Open Thread #95
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Since October 2005
Grand Forks Life is the first and biggest blog covering life in the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota. GrandForksGuy shares local news, rumors, and his own opinions.
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NOTE: The views expressed in original posts on "Grand Forks Life" are merely the views and personal opinions of the owner of this blog. No guarantee is given for the accuracy of content. The views expressed in reader comments are the views of those readers. "GrandForksGuy" and "Grand Forks Life" do not endorse the views of readers.
113 comments:
I think the alerus show's should have a local act involved with them. There is a lot of local music that just doesn't have the support that it should. I think if the nationals don't have an issue in their rider about openers it would be a very nice add to have a different local opener for every show. Even if they do have something in their rider, normally they can get it approved ahead of time with their managment.
Where's the rock and roll in this town? Not very many places... :(
So a few weeks ago the River Cinema had a poster that said they've served some 600,000+ movie patrons. Does anyone know how bad Carmike is hurting?! I couldn't imagine having that much of a loss of business, how are they still even operating?
Hey GFCityCop, did the city get a bulk discount on those traffic counters? They're all over the place! And, in the places where there are two of them about three feet apart, is that an attempt to judge speed, or is it checking the two different lanes separately?
I want a stop light at 47th and Washington, but otherwise, I hope they don't screw with traffic laws too much (especially not dropping the speed limits on major streets on the south end: isn't there a study some place that says, depending on the road type, lower speed limits cause more accidents?)
In my opinion the most dangerous intersection that needs a traffic light is coming out of the Wal-Mart parking lot or Tires Plus parking area onto Columbia, especially if you're wanting to turn left. There are a lot of lanes, a lot of cars, and a lot of people turning in different directions, slowing down to turn, and/or going straight. I find it very nerve wracking turning left there. That is the only real intersection in town that scares me and it is always busy.
if it scares you, quit shoppin at wal mart then
keep it local
or give up your lisense if you dont know how to drive
Does anyone ever go to muddyrivers for a beer? I'm staying this weekend in Grand Forks at the townhouse hotel and notice they have a bar there. Is it a decent place or should I avoid it? Btw, is there any place in town that lets in minors in but desnt serve them cuz i have a 19 year old boy here in for a tour of the campus as he is be recruited by the sioux. Thank you
http://www.areavoices.com/downtowngf/
new blog
muddy is a descent bar, but you can't bring a 19 year old in to any bar in ND. It has to be a restaurant/bar to allow them in.
so i heard that Boston's is closing and becoming space aliens. has anyone heard this?
"In my opinion the most dangerous intersection that needs a traffic light is coming out of the Wal-Mart parking lot or Tires Plus parking area onto Columbia, especially if you're wanting to turn left."
That's probably too close to 32nd to put another light. They should put in a center divider that forces people to turn right out of both the Walmart and Super One lots, while still allowing traffic to turn left INTO those lots from Columbia. If you need to go the other way, use the exits onto 32nd to get out.
Muddy Rivers? There is no smokier bar in the world.
Yes, the world!
Ianmore -
You're right, it's dropped off a ton since last year. Last summer I got so overloaded posting weekly shows on my blog that I gave that aspect of it up.
This year is wildly different - most of the places we normally play are really holding back on the bookings.
I've said it before, but I think last year was a case of "too much too fast" on the part of the club owners and it kind of burned things out. Couple that with increasing costs (on the club's end) and rising prices (on the consumer end), and it presses the need to simplify one's formula.
Unfortunate.
On another note:
I thought Muddy's was a bar/restaurant? Back in the day our under-21 bandmates could get in there no problem until 10:00.
Muddy's was always a good place to eat and drink, albeit smoky as hell. Our soul band played there about once a month and always packed it in.
Alas, I haven't been in there in a few years. Have things changed?
Yes, things have changed. Grand Forks wrote a bad anti-smoking law (in my opinion). If a property owner wanted to continue to offer smoking, they needed to purchase a Class 1 liquor license. Class 1 equals no minors on premises. This is why Bonzers and The Toasted Frog can't accept patrons under 21. Muddy Rivers is a Class 1 establishment. This is why if a family staying at the motel wants to have breakfast in the morning, they have to sit outside Muddys in the pool area.
Do I have it correct? Sorry to open up the anti smoking can of worms. Here we go. Watch this thread go down the smoking debate road.
http://2focusinn.blogspot.com/
Well just wait until the (inevitable) day that the rest of the country goes the route of CA and doesn't allow smoking anywhere in public. Period.
As a non-smoker, I could care less. I will be glad to go places and come home smelling the same as I did when I left.
You can cry about your rights as smokers all you want, but the simple fact is - smoking affects every one around you, not just you, therefore you should not have the "right" to do it anywhere you see fit. e
Do non-smokers still "choose" to go to places that allow smoking? Of course, people go where their friends hang out, doesn't mean they LIKE the smoke aspect of it.
Protests and complaints may delay it, but a total smoking ban is inevitable, even if it takes longer up here than in most places.
I would hope Boston's is not closing...
Space Aliens is sh*t.
Yikes, here we go with a smoking rehash. Sorry to open the can of worms. I just wanted to inform Matt of what's changed at Muddys since his days.
At the risk of prolonging the misery, I have a prediction....
Smoker's tax $$$ line the coffers of government. When the the anti-smoking freaks get their way, government will scramble to replace the tax funds. It will be an election year and the dumbasses in Washington will act in a kneejerk fashion to keep the vocal-locos at an income level where they can continue to fund their need for junk at Wal-Mart. Washington will scramble and legalize pot to open a new revenue stream.
Oh so provocative. Oh, I'm a non-smoker.
As a smoker, I have to say that I kind of like the idea of banning smoking in public places.
Even though I smoke, I don't like the smell of places that allow it. I don't smoke in my car or my home either.
Smoking is nasty and I wish I hadn't started. If we were still allowed to smoke on planes, in malls, in restaurants and anywhere else we saw fit, I wouldn't have ANY incentive to quit save for the obvious health-related reasons.
I had to adjust to the anti-smoking atmosphere in Tampa when I moved here, but I did just that. Life went on.
I DO believe that there should be smoking clubs for those who wish to smoke and socialize, but every place else should be smoke-free.
Here it comes, the end of open thread with the smoking debate.
Hey, I heard Hugo's is going to sell liquor.
Hey, I heard this blog's days are numbered.
(Thanks to the dipsticks that post stupid comments like that above.
Oh please, they've been numbered well before that post.
I'll do you one better and move from Grand Forks. Oh wait, I already did. I just come back to the blog for the lulz.
I always appreciate the folk who don't smoke in their home or car but are good enough to share it outdoors or in other public places with the rest of us. Nice.
I'll stop smoking outside when you remember to brush your freakin teeth. Outside smells way better than your breath. There should be a law!
Is anyone else out there getting tired of "classic raawwwwwwwwk"?
Yes, bostons is closing, and yes, space aliens is going in there.
What are those wire things in the streets?
wire things are traffic counters, they do them yearly to see how many cars drive on the roads.
http://www.areavoices.com/downtowngf/
I'm going to miss crappy beer night...
Nothing like cans of Grain Belt Premium for $1.
I hope some some place in grand forks continues that, if not space aliens.
Because of that stupid new hotel that is going up on 42nd Avenue, our WATER is being shut off from 8:00 to 5:00 tomorrow (Thursday). Is that even legal? RIDICULOUS.
Those wires in the streets are for traffic counting. They are used by the street dept, city and MPO (metropolitan planning organization) to count traffic, come up with future traffic plans and used to help plan future road construction. I am not sure why there are SO many of them this year, though. Sure seems like more than in the past. By the way...they are not used to measure or enforce speed.
We are such hypocrites. We outlaw pot but permit cigarettes and booze even though those substances are responsible for taking hundreds of thousands of lives each year while contributing to out-of-control health insurance and medical costs.
and legalized pot wouldn't do the same thing? I think we are well on our way to illegal cigarettes. Also...look in your history book - prohibition of alcohol was attemted, and then reversed later.
Boston's isn't closing, it has already closed.
anon - I didn't say that the Alerus would be attracting all A-list shows and concerts. If you refer to my post, you will see that I said I believe that the new director will bring in more quality acts. I feel this is starting with the acts recently announced. I also feel this will continue. You think you have a perfect perspective on the issue - but I suggest that previous contacts made by Hyman will result in better ability to attract acts to the Alerus Center. He did very well with the venue he managed in IA, and my guess is that will translate to more success here than the last director. I don't think we will be sitting in the Alerus listening to all of the top acts of the day...but I believe the Alerus will attract more than it has in the past.
By the way...I like your cynical attitude too...much less cute than my "homer" status, but still pretty amusing.
sorry folks...that belonged on a different thread OOPS - now I look dumb.
I don't want to start a political debate but I was wondering if there was a place in town I could get an Obama sign for my yard or sticker for my husbands car. I am an independent and he is a republican. He decided to bea smart a** and put a McCain sign up in our yard and a sticker on my truck. Now I have to get even but don't know where to look.
What happened to Boston's? It was a nice, quality family restaurant...guess that is a bad idea in this town?
having a "Space Alien" restaurant in town only goes to show how much of a different world this place really is...
Jess, Obama has conceded N.D. and pulled out.
Buy him a Hallmark Card and treat him to a special evening. There are more important things in life. ;-)
The GF mayor was not aware that the NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE existed here in town until this weekends open house....how sad is that? He was also unaware that it is part of the federal government. Just FYI for when you go to vote...shouldn't you vote for someone that is aware of what is going on in town?
"Just FYI for when you go to vote...shouldn't you vote for someone that is aware of what is going on in town"
Hm. That could be confusing, since this blog seems to carry the notion that the only people who are "aware" are those who post under the name of Anonymous.
Quitcherbitching. Geez.
The Boston's news has me really upset. Space Aliens.... right. I am moving. This was the tip of the iceberg for me. I know it sounds strange, but Boston's was built here a little after I moved here, and now that it's gone... What do you guys think of Florida?
The Boston's news has me really upset. Space Aliens.... right. I am moving. This was the tip of the iceberg for me. I know it sounds strange, but Boston's was built here a little after I moved here, and now that it's gone... What do you guys think of Florida?
"Just FYI for when you go to vote...shouldn't you vote for someone that is aware of what is going on in town?"
The mayoral election was last June, so your dire warnings are a couple of months too late. If anyone remembers in four years, thanks for advising them.
From what the paper said and on Ryan's blog....Boston's was doing good business...but that the owner just got an offer that he wanted to take. I knew Space Aliens was looking for a spot between Columbia and I-29 and with few spots left Space Aliens must have gave him a good offer and he took it. Was it right or not to take it...well that is a business decision. I feel bad for the workers there who found out on 1 day notice.
Jess, if you want to contribute to the campaign, you can still buy yard signs and stickers at Obama's website.
He may have pulled his people out of ND, but that doesn't mean he's going to lose.
You are moving because Boston's closed? lol......funniest thing I have read in a long long time.
No, I am moving because Grand Forks, North Dakota has horrible weather nine out of the twelve months in a year. I am moving because there is nothing to do here. I am moving because North Dakota is a conservative state with conservative ideals. I am moving because although everyone wants to believe people here are more friendly than elsewhere, it simply isn't true. Do you need anymore reasons?
When I am in Florida, I will be thinking about you, anonymous 1:58 PM, September 25, 2008, and I will have just the biggest smile on my face.
Now that is the funniest thing I have read in a long time.
Let us know when to send hurricane relief. mmk thanks!
Let me know when someone dies in a car accident because of snow or ice. I'll be sure to send relief too.
Where to Florida? To each his own...find the place you like. It is much better than staying some place you dont like. I myself would never live in Florida in a milions years due to the terrible heat and humidity. Give me the snowsuit and I am ready for this winter.
But truthfully I have lived in the south (grew up there) and I hated it so much...disliked the people in the town I grew up in. It is only by force that I must go back there and visit as my parents still live there.
Anon 8:30 -
You missed my point. I didn't say we should outlaw booze, just that we're hypocrites for legalizing booze and cigarettes, which cost society far more in blood and treasure than pot.
And no, marijuana does not contain carcinogens.
"And no, marijuana does not contain carcinogens."
Yeah riiiiiiight! It's a different kind of smmmmmmoke isn't it?
Lets see some sources for that statement.
Re: marijuana
do a google search "does marijuana contain carcinogens" without the quotation marks. The first on the list is an article by foxnews. it its pretty interesting. There are probably more carcinogens, BUT.....
Re: Let me know when someone dies in a car accident because of snow or ice. I'll be sure to send relief too.
Just for the record, I believe there are fewer highway deaths in the winter in north dakota than any other time. Why? Because people are more cautious. I promise you this, you wont be missed...
Anonymous moving to Florida,
We welcome you with open arms, my friend!
I should warn you though...
If you are leaving Grand Forks because of a cheesy theme restaurant, you will absolutely HATE it down here! There are more than a few cheesy POS dives down here to suck the life and hope right out of you, my friend!
As for the conservative thing? Hate to tell ya, but we are chock FULL of retirees who swing to the Right down here. If you want to surround yourself with a more Liberal point of view, methinks the Deep South is not the place to find it.
Now, on to the car accident stuff. Flat-out, Florida is the single most bat-shit insane state I've ever seen when it comes to driving. Fatal car accidents are common enough to be reduced to mere mentions in afternoon traffic reports. Here in Tampa, tow trucks wait on the freeway on-ramps all day so they can clear wreckage ASAP.
You want stuff to do? Yeah, we got it...But...
You have to be really careful not to get sucked in by tourist traps. For some reason, every low-rent mom and pop roadside dump has a budget for billboards that go for miles on the interstate.
The question here is not whether we have more things to do, but whether we have more QUALITY things to do.
Want to watch a fat biker wrestle a gator in a Mr. Turtle pool? Stop at damn-near any Stucky's on I-75 from Valdosta, GA on down.
Now, on to the good points:
Weather-wise, Florida is the winner. Hands down. As a born and raised Nodak-er, I can say that the humidity is really easy to get used to down here. After being here a while, when you go back up north, you will miss the humidity like crazy. My nose burns like Hell for days every time I go back up there.
I guess what I'm trying to get at here is that everyplace has it's pluses and minuses. Don't walk out on a place until you've done your homework.
There are days that I wake up and thank God that I moved to Florida, but eventually I see something that makes me thank God that I was raised in North Dakota.
I don't know why I care about this because I don't even like the smell of pot, but I hate our hypocrisy. Anyway, this from Johns Hopkins Medical School (only slightly more reputable than Fixed News) disputing claims that pot causes cancer:
http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20000508/marijuana-unlikely-to-cause-cancer
There's a simple issue regarding cigarettes -vs- pot that people don't get. Think about it.
A cigarette smoker smoking a pack a day, that's 20 cigarettes. How many puffs, drags, or "tokes" is that? Hundreds?
Now, a pot smoker that gets high once a day smoking today's high potency pot probably takes what, 2 tokes a day?
Makes sense, huh?
The health risk avoidance for pot smokers is good pot.
Easy concept. Yah think?
Can anyone who plans on voting for McCain/Palin explain how you're comfortable with her answer to Katie Couric as to why Alaska being close to Russia has any relevance?
"We have trade missions back and forth," Palin told Couric. "We, we do, it's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America, where, where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to, to our state."
If McCain was immortal, I'd be worried about having this spongehead on the ticket... if he was in good health, I'd be terrified... given his age and health, there's a good chance that she could become President. If this was an isolated remark, okay, but she sounds retarded in almost everything she says, and I can't imagine what the country would be like with her in charge. Literally... can't imagine.
It seems that anyone who would vote for her is either as uninformed as she is, or you're so deeply mired in politics that common sense is overruled by whatever fear you might be voting on instead. I'm a conservative person, and if Mike Huckabee or even Romney was on the ticket, I'd vote for McCain. But with this vacuous ninny as his backstop, I'd sooner vote for anyone else, or no one at all.
Since you keep missing the point:
Bottom line=less smoking=less cancer=less money+fewer deaths
What don't you get?
Re: 9:40 AM, September 26, 2008
your argument makes no sense whatsoever. Go to the sites and read the article first. It's the thc in pot that keeps you from getting the cancer even though there are more carcinogens in pot than in tobacco. The results were from heavy users of marijuana.
Re: Now, a pot smoker that gets high once a day smoking today's high potency pot probably takes what, 2 tokes a day?
Two tokes a day? Are you serious? It's obvious you are commenting on something you know nothing about.
Re: Anonymous said...
I don't know why I care about this because I don't even like the smell of pot, but I hate our hypocrisy. Anyway, this from Johns Hopkins Medical School (only slightly more reputable than Fixed News) disputing claims that pot causes cancer:
If you had paid attention, you would have found that both articles were written by reporters at webmd health news. It had nothing to do with foxnews's credability...
Anon @ 10:48
Don't forget that most of the people that voted for Dubya four years ago are still, uh, functioning; their reasons were vague then, they easily could be a second time. Beats me why some people can't see beyond party lines.
Announcement : UND officials announced this morning that School of Communication will be dissolved ! Meeting with faculty, staff, and graduate teaching students were present. UND President Kelly and Dean Pam Kaldsleisch confirm school is done/finished/dead ! Professors may stay, teach same classes, but in Psychology and Science Buildings or maybe on the sidewalk ! Sounds like Pres Kelly is kicking butts and taking names ! greenglass4
Gary, it just means that there is one less "School" at UND--such as the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering and Mines. It's eliminating bureaucracy, not eliminating anything about the program.
http://talk.campusdakota.com/index.php?topic=3395
This is scary ... http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=216090§ion=news
Parents, write your legislators, tell them we need stricter background check laws regarding who is taking care of our vulnerable children. Many agencies, businesses, etc require criminal background checks, why don't daycares?!?! Why are we allowing Felons to care for our children!
Find your local legislator here:
http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/60-2007/dist-legis.html
Concerned gf parent : maybe we should do background checks on parents ! Why do we allow felons to become parents ? As a county employee in ND I licensed all daycare centers that we had. Maybe if a couple get together and have children one should stay at home and take care of the children ! Just a thought, maybe a list of all the 1,000's of felons in our town and current ones on probation and then 1,000's can't get a job, find a apartment, get credit etc. Biggest car dealer in town did 4 years in Fed Prison for drug dealing. greenglass4
Arts and Sciences and Engineering and Mines are Colleges at the University and the School of Communication is a School. A school is a step above a department. Pam Kaldsleisch is a Director and not a Dean. I don’t think any programs will go away. The University has become too top heavy and it is time to reverse that trend. This looks like a money saving change.
I’m sure there are more changes coming.
Anon 1048: what you just said is just as stupid as the issue you think you're addressing. It is the reason the democrats/left is going to lose this presidential election. It is the same tired liberal line of thinking. You think that people who like guns, religion, conservative values is stupid. These are the same voters you’re party trying to persuade to vote for BHO in OHIO and PENNSYLVIANA, we/they aren’t bitter and they don’t cling to their guns, however, we aren’t going to let slick politicians like you take them from us either. It is more than that. If you don't get it you're really too stupid to explain it to...
I can't wait till the day after the election when BHO has lost it will be very evident what I am trying to say. Governor Sarah Palin represents more of us than you think that is why the Obama cheerleading MSM is attacking Palin. Just think the USA is very close to electing a person that really hasn’t been vetted by the media that has a buddy that says he wished he would have committed more acts of terrorism against his country that is disgraceful, The media fails to ask any tough questions of BHO.
marijuana should be legal, or at the minimum decriminalized. i'll admit to not being an expert on farming or the economy, but think of it this way. you can grow marijuana in any state in the us, allowing the government to regulate its cultivation and sale creates new taxes that the majority would benefit from and not have to pay. farmers could secure gov't contracts to grow, jobs would be created from the laborers in the field to inspectors in the fda to local shop owners. taxes could be levied on a national, state, and local level and odds are prices would be less then people pay now as well as having the added benefit of profits from these sales going to schools, or health care, or public infrastructure, instead of whatever shady people are receiving them now. if you're worried about your kids having easier access, i think this is actually a better solution, having open public places law enforcement can regulate rather then buying a dime bag at the high school lockers. i've smoked for 10 years, i've never been arrested, never so much as a speeding ticket. its fine if people don't like to smoke, don't agree with it, that i can understand, what i don't get is wasting money and resources fighting a "problem" that really isn't a problem. the alcohol v. marijuana argument is too long a discussion, but go downtown at 2am any day of the week and tell me we wouldn't be better off switching the laws on these 2 substances. i'd actually like to ask the officer who posts here how he and other officers feel about this topic and enforcing laws regarding it.
12:30,
Take a full toke of "skunk", "BC", or "White Widow" and tell me if you're "loaded". No, "Schwag" won't do it.
Oh, and, you're an idiot.
"You think that people who like guns, religion, conservative values is stupid."
No, I think that people who can't put together an articulate sentence or thought are stupid. The example I provided from Mrs. Palin is my case in point. I didn't say one word about her stand on anything.
If you bothered to read what I said, I said I AM conservative. I own guns. I'm likely more involved in my Evangelical church than you are. I would likely have voted for McCain if he would have picked a running mate who is even remotely qualified. I will not be voting for Obama, either.
It's a shame that people like yourself put some ludicrous attachment to a political party before concern for the country, as a whole. Mark my words, if Sarah Palin becomes President, there's a significant chance that the United States will not survive her. Did you hear the reports today about Venezuela getting nukes from Russia? What's she going to do about that? Threaten to not let Putin fly them over Alaska?
Get educated, put your blind following of party rhetoric behind you, and consider the welfare of the country for a change.
"You think that people who like guns, religion, conservative values is stupid"
your grammar isn't helping your argument...
I'm liberal and I'll admit I don't get the gun argument. The 2nd amendment was created to prevent a tyrannical ruler from overthrowing the people's will and to secure a democracy. Guns kill things, that's the bottom line. While i may differ with you, I'm perfectly fine allowing individuals to own firearms, but there should be some regulations, its called compromise. An ordinary citizen doesn't need a gun that can spray bullets left and right, and laws regarding gun locks to help prevent accidents seem perfectly reasonable to me.
As far as religion, everyone has the right to believe what they want. I don't care what you believe, its valuable because its what you believe. When it comes to politics though, i do have a problem. SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. Religion should not be a political issue, it should be a personal one. Bringing it into the political spectrum creates nothing but a rift between people which is the exact opposite thing it ideally should bring.
As far as conservative values, I don't believe they exist anymore. I'm for small government, actually, but it seems neither major party is, i.e. spending 700 billion dollars of our tax money on bailing out poorly run businesses or, you know, all that money we've spent fighting phantom threats in Iraq, seemingly creating more conflict then when we first entered. It could be continuing this country's long history of selecting a certain group to discriminate against when the foundation of the ideals of our country is based on freedom to all, equal rights, etc. A country that at one point decided an african american would count as 3/5 of a person (seriously?) has now moved onto bigger issues such as "protecting the foundation of marriage".
it seems this country only comes close to reaching its potential when a disaster is imminent or has already occurred. it shouldn't take towers coming down or an economy on the verge of collapse to come together. seriously, i don't care what side of the scale you sit on, left or right, perhaps its time we actually start coming together as a society. I might not agree with something, it doesn't mean i have to hate the person holding that opinion, it doesn't mean i can't try to put myself if their shoes and understand why they have that view, why i have mine, and try to find a middle ground. I'll vote for Obama in november, for the first time in a long time he's given me some faith that someone from these two parties can unite us as a country and lead us to a better place, but if mccain is elected, i'm not going to renounce my citizenship and start slinging insults towards the other side. we should all be happy we get to debate these things, that we can openly discuss them...instead we use that to divide ourselves.
""Biggest car dealer in town did 4 years in Fed Prison for drug dealing. greenglass4""
"Biggest car dealer in town" ??
greenass, you are an idiot
The school of communication was a joke. They thought very highly of themselves when they were nothing more than another department.
""Biggest car dealer in town did 4 years in Fed Prison for drug dealing. greenglass4""
Greenglass meant that the biggest WEED dealer in town did 4 years for drug dealing. ;-)
"You think that people who like guns, religion, conservative values is stupid."
Yeah, remember when Clinton took all of our guns away, and Jimmy Carter and Lyndon Johnson banned churches? Those were the days, huh?
You, my friend, are a Grade-A chump. The Republicans can count on you to vote for whoever they put up, no matter how bad they are, because they've got you so worried about things that will not happen that you can't think for yourself. You're every bit as bad as Democrats who vote pro-choice regardless of anything else a candidate stands for.
If you were less of a lemming, maybe you'd realize that George Bush's idea of a strong military is spreading the troops so thin they're just short of breaking, and his idea of fiscal responsibility and small government have brought on the biggest budget deficit in history, soon to be added to by bailing out his buddies on Wall Street to the tune of a trillion dollars.
Instead, you're cowered into fear of the "scary black man" who isn't likely to do anything that you're being told he will. Enjoy your fantasies of the "McSame / Failin'" ticket being elected, because that's probably about as close as they're going to get.
Just wondering if anyone noticed that on the 2nd Episode of the newest season of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Mac is wearing a Red River Roughriders tanktop.
...which means we have to send him a bunch of GF Central stuff...
"Greenglass meant that the biggest WEED dealer in town did 4 years for drug dealing. ;-) "
If anyone would know the WEED dealers it would be greenass?
Where can one go to get the juciest burger in town?
For those of you that have a problem with Sarah Palin:
Who Am I?
I am under 45 years old,
I love the outdoors,
I hunt,
I am a Republican reformer,
I have taken on the Republican Party establishment,
I have many children,
I have a spot on the national ticket as vice president with less than two years in the governor's office.
Did you guess?
I am Teddy Roosevelt in 1900
"I'm liberal and I'll admit I don't get the gun argument. The 2nd amendment was created to prevent a tyrannical ruler from overthrowing the people's will and to secure a democracy. Guns kill things, that's the bottom line. While i may differ with you, I'm perfectly fine allowing individuals to own firearms, but there should be some regulations, its called compromise. An ordinary citizen doesn't need a gun that can spray bullets left and right, and laws regarding gun locks to help prevent accidents seem perfectly reasonable to me."
We have 10,000+ gun laws in this country. They haven't helped. Why do you think more laws would help?
By the "ordinary citizen doesn't need a gun that can spray bullets left and right" comment, I assume you're talking about machine guns. Do you not realize that ordinary citizens can't get a machine gun without the correct federal license?
And I don't feel that, if I had a gun, that I would need to have a trigger lock on it. I know how to safely store a gun, I don't need some idiotic government bureaucrat telling me what I should be doing with it.
And the biggest point. Part of the reasoning behind the 2nd amendment is often overlooked. You are responsible for your own protection. The Supreme Court has even ruled that the police are not responsible for your protection (could you imagine the lawsuits if they were.) Guns aren't the problem. People who misuse guns in the commission of a crime are the problem. We need to have better laws towards prosecuting criminals, especially those that use guns.
Being that people here seem to be so down on McCain/Palin, can someone on the left explain to me why anyone should consider voting for someone who's associated with American terrorist William Ayers?
Teddy Roosevelt, on the other hand, wasn't an idiot.
He was also Governor of New York, not Alaska.
He was also the Assistant Secretary of the Navy and a New York Assemblyman, not mayor of Nowheresville.
He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard. He didn't attend five colleges and take six years to graduate before going on to a short career as a tv sports career.
While in college, Roosevelt was active in rowing, boxing, and edited a magazine. While in college, Palin was third runner up as Miss Alaska.
He was also a war hero in the Spanish-American War, reaching the rank of Colonel.
He wrote 35 books -- it's unclear whether Sarah Palin has READ that many books.
You're right, it's pretty funny to compare them.
"Being that people here seem to be so down on McCain/Palin, can someone on the left explain to me why anyone should consider voting for someone who's associated with American terrorist William Ayers?"
I'll trade you -- can you explain why anyone should consider voting for someone who's associated with American swindler and criminal Charles Keating?
On the one hand, you have an incidental relationship between Obama and someone who went over the line in support of his cause during a incendiary time. On the other, you have McCain being good friends with someone who bilked thousands out of their life's savings, and cost the country $3 billion dollars to bail out Lincoln Savings and Loan.
Keating spent 4 1/2 years in prison on a 12 year sentence. Ayers, the "terrorist", spent little time in the joint.
McCain will go down in history as one of the "Keating Five", legislators peddling influence for money and associating with scam artists. Obama happens to live near someone with opinions that the right wing doesn't like.
One of these sounds like someone we don't need around in a time of fiscal crisis.
"You're right, it's pretty funny to compare them."
Youch! Chalk one up for the anonymous poster! Sorry, GJB, but you just got schooled!
perhaps it's time america broke down into city states like ancient greece
"I'll trade you -- can you explain why anyone should consider voting for someone who's associated with American swindler and criminal Charles Keating?"
I don't like McCain, so no, I can't explain it, other than the fact that I'd vote for that idiot GW again over Obama, so voting for McCain isn't that hard. If the Democrats had run someone who wasn't so far left that he's crowding Lenin, I'd vote 3rd party this year.
If you really look into how McCain was selected, it was because during the primaries that a lot of non-affiliated voters and some Democrats went and voted for McCain. Most Republicans I know wish he was gone, but we're stuck with him based on the actions of others. And yes, in some states you can vote for the other party if you wish. And some states you can't.
"You're right, it's pretty funny to compare them."
So raising 5 kids has kept her fairly busy. Or maybe you assume she can't learn on the job. Is that because she's a woman?
And I'd have to say, that if she's not qualified to be the Vice President, then Obama isn't qualified to be President.
been smoking for 36 years, don't drink and havent had a dui or gotten drunk and acted like a moron like you...
Anyone know where I can get a good hot dog in town?
have you tried the crosstown lounge for a hot dog?
ate at the HuHot Mongolian Grill in fargo. Very good.
"So raising 5 kids has kept her fairly busy"
So you excuse ignorance or stupidity because she's a mother? How noble of you!
"Or maybe you assume she can't learn on the job."
This isn't McDonalds or Target. It's Vice-President of the free world, for pete's sake. Imagine that the day after inauguration, McCain keels over from a heart attack. Are we going to tell the rest of the world that we need six months off to get the hockey mom "up to speed"?
Give me a break. Your ideology has blinded you to reality, willing to sell out the country for some foolish ideals, and I bet you consider yourself "patriotic".
What if she won a Nobel for pushing a bogus notion about global warming and then won an Oscar for making a propaganda film about it?
Or maybe she should have served her country heroically and valiantly during the Korean War...at Fort Knox?
How about being the only one of her flight crew to receive the Silver Star for "observing" a battle for 13 whole minutes?
Would THAT qualify her for VP?
There have been PLENTY of paper tigers in the VP seat over the years.
If you want to quibble over experience, why don't you vote for McCain over Obama?
Oops, forgot to sign that one above!
Are you claiming that Sarah Palin is as competent as Al Gore, Walter Mondale or Lyndon Johnson? How stupid are you? Where, on any level, is that true? If you think that the background of those people is comparable to being the mayor of a dinky town in the middle of nowhere and short term governor of an insignificant state (with persistent rumors that the real person making decisions is her party-hearty DUI toting husband) you're quite the GOP tool.
On the other hand, at least she has about as much military experience as Dan Quayle, Dick Cheney and George W. Bush. Very funny to hear you (or anyone) dinging anyone on military experience, when the Republicans are the party famous for avoiding military service.
The only people "quibbling about experience" are the Republicans. McCain's cluelessness and questionable ethics, combined with Palin's stupidity and questionable ethics are enough to lose the election for them.
Come here, you. You need a hug.
C'mon, love can work this all out for us, pumpkin. :)
Does anyone know how much rent is now at those North 39th Street apartments? Towards the end before the road veers off to the right. I used to live there in 1992, rent back then was $210/month, one bedroom apartment.
"Being that people here seem to be so down on McCain/Palin, can someone on the left explain to me why anyone should consider voting for someone who's associated with American terrorist William Ayers?"
I'd love to take on this easy task. The only connection between Obama, who was 8 when Ayers was charged with crimes, and Ayers is that they both sat on the Woods Fund Board, an association that has a mission to support "nonprofits in their important roles of engaging people in civic life, addressing the causes of poverty and other challenges facing the region, promoting more effective public policies, reducing racism and other barriers to equal opportunity, and building a sense of community and common ground." Sounds like great work, doesn't it?
Oh, and Ayers donated $200 to Obama's re-election fund.
Other than that, there is no proven connection between the two.
Laura Bush has killed more people than Bill Ayers.
Just sayin'.
"Come here, you. You need a hug."
So, when you don't have a response, you become condescending. Very impressive.
You DO need a hug, though.
Seriously, one can be interested in politics without considering every opposite point of view to be a threat to one's intelligence.
The difference between you and me, my friend, is that I can have an opinion and not have to hammer it home through a bullhorn, as if it were the ONLY thing I've ever been right about in my life.
You see, in my day we used to refer to overzealous people who screamed their opinion from the trees by their street name: Spaz.
Now, I don't use that name any more. I just offer the person a quiet way to release their unnatural overstock of emotional energy through a hug.
So, take a breath and try to stop shaking. It'll be alright. just breathe.
two men hugging is gay...
well good to see some more good ol' american ignorance here, thx anon
ignorance is neat!
Ignorance? How do you figure? I know what gay people do...
"Yes, things have changed. Grand Forks wrote a bad anti-smoking law (in my opinion). If a property owner wanted to continue to offer smoking, they needed to purchase a Class 1 liquor license. Class 1 equals no minors on premises. This is why Bonzers and The Toasted Frog can't accept patrons under 21. Muddy Rivers is a Class 1 establishment. This is why if a family staying at the motel wants to have breakfast in the morning, they have to sit outside Muddys in the pool area."
Unfortunately, Grand Forks smoking ban is a mute point, since the state of ND has a smoking ban that is similar. Those same establishments would not be able to allow children in there in other towns in ND either. I had to laugh at the Canadian smoking outside of Texas Roadhouse complaining about Grand Forks smoking ban. He did not realize that he would not be able to smoke at a Texas Roadhouse anywhere in ND.
Muddy's would never survive as a restaurant.
2 new blogs on areavoices.com : in a dumpster downtown (Grand Forks) and inside a courtroom by Brittany Lawonn a reporter for the Forum comments of various court cases she attends.
Other than that, there is no proven connection between the two. (Ayers & Obama)
Both Ayers & Obama served on The Woods Fund board at the same time in 2000.
Obama held a campaign event at Ayers's home in 1995 when Obama was running for the state Senate.
An educational initiative, the Annenberg Challenge, was started by Bill Ayers and chaired by Barack Obama.
These are just the 'proven' connections, I'm sure there are more.
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