Found this through @YouTubeTrends. Ouch! The truth hurts. Found at YouTube from TheSecondCityNetwork.

Minnesota Government Shutdown Flag Photo courtesy David Erickson

So our state government has shut down due to failure to reach a compromise to bridge the gap in our budget.

I blame the Republicans completely and without reservation.

Their insane instance against raising taxes (even though they are perfectly happy to impose fees but a tax by any other name…, you know), even for merely the most well-off amongst us (who have made out like bandits since the Clinton Administration), is unreasonable by any standard.

Further, philosophically, conservatives are opposed to government so seeing it shut down ain’t no thing to them. Democrats, on the other hand, believe in government, believe in its ability to serve people and do good. For that very reason, they want the government to remain open.

I gotta believe Governor Dayton went the last mile in an effort to keep the ship of state sailing.

Pathetic.

Yay for reason! Yay for science! Yay for facts! I admit I was dreading watching this video for fear of where our very own Miss Minnesota, Brittany Thelemann, for stating rather definitely and eminently reasonably that evolution should be taught in our schools.

I’d say it makes gives me hope for the future were it not for so many of the rest of her fellow Miss USA candidates who said No, or Yes, But or, worse, All Opinions Should Be Taught. Still, way to go Brittany! Found at YouTube from seng12900 via Washington Post.

This is pretty funny. Stephen Colbert lampoons Tim Pawlenty’s GOP debate performance. Found at Comedy Central.

Parents and grandparents and the caregivers who assist them twenty-four hours a day sharing their feelings on funding for older adult services in the face of a potential Minnesota government shutdown. (The video was produced by a client of my employer, Tunheim.) Minnesota Government Shutdown from LTCImperative.

UPDATED: 5/28/11: I participated on the Civil Rights, Civic Discourse & Civic Responsibility in a High Tech World panel for the Hubert H. Humphrey Centennial Reunion & Policy Discussion held May 27, 2011, at Minneapolis City Hall.

Do Online Technologies Contribute To Civic Discourse? from David Erickson.

Hubert H. Humphrey Centennial Reunion Invitation From Vice President Walter Mondale

Hubert H. Humphrey Birthday Centennial Reunion from Tottencom.

Hubert H. Humphrey Civil Rights Speech Before The 1948 Democratic National Convention

One of the greatest speeches ever given: Hubert H. Humphrey’s 1948 Civil Rights Speech at the Democratic National Convention. Found at YouTube from AmericanSpeeches.

Kathleen Sebelius: Health & Human Services Celebration Of Hubert H. Humphrey

Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius discusses Hubert H. Humphrey’s legacy and a screening of excerpts of The Art Of The Possible, a documentary about Humphrey, and a discussion with filmmaker Mick Caouette. Found at YouTube from USGOVHHS.

Governor Mark Dayton Remembers Hubert H. Humphrey

Found at YouTube from craigstellmacher.

Congressman Keith Ellison Remembers Hubert H. Humphrey

Found at YouTube from craigstellmacher.

Mayor R.T. Rybak Remembers Hubert H. Humphrey

Found at YouTube from craigstellmacher.

State Senator John Marty Remembers Hubert H. Humphrey

Found at YouTube from craigstellmacher.

Justice Paul H. Anderson Remembers Hubert H. Humphrey

Found at YouTube from craigstellmacher.

Tom Tipton Remembers Hubert H. Humphrey

Found at YouTube from craigstellmacher.

Larry Redmond Remembers Hubert H. Humphrey

Found at YouTube from craigstellmacher.

Robert Tennessen Remembers Hubert H. Humphrey

Found at YouTube from craigstellmacher.

Robert E. Hansen Remembers Hubert H. Humphrey

Found at YouTube from craigstellmacher.

Rich Neumeister Remembers Hubert H. Humphrey

Found at YouTube from craigstellmacher.

MN2020: Hubert H. Humphrey’s Legacy

Found at YouTube from MN2020.

Madeline Koch, a friend and former colleague of mine, testified recently in opposition to SF 1308 in the Minnesota state Senate, a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in Minnesota. Except for the party designation, Madeline’s testimony is word-for-word how I feel about the matter.
Minnesota same-sex marriage ban from MadelineKoch.

Wanna see something scary? The Atlantic created an interactive map that displays how median income has changed during the past 30 years, by county.

This is what Minnesota looks like with regard to Empty Nesters, an older and less diverse population than average, with plenty of retirees on fixed incomes. That means they don’t spend a whole lot and they account for a huge percentage of health care costs. Demographics is destiny:

Fixed Income Minnesota Map

Geraldine Ferraro, the first female vice-presidential candidate, picked by Minnesota’s own Walter Mondale as his running mate for his 1984 presidential run, died this morning, according to the Associated Press. Found at YouTube from EVGINC.

Don’t tell me I don’t love America! Take THAT, France!

Freedom Crispies