As random as possible

I was searching through the papers yesterday and this morning, and I found a few stories that I found interesting. Some on the serious side, some on the opposite end of the spectrum.

Re-election anyone? New York Senator Hillary Clinton and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty both announced they would seek re-election in their respective offices this morning. With Sen. Clinton making no reference to the upcoming Presidential race, and Gov. Pawlenty saying that he would honor his term, and has no indications of leaving office early if re-elected. Now I like Pawlenty and can't stand Clinton but should we trust either one?

You say goodbye, I say hello. That is the response from NBC and CBS respectively as Katie Couric said goodbye to NBC's Today show after 15 years. Couric will become the new nightly news anchor for CBS evening news. A post long held by old white men (thanks to Kyle for that inspiration). There is a lot of hoopla over this, but in reality does anyone care? Well apparently millions do, as millions turned in to watch. CBS is hoping that Couric can pull CBS out of the basement of nightly news ratings where they have been since Dan Rather started using the news as his one man stand up comedy hour. This is a great move for the immediate ratings for CBS. Many will tune in to here Katie for the first few months, but than they will all realize what many already know: Is there a better looking man than Brian Williams? I mean come on, why would you not watch NBC nightly news. Brian Williams looks like the most stereotypical news man there is. He even sounds like a news man. In fact if you look up news man in the dictionary... Brian Williams' picture is there. Anyway best of luck to Katie and her new 500 trillion dollar contract.

Land of 10,000 lakes... and counting. There was an article in the Minneapolis Star yesterday about a new development in Lakeville. The contractor had run into a snag building the massive man made lake in the heart of the development. Here's my question, why in the heck do we need to build a lake in MN? I found it really funny reading the story and reading what the guy said about the difficulties they were having with creating this lake. You know, God never had a whole lot of difficulty, maybe we should leave the creation of beautiful Minnesota lakes to him.

The twins that were separated at the Mayo clinic in Rochester a few weeks ago went home the other day. I don't know a whole lot more about this story except to say that it was extremly touching, and in all the flux of constant negativity that the media throws at us, it is good to hear something positive for a change. I will update their condition when I know more.

Two members from the Soulforce Equality ride made headlines once again when they tried to enlist at a military recruiting station in Roseville yesterday. The Equality ride has gained headlines recently with their travels around the country to various conservative Christian colleges trying to protest those colleges stances on homosexuality. The pair was there as part of a bigger protest against the militaries "Don't ask, don't tell policy." The two were clearly there to make a political point, and where going to hold a rally outside the recruiting station and launch a sit in when their applications were rejected. The story yesterday was front page on the startribune.com. The funny thing is that their applications were not rejected they were set aside to be processed after the tresspassing charges were taken care of. Ironically the Star and Sickle did not publish this on the front page, because there is no way you could give a positive light to the military, or report on something that is remotely positive. It will be interesting to see if Jacob Reitan and Haven Herrin (the two from Soulforce) follow through on their promise to the military or if this is just another politically driven stunt. I am compltely for equalility and would love to chat with the members of Soulfroce and see what common ground we can reach together. But how can I look at it as anything other than a politically driven stunt if they don't follow through. They alert the media everytime they go places and to be honest I think it is only hurting their cause. Let's sit down at the table and have a discourse about the subject. We need to reach common ground. We need to be on the same page. We need to leave politics out of it. There will be more on this later.

Finally and most importantly there is a new exhibit at the Minnesota History Center that is gaining a lot of well deserved attention in the Twin Cities lately. The exhibit is all about the 70th anniversary of the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. The Olympics that of course have become famous with the Nazi takeover of Germany, and many who were not able to participate because of it. There are some great exhibits dedicated to African American athletes as well as many Jewish athletes that were not able to participate. There is a great story about a young lady who was going to participate in track and field, but she was Jewish and because of that alone she could not. The International Olympic Committee, required that Germany give everyone a fair shot, so they staged "try-outs" for Jewish athletes that were rigged so not to let any in. It is supposed to be a great exhibit by a great organization (I am a card carrying member of the MN historical society), and I would highly encourage anyone who is in the Twin Cities area to check it out. I think it runs through early July.

Memorial Day Tribute

Below is a copy of a poem that I can across, and I thought that it was fitting for Memorial Day.

Freedom Is Not Free By LCDR Kelly Strong, USCG - Copyright 1981

I watched the flag pass by one day,It fluttered in the breeze. A young Service man saluted it, and then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform so young, so tall, so proud, with hair cut square and eyes alert he'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him had fallen through the years. How many died on foreign soil how many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down? How many died at sea how many foxholes were soldiers' graves? No, freedom isn't free.
I heard the sound of Taps one night, when everything was still,I listened to the bugler play and felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times that Taps had meant "Amen,"When a flag had draped a coffin. Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children, of the mothers and the wives, of fathers, sons and husbands with interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard at the bottom of the sea of unmarked graves in Arlington. No, freedom isn't free.

There have been many different versions of the famous military burial song "Taps." The story of how the song was created is the interesting one. Long debated, it originated during the American Civil War, but that is where the clarity ends. Either way it is always a tearful sorrowful ending to any soldiers life. There have been many additions to the song over the years, and there are no many verses, I thought I would share a few on this Memorial day.

Day is done, gone the sun, from the lakes from the hills from the sky, all is well, safely rest, God is near.
Fading light, dims the sight, and a star gems the sky gleaming bright, from afar drawing near, falls the night.
Thanks and praise, for our days, neath the sun neath the stars neath the sky, as we go, this we know, God is near.

My grandpa's best friend, cousin, and best man was laid to rest in the waters of the Pacific Ocean at the expense of Japanese gun fire. Nim is among the thousands of other Americans who saw there final resting place overseas. Along with the countless others who are buried in honor right here in America these men and women never got to say good-bye to loved ones, they left this world long before their time, and to them we owe and incredible amount of gratitude. I didn't even know these brave soldiers yet they went off and died for me and generations of Americans. To all those families who have lost, may God bless you and comfort you. To all those brave who died in defense of freedom: May you rest in peace forever.

Memorial Day tribute part 2

Even though this speech was not given on Memorial Day, it is one of the most famous memorial speeches in American history, and one of my all time favorite speeches, by one of the greatest presidents America has ever seen and one of the greatest leaders the world has ever seen. Note at the end of the speech when President Lincoln states that this war (American Civil War) and especially this battle (Battle of Gettysburg) will hopefully provide a new birth of freedom, and "Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." I get chills every time I hear that.

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. "

Abraham Lincoln "Gettysburg Address"
November 19th 1863

Below is part of a Memorial day tribute given by President Reagan at a Memorial day tribute at Arlington National Cemetery on May 31, 1982:

"The willingness of some to give their lives so that others might live never fails to evoke in us a sense of wonder and mystery. One gets that feeling here on this hallowed ground, and I have known that same poignant feeling as I looked out across the rows of white crosses and Stars of David in Europe, in the Philippines, and the military cemeteries here in our own land. Each one marks the resting place of an American hero and, in my lifetime, the heroes of World War I, the Doughboys, the GI's of World War II or Korea or Vietnam. They span several generations of young Americans, all different and yet all alike, like the markers above their resting places, all alike in a truly meaningful way.
Winston Churchill said of those he knew in World War II they seemed to be the only young men who could laugh and fight at the same time. A great general in that war called them our secret weapon, ``just the best darn kids in the world.'' Each died for a cause he considered more important than his own life. Well, they didn't volunteer to die; they volunteered to defend values for which men have always been willing to die if need be, the values which make up what we call civilization. And how they must have wished, in all the ugliness that war brings, that no other generation of young men to follow would have to undergo that same experience.
As we honor their memory today, let us pledge that their lives, their sacrifices, their valor shall be justified and remembered for as long as God gives life to this nation. And let us also pledge to do our utmost to carry out what must have been their wish: that no other generation of young men will every have to share their experiences and repeat their sacrifice.
Earlier today, with the music that we have heard and that of our National Anthem -- I can't claim to know the words of all the national anthems in the world, but I don't know of any other that ends with a question and a challenge as ours does: Does that flag still wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? That is what we must all ask."

Ehud (part 2), Senate decisions, and Memorial Day tribute 1st edition

The Senate easily confirmed General Michael Hayden as the Director of the CIA this morning. Hayden will be the first active-duty, or retired military officer to run the CIA in 25 years. After hearing that Hayden would work independent of the Pentagon, it was the last straw that Senators needed to confirm him for the job. In a written statement of support over the confirmation, President Bush stated: "Winning the war on terror requires that America have the best intelligence possible, and his strong leadership will ensure that we do. Gen. Hayden is a patriot and a dedicated public servant whose broad experience, dedication and expertise make him the right person to lead the CIA at this critical time." At this point, I agree. I think that it was the right decision. There is no questions about Gen. Hayden's abilities. I think that he was the right choice at this time.

Speaking of the Senate, yesterday was a pretty big day with regards to immigration. In a highly debated, much anticipated bill, the senate passed the immigration reform bill yesterday. It is the biggest change in American immigration policy in some time, and some argue that it could change the face of America as we know it. The bill establishes more boarder security, a guest worker program, and the opportunity for millions of illegal immigrants to stay in the country and possibly become citizens. The surprising thing was how bipartisan the bill was. With a final tally of 62-36 which included 38 Democrats, 23 Republicans, and James Jeffords the lone Independent in the Senate. The real split came between members of the Republican party, where 23 voted yes and 32 voted no. Arizona Senator John McCain who along with Mass. Sen Ted Kennedy championed the bill, for which McCain has received a lot of criticism from the conservative base that may not want to have him as their candidate in the 2008 Presidential race. Some of the accomplishments of the bill are: 370 miles of triple fencing guarding America's boarders. Making English the national language (which many people find insulting), and a more complicated system to determine who can stay and who must be deported. This is one of the most (if not the most) complex immigration bills in U.S. history and opponents of the bill argue that the bill is flawed and will ultimately do more harm than good. Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss, called the measure "a bad bill" that "puts more emphasis on amnesty than on border security." While the first step is passed the Bill now travels across the capitol to the House, where many say that it will not receive nearly the support it did in the Senate. If it does get through the House look for it to be changed in many ways. President Bush and the White House are campaigning for the bill to look similar to what it does now when it comes to his desk, but with members of the House in an election year, you can bet that nothing will come easy. Look for more on this in the upcoming weeks, as I am concerned about this, but have yet to formulate an intelligent position from which to approach it.

As part of my three part Memorial Day salute, I wanted to share an excerpt from the speech that Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert gave to joint members of Congress on Wednesday:
"This coming Monday, the 29th of May, you commemorate Memorial Day for America's fallen. The graves of brave American soldiers are scattered throughout the world: in Asia and in the Pacific, throughout Europe and Africa, in Iraq and throughout the Middle East. The pain of the families never heals, and the void they leave is never filled."
"It is impossible to think of a world in which America was not there, in the honorable service of humanity. On Monday, when the stars and stripes are lowered to half-mast, we the people of Israel, will bow our heads with you."


As we begin this wonderful Memorial weekend of fun, family and friends, and to many the beginning of summer, I hope that you will all take a moment at some point and remember why it is we are all able to enjoy what we enjoy as Americans. Remember those who have given what Abraham Lincoln called "the last full measure of devotion." Remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of freedom. Those who gave their lives so I can sit here and freely share my thoughts on this blog. And if you get a chance thank someone in the military right now, or a veteran. Even though we are honoring those who have passed on, many of those brave men and women have risked their lives for the same purpose. To all those brave, buried around the world: Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Ehud (part 1), Brad, and dusting off the ol' ten speed

Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert gave an impassioned address to a Joint meeting of Congress yesterday. I caught some audio clips from the speech on the radio this morning, and read the majority of it when I got to work (you can find the speech in its entirety at http://www.israelemb.org/). Olmert outlined several points of importance to Israel and the peace process in the Middle East, including a continued hard stance towards the Hamas led P.A. government. Olmert believes that peace is a real possibility but there has to be a lot of work done, and there are things that Israel is just not willing to bend on. "With a genuine Palestinian partner for peace, I believe that we can reach an agreement on all the issues that divide us." Olmert stated that peace treaties had been reached in the past with Egypt and Jordan but not without "painful and difficult compromises," which required Israel to "take real risks." As much extension of the Olive branch as there was, Olmert made it clear that "peace without security, will bring neither peace nor security." The right direction may be were the process is headed, but it seems that there is a lot more work to do.
Olmert also spoke on religion, the Jewish state, Iran, and other things. The one thing that I really appreciated was his appreciation that he showed for America and the American people. (look for more analysis on this tomorrow). He started out his speech thanking congress, President Bush and the American people for the continued support. He went on to talk about the American sacrifices for the good of humanity. I will dive into this and his Memorial Day tribute as part of my weekend long three part Memorial Day salute starting tomorrow.

On a lighter note, the Twins stink.

Ok so that is how I wanted to end that last one but I will divulge a little bit. My favorite Major League team lost 11-0 yesterday. Direct line to the Twins: "I (as well as millions of others in Hennepin County) am paying for your new stadium way to make it look like a sound investment." There were rumblings on the talk radio stations this morning about brining up more new pitchers from the minors to give them their shot. Are you kidding me? It's freakin May, and already some are throwing in the towel. How pathetic is that? Another direct line to the Twins: "the young pitchers we have are doing fine (replace Radke if you must... Although I like Brad and he would be a really expensive minor league player), how about bringing up some of that minor league hitting... Oh wait all we have in the minors are stud starting pitching, great defensive utility players, and a lot of speed. Whatever happened to building championships around solid pitching and defense? Awesome Steroids.

Finally, I finally purchased my new bike yesterday. After over a year of looking and researching, and deliberating I bit the bullet and made the purchase (which wasn't easy as I am slightly tight with money). Look for me flying down area paths and streets with my red road bike and matching red helmet sometime real soon. I also had red and white shorts on this morning when I was out riding. I was showing my support for the new state fruit.

Tea Overboard

So there is a lot of dissent about the recent stadium bills. A lot of it is valid, but there is one in particular that I wanted to share. Being that the source is my grandma. Now for those of you who don't know, I'm blessed to still have three grandparents alive, and am very close with all of them. Last night I was at my grandparent's house, and my grandma and I got started talking about the stadiums. The Twins stadium set her off, and she set out into the most brilliant critique of the situation I have heard yet. After some opening comments as they would be she got down to the nitty gritty of it, and stated her real point. "No taxation without representation," my grandma frustratingly said. Than when I thought that no comment could top that fantastic historical quote she aggressively stated, "I am ready to throw the tea in the water." I laughed so hard (as did she), it was one of the greatest things I have heard in a long time. Here is a shout out to my grandma at 86 years young. Her solution to the sales tax increase without a voter referendum is to "throw the tea in the water." History runs deep in my family. She would later clarify that she would throw the tea in Minnehaha creek.

I have heard from a great source that childhood favorite program Sesame Street made some changes. I guess this isn't new as I did some research and realized it happened last year, but it was new to me. Apparently Oscar the Grouch is no longer living in a trashcan, as that casts a negative light on bums and homeless people. Now if that is truly the reason to put Oscar the Grouch in some sort of community housing project (which is apparently what they did), it is quite pathetic in my opinion. Other sources say maybe it was because he was angry all the time. Well wouldn't you be pretty grumpy if you lived in a trashcan? I didn't think that it was up to us to shed a positive light on homelessness and bums. I feel there are very few parents who ever told their children to strive to be like Oscar the Grouch. He was a character on a children's T.V. show... Not a bum off the street. Another change is apparently the cookie monster becoming more health conscious and eating vegetables. The Vegetable monster? That sounds dumb. The hit song that the Cookie Monster is so famous for "C is for Cookie" and so on has been changed to "A cookie is a sometimes food." What? How ridiculous does that sound? Awesome political correctness, way to affect children. Special thanks to my source for the inspiration for this post, you're the best!

The picture on the front page of the Washington Post website is of Senate majority leader Bill Frist examining a silverback gorilla at the National Zoo. Now I know that Sen. Frist is a medical doctor (a heart surgeon more specifically) but... I really don't have a problem at all with this; I just thought it was funny to make the front page of the post.

Finally the NBA draft lottery is set and the Timberwolves have the sixth pick. I am going to put up a poll at some point to get some feedback on what bone headed moves the Wolves will do with that pick. I say we trade the pick to the Clippers for Sam Cassell.

Minnesota Legislative review, Reality TV and Madonna

The Minnesota Legislative session ended this past weekend with one of the most talked about legislative sessions since... Well since last year when there was a special session, but before that it was a long time. Of course the biggest accomplishments (or debacles depending on whom you are speaking with) is that of the two stadium bills. But I thought that I would enlighten the public on a few other not as well publicized accomplishments in light of an article in the Minneapolis Star this morning.
* Speaking of stadiums there is a little provision written into the Gopher stadium bill that will divert a portion of the taconite tax, so that the city of Eveleth can keep the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame up and running. However part of the deal requires professional hockey organizations and other donors to chip in an equal amount.
*Property taxes for my parents and others in Minnesota (especially in Hennepin County) aren't going to decrease any time soon. Already high property taxes are projected to stay at the 11% increase. Law makers were unable to come to any sort of agreement on the issues. Awesome lawmakers, way to raise property taxes again.
*More police will be on the streets of Minneapolis in the near future, as the state is contributing 1.5 million to increase police patrols.
*Finally and most importantly, the state of Minnesota has a new state fruit... Yes it is the University of Minnesota's own Honeycrisp Apple. You may be saying to yourself that this is an insignificant story compared to other current events, but I will say this, the Honeycrisp apple is only available for a few months in the fall and they are damn tasty.

With all the hoopla over season finales of America's favorite Television shows I have to admit that the only one that I watched was NBC's The Office (great ending however). Every time I turn on the news, or open the paper, or surf the web all I see is previews or ads for American Idol finale, or Grey's Anatomy. I am here to say that I would like to introduce a brand new reality show idea that will change the face of television as we know it. Non-traditional admissions idol/survivor. The game is two fold. You have to compete in various activities to see if you have what it takes to be the next successful non-traditional admissions representative. After the successful candidates are selected (by a combination of America's votes and a Donald Trump style board room meeting), than the competition is on to see who can last the longest on this island of sales, numbers, and telemarketing. Now that is a show I would watch.

Finally to Madonna. The pop lighting rod is at it again. On the opening night of her "Confessions" tour outside of Los Angeles, she apparently was attached to a mirrored cross with a crown of thorns on her head. Apparently Madonna was attempting to crucify herself to make some larger political point. However the only thing she did is further prove how classless she is as an individual and an entertainer. I didn't even want to write about this, because any attention brought to her is frankly preposterous. Many church groups are speaking out against the act, but I don't think that it will do any good. She loves the controversy. It get's her on T.V. and in the papers. It helps to sell her records. Christians need to take a stand and let her know what we think. If there is anyone that you know of that has ever supported or liked Madonna, tell them to stop for the time being. Look what happened to the Dixie Chicks in the conservative country market after they bashed president Bush while on a European tour. Stations pulled their songs, people stopped buying their records, tours were hurt, and the Dixie Chicks have faced an uphill battle to regain popularity. They were once one of the biggest bands/groups in the country, now they are a second rate country group trying to regain what they once had. I think that we should stop supporting Madonna anyway because frankly she's not that talented. But this act is the frosting on the cake. This is just a classless act by a pathetic individual.

Sports, Corruption, and Politics... Ah the American Dream

Louisiana congressman William Jefferson was filmed and caught on tape by an FBI informant taking over $100,000 in cash. Police and FBI raided his Washington D.C. office over the weekend, as well as his home outside of Washington. At his home they found $90,000 wrapped in tin foil and hidden in food containers in his freezer. He has also been very active in working with a telecommunications company to try and profit off of the expansion of internet and cable throughout Africa. Some of that money was made in under the table deals with iGate inc. The owner of that company has already pleaded guilty to bribing Rep. Jefferson. Also worthy of mention is the fact that Rep. Jefferson apparently had deals going on with Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Now I am not a genius by any means, and I am all for the American judicial practice of innocent until proven guilty, but I feel that the writing is on the wall on this one. Rep. Jefferson last week apparently denied any wrong doing (what a shock), and his attorney's have said that it is outrageous and part of a "public relations agenda and an attempt to embarrass Jefferson." I feel that Rep. Jefferson may be in a bit of hot water, because last time I checked the only thing I had in my freezer was hot pockets, (well out dated) frost laden ice cream, and various other dinner time selections. $90,000 in cash is somehow not something that we keep in the freezer. I suspect that for the majority of people in this world that is not a widely held practice. I can't wait to see how long this is tied up in court. How much subsequent tax payers money is wasted on this man, and how much new coverage it attracts. With all the recent problems with elected officials and money (lobbyists relations), I'm beginning to wonder how many elected officials we can actually trust. Is anyone in politics for the right reason? Better yet what is the right reason to be in politics?

There was an interesting article in the Minneapolis Star and Tribune yesterday (that is not something I say very often), about the Red Lake Indian reservation and the power they have to control the majority of the lake. There was a DNR (Department of Natural Resources) conservation officer (Greg Spaulding) that wrote in as a private citizen stating that due to treaties and laws the lake is actually owned by the state of Minnesota. Not the city or county, not the reservation, but the State of Minnesota. Now disputes over the rightful owners of lakes and surrounding Indian reservations is not something new to Minnesota law makers. There have been disputes in the past (including one a few years back on Lake Mille Lacs, which the state lost in court), but this is seemingly new evidence in an ongoing, long time fight. I have to admit that I honor and respect the treaties and contracts that Native American Tribes have with the United States and certain states. But this one puzzles me. The Chippewa tribal chairman Floyd Jourdain Jr. said that "the actions of officer Spaulding undermine much of what we have achieved." It seems as though nothing will come of this because even if Mr. Spaulding had a legitimate point, there is very little chance that any court would overturn and rule in favor of the state. It would be a public and political nightmare. The interesting point to me, is that the DNR regularly stocks Red Lake with Walleye, so our tax dollars are going to support Red Lake, yet no one can fish it (except for a tiny corner), unless you are part of the Chippewa tribe. I think that there needs to be some concessions here. This has to be a two way street. I'm not saying to take over the land and build resorts (although that is what would probably eventually happen), I'm saying as long as we are contributing to the health of the lake, let us partake in the recreation that the lake offers. Charge a fee if need be, but it is a shame to have that huge lake, and not let anyone use it.

http://www.startribune.com/767/story/443868.html

On a side note the Twins took two of three in Milwaukee this weekend. The starting pitchers were all young prospects that fair to be the future of the staff. I think that we are in good hands. Also another big thanks to the San Francisco Giants organization for giving us Bonser, Liriano, and Nathan for A.J. Pierzynski. That has got to be one of the biggest steals of all time.

The long haul to get stadiums for three Minnesota sports teams is finally over... Almost. The hoopla will all begin again next year, as the Vikings will make yet again another push for their new stadium. The state house and senate passed both the on campus Gopher football stadium and the new Twins stadium yesterday and early this morning.
First the Gopher stadium. Personally I think that this is the only slam-dunk of the three. It passed by the largest margin, and I think that it positively affects the most amounts of people. The arguments against the stadium were in my opinion weak at best. The strongest one being that it will take away from the academic success of the school. Every other Big Ten school has an outdoor stadium (I believe they are all on campus too), and those schools are doing just fine academically. Personally I think that it will be nothing but a good thing for the University of Minnesota. The revenue alone that the U will generate from this will help the school. You put a better product on the field, you attract more fans, sell more tickets, concessions and merchandise, make more money off parking spots, and get more revenue generated from more nationally televised games. Money coming into the University is never a bad thing. Not to mention bringing Big Ten football back to campus, and outdoors. What a great experience for students, alumni, and the casual fan. Saturdays will once again be something special on the campus of the University of Minnesota!
To the Twins. This one is a bit more difficult for yours truly. I am a huge Twins fan and have been all my life, but it is easier for me to see the opposition's point on this stadium bill. Before I say anything let me say that I am pleased to have baseball back outdoors, and that I do support the stadium because in the long run I think that it will create more good than any subsequent harm. However I can see the point of letting the voters in Hennepin County put it to a vote. A referendum would not have been the worst idea in the world, but it probably would have marked the end of the stadium hopes. I think that any tax increase of this variety no matter how large should get some sort of citizen input (although our input was electing the officials that are making these decisions). The argument that this bill was voted on by members that won't be affected by the tax increase and therefore should have been left up to those, which it will affect, carries weight. As a citizen of Hennepin County I don't mind the extra sales tax. I am happy to pay it to bring Baseball back outdoors and to keep my favorite major league team here in Minnesota. But I see the dilemma. The answer is that the stadium will be built; the end result will be outdoor baseball that I can hopefully take my children to go see, and revenue that will only help Hennepin County down the line. I truly believe that the ends will justify the means in this case, but I can see why so many are so upset.

On a final note the one thing I love about these bills, is how much extra language that was written in to help out other bills in the future (i.e. light rail expansion, Vikings stadium). Something that no one really wants to talk about... I suspect it is because no really knows or understands that the language is even there.

So the long awaited Da Vinci Code hits theaters today. I have to admit that I am torn about said event. I have not finished the book yet, and generally as a rule of thumb I like read the book that a movie is based on before I see the movie. So I am planning on finishing the book regardless, but the question of whether I am going to see the movie at all still exists. The Vatican has called for a boycott, and while I'm not Catholic, I would like to at least honor that request. Yet another part of me feels that a boycott may constitute censorship. The Da Vinci Code is nothing more than moderately written fiction. To be perfectly honest, as a person of the
Christian faith, works like the Da Vinci Code only strengthen my faith. In fact I don't see them as entirely bad. When truth is being attacked as much as Christianity is attacked, and for as long as it has been attacked you know that validity exists. Why would someone dedicate this much time to go after core beliefs of the Christian faith? Putting the Christian faith on center stage like this is an opportunity for believers not a threat. We need to use this to show that while Hollywood can give you a good story, Christ gives you truth. Now we can't do it in the way that some have chosen, but the day that people stop attacking Christianity is a day I fear far more than what we are presently faced with. Having the opportunity to talk about and defend my faith is never a bad thing.
I may check out the Da Vinci Code, but I will always sit back and wonder (maybe with a smile on my face), why so many want to disprove my faith so badly. Why so many make it their life work to tell me that what I know is truth is in fact fiction. If you believe that it is fiction fine, than you are entitled to that belief, but who are you trying to convince by constantly researching and constantly arguing. If Christ wasn't who he says he was, and you know that, than what is the point? Why do you need me to believe that so badly? Are you trying to convince me, or are you trying to convince yourself? I believe that these attacks on my faith are people so desperately searching for something that disproving Christianity is the only thing that makes any sense. Believing would be way to illogical. Forty years from now the Da Vinci Code will be another book and movie in the span of time, but Christianity will still be the giuding force in my life.

Air Force General and President Bush's current nominee to head up the CIA Michael Hayden has been facing law makes on Capitol Hill the past few days. To no ones surprise, several congressional leaders have voiced concerns over Hayden's nomination. I'm not saying that I am 100% in support of the nomination, but I'm certainly willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Granted the majority of the issues stem from plain political rhetoric but I can' t in my right mind question his ability or potential to do this job. Hayden is the former director of the National Security Agency and as mentioned above a well respected General in the United States Air Force.
One of the issues that Hayden has been heavily criticized on was his support for the eavesdropping program. Certainly that is a hot button issue at the moment, and one that he needs to address, but I hardly find it fair to rake him over the coals for it... Yet that is politics.
His critics have not been all from the democratic side of the aisle. Republicans have been voicing concerns as well. Some of that conern has come from his nomination of former CIA official Stephen Kappes as his Deputy. Kappes made headlines when he resigend in a protest over differences with than CIA head Porter Goss. Again Kappes has experience to back up the faith that Hayden has shown in him. I feel that giving both of them the benefit of the doubt is the only viable option.
The Washington Post had an article on this in today's paper talking about how many were concerned about Hayden being a military man, and that he wouldn't be able to stand up to the President. Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski worried that Hayden would sucumb to the "gaga factor" when dealing the the President and questioned would he be "a 'yes sir,' Mr. slam-dunk rather than speaking truth to power?" I can see those concerns, but I think that General Hayden has a mind of his own, and will do what is best for his job, not his political well being. Furthermore I think having a military man as head of the CIA will be a good change. This is only the second time since the Truman administration that a military leader has become head of the CIA, and I welcome the change. I hope that Hayden can restore some much needed confidence back into the Central Intelligence Agency.

I have to say that for me to be "bloggin in cyber space" is quite the achievement. I have to admit that I try and stay up with pop culture as much as possible, but this has been the one thing that has always been just beyond my reach. This blog is going to be the avenue in which I share my thoughts on many things with all of you my friends and hopefully some strangers that come across. I am going to try and update as much as possible, but I can't make any promises. There is no rhyme or reason to my style of blogging, I am going to write and go after whatever may be on my heart or mind at the time. It certainly seems realistic that the majority of topics will center around politics and current events, but there will be a fair amount of sports, music, ideological ramblings, and of course history (my true love). For all that read this welcome, please feel free to comment about anything and everything. I appreciate your thoughts.