MinnPost wrote:
(Note, appellants equals Coleman).
"1. Appellants did not establish that, by requiring proof that statutory absentee voting standards were satisfied before counting a rejected absentee ballot, the trial court‟s decision constituted a post-election change in standards that violates substantive due process.
2. Appellants did not prove that either the trial court or local election officials violated the constitutional guarantee of equal protection.
3. The trial court did not abuse its discretion when it excluded additional evidence.
4. Inspection of ballots under Minn. Stat. § 209.06 (2008) is available only on a showing that the requesting party cannot properly be prepared for trial without an inspection. Because appellants made no such showing here, the trial court did not err in denying inspection.
5. The trial court did not err when it included in the final election tally the election day returns of a precinct in which some ballots were lost before the manual recount.
Affirmed."
I'm happy to see him win it, I think he'll do well.
To criticize a person for their race is manifestly irrational and ridiculous, but to criticize their religion, that is a right. That is a freedom. The freedom to criticize ideas, any ideas - even if they are sincerely held beliefs - is one of the fundamental freedoms of society. A law which attempts to say you can criticize and ridicule ideas as long as they are not religious ideas is a very peculiar law indeed. -Rowan Atkinson Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Coleman still could attempt to take the challenge to federal courts, but Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, told CNN on Sunday that he would sign Franken's election certificate if the Supreme Court ordered it.
Coleman still could attempt to take the challenge to federal courts, but Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, told CNN on Sunday that he would sign Franken's election certificate if the Supreme Court ordered it.
Two faced smarmy jag-off. Won't even fucking do his job unless the Supreme Court ORDER's him to do his job. Oh please let someone call him out on this. He could have certified the election dozens of times before this, he is (by state constitution) required to certify this election and he still fucking won't do his job unless someone makes him.
"A cult is a religion with no political power." -Tom Wolfe Pardon me for sounding like a dick, but I'm playing the tiniest violin in the world right now-Dalton
I see it in a somewhat different light. Pawlenty was saying, "Please, please, order me to sign this so I can do my job without being crucified in the GOP primaries in 2012". I don't like the guy, but I do admit he's in a pretty unpleasant place politically. I predict he'll sign it shortly.
As a resident of Minnesota I can say thank the Gods that this mess if finally over.
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RIP Pegasus. You died like you lived, killing toasters
"A cult is a religion with no political power." -Tom Wolfe Pardon me for sounding like a dick, but I'm playing the tiniest violin in the world right now-Dalton
So does this mean the dems have a supermajority, not that they'll do any good with it? I seem to remember this being an outstanding issue with regards to that.
erik_t wrote:I see it in a somewhat different light. Pawlenty was saying, "Please, please, order me to sign this so I can do my job without being crucified in the GOP primaries in 2012". I don't like the guy, but I do admit he's in a pretty unpleasant place politically. I predict he'll sign it shortly.
Actually, Pawlenty's not running in 2012, so there was no particular political concern in regards to electoral damage as to whether or not to certify the recount results before this final thrashing-out in SCOTSM.
When ballots have fairly and constitutionally decided, there can be no successful appeal back to bullets.
—Abraham Lincoln
People pray so that God won't crush them like bugs.
—Dr. Gregory House
Oil an emergency?! It's about time, Brigadier, that the leaders of this planet of yours realised that to remain dependent upon a mineral slime simply doesn't make sense.
—The Doctor "Terror Of The Zygons" (1975)
Without getting too deep into it the idea of the 60 seat majority being some unstoppable force is one of the most useless myths out there. Some (R)s vote with the Democratic agenda and some (D)s don't support it.
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"I put no stock in religion. By the word religion I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will of god. I have seen too much religion in the eyes of too many murderers. Holiness is in right action, and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves, and goodness. "
-Kingdom of Heaven
Well, I understand senators do not always vote along party lines but having Al Franken in the Senate does make it a little easier for the Democrats to reach the supermajority on some bills, does it not?
CmdrWilkens wrote:Without getting too deep into it the idea of the 60 seat majority being some unstoppable force is one of the most useless myths out there. Some (R)s vote with the Democratic agenda and some (D)s don't support it.
The most important effect that Franken finally being seated might have on Senate business is that he has a high profile, his comedy background makes him good on TV, and he can be expected to use these assets to strongly support a public plan for health care. I think he's well positioned to be the public face of real reform, even if his junior status makes him unlikely to get any influential position in the Senate hierarchy.
There's also the fact that this is probably going to produce some good TV from the O'Reilly factor.
Pint0 Xtreme wrote:Well, I understand senators do not always vote along party lines but having Al Franken in the Senate does make it a little easier for the Democrats to reach the supermajority on some bills, does it not?
Marginally. It means that when they water down bills to draw support from the handful of "sensible centrists" who effectively control Senate business now, it's one less negotiation they need to have.
"I am gravely disappointed. Again you have made me unleash my dogs of war."
--The Lord Humungus
We can hope this is our one chance for getting a government option for health insurance, since now we can shut down debate and force an up or down vote on preserving / adding the government option to the health reform bill in the Senate.... And we might just manage to muster the 50 votes required for it. And when the Republicans then try to stop the bill with a government option from passing via a filibuster, we can shut them down again. Blue Dog Democrats who may oppose a government option, are still liable to vote with the party on procedural issues. The last time someone filibustered their own party was over the Civil Rights Act, I'm pretty damned sure.
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erik_t wrote:I see it in a somewhat different light. Pawlenty was saying, "Please, please, order me to sign this so I can do my job without being crucified in the GOP primaries in 2012". I don't like the guy, but I do admit he's in a pretty unpleasant place politically. I predict he'll sign it shortly.
Actually, Pawlenty's not running in 2012, so there was no particular political concern in regards to electoral damage as to whether or not to certify the recount results before this final thrashing-out in SCOTSM.
Since when? Popular assumption is he will.
To be clear, you know 2012 would be referring the presidential primaries, right? His gubernatorial term is up in 2010 (well, 1/2011).
erik_t wrote:I see it in a somewhat different light. Pawlenty was saying, "Please, please, order me to sign this so I can do my job without being crucified in the GOP primaries in 2012". I don't like the guy, but I do admit he's in a pretty unpleasant place politically. I predict he'll sign it shortly.
Actually, Pawlenty's not running in 2012, so there was no particular political concern in regards to electoral damage as to whether or not to certify the recount results before this final thrashing-out in SCOTSM.
Since when? Popular assumption is he will.
To be clear, you know 2012 would be referring the presidential primaries, right? His gubernatorial term is up in 2010 (well, 1/2011).
Must have misunderstood what I heard on NPR going back to the office. I heard Pawlenty was not running for reelection as governor.
When ballots have fairly and constitutionally decided, there can be no successful appeal back to bullets.
—Abraham Lincoln
People pray so that God won't crush them like bugs.
—Dr. Gregory House
Oil an emergency?! It's about time, Brigadier, that the leaders of this planet of yours realised that to remain dependent upon a mineral slime simply doesn't make sense.
—The Doctor "Terror Of The Zygons" (1975)
The Duchess of Zeon wrote:We can hope this is our one chance for getting a government option for health insurance, since now we can shut down debate and force an up or down vote on preserving / adding the government option to the health reform bill in the Senate.... And we might just manage to muster the 50 votes required for it. And when the Republicans then try to stop the bill with a government option from passing via a filibuster, we can shut them down again. Blue Dog Democrats who may oppose a government option, are still liable to vote with the party on procedural issues. The last time someone filibustered their own party was over the Civil Rights Act, I'm pretty damned sure.
I really don't think the Dems want the filibuster proof majority though, now they actually HAVE to do something and I really don't think they want to. Rather use it either as a campaign issue or just don't have the balls to do major sweeping change.
They say, "the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots." I suppose it never occurred to them that they are the tyrants, not the patriots. Those weapons are not being used to fight some kind of tyranny; they are bringing them to an event where people are getting together to talk. -Mike Wong
But as far as board culture in general, I do think that young male overaggression is a contributing factor to the general atmosphere of hostility. It's not SOS and the Mess throwing hand grenades all over the forum- Red
I didn't know who Al Franken was until I heard about his stoush with Bill O'Reilly over the title of his book (Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them, a Fair and Balanced Look at the Right).
When he quoted O'Reilly on his radio show he would often go: "LIIIIIIIIE! LIAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRAHHHH!"
erik_t wrote:
Since when? Popular assumption is he will.
To be clear, you know 2012 would be referring the presidential primaries, right? His gubernatorial term is up in 2010 (well, 1/2011).
Must have misunderstood what I heard on NPR going back to the office. I heard Pawlenty was not running for reelection as governor.
Sigh. Correct. Pawlenty's term as governor is up in 2010 and he will not run for re-election for the office. However, signing Franken's certificate of election could do him nothing but harm in the primaries for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, in which he is popularly expected to contend.
Pint0 Xtreme wrote:Well, I understand senators do not always vote along party lines but having Al Franken in the Senate does make it a little easier for the Democrats to reach the supermajority on some bills, does it not?
Absolutely but getting to 60 isn't some magic game changer especially because on a whole bunch of different legislative priorities there are a half dozen or so Dems you can count to defect. Ben Nelson (Nebraska), Mary Landrieu (Lousiana), Blanche Lincoln and Mark Prior (Arkansas), Kent Conrad (North Dakota), and Evan Bayh (Indiana) are probably the most well known. Specter has gotten "bluer" as time has passed since his party switch (likely because of the new threat of a challenge from the left) and a few folks like Olypmpia Snowe and Susan Collins (R)s from Maine tend to cross lines so the math gets crazy. Anyway the long and the short of it is that there are roughly a dozen or so folks whose votes will swing on issue to issue making the 60 vote threshold more a matter of whether or not Harry Reid can finally show some organizational discipline.
SDNet World Nation: Wilkonia
Armourer of the WARWOLVES
ASVS Vet's Association (Class of 2000)
Former C.S. Strowbridge Gold Ego Award Winner MEMBER of the Anti-PETA Anti-Facist LEAGUE
"I put no stock in religion. By the word religion I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will of god. I have seen too much religion in the eyes of too many murderers. Holiness is in right action, and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves, and goodness. "
-Kingdom of Heaven
Regardless of the fact that the "We need 60 votes" nonsense is just that, the conservative/status quo Dems will continue to use it as an excuse because neither Kennedy nor Byrd are actively voting in the Senate due to their health situations.
The Original Nex wrote:Regardless of the fact that the "We need 60 votes" nonsense is just that, the conservative/status quo Dems will continue to use it as an excuse because neither Kennedy nor Byrd are actively voting in the Senate due to their health situations.
There's more like 58 Dems and 98 Senators.
Well, it's certainly not unheard of for a senator to be wheeled into the chamber on a stretcher, especially for important votes, then wheeled out again when the voting is done. As long as the Senator is alive, present, and coherent, he can vote.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance--that principle is contempt prior to investigation." -Herbert Spencer
"Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." - Schiller, Die Jungfrau von Orleans, III vi.
The Original Nex wrote:Regardless of the fact that the "We need 60 votes" nonsense is just that, the conservative/status quo Dems will continue to use it as an excuse because neither Kennedy nor Byrd are actively voting in the Senate due to their health situations.
There's more like 58 Dems and 98 Senators.
Well, it's certainly not unheard of for a senator to be wheeled into the chamber on a stretcher, especially for important votes, then wheeled out again when the voting is done. As long as the Senator is alive, present, and coherent, he can vote.
I know, but I'm still skeptical that suddenly Ben Nelson, Mary Landrieu and the Senators from Wal-Mart Arkasas among others will have a sudden change of heart after hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations from big insurance.
