Remember Tim Pawelnty got paid a healthy sum for no specific reason during the 2002 campaign. I don’t remember all the details at the moment but there was a circle of favors that were done that ended up with an investigation into the dealings of a Florida bank being called off.

Repubican corruption (Haliburton, Duke Conningham, the Abramoff scandels, Tom Delay, etc.) tends to involve workings where Republicans profit, as in THEY GET MONEY OR TRIPS OR TANGIBLE BENEFITS IN RETURN FOR LEGISLATIVE FAVORS.

Democrats do help their friends. Yes that is politics. Albeit somewhat rightous, the idea that Speaker Margaret is a supporter of a do gooder cause and now will make it a priority that they get funding, is not that far off. Her passion for the cause probably played a role in the development of her relationship with her husband. However, neither the Kellihers nor Jaros stand to earn addition income, or tangibly benefit due to this arrangement. Will an instituion that they and many other Minnesotans care about benefit? Yes. Will this help Mr. Kelliher professionally? Yes. But will he directly get a check for $10,000 because of this? No.

Politics is about relationships. Lobbying in particular is about relationships. I, for one, think our society is much more threatened by special interests that pollute, sell tobacco to kids, raise interest rates on student loans, utilize predetory lending practices, defend car-only tansportation options, clear cut our forests and make it easier for snowmobilers and ATV users to destroy our enviroment.

Democratic interest groups want better schools, more health care options, more enviromental protections, and yes, a better historical society. None of these are for-profit interest and therefore, true Abramoff type corruption is not taking place here.

No matter what the outcome of this inquiry (and a valid one at that) there is no doubt the Kellihers are definitely going to make history.

Before this committee was formed, was there a subcommittee that took up a lot of time going over these issues and warranted their own committee?

Do we know that Mr. Kelliher won’t leave his job?

Do we know the entire scope of the committee? Preserving Minnesota’s history throughout the state seems to be an important venture.

This is a blog, not a news outlet so shooting from the hip is expected.

What other explanation could there be?

Thank goodness we have something other than the Strib or PPress that we can rely on to uncover this garbage. Thanks for watching the chicken coop Michael.

If Margaret wanted to be transparent about this obvious conflict of interest she would have come out publicly and lead the discussion. She could have clearly stated what steps she would take to protect the public interest from this marvelously concocted prelude to the near-occasion of corruption. (reference to The Act of Contrition intended).

Come on Margaret, step up to the mike and explain your intentions here!

Drew Emmer
Publisher
Wright County Republican

Jaros, heh. He’s kind of a goofball. He had a quote in the Duluth News-Tribune a few years back saying we should totally eliminate our armed forces.

I think we can safely assume the Society will get a pretty healthy increase in funding this session.

I hope you continue to scrutinize how those clowns are spending the people’s money since it is a pretty safe assumption that they won’t give it back.

I’m sure Kelliher’s liberal goons will have some half-assed defense of this highly suspicious activity. I’m surprised Kelliher didn’t appoint herself as Chair of the committee — at least then she’d be honest with what she’s doing!

sniff, sniff…..nope….doesn’t pass the smell test to me!