SICK OF POLITICS? TONIGHT, LET'S PARTY!

This is Asleep at the Wheel. They're a Texas swing band from Austin, TX, among other places. I first heard them in about 1972 in the southern Metro (Minneapolis) at a dinner theatre. They opened for Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. I was so impressed. They've been around about 34 years now and just keep getting better and better. The band has changed members over the years, but Ray Benson has always been there and has always kept the band together. Their newest album is called Willie and the Wheel, with Willie Nelson. Below is a YouTube clip. Enjoy!

H1N1 Flu Update

H1N1 Update: MDH had an employee briefing on Thursday morning to update us on H1N1 status. The briefing was by MDH Incident Management Team and MN Homeland Security. They said that this is a historical event and we will probably never see something like this again in our lifetimes. President Obama declared a federal e...mergency so that we could get things moving as far as resources, etc. Federal Homeland Security has declared that this is a matter of national security because of the current lack of hospital space. The beds are filling up with H1N1 patients. The manufacture of the vaccine is slower than expected because it takes awhile to grow the virus and make the vaccine; sometimes it takes longer than they would like. Everything is being done to expidite the process while maintaining high safety standards. Keep in contact with your clinics to find out when you can get your shot. The current priority is for health care workers, ER technicians, children under age 5 and pregnant women. It is hoped that soon there will be enough for everyone. Read More.

WHO WILL SAVE MINNESOTA FROM THE EVIL REPUBLICAN POLITICIANS?

This is Tim Pawlenty. He is the governor who steals from the poor and gives to the rich. Tim Pawlenty is the Joker.





















Who will save the day? Who will save Minnesotans from the evil Republican politicians?
This is Mark Dayton. He is coming to the rescue. He will save Minnesotans from the evil Repulican politicians. We need Mark Dayton at the Capitol. Vote for Mark Dayton for Governor of Minnesota.

Mark Dayton will come riding into the Governor's Office with a hearty high o silver.


Vote for Mark Dayton and make Minnesota a good place to live again.



VOTE MARK DAYTON FOR GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA

Mark Dayton Gets AFSCME Endorsement for MN Gubernatorial Race

AFSCME has decided that Mark Dayton has the best chance of getting elected as Governor of Minnesota. I was honored to be present at the endorsement. I'm thrilled that Dayton was chosen. He's going to make an excellent governor. Listen to what he says about it:

CANDIDATES FOR MINNESOTA GOVERNOR

Here's some information on the 2010 Minnesota Gubernatorial Candidates. This list will be updated and currently only includes the DFL candidates. I have omitted those who have not yet officially filed for candidacy. Check back for updates.

Mark Dayton on Fair Taxes

For reference, see 2009 Minnesota Tax Incidence Study, which was done by the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

OBAMA TELLS REPUBLICANS TO GRAB A MOP

This is great. President Obama tells Republicans to grab a mop and help clean up the mess they made. I love the way he does it.

LIVE LONGER, HEALTHIER LIVES

Watch this video about the Blue Zones. There's one in Albert Lea, MN, now. See the secrets to longevity and healthy living.

DFL GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES ANSWER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS

Pick your favorite candidate by watching and listening to their responses to various questions presented to them by AFSCME.

ALAN GRAYSON: WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A DEMOCRAT

This guy is great. He's got great oratory skills, he has a sense of humor, and he tells it like it is. No wonder people love him.


Here's another video in which Alan Grayson makes more good points and shows how the Republicans have become utterly ridiculous.

A TOASTMASTER'S EVALUATION OF MARK DAYTON'S SPEECH

Toastmasters is a world-wide nonprofit organization that builds communication and leadership skills and improves self-confidence. There are thousands of Toastmasters clubs all over the world. Several clubs comprise an Area; several Areas comprise a Division; several Divisions comprise a District. I'm currently the Eastern Division Governor for District 6, which covers all of Minnesota and part of Ontario.

A Toastmasters meeting includes evaluations of speakers. The evaluation is described as an oreo cookie. The idea is to say something good that the speaker did, then give a suggestion or two for improvement, then end with a few more positive comments.










Watch the video of Mark Dayton speaking in Burnsville, MN. Following the video I'll give my evaluation.


Mark has some strong speaking skills. His voice projection and volume are excellent. His gestures are right on target and enhance his speech. He's got good body language. His speech was well organized. It appealed to his audience. Mark made excellent points about the government of Minnesota and what he would do to change things if he became governor. He got to the point without rambling on about other topics. His word usage was very good. He used some wonderful anecdotes. He had the right amount of vocal variety. Mark Dayton doesn't speak in a monotone and thus doesn't bore his audience. He had excellent eye contact with the audience. His speech was obviously well researched. The intent of his speech was to persuade his audience to vote for him. I think he accomplished this successfully.

A couple of suggestions for improvement: Mark should work on his overuse of crutch words such as ah, um, er and you know. I would recommend that he join a Toastmasters club in order to overcome this habit that most people have. Using crutch words is annoying to the audience. I'd like to see Mark start using pauses instead of the unnecessary crutch words. Secondly, Mark could make better use of the floor space. He could try moving around a bit more. The only other recommendation I have is that the addition of a prop or illustration would be beneficial to the audience. In the case of this particular speech, a graph or two might be helpful to demonstrate to the audience the tax statistics and the MN unemployment statistics.

One other minor detail is that Mark used the word podium instead of lectern. A podium is what the band or choir director stands on. A lectern is the object in the front of the room that the speaker stands behind or to the side of.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Mark's speech. I feel that he was right on target with the issues. I agreed with his ideas of how he would change Minnesota for the better. I look forward to hearing more speeches by Mark Dayton.

BLESSED IS THE HOOFER

For he has happy feet.








Look how happy tap dancing makes Savion Glover. I get a big smile on my face just watching him.

Why Mark Dayton is Running for MN Governor

Watch the video to see Mark Dayton on wcco.com as he tells why he's running for governor.

My vote for the next Minnesota Governor will go to Mark Dayton. Here's my reasons:
1. He has years of government service at both the federal level and the state level. He's headed state agencies. He knows how Minnesota government works and how it should work.
2. Minnesota is his home state. He's a native son. He cares about Minnesota and remembers what a great state it used to be and knows how to make it that way again.
3. He believes in the value of mass transit, including light rail, as an alternative to the car.
4. He believes that Minnesota needs a progressive tax system in which the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes. This is very commendable, since he himself is no financial slouch.
5. He cares about others. He was instrumental in getting seniors to Canada for prescription drugs at prices they could afford. He also replaced a Braille laptop that had been stolen from a blind woman.
6. He's nice. Yes, folks, finally a politician with Minnesota Nice written all over him. Nice politician...sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it? Yet with Mark Dayton, it rings true. What a great change this will be from the governors we've had in the last two decades.
Won't you join me in voting for Mark Dayton for the next Minnesota Governor?

DON'T BELIEVE LIES ABOUT HEALTH CARE REFORM

The insurance companies and some segments of the Republican party want you to believe lies about Health Care Reform. Read the truth about Health Care Reform here.

To get the full story about Health Care Reform, click here.

Be informed about the Health Care Reform Bill. Tell your legislators you are in favor of it. Tell them you are tired of big insurance companies dictating the way your health care works. Join in the campaign to get the Health Care Reform Bill passed. Vote for legislators who support it.

GUBERNATORIAL FORUM AT HUNGER SOLUTIONS, OCT 14, 2009

Listen to the audio of what the candidates have to say about hunger and poverty in Minnesota.

MN DFL GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE, DULUTH MN OCT 9, 2009

Mark Dayton for MN Governor

My vote for the next Minnesota Governor will go to Mark Dayton. Here's my reasons:

1. He has decades of government service at both the federal level and the state level. He headed three state agencies. He knows how Minnesota government works and how it should work.

2. Minnesota is his home state. He's a native son. He cares about Minnesota and remembers what a great state it used to be and knows how to make it that way again.

3. He believes in the value of mass transit, including light rail, as an alternative to the car.

4. He believes that Minnesota needs a progressive tax system in which the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes. This is very commendable, since he himself is no financial slouch.

5. He cares about others. He was instrumental in getting seniors to Canada for prescription drugs at prices they could afford. He also replaced a Braille laptop that had been stolen from a blind woman.

6. He's nice. Yes, folks, finally a politician with Minnesota Nice written all over him. Nice politician...sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it? Yet with Mark Dayton, it rings true.

What a great change this will be from the governors we've had in the last two decades. Won't you join me in voting for Mark Dayton for the next Minnesota Governor?

Trafficking in Human Organs

This happened in Tess Gerritsen's novel "Harvest." Apparently it also happens in real life.

WHAT HAPPENED TO HALF A TRILLION DOLLARS?

No one seems to know, least of all Bernanke. This video would be somewhat amusing if it weren't so pathetic.

The Republican Health Plan

This video speaks for itself. It might be a tiny bit of an exaggeration to make a point, but by and large this does seem to be the Health Plan of the Republican Party.



The Republicans asked Alan Grayson to apologize. So he did. But not to the Rebublicans. He apologized to all those who have died simply because they did not have health insurance. He apologized to the dead and to their families. I'm really liking Alan Grayson.

DOCTORS WANT HEALTH CARE REFORM NOW!

Most doctors are in favor of health care reform. They are joining together to protest the current health care system. Why should insurance companies dictate the way doctors treat their patients? Why should insurance companies get to decide what is medically necessary and what is not when they are not the ones who see the patients? Why should the HMOs decide how much time a doctor spends with each patient? Watch the video to find out more.

Greedy Insurance Company: United HealthCare Group

Why is there so much profiteering in the health insurance business? Insurance is to protect people financially in times of medical need. Apparently United HealthCare disagrees. They think that insurance is to make their CEO wealthy beyond belief. They rake in the insurance premiums and then deny coverage to many of their customers. This is monstrous. Watch the video.

Mark Dayton on Pawlenty, Republicans and Minnesota

This is why we need a Democrat in the Minnesota Governor's Office. If we have another Republican governor, I fear for the future of Minnesota. Mark Dayton has the experience and the knowledge to put Minnesota back at the top. We can again be excellent in education, roads and highways and having a budget in the black. Let's elect a governor who cares deeply about Minnesota and its people. Vote Mark Dayton for Governor of Minnesota.

President Obama Talks to University of Maryland About Health Care Reform

FAILURE TO PASS HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL WOULD BE VERY COSTLY

If the Health Care Reform Bill does not pass, this country will be in big trouble. We're only 37th on the list of good health care on a country basis. If this bill doesn't pass, the United States will drop way below that. Read more.

Not only do we need single payer in our health care system; we also need to take the profiteering out of health care. There is no reason why insurance CEOs and drug company CEOs need to make millions of dollars a year at the expense of the health of the American people. Meanwhile, many Americans are denied insurance because of preexisting conditions or are having their health coverage cancelled because they got sick. Often insurance companies refuse to pay the medical bills of their customers. This is not acceptable. Indeed, this is monstrous.

You can do two things to change the health care system.
1. Call your legislators and tell them that the American people want Health Care Reform now!
2. Vote for candidates who support Health Care Reform.

Rimsky-Korsakov: Flight of the Bumblebee

I've loved this piece since I was in elementary school.

Gioachino Rossini: William Tell Overture, Part II

Here's another of my favorite classical pieces.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture, Part II

Classical music touches the emotions in a way no other music can. Let's listen to Part II of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.

Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain

This is one of my favorite classical pieces. It's right up there with Berlioz' "March to the Scaffold."

Hector Berlioz

Hector Berlioz was a French Romantic composer. My favorite music by him is "March to the Scaffold," which is the 4th movement from Symphone Fantastique. Berlioz is classical music's Edgar Allan Poe.

The George Bush Society

Many years ago the Chad Mitchell Trio sang a song called "The John Birch Society." Now there back with the song revamped to describe George Bush and his cronies.

Sha Na Na

This sure brings back memories. Remember them? Remember when?



Summertime...so happy.



Sometimes there was a whole lotta shakin' goin' on...



Although Sha Na Na couldn't do it as well as Jerry Lee Lewis...

Mark Dayton Speaking at the MN AFL-CIO Gubernatorial Forum

Listen to the passion in Mark Dayton's voice as he talks about how Minnesota has suffered from a Republican administration. Join me in voting for Mark Dayton for the next Governor of Minnesota. He knows what needs to be fixed in Minnesota and has the dedication and the expertise to fix it.

Craig Valentine: 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking

The first time I heard Craig Valentine speak was at a District 6 Toastmasters Conference. I was enthralled at his speaking ability. He's one of the best speakers I've ever heard. Watch and listen as he shares his speaking techniques with you.

Minnesota Nostalgic Memories

I can't believe the North Stars left and then we had to spend money to get another team in Minnesota. Will the same thing happen with the Vikings and/or the Twins?




















There aren't many drive-in movie theatres around anymore. I have fond memories of them. The one pictures above used to be on the northwest corner of Highway 65 and I694.












Did you ever play the game Skunk when you were a kid? It was manufactured right here in the Twin Cities by Schaefer.



















What kid didn't have a Lionel train set back in the 1950's? I got mine for Christmas when I was eight years old. It gave me many hours of fun, although my cats were puzzled by it and the chihuashuas were frightened.












Remember Cafesjian's Carousel? It was at the Minnesota State Fair for years. Then it was removed to Town Square Park in downtown St. Paul. From there it went to Como Park, where it remains. This is a piece of Minnesota history. My cousin and I rode on that Carousel every single year. I always had to have the one and only pinto.

Minnesota Health Plan

I really hope this bill passes. Here's what it entails:

Principles
As a matter of justice and an affirmation of the equal dignity of all human beings we must as a state (and as a nation) guarantee quality affordable health care to all of our people. To this end, the Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition is devoting all of its resources to the passage and enactment of the Minnesota Health Act (SF 118 / HF 135). The Minnesota Health Act will create the Minnesota Health Plan, a comprehensive plan that will cover all state residents. Below are the principles of health care reform that form the basis of the Minnesota Health Act.

Principles of Health Care Reform
The Minnesota Health Act is driven by the need for solutions that work and not by ideology. The solutions are based on over-arching principles of health care reform. In order to keep Minnesotans healthy and provide the best quality of health care, our health care system must:

*Ensure all Minnesotans receive high quality health care, regardless of their income;
*Not restrict, delay, or deny care or reduce the quality of care to hold down costs, but instead reduce costs through prevention, efficiency, and reduction of bureaucracy;
*Cover all necessary care, including all coverage currently required by law, complete mental health services, chemical dependency treatment, prescription drugs, medical equipment and supplies, dental care, long-term care, and home care services;
*Allow patients to choose their own providers;
*Be funded through premiums and other payments based on the person's ability to pay, so as not to deny full access to any Minnesotan;
*Focus on preventive care and early intervention to improve the health of all Minnesotans and reduce costs from untreated illnesses and diseases;
*Ensure an adequate number of qualified health care professionals and facilities to guarantee availability of, and timely access to quality care throughout the state;
*Continue Minnesota's leadership in medical education, training, research, and technology;
*Provide adequate and timely payments to providers.

To read more, click here.
___________________________________________________

Protest Songs Still Relevent

It's too bad these old war protest songs are still relevent. Remember this one? Here's Country Joe and the Fish at Woodstock in 1969.

On a Lighter Side...Savion Glover when he was 15 Years Old

Gregory Hines called Savion Glover the best tap dancer who ever lived. I definitely agree. This is great. And he just keeps on getting better and better.

Mark Dayton for Minnesota Governor

Stupidity is Alive and Well

I have no idea how someone like Michelle Bachmann could get elected to public office. She has said so many ignorant things. There's a lot of YouTube videos showing her foot in mouth disease. Maybe Sarah Palin will run for President and choose Michelle Bachmann for her running mate. We could call it the Crazy ticket. Watch this video for just one example of how dumb Bachmann is. The scary thing is that people actually voted for her.




Here's another one. This one will have you laughing at Bachmann's absurdity.

Mark Dayton: The Best Choice for MN Governor

My vote for the next Minnesota Governor will go to Mark Dayton. Here's my reasons:

1. He has decades of government service at both the federal level and the state level. He headed three state agencies. He knows how Minnesota government works and how it should work.

2. Minnesota is his home state. He's a native son. He cares about Minnesota and remembers what a great state it used to be and knows how to make it that way again.

3. He believes in the value of mass transit, including light rail, as an alternative to the car.

4. He believes that Minnesota needs a progressive tax system in which the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes. This is very commendable, since he himself is no financial slouch.

5. He cares about others. He was instrumental in getting seniors to Canada for prescription drugs at prices they could afford. He also replaced a Braille laptop that had been stolen from a blind woman.

6. He's nice. Yes, folks, finally a politician with Minnesota Nice written all over him. Nice politician...sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it? Yet with Mark Dayton, it rings true.

What a great change this will be from the governors we've had in the last two decades. Won't you join me in voting for Mark Dayton for the next Minnesota Governor?

DFL Governor Candidate Debate - 2009 Minnesota State Fair

More on H1N1

This comes from the Minnesota Department of Health:

News Release
October 2, 2009
Minnesota records three new deaths associated with H1N1 novel influenza Health officials say deaths serve as reminder of need for vigilance, prevention
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today announced that three people have died recently from complications due to infection with the H1N1 novel influenza virus. They were a Watonwan County woman in her 40s, a Dakota County woman in her 50s and a Ramsey County man in his 50s. All died within the last two weeks and all had underlying health conditions. These cases bring to six the total of deaths related to the H1N1 outbreak since last April. The department has been awaiting medical confirmation on the causes of the deaths before announcing them. "Losses such as this are always difficult to bear and to understand. Our sympathies are with their families and loved ones," said Dr. Sanne Magnan, Minnesota Commissioner of Health. "For most people, the H1N1 flu is not severe; however, it can still be very serious, especially for people with underlying health conditions. That's why we continue to monitor the situation closely." The deaths, while appearing to occur in a cluster, do not indicate a significant change in the course of the disease, health officials said. "We have expected that we might see additional deaths from H1N1 novel influenza when the illness became widespread," said Dr. Ruth Lynfield, state epidemiologist for MDH. "We know that H1N1 novel influenza, like seasonal influenza can cause severe illness and even death in some people. However, we are not seeing any change in the overall severity or virulence of the disease." To date, MDH has reported 324 hospitalized cases of confirmed H1N1 novel influenza, 39 of these hospitalizations have occurred in the past two weeks. In addition, last week 134 schools reported to MDH that they had either five percent of their student body absent or three students in an elementary school classroom absent due to flu-like illness. It is unknown how much of that illness is H1N1 or another flu-like illness; however, health officials believe that the new strain of flu that first appeared last spring is likely playing a significant role in the upsurge. "This flu is very widespread, and we expect to see many more cases across the state," Lynfield said. It is really important that people stay home when sick to decrease the spread of illness. We expect H1N1 vaccine to be available in the coming months and we recommend that people get vaccinated to protect themselves against H1N1 novel influenza, especially those individuals that are at high risk for severe disease from H1N1 influenza. It is also very important that health care workers get vaccinated." To protect yourself and to help reduce the spread of influenza, MDH recommends:

Stay home from work or school – and generally avoid going out in public – if you are sick, remain home until 24 hours after your symptoms resolve without the aid of fever-reducing medications.

If you are an employer, encourage your employees to stay home if they are sick.

Limit your contact with others who may be ill.

Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve when you cough or sneeze.

Clean your hands frequently and thoroughly – with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub solution.

Clean your hands after shaking hands or having other close contact with other people – before eating or preparing food, or touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Make sure to take enough fluids while you're sick.

If you develop possible flu symptoms and you want to consult your health care provider, call before going in for an office visit. You may not need to go in, and if you do need to be seen, a time should be set up when you will not risk exposing others to influenza in the waiting room.

People at risk for severe flu or flu complications should contact their health care provider if they have flu symptoms or have been closely exposed to people with flu symptoms.

Get vaccinated for both seasonal and H1N1 novel influenza as soon as vaccine becomes available for you.

For more information about influenza, please visit MDH's flu website or contact your health care provider.

Right Wing Conspiracy?

A couple of days ago, news columnist John L. Perry wrote that there is a "gaining" possibility that the military will stage a coup to "resolve the Obama problem." Read the full article.

So the Republicans are now contemplating treason? How far will they go? So far we have Sarah Palin making idiotic statements, including one about the Health Care Reform Bill leading to Death Panels. And I thought I was good at pouring gasoline on my ceiling. She gets the prize. We also have the right wing faction as well as blue dog democrats opposing this same bill. They don't want the public option. They think that it means they'll have to pay, through taxes, for the health care of illegal aliens. I wonder what they would do if an illegal alien had a heart attack and collapsed at their feet. Would they just leave him there and walk away? Well, I guess these are Republicans we're talking about. They're just not known for their compassion.

Here's another article about this ridiculous suggestion for a military coup that is being fantasized about by the right-wing fringe.

Then of course we have the ever unwelcome presence of Rush Limbaugh. Read about his take on this. He and Sarah Palin should get together. Can you imagine the combination of those genes? Scary.

I think this country is in big trouble if some of our senators and representatives don't quit acting like little kids and if people such as those listed above don't get a brain.

Just for the record, I think President Obama is doing a wonderful job and trying to accomplish a great deal in the short amount of time that he has been President. If we all stand behind him the United States will become a better country.