Things I'm Supposed to Hate, But Don't: Anti-Strib

("Supposed to Hate, But Don't" idea taken from Shot in the Dark.)

Some blog-readers know the Anti-Strib, the long-running Minnesota blog that takes the Minneapolis Star-Tribune to task and covers a variety of other topics. If you know the Anti-Strib, you know that doesn't quite give you a full description.

If I remember right, Mitch at Shot in the Dark affectionately described the Anti-Strib's writers as a bunch of plate-throwers. That's certainly a colorful description, and one that isn't far from the mark. I know... I used to contribute to the Anti-Strib, and I wasn't the only writer who enjoyed poking at targets with a stick. Some of the commenters also enjoyed "plate-throwing"... not all of them on the same political side as the Anti-Strib writers.

Apparently, the Anti-Strib is going dark. That's going to bring a cheer to a number of the writers and employees of the Star-Tribune, Nick Coleman probably the first and the loudest.

A certain number of Anti-Strib "readers" are joyously commenting that the Anti-Strib is coming to an end.

That's all they ever wanted... to silence a voice of opposition.

Yeah, sure... a number of Republican and conservative bloggers consider the Anti-Strib to be a bit charged and vulgar. Tracy, the guy behind the blog and one of the main contributors, considers his original intentions (that you pretty much let anyone comment in almost any way, shape, or form for the sake of encouraging discussion) might be the reason that comments have gone overboard and subjects to vere away from the main topic.

The site is known for writers and commentors to both carry on heated exchanges regardless of the subject at hand. For this reason, folks might sneer if you say you read the Anti-Strib. I suspect we're supposed to dislike the Anti-Strib.

I just can't.

Part of it is that I used to write for and with those guys. To a certain extent, I know some of them personally and find them enjoyable folks.

It isn't that we all come from the same mind, because we clearly didn't... anyone who read a number of posts and comments could find that out.

Too many readers simply didn't get that part of it. They came to the blog with a fairly well cemented opinion that such plate-throwing conservatives were assholes and hate-filled and addressed their own misunderstanding of our posts... and those folks stayed! They often came back... with different names to try to hide that fact.

The original goal of Tracy's blog was to point out the journalistic failings and bias of the Star-Tribune. An easy task. We loved to highlight Nick Coleman's blathering and meandering columns... however, we were quick to point out when he had something we really enjoyed. We did that for other pieces in the Strib, too.

Steering away from that goal allowed the blog to grow, but it seems like that might have been a long-term mistake. It was the reason Anti-Strib stood out from the other local blogs.

Another slightly unique policy... Tracy's "keep your mouth shut when it comes to a commentor's family" stand. Insult the writers and commentors all you want, but if someone said anything about wifes, husbands, kids, etc.... your comment was deleted. I believe that stance was intended to remind visitors and writers that certain topics are off-limits and stray too far from the topic. Maybe that didn't work... but maybe it kept things going as long as they did.

For the most part, Tracy and Sequel and Kermit and Jim have taken a lot of heat for their opinions... as well as for their smart alec methods. Their critics seem to mostly come from the school of thought that believes conservatives are heartless, hate-filled bigots with no education, a mean-spirited attitude, and a desire to destroy.

Yeah, we kill puppies, too.

These critics didn't want a conversation. They didn't like the loyal opposition shooting-from-the-hip and telling beligerant commentors to "Go get your shinebox!" They were offended by the very thought that someone on the Right might disagree.

I'm taking note that this is occurring during the Obama Administration. I certainly don't blame the President... but I blame some of his supporters.

Wrong Time for Radio

Maybe I don’t get it. The subject for discussion on Chris Baker’s radio show, at the time I tuned in, was video games. Violence in video games comes up now and again. Baker mentioned something about addictions and video games and I braced for the inevitable. He might have veered into first-person-shooters eventually, however this time he mentioned something called Second Life. I heard about it probably two years ago… and it was old then.

Second Life puts characters online to interact socially with other players. I guess it is like World of Warcraft without the warcraft. I suspect I might enjoy it, but it does sound a bit creepy. Regardless, this topic is a bit like going over the Olympics… very old news.

What’s on KSTP? Prebil and Murphy, replacements for Bod Davis, don’t offer much in the way of interesting discussion. Oh, they were talking about taxes, and but one of them (or both, I couldn’t tell) referenced an earlier caller. The caller claimed increased taxes pose a blow against freedom. Either Prebil or Murphy or both apparently asked the caller “How?” and the caller stumbled and said “Um, ah, ur”. Either Prebil or Murphy (if there is a difference) used that as evidence that the caller was wrong.

Of course, that would make most of what comes out of the mouths of Prebil and Murphy incorrect, since that’s the lion’s share of their broadcast commentary.

Either Prebil, or Murphy, then went on to say that if taxes are raised on a guy who makes $400K annually and he can’t make it, he doesn’t feel too bad for Mr. 400K.

Talk about trying to avoid the point.

It makes me long for the merely unlistenable Barbara Carlson. These guys make Jesse Ventura look insightful.

Back Again

From beyond the dead, a post rises from the desolate blog. Symbolically, I suppose Spring works as a time to come back and write something.

Subjects come and go for me, and I’ve been way out of practice for a while. Certainly, some of this comes from other people and other blogs addressing topics much better than I manage. Not only that, but after two years of political overload those topics seem less interesting. Work also keeps me pretty busy, so my time gets eaten up, so I really need to gin up the interest to write about anything. Too many ideas seem banal, too.

With that in mind, I’ll write about my recent bout of nostalgia.

Over the last couple of months, dozens of old friends, classmates, and coworkers popped out of the woodwork. Folks I’ve not talked to in years found me and it feels like I am young again. Not that I’m old.

Last night I met up with some friends that I don’t see often, but I usually get a chance to see them a couple of times each year. These were friends I originally met in elementary school and high school. One moved out of state years ago, but he occasionally returns and it feels like he’s only been gone for a couple of weeks. All of us are good natured smartasses. A couple of bucks for beer and bar food is nothing for a couple of hours with those folks. A steak and several cocktails would be cheap to spend time with them, but as I’m a little tight right now I’m glad it was less expensive.

Earlier this month I got together with the other Three Musketeers to see our dear friend the Aging D’Artangnan. Over Christmas, I found a movie on DVD that he’d mentioned many times… a comedy from when he was younger that he really enjoyed. He waited four months to watch it with us. Perhaps a different style than we were used to, but we enjoyed watching “Miss Tatlock’s Millions” with old D’Artangnan. He, too, is one of those guys you can just hang out with for hours. Many times, we stay up past one in the morning talking, drinking, smoking, and talking more. All the old stories of our Gold Plated Years come back. These days, we’re more than a little aware of his time. None of us want to admit that he might go sometime. We might have him for many years to come, or not, but we don’t want to miss our chances.

Holiday, Vacation, Torture

We begin our season of goodwill, humility, family, reverence, solemnity, and good cheer. How? With a family vacation… guaranteed to raise tempers, test patience, and dampen the mood at least once.

I love my family, as most people love their families. I wouldn’t trade them for anyone else… mostly using the theory “better Devil you know”. Aside from that, they are good folks. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t see an annoying argument, a bad mood, a conflict of schedules, or a disagreement on plans as a distinct possibility. There will also be the extra long wait at the airport… both to and from home. The flight itself might get annoying, too. Who am I kidding? It definitely will get annoying.

In addition to that “glass half-empty” view, I also have another reason to grimace. Regardless of how long or short the trip lasts, vacations always run one day too many for me. I love my home. I appreciate my weekly routine. I want the luxury of my bed, my stuff, and my local options. I even enjoy the weather. So, that last day is utterly wasted. I don’t want to be in the Not Home place… I want my ass home.

Of course I want to get away for a while, especially over a holiday like Thanksgiving. A few days of warm temperatures and some steady sun ought to give me a little boost. I just look forward to getting home. Why bother taking a vacation in the first place? You really appreciate your surroundings when you get home.

If you hate your home town then why are you merely taking a vacation as opposed to moving out? You know the types… folks who love to complain, bitterly, about the weather, about their family, about their job, about their neighbors. Get the Hell out of Dodge, dumbass. Hell, just move across town, just out of town, to another county, or even to another state… anywhere but in the place you so desperately hate.

In any case, I’m getting some time away. The Boy comes with, which ought to be wonderful on the whole balance… because we’re going to a Disney theme park. Let’s face it, he’s going to bust a vein in his forehead. I don’t even need to do anything, just watch him and take pictures.

Yet, I’m just a kid at heart and can’t wait to see what is new. Hopefully, there’s a Pixar tribute somewhere in the joint. There’s an Indiana Jones stunt demonstration that my wife and I saw several years ago… whether it is still there, updated, or trimmed down we want to see it again.

I’m certain that my most treasured moment may come to a premature end by the sudden change of mood by the Boy when he realizes that it is time to leave and go back to the hotel… or worse, go back home.

That cannot occupy my attention the whole time… I’d never enjoy anything that way. I might as well just brace for “impact” from my parents, my sister, my wife, or even my nephew. That’s no way to live. It’s certainly no way to vacation.

Back From the Dead

Months go by with a major election in the forefront of peoples’ minds (or at least not entirely pushed to the back of peoples’ attentions) and nary a peep from a big-mouthed wop. All of August, September, October, Halloween, Election Day, and the first third of November.

Either that shows amazing restraint upon my part or amazing irresponsibility on my part as a blogger. Let’s call it both.

Thanks to our veterans and soldiers serving abroad.

“Sergeant, you’re out of uniform!”

“Sir, yes, sir! I’m following orders, sir!”

“What the Hell kind of orders are you talking about, soldier?”

“I’m serving a broad, sir.”

“You’ll knock off the smart-ass bullshit if you know what’s good for you. Now drop and give me twenty!”

“With respect, sir, should I start over or continue where I left off?”

Veterans and soldiers serving at home and overseas… my gratitude and thanks.


In any case, I enjoyed a remarkable summer, worked with my Old Man a little, spent time with The Boy, goaded a foaming left-leaner with whom I am acquainted, visited folks from high school, saw some faces I haven’t seen in many years, and voted.

The campaigns finally finished. We know our next President. While his general policies and ideas don’t bring me much rest, the fact that we know the results brings a certain peace of mind.

I can’t help but think back four and eight years ago when certain left-leaners went bonkers and took leave of their senses… Sore losers wanted nothing to do with W, going so far as to use “Not My President” as a slogan. About four yeas ago, one of my very good friends likened one of Bush 43’s administration as a guy who licks poop from Cheney’s ass. In spite of his less than sterling political analysis, he really is a good guy.

What about now? Should I get behind a little turnabout? Surely, posting a “November 6, 2012” bumper-sticker would be comparable. Maybe emphasize the word Mister when saying “Mister Obama”?

Aside from sounding like a petulant high school jackass, I wouldn’t say that because the man will become my President starting on Inauguration Day. Period.

We’re Americans, damn it. Folks need to drop this childish nonsense. This isn’t like voting for Prom Queen. This is the Presidency of the United States of America. Vote or don’t vote, but the guy’s our President starting January 20th next year.

Apparently, we have some dissenters on my side of the aisle who already declared words that essentially say Senator Obama will not be their President. That attitude is simply anti-American.

I suspect a good percentage of those folks merely want to voice their opposition in the strongest possible terms. To be honest, saying the guy isn’t your President for those reasons is like calling someone a racist or a fascist who isn’t either a racist or a fascist. What happens when someone comes along who fits the bill? You’ve already watered down the requirements for declaring a President-Elect to not be your President.

Grow some stones, jackasses. We’ve got standards… and we’re going to show the eternally offended folks from the party that clings to tolerance and diversity (as long as it suits their agenda) what the words Loyal Opposition means.

Guilty Admission: Yogurt

Folks at Caribou Coffee... just so you know (not that you read blogs, much less my blog), the blueberries in your yogurt are suuub-standard. Not that they need to be fresh, but they were almost chewy. I believe the outer skin was replaced with something akin to a gummi-bear... and not in a good way.


Uh, yeah, I like yogurt. Even before I started eating The Boy's baby yogurt. (That pear yogurt is brilliant!) I really went to town on the custard-style yogurt... either vanilla, raspberry, or peach.


Uh, yeah, in case anyone is wondering, I've eaten quiche before, too.

Ely Six Update

Thanks to a couple of kind visitors who have regularly commented on the subject (and often provided me with links), we now have the beginning of the end to last year’s story of the Ely Six jackasses. According to one commenter, Jay Olson may get sentenced in August, however, the so-called ring leader (or dork leader or alpha-moron) now pleads guilty, but to lesser charges.

Fifth man in BWCAW shooting spree pleads guilty
[....]

Lakner pleaded guilty to felony aiding and abetting terroristic threats; felony aiding and abetting harassment with a firearm; felony aiding and abetting possession of an assault rifle by a minor; misdemeanor aiding and abetting theft; and misdemeanor reckless discharge of a firearm.

Judge Kenneth Sandvik accepted the plea. State statutes call for a mandatory minimum sentence of at least three years in a state prison for the felony firearms charge, although exceptions can be made.

(Courtesy: Duluth News Tribune online)

His sentencing is set for August 11... and apart from that detail, that pretty much wraps up this case.

I hope they all straighten up. You've got to hope they straighten up. The kids probably shamed their families, and certainly worried them. What parent wouldn't be worried after hearing their kid used weapons to terrorize a bunch of Earth-muffins?

This makes me wonder if one or more of those guys don't have their fathers actively in their lives. Purely an assumption, one that would rankle any or all of the fathers. But these kids, for they are barely adults and seem to have displayed none of the judgment and maturity that usually goes with adulthood, were running around with (apparently) an unrelated man in his mid/late-thirties. Sure, I could be wrong, but that smacks of guys in search of a father figure.

And that adult male was unfortunately a guy who thought it would be a good idea to get drunk (on bad beer), boat around, shoot off guns, destroy someone else's property, threaten strangers, and generally terrorize campers.

Talk about the blind leading the blind. At least those kids can claim ignorance through youth.