Bloomberg is reporting that Norm Coleman has conceded defeat in his Senate re-election bid. The move puts the ball in Gov Pawlenty's court to sign the election certificate for Senator-elect Al Franken.
Read more at Bloomberg »
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
A Tale of Two Jacksons
Over the next few days, we'll undoubtedly see reports on the two very different lives of Michael Jackson.
On one hand you had the brilliant musician who forged a trail as a pop music phenomenon. Mr. Jackson was an astute businessman who had the foresight to buy the catalog rights to his music as well as several other musicians - most notably owning 50% of The Beatles' collection. Michael's music was known in every corner of the world; his face and celebrity making him arguably the most recognized human being on the planet.
Michael Jackson was one of the first modern celebrities to use his fame for a noble purpose - his "We Are the World" production was a novel and instrumental effort in the power that celebrity can bring to world causes.
Then you had the other Michael Jackson. Chronically embroiled in lawsuits and under constant suspicion of child abuse. You saw a 7 year old boy trying to live in an adult body. And you saw an adult constantly trying to live with 7 year old boys. A horrific fire during a Pepsi commercial was followed by years of plastic surgery, reducing Michael's appearance to a common late night joke. And then you have the dangling of "Blanket" over a German hotel balcony.
His personal life was a tragedy, in part because of his inherent circumstances but largely of his own making. In spite of this, history will undoubtedly remember his ground breaking contributions to music and pop culture.
As with any death, my thoughts are (and yours should be) with his family.
On one hand you had the brilliant musician who forged a trail as a pop music phenomenon. Mr. Jackson was an astute businessman who had the foresight to buy the catalog rights to his music as well as several other musicians - most notably owning 50% of The Beatles' collection. Michael's music was known in every corner of the world; his face and celebrity making him arguably the most recognized human being on the planet.
Michael Jackson was one of the first modern celebrities to use his fame for a noble purpose - his "We Are the World" production was a novel and instrumental effort in the power that celebrity can bring to world causes.
Then you had the other Michael Jackson. Chronically embroiled in lawsuits and under constant suspicion of child abuse. You saw a 7 year old boy trying to live in an adult body. And you saw an adult constantly trying to live with 7 year old boys. A horrific fire during a Pepsi commercial was followed by years of plastic surgery, reducing Michael's appearance to a common late night joke. And then you have the dangling of "Blanket" over a German hotel balcony.
His personal life was a tragedy, in part because of his inherent circumstances but largely of his own making. In spite of this, history will undoubtedly remember his ground breaking contributions to music and pop culture.
As with any death, my thoughts are (and yours should be) with his family.
Michael Jackson dies at age 50
Multiple news agencies are now confirming that Michael Jackson has been pronounced dead. For a few days at least, let's try to remember him as the man who contributed so much to pop music.
Michael Jackson has died?
MJ is in the hospital and TMZ has already put the nail in his coffin.
Read more >>
Update: 3:27pm PST
CNN confirming that MJ is in a coma, but echoing reports from CBS and LA Times that MJ died.
Read more >>
Update: 3:27pm PST
CNN confirming that MJ is in a coma, but echoing reports from CBS and LA Times that MJ died.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Gov Sanford should not resign
To resign or not to resign - that is the question for Governor Sanford.
I do not believe that politicians who have affairs or other sexual exploits (Vitter, Craig) should necessarily be forced to resign. Of course, there are some exceptions.
I do believe that a politician should consider resigning when they make a career out of family values, conservative Christian morality, or take every opportunity to blast other political figures who suffer from infidelity. The hypocrisy of such a scenario should be a testament to the integrity of the individual, and voters have every right to demand accountability.
I also believe that ethical investigations should be launch whenever politicians use their positions of power to reward/punish the individuals with which they are romantically involved with.
That said, I think Governor Sanford is profoundly troubled by this indiscretion. I think he did the right thing by reimbursing the state for his travel expenses to Argentina (where his mistress lives). And since the Governor is termed out of office, I think it would be wise for him to take the opportunity to fade from public office when his term is up and put his administrative talent to use behind the scenes. Or write a book. Or go on Fox like many other fallen Republicans.
In the meantime, we should let him and his family deal with these very serious personal and private issues.
I do not believe that politicians who have affairs or other sexual exploits (Vitter, Craig) should necessarily be forced to resign. Of course, there are some exceptions.
I do believe that a politician should consider resigning when they make a career out of family values, conservative Christian morality, or take every opportunity to blast other political figures who suffer from infidelity. The hypocrisy of such a scenario should be a testament to the integrity of the individual, and voters have every right to demand accountability.
I also believe that ethical investigations should be launch whenever politicians use their positions of power to reward/punish the individuals with which they are romantically involved with.
That said, I think Governor Sanford is profoundly troubled by this indiscretion. I think he did the right thing by reimbursing the state for his travel expenses to Argentina (where his mistress lives). And since the Governor is termed out of office, I think it would be wise for him to take the opportunity to fade from public office when his term is up and put his administrative talent to use behind the scenes. Or write a book. Or go on Fox like many other fallen Republicans.
In the meantime, we should let him and his family deal with these very serious personal and private issues.
Minnesota Senate Race is Resolved! (Satire)
January 2, 2015
And in other news, the 2008 Senate race between Al Franken and Norm Coleman was finally decided in favor of Fozzy Bear. The surprising comeback of the long shot write-in candidate came as a shock to political officiandos.
When asked for comment, Mr. Bear simply replied, "Wocka, wocka, wocka." Unfortunately for what would be the nation's first Muppet-American Senator, the decision came as his 2008 term is about to expire.
And in other news, the 2008 Senate race between Al Franken and Norm Coleman was finally decided in favor of Fozzy Bear. The surprising comeback of the long shot write-in candidate came as a shock to political officiandos.
When asked for comment, Mr. Bear simply replied, "Wocka, wocka, wocka." Unfortunately for what would be the nation's first Muppet-American Senator, the decision came as his 2008 term is about to expire.
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