Monday, February 04, 2008

Open Thread #63

All your news, rumors, and general gossip go here, folks. Let 'er rip.

96 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ah. Lots happenin' while you were hitting the books, GFG: UND hires a new prez; GFKS school board meeting on Larry Nybladh's salary tonight; smoothie joint coming to UND campus. And to think no one has posted a negative here, yet. :o)

Oh, yes...the snow. Forgot about the snow in the streets.

Anonymous said...

And UND's hockey coach, slipping up for a second, only to pay heavily.

Anonymous said...

You consider a two game PAID suspension paying heavily?

Anonymous said...

UND hockey coach, lost two games, but may get more. Dale Jr lost 25 points and fined $10,000. For saying "crap". Give a middle finger to me, it would be broken off ! Think about it. greenglass4.

Anonymous said...

How did coach get in trouble?

Anonymous said...

Nice threat! Let's see, a momentary lapse in judgement versus someone who put his thoughts down after thinking about it and still threatens physical violence.

Anonymous said...

1: I think the street lines need to be re painted, too many people driving in my lane and their lane
2: UND is increasing the parking permit price by $25 for the fall semester. They are nearing the $100 mark now. Retards....
3: People who take forever or have over 100 items and they use the self check out at Walmart. A human cashier is faster for those types. Should make a limit on those self ones.
4: Baseball season is about to start, the slowest and lamest sport of all time.
5: I want to see a tornado make its way through this city this spring.
6: I want to see the daylight savings time go back to what it use to be, this new one sucks.
7: WTF happend to Ford and Jeep dearlships? No more cars.

OUWxGuesser said...

Anon @ 11:22 Here's your friendly neighborhood meteorologist reminding you that tornado season up here is more like the very end of spring -> summer.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous @ 11:22---you need to stop trying to be funny and pay attention for a change. The Fords and Jeeps are at the Alerus for the usual indoor sale, one of the FEW ideas Lithia still maintains from the Hansen's ownership.

Just a thought: if you're a U student, I shudder to think of the possibilities, judging from your post, of getting a degree.

What's happened to this blog, anyway?!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous @ 11:22--you're a tool. Oh, and line painting season doesn't start for a few months, either. Just stay off the roads, as you're obviously too stupid to drive. Peace.

Anonymous said...

greenglass, if your daughter gave you the finger would you break it off, then sodomize it?

Anonymous said...

Smoothie joint coming to UND? When? Where? What? I need details!

Anonymous said...

haha and you guy's are the so called North Dakota nice, BS

Anonymous said...

haha and you guy's are the so called North Dakota nice, BS

Anonymous said...

Anony @ 8:48...something called "Beyond Juice"...
Check Ryan Schuster's blog, BizBuzz for details...

Anonymous said...

North Dakota Nice is a myth.

Anonymous said...

I agree. I was in G.F. recently. Everywhere else in the country, it's customary to give a little courtesy wave when driving. In G.F., everybody mistakes the tone of the wave and flips you off! It's hysterical.

Anonymous said...

Tell the various Deek's Pizza delivery guys who've been robbed about North Dakota nice. Including the one who was just assaulted at the Columbia Heights trailer park. And what does the Herald do? Print a small story about it the day it happened without any follow-ups...as usual, trying to sweep this kind of stuff under the rug so Grand Forks can live in its imaginary utopia where no violent crimes occur.

Anonymous said...

There was a time when folks genuinely were friendly in ND---Grand Forks, in particular---but then they had a generation of little snots---many who apparently frequent this blog as of late, constantly complaining about even the most trivial of things.

Good grief, people.

You live in one of the nicest cities in one of the most healthy and friendly states in the country. (No, I don't live in Grand Forks, although I consider it my home.) Must we always take a dump on everything, just to have something to post here?

Anonymous said...

Lighten up.

I look at criticism OF the community, BY the community as quite natural...like griping about family. It's ok for family to talk about family, but strangers aren't entitled to the same grievances.

Anonymous said...

Uffda. Looks like another example of Anonymous@10:37.

So you don't afford 'outsiders' the same opportunity to express themselves, eh?

That kind of thinking could spell the demise of what was once an informative (and progressive) blog.
People get tired of putdowns.

Anonymous said...

Redirect: Any comments on the proposal to increase sales tax (see city beat)?

My comment: bad idea, GF has high sales tax already,

Anonymous said...

Oh, the sweet online drama. How I love being anonymous. I'm safe here, hiding behind my keyboard. Hee hee hee....

OUWxGuesser said...

"Tell the various Deek's Pizza delivery guys who've been robbed about North Dakota nice. Including the one who was just assaulted at the Columbia Heights trailer park."

At least this is big news in this town. In the other places I have lived, this would of been tucked away on the last page of a newspaper.

Anonymous said...

Well said, ouwxguesser. In this day and age, newspapers tend not to use the old "if it bleeds it leads" mantra. They leave that to the more sensational TV media. People will eventually get to Page 4B of the paper and find out everything they need to know about local crime, even before they get to the Op/Ed section.

Anonymous said...

I hate to say this, but remember in 1989 when former Sioux hockey player Brent Bobyck was the #1 story in the Fargo news for "assaulting/injuring" a Fargo person? There was no report of it on WDAZ. I called Virg Foss on this, with no callback.
Now there is an article in the GF Herald on how Dave Hakstol "flipped off" a ref, then two days later, the article is removed from gfherald.com... now saying nothing of the fact, but how he was "punished".
I love UND and Grand Forks, but certain people get off, with lots of "hush-hush". This isn't a "tabloid town", and God bless for that. Keep these guys under wraps, and let them do what they want! Mate with the hottest chicks in town, drink wherever they want, skip class, and be worshipped!" UND Hockey rules!

Anonymous said...

Anyone know why WDAZ calls it "storm tracker weather forecast" all the time? Why not say this when there is actually a storm coming, not when it is a sunny day.

Anonymous said...

6:21 PM Anonymous,
Not sure what news you've been watching lately, but WDAZ has been vilified by UND hockey fans for its reporting on player legal troubles.

From the incident at Judy's to the recent disorderly conduct charge against T.J. Oshie, WDAZ has been hitting it pretty hard. Go to the forums on siouxsports.com to see just how pissed off fans are at the messenger.

The Hakstol thing has gotten a lot of play from Pat Sweeney as well..

As far as the Herald, the discipline was front page news. News is called news for a reason. How long is a story supposed to stay on the website? I'm sure if you searched their website, you'd find several stories about the "bird flip."

It seems a little odd to go back nearly 20 years to point out some sort of media bias in favor of UND athletics. Give me a break. It seems to me you want to find fault where very little exists. Yes, players get special treatment and a free pass from many in this town, but not from the media so much.

Anonymous at 7:03, I too find the "storm-tracker" thing a little odd!?!?

Matthew Hartman said...

Anon (7:03 / 7:44)... It's the software that media use for visualization of radar data that gets the "Storm Tracker" name. It's not the official name of the software, per se, as many news-stations come up with their own fancy/sexy slogan. Super-duper double doppler, skytracker, storm-tracker... there are endless possibilities.

Matthew Hartman said...

Also, since we have an open thread... Has anyone else noticed that Carmike has now transitioned their projection systems to Digital and are offering cheaper ticket prices? Hmm, I wonder what brought this on?

Beth Lemer said...

ha ha to carmike thinking we are still going to go there if they lower their prices....
I love Grand Forks, I grew up here. I may not stay here forever, but its the perfect town being as ALL My family reside within 100miles radius of here.
With that being said, SOMEONE needs to talk about Stonegate petstore in the mall. The owner is NOT only a JERK, but he overstocks on dogs, doesnt care for them properly, half the time you see them rollin around in their own feces, and lets them grow into teenage dogs and still keeps them confined in those little boxes with their friends. He doesnt exactly treat people very well either.
Just thought I'd throw that out there in case other people have had issues with him too....

Anonymous said...

I think this is the only place in the country where you have to actually ask for ketchup with your fast food order. How many times have I gotten home just to realize that there are no little packets of the ubiquitous red puree that the rest of the world *relishes* so much.

Do folks up here just not care for ketchup with their fries?

PS... not a criticism, just genuinely curious!

PPS... I think the folks threatening violence and sodomy must be those same ones that zoom up and tailgate right on my bumper when I am going the speed limit.

It would seem that internet trolling is the new tailgating.

Anonymous said...

21% for Ron frickin' Paul?!

What the hell happened up there tonight, guys?

Wow.

Those have got to be his biggest numbers to date.

C'mon, ND! I used to have faith in you guys up there! ;)

Anonymous said...

WDAZ just takes the stuff the national weather service puts out and makes it look like it's their own, it's legal because the weather service is government owned. One thing that bugs me about TV weather people in general is how when they show the radar (just where the rain/snow is and how heavy it's falling) they ALWAYS call it the doppler, when in fact, what you're seeing has nothing to do with the doppler function of the radar. All the doppler function shows you how fast it's moving towards or away from the radar (and it's not the time lapse feature which just plays an animation of the last 6-10 radar snapshots). The "doppler radar" you see on TV is basically the same technology that's been in use since the 50's. Oh well, if it boosts viewership and advertising revenues....

Anonymous said...

21% is really about 9 people in North Dakota, which is what he got in every other state. Justttt kidding, haha. Obama got my vote tonight, and I have to say, impressive turnouts. Obama got more votes than all the votes cast for Republicans combined. There IS hope up here!!!

Anonymous said...

Obama is the last hope, we all better hope he gets elected...Hillary will tear this country apart from the inside and McCain would bomb everyone that didn't agree with us. You thought Bush was bad...

Anonymous said...

Bush WAS bad. No, make that IS.

Scary, also, the division b/t Obama and Clinton, 'tho understandable.

Back to NDAK Nice: Apts on 816 Fourth Avenue South, management closed off all the outside plug ins reserved (and paid for) by residents. Good grief; it IS winter, below zero, and those people need to get to work. That's why they paid for the outlets in the first place!

A pox on greedy property management.

Anonymous said...

How can Obama be the last hope when nobody really knows his policies? My hope is, citizens of America get a clue sometime soon. My fear is, because citizens have racked up their credit cards and have pulled all the equity out of their homes, they feel the next place to dip is on the back of their fellow citizens through entitlement programs.

Hillary will get the nomination and not ask Obama to join the ticket. He offers nothing that Hillary already brings to the table. She'll go for a VP who is perceived to be strong on defense and the economy.

Anonymous said...

I don't live in GF anymore, but was so gratified by the Obama support last night. Maybe the state is returning to its progressive roots.

Anonymous said...

I would never buy from a pet store. I get all my pets from the Humane Society. Pet stores encourage puppy mill practice.

Anonymous said...

"How can Obama be the last hope when nobody really knows his policies?"

You can go to his website and download a 64 page document that outlines his policies. http://www.barackobama.com/issues/

If that's not enough, you can explore his site for even more details on specific topics.

Anonymous said...

Anyone hear about this?

GK Development, the current owner of Columbia Mall, is working on redeveloping the former Target building with approximately 85,000 square feet of new retail. This project is still in the preliminary stages and the building plans could change before the development actually occurs; however, pre-leasing work is in progress. GK Development is looking for local retail and specialty tenants, along with restaurants, to join the existing line up who may be a part of the redevelopment. For more details, contact Jennifer Hopkins, Leasing Director, at 847.277.9329 or jennifer@gkdevelopment.com.

Anonymous said...

"How can Obama be the last hope when nobody really knows his policies? "

Who's fault is that? You can look up his policies yourself. A prime example of Americans not thinking for themselves, a huge problem in this country. I think you're the one who needs to "get a clue."

Anonymous said...

Obamba's policies are sounding more and more like the one's Hillary has been talking about for the past few years. The guy finally got specific with his "change" and robbed her platform. Give me a break! He couldn't even respond to questions in the early debates and now that he has been adequately coached, he can give answers.

Anonymous said...

If more citizens went to Obama's website and studied his policies themselves, he'd have less support. The point is, people are supporting him solely based on the bumper sticker crap he spews from the stump.

Anonymous said...

I was under the impression the old Target store was still owned by the Target Corporation and not GK Development. Apparently that has been a major hold up since Target does not want any buisness occupying that space that could compete with them. Hence no Herbergers or the like since they would be competition.

Anonymous said...

Even if Obama's policies are similar to Clinton's, his message is getting people involved in making THEIR democracy work.

You can call that "Bumper Sticker crap" if you want to. I'd call it inspiration. And after 8 years of fear-mongering and incompetence, it's mighty refreshing.

Anonymous said...

How come no one ever coached Jr. Bush?

Anonymous said...

Assuming a poster supports Bush just because they don't agree with Obama and Clinton's efforts to pull this country towards socialism is idiotic. You're an idiot. I hope my suspicians aren't true but, maybe you're kind of a loser who can't afford to pay his/her bills. You're reaction to buy into campaign hype and look to the Federal Government for assistance is sad.

GrandForksGuy said...

Anonymous, where did you find this information regarding GK redeveloping the old Target space?

And to the other anonymous...GK purchased the space some time back. Target no longer owns their old space at Columbia Mall.

Anonymous said...

Did anyone spit up a little in their mouth when they first heard will.i.am's "Yes We Can"? Of course, it's powerful. The problem is the hypocrisy and using this true, however inflated, premise as a campaign platform. Get over yourself, Obama. It's 2007, you're in a Presidential campaign running against a woman. Yes we can? No, yes we have. There's more to go. Lets keep movin'. I feel Obama will prove to be politics as usual however, more devicive. MORE devisive. Time will tell.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it 2008? Maybe I missed something...

Anonymous said...

If Hillary gets the nomination I will vote for the republican candidate no matter who it is.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone need to projectile vomit?
Grab the trashcan...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1907va-wdI&feature=related

Anonymous said...

I wish more people looked up Ron Paul's policies, he would have much more support then and enough to get the nomination if that happened.

He's truly our last hope. I voted for him yesterday

Anonymous said...

Personally, I'd rather several of the posters in this blog run for president.

They apparently know a helluva lot more than anyone else that IS in the race.

You guys sound like the wannabe's at the morning coffee table, I'm sorry.

Anonymous said...

anon@4:51 ... how stoned are you?

Anonymous said...

New report coming out of UND athletic dept confirms widespread use of HGH or human growth hormone. It is produced in the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. It is said to increase muscle mass and often given at anti-aging clinics. Is this the "fountain of youth" ? Often shot up in the thigh of athlete. But causes other problems. greenglass4.

Anonymous said...

GFG,

The info about old Target space came from the GF Convention & Visitors Bureau newsletter.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, you're the last person to find out what HGH is, thanks for enlightening us. And thanks for the vague comment about UND athletics using it. No articles citing it? Which sports? Where did you hear it? I realize asking for you to actually have some substance in your posts is a longshot, given your track record.

Anonymous said...

I see that Doreen Yellow Bird is on her soap box again about the Sioux nickname.

Anonymous said...

"Who's fault is that? You can look up his policies yourself. A prime example of Americans not thinking for themselves, a huge problem in this country. I think you're the one who needs to "get a clue."

Now tell me with a straight face that every Obama supporter supports him because of his policies and not his skin color.

OUWxGuesser said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
OUWxGuesser said...

"I see that Doreen Yellow Bird is on her soap box again about the Sioux nickname."
I Wish she would of attached some numbers with her column. She needs to show NA enrollment is decreasing at a rate larger than the university-wide enrollment decrease.

Anonymous said...

Anybody know what's up with Cabela's. They've ceased further development of all their stores nationally, blaming the economy. I'm just wondering if this has effected the EGF location.

Anonymous said...

"Now tell me with a straight face that every Obama supporter supports him because of his policies and not his skin color."

I know one thing for sure. There are fewer who support him because of his skin color than reject him for the same reason.

Anonymous said...

Romney's a stud. A Mormon stud.

Anonymous said...

I have heard one of the side effects of HGH use is nonsensical ramblings on blogs. What are your thoughts on this greenglass?

Anonymous said...

"I Wish she would of attached some numbers with her column."

She never bothers to offer any evidence for her ramblings. Years ago she declared women's hockey at UND would be a cash cow.

Anonymous said...

GFG - Ryan on Biz Buzz said he's heard of the redevelopment at the old Target. Sounds like someone let the word out in the CVB newsletter. Whatever happens, it's good to finally see something happen.

GrandForksGuy said...

"Sounds like someone let the word out in the CVB newsletter."

Ahhh, I KNEW I should have read that...I just hit "delete" when it came to my inbox.

Coffee Guy said...

"I know one thing for sure. There are fewer who support him because of his skin color than reject him for the same reason."

Reply of the year. *clappyface*

Anonymous said...

anon at 10:39

The fact that over 80% of Blacks have voted for Obama vs a more 50-50% of Whites voting for Obama would lead me, a sensible person, to believe that it is about race but more that Blacks are voting by race. I've always said it should not be about gender, age or race but that isn't holding. The media(who seem to support Obama to the point he doesn't need to advertise) doesn't even flinch when they say Obama should carry certain states "because of the high Black population". If they said something like Hillary should carry Minnesota or ND because of the high White population, God help us all. And we all know MN and ND voted more for Obama. It is about race-only Blacks are doing it this time around. Maybe some feel we've got it coming. I had hoped we'd moved beyond that. Silly, hopeful me.

Anonymous said...

If an African-America voter supports Obama because the voter thinks he better understands and can address the challenges they face, such as discrimination and social injustice, is that voting race?

Anonymous said...

8:31 anon:
If you are talking about percentage of voters who actually voted, then how do you explain the 88% of African-American voters who voted for John Kerry in 2004? How about the 90% who voted for Gore in 2000?
The white vote was split around 55/45 for the white (and only) candidates in those elections.

Percentages are a funny thing, and you can read many things into them, especially when you fixate on just one piece of the puzzle.

Anonymous said...

The media assumes that a majority of blacks will vote for Obama, and that a majority of women will vote for Hillary. I don't think they are wrong in their assumptions, but I am a white woman who will continue to support Obama over Hillary. I'm all for a woman being president, but not Hillary. Never Hillary.

Anonymous said...

The Clinton campaign pushed the racial divide because they calculated there are more hispanic votes than black. They're very good at these types of strategies.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to turn the conversation from politics, but I'm curious about the new restaurants downtown. Wasn't the italian place (Guiseppes?) supposed to open in February? Also, Grand Junction has a sign up over Gilly's, but their doors are locked over lunch. Does anyone know when these restaurants will open?

Anonymous said...

Terry Bjerke for president!

Anonymous said...

Obama doesn't want to debate now that he is on a surge. Seems to be there was a guy named Bush who didn't want to debate Kerry for the same reasons. If they can't give lofty,scripted speeches then people get a chance to see their lack of depth.

Anonymous said...

Obama doesn't want to debate on Fox and who can blame him. All of the candidates boycotted (?) Faux News, vowing only to debate on legitimate news channels. But now that Hillary needs the exposure, she's backed away from the pledge. It's typical of the Clintons to change the rules and then claim that someone else isn't following them.

Anonymous said...

The point of another debate would be what? If you've seen one you've seen them all.

Anonymous said...

You gotta love the "Faux News" comment.

I don't drink their Kool-Aid but it is refreshing to actually get the other side's perspective on issues. After having all the other networks in the tank for the liberals for years, they act like a bunch of childs now that the conservatives have a mouthpiece on cable news.

Anonymous said...

To quote Dennis Miller: "We live in a nation where if you examine both sides of an issue, you're screamed at for being a liberal".

I've worked in the media for more than 15 years, and I've met far more Republicans than Democrats. I've never met any news director who gives a second thought to editorial control. Most of the time, the story is reported based on the interviews that have been granted and little more. If you believe that every reporter goes out with a pre-conceived notion of how they're going to "sculpt the message", you're giving them way too much credit.

"The news media is liberal" misnomer has invaded our society for too long. However, there's very little facts to back it up. In fact, the last time the media set out to destroy a man was Howard Dean four years ago (remember the Dean Scream). Four years before that, it was John McCain based on nothing more than President Bush's whisper campaign. The next time you call the news media "Liberal", ask yourself: are they presenting a liberal viewpoint or just telling you something you don't want to hear?

Anonymous said...

"You gotta love the "Faux News" comment."


The difference between Fox News and the so-called "Liberal" media is that Fox blurs the line between editorial and news (facts). Just like a newspaper, a TV news organization should vet its content. The editorial side, i.e., pundits, can run wild. It makes for great entertainment. Viewers shouldn't be expected to fact-check whether Obama refused to say the Pledge or that he's Muslim. Fox reported it as fact, even though it was a lie. I think you have been drinking the Kool-Aid

Anonymous said...

akm @ 10:52 am

On XL93 they are advertising that Grand Junction subs are now served from the Gilly's kitchen. That leads me to believe they are only available when Gilly's is open, but I haven't seen the sign down there I'm just going by what I heard on the radio. As far as the Italian place not sure...anyone?

GrandForksGuy said...

Wow, you guys have really made this the Election '08 thread, huh? Lots of interesting comments.

Now, getting back to life in Grand Forks...

Anonymous said...

Obama doesn't want to debate period.

Anonymous said...

For those that don't believe most of the mainstream media is left leaning (just like Fox leans to the right), read these:

www.journalism.org/node/8197

www.sacredheart.edu/pages/20786_americans_slam_media_on_believability.cfm

BTW-the organization that did the first one is a Kennedy School of Government research center at Harvard. I don't think they'd be known for their right wing views.

Anonymous said...

Giuseppe's, the pending Italian Restaurant on Demers downtown, was waiting for a piece of equipment, a stove hood, I think, as of a few weeks ago. Should be open later this month, according to a post I read on the Bizz Buzz Blog. Should be interesting having that place open up and then a new branch of Mamma Maria's in the Riverwalk Center soon afterward. Hope neither destroys business at Rhombus Guys or Mike's Pizza's, which have become staples of the downtown GF/EGF scene.

Anonymous said...

And just like when the media tried to destroy Howard Dean, they tried to destroy Ron Paul and paint him as a racist (though the newsletters were not written by him) and someone with kooky ideas from 100 years ago (doesn't mean they're bad ideas).

Coffee Guy said...

If the series of racist and homophobic newsletters were not written by him, then why were there so many of them put out under his name, and why did he not just put an end to the problem after the very first newsletter?

I've seem him deny ever seeing the newsletters, or know who wrote what. If that's the case, then he must surround himself with inept staffers, advisers, consultants, etc.

What a terrible decision maker he must be.

Anonymous said...

anon at 9:22. I assume you are talking about the general election where there is one Democrat candidate. We're talking primaries here.

Anonymous said...

Of course we are, but you have to admit that the similarities in percentages are striking. Something tells me that there are a lot more factors at work than just skin color.

Anonymous said...

I agree. I just find it interesting that media types, both Black and White think nothing of making comments implying that some states (Louisana for instance) will surely vote for Obama "with the high Black population". I would be offended if they said North Dakota will certainly vote for Clinton because of the high White population. And so would most of America. I am also disappointed, but not surprised) that white men don't vote in large numbers for Clinton. More bias.

Anonymous said...

Fire up the Alerus.
Cher's back!
Cher's back!

(Relax, in Veags)