DNT - A name you can trust

The mother of all views: A real winner

2011-01-16T10:11:00.032-06:00

Pictured above the winner of the DCB Lifetime Blogging Achievement Award, "Her Majesty C Queen of the Blogosphere"

by Tony Ramone, For the Duluth News Tabloid

And the winner of the prestigious DCB Lifetime Blogging Achievement Award is…well which moniker of Duluth’s most famous sockpuppet should we use was the question that first stumped our selection committee until a night to remember out on the town.

Thank you DCBers

First, we thank all that posted on the DCB or emailed nominees to Tony. The participation, especially via email, exceeded our wildest expectations.

Who would have thought a “Commodore 64” message board operated down in “mom’s basement” according to critics of the DCB, would have a great following and be Duluth’s longest running blog?

We also thank all the posters on the DCB who have made the DCB what it is to-date, “Where the Action is!” It wouldn’t happen without you!

The selection committee meeting an awesome evening on the town

As the selection committee enjoyed a few libations generously placing $5 to $20 bills here and there on the corporeal talent at the "Club" in Canal Park, we discussed who has and currently adds the most content and promotes the DCB in discussion in the area blogosphere.

The selection committee, member by member, went as far as to contract professional input at $25 per session, during numerous private consultations in the club’s very comfortable backroom. We are most appreciative of our consultants, Bianca, Cream, Lexus, and Rayne for their highly skilled services and assistance with the end result.

Our professional consultants helped the selection committee focus on the commitment to the cause as a committed blogger, whether we agree with them or not, over focusing on physical and sensual attributes facing our decision that evening. The ladies are true professionals.

The DCB Lifetime Blogging Achievement Award

Many quality nominees came in. Old time favorites that many DCB readers remembered from the past such as Ben Dover, Dave B, Cyberslut Watch, Danny G, JBBP, Lib Reader Online, and of course me. These early days of the DCB blogger nominees brought back memories to the old time DCBers but didn't fully fulfill our selection criteria.

The number one selection criteria factor was the impact bloggers have demonstrated in elevating the DCB to what it is today. One and only one blogger stands alone by their participation on the DCB and the Duluth area blogosphere, and no it’s not me, the One and Only Tony Ramone.

The second selection criteria factor was the commitment to their cause.

The winner of the DCB Lifetime Blogging Achievement Award commitment is often, but mistakably, referred to as “sociopath” or “compulsive obsessive”, a”whackjob” or a " troll” by opponents who disagree. Clearly this is nothing more than a desperate attempt to diminish the effectiveness of the blogger's consistent message which ultimately has lead to notable political change. No, it's not me as DCB insiders were ineligible for the award.

The third selection criteria factor was the creativity a blogger uses to get their message out.

Productive bloggers are known to use multiple monikers, also called handles. The winner of the Lifetime Blogging Achievement Award has developed a following second to none with their use of hundreds of sock puppets, handles.

Much like a person suffering from a multiple personality disorder such as schizophrenia, our winner has most successfully demonstrated for years the successful use of controlling blog conversations using multiple monikers that converse with each other.

The dedication of this individual for spinning blog conversations throughout the region by creating conversation after conversation and then agreeing with themselves, yes selves, through a documented hundreds of blog names appears professionally authored and exhibits elite creativity beyond all others.

The unanimous whiner is

On behalf of the DCB’s thousands of readers, selection committee, and our professional consultants, we honor the most deserving troll of all with the area’s most recognized award for her blogging excellence. The winner of the DCB Lifetime Blogging Achievement Award, is the self described Queen of the Blogosphere and only "Claire" in Minnesota.

Claire, often referred to as C by her rivals, can claim her prize, a cheap bottle of French Bordeaux and a life time supply to troll spray, to help fight her battle with troll syndrome, this Thursday evening 7:00 PM at Carmody’s.

Ciao and thank you to all for making the DCB what it is, "Where the Action Is!"

Achievement view: Seeking nominations for DCB Lifetime Blogging Achievement Award

2010-12-21T21:39:00.006-06:00

The Duluth Citizens Blog (DCB) is seeking nominations for the most prominent Duluth area blogger in the history of the DCB (2004-2010).

Who is most deserving of the DCB Lifetime Blogging Achievement Award?

Nominees should have directly or indirectly contributed to the DCB’s 1.4 million hits and over 100,000 posts.

Nominations can be made by posting on the DCB or the comment section blow or emailing me at ramoneanthony@gmail.com . The deadline for nominations is January 9, 2011.

Ciao!

The " REAL" Tony Ramone
ramoneanthony@gmail.com
http://www.duluthcitizensblog.com/
http://duluthnewstabloid.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/people/Tony_Ramone/1497522456
http://www.youtube.com/DCBtony

Dominant view: Change you can believe in as GOP dominates national and state elections

2010-11-09T20:37:00.001-06:00

Who's your daddy now Duluth DFLers?

The truth hurts view: If this don't make you smile, you're a liberal

2010-08-20T17:29:00.000-05:00

Political SlipperiNE$$ view: When push comes to shove you know where NE$$ stands

2010-07-22T14:26:00.003-05:00

Duluth Mayor Don Ne$$ joined MNA RNs on the picket line on July 12th to voice his support for safe staffing levels in the city's hospitals. http://www.mnnurses.org/

The question is: How will it be paid for without deficit spending?

All world view: DFD PAC blogging shift

2010-06-02T09:16:00.003-05:00

Things are heating up at the hall

MN nice in Duluth view: Another reason to bypass DFL Duluth

2010-03-31T21:30:00.004-05:00

Minnesotans for Global Warming Latest: Hide the Decline

2009-12-01T08:24:00.004-06:00

Minnesotans for Global Warming shop http://www.cafepress.com/m4gw

Duluth Fire Fighter View: Making a difference

2009-10-29T15:43:00.003-05:00

BROKEN NEWS: The following post was put on the Duluth Citizens Blog today, www.duluthcitizensblog.com .

Thu Oct 29 14:47:41 2009 - [Gauthier & Olson unemployed. Why?] By: Inspector Clouseau
I see another DFL candidate for city council is unemployed. Beth Olson and DAIP have separated ways putting her with Kerry Gauthier as not employed. Put aside the fact that these two candidates are respectively lesbian and gay and ask yourself this question: DO YOU REALLY WANT PEOPLE WHO CANNOT HOLD A JOB REPRESENTING YOU?

Did the Duluth Fire Fighters not vet candidates Gauthier and Olson before endorsing them?

Stonewall view: Beth Olson playing the GLBT card

2009-10-20T09:39:00.005-05:00

http://www.stonewalldfl.org/endorsements.htm

http://www.stonewalldfl.org/home.htm

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Friends Caucus of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota

http://www.stonewalldfl.org/

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=127264582934&index=1

http://special.lib.umn.edu/rare/tretter/tretterletterjun07.pdf

Nobel view: A deeply humble prize

2009-10-15T14:40:00.001-05:00

Cover up view: Where's the pride with all the info taken off of the internet?

2009-09-23T21:54:00.016-05:00

(Bought & paid for by the DFD PAC)

The coverup continues as the following links have been removed or altered since breaking the Beth Olson story below on her past:

http://www.dspride.com/ourfamily.htm DELETED

http://www.d.umn.edu/~anichols/CST2001/glbtstudies.htm DELETED

http://www.d.umn.edu/~anichols/ DELETED

http://www.gaymilitarysignal.com/0802Nichols.html WEDDING PHOTO LINK DELETED

Mail your new informative links to ramoneanthony@gmail.com

New links include:

http://www.theweddingparty.org/inthenews/2005_08_01_archive.html Mom 2 Times

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=156721515015&ref=mf

http://www.d.umn.edu/mlrc/glbt/ (site modified since being posted here)

Firehouse Spaghetti DinnerFundraiser for Beth Olson and Kerry Gauthier

Come join us and some firefighters for some great food, drinks, and support Beth and Kerry!

Beth Olson for Duluth City Council Beth Olson is officially endorsed by the Duluth Central Labor Body, the Firefighters Union, and AFSCME Council 5!!!

http://www.quest-online.com/NewFiles/Quest_Newsroom_20.html

Two Superior women, Angie Nichols and Beth Olson, also have joined the board. A native of Minnesota, Nichols has lived in Superior since June 2004. Nichols is the LGBT Services Director at the University of Minnesota - Duluth. Olson has lived in Superior for eight years and works for the Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault in Duluth. She and Nichols were married in Canada last year.

Olson cited concerns for the child the couple is raising. “I want to make sure that our seven-year-old daughter does not grow up in a society where hatred is not only tolerated, but is written into the constitution. We are teaching her about fairness, justice, equality and community mindedness. This amendment runs contrary to those values,” Olson said.

Nichols and Olson are planning a number of house parties and speakers trainings in the region to raise public awareness about the amendment. Last November, Action Wisconsin helped organize a town hall meeting in Superior about marriage equality and the amendment.

Mysteriously mising view: Why is the criminal past of a candidate not reported?

2009-09-21T13:40:00.009-05:00

http://www.gaymilitarysignal.com/0802Nichols.html

After leaving the Army, Angela Nichols got a BA Degree in German and International Studies at Winona State University, and a Masters of Education Degree at the University of Wisconsin, at LaCrosse, majoring in College Student Personnel. She was an Americorps assistant director of the Gay Alliance for LaCrosse area youth. Later, during post graduate work at Oberlin College, she was an intern GLBT Community Coordinator. She then returned home to Minneapolis to care for her grandfather in his last year.

Since 2000, she has been the Director of Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender Services at the University of Minnesota in Duluth. She married her partner, Elizabeth Olson, in Canada in 2004.

http://www.socialistaction.org/superior-gaymarriage1.htm

November 17, the masses marched from the UW-Superior campus to the grassy noel of the Superior Public Library concluding the events with a rally. Speakers included members of the Queer and Allied Student Union of UW-Superior; UWS Student Senate President, Rob Schimke; faculty and staff from local universities; and local LGBT activists. Bob Kosuth, MC of the march and rally, spoke eloquently about how we can and will change this narrow definition of legal marriage. We have before and we will again. For example, he would have been unable to marry his Asian partner had laws preventing interracial marriage not been overturned. ANGIE NICOLS and her partner BETH OLSON were among the couples who spoke up. As THEIR DAUGHTER hugged her, ANGIE summed up the message of the events by saying that it is up to us to change things – not politicians.

-----------------------

Check out the curriculum. Boy, I'd sure like to sign up for that class:

http://www.d.umn.edu/~anichols/CST2001/glbtstudies.htm

Tuesday, April 8:

Same-Sex Marriage, Law, Policy Comparisons and Immigration/Adoption Issues Film: “Tying the Knot” (2004) 83 min.

Speakers: Angie Nichols/Beth Olson & Nicki and Alisha and their two boys Sam (4)and Ben (1) Blazevik Seibert Reading Assignment: Duberman: As assigned In Class:

Adoption Policy Discussion ------------------------------

http://www.d.umn.edu/currents/2003-2004/21-13A.html

MODERN MARRIAGE PANEL DISCUSSION

A panel discussion on “Gay Marriage and the Modern American Family” will be presented at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14 in 120 Solon Campus Center. Participants will include: Earl Austin, Northland Gay Men’s Center; Larry Knopp, UMD Geography Department; Ashley Lundstrom, UMD Student; Bruce Mork, UMD Sociology-Anthropology Department; BETH OLSON, Gay Parent; and Tom Powers, Department of Political Science as Moderator. The event is sponsored by the UMD Diversity Commission and UMD GLBT Services. For more information contact Tom Powers, tpowers@d.umn.edu, at 726-8697. --------------------------------------

http://www.serve.com/nukeresister/135daybyday.html 7/13/2004 Duluth. MN - 5 arrested

Bush in Duluth drew two Catholic Workers into the path of his motorcade, bearing a banner reading "The Poor Can't Eat Your Weapons." The judge dismissed the charges of "obstructing the legal process" because the state failed to prove aggressive behavior, a necessary element of the crime.Michael Larson interrupted Bush's speech by shouting "Shame!", and pled not guilty to disorderly conduct. He will stand trial October 21, alongside BETH OLSON and Angela Nichols, gay rights advocates arrested at the door as they tried to enter.

http://noontheamendment.blogspot.com/2005_10_01_archive.html

Scroll down to Great Trip North Part II –

Superior” On Sunday, we met Action Wisconsin board members, Angie Nichols and BETH OLSON, before the training. Bob Jansen, the owner of The Main Club, one of Superior’s two gay bars, and John Ludwig, a father of a lesbian daughter, joined us. Bob opened the bar in 1983 and has long been a vocal and brave voice for gay visibility in Duluth-Superior. The Main Club might be the oldest gay bar in the state. We visited it later that night, and it’s clear that Bob has made it not just a place for people to drink--but also a community. Everyone seems to be welcomed into the bar, and there are bulletin boards with community event listings and clippings from area newspaper coverage of LGBT issues.

Angie and BETH GOT MARRIED LAST YEAR IN CANADA. They speak eloquently about what it felt like to travel just a few hours north and have a marriage that is not only legally, but also socially, acknowledged. A Canadian woman congratulated them, but then asked why they traveled to Canada to get married. The woman was incredulous when Beth explained that the United States prohibits equal marriage for gay people. (This was before the shining exception of Massachusetts.) Beth says she experienced true freedom to have such basic respect for her family. It’s amazing to realize the same thing must be happening in Massachusetts where people are beginning to assume that equality is the everyday order of things.

John, Bob, Angie, and BETH helped us identify community leaders and organizations that might speak out publicly against the amendment, and we shared more details about Action Wisconsin and the campaign. Interestingly, they told us that the Superior police department has liaisons to the LGBT community and is generally solid on LGBT issues. The Superior mayor is no friend of basic equality for LGBT people. But area lawmakers, state Senator Bob Jauch, and Rep. Frank Boyle, are solidly opposed to the constitutional ban on civil unions and marriage.

http://www.dspride.com/ourfamily.htm

Our Family Stories Our family is your family. Your coworkers. Yours sons and daughters. Your parents. Your friends. Your family!

Check this section throughout the year to read real, touching portraits about members of your community--members of your family.

Posted on Sun, Aug. 28, 2005

Mom Times Two

BY SCOTT THISTLE

NEWS TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

Sage Olson bursts through the back door and scampers across the kitchen into the living room. She launches from the carpet into the arms of her waiting mom, sitting on the couch.

The family dog, Lucky Boy, jumps up, licking both on the face, and a pair of cats compete for affection, rubbing themselves on pants legs while purring.

Sage and her mom kiss, cuddle and exchange greetings. After all, Sage, 7, hasn't seen her mom, Angie Nichols, since morning -- when Nichols left for work.

But when Sage calls for mom, two women often answer.

"If she yells 'Mom' and one of us answers, and it's the wrong one, she says, 'No, the other one,' " said Beth Olson, Sage's birth mom.

"Sometimes we can just tell by the inclination of her voice which one of us she wants," said Nichols, Olson's partner.

Olson, Nichols and Sage are the kind of nontraditional family that this year's Duluth-Superior

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Allied Pride Festival hopes to highlight. The festival's "We Are Family" theme this year puts emphasis not only on the GLBT community's sense of solidarity but also on the broader definition of family.

"What is a family, really?" Nichols asked. "A family really is about love, and if you have love and concern for each other, then you have a really good family that you can be proud of."

As in most families, time is a precious commodity -- so as Nichols continues a conversation with a visitor, Olson fixes Sage a quick bite to eat. The family is again running late for Sage's weekly soccer match.

Sage's dad, who was divorced from Beth Olson three years ago, is also actively involved in his daughter's life. He, too, will be at the game to watch Sage run up and down the field.

Married a year ago Saturday in Ontario, Olson and Nichols say they felt compelled to exchange formal vows to solidify their commitments to each other and to Sage.

Both Canadian provinces of Ontario and British Columbia legally recognize same-sex marriages. The Superior couple also had a church wedding at Duluth's Peace United Church of Christ.

Nichols and Olson are also activists in the ongoing debate over the definition of marriage. Both are board members with Action Wisconsin, a GLBT group organizing to defeat efforts to amend Wisconsin's constitution to ban same-sex marriage and civil unions.

NORMAL FAMILY LIFE

In many ways, the couple's family life is like any other Twin Ports couple raising a child. Both work at professional careers. Both share in Sage's daily care and both work at maintaining their home.

Daily activities at home include all the things other families do every day. From tooth-brushing to mealtimes to going to Sage's soccer games, what happens in their life would be a familiar routine.

"We operate in the community just the same as any other family, except for that every time we go somewhere, we know that people are going to figure it out," Beth Olson said.

Figure out that she and Angie "are not sisters," as she puts it. "They are going to discover, and then how are they going to treat us? How are they going to treat Sage?"

It's a fear and a frustration for the couple. On top of that is the time they spend fighting to protect their rights, standing up for what they believe in and helping to educate others.

"At the end of the day, we say to ourselves, 'What would it be like if we didn't have to fight for this stuff?' " Nichols said.

"We would have a lot of free time. We would have a lot more time to spend with Sage. We could just do things that are relaxing and free our mind, and have more time and money to put into our life that we want to have like everybody else has." Overhearing Nichols, Sage echoes her, enjoying the attention: "Yeah, more time for me. Me, me, me.

" To some degree, the couple is also hesitant to bare their lives for public consumption in articles like this. They want Sage to know she is special and her parents are special, but they wonder how that is much different than most families.

ACTIVIST CONCERNS

Beyond being the only same-sex couple they know of in their part of town, Olson and Nichols are political activists. The two were arrested in 2004 protesting President Bush's visit to Duluth.

"Sometimes you have to make decisions that are personal and based on -- hopefully, a greater good," Nichols said.

Those feelings aren't uncommon for activist gay or lesbian couples trying to raise children, said Tony Sheehan, board president of Action Wisconsin.

"In smaller communities, and particularly in places removed from larger cities where people interact on a more regular basis with quote-unquote nontraditional families, there are some hardships that these people have to deal with on a day-to-day basis," said Sheehan, who raised children with his male partner more than a decade ago.

He shuns the term "nontraditional," asking, "What is 'traditional' in America these days?"

Still, going against social convention is tough.

"It wears on people; I know it does," Sheehan said. "They are constantly having to answer questions or talk about why their family is just as important as traditional families.

" The growing number of gay and lesbian couples raising families has inspired the phrase "gayby boom" in GLBT circles. Often, same-sex couples are adopting children with health or developmental problems, including AIDS and other serious illnesses, Sheehan said.

The trend counters the insistence by some Christian activists that marriage can only be between a man and a woman and that its main purpose is the creation of children. But child-rearing is a natural desire for many human beings -- gay, lesbian or heterosexual, Sheehan said.

SEEKING ACCEPTANCE

Couples like Nichols and Olson -- who raise a child together and fight for the rights of themselves and others -- deserve acceptance and respect, Sheehan said.

His admiration is echoed by Duluth Mayor Herb Bergson.

Bergson made history in 2004 as the first Duluth mayor to sign a proclamation welcoming the Pride Festival to Duluth. He also took tremendous criticism, including hate e-mails and threatening phone calls to his office and home, he said.

Still, Bergson stands by the decision and this year will welcome the GLBT community to his city during a reception next weekend.

"Back in the '50s and '60s, it was about the color of the skin. And today it's about sexual orientation," Bergson said recently. "I suspect in 30 years it will be something else."

Nichols said she hopes equal rights for GLBT individuals won't take 30 years, but she acknowledges it could.

She and Beth Olson recognize there are many people who don't see things the way they do. Nichols asks those people to try -- even if just for a moment -- to see life from their perspective.

"What most people don't realize is we are in the midst of our civil rights movement," Nichols said. "We are in the midst of a marriage movement where amendments are being proposed that will further entrench discrimination against our families.

"These are real families, too."

http://www.d.umn.edu/~anichols/ The other mommy.

http://olsonforoffice.com/events.htm

http://moleprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/07/minnesota-focus-blogs-progressive.html

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beth-Olson-for-Duluth-City-Council/64292613338

SIX ARRESTED DURING RALLYDuluth News-Tribune (MN) - Thursday, July 15, 2004Author: News TribuneSix people were arrested in connection with President Bush's rally Tuesday at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center Arena, Duluth police said.
Peace activist Joel Kilgour, 27, and Rachel Anne Johnson, 18, of the Loaves and Fishes Catholic Worker community -- which maintains three houses for the homeless and others in need in Duluth -- were charged with obstructing the legal process for refusing to get out of Harbor Drive.
Kilgour and Johnson were arrested near the Great Lakes Aquarium. According to the police arrest log, the protesters eventually walked to a squad car and were cooperative.
Angela Nichols , 33, and Elizabeth Olson, 34, were cited for disorderly conduct for illegally trying to get into the DECC, Duluth police Lt. Tim Hanson said. Jesse Peterson, 23, was cited for obstructing the legal process and disorderly conduct for helping the women try to get into the DECC, Hanson said. Addresses for the trio were unavailable.
A 17-year-old boy from Bemidji, Minn., was cited for obstructing the legal process.
Cindy Stratioti, a chief deputy St. Louis County court administrator, said formal charges had not yet been filed Wednesday.

Excessive dishonesty view: That's what he's talking about

2009-08-11T14:21:00.002-05:00

Local tax cheating view: Do as I say, not as I do as you elected me!

2009-05-22T12:40:00.003-05:00

Source of information: http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/auditor/parcelinfo2005//default.aspx

$11,093.74 DUE

Parcel Number:010-3720-01150
Owner:
CUNEO ANTHONY K
827 GRANDVIEW AVE
DULUTH MN 55812

Current Tax Balance
$1,977.60
Delinquent Balance:
$1,429.51
Balance Due:
$3,407.11

Parcel Number:010-1480-03850
Taxpayer's Name:
CUNEO ANTHONY K
827 GRANDVIEW AVE
DULUTH MN 55812

Current Tax Balance
$1,993.35
Delinquent Balance:
$5,693.28
Balance Due:
$7,686.63

http://www.duluthmn.gov/assessor/search/results.cfm
Property Search Results

Parcel ID
Title Holder
Plat Description
Property Address
010-3720-01150
CUNEO ANTHONY K
Park Drive Division Duluth
827 Grandview Ave

010-1480-03850
CUNEO ANTHONY K & MONICA K
Endion Division of Duluth
1831 E 2nd St

"When I was 8 years old I didn't pay taxes"

"We are about being inclusive. Forget about being responsible with the taxpayers money as I don't pay my taxes and you shouldn't too"

Evil view: Obama spending cut an insult on your intellect

2009-04-24T12:00:00.005-05:00

Mr. Obama must have been scared by the Tax Day Tea Party rebels. At the end of their meeting yesterday, he asked his Cabinet officials to cut… (insert evil spy soundtrack)… $100 miiilllliion dollars from the budget.

These radical cuts will come by “purchasing office supplies in bulk” and teleconferencing when applicable. And they account for roughly five one hundredths of a percent of last month’s -- just March’s -- $192 billion federal budget deficit!
Ooooh…

That’s like making a $5 payment on a $10,000 monthly credit card bill.

If your neighbor sent the bank a check for $100 on a $200,000 loan, he’d be a bum on the verge of personal collapse -- the village idiot. In Washington, he’d be the leader of the free world.

Hottie View: Local News Babes

2009-04-09T22:29:00.004-05:00

By guest columnist H. Hefner

As an active consumer of local news and media, I decided to do an empirical study of local news channels. After a long day at work we want to unwind and see the news for the day. Besides substantive, topical, objective reporting, what other qualities does one look for in a news cast ?

Babes of course !

Of the local news channels, WDIOch.10 , without a doubt has the nicest news babes of the local channels. Attractive, informed, and professional, all the requirements for pleasant news viewing.

Don't know who does the hiring at WDIO(Dennis ?); well whoever does the hiring, they sure have assembled a bevy of beauties.

In addition to the babes, WDIO also has some of the best local reporting, the most objective of the local news affiliates.

The local weather news is not bad, however it could use some improvement. This is how the weather is done in Italy. (See video below)

As you can see the weather is much nicer in Italy. Not really a fair comparison, Duluth does have some really miserable weather sometimes.

That's the "DCB Hottie News View" for this month.

Two trillion bucks view: $2,000,000,000,000.00

2009-04-03T01:08:00.001-05:00

Bonehead view: Defining a no-brainer one cell at a time

2009-03-26T08:38:00.004-05:00

DFL Kool-Aid View: Magical Misery Tour

2009-02-26T18:01:00.002-06:00

Turn those speaker up and take in the another DFL classic tune.

BOHICA view: Hang on tight for a bumpy ride into Socialism

2009-02-21T13:18:00.005-06:00

Provided by DCB blogger Muffin Top

Turn up your speakers and enjoy the background music comrades

Without a conscience view: Duluth's Bernie Madoffs

2009-02-07T16:25:00.015-06:00

As the economic times continue to get worse, one growing group of local employees are continuing to see their wages, benefits and job security rival that of the conscience of gluttonous CEOs.

Private sector employee retirement and investment accounts have dropped faster than the ball in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Duluth home market values dropped an average of 11 percent in 2008 but this decline in market value is not reflected on your property tax statements.

The proliferation of local government spending resembles a denial of the reality of the economic times but when the truth is known one can see that this is clearly mindless voting by public union controlled politicians.

To make matters worse, Duluth local government unions are doubling their spending in the upcoming 2009 local elections. The same public employee unions through their Political Action Committees, PAC, spent nearly $130,000 in Duluth’s 2007 local elections according to a published article in the Duluth New Tribune. Political insiders know that the $130,000 is grossly understated when a value is added for all of the campaign work being done on the taxpayer dime (labor and use of public assets) and public union employee personal time.

Duluth’s Central Labor Body, CLB, is dominated by local public employee unions including AFSCME and the Duluth Firefighters PAC. The CLB in its December 17, 2008 edition of Labor World boasts that CLB is going to ratchet up politics locally in 2009. The following is from the CLB statement:

Beginning in January the amount of per caps that are allocated monthly to the COPE (Committee On Political Education) and GOTV (Get Out The Vote) funds will be doubled.

Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Can I afford to retire as I have previously thought?

2. How am I going to pay for my medical insurance and expenses when I retire?

3. How come the natural gas purchased from City of Duluth owned Comfort Systems to heat my house is over twice the cost of the same natural gas in St. Cloud?

Many local public employees are not in the same situation as you. The have free lifetime health care for their spouse and self. Do you?

Are your wages and benefits getting better and better? Take the time to read one of the most informative articles published in Forbes Magazine on how in the public-sector America things just keep getting better and better.

Finally, stop voting for mindless without conscience AFSCME and DFD controlled politicians who are clearly not representing your interests.

Minnesota nice view: Fair election - What a joke

2009-01-06T22:20:00.013-06:00

A Dark Knight is prevailing in Minnesota's United States Senate 2008 election fisasco.

Stupid in Duluth view: NO NO NO money is enough

2008-11-02T16:05:00.004-06:00

How much money is enough for our schools? Just a $0.45 per day more was what one blogger stated is needed to help the kids in a recent discussion on the DCB. Have you noticed that it's always only a little more, so much a day, or the equal to a can of Coke, and so on. Another DCB blogger stated "too many DFL lies for far too long".

View this excellent video below, Stupid in America by ABC’s John Stossel.

When you’re done watching the video, let us know how much money is enough.

In the meantime your humble correspondent will be voting NO NO NO on the three school board levy ballot choices.

There’s enough money the Duluth schools receive from the taxes you pay the state. Click here to see Minnesota Public School Teacher Salaries $$ The first 500 Duluth school districts average salary is $62,769 per employee. Not bad for three quarters time job.

Progressive view: Blind vision personified

2008-10-31T08:52:00.003-05:00

Some of you are old enough to remember a young charismatic very popular candidate who promised change and equality to all. Take a trip down memory lane and remember that history does repeat itself.

To Be Frank View: Cowardness and Congressional Arrogance Personified

2008-10-19T19:10:00.004-05:00

Watch this exchange between Congressman Barney Frank and Fox News host Bill O’Reilly and you will understand why the approval rating for Congress has reached single digits, nine (9) percent. Ironically 90 percent of the House of Representatives are reelected every two years.

Outstanding Leadership View: No problems at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae

2008-10-03T12:19:00.003-05:00

Mr. Chairman we do not have a problem at Freddie Mac and particularly at Fannie Mae. If you are not on Freddie Mac's or Fannie Mae's payroll, see for yourself and spread the word.

Burning Down the House View: Over the edge into Socialism

2008-09-29T20:44:00.003-05:00

The economic crisis and battle over the 700 billion dollar bailout by the Federal Government is calling an arsonist to put out the fire it started. The following link is the best synopsis of events on why we are seeing our financial assets free fall and real estate values deteriorate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxgSubmiGt8

Growing nowhere view: 100 Days of Reality

2008-04-22T21:31:00.008-05:00

100 Days of Reality in Duluth, MN - A Shrinking Community

Mayor Don Ne$$ and his administration’s first 100 days are here and with the positive campaign behind us, the reality is only starting to set in for Duluth taxpayers.

Duluth homeowners are looking at an average $7,500 per household for sewer improvements at the same time the City of Duluth funds tens of millions of taxpayer dollars on the likes of the Great Lakes Aquarium, Sister Cities programs, railroad studies, golf courses, unsold low-income housing and more.

It doesn’t stop there for Duluth homeowners as they can forget about the street monies from the Community Investment Trust, CIT, proceeds from the Fond-Du-Luth Casino agreement. The original plan was that property owners were to pay 25 percent of the cost of street improvements abutting their property. The Ne$$ Administration and Duluth City Council are looking at assessing somewhere between 75 and 100 percent of street improvements on the backs property owners. Duluth residents can say “so long” to the CIT street program and the pilfered estimated $60 million dollars of CIT funds.

Over a $5 million dollar budget shortfall is facing the Duluth taxpayers for 2008. This deficit hardly includes the increased energy costs and fallout from the national recession.

Over $270 million dollars of taxpayer obligation for retiree health care remains grossly underfunded for Duluth City employees and retirees. This issue seems to have been forgotten with all of the other governmental dysfunction.

The ISD709 Red Plan, a $437 million school district bonding improvement plan which the people of Duluth were not allowed to vote on, is directly competing with the city government need for more dollars.

At the same time, Duluth has a poverty rate twice that of the state average and the pressure is only beginning to be felt by those Duluth residents and business that do pay taxes.

Duluth is well known as a “labor town”. This past election Duluth Political Action Committees, PAC, contributed 233 percent more than the previous election, $130,000, to getting their candidates elected. These PAC expenditures were mostly led by the government worker unions, AFSCME and the Duluth Fire Department PAC.

Compile this with Minnesota ranking the 6th highest in per-capita taxes in the nation, 2nd highest corporate tax rate nationally, and is ranked 45th in its friendliness towards small business; you don’t need a degree in economics Duluth to conclude in serious financial trouble.

Speaking of economic degrees, in 2001, the Knight Foundation commissioned Ned Hill, a Professor and Distinguished Scholar of Economic Development at Cleveland State University, for an Economic Summit and presentation to the Duluth City Council. The tax base has remained relatively the same while expenses continue to go up and liabilities such as the unfunded retiree health care over doubled. Unfortunately Professor Hill’s message was ineffective and change continues to be uncommonly difficult in Duluth.

In 1960 Duluth had a population of 106,884 and today 86,319. Today there are approximately 26,000 area college students, thus Duluth’s actual year round population is estimated to be only 70,000.

Duluth city government has a long tradition of capitalizing non-essential core services and providing some of the best paying government jobs and benefits to its workers. The time to pay the piper has arrived. The actual number of taxpayers contributing to the tax base is too few to meet the obligations cause by decades of neglect and mismanagement. A population drop is imminent as more of the obligations are force upon the remaining taxpayers. Sadly, many will find it impossible to meet these demands.

After nearly nine years of Ne$$ in the system, as an elected official, one can only conclude that what's another 100 days?

The Ne$$ Administration 100 day agenda can be viewed at: http://www.duluthmn.gov/city/government/mayor/100_day_agenda.pdf

My name is Tony Ramone and I approve the use and reproduction of this opinion.

Incompetent view: Never mind Duluth residents can pick up the tab

2008-04-06T16:19:00.005-05:00

Duluth property owners are only starting to get a taste of the irony coming as they are faced with an ever growing list of Duluth public projects and the price they will have to pay because of hundreds of millions of dollars of incompetent city spending.

The latest City of Duluth announcement will cost many Duluth home owners an average of $7,500 each ($61 per month for 20 years) for fixing Duluth’s aging sewer system and eliminating sewer overflows into Lake Superior.

In the typical “just a little more” Duluth fashion, Duluth Mayor Don Ness is recommending a $60 to $80 million dollar fix for the overflow problems including a $10 per month clean-water surcharge to all resident utility bills.

Never mind the extra on your electric bill every time that sump pump kicks in as it is “just a little more”.

Never mind the fact that over $15 million City of Duluth tax dollars have gone in to an aquarium that most likely will never function without public assistance.

Never mind the fact that the City of Duluth leadership has chosen to spend several millions of Duluth citizens’ public monies on the Wet House, a low income facility for chronic alcoholics.

Never mind the fact that the City of Duluth leadership has given out millions of dollars for low income housing loans with no interest or repayment required.

Never mind the fact that the City of Duluth made a $10 million dollar bonding screw up on the now over $20 million dollar and growing SMDC parking ramp.

Did Duluth City leaders forget there is a $300 million dollar unfunded retiree health care obligation for current and future residents? Ah never mind, right?

This year Duluth city leaders voted to use $40,000 of city monies to fund the railroad feasibility study. How much more Duluth taxpayer commitment will be needed, only time will tell? And yes, never mind that many Duluth residents pay state and federal taxes that will provide the majority of funding for the railroad.

The dollars above would have easily paid for new sewers and better streets, the infrastructure that a city should provide its citizens.

Then there is the ISD709, school district, Red Plan which alone is a $437 million dollar project financially threatening many of Duluth’s residents.

Whether you own or rent in Duluth, looking ahead a few property owners may actually benefit from eminent domain, as it may be their only way out before total financial collapse of Duluth.

The delusional Duluth leadership needs to look at reality and answer the question; how much more can they tax and fee the declining number of tax paying Duluth property owners? Duluth had a population of approximately 107,000 in 1960 and only 85,000 today.

Then there is even a bigger never reported in the media question; Was the WLSSD system in Duluth designed to handle all the growing communities surrounding Duluth that have joined the WLSSD system and has this expansion contributed to the sewage overflows that Duluth residents will be flipping the bill for?

Despotic view: Public Power, Private Gain at Your Expense

2008-03-21T17:49:00.008-05:00

In a David and Goliath property rights battle the unjust use of despotic power by the City of Duluth regarding property rights is coming to its day of reckoning.

What kind of government allows a developing party to use the city government’s absolute power through condemnation or eminent domain, for private gain, without the developing party having any liability or risk?

Once again, Duluth taxpayers will soon learn the answer as they will be picking up the tab in excess of $500,000 for incompetence by former Mayor Herb Bergson, former City Clowncilor Donny Ness and his fellow Clowncil disciples, DEDA Executive Director Tom Cotruvo, and City Attorney Robert Asleson.

The Castle Coalition states: As early as 1795, the U.S. Supreme Court described the power of eminent domain—where the government takes someone’s property for a "public use"—as "the despotic power." Eminent domain has the potential to destroy lives and livelihoods by uprooting people from their homes and businesspeople from their shops. With eminent domain, the government can force a couple in their 80s to move from their home of 50 years. Eminent domain is the power to evict a small family business, even if that means the business will never reopen. (Click to read the rest of Public Power, Private Gain)

Newborn view: You ain’t seen nothing yet

2007-12-15T16:11:00.000-06:00

This Christmas season many Duluthians are in a boil over their recent property tax bill double digit increases. You can only wonder why they keep voting the way they do.

Looking ahead, one can conclude, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Duluth is in deep dung and when the Democrats take the White House next year, what are you going to give up?

The ISD709 Christmas Red plan and the City of Duluth’s catastrophic financial mess, together equal about a billion dollar delusional boondoggle, BDDB. Considering there’s a limited declining tax base to support the BDDB, when the Democrats federal tax increases hit the remaining Duluth middle class, hang on if you can.

The following cutbacks would be a good start:

Skiing at Spirit Mt.
A fish tank experience
Events at the DECC
Cable TV
Dining out
A night out to the movies
Second car
Heating your home over 60 degrees
A night at the casino
A vacation

Giving to charity

To all of my Scrooge Perfect Duluth Day fans: Yes I used the “C” word, Christmas. Now all of you politically correct freaks, get working a second job so you can pay for your internet connection and enjoy my musical salute below to an up and coming member of the Clowncil.

Snow job view: Clowncil tackles snow removal

2007-12-06T13:14:00.000-06:00

Now that the Duluth Can Can Can’t City Clowncil has resolved the retiree healthcare fiasco through the fund raiser (click here), the Duluth News Tabloid investigate team, D-team, has receive a new surveillance video link from Cheaters of members of the Clowncil assisting with the snow removal from the two recent storms.

Taxpayers of Duluth can rest assured that the over $6,000.000 budget shortfall for 2008 is easily resolved with such clever cost cutting activities as demonstrated in the surveillance video link.

An anonymous tipster provided documentation that a Duluth coalition of euphorians called the DRR’s were concerned about the cheating of Duluth taxpayers by the union dominated Clowncil. Lead Cheaters Investigator, Joey Greco informed the DRR’s that Cheaters was unable to document any inter-clowncil improprieties by its members.

Your humble correspondent was unable to validate the acronym DRR as the time the story was released.

Can can can't view: Retiree Healthcare Resolved through Clowncil fundraiser

2007-11-23T15:57:00.001-06:00

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!

Kool Aid view: Tired of the taste?

2007-11-12T17:50:00.001-06:00

You humble correspondent is looking for contrived topics for the new Kool Aid View.

Email me at ramoneanthony@gmail.com with your examples of your favorite home brew Kool Aid. Enquiring minds want to know.

Priceless view: Priceless Duluth politics

2007-11-07T10:48:00.000-06:00

Filing fee for local office $ 20 one time

20,000 phone calls $ 5,000 per day

60,000 flyers and postage $24,000 per mailing

Television and radio media blitz $ you don't want to know

Professional AFL-CIO AFSCME campign machine $ you're only beginning to know

The total “independent” expenditures BIG

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Big money self serving special interests endorsements

PRICELESS

Priceless Politics is a worth reading (click here). See any similarities?

Investigative view: AFSCME professional campaign staff uncovered

2007-11-06T15:08:00.000-06:00

November 6, 2007
Guest correspondent: Inspector Clueso
Duluth News Tabloid
http://www.duluthnewstabloid.blogspot.com/

The other DNT, TODNT, ran a story today, Big issues, hotly contested races define election 2007 in Duluth .

The story includes “In the 1st District, challenger Todd Fedora raised and spent double what his opponent and incumbent Laurie Johnson did”.

This statement is clearly biased or the TODNT is completely incompetent because they did not disclose the enormous independent expenditures that contributed to the Laurie Johnson campaign. (Click here for the definition of independent expenditures).

Duluth voters have been exposed to record breaking political expenditures this election. Voters have been inundated with intrusive campaign telemarketing phone calls, daily direct mail flyers, billboards, television ads and radio ads.

Contributors leading the way in the record independent expenditures are:

AFSCME
AFSCME Local 66
DFL
Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body
Duluth Firefighters PAC

In addition to independent expenditures above, Laurie Johnsons campaign signs were delivered to AFSCME’s local office and set up in local yards by AFSCME employees on the job. It is unknown what the dollar value of a professional campaign staff is, but reviewing the AFSCME salaries appears to demonstrate a substantial worth.

The Department of Labor allows for the public to review the happenings within labor unions. (Click here to do your own search).

For Union Abbreviation, choose AFSCME

For State, choose Minnesota

Click on Submit

Choose 543-153 2006 Report for State & County Muni Empls AFL-CIO Leadership Council 5, at the top.

Hang on as you review the $19,486,341 of AFSCME Council 5 wages and disbursements including a whooping $555,813 for the professional Duluth AFSCME campaign staff of Eric Lehto, Sarah Lewerenz, Laurie Johnson, Pam Lofquist, Ken Loffler-Kemp, Marshall Stenerson and Mary Theurer.

This Duluth News Tabloid guest correspondent concludes either the TODNT does not want you to know the truth or is incapable of understanding and investigating the political process they are reporting to the public.

Lack of truth or credibility, you decide by voting on the poll to the right.

Front view: Special interests and unions dominate incumbent Councilor's financial reports

2007-10-26T20:58:00.000-05:00

The DNT has received public records of District 1 Councilor’s Laurie Johnson’s campaign financial report. The donations most notably are dominated by the usual labor interests. (Click on the image for full detail)

AFSCME heavy hitter Eric Lehto, AFSCME and multiple donations from Progressive Action lead the way. It should be noted that Progressive Action is led by Barb Olson, wife of AFSCME Field Representative Marshall Stenersen.

Laurie Johnson states that she is for “working” families and represents all the people of District 1. Councilor Johnson’s voting record has demonstrated a clear and consistent record of supporting union interests. Councilor Johnson has equally voted against non-union employers. So we want to know, what working families is Councilor Johnson for, the one’s paying dues that pay her salary, the out of town unions funding the campaign, or the all working families of Duluth, union and non-union?

Councilor Johnson is an employee of AFSCME Local 66, the same union that represents two thirds of the City of Duluth employees. A review of Councilor Johnson’s website fails to indicate her employment with the City of Duluth’s largest union.

The DNT attempted to have Councilor Johnson explain “working” families and all of the people of District 1, but Johnson was not available for comment.

In the beginning

2007-10-18T21:54:00.000-05:00

Peace