Michele Bachmann and Gangster Christianism

Bachmann has been describing the Obama administration as a "gangster government". This all started back in November when Bachman and Mark Levin called Rahm Emanuel a "scoundrel" and compared Emanuel and Barack Obama to "The Sopranos". Bachmann is apparently hoping that people will associate Chicago politicians with notorious Chicago gangsters such as Al Capone... a very silly association that could backfire on Bachmann since the Twin Cities has a notorious history of being a safe haven for gangsters (read Paul Maccabee's "John Dillinger Slept Here" about St. Paul or read this old article in the City Pages about corruption and organized crime in Minneapolis). Stearns County in Bachmann's district was a major producer of moonshine (Minnesota 13) exported by organzed crime to a thirsty, Prohibition-era nation. But, even more ironic are Bachmann's associations with money-grubbing, "prosperity gospel" Christianists.... some who have allegedly broken the law... and others who have been convicted of crimes. There is Mac Hammond who allegedly broke IRS law when he was caught on a Dump Bachmann video giving his "personal" endorsement of Michele Bachmann.... and, what happened to this investigation?: Pastor Mac Hammond and Living Word Christian Center–under investigation by the Internal Revenue Service for alleged favorable loans and compensation provided to Hammond by the church’s board–had their day in court Thursday as the mega-church fights to keep certain documents related to church finances out of the hands of the IRS. Specifically, the IRS is looking for detailed information regarding favorable loans the church made to Hammond of almost $2 million and payments the church made to Hammond to rent a hangar for the church’s jet. Eva posted the news about Bachmann's appearance at a Phyllis Schlafly organized conference in September. One of the people appearing with Bachmann is Rick Joyner (MorningStar Ministries) The following video from a few months ago was uploaded on You Tube recently. The video description: Morningstar Ministries founder Rick Joyner, whose ministry purchased Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker's palatial ministry estate in the mid 2000's and his ministry has since rehabilitated the vast dilapidated complex, describes meeting with Congressional leaders including Michelle Bachmann, and talks of a several-hour long phone talk with Sarah Palin. Google Rick Joyner and find bizarre stuff like this: Todd Bentley marries woman he had affair with; Rick Joyner wants you to send Bentley some money There's a bizarre video with Joyner and a tattooed Bentley called "Todd Bentley's Restoration with Rick Joyner" Who is Todd Bentley? Bentley is a "preacher" who claims he "heals" people by beating them up... a thug for Jesus!?!... I'm not putting you on... watch: Then there is Bachmann's association with the convicted Bible and wife-hurling Mark Olson. Bachmann doesn't have a problem with thugs... especially thuggish Christianists. Michele Bachmann opposed anti-bullying legislation because it might "turn boys into girls." Bachmann said a prayer for the "You Can Run, But You Can't Hide" ministry who toured public schools and subjected students to a program so extreme, students ran out crying: And then there is Bachmann's association with Frank Vennes Jr. Vennes pleaded to money laundering, cocaine and gun trafficking in 1987: In August 1986, IRS agents investigating suspected money laundering by certain North Dakota car dealers were told that Vennes, a Bismarck pawnshop owner, had made numerous trips to Switzerland and might have experience in transferring funds to a foreign country. An undercover agent, posing as a Chicago investor, contacted Vennes and asked for help in transferring cash abroad. Vennes later admitted that in the next three months he and his codefendants received $370,000 from the undercover agent and transferred it, minus their substantial commissions, to the Bahamas, the Isle of Man, and Switzerland without complying with federal currency transaction reporting laws. In the last transaction, Vennes personally delivered $100,000 to Switzerland, where his associates lost or stole it. In May 1987, Vennes was charged in three indictments with numerous money laundering, firearm, and drug offenses. Acting on the advice of his attorney, whom he now accuses of ineffective assistance, Vennes entered into a plea agreement under which he pleaded guilty to one count of the money laundering indictment, and also pleaded nolo contendere to one count of illegally selling a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. Sec. 922(b)(3) and to an information charging that he used a telephone to facilitate distribution of cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. Sec. 843(b). In her pardon request for Frank Vennes Jr., this is how Michele Bachmann described Vennes: “As a U.S. Representative, I am confident of Mr. Vennes’ successful rehabilitation and that a pardon will be good for the neediest of society. Mr. Vennes is seeking a pardon so that he may be further used to help others. As I know from personal experience, Mr. Vennes has used his business position and success to fund hundreds of nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping the neediest in our society. The Fidelis Foundation, backed by Mr. Vennes, has directed over $10.7 million in total gifts in the last three years, and the Fidelis Foundation has ranked #6, #9 and #7 as the largest grant-making foundation in Minnesota over the past three years.” Fidelis Foundation was mentioned in a recent superseding indictment of Tom Petters. According to the Feds, Frank Vennes got mixed up in Petters Ponzi scheme. Vennes has not been indicted, however much of his property has been confiscated (including buckets of gold and silver coins he kept in the basement of his lakefront mansion in Shoreview). The Feds say Vennes knew something about the scheme right about the time that Bachmann wrote the pardon letter (December 2007). Listen to Vennes talk about "God and Money". The next time Bachmann uses the term "gangster government" reporters should ask Bachmann about her relationships to racketeering Christianists and Bible-thumping thumpers.

Bachmann on Bullying

Listening to Bachmann's pal Sarah Pallin whine about her treatment by the media, reminded me of something.... ah, yes... from the DB archives (2006): audiovideo Bachmann on schoolyard bullying: i think for all us our experience in public schools is there have always been bullies, always have been, always will be. i just don't know how we're ever going to get to point of zero tolerance and what does it mean? I guess, several questions that was comment, one question would be what would be our definition of bullying? will it get to the point where we are completely stifling free speech and expression? will it mean that what form of behavior will there be, will we be expecting boys to be girls what is it exactly that we're asking for? i don't say that as a sexist comment but there are just differences with boys and girls when they're on the playground, when they're in the classroom. None of us like inappropriate behavior, none of us like sassy children, but there's just a fact of life that as we grow up, we're kind of little barbarians when we're two and our process as mothers and fathers is to civilize our children I just don't know how we can realistically expect a zero tolerance of bullying behavior.

Michele Bachmann to Speak at Phyllis Schlafly Organized Conference

Right Wing Watch: But Huckabee isn’t going to have the right-wing adulation all to himself as Rep. Michelle Bachmann has now confirmed her appearance at the conference as well. RWW also notes: Just look at this list of organizers and hosts: Michael Farris is the founder of the Home School Legal Defense Association and Patrick Henry College, as well as the author of the Parental Rights Amendment. Don Wildmon is Chairman of the American Family Association, the boycott-happy right-wing group that recently went after Miley Cyrus for Twittering her views that Jesus loves everyone, whether they are gay or straight. Joseph Farah is the founder of WorldNetDaily, one of the main forces behind the "birther" movement and just about every other right-wing conspiracy. Phyllis Schlafly of the Eagle Forum believes that married women can't be raped by their husbands. Mat Staver is the founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, the group that is still selling the "proud to be a right-wing extremist" cards, who, earlier this year at CPAC, declared that gay marriage would lead to an entire generation of violent criminals. Rick Scarborough of Vision America recently traveled to Notre Dame to protest along with Alan Keyes and Randall Terry and, just last week, issued a statement decrying the administration's recognition of LBGT pride month, saying that gays have nothing to be proud of and that those "who engage in unnatural acts should hang their heads in shame." But none of Huckabee's former supporters has become more deranged than Janet Porter of Faith2Action, who declared that anyone who votes for Obama will go to hell, has used her column at WorldNetDaily to advance the birther conspiracy against Obama and lead the fight against hate crimes legislation, dubbed the "Pedophile Protection Act", by inundating Congress with faxes, all while simultaneously leading the right-wing effort against the Department of Homeland Security report on right-wing extremism by launching an ad campaign demanding Janet Napolitano's resignation. Just about every insane right-wing conspiracy theory currently in circulation has been embraced by one or more of the organizers of this event, all of whom have actively worked to spread the fear that Obama and the Democrats are out to destroy Christianity and turn America into a socialist hellhole.

St Cloud Times Gives Kudos to Michele Bachmann

Our view: Bachmann earns praise for listening on Northstar St. Cloud Times Editorial Board July 6, 2009 Kudos — yes, kudos — to 6th District Rep. Michele Bachmann for her finally embracing a common-sense approach to balancing constituents’ demands with her personal views. Bachmann last week sat down with Sherburne and Stearns county commissioners to hear why they believe she should make an exception to her personal view of "no earmarks" and seek federal funds to expand the Northstar commuter rail line from Big Lake to St. Cloud. This project enjoys plenty of local support, yet Bachmann’s personal vow to avoid earmarks has been a huge stumbling block in potentially accessing millions of new federal dollars being made available for projects like this nationwide. A Times news report about the meeting Tuesday quoted Bachmann as saying she personally supports the idea but won’t seek an earmark unless the state Department of Transportation and the St. Cloud Area Planning Organization give it a priority ranking. Well, the APO already has passed a measure seeking Federal Railroad Administration funding, and county leaders report MnDOT now considers the project eligible for federal funding. Couple that with Bachmann’s quotes and it looks like the expansion might finally have the broad local support it needs to compete for federal funds. Of course, Bachmann runs some political risk if she agrees to earmark funds for the project. It would be her sixth earmark even though back in 2008 she pledged to avoid them and work to change congressional rules. We repeat today the theme we struck then as debate raged about how to fund replacing the suddenly closed DeSoto Bridge: We appreciate and encourage her to change the earmark process. Some significant steps have been made lately such as requiring more disclosure and better justifications of various requests. Certainly, though, more must be done. In the meantime, an effective legislator will work within the rules to provide the best possible service to constituents. For the Northstar expansion, that's what Sen. Amy Klobuchar is doing. It's what Norm Coleman did. And we sure hope it's what Al Franken will do. It will be interesting to see if Michele Bachmann follows through, considering her well documented hysterical opposition to rail transit.

Bachmann Talks to the Tea-Baggers

Posted on Grizzly Groundswell: audiovideo I also have the privilege of working for hard-pressed freedom loving taxpayers from all across our great country my deep and sincere thanks and appreciation you're all patriots in my book you know just as well as I do that the actions that have been taken recently by this government can be considered gangster government as columnist Michael Barone wrote because our government is working against the best interests of all Americans. what must our founding fathers be thinking right now as they look down from heaven on what they see happening in our country. It seems like there are very few here in Washington today who are left who understand the founding principles of our nation. what makes us uniquely American is not big intrusive government it's that we want to provide for ourselves and we want the government to get out of our way Government exists for us, to give us equal opportunity... but today it seems that government is operating only to give government a leg up. we need to lower taxes across the board will really help to turn our economy around. And before we do that we need to radically reduce runaway spending families shouldn't be the only ones sacrificing I think it's high time that government tightened it's belt too the government should not have unlimited access to your credit card ...so all of you that are gathered here, and in cities all across the country, this is a good start but we have to keep the pressure on. Never forget that it was economic liberty and personal liberty that are intertwined and you can't have one without the other. and from the bottom of my heart I want to thank you. Your passion and your love for God bless you, patriots and keep up your great work

Little papers criticize Bachmann

Worthington is a town out towards the South Dakota border. Fergus Falls is a town between St. Cloud and Fargo. The Worthington Daily Globe and the Daily Journal of Fergus Falls ran the following piece: ...Michele Bachmann, who represents the 6th District, has said she will not fully complete her family’s census information form because she thinks most of the information it seeks is private. It’s an odd argument coming from someone whose job is to make laws, and it sets a very unfortunate example... ...We wonder whether Bachmann believes all Americans should make their own interpretations of the Constitution and act accordingly. If so, there will be no need for 95 percent of the laws Congress creates. And, of course, we would have chaos. Bachmann is in a unique position as one of the nation’s most powerful leaders. She has the ability to change the way the Census is conducted. Doing that, rather than flouting the law, would be the responsible thing to do. And, in fact, we wish she would lead a drive to make the Census less intrusive rather than arguing for near-anarchy. Michele Bachmann is setting a terrible example for her constituents and all Americans. What she ought to do is use the power of her office to change things for the better, rather than leading a rebellion of lawlessness. This is a sign that media across the state are committing themselves to making things less stupid and dangerous.

Michele Bachmann's Crock of Global Warming Denial

Last week, on KKMS, Bachmann made the claim that "the earth is cooling". Listen: Peter Sinclair's Climate Crock of the Week takes on that canard and other favorite canards of global warming skeptics: audiovideo Alan Carlin study B: Lisa is the head of the epa she made a big statement that this was going to ultra-accountable transparent EPA has ever seen science would drive the results, not ideology well just the opposite happened study written by a PHD graduate of MIT which showed our environment is not endangered by carbon dioxide as a matter of fact we've cooled for the last eleven years we haven't been warming we're seeing an increase in current change with the Atlantic ocean that just completely refuts and he said ? has more to do with whether we're cold than carbon dioxide. well the EPA in the emails that came out show they intentionally suppressed this important study from Congress why, because if there's no problem with global warming why have this radical solution which is a two trillion dollar tax increase. Obama administration told the EPA suppress this study so that members of Congress couldn't see it. That was appalling. we need to have an investigation on why that happened.

The Bachmann Prey-In

Originally Published in 2004: The Bachmann Prey-In From Checks and Balances.... Sen. Michele Bachmann (R-52, Stillwater) brought a number of people on the floor of the state Senate last week while it was not in session. This is not an unusual event because legislators often bring visitors onto the floor to show them the surroundings. The difference this time is Bachmann led the people she brought into the chamber to the various desks of members of the Senate that she believed would not be voting for her Gay Marriage ban and they prayed over the desks. People viewing this thought they were witnessing a séance or an exorcism as they watched these people move about the chamber. This is not the first time Bachmann has taken non-traditional approaches in the foisting her opinion and that of her acolytes into the political arena. She rallied her supporters to storm the Senate chamber earlier in the session when the Gay Marriage ban was voted down as an amendment. Sounds rather typical of Bachmann's cult following.

Is Bachmann the Next GOP "Shooting Star" to Fall to Earth?

CBS: On "The Early Show Saturday Edition," Rollins, who headed up former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee's 2008 White House run, told co-anchor Erica Hill that Palin's Friday news conference "raised a lot more questions than she answered. Usually, at a press conference, you answer questions. I think the bottom line is you saw a shooting star come crashing to Earth. DB reader Wellstone's Ghost asks: Bachmann back rub for Palin? National Joke subheading Where's that clip of Michele groping Sarah's upper backside? Watch that at 6:00: audiovideo Norm Coleman introduces Bachmann at McCain Palin rally B: so how do you feel about pro life mothers of five? Welcome to the 5th congressional district of MN three years ago Obama was busy with his second autobiography boo because goodness knows one just wasn't enough three years ago McCain stood in the well of the US Senate warning his colleagues and the American people of an impending economic collapse like we have seen in this last week his democrat colleagues did everything they could to block John McCain and stood strong and fought for reform What did Barack Obama do? He hired the man towards the head of corrupt who backed the mortgages. what did he hire him to do, he hired him to head up his vice presidetnial search committee. hows that working for you, Barack? I think we know how soon to be president McCain's vice presidential search committee worked out. pretty good deal huh? Sarah Palin back to me two months ago when I was up in ANWR, the most perfect place on the planet to drill (cheers) when I was with Sarah Palin two months ago we had a lot in common we'd both been married a long time mothers of five strong fiscal conservative both believed in American energy independence beginning with ANWR cheers and we believed first always and last the United States of America about God and country i can tell you from first hand experience Sarah Palin is the real deal and she and John McCain are wearing the white hat they're on their horses they're coming over the horizon and we've just got to walk them in to the victory. (Palin hug at around 6:00)

The Triumph of Billius Prendergastius (in celebration of victory over the Local Media.)

It is the Fourth of the July, a great American holiday—a time for celebration of the republic. And thus I adjudged this the perfect day for celebrating my triumph over the Star Tribune. The triumph is a victory parade of the kind that the Romans gave to a conqueror. I am giving this one to myself, since you could wait around this blog for five more years scratching your balls before anyone else suggested giving you one. Remember that this particular triumph is a triumph of the Republican period—not of the Empire, because I hate that. The celebration is recounted in this excerpt from: THE ANNALS OF DUMP BACHMANN …This was accounted a signal victory, in light of the disproportion of the battling forces and the unfairness of things—Prendergastius, with no budget, no troops, and grumbling colleagues, had finally defeated the chief tribe of the Local Media despite these odds against him. For it had been decided by the commanders, many years before at the very outset of the campaign, that a chief obstacle to the removal of Queen Bachmannia was the complacency, venality and cowardice of the Local Media—the barbarian tribes who styled themselves “the professional journalists of Minnesota.” These fancied themselves very highly because they collected small salaries, pittances, to report the news—or rather, not to report it, when it reflected poorly on Queen Bachmannia. In return for their silence, their masters allowed them to keep their pitiable paid positions; though every so often there was a bloodbath ( or “layoff,” in their language.) The terrified survivors of such a bloodbath emerged even more compliant than before in their willingness to suppress the news of Queen Bachmannia’s madness, for that would upset their masters and contacts. Thus the commanders came to understand that the cowardly and deliberate silence of the Local Media was one of the chief reasons for the mad queen’s rise to power. The commanders decided that if the queen was ever to fall, the Local Media must first be driven into admitting her madness to the public. And this spurred a campaign of no less than four years (actually many more) to force the greatest tribe of the Local Media (the Star Tribunicum, or “Stribici” as they were called) to acknowledge the extremism and paranoia of the queen, and proclaim it to the people. For it was understood that if the Stribici, the greatest of the paper tribes, was to yield on this, the lesser media could do naught but follow. Many actions were fought by the generals; media contacts were made and truths were told and lies were exposed and many engagements with the enemy were fought. But the Local Media would not give ground; they refused to yield or even to acknowledge the small forces the generals could raise against them. There were many small victories against the Local Media, but they were of little strategic value and small consequence in the province. Though few understood it at the time, the tide of the war turned when foreign kings—Olbermann, Maddow, and Matthews—finally got a look at Queen Bachmannia and proclaimed her madness to the world. Media from the greater world outside the province saw what the queen was as soon as she stepped forth from the cold wasteland of Minnesota and into the hot spotlight of television; they saw that she was nuts. Of its own accord, a small but daily tribe, the Sanctus Cloudius Tempii, proclaimed the extremism of the queen to the people—their voices were brave but counted for little with the other print media and broadcasters. And still the Stribici held fast, and would not admit of her extremism. And so, Prendergastius, without consulting his fellow commanders, built an engine to lay siege to the Stribici: a marvelous work of art to be mounted in the Citius Pagius, designed to charge the Stribici and other Local Media with cowardice and suppression of the facts and the newsworthy over the years. Against all expectation, the plan of Prendergastius worked. Less than forty days after he mounted his attack, the Star Tribunicum announced its humiliating surrender to the truth in the very editorial pages of its dying empire. Their surrender read as if it had been drawn from the text of Prendergastius’ own comic engine in Citius Pagius: chastened, the editors of the Stribici admitted the queen was a panic monger and demagogue who saw conspiracies where none existed, and that she had been thus since the earliest days of her rise. And so the Stribici capitulated after years of struggling against all that was newsworthy in Minnesota politics. Prendergastius decided that he was to be rewarded with a triumph. And it was in triumph he brought much booty before him into the City. This was the order of the procession: First, elephants weighted down with chains, symbolic of the mad queen’s party. Then, trumpeters; drawn from the ranks of Dump Bachmann readers. Maidens of both sexual preferences followed, dancing, playing flutes and strewing rose petals to prepare the way for the conqueror and his allies. Carts with the spoils of war followed, overflowing with vast piles of Strib puff pieces about Bachmannia-- ostensibly political pieces written by former fashion and weather reporters who had failed to proclaim her extremism and lies to the public; printouts of Strib emails documenting their refusal to run corrections, demands by Strib editors to keep their answers to charges of error out of the public eye. These were the arms of the enemies of the people, captured and stripped of their efficacy, now put on display for all the citizens to see. Then came bulls for sacrifice, representing the bullshit that the Stribici and other “professional local news organizations” had printed instead of news over the year. The death of the bulls would represent an end to the bullshit they had printed about Bachmann’s footwear, etc. in place of the real news that they had avoided printing for nine years: the news, never before printed in the pages but now printed nine years later, that a mad conspiracy nut had been placed in a position of public trust with their knowledge and complicity. After that: slaves bearing an oversize depiction of the Stribici “surrender to reality” editorial and their editorial masthead: the arms and insignia of the conquered enemy. And then the enemy leaders themselves, the editors and reporters and paid bloggers and other captives. They pass before the jeering crowd, sullen and defeated, for now they know the majesty of the Internet and the power of the political cartoon. They include D.J. Ticius, conservative political team editor. Alongside him trudges Kevinus Diaz, the Washington correspondent of the Stribici who printed stories of Bachmannia’s photo ops with pop stars in place of news, and printed her lies as though these were truths, and hailed her as a “populist” when she was in fact a dangerous nut. And here is Ericus Blackus, former senior political correspondent for the Stribici, weighed down with the riches of his buy-out package. On his head is strapped the huge spike he used to spike the evidence of Bachmannia’s cruelty and conspiracy madness just before her first election to national power. Following him on shivering donkey with its tongue cut out, is Kim Odious, who labored to produce a front page puff piece on Bachmannia that said much about her high heels and 23 foster children, but nothing of her extremism and slavish obedience to the national theocratic right. The shivering, tongueless donkey represents “a trembling dumb ass”--the editor who commissioned the puff piece and refused to run corrections. The lictors of the imperator, their standards wreathed with laurel. These are the hundreds of purchasers, drawn from every state in the union except Hawaii (so far) of Prendergastius’ new comic book political biography of Bachmann, available (with footnotes) at www.biasedliberalmedia.com And now the imperator himself, Bilius Prendergastius, in a chariot drawn by four white horses. He raises his hand to salute the crowd as he passes, receiving their ovation. His face is painted red, to symbolize humility. And next to him in the chariot stands his wife, suspending the golden crown of oak leaves over his head and whispering in his ear “Momento mori”—“remember that you are only a mortal.” (The whispering becomes annoying to Prendergastius after a while, but he cannot bring himself to behead her.) After the imperator, his colleagues in arms, given a place of honor at his wishes, though these two share a smaller, more inexpensive looking chariot. First come Eva Youngia and Karlus Bremerius, taking the applause of the crowd. They fought bravely at Prendergastius’ side through the years, though they questioned his judgment and people skills and told him that the Local Media was to be courted, and not alienated. Indeed Karlus had told the troops publicly that Prendergastius would “never have a career in media relations,” but such slights are forgotten on this joyous day. Then, carried on a litter owing to his ill health and saluting the crowd, Marcus Hansonius, a brave veteran of the struggle. Behind him, riding a white stallion—no, it is his own device, a bicycle—the brave general Avidorus, who advised Prendergastius to contact the editors of the Citius Pagius. Then the editors of the Citius Pagius, who ran the Prendergastius piece that finally forced the hand of the Stribici, and put it on the front page. They are borne aloft on the shields of the troops, for theirs was “the media platform” from which the crucial attack was launched. Though they gave Prendergastius no funds (for they had none), their aid was indispensible. Finally, the allied army of Bachmann foes, now millions nationwide. They march without weapons or armor, but clad in togas of citizens and wearing wreaths. With one hand they point to Bachmannia’s portrait, with the other they point at the sides of their heads and swivel their index fingers to signal her madness. Exotic animals, musicians and slaves carrying pictures of conquered lies, and signs with names of remaining local media that must fall, now that the Stribici have finally been overcome. Together with a painting of the surrender of the Stribici editorial board, catapults, ballistae and all the other engines of the print media are carried along, as well as the ornaments of a peace of long duration and of democratic opulence. Plate of skillfully wrought silver and bronze, inscribed with the phrase “Yep, she’s a lying demagogue, alright,” other household furniture, precious garments and many renowned statues of journalists past and present who had actually lost their jobs by virtue of their commitment to telling the public the truth. Finally, eight more captured elephants, because, what the hell, it’s a parade, and I’m feeling good this week, ladies and gentlemen, very good indeed. Finally, here's a picture, because dare2sayit asked for pictures. It's short, but it gives you an idea of what I'm going for here. (That's not my wife in the chariot with me, that's just an extra. My wife is shy.) And here's some footage sent in by jonerik (who is a loyal comrade in arms and really should get a place of honor on the reviewing stand.) It's from Ben Hur and it has the girls scattering rose petals, but I hesitate to provide it because Charlton Heston is in the chariot with me instead of my wife (there's apparently no way to edit him out of these things.) And there's some old queen in this clip pretending to be emperor, which I think is kind of stuck up.

Michele Bachmann: National Joke

Everyone is laughing at Michele Bachmann: Daily Kos"Overheard in Michele Bachmann's office" Headzup: Liz Winstead on the Ed Schultz show:

VIDEO: Guardian's Michael Tomasky Talks About Bachmann's Census Paranoia

See it at Michael Tomasky's blog at the Guardian website: Tomasky talk: Michele Bachmann and her senseless census boycottAmerican editor-at-large, Michael Tomasky, looks at congresswoman Michele Bachmann's planned census boycott "Eats Wombats" left us this comment: "The people of Minnesota are to be congratulated on providing such truly world class entertainment!"

Is Tarryl Clark Getting in the CD 6 Race?

MN Publius claims she is making calls. Rumors are in fact so fierce that it’s like playing a game of “telephone”. Tarryl has been contacting folks about a run for Congress, and it is believed that, while we do think she was once eyeing the Gov seat, she is now angling for the US House. Sorry for the confusion and the misspeak.

Bachmann on KKMS Today

Bachmann has a new tin-foil hat crusade. Bachmann is calling for an investigation to see if the EPA suppressed a report by economist Alan Carlin. That report was described by NASA Climate researcher Gavin Schmidt this way: “a ragbag collection of un-peer reviewed web pages, an unhealthy dose of sunstroke, a dash of astrology and more cherries than you can poke a cocktail stick at.” Listen: In this excerpt, Bachmann questions the decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court that Al Franken won the election. She also talks about her Census crusade. Bachmann: "I think there's a point where we need to just say 'no' to our government" Listen: audiovideo, first KKMS clip: J: aware of Alan Carlin and the study the EPA decided to suppress didn't come out until after you voted on the bill B: Lisa Jackson is the head of EPA she made a big statement science this was going to be an ultra-accountable transparent would drive the results and not ideology--well just the opposite Phd graduate of MIT that showed our environment was not endangered by C02 . As a matter of fact we've cooled for the last eleven years. He just completely refutes. Well, the EPA in the emails that came out show that they intentionally suppresesd , they did not want this to come out before the vote. because if there's no problem with global warming, why have this radical solution which is a 2 trillion dollar tax increase. they censored it so that members of the congress couldn't see it. it was appalling and we need to have an investigation about why this happened. audiovideo, second KKMS clip: was in St. Cloud on everyone's mind is this subject of cap and trade they are scared to death and they have every reason to be Al Franken it was 5-0 decision. I actually believed that we would see Bush v Gore applied. I haven't read the decision. the US supreme ct has ruled under Bush v Gore whatever the election law is, is should be applied equally and fairly in each precinct in the state. That's why 4000 ballots were not allowed. unfortunately, MN sup ct allowed that to stand. it is isn't really about which politician wins, it's about how the law is applied. I don't see how the law could have possibly been applied. census go to my website or bachmann.com petition online that ACORN should not be receiving federal funds, should not be involved as a national partner in census taking. I have a copy of actual census questions, short form and long form. Do they want the fed gov to know their name, race, telephone, etc. do they feel secure that the federal government will keep their info safe J: is it inaccurate that the law says we are required to fill it out? MB: the federal law says that you need to fill out entire survey--should the federal govt ask about people's mental capacity, etc. If wealthy and do not want to fill out census just pay fine. if you're not wealthy, you are in a difficult situation. The purpose of the census is to count the people in the country. The one question they don't ask on the census is if your an American citizen. L: I always cross out everything when they ask your ethnic background and write that I'm an American. B: You can get a 500 dollar fine (sic)if you don't answer the question. We had census people in our office, asked them what if we don't fill out census. We'll have six contacts with you, if you don't fill out they go to neighbors. I think there's a point where we need to just say 'no' to our government. Our government is taking over and nationalizing one area of our economy after another. They've just taken away 3400 dealerships from privately owned people. L: How do they keep adding question to census? who gets to decide what they are, and how can we rein that in. MB: that's my point. I'm not telling any of your listeners that they should not fill out the census. For my comfort level, for myself and my family, I don't trust a national partner like ACORN with my private information. Members of Congress have their computers tapped into,I do not feel comfortable giving all my info to the federal govt and have them keep it private.

Celebrate the 4th of July with e-cards from Michele

From the Democratic Governor's Association: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Thursday, July 2, 2009 Emily DeRose, [redacted] Celebrate the Fourth with Michele Bachmann Washington, D.C. – This Fourth of July, celebrate our freedom with Michele Bachmann’s unique brand of patriotism! From the woman who said that President Obama may have “anti-American views” and that reporters should investigate which elected officials are “pro-America,” comes news that she is considering a run for governor of Minnesota. If Michele Bachmann knows anything, it's that out-dated ideas — like helping the middle class — are ruining this country. And in a year when hospitals are struggling, teachers are being laid off and road repairs are delayed, Bachmann's ideas are exactly what we need if we are going to truly protect our billionaires. As Bachmann weighs her gubernatorial options, the Democratic Governors Association is helping Minnesotans remind their friends and family about how she would celebrate. Visit DraftBachmann.com to send your very own Fourth of July e-card to your friends and family.

Press Release from 3 Conservative Republicans Calling Out Michele Bachmann for Her Kooky Census Comments

Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 1, 2009 Republicans Encourage Bachmann to End Census Boycott WASHINGTON – Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10), Congressman Lynn Westmoreland (GA-3), and Congressman John Mica (FL-7), Republican members of the Census Oversight Subcommittee, released the following statement regarding Congresswoman Michele Bachmann's boycott of the 2010 Decennial Census. "We share Ms. Bachmann's concerns about ACORN’s involvement in the 2010 Census and will continue pressuring the Bureau to follow their own guidelines for partnering organizations and dump ACORN. However, we can not emphasize enough how important it is for every individual to fill out their census forms. "Every elected representative in this country should feel a responsibility to encourage full participation in the census. To do otherwise is to advocate for a smaller share of federal funding for our constituents. Boycotting the constitutionally-mandated census is illogical, illegal and not in the best interest of our country. “The unfortunate irony is that Ms. Bachmann's boycott only increases the likelihood that ACORN-recruited census takers will be dispatched to her constituents' homes. Anyone who completes and returns their census form will remove any need for a census taker to visit their residence. "Furthermore, a boycott opens the door for partisans to statistically adjust census results. The partisan manipulation of census data would irreparably transform the census from being the baseline of our entire statistical system into a tool used to wield political power in Washington. "NOTE: The 2010 Decennial Census, not to be confused with the American Community Survey, will strictly utilize a short-form questionnaire for the first time ever. Under Sections 9 and 24 of Title 13, information collected by the Census Bureau is confidential and not shared with any other federal agency. Only an act of Congress could alter this statute. ### Avidor pointed out the Roll Call article. Politico has also picked this up. Liberals aren't the only ones grousing about Michele Bachmann's jihad against ACORN. A trio of House Republicans are taking the gunslinging Minnesota conservative to task for saying she'd violate federal law by skipping the census — because the community development group may serve as a subcontractor on the project. Fill out the forms, they say, or run the greater risk of having the bureau use the very kinds of statistical modeling Republicans have railed against for years.

Bachmann's Anti-Census Crusade Too Crazy for House Republicans

Jackie Kucinich at Roll Call: GOP House Trio Urges Bachmann to Reverse Boycott of Census Three House Republicans on the subcommittee overseeing the 2010 Census are asking Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) to reverse her decision to boycott the national population count, fearing others will follow her lead. “Boycotting the constitutionally mandated Census is illogical, illegal and not in the best interest of our country,” Reps. Patrick McHenry (N.C.), Lynn Westmoreland (Ga.) and John Mica (Fla.), members of the Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census and National Achieves, said in a statement Wednesday. “[A] boycott opens the door for partisans to statistically adjust Census results,” the trio’s statement said. “The partisan manipulation of census data would irreparably transform the Census from being the baseline of our entire statistical system into a tool used to wield political power in Washington.” Rep. Jason Chaffetz (Utah), the only other Republican member of the subcommittee, did not sign on to Wednesday’s statement. Sources say the GOP Members approached Bachmann privately over the past few weeks and asked her to stop the boycott. They decided to go public because Bachmann appeared unfazed by their request, according to a GOP aide. Bachmann won't listen to Patrick McHenry? Debbee Keller, a spokeswoman for Bachmann, said in an e-mail: “Congresswoman Bachmann can not be reached, but we appreciate their views and hope to be able to work with them to keep ACORN — which has earned public mistrust through its repeated voter registration fraud — out of the Census.” Cannot be reached by her staff? Is Bachmann hiking the Lake Wobegon Trail?

Bachmann Ridiculed on MSNBC for Her Anti-Census Crusade

SC Times: Bachmann Submitted Earmark Requests

Larry Schumacher in the SC Times: Bachmann, who submitted five earmark requests for the transportation bill — including $6.4 million for a new interchange at Minnesota Highway 15 and 33rd Street South in St. Cloud and $500,000 to expand St. Cloud's University Bridge — said she was personally supportive of Northstar but couldn't put an earmark request in for it unless it received priority ranking from MnDOT and the St. Cloud Area Planning Organization. An earmark is an earmark is an earmark... no matter what Bachmann calls it (High Priority Project). In the same article, Bachmann admitted she requested earmarks: "If the APO and everybody signs off and it meets the criteria, I can include it," she said. "I'm making an exception to my earmark rule for the transportation bill, because that's the only way these projects can get funded. But they have to meet the criteria." That should answer Andy Aplikowski's question about Bachmann flip-flopping on earmarks: This is all about Bachmann and trying to destroy her. If she didn’t request any projects, they’d say she is just trying to make a name for herself, but if she does, they’ll call her a hypocrite. She's a hypocrite, remember this? H/T Lady. audiovideo MSNBC program: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. David Shuster's Hypocrisy watch. March 20, 2009. Anchor: Congress approved a bill stuffed with pet projects and earmarks. About ten days ago MB denied taking any earmarks B: I think it is possible, I took a pledge in my own district, I have not taken earmarks in the last three years that I've been in Congress because the system is so corrupt. A: Actually MB requested seven earmarks in 2008, costing taxpayers a total of 3.7 million dollars. The projects included for a 94000 dollars for a sheriff's youth program, 335000 dollars for equipment acquistion for Northland Medical Center and $803,000 for the replacement of small buses in St. Cloud. B was interviewed on another cable channel. B: well the average earmark for the state of Minnesota for the members of congress is somewhere around 70 million dollars, so mine is very very small on that level. A: That is wrong. according to Legistorm, the average earmark for MN members was not 70 million dollar but 2.1 million dollars which is less than the 3.7 million dollars MB requested.