Thursday, 25 March 2010 21:40 Last Updated on Thursday, 25 March 2010 22:03

This story was on KSTP on the 6 o'clock and 10 o'clock news:

A church that wants to build a new house of worship filed a lawsuit against Wayzata accusing the city of violating a federal law.

The Unitarian Universalists Church said it has outgrown its current building at 605 Rice Street East. It asked the city to build a new church along Interstate 394.

The city said no, because the area is zoned for residential structures and churches are only allowed in areas zoned as institutional areas.

Wayzata Mayor Ken Willcox said, "The major priority of the city over the years has been to preserve the single family home neighborhoods that we have left."

The church said only 4 percent of the city is zoned as institutional and none of that land is for sale. The church said that violates a 2000 federal law that protects churches against most zoning restrictions.

Sam Diehl, attorney for church, said, "The goal here isn't a protracted lawsuit. The goal is to have the city comply with the law."

The Department of Justice Civil Rights Division has opened a formal investigating, but is not commenting.

Republican Mayor Ken Wilcox has told this church "no" for two years and now the City is being threatened with a law suit. 

How would you feel if a church wanted the land right next door to your house, land that isn't for sale.  Land that is zoned residential.  Your local government stands up for your property rights and the church brings in the federal government to get their way.  Why?  Why not simply move to another nearby city?  In the words of a friend personally affected by this case, "These people never stop."

The taxpayers of Wayzata should buckle down and take this case all the way to the top.  It's time to start standing up to these bullies.

 

Wednesday, 24 March 2010 21:05 Last Updated on Thursday, 25 March 2010 07:59

And the Grinch grabbed the tree, and he started to shove
When he heard a small sound like the coo of a dove.
He turned around fast, and he saw a small Who!
Little Cindy-Lou Who, who was not more than two.

The Grinch had been caught by this little Who daughter
Who'd got out of bed for a cup of cold water.
She stared at the Grinch and said, "Santy Claus, why,
"Why are you taking our Christmas tree? WHY?"

But, you know, that old Grinch was so smart and so slick
He thought up a lie, and he thought it up quick!
"Why, my sweet little tot," the fake Santy Claus lied,
"There's a light on this tree that won't light on one side.
"So I'm taking it home to my workshop, my dear.
"I'll fix it up there. Then I'll bring it back here."

And his fib fooled the child. Then he patted her head
And he got her a drink and he sent he to bed.
And when Cindy-Lou Who went to bed with her cup,
HE went to the chimney and stuffed the tree up!

Then the last thing he took
Was the log for their fire.
Then he went up the chimney himself, the old liar.
On their walls he left nothing but hooks, and some wire.

And the one speck of food
The he left in the house
Was a crumb that was even too small for a mouse.

 

Barack Obama is as slick as they come and he's gooood, he'd damn goooood.  Axelrod/Pelosi/Reid the rest...they did it.  They won. 

Yes, let me give these people their props for being the most brilliant tacticians in the history of our Republic.  Ruthless politicians that make Bill Clinton look like a choir boy.  They had their "war room" going (it hasn't been down since June 2007 when this guy burst onto the scene.) They gamed this thing out all right.. 

And there, at the front of the Grinch's sleigh, was the media.  Who, like the dim-witted dog Max, pulled the load.  The slow-road to communism so beautifully wrapped up in a nice looking package. 

I have so much to say, so many things to offer, so many predictions to make....but I can't get it together this week.  I don't have anything to offer, but a verse of my own and it's all I know right now:

 

"Health care for all!" was the lie that they told,

 

They fooled all the companies, brought them into the fold. 

 

They divided the Docs, the generalists from the rest,

 

They did it so well, they knew what would work best.

 

Take the trust from the people and scare them to death,

 

Lie at townhalls, till you're losing you're breath.

 

Criss-cross the country, hold the "victims" up high,

 

Shout down the naysayers, beat them down till they cry.

 

Give a bit to the war cause, keep the focus here,

 

The same war you hated, which made your career. 

 

Get in their faces, call them all out,

 

Keep on campaigning, till there's nary a doubt

 

Make all the deals, buy all the votes,

 

Get it done at all costs, take air time to gloat.

 

And America cries while the leftists all cheer,

 

This country will "perfect itself" it's finally here!

 

But they forget one thing, they forget who we are,

 

We won't be bought off, won't bow down to your Czars.

 

Unlike those in Congress, we do not have a price,

 

No matter how tempting, no matter how nice.

 

We're a country of men, not a country of kings,

 

We won't tolerate your abuses, we will not kiss your rings.

 

For although it is true, that we've never been asked,

 

To stand up for Her yet, we are up to the task.

 

We're housewives, we're students, we're new immigrants,

 

We're fathers, and veterans and all those with sense.

 

We're so many, so numerous, not at all who you think,

 

We're America, we're Americans, we'll pull Her back from this brink.

 

Those who gave all for freedom, for the lives that we lead,

 

They made us all promise that we'd always succeed,

 

In defending Her glory, in defending our rights,

 

For only this country can be that great light!

 

You had the 60's, you tore Her down then,

 

You don't seem to get it, love Her now, loved Her then,

 

And so for our kids and our grandkids we bid,

 

They will know opportunity, as you liberals did,

 

So know this, dear leaders, as you smirk in your glee,

 

We are not done yet, We will always be free.

 

We're not going anywhere, we will talk to our friends.

 

We will make them choose sides now, and tell them where this ends.

 

No matter how much money you have,

 

You can't buy our friendships, we will take a stand.

 

You want to divide us, and it's true that you might,

 

But you won't take this country, without one hell of a fight.

 

 

 

Friday, 19 March 2010 10:56 Last Updated on Friday, 19 March 2010 12:23

I just called the Lori Swanson's office- the main number on their website. 

I said "I'd like to talk to somebody to see if our Attorney General is considering any action to protect Minnesota against the federal mandates in this health care legislation"

The answer was simply "That is not possible."

I'm silent.  "What is your job title?"

Answer: "Citizen Assistant's Analyst for the Consumer Protection Division"

I tell the young lady, "Okay, I need to speak to your boss."

 I'm put in hold.  She comes back to tell me she's transferring me to Charles Ferguson.

"Chuck Ferguson"

I say "Hi, my name is Sheila Kihne and I'd like to know if the Attorney General is aware of any legislation or would support any legislation to protect Minnesota should this bill pass this weekend."

Chuck says, "You need to call your state legislator."

I say "Okay.  Will the attorney general, join other Attorney Generals all over the country who are suing the federal government in order protect Minnesotans against these mandates."

Chuck "The bill hasn't passed, so there's nothing to talk about."

I ask, "what I'm wondering is if there's any plan in your office, somebody to talk...?"

Chuck, getting flat out angry, "Do you know what the attorney general does? Are you aware of the attorney generals job?  Do you know that their job is to ensure that everything abides by the Constitution, do you know..."

Me, "I'm aware that you're a public employee, so can we tone it down a bit?  I give a little laugh"

He mocks me "Ha! Ha! Ha!" then gets really angry, "I don't need this! Are you aware of what the attorney general does, or do you just watch television?  You have a good day."

Click.

I'll take that as a "No"

What a way to act.  What a way to treat people.  I've been calling Congress all week and I want to acknowledge that 75% of the staffers are polite.  25% are rude and dismissive.  These people probably make 1/4 of what Mr. Ferguson makes.  It's really disgusting.

(I also want to acknowledge that I've been working with staff at the Minnesota Department of Education, they have been nothing but courteous.)

Why should the Chuck Ferguson's of the world care though?  They're not like the rest of us who would be fired or disciplined if we talked to a customer that way....Corporate culture, like government culture, is dictated from above.  The leadership sets the tone.  But the bottom line with government is they work for us.  Period. 

Time to clean house at the AG's office.  Do we have a candidate yet?

Tuesday, 16 March 2010 15:28 Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 March 2010 15:17

Wow- I am literally swimming in activity in the GOP.  I (almost) can't keep up. 

From fabulous local campaigns taking shape to incredible developments in state-wide races, the amount of energy in our party right now is absolutely electric. 

Then there's the history of this week with the unprecedented power-grab by our federal government to control (another) 1/6th (or more) of the United States economy by taking over the entire health care industry. Word is:  the vote will take place tomorrow.  I've been on and off the phones to Congress this week.  

I have the "Lucy Corbett" litmus test when it comes to issues.  When my mom, Lucy, gets in the fight then you know it's serious.  My mom was on the phone and called dozens of Congressman yesterday to tell them to say "no" to this government-overhaul of our health care system. Mom is a survivor on anaplastic thyroid cancer, an extremely rare, extremely aggressive form of cancer with a less than 5% 1 year survival rate.  She also has asthma, my dad has diabetes and had a stroke last year.  Neither is the picture of health, although they live very healthy lives. 

But that's not the reason she was calling Congress, she was calling Congress to tell these people that she refuses to have her tax money used to fund  Abortion.  My mom is a devout Catholic and stauchly Pro-Life.  She has not -and would not- ever vote for somebody who was Pro-Choice.  That's her issue.  One snotty staffer told her:  "Many people don't even care about abortion, they're just using that as a way to try to stop this bill."  My mom said she was so taken aback from his push-back that she didn't know what to say.  But these people in Washington think they know everything.  They think they know my mom's political views and motivations and try to discount her voice. 

For those of you on the sidelines:  Please get on the phone.  Please take 10 mintues or 1 hour this week to try to stop this thing.  Right now this country is WAY BEYOND the adage:  "If you don't vote, don't complain."  Right now it's, "If you don't take action and let your voice be heard, then don't complain." 

If you need some inspiration, here is Michele Bachmann's speech from the "Kill the Bill Rally"-- It's long, about 30 minutes.  If you don't have the time to watch the whole thing, watch about the last 8 minutes. 

Dim lights

May I humbly offer this:  If somebody like me, who tries to devour news and current events as fast as I can, isn't clear about what is going on: then there is a problem. 

Here's the deal: This is NOT about "reconciliation" this is NOT about "parliamentary procedure" as all the Sunday morning talking heads would have us believe.  (My guess is maybe 10% of those journalists have any idea what's going on and THAT is the problem!)  Here's the deal:

1.  The bill that the U.S. House is voting on this week is a bill that HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH HEALTHCARE-- it was a bill to provide housing for the military. 

2. That bill was sent to the U.S. Senate where Harry Reid dropped in a 2,500 page Amendment that IS Obama Care.

3.  Acoording to the United States Constitution:  

Section 7 - Revenue Bills, Legislative Process, Presidential Veto

All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

This means that if a bill raises taxes (which ObamaCare certainly does) it MUST originate in the House and be voted on there....

4.  A Health Care bill DID originate in the House and it DID pass legitimately-- but that bill could not be reconciled against the Senate Version which removed the Stupak Amendment among other major differences.

5.  So what they're TRYING to do now is have the House vote on this other bill that DID orginate in the House- but it was NOT the health care bill from the House.  Follow me?  This is INCREDIBLY underhanded!

6.  Pelosi knows this so now she's talking about passing it WITHOUT A RECORDED ROLL CALL VOTE

Again, per the Constitution: (same section 7)

If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively.

You have a bill- about to become a law- being signed into law by a "Constitutional Lawyer" (who couldn't teach a Constitutional law class to save his life,) that SUBVERTS the Constitution!

My calls to Congressmen went like this:

1.  Does Congressman X plan on voting for the Senate Bill this week?

2.  Does Congressman X understand that he's in the United States House of Representative and not the United States Senate?  And that a bill to raise taxes must originate in the House?  (Betty McCollum's DC staff actually said "yes, we know that"

3.  Then why would Congressman X even CONSIDER voting for this if they know that it's an end-run around the Constitution? 

Colin Peterson's DC staff said he knew this and WOULD NOT vote for the Senate bill.

McCollum, Ellison, Walz's office all said (basically) that they were looking to the reconcillation process to fix some things before they'd support the bill.

I simply called Oberstar's office to SHAME HIM for publicly supporting legislation that is this SNEAKY.

With Ellison's office, I simply said "Look, I know Congressman Ellison is a huge liberal and we'd agree on absolutely nothing, but he is a moral man- correct?  He does try to live by a moral code, correct?  (no response) Please tell him that this is SNEAKY and completely amoral.  Please tell him that Medicare and Medicaid (which I have problems with...) were passed with bi-partisan support in the 1960's and right now they don't have ONE Republican vote."

Am I wasting my time?  No.  And you won't be either.  If you want to make some calls today (word is the vote will happen tomorrow) then see this link.

As for the abortion issue, theshocking interview with Bart Stupak that came out Friday night really says it all....

Stupak notes that his negotiations with House Democratic leaders in recent days have been revealing. “I really believe that the Democratic leadership is simply unwilling to change its stance,” he says. “Their position says that women, especially those without means available, should have their abortions covered.” The arguments they have made to him in recent deliberations, he adds, “are a pretty sad commentary on the state of the Democratic party.”

What are Democratic leaders saying? “If you pass the Stupak amendment, more children will be born, and therefore it will cost us millions more. That’s one of the arguments I’ve been hearing,” Stupak says. “Money is their hang-up. Is this how we now value life in America? If money is the issue — come on, we can find room in the budget. This is life we’re talking about.”

Monday's "ObamaCare and Eugenics: How abortion subsidies threaten reproductive liberty" by James Taranto in the Wall Street Journal explains why even Pro-Choice Americans should be disgusted by the far-left mentality that Supak describes.

In our judicial system, we believe that enormous care and extraordinary measures must be taken so that no innocent man suffers a guilty plea (it happens, but it is a rarity.)  In our health care system, we take extraordinary measures to ensure that each life is treated with respect and dignity.  Our relationship is between doctor and patient and that is all about to change in a very terrible way.  The New England Journal of Medicine published a survey this week that showed that Doctors do not want this takeover.  "In total, 63 percent of doctors would not recommend the profession after health-care reform passes" It's not only longer hours for less money, it's the lack of control of their patient relationships that they fear.  How can you live with yourself if you know you are not providing the very best care to a patient? 

Does the government care?  No.  They only care about power and control over our lives and our culture.  They're taking over student loans at the same time so that they can hand-pick their next generation of doctors and nurses and we all know what the Universities see as qualifications for those careers.  (Grades, test scores and performance will not be a part of the picture-- only "readiness")  Scary doesn't even begin to describe what's going on.

If this government-takeover is passed- with an issue that has divided America for almost forty years right in the midst of the final hours of debate- then I have to stop and wonder what it all means. 

All I know is this:  I wouldn't want to be standing anywhere near Nancy Pelosi right now....on a golf course...in a thunderstorm...if you know what I mean.