So, I asserted a couple times that the days were numbered for Clinton. Whoops. She still has quite an uphill battle though. The media, loving the back and forth drama, again exaggerated the meaning the the results by implying a 180 degree turn-around for Clinton. It was a victory for Clinton. The race truly could have been over for her Tuesday night. But Obama is still in the lead in terms of delegates and raw primary votes. Pennsylvania is the next big prize. Here we go!
I've also pooh-poohed the notion that an Obama-Clinton ticket is feasible or desirable. What do I know? As the race goes further along and as the Democrat Party becomes further fractured, that may very well be seen as necessary. This morning, Clinton gently suggested that possibility. I agree with an NPR commentator I heard today who theorized that may have done more to create a tone of conciliation from Clinton rather than a bona fide commitment to that idea. Still, the more that is put out there, the more the supporters of whoever is not on the top of the ticket will expect it.
Most Obama or Clinton supporters who say that they'll vote or stay home on election day if the other becomes the nominee are full of it, whether they know it or not. Still, division and nastiness within the party close to the election will not help the Democrat nominee against McCain.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Amazon Bookstore for sale
According to the Minnesota Women's Press, the Amazon Bookstore cooperative is being put up for sale. The bookstore is the oldest feminist bookstore in North America and has been a worker-owned cooperative for all of its history.
Amazon has struggled in recent years. Kicked out of their Loring Park location, they bought into a space on Chicago Ave in South Minneapolis. They had some financial troubles there with a unanticipated property tax burden and an unsuccessful coffee shop and moved further down the street to their current location at 48th and Chicago. In 1999, they got in a lawsuit with Amazon.com, winning an undisclosed, but apparently not sizable, settlement.
Amazon's current location is on a great corner, near restaurants, a movie theater, and a family-friendly coffee shop. If a neighborhood-based bookstore is going to be successful, I would think this would be an ideal spot.
View Larger Map
The Women's Press quotes longtime employee-owner Barb Wiesner on the financial health of the store:
Here's to hoping for some new owners that can keep this neighborhood gem healthy and vibrant. Clearly, some changes may have to be made to make it more profitable. The first thing I would do if I were them would host many more author and other types of events. They do have occasional events, but they have to give people a reason to come to the store with some regularity. This month, singer Ellis will be performing to benefit the store.
I suspect that people who haven't been in the store think that it is probably only feminist books. While I doubt they have Ann Coulter's latest diatribe on display, they have most of the typical selections you'll find in any other bookstore. I suspect the store needs to get the word out more that they are BOTH a wonderful feminist resource AND a valuable, friendly, welcoming neighborhood bookstore.
Amazon has struggled in recent years. Kicked out of their Loring Park location, they bought into a space on Chicago Ave in South Minneapolis. They had some financial troubles there with a unanticipated property tax burden and an unsuccessful coffee shop and moved further down the street to their current location at 48th and Chicago. In 1999, they got in a lawsuit with Amazon.com, winning an undisclosed, but apparently not sizable, settlement.
Amazon's current location is on a great corner, near restaurants, a movie theater, and a family-friendly coffee shop. If a neighborhood-based bookstore is going to be successful, I would think this would be an ideal spot.
View Larger Map
The Women's Press quotes longtime employee-owner Barb Wiesner on the financial health of the store:
Although the store hasn't made a profit in a couple of years, said Wieser, "It's in relatively good shape, which is a testament to the generosity of the community, that we've been able to carry on. We have a good location, a good website, a long-term lease," she said, ticking off the positives. "I think the right owners, with some energy and resources, could revitalize the store. There is a lot of good stuff here."The store is friendly and inviting and has a decent children's section. They sell a limited number of used books and videos in the basement. The basement can be used for book group and other meetings for free. While it is a feminist bookstore with the offers one might guess would go along with that, it is also a general interest bookstore with a broad array of offerings. You can also order just about any book through the store, via their website or in person.
Here's to hoping for some new owners that can keep this neighborhood gem healthy and vibrant. Clearly, some changes may have to be made to make it more profitable. The first thing I would do if I were them would host many more author and other types of events. They do have occasional events, but they have to give people a reason to come to the store with some regularity. This month, singer Ellis will be performing to benefit the store.
I suspect that people who haven't been in the store think that it is probably only feminist books. While I doubt they have Ann Coulter's latest diatribe on display, they have most of the typical selections you'll find in any other bookstore. I suspect the store needs to get the word out more that they are BOTH a wonderful feminist resource AND a valuable, friendly, welcoming neighborhood bookstore.
Brett Favre: End of an era
Looks like Brett Favre will be retiring and return to the Green Bay Packers this year. After such a great year, it's sad to see him go. But I'm sure it'll be nice for him to end on a high note. The Packers will need to get a good quarterback to head up their fairly solid team next year. They are probably not in a strong position for the playoffs next year, but hopefully they can at least beat the Vikings a couple times.It's too bad the Packers were unable to manage a Super Bowl game this year. One can take some heart that they got pummeled by the same team that went on to win the Super Bowl against the undefeated Patriots.
As everyone else will be saying, it is the end of an era for the Packers. My guess is that the loss of Brett Favre won't result in any problems filling up the stadium next season. (Unlike the Vikings.)
Monday, March 3, 2008
Quote: Office woes
12PM Dude, Just Pull the Tray Out and Put It in Again
via Overheard in the Office, Feb 27, 2008
Man, to copier: There is paper in there! Stop being stupid! No, I will not add paper to tray four, I can tell you that right now. I will shoot someone before I add paper to tray four.
Berry College
Rome, Georgia
via Overheard in the Office, Feb 27, 2008
Clinton says she's going nowhere
I suggested recently that Clinton will be out of the presidential contest within a week of tomorrow's primaries/caucuses. She has suggested that she's going nowhere, regardless of Tuesday's results.
Even with her fighting words, I still don't see Clinton in the race for very much longer. April at the longest, hoping for a win in Pennsylvania.
Talk of a brokered convention is heating up, but I still don't see it as being at all likely. Unless Clinton defies expectations tomorrow, we're going to see more headlines like this one:
Pressure raised on Clinton to bow out
It will get to a point where she won't be able to ignore it. Supporters will continue to peel off and it will become inevitable before the convention is here.
If she stays in past March, I'll be wondering about her motivation. Despite my belief that she wouldn't want or accept a running mate spot with Obama, maybe that is what she is angling for?
Or, what is probably beyond even the Clintons, one might think that her drawing this out might weaken Obama enough to lose the general election, enabling Clinton to be the nominee to challenge a President McCain in 2012.
Even with her fighting words, I still don't see Clinton in the race for very much longer. April at the longest, hoping for a win in Pennsylvania.
Talk of a brokered convention is heating up, but I still don't see it as being at all likely. Unless Clinton defies expectations tomorrow, we're going to see more headlines like this one:
Pressure raised on Clinton to bow out
It will get to a point where she won't be able to ignore it. Supporters will continue to peel off and it will become inevitable before the convention is here.
If she stays in past March, I'll be wondering about her motivation. Despite my belief that she wouldn't want or accept a running mate spot with Obama, maybe that is what she is angling for?
Or, what is probably beyond even the Clintons, one might think that her drawing this out might weaken Obama enough to lose the general election, enabling Clinton to be the nominee to challenge a President McCain in 2012.
What to do with the grain elevator?
Let's fill it with bean dip!According to the community newspaper, The Bridge, the Mill City Museum is trying to figure out what to do with the empty grain elevator at the former Washburn 'A' Mill in Minneapolis. The empty grain elevator is at the location of the Mill City Museum, which is truly a great destination if you find yourself in the area.
Lots of ideas are floating around, including condo conversion (of course) and the unique thought to turn it into a giant musical instrument. Something similar was done in Montreal that includes the ability to "play it" online.
I think they should do something more akin to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, which had the biggest six-pack of beer in the world.
Beloit, Wisconsin claims the largest Hormel can of chili in the world.
Since it was made for grain, one might think that would be appropriate. I assume that there are much larger grain elevators in the world than this 106 year-old one. The next best thing is to go with a product made from grain. There are probably more voluminous storage sites for corn-based ethanol. But what about the kind of alcohol people drink versus fuel their cars?
The Phillips Distilling Company is based in Minneapolis. How about filling the grain elevators with the world's largest cask of vodka or whiskey? It would be great advertising for Phillips. Just up the river is the famous Grain Belt Beer sign on Nicollet Island. You could put a pair of "Phillips Vodka" or whatever right below the historic Gold Medal Flour signs facing downtown and the Guthrie, and visible from the riverside. The top could be converted to Phillips cocktail lounge with a fabulous view of the river, the new Guthrie building, and the downtown skyline.
I think it's a phenomenal idea! Who cares that it may cost millions to do? The Phillips company should hire me right away.
Avoid the reporters!
You must escape the clutches of aggressive reporters!
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Clinton drop-out countdown
When will it happen? It could be after next Tuesday's contests. Or she might consider going for a long-shot win in Pennsylvania in a April. My guess is that it will be in the days following next week's primaries, even if she does a little better than expected. There are rumors of Gore and Pelosi and others working behind the scenes to secure a nominee soon. I predict they will be successful and Clinton will withdraw within a week of next Tuesday. My current guess, Thursday, March 6. Or it's possible she'll wait until Sunday.
Who can best wake up at 3 AM?
Everyone has probably heard about the latest Clinton-Obama ad war. Here is Clinton's original "3 AM" commercial followed by Obama's response. I think that the Obama campaign effectively pulled out the rug from under the Clinton folks.
The third ad is another humorous take.
Showing us how silly this all is...
The third ad is another humorous take.
Showing us how silly this all is...
Dusty computers
I don't know about you, but my computer can get dusty at times. Especially the screen. Here's a great and easy solution!
What's the big deal?
Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) apologized this week when near identical letters to the editor criticizing Al Franken were printed in multiple papers in the state. The letters originated with the campaign and the apology was profuse.
Now, I dislike Norm Coleman just as much as any other Minnesota progressive. But is this really a big deal that many have made it out to be? Sure, it's a bit embarrassing. It's not like they did anything much different than everyone else, they just did a sloppy job by not differentiating the letters from each other.
Voters aren't going to be swayed by this non-story. DFLers should focus on all the good reasons Coleman should not be reelected this November.
Now, I dislike Norm Coleman just as much as any other Minnesota progressive. But is this really a big deal that many have made it out to be? Sure, it's a bit embarrassing. It's not like they did anything much different than everyone else, they just did a sloppy job by not differentiating the letters from each other.
Voters aren't going to be swayed by this non-story. DFLers should focus on all the good reasons Coleman should not be reelected this November.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
