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MINNESOTA DEMOCRATS POLITICIZE 35-W BRIDGE COLLAPSE - MICHAEL MCINTEE
By Michael B. Brodkorb | August 2, 2007
One of the most inaccurate and sloppy bloggers in Minnesota, Michael McIntee, has decided to weigh in on the 35-W bridge collapse:
"If the lack of funding for bridge repairs and inspections had anything to do with the collapse of the 35W bridge and the loss of life it caused, it has the potential to be a political landmine for Governor Pawlenty and those legislators who voted to support his transportation bill veto." Source: Michael McIntee, Daily Kos Diary
Click here for the complete post.
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This disgusting comment was left on McIntee's post:
"MN Governor Pawlenty decided years ago that the MN Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau could do her job and be in charge of the MN State Dept of Transportation. Now we see that it was poorly led and poorly funded. There is blood on Pawlenty's and Molnau's hands." Source: Daily Kos
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How can you help the victims of this tragedy? Give blood. Blood donations are now being accepted. Please call the Memorial Blood Centers of Minnesota in advance to schedule a time for your blood donation at their four metro area centers. The Blood Center's central scheduling number is 612-871-3300 ext. 4421 or visit http://www.redcross.org/donate/give/American Red Cross Blood Services, to donate blood-call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (448-3543) or visit www.givebloodgivelife.org.
Financial donations can be made by visiting the website of the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Topics: Uncategorized |
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:03 am
He starts off with the word “If” but, don’t let reality get in the way.
Michael you’re the one politicizing this more than anyone. What you’ve done is continue to ‘expose’ democrats through a tragedy and bring it all together here for comments and observations by the Right, therefore generating comments by the Left.
What’s different about what you’re doing with this than you do with anything else?
If you’d let these comments stand on their own where ever they were and post something about HELPING out the situation- or even sticking with 28B, then that’s showing class and resisting the obvious.
So, its not only my voting colleagues that have slipped in class and manners.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:07 am
DJZ,
As I read the liberal blogs condemning Pawlenty, blaming him personally and his administration’s policies, telling him to go get fucked among other things, I don’t see your name (or in this case initials) telling them to shut up. I’m sure you have a membership at Daily Kos, Democrats Underground where you can post comments. Where are your comments, DJZ? Until I see you condemn the liberal blogosphere on their web sites, I’m just going to say there’s that hypocrite bitching again.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:10 am
P.S. DJZ,
Do you condemn this statement?
“There is blood on Pawlenty’s and Molnau’s hands.”
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:21 am
Comical. That is the only response that should be given to that statement…
Anyone turning this into a political soap box is a hack - that goes for your MDE.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:22 am
Michael,
Please claim the REAL high ground for yourself.
Knock it off.
There is going to be plenty of time for finger pointing and positioning.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:25 am
Tim: According to numerous Democrats, the time is now to point fingers. Democrats are pointing fingers.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:31 am
So; you are not better than they are.
The “numerous Democrats” are WRONG. That does not make you right.
I suggest you spend a little time looking in the mirror.
Don’t again try and claim you are standing on the high ground when you are clearly gleefully swimming in the the mud.
This is a supreme example of why I despise so much what you do. To you this is a game. Winning is what is important. Not what is right.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:53 am
Democrats are nothing but peddlers of hate and blame. The DFL has the most worthless ideology, and is consists entirely of thieves, cowards and liars.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:04 am
Michael,
You’re the one politizing this. You were just waiting for one crazy Dem to say something dumb so you could jump on it.
Mike M and other diary writers on Kos or DU do not speak for the Democratic party. You know that. Yet both you and Bill O’Reilly continue this practice of finding outlandish statements and connecting them to the Democratic establishment.
In the fallout from the Wellstone memorial, it was determined that the GOP had decided what their post-memorial talking points were going to be before Tom Harkin or anyone made over-the-top comments. We will not fall for this again.
YOU are the one attempting to turn this into a political issue.
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 11:10 am
Michael what you are doing is discusting. STOP IT NOW!!!
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:19 am
I might point out this is the same blog that thought restraint should have been shown towards anything Norm Coleman related after his elderly father passed on. There are a lot of things that can be said politically, and once the bodies are pulled out of the water we can start to consider making those comments.
Following the Wellstone memorial I voewd to never vote Democrat again and despite considering it once or twince I have thought Wellstone memorial and ended considerations instantly. Your pretty damn close to pulling a Wellstone memorial afterall you are higher ranking in Republican circles then Rick Kahn was in Democrat circles.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:24 am
Mike,
How is holding people accountable for the outrageous statements they make pointing the finger, laying blame and calling names so offensive to you? Why aren’t you posting comments on the Daily Kos “Tim Pawlenty has blood on his hands” or the Democratic Underground “I hope Pawlenty gets fucked”?
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:25 am
P.S. Mike,
Rick Kahn was Wellstone’s campaign manager. With all due respect to Michael, he is not in a higher position than a U.S. Senate candidate’s campaign manager. Nice try though, Mike Grimes!
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:27 am
Michael: Thanks for reporting on what the scumbag, a-hole, piece of political crap DFLers and liberals are saying. I understand why the DFLers and libs want you to stop…they look bad every time they open their mouths and politicize this tragedy.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:30 am
I’m not worried about Democrats because as I’ve said I’ve already given up on them. Is that really that complicated. There is no place for any of this bullshit yet and if you think there is then your as big of an asshole as any Democrat.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:37 am
You’re right Mike, you fat lying bastard. Democrats were protesting Norm Coleman’s house when his father died. Now, Democrats are out pointing fingers and peddling fear and hate following the tragic deaths on a collapsed bridge.
Do Democrats know no shame? Of course not.
Should some light be shed on their disgusting ways? Of course.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:44 am
… and now that sanctimonious, retarded lump of crap Nick Coleman has weighed in:
http://www.startribune.com/10204/story/1339911.html
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:45 am
DFLer Nicky Coleman is up on the Star-Tribunes web site blaming Republicans for it.
“For half a dozen years, the motto of state government and particularly that of Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been No New Taxes. It’s been popular with a lot of voters and it has mostly prevailed. So much so that Pawlenty vetoed a 5-cent gas tax increase - the first in 20 years - last spring and millions were lost that might have gone to road repair.
At the federal level, the parsimony is worse, and so is the negligence. A trillion spent in Iraq, while schools crumble, there aren’t enough cops on the street and bridges decay while our leaders cross their fingers and ignore the rising chances of disaster.”
http://www.startribune.com/10204/story/1339911.html
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:46 am
Oh, I just want to add, class act there Star Tribune. I bought my first copy of your paper in 3 years this morning and was wondering if I’d regret it.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:50 am
Nope, no politicization here. Give me a break. I wish this tragedy were not being politicized, but those on the Left, like everything else in life, have turned this issue into a political football. Disgusting.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:51 am
LOL!
Hey Chestnut, you kiss your boyfriend with that mouth of yours?
I’m not condemning any statements on here by DFLers. Why should I? So I can get a pat on the back from you guys on here? Keep it.
What does it matter? Suddenly is MDE and its cult following going to be more respectful and truthful about DFLers? Hell no! I don’t need to curry favors with half-tards that see me as evil just because of my political beliefs.
So, I’ll continue this from my side of the aisle and watch the republicans continue to hang themselves. This is on the only local blog where a break wasn’t necessary. In usual Republican form they blame Democrats for making them get political.
If Molnau and Pawlenty did nothing after being informed that the structure of the bridge is in need- then, well you know (and we know that it received warning status twice over the last five years. By the way, we have about 16 more bridges that received higher warnings. A special session could be in order- but, that would mean Republicans admitting that the government needs money to perform these functions. Where does that money come from?
I guess the Bush Administration was not at fault for the Katrina aftermath? Though all credible reports say different.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:55 am
Gimme my bukket - I gotta clear stuff up here…
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Alright.
Just to show I’m not a complete bastard, here’s a list of METRO area bridges where the rating is deficient or below. Bridges are ranked 1 to 100, a rating of 50 or below is considered deficient. There are 72 in the metro area alone. Be careful.
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/programmanagement/pdf/planning_metro_dist.pdf
Why not have a session to fund these specific projects?
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:17 pm
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 12:28 pm
Your political beliefs are evil DJZ, and therefor so are you.
The bridge also received passing marks each of the last two years. So apparently, corrective action was taken. Dipshit.
Still, the Democrats ruling our state have diverted funds away from critical infrastructure and key priorities, choosing instead to give handouts to their special interests, and fund bullshit programs that continue to fowl our state.
Democrats ruined the physical infrastructure, and they’re the cause of the social decay as well.
Democrats caused this. Period.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Intersting that Big Kahuna, as well as the last post on this site before the bridge fell, both attack tax increases. How, exactly, are we supposed to repair the bridges and do other infrastructure repair without tax inceases? The gas tax is way past due for an increase, to prevent this kind of thing in the future.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:40 pm
“In 2001, a research report on the bridge had found that it was unlikely to experience any fatigue cracking in the trusses supporting its deck. The paper, prepared by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Transportation Studies, evaluated both the main trusses and the floor truss of the bridge.
The report by the late Robert J. Dexter and others, concluded that the bridge’s deck “has not experienced fatigue cracking, but it has many poor fatigue details on the main truss and floor truss system.”
The authors said their research helped determine that “fatigue cracking of the deck truss is not likely.” They added that the bridge shouldn’t have any problems with fatigue cracking “in the forseeable future” and that there was no need to “prematurely replace this bridge because of fatigue cracking, avoiding the high costs associated with such a large project.”
However, the report noted “many poor fatigue details” and said certain members of the main truss should be inspected every two years, as was being done at the time. In addition, the report said, certain sections of the floor trusses had high stress areas that should be inspected every six months.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Wednesday night that the bridge was inspected in 2005 and 2006, and that no structural deficiencies were identified.”
For the deficit frauds and liars (DFL) here, that means that the administration followed the advice of experts with regard to prioritizing and managing maintenance… in light of the flimsy funding that Democrats made available.
Now, speaking of road work that needs to be done… can we move all the left-wing ding bats and environmental cooks out of the way and get the goddam cross-town project started?
PLEASE?
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:41 pm
KP… the answer is simple. STOP DIVERTING MONEY FROM BULLSHIT SOCIAL ENGINEERING PROJECTS AND INVEST IN THE GODDAMN INFRASTRUCTURE AND BASIC SERVICES THAT GOVERNMENT IS OBLIGATED TO PROVIDE.
In other words, FIRE THE DEMOCRATS.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Numbnuts- I mean, Chestnut,
Why don’t you try to understand how the budget works. Social programs are from one source and engineering projects come from dedicated funds like bonding and say, perhaps the gas tax.
The blind dipshits on here may buy that line of yours but, your legislators and the press understand that its impossible to do so.
Keep saying it over and over then you’ll get other Republicans saying it and maybe we can have a veto proof legislature and really get some things done.
Gas tax=roads and bridges- ONLY.
Governor vetoed it.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:53 pm
With all due respect, I’d never give blood to the Red Cross. Memorial Blood Centers has much more integrity and does not play politics with blood donations. The Red Cross is an embarrassment.
No offense.
Tinkle-winkle…dooshbag.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:04 pm
DJZ (aka, shit for brains) I understand how a budget works. You have a pool of money, and you allocate it to certain things.
ALL THE MONEY ALLOCATED TO BULLSHIT SOCIAL ENGINEERING PROJECTS IS DIVERTED FROM PRIORITIES SUCH AS ROADS AND BASIC SERVICES.
I don’t care what the source. Government should not be spending money on bullshit social engineering projects.
Here’s another one moron. THE GAS TAX REVENUES HAVE TRIPLED IN THE LAST 20 YEARS. The money isn’t being spent on roads.
The governor vetoed that bullshit gas tax increase because IT WAS TIED TO A THOUSAND OTHER TAX INCREASES THAT WOULD HAVE DESTROYED THE ECONOMY.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:09 pm
What’s even more shocking than these evil liberals trying to make political points from the dead bodies still lying in the river is that they’re defending it.
Democrats have absolutely no shame. None.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Who is Michael McIntee? Oh, wait. Nobody cares.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:31 pm
As Crissy Coleman destroys my once great city with astro turf in public parks, his brother predicably chimes in blaming the lack of tax increases.
http://www.startribune.com/10204/story/1339911.html
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:01 pm
“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!”
Um… who has been trying to pass a comprehensive transportation package for years now? It sure as hell isn’t the Republicans, they can’t get enough vetoes under their belt. I don’t claim to know what caused the collapse, but if it ends up being related to lack of funds for maintenance or incompetence at MnDOT people are gonna flip.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:17 pm
DJZ,
What the f*** are you doing attacking Republicans for politicizing what happened when that’s exactly what you are doing. You don’t even know what caused the bridge to collapse. And to say that you do and that it’s Pawlenty’s fault is scraping the bottom of the barrel. I think you’re a piece of garbage for trying to exploit this tragedy and you should be ashamed.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Tom you are SO very wrong!! It is the DFL who pushes for transi projects and what they do is try to toss in a small road project or two and claim it will be for roads but time after time it is diverted for mass transit!
You can cry foul all you want, I was down there last night and most of the people talking about this hope this is going to wake up the powers that be and dedicate our funds for roads and quit with the mass transit crap. Just you watch there is going to be some major fallout from this which is why the democRats are trying to spin so early on, they know this is going to land on them and hurt their stance in the public.
These were the same people you claim support all DFL policies and I can tell you first hand there are a LOT of upset Mpls residents right now and those that have to commute around the cities know full well if you want roads built you do not vote DFL!
You best hope and pray the public forgets about this incident before November 2008 or just another reason for MN voters to not vote for the DFL!!
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:29 pm
DJZ and my other liberal friends I do not blame the DFL any more than I blame YOU!
You are the idiots who believe this liberal drivel and you know full well how you hate cars and want mass transit to take over.
Transit will NEVER work here like it does in other major metro area’s. Not only does the culture not take to mass transit here, but it makes little sense here due to how the city is laid out.
I not only hold our Met council responsible as well as Mn Dot and our DFL party but every liberal who supports the losers who have been trying to reduce roads here causing mass traffic problems hoping they can “train” people to adapt to mass transit.
I can tell you with full confidance that there are many liberals thrilled about this as they will play it as a reason for more mass transit!
Liberals not only make me sick but make me want to reach out and choke every last one of you.
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Wouldn’t have been much of a loss all that fell to the River was empty MetroTransit buses.
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Let me give everyone some advice: Please lighten up.
Here’s the fact of the matter when it comes to bridge funding. The 10 cent gas tax that everyone keeps talking about as being the remedy that could have prevented this catastrophe is a logical fallacy. The money, even if appropriated 2-3 years ago, would not have been able to save the I-35 structure from this fate.
The fact that Democrats are trying to politicize this issue, and that Mr. Brodkorp has had his hand forced in bringing up the problems of the statements of Nick Coleman and Mike McIntee, shows that there are going to be some big issues coming with these statements that have been made.
I would suggest everyone take a chill pill and stop blaming each other. Why not focus on, y’know, donating blood. God knows we need blood donors out there.
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Sakaki take a long walk off a short pier.
I am pissed and pretty upset and completely blame our liberal friends! The DFL of this state has been purposely guiding as many funds as they can to mass transit despite how the public cries for more roads. The MN Met Council, an unelected group has been trying to force the public into mass transit for years now.
One can only imagine what our roads would look like now had we spent the money for the light rail on roads and bridges.
This is going to hit the DFL hard in this state and they know it which is why we see the finger pointing so quick out of the DFL. They know they are at some fault and will do what ever they can to try to turn the spot light away from them.
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:15 pm
When chased into a corner call someone a liar. Sorry folks but but what your doing on here right now goes beyond pathetic, all of you jackasses (I think it’s safe to assume thats what 90% of the above posters are) need to take a day away from this crap.
As for you Michael take that give blood line a rest, If you want to say this shit then say it without trying to cover your ass. You have pulled yourself a Rick Kahn, for Norm, for Norm, for Norm!!!
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Big Tuna,
The day I care what you think you say will never be. You haven’t been credible or informative since you changed your name on here and continued writing.
Blame liberals all you want. Like Numbnut, you don’t understand how the budget works. There is no big pool of money, most taxes collected are going to be dedicated. Even if what you say about the DFL Transit Bill is true (its not), the only way it passes is with support from rural DFLers who’s focus is on roads and bridges.
Nick Coleman is right on the money. The Republicans chose to end session than negotiate a gas tax or bonding for roads and bridges. There has not been a super majority in the legislature to over-ride a veto by either party but, there has been a governor who has stood against a gas tax (dedicated funds to roads and bridges) for twenty years. 16 years of Republicans and 4 of Jesse.
Your elected Republicans are not piping up and are moving to support a special session to get more tax dollars. Damn politicians.
How can you say the MetCouncil has been pushing this for years? These are all hand-picked Republicans by Tim Pawlenty. Are you saying that when conservative hacks get facts in front of them, their willing to deviate from the talking points and blame game? I don’t believe it.
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:13 pm
Nick Coleman is a worthless piece of shit. Just like his brother, who’s currently destroying St. Paul.
Speaking of not knowing how anything works, asshole DJZ… DEMOCRATS RAN THE SESSION. DEMOCRATS ENDED THE SESSION. DEMOCRATS DID NOT NEGOTIATE THE BUDGET IN GOOD FAITH. DEMOCRATS LIED, LIED, LIED. DEMOCRATS FORCED THE END OF A SESSION AFTER TRYING TO RAM-ROD SHITTY LEGISLATION AND SPECIAL-INTEREST HAND-OUTS THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE. DEMOCRATS FUCKED THIS SESSION UP, COMPLETELY. DEMOCRATS HANDED A LOAD OF AWEFUL BILLS TO PAWLENTY AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT, COMPLETELY IGNORING HIS PRIORITIES…
AND YOU GODDAM RIGHT HE VETOED THAT SLUG OF SHIT, YOU mush head.
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Pawlenty vetoed this you dumbshit:
“a transportation bill containing more than $5 billion in tax and fee increases, including adding 7-1/2 cents to the per-gallon gasoline tax, a “wheelage” tax (a tax on vehicles), sales tax increases for transit spending, an excise tax on new car purchases, and increased tab and license fees with a total cost to the average Minnesota family of up to $500 a year.”
FIVE BILLION DOLLARS IN TAX INCREASES.
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:19 pm
That’s not a transportation bill. That’s a lard bill.
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:41 pm
Tit-Balls
Get over yourself and your self-absorbing shit. You are about as worthless as those steel beams holding up a bridge that now sits in a river.
Way to take a tradgey and try and emplore your policial hackery on others.
Have you even read the Transporation Bill - Guessing Not.
The blame lays within the entire government-not just one political party or the other.
The Fed-The State - both are to blame. Who controlled the House for the last 8 years - Republicans - Who had power in the Senate - Democrats - When last was there a Democrats Governor? Early 90’s. Who has been in the Presidency for the last 6 year - Republican - Who had both House of Congres - Republicans - Before them Democrats had the Presidency and the Republicans had the House - The blames is not with one political group…
You are a disgusting human being (If that is what you can call a person like you) - using this accident as a way to make a political point.
You have been just as fast to blame Democrats as the liberals have been to blame Republicans - you are no better -
August 3rd, 2007 at 7:21 am
Turkeyshit, yes, I understand that tax bill with the transportation label quite well. You?
You have a tough time with FACTS.
Call me what you like. But I’m informed, and unimpeachably correct.
Democrats are all dog shit, and responsible for our decaying infrastructure.
August 3rd, 2007 at 8:55 am
Nothing that has ever come out of that sperm infested mouth of yours has ever been correct.
You can’t blame one party over the other when they have been in positions of authority and power on a pretty even keal for the last 20 years.
And if the Democrats are responsible for the decay - why don’t the Republicans do something about???
Maybe if they had any intelligence they would have the foresight to see such a decay and move to fix it.
Its too bad you weren’t on a nice stroll under 35W on Wednesday.
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:13 am
For all practical purposes, Democrats have been running the state government for the last 40 years. (they’ve owned both houses, which set the budget and priorities).
They’ve ignored Republicans for at least the last 20 about dedicating funds to roads… They haven’t even considered Pawlentys recent proposals. The last “transportation bill” they passed had almost nothing to do with transportation, it was a $5 BILLION tax increase.
Democrats, turkshitforbrains, like you, are the problem. It’s not hard to figure out.
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:14 am
By the way, EVERYTHING I have said is correct.