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MINNESOTA DEMOCRATS POLITICIZE 35-W BRIDGE COLLAPSE
By Michael B. Brodkorb | August 1, 2007
I've been watching the news for the past three hours and I can't believe what I am seeing. This bridge collapse is a Minnesota tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of what Governor Pawlenty called a "catastrophe of historic proportions."
I was hoping that Minnesota Democrats wouldn't politicize this tragedy. Sadly, some have. I was disgusted by Elwyn Tinklenberg comments on KARE-11. Talk of blaming this tragedy on the failure to raise the gas-tax increase is disgusting.
Minnesota Democrats Exposed is a blog dedicated to a truthful discussion on the activities, statements, and tactics of Minnesota Democrats. Even in a tragedy like this, the conduct of Minnesota Democrats needs to be watched and monitored.
UPDATE: Please read the comments about this tragedy on Democratic Underground and Daily Kos. I'll use this phrase for the second time this week: what a bunch of classless bastards.
Topics: Uncategorized | 87 Comments »
87 Responses to “MINNESOTA DEMOCRATS POLITICIZE 35-W BRIDGE COLLAPSE”
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August 1st, 2007 at 10:32 pm
…and I am disgusted you have insisted on playing the role of know-it-all hack on MinnMon.
Do you intend to ask those who are commenting on other posts from your side of the aisle to refrain from politicizing? Or is that double standard acceptable to you too?
August 1st, 2007 at 10:38 pm
Stay vigilant, MDE.
The left would LOVE to have a watchdog like you on their side.
Keep up the great work.
August 1st, 2007 at 10:39 pm
“I was hoping that Minnesota Democrats wouldn’t politicize this tragedy.”
Do you really think anyone buys that crap? You were pining for it and even you know it.
You’re so crass.
August 1st, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Damned Fools and Liars (DFL). Do we expect anything less of that trash?
I think last year’s Constitutional Amendment now guarantees more money go to roads. The money should have been going to roads in the first place. Thank the DFL for diverting it to over broadly defined “transit” projects.
August 1st, 2007 at 10:40 pm
check out kos: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/8/1/211344/4281
absolutely sickening
August 1st, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Michael,
You’re absolutely right. He said the same thing on WCCO radio between 7:30 and 8:00 tonight. What’s wrong with some of these Democrats who can’t go ten minutes into a tragedy without acting inappropriately?
August 1st, 2007 at 10:43 pm
ryan,
Sickening indeed. The Democrat presidential candidates who flock to this group of kooks should be ashamed as well.
August 1st, 2007 at 10:44 pm
DJ: Minnesota Democrats Exposed exposes Minnesota Democrats. I have concerns about the accuracy of post on Minnesota Monitor regarding the bridge collapse.
August 1st, 2007 at 10:46 pm
You ain’t seen nuttin’ yet, Michael. DFLers will milk this tragedy for all its worth to them. They will build support for their tax increases on the corpses and the ruins of the I-35W bridge. Just listen to them.
August 1st, 2007 at 10:46 pm
tom,
What’s crass is Tinklenberg politicizing the tragedy when we don’t even know what’s happened. For all anyone knows, there could have been a faulty repair to the bridge when he was transportation commissioner that led to this collapse. I’m not speculating as we won’t know for some time what happened. But I am illustrating why it’s dangerous and wrong for anyone to start pointing the finger before we know what happened.
August 1st, 2007 at 10:48 pm
I have concerns about your lack of compassion.
August 1st, 2007 at 10:50 pm
DFLers don’t care what really happened. They are circling like vultures over the ruins of the I-35W bridge.
Will they even consider that diverting funds to “light rail” may have contributed to the bridge’s collapse? Don’t hold your breath.
August 1st, 2007 at 10:50 pm
I’m not defending Tinklenberg, I just don’t know how what Michael is doing is any better. I’m guessing not too many of you live in Minneapolis, but people are dead and MDE has been trolling the internets looking for political play. Its what he does, and its disgraceful at this hour, under these conditions.
August 1st, 2007 at 10:50 pm
How are you politicizing it any less?
Pointing and shouting “But THEY did it first!” doesn’t excuse you.
August 1st, 2007 at 10:52 pm
tom,
Do you think it’s compassionate to go on television and be on the radio at the exact same time victims are being rescued and recovered and point the finger of blame when we don’t even know what caused the collapse?
August 1st, 2007 at 10:55 pm
Michael: Are my last two inquiries not worthy of acknowledgment?
August 1st, 2007 at 10:57 pm
Tom seems to be frustrated that I’m exposing Minnesota Democrats for politicizing this tragedy. Tom should focus his energy on contacting the Democrats exploiting this tragedy. Minnesota Democrats don’t seem to be taking a break from politics, why should I?
August 1st, 2007 at 10:58 pm
DJ,
You are a DFL troll. You are not worthy of acknowledgment.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:00 pm
For God’s sake, it has been less than four hours.
Real people have died.
I cannot believe how heartless some people can be.
Imagine a situation in which the Taxpayer’s League issued a statement in the midst of this saying it was caused by the diversion of funds from bridges to Liberal social programs and trains.
The Left would be outraged.
People died tonight.
Say a prayer, hug your kids and go to bed.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:01 pm
DIDFTL:
Great point…imagine the outrage.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:01 pm
Tom, You obviously didn’t bother reading what Michael had written. If you had, you might’ve noticed this important piece of information:
I’ve been watching the news for the past three hours and I can’t believe what I am seeing. I’ve been scanning various blogs the entire night, too. It’s obvious you’re visiting numerous websites, too. Does that mean I should criticize you for politicizing this? Of course not.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:01 pm
You’re doing the right thing MDE. You expose Minnesota Democrats and they certainly need exposing for their absolutely vomit-inducing reaction to this unbelievable tragedy.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:02 pm
DJ: It appears that most of the comments are from frustrated Republicans disgusted at Minnesota Democrats politicizing these events.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Give them Hell, Michael. The DFL vultures deserve it.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:03 pm
“Minnesota Democrats don’t seem to be taking a break from politics, why should I?”
Translation: “But they did it fiiiiiirst!”
I wasted my time asking a sincere question, it seems. Why am I not surprised? The moment politics enters into anything, people become enormous, unfeeling jackasses, regardless of affiliation.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:03 pm
This is from the liberal blog mnpACT!:
“It is hard not to look at this bridge collapse tragedy and not think about the transportation battles that have gone on during the Pawlenty administration.
No accusations here, but isn’t it time we took a hard look at infrastructure that has been neglected or patchworked for this entire decade?
How many reports are buried in the MNDOT files that indicate road conditions that are marginal, yet put off, to ’save’ money. Roads and bridges are unquestionably a government responsibility. Let’s make sure that we are not trading safety for tax savings.
I have said it before and I will say it again, this time more urgently, it’s time to pay for the roads.”
August 1st, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Al Franken supports our soldiers in the field by calling them failures and advocating cutting off their funding.
Democrats show support for our DoT needs the same way. Taking the funding away, and calling it a failure.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:12 pm
What was the quote? Also Tinklenberg was the Head of the Transportation commission, I think he knows more than you pretend to know Mikey
August 1st, 2007 at 11:12 pm
Michael,
It’s pretty disgusting really. Pawlenty has poured more money into transportation than the last two governors combined yet guys like Tinklenberg are trying to blame him when they don’t even know what caused the bridge to collapse.
Tinklenberg was the transportation commissioner prior to the Pawlenty/Molnau administration. He should be a little more careful pointing fingers. Until the investigation is completed, he won’t know whether he’ll have fingers pointing right at him.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Said Keith “HAMMAS” Ellison: “I’ve spoken to Mayor Rybak regarding this tragic situation, and I pledge to work with him in any possible way to recover from this disaster.”
Yes, Mayor Rybak… chicken bone of Minneapolis… with so much jurisdiction over 35-W. Yes, the City of Minneapolis, and it’s grave responsibility for the INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM.
Were I Keith Ellison, I would have connected with Governor’s office… not the worthless mayor… CAIR’s congressman probably can’t be bothered to reach out to the right people in charge though. He’d rather sing “cumbaya Muhammad” with mix-matched socks boy.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Folks: Please note the update on this post. I’ve provided links to Democratic Underground and Daily Kos (thanks ryanT!).
August 1st, 2007 at 11:21 pm
The reaction to this tragedy by some Minnesota Democrats reminds me of the politicization of the Wellstone funeral.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:22 pm
DFLers, look into your own dark souls.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:23 pm
This from Democratic Underground:
“And, to you, Tim Pawlenty, the guy who won’t raise taxes for anything and has allowed this state’s infrastructure to turn to shit? Fuck you in all ways I can think of and a few I can’t.”
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=160&topic_id=26623&mesg_id=26639
“About two hours ago WCCO said Pawlenty was going to be on – so far he hasn’t shown up and I haven’t heard if he’s even made a statement.
I hope he and his buddies at the Taxpayer’s League never have another decent night’s sleep.” (Note that the icon chosen by that commentator was a photo of Paul Wellstone – how ironic)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=160&topic_id=26623&mesg_id=26641
“Pawlenty is wormshit
I wonder how Garbage Logic is going to spin this tomorrow. Like TM, they will start with whining about terrorism.”
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=160&topic_id=26623&mesg_id=26642
August 1st, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Maybe if the bottom 30 percent paid any taxes, this tragedy could have been avoided. Imagine, one third of the state, kicking in an extra $100 bucks. That’s $140 million dollars per year for crucial infrastructure.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Regardless of what the Democrats are doing to politicize this, you classless politards are doing the EXACT SAME THING by shouting about it. The EXACT SAME THING. Think about it for a second.
A truly classy move would be to just shut the hell up about politics for ONE NIGHT so we can reflect on the situation and pay respect to those who died. Of course, that’s too much to ask. Everyone always has to have the last political word.
Cut the bullshit, it’s clear you assholes have no respect for anything but your stupid divisive politics. It’s sickening and so typical.
My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones this evening, and I hope that everyone injured has a speedy recovery.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:34 pm
I’m not aware of any Republican blaming this tragedy on a policy of the Democrats. Anyone? It seems that Democrats are the ones pointing fingers.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:35 pm
And her you are cary… classless piece of shit. Yelling about our yelling about the DFLers’ disgusting display of reckless and untruthful partisanship.
We have thought about it. And your point is?
Here’s some advice for you: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
– Ghandi
… and shut the hell up. Go back to your hovel.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:40 pm
Cary said, “Cut the bullshit, it’s clear you assholes have no respect for anything but your stupid divisive politics. It’s sickening and so typical.”
What is sickening and typical is the comments on the Democratic Underground calling Pawlenty wormshit, telling him to go get fucked and a whole lot of other things. These guys are classless bastards.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:46 pm
Yep, you’ve thought about it and you figure you’re more interested in political whining than observing respectful silence during a tragic, tragic event.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:51 pm
Cary: Like Tom, you seem frustrated that I am exposing Minnesota Democrats for exploiting this tragedy by talking about the need for a gas-tax increase.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:30 am
Did anyone see Don Shelby tonight? He did all but blame the incident on Pawlenty’s no new taxes pledge from 2002. This is a tragedy. Lets rescue the wounded, recover the dead and then start to remove the wreckage. After that there will be more than enough time to determine blame.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:14 am
I am not suprised. Democrats care about one thing – winning elections. They will exploit any tragedy or any human suffering of any kind to further that circumstance. I would love to clock Elwyn Tinklenberg right in the chops and goddamn me if I don’t if I ever see that sonofabitch.
Monitor Vox Verax the rest of the week. I am sure Leigh Pomeroy and his Hugo Chavez admirers over there will lay the blame right at Pawlenty’s feet.
I pray the Rosary for the victims and the people who survived. I cried my eyes out for a good 30 minutes tonight hoping that the number of victims does not increase…but I am not confident that it won’t. My heart aches for all of us Minnesotans today.
And I curse any politician exploiting this tragedy for political gain. Damn you to hell!
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:21 am
I am aware of no Republican who is saying that this could have been prevented had we taken a fraction of the money we spend on welfare and used it for transportation.
Someone mentioned Soucheray, and it’s interesting that barely a week ago after the tragedy in the St. Paul sewer he was lamenting that we have no politicians who run on the simple platform of improving our basic public infrastructures. Maybe this tragedy will spark a renewed interest in the basic things our government provides, but I doubt it. As we’re seeing from the DFL already tonight, it’s politics as usual.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:28 am
yes, republicans have never politicized a tragedy before (*cough* 9-11 *cough*).
peace to the families of the victims. may they and the twin cities recover quickly.
August 2nd, 2007 at 5:47 am
Wanting to punch Elwyn, then childish name calling, then talk on praying, then cursing people to hell.
Not very Christian but, very Republican.
We’re on MDE (a highly charged political site. This ain’t a news site), where Mikey has a couple of quotes by an individual Democrat and Right wing-tards to come out and begin the usual hate-fest. This is no different than any other discussion on MDE- its the DFL fault and the poor republicans are fighting for decency and the American way.
Well, this bridge was given the OK sign after MNDOT investigated it twice in the last five years. So whether we put a 100 billion dollars in transportation or 50 dollars it would not have went to this particular bridge. So money spent on welfare (mostly federal) or light rail (also mostly federal) or even cash refunds from the governor would not have affected this because MNDOT made the assessment that the bridge was fine.
Today we know that its not OK.
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:45 am
Liberals will use any tragedy, any person, any lie to promote their agenda. You will watch today as they use the deaths of these people to 1) support tax increases, 2) harass those who won’t support their call for tax increases and 3) blame Republicans for the deaths because they didn’t support tax increases last year.
They are so predictable. And evil.
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:51 am
Let’s see: on the one hand we have Tinklenburg, a Democrat, and the left-wing blogosphere who are using this event to justify increasing the gas tax or blaming Republicans, while, on the other hand, I just heard Charlie Weaver, a Republican, state that this is not a partisan issue and the Dems and GOP will hold hands to get more money from the feds for Minnesota. Not a good start to the claim the Dems aren’t politicizing this tragedy a la Katrina.
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:23 am
As in every case, liberals look for victims and blame. Republicans look for and deliver answers and solutions.
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:33 am
Red Cross Twin Cities
Please donate.
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:42 am
9/11 wasn’t politicized. Well, except that one group of citizens (Republicans) insisted on defending the country and killing terrorists. The other group (Democrats) has constantly sought to undermine our national security, and insists rather to turn the nation over to the terrorists.
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:43 am
“9/11 wasn’t politicized”
And, of course, those wacky liberals who continue to insist they guy they think is stupid planned the event.
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:51 am
It wasn’t a sarcastic statement Bobby… but you’re right. Democrats have politicized the hell out of 9/11.
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:02 am
I-35W Bridge Collapse: Political Fallout
A Twin Cities bridge
Has fallen down, fallen down.
Pawlenty is screwed.
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:06 am
Ahh….another classy move by a Minnesota Democrat.
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:07 am
I watched Channel 11’s news last night and Boyd Huppert made a reference to the gas tax not having been raised since ‘88.
He didn’t have to come out into the open and say it. Most anyone knew what he meant. He was inferring that a higher gas tax could have helped avoid what happened yesterday.
I also saw Tinklenburg’s interview at the Capitol. I respect him for his knowledge of transit issues – but he (like most extra-chromosome carying DFL’ers) chose to politicize this tragedy.
I hope people saw this for what it was. A simple attempt by an ethically devoid political party to make political hay. Not to mention what the useful idiots (like Don Shelby and Boyd Huppert) are saying.
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:13 am
The same goons blaming this on light rail are the same type of goons blaming this on Pawlenty.
Make yourself useful and donate some money to the Red Cross.
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:21 am
djz,
You’re a regular Bob Beckel. You sit and cry and whine about what Republicans say. Yet when faced with real quotes from the Democratic Underground telling Pawlenty to go get fucked in a thousand ways and calling him wormshit, you turn your head and ignore what has been said. You keep doing that, djz, and pretty soon you’ll lose whatever credibility you have left.
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:05 am
MDE you have no class and no integrity. Crawl back to your neo-con cave and improve all our lives, you are worthless.
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:13 am
Tom, please direct me to the “classy” and “integrity”-filled websites that will
“improve” all of our “worthless” lives.
It’s so dark in this cave, I know you can
spread the sunshine!
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:32 am
Can we take a break from pointing fingers and trying to one up?
Two (or 3 or 4 or 5) wrongs don’t make a right.
Go give blood.
Say some prayers.
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:45 am
Class, integrity
Are often absent from most
Political spats.
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:45 am
Hopefully the DFL will not let this turn into a Wellstone Funeral or post-9/11 fiasco by being shut down from telling the truth by the Republicans who claim sorrow and respect yet, spin and spit all day.
Truth is, the bridge was found to be deficient two years ago by Pawlenty’s own administration. The question is what was done about it and who had the power to do something?
Light rail and Welfare come from dedicated funds. So its a swing and a miss for you guys on that note.
Down in 28B, Draz mentioned something about funding roads and bridges and Pfielsticker talked about the gas tax to address some of our needs.
Both are on point, except Draz being true to his game doesn’t give a funding source.
ps- the gas tax hasn’t been raised since 1988.
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:56 am
Speaking of class:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/8/2/10633/57241
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:00 am
DJZ… gas consumption has tripled since 1988. Gas tax revenues have tripled since 1988.
Where’d the money go? … not roads.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:02 am
That’s a hilarious kos link DJZ. Are you saying that a brain aneurysm gives a politician a life-time appointment? … I guess that would be consistent… every Democrat in office is brain dead.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:06 am
How about waiting until the year of the election? Read the article, the local Republicans are not on board with this.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:16 am
DJZ,
You said, “Truth is, the bridge was found to be deficient two years ago by Pawlenty’s own administration. The question is what was done about it and who had the power to do something?” You also said, P.S. the gas tax hasn’t been raised since 1988.
Are you blaming the Pawlenty administration for the collapse before anyone knows what caused it? If so, you’re no better than any of the Democrats who are politicizing the issue and you have the gall to call us names. Look up the word hypocrite sometime, you might see your picture in the dictionary.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:09 am
You want insight:
The Minnesota Senate has been controlled entirely by Democrats since 1973
The Minnesota House was controlled by Democrats from 1971 to 1983, and then again from 1987 to 1998. The years between, Republicans never had more than a 3-4 seat majority. Between 1998 to the 2002 report that the bridge had deficiencies, Republicans never had more than a 7 seat majority.
… conclusion, as Minnesota’s bridges were deteriorating, Democrats were in charge of state spending, including all monies spent on highway improvement and maintenance.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:19 am
Who are we kidding of course the families involved understand this state has wasted funds for the roads here for things like bus lines that run less than 25% rider ship and build choo-choo trains that run the same route as the bus line that is now failing and we do not cancel the bus line when the trains started.
The liberals will try to twist this any way they can but I can tell you first hand what people were talking about last night around that area is how we need to spend more on road and bridges than trains and mass transit!
The blame of this will land on the met council and MN Dot as well as our DFL who fights road improvements every step of the way!
Hang on my liberal friends this along with your attempts of tax increases as well as the general incompetence of the current DFL you can bet you will lose you control come 2008!
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:38 am
They’ve already lost control BK… of their ef’n minds.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:02 pm
MNDOT ran Tim Pawlenty’s Lt Governor Carol Molnau. The Met Council chosen by Tim Pawlenty, each and every one of them.
The gas tax is a dedicated funding source that could ONLY go to roads and bridges. Not Light Rail or buses. Try again.
Oh yeah, in fairness to the Met Council, they have written reports and made presentations about the infrastructure of our metro area for a few years now.
Taxes pay for government services. Why are you so against decent services?
I’m not a hypocrite. I’m just like Mike B. You guys starting saying DFLers were politicizing this and I read all kind of things about welfare and light rail and taxes. I’m just straightening out some of your bent statements.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:41 pm
MDE, don’t worry about this stuff, esp. inane comments from people like Tom (comment no. 59)
Stay vigilant and keep exposing Democrats and their scurrilous activities.
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:37 pm
DJZ spin this all you want you know as well as I that this is going to hit your party square in the face!
We are all aware of the games the DFL plays with funding for roads. Funny thing is how many times we have heard how this tax or that tax will be for roads yet somehow that never really happens.
Kind of like the transit bill last year. Worded so roads cannot get more than 60% of the funds and Transit gets AT LEAST 40%! Guess what that means to liberals and our local DFL? It means 1% for roads and 99% for mass transit! The public was screwed on that bill and the state was far less than honest about how it was presented. Funny how they sold it as money dedicated for roads but rarely did they mention the “at least 40%” part.
The 35 w road collaps, thet attempt to raise taxes in record amounts and then toss in the fools who will be here for the Republican conventionin 2008 and I believe we will watch the DFL screw themselves right out of local power.
They will still hold Mpls and St. Paul but then again they can have them as they should get what they deserve.
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:21 pm
[...] The “bridge was given the OK sign after MNDOT investigated it twice in the last five years. So whether we put a 100 billion dollars in transportation or 50 dollars it would not have went to this particular bridge. So money spent on welfare (mostly federal) or light rail (also mostly federal) or even cash refunds from the governor would not have affected this because MNDOT made the assessment that the bridge was fine.” Link. [...]
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:20 pm
OK Big Tuna,
Let’s do fucking nothing at all. Blame the Democrats. Whatever.
I just posted a list of 71 metro area bridges with a worst rating than the one we just lost. What do you suggest the Republicans do?
Can’t raise taxes and show that the DFLers were correct. Can’t redo the budget. Can call a special funding and dedicate funds to specific roads and bridges. I even have the amount of the estimate repairs would cost- all done by Pawlenty appointed bean counters.
So, what do you so smart and blameless perfect legislating Conservatives suggest we do?
The answer is nothing because with guys nothing is an issue until it fails.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:04 pm
“I am a partisan Republican”
No shit.
Instead of “exposing” the Democrats what have you done to fix the problem? Volunteered your time? Lobbied for new construction standards? Donated to the victims families? Expressed any concern whatsoever?
You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Sadly I don’t believe Republicans are capable of shame – much less empathy or compassion.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:16 pm
I tried to get info on the Vehicle Sales tax ammendment at the time and it was all but impossible. They presented it simply as the “Vote Yes” campaign and even the brochure at the fair didn’t help.
Jason Lewis warned me about it.
Search on “minnesota vote yes 40%”. Then search on “minnesota vote yes” and see how many sites did not even mention the 40% clause.
Everything the St. Paul Chamber supports seems to be cloaked in secrecy like this.
The fact is the ammendment was ill advised and not explained in a candid manner.
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:26 am
Bush’s press conference the day after the tragedy–in which he blamed the Congress–trumped anything Coleman et al have said, simply because he is the president. The man cannot say anything without making it political. Then he blames others for “talking politics†as if what he said wasn’t doing the same. He is the president of everyone living in the US, not just the president of Republicans. He seems to forget this. That said, both sides have shot their mouths prematurely. And until both sides can stop trying to “win†and instead help the American people win, I don’t have much hope for anything getting done. Does anyone know of a figure who can unite both sides in a common purpose and cut through all this political trash-talking? Just look at the vitriol on this message board for evidence of the fruitlessness of finger-pointing.
August 4th, 2007 at 7:29 am
[...] Boing Boing also links to Michael B. Brodkorb of Minnesota Democrats Exposed, who writes: I was hoping that Minnesota Democrats wouldn’t politicize this tragedy. Sadly, some have. I was disgusted by Elwyn Tinklenberg comments on KARE-11. Talk of blaming this tragedy on the failure to raise the gas-tax increase is disgusting. [ MINNESOTA DEMOCRATS POLITICIZE 35-W BRIDGE COLLAPSE ] [...]
August 6th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Hmmm, these comments are highly charged. Republicans are sounding rather guilty after cutting infrastructure, program after program.
I’m calling all the extra ruts I have to avoid on my motorcycle Pawlenty’s Potholes. I would be surprised if his policies didn’t have something to do with the 35W bridge not getting reinforcements, or replacement, but it’s possible.
I’m not talking about the gas tax increase, I’m talking a whole policy of wholesale infrastructure cuts. Eventually trouble comes.
I’m still mad at Pawlenty for closing the Indian Center in Bemidji, saying they could come down to the Twin Cities if they had a problem.Yeah right.
The fruitlessness of finger pointing . . . Doesn’t that assume that no one is at fault?
And yet, I do concede, that on both sides, the fingers do come up, regardless of whether there is a valid point. I’m not on either side.
August 12th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
You lot of people are a bunch of hypocritical, desperate, and lame want-to-be politicians. Will you please open up your effing eyes and realize that this current administration is headed for a dictatorship and that they are doing NOTHING but hurting this country!?
August 18th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
[...] Originally Posted by 1QWIK6 Deal with the real issues: MINNESOTA DEMOCRATS POLITICIZE 35-W BRIDGE COLLAPSE | Minnesota Democrats Exposed [...]
September 13th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
[...] Tinklenberg recently drew criticism for ghoulishly pointing fingers and talking about the need for a gas-tax increase in the hours after the 35-W bridge collapse. [...]
November 5th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
[...] Michael B. Brodkorb placed an interesting blog post on MINNESOTA DEMOCRATS POLITICIZE 35-W BRIDGE COLLAPSEHere’s a brief overview [...]
March 19th, 2008 at 10:28 am
(OMG)
April 30th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
[...] unmitigated gall to suggest that maybe we could have spend some more money maintaining the bridge. “Politicization!” they cried, studiously ignoring the fact that the collapse a bridge owned by the state and maintained by a [...]