they played ball the right way. First, Russia would need to exit Syria and condemn Assad. Next, give up all cyber attacks, on anyone worldwide. Strike a trade deal with Trump, which would benefit and enrich both countries. Exit Crimea and let that country elect their own leaders once again. It is not too late to be a good guy instead of a bad guy. To help humanity instead of hurt humanity.

During the Cold War, when we literally stood at the edge of something scary and bad, I often wondered how this world would be if Russia and the United States were friends instead of enemies. I still wonder that. The world does not have to be ying and yang, or zero sum. It could be a total win-win for all.

So Vlad, what is the plan, man? I have tried very hard to mind meld with you, and I cannot figure you out. Do you really like being the turd in the punch bowl? Instead of that, how about being a hero? Someone who will go down on the right side of history.

The world has had its share of bad guys, thank you. Now it is time for a real world "justice league" - and Russia could be a big part of it.