Minnesotans allow Minneapolis to harass and intimidate law abiding citizens

[annm4peace]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5362296

Instead they focus on the Senate count (talk about waiting for paint to dry), and the antics of Michelle Bachman.. who should have been arrested for her many terroristic threats, and her inciting riots and assault on others. (Bachman has said and done far more than what the RNC 8 are even charged with)

The DFL party, DFL Office holders and 95% of Minnesotans have turned a blind eye to the continued harrasment of it's peaceful, law-abiding, tax paying, church going citizens.

Your tax dollars are paying for this, yet you are silent..

I would love it if one person can post what it cost for the St. Paul PD and Minneapolis PD to trail and stalk the bike ride. Any guesses ?

the National Day of Solidarity with the RNC 8, supporters held the Tour de Fletcher in Minneapolis, a bike ride to the sites of pre-emptive house raids last August. They were trailed by a disproportionate, multi-jurisdictional police presence which filmed, took photos and recorded license plate numbers outside the ride's conclusion at a benefit chili lunch. One activist was arrested, charged with disorderly conduct and released on bail. Long after the ride concluded and was declared a success, the cops stayed around, prompting many to draw the parallel between the waste of resources on the RNC 8 prosecution and the waste of 20-30 police officers to monitor a legal bike ride and lunch. Other events were held in at least 15 cities nationwide.

The local corporate news has yet to report on this, and my guess is that it will be Covered by National news. Alternative news has done a good job covering this abuse

[Randomthought]

1. Look at the name of the website!

This is DEMOCRATICunderground.com. Why wouldn't people be concerned about the results of the Colman/Franken trial and the antics of Bachman?
If you want to constantly criticize the DFL another forum might be more appropriate. I am concerned about the RNC 8 but not to the exclusion of all else.
Rhetoric usually alienates more thinking people than it converts.

[dflprincess]

2. I've never noticed annm4peace criticizing the DFL when it didn't deserve to be slapped

We do need to wonder why the DFL mayors of both Minneapolis and St. Paul are allowing the continued harassment of peaceful protesters and wasting the money it takes to do so when they're both facing budget cuts.

[Randomthought]

3. there is a problem with both city governments

but to react to that to the exclusion of all else is narrow.

[dflprincess]

4. The OP is involved in many issues

and really puts many of us to shame.

[ArmchairPoliticsMN]

5. Could Not Agree More

I have been reading these boards for the better part of the last two years. Have never posted (or registered). Mainly because in the last year, it has turned into a DFL-bashing cop-bashing web site.

I found there was no reason to read posts when they are all annm4peace attacking DFLers and my police in St Paul, or MNRaindog attacking DFL candidates for office. (Some of which I just learned when I signed up may be in violation of the TOS).

As a St Paul resident, I think the police and the Mayor's office did a great job keeping my city safe during the convention, the the fact that the majority of arrests were thrown out shows they know that in some instances, police went too far in arrests. But if they are prosecuting these 8, it means they have sufficient evidence.

So get over it, let the process take it's course. You were wrong about the texas kid with the Molotov cocktails, you could be wrong here as well.

This board is to talk about politics (or so was my understanding). Frankly, it has been hijacked...

[FiveGoodMen]

6. "my police"?!?!?!

Bye

[Avidor]

7. MNRaindog hasn't violated DU rules

http://www.democraticunderground.com/forums/rules.html

"Democratic Underground is an online community for Democrats and other progressives. Members are expected to be generally supportive of progressive ideals, and to support Democratic candidates for political office. Democratic Underground is not affiliated with the Democratic Party, and comments posted here are not representative of the Democratic Party or its candidates."

[dflprincess]

8. And, any DFL "bashing" that goes on here

is pretty mild compared to what has been known to go on at DFL conventions or Central Committee meetings.

Maybe Klobuchar and Peterson have sent some of their Blue Dog supporters over to try and whip us into line. And good luck with that. :sarcasm:

[Minnesota Raindog]

9. You've got a lot of nerve, Mr. One-Poster

Your first post to DU is a complaint that it's been hijacked? Where have you been hiding your timid little self all the while DU has been "hijacked" anyway, ACP? You have a problem with me attacking DFL candidates? When DFL candidates act like Republicans, or lack ethics, or lie through their teeth, or sell out the environment, or civil rights, you're damn right I'll be all over their ass. As will many others here. Perhaps you can point me to the DU TOS that has been violated. As Avidor so aptly pointed out already, DU isn't an organ of the Democratic Party, or the DFL, or any other party. That's why it's called "Underground." Get it?

Sorry, you can't call Sheriff Fletcher or his enablers in the mayor's office and county attorney's office to come in to keep DU safe for you, ACP. But I've got some advice for you: Before you come around here shooting your mouth off about why DU doesn't look like a DFL Police Appreciation Party, maybe you should think about bringing something to the party yourself. Until then, get over it yourself and have a big steaming cup of STFU.

[ArmchairPoliticsMN]

10. In my mind

"and to support Democratic candidates for political office" and then attacking DFL candidates seems to be contradictory.

Last I checked, the board does not belong to those who post the most. I simply pointed out where I have seen the board go from when I first started following it till now. So forgive me if I don't STFU.

Now, why is this my first post? Glad you asked Minnesota Raindog. I haven't been "hiding" as you like to claim. When you work in politics, you don't comment on blogs or message boards because what you say can often be attributed to those you work for, unfairly.

working in politics for 12 years, I am just now moving on to a new part of my career, and can participate in this portion of politics (I now work for a non-profit). So while I watched what i find to be an upsetting re-branding of this board, I was unable to comment. That's not hiding, it was an unfortunate side effect of my previous employment. No one makes you not comment, but republicans (and often other DFLers) don't all play by the rules, so many professional operatives, like I was, choose not too.

Hiding, is attacking DFl candidates on a board where you agree to "support Democratic candidates for political office" behind an alias, Minnesota Raindog.

Me, I have no problem saying who I am. My name is David Kaplan. I suspect some of you know who I am. www.armchairpoliticsmn.com if you want to know more about me. But when I call you out, I don't hide who I am, Minnesota Raindog. And I don't run to the sheriff or city attorney. what a silly argument. I dare to disagree and you attack. But you can attack DFLers all you want with no recourse? No...not any more. I may be the only one, but I will voice the other side of this argument weather you like it or not. Sorry.

[Avidor]

11. "and to support Democratic candidates for political office"

I don't think that applies when one Dem runs against another Dem.

If that were the case, we wouldn't be able to discuss which candidate to vote for in a primary.

David... are you going to add the Dump Bachmann blog to your ACP blogroll?

[dflprincess]

12. Support doesn't mean blind allegiance

especially once a candidate becomes an elected official and starts selling out the voters.

Putting "DFL" after their name doesn't make a candidate a DFLer. You'll neve see me lifting a finger to do anything to get a DINO like Colin Peterson elected. And if Klobuchar turns Blue Dog I'll be through with her. There's no point in electing DFLers who vote like Republicans.

Rather than trying to hold the rank and file to some blind loyalty standard, you should be working to hold the candidates and officials to Democratic ideals.

[Minnesota Raindog]

13. What a surprise--a shill for Matt Entenza

http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/bdinfo/investigation/060815_entenza.pdf

There's a reason other DFLers keep their backs to the wall when Matt Entenza enters a room.

[ArmchairPoliticsMN]

14. Like I said, my name is...

David Kaplan. I don't hide who I used to work for. But that doesn't make me a "shill" for anyone. Haven't worked for Matt for 3 years. And am not a part of his Gov campaign, nor have I announced who I support in that race.

But I appreciate your attempt to undermine whatever I have to say by making more false accusations which you have no backing for.

Anyone wondering: "A shill is an associate of a person selling goods or services or a political group, who pretends no association to the seller/group and assumes the air of an enthusiastic customer."

My blog states who I have worked for. Multiple times I point out I have worked for Matt, for the DFL, for the House DFL Caucus. I also worked as a pizza cook in college, so maybe I am just tying to get you to go to Armands next time you are in the nation's capitol now too yes?

I also made no attempts at airing any enthusiastic support for any candidate I have worked for (who if you count up all the ones I have worked for here in MN, it has to be close to 500 or so).

So Mr. Raindog, your accusation is a lie. Not the first time, won;t be the last I am sure.

So, now we know who I am and who I have worked for (no thanks to you since I disclose it everywhere on my blog I provided for anyone to check out). heck you found the cfb stuff because I gave you my name. great job with the google. What about you Raindog? Seems to me you are the one who is content to hide behind an alias and attack personally anyone you disagree with.

[ArmchairPoliticsMN]

15. By the way

Raindog, please refer to: http://www.democraticunderground.com/forums/rules_detailed.html

"Do not post personal attacks or engage in name-calling against other individual members of this discussion board. Even very mild personal attacks are forbidden.

Do not hurl insults at other individual members of this message board. Do not tell someone, "shut up," "screw you," "fuck off," "in your face," or some other insult.

Do not call another member of this message board a liar, and do not call another member's post a lie. You are, of course, permitted to point out when a post is untrue or factually incorrect. "

Calling me a shill and to STFU might be in violation.

Additionally, while we are on the subject of Entenza - since you seem completely infatuated with him:

"Constructive criticism of Democrats or the Democratic Party is permitted. When doing so, please keep in mind that most of our members come to this website in order to get a break from the constant attacks in the media against our candidates and our values. Highly inflammatory or divisive attacks that echo the tone or substance of our political opponents are not welcome here.

You are not permitted to use this message board to work for the defeat of the Democratic Party nominee for any political office. If you wish to work for the defeat of any Democratic candidate in any General Election, then you are welcome to use someone else's bandwidth on some other website.

Democratic Underground may not be used for political, partisan, or advocacy activity by supporters of any political party or candidate other than the Democratic Party or Democratic candidates. Supporters of certain other political parties may use Democratic Underground for limited partisan activities in political races where there is no Democratic Party candidate.

Do not post broad-brush smears against Democrats or the Democratic Party."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=160x16570
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=160x17595
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=160x8911

"I'd really hate to have to vote for a Republican in this race, but given the current DFL option, I'm afraid I would."
"That sniveling jerk has built up so much bad karma and distaste among DFLers statewide"
"The question is: Did Matt Entenza ever register for the draft as he was required to do by law at the time? Or does he remain a draft dodger who wants to be the state's top law-enforcement officer?"

Last i checked, the first comment advocated defeating him if he was the nominee. The second is just juvinile and lacks any proof other then your word that statewide people have distaste for a political candidate, and the third lacked any proof as well.

Just my 2 cents.

[Bjorn Against]

16. Ironically in your call out of people for breaking the rules you just broke the rules yourself.

The DU rules state "Do not post messages with the purpose of "calling out" another member or picking a fight with another member." This thread had nothing to do with MNRaindog and yet you called him out and posted links to other threads he has written. Your post which lectures us about the rules is clearly against the rules itself.

And for your information I happen to know annm4peace a bit personally and she is a great activist who is very involved in her community. I was at the march on the RNC and the police presence there was disgusting, we have a Constitutional right to peacefully assemble and the police violated that right. They arrested over 800 protesters and over half of those charges have already been dropped because the city of St. Paul was forced to admit they had no evidence to prosecute on. And just because the charges against the RNC 8 have not been dropped yet hardly means they have sufficient evidence in that case either, if you paid any attention to the case you would know that the evidence that has been released so far is a joke. This is the so-called "training video" that they claim shows the RNC 8 was planning to use molotov cocktails against the convention. The music in the background has been removed for copyright violations but the images are all still there, watch this and try to claim that this video represents a threat of any sort: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6PLwOt0Bls

If that is what the prosecution considers "evidence" then it is clear they are desperate for anything they can find.

[annm4peace]

17. wow, I go away for awhile and the MN goes to life.

thanks for the back up.. that was awesome. Hope Armchair opened his eyes little.

and for "random" lets go back to you saying

"but to react to that to the exclusion of all else is narrow."

You were talking about my post focusing on RNC8.. I have post a lot more than RNC 8, but even you would have to admit.. the count of the recount of the count of the count of the recount count coutn...trial count, retrial, of the recount, can count count. gets a BIT NARROW !!!!!