That would be a good discussion for them to have among their membership.

These public employees are maligned on local talk shows and in this paper, especially John. Maybe the show I am thinking of will fade away.

My point was, it is impossible to remove everyone who will benefit from legislation, as we all do. Give an example, if you think what they are doing is illegal or unethical.

It would be good to have thorough disclosures before our lawmakers are elected. Doesn't do much good afterwords.

Would sombody by southie a box of hugh lollipops to put in her mouth, enough to last a few weeks. I'll contribute financially to the lobotomy expense.

reporting on some conflicts on the part of a couple of GOP legislators (but conflicts plague all parties): http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/12/08/politics/gop-got...

Gottwalt has since resigned, while Hann remains in a leadership position, no doubt mindful of potential conflicts. Voters should hold politicians of all ilks to a high standard regarding conflicts of interest. And there should be a longer waiting period between serving as a politician, and then becoming a lobbyist, to dissuade legislators from using public service as on-the-job training for more lucrative private business, as did Gottwalt.

(that Charlie is merely a "blunt" communicator), to each their own. I think blunt, direct speech can also avoid name-calling, disrespectfulness and rudeness. Do you think this supposed "bluntness" is effective in furthering dialogue on the subjects at hand? I'll be blunt: it seems like you're defending bad, disrespecful behavior. And, even though you're friendly with each other on this site, I'm surprised you'd make excuses for Charlie regarding this (as you're a fairly respectful communicator, who isn't on this site to wow us with "shock and awe" commentary).

Is C.M. allowed to talk trash like that? -- sure, as long as there's no swearing or threats of violence, or whatever else the Dispatch deletes. But why do we put up with it? Would we talk that way to each other if we were face to face? If not, why is it acceptable here? Bluntness can sometimes add necessary clarity -- it has some redeeming value. Rudeness, disrespect and name-calling do not have redeeming value, and have no place on this site, imo. (What is "smooth" language, by the way?)

wrassle her down and take her camera away too, are ya chuck?

Only if it's used to violate my legal rights. Cameras are good things when used properly. I use mine for wildlife photography.

Charlie, Charlie, Charlie. What's scary is that you actually believe what you just wrote is true.

posted gross pictures of himself after he photo-shopped his hair color and taking 25 lbs. off.
That was bad, but Predictable from you!

How much does an ethical board member get paid and may I have a job?

How did I achieve such stratospheric levels of intelligence. First of all, you don't even need to get out of this atmosphere to be more intelligent than you, to say nothing about the stratosphere. Second, I'll share my secret with you if you promise not to tell anyone else. My level of intelligence, which is not extraordinary, was achieved years ago by listening to others and absorbing it and, unlike you, keeping my mouth shut. I now feel I have the intelligence to more than satisfactorily communicate with people like you. Being seen and not heard in my younger years helped a lot. Since it is to late for you to accomplish this, I suggest you read and absorb as much as possible and perhaps you can serve society with a degree of intelligence similar to mine, in your later years. By the way, unlike you, I still learn things every day from other posters on here that share a level of intelligence equal to or above me. There, now you know the secret. Hopefully you will learn from it. Share your intelligence with pride. If you have little intelligence, I guess you'll have to hide behind pseudo names like "eyolf." I use my real name, have nothing to hide, and am proud of it. If I make a mistake, I don't hide it. I have made plenty of them and I use that as a learning experience. Admit your wrongs and learn from them. Don't hide behind false names. I hope this helps you. May God guide you as you move forward in life.

Wow, two thumbs down for looking for work, to bad I'm not young enough to collect the welfare you all talk about! I am willing to bet that people in congress make more then people on S.S.!

Charlie, Charlie, Charlie. What's scary is that you actually believe what you just wrote is true. Thanks for the constant ironic comedy routine. (Do you spew foul and rude put-downs on the radio, too, or are we just blessed with your rare combination of genius and bad manners in these posts?)

I guess if you were the bumbling, rude "genius" who spewed nastiness from "my side" of the political discussion, I might also give you a grudging "thumbs up", while shaking my head at your constant sophomoric antics and delusional view of yourself. Peace to you, too, "Brother".

Sadie: Thanks for the "smooth language" (dictionary? Handbook for Clinical Health Psychology?). What is "smooth" language, by the way?

Isn't the presumption on an opinion board that those expressing their opinions have some basis for their belief (religious, Constitutional, biological ...). If we're thinking and thoughtful people (which you are, and I presume you think you are), expressing our views in good faith, we hope we have a moral or intellectual basis for our statements/beliefs, don't we? (I recall many thoughtful opinions from you -- with strong religious undertones -- regarding marriage amendment, for example.) For me, the question here is simple (although apparently the answer is not): is it fair and reasonable to expect that folks treat each other with respect when communicating differences on this site? And everyone loves a witty or comedic come-back -- those are fair game. But can't even those adhere to a degree of respectfulness? Many of us are capable of writing a retort back to Charlie with his same "style" and degree of disrespect, but should we? Charlie suggests we don't "use the limits of this (comment) site to our advantage", as does he. Should we all get down in the mud and push the limits of what the Dispatch will allow? We could have our own little Jerry Springer-type free-for-all, right here in Central MN! Woo-hoo! As an exercise, I'd be happy to write a different version of a response to Charlie's posts, above. I assure you -- the moderator would be called upon if I did so.

Hey eyolf, read the last sentence in your post above and then try and talk respect to the rest of us. You are a two face blabbermouth. First of all, two libs at the BDD were given written reprimands in their personnel files for falsely publishing that information. Just ask Mikey O and Denny, the cyber monkey. Second, your only source of information was another loose lip flapper, southie. Third, I have never bragged about it. I'm not proud of it but given the same circumstances, I would do it again. Fourth, this wasn't a little old woman and little girl. They were punk plants by the DFL, little johnnie and crew. I wonder how many points johnnie gave them for there efforts. They caused a lot of problems for themselves just to help a couple punk dems (little johnnie and ricky). You want the truth, just ask Elain and Karen, the perpetrators. You'll have to use a cell phone because it's long distance to Milaca. Loose lip southie can hook you up with them. Now, oh holy one, you want people to respect you. It will be a cold day in hell. What goes around, comes around. Your best bet is to pick up your toys and go home or over to southies sand box. You'll never find respect on here as long as you keep writing like that. You have made your own bed on here with most of the posters so now you have to sleep in it.

Yea you learned a lot this this last 4 years The slowest recovery ever, more people on government asst. than ever, more people given up hope,health ins. cost more than double, gas highest ever (price per gallon w/ price per barrel ), But Obama said he has no problem with $5.00 a gallon. ECT.