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.