"Milk"

I saw this movie on Christmas day and found it to be a very emotional experience.

Now I never actually saw Harvey Milk speak but I found Sean Penn's portrayal to be very reminiscent of Paul Wellstone- who I personally saw and heard several times.

I appreciated being reminded of such passion for politics but also was reminded of such a painful loss. Even six years later- that loss is still a significant one for me- all the more raw at this time because of the on-going battle to fill that seat in the senate.

As for the movie, I expected an interesting study of a particularly colorful time in our history. I was not disappointed.

There were a few anachronistic moments- most notably when Cleve Jones (as played by Emile Hirsch) says to Harvey -about helping with a future campaign- "I don't do losing!" If anyone- gay or straight- said such a thing with such a tone prior to the 1990's, even in California - I would be very surprised.

That moment, as seen in a preview made me want to hate the character and Hirsch's portrayal of him. But, once I let go of this 'bad writing' moment I found the character to be a rather enjoyable addition to the whole experience.

I also found it troubling that the writing and direction chose to suggest a possible "closeted gay" aspect of Dan White. It was unnecessary to the story and played into a kind of "everybody is gay" attitude of some gay activists. Indeed, this might have been part of Milk's persona but with nothing else in the movie to indicate that was the case the whole tangent became an unnecessary distraction.

Penn is fantastic in the role. And I rarely feel that way about Penn. As I said before, Hirsch is enjoyable. Franco Is also very good in this movie. He is understated and enjoyable. I look forward to seeing more of him in the future.

I do wish they would have spent more time in this movie focussing on the on events of the time- even the ones that connect to the storyline. I recall vividly, as a highschool student at the time, feeling very amused by the rantings of Anita Bryant. These could have been covered more, including the 'pie in the face incident' or at least one "squeeze a fruit for Anita Bryant" t-shirt.

Do not wait to see this on DVD. The connections to the current fight in California regarding the recent proposition 8 and the battle of that time cannot be ignored.

Coleman has links to political scumbag (other than himself)

I can't wait for Senator Franken.

"Coleman is an Amazing Human Being"

That is the kind of headline one might expect from the local media in MN. Every move Franken makes in the recount process (like withdrawing challenges to lighten the load of the canvassing board) goes without comment from the media. But in every instance where Coleman responds by withdrawing some of his (usually a lesser amount) the move headlines the local papers and news channels.

Franken uses his own resources to take up the battle to count wrongfully rejected absentees ballots (without knowlege of who the votes were cast for) and he is criticized for 'prolonging the process.' Coleman files suit in Mn Supreme court at the first hint of a decision not going his way (an indication of things to come)and no one in the media says a word.

In the meantime, Coleman- along with his Republican counterparts in the Senate helped to block the Auto Industry Finance package in the senate. One could ask why he had the sudden change of heart after supporting a package for financial institutions and insurance companies that was more than 53 times the size (5357.14%), but what would be the point. I think we know.

Republicans, like Norm Coleman, just bitch-slapped the labor force and unions in particular.

So much for his rhetoric about wanting to save Main Street, not Wall Street. His actions- both approving the bank bailout and rejecting help for the auto industry demonstrates clearly who his constituents really are.

In the midst of an election recount- that should have demonstrated how weak his support really is- Norm Coleman seems to be trying to match the unpopularity and incompetance of our soon-to-be-former president.

So here is a proposal: Let's do a special election. Give us until the first Tuesday in January. We can have one debate with the single issue at stake being the bailout of Banking big-wigs and the failure to act for the auto industry.

It won't happen. More likely Coleman will take this thing to court and accuse Franken of 'dirty politics.' But. like I said, Coleman is an amazing human being.

Check Recount Updates Here

Nate Silver is following this closely and offers continuing analysis here.

Why Coleman should lose-

In the midst of a political campaign, the fluffy senator from MN voted in favor of an unpopular 'bailout' package under the auspices of 'saving us from economic disaster. He then defended that vote during a debate claiming that they had to do something rather than nothing and that people who criticize from the sidelines (Franken, in particular) don't know what it is like to make tough decisions.

We now know that the tougher decision would have been to vote against this packame that did nothing to boost wall street and nothing to change the attitudes of the money grubbing executives who benefitted from that package.

Now, given the opportunity to actually save jobs, prop up the economy and formulate a future that will retool our whole economic structure toward a greener and more independent future, Senator Norm Coleman chooses to vote against a loan for the auto industry.

His rationale is looney when contrasted with the very things he said about the bailout for banks and financial institutions (companies that do not actually make anything).

What really seems to be going on in the Republican 'let them seek remedy in bankrupcy' solution supported by Coleman - and by the way Bush/Cheney- is the continuing effort to devalue labor n this country. In Bankrupcy a company need only go before a judge to get labor contracts with unions eliminated or renegotiated (lpike was done in the airline industry). Mitt Romney is touting this 'cost saving tactic' on MSNBC as I type this.

I guess Coleman did not receive enough money for his election and recount effort from auto workers for him to care about them as much as he does big corporations.

Now, let me be clear. I for one am stunned at notion that the big three are looking for any handout, given their complete lack of response to concerns of our economy, our security and the wants and needs of their customers regarding development of more efficient and alternative fuel vehicles.

So take some of that banker's bailout and shift it to a loan for the big three. Next, as President Obama begins his work this January, either give up the talk about another stimulous package or create a package that puts the money behind sustaining jobs, rebuilding infrastructure and retooling our future.

This modestly optimistic view is offered by Nate Silver

Yet there continue to be morons out there screaming that there is no point to a recount.

Tom Hauser of KSTP gets a "Truth Test" right.

there were never 32 votes in the trunk of a car. Of the 32 votes that Coleman tried to get disallowed 18 went to Franken (not 32 as has been reported), Coleman got 7 and the remainder either went to another candidate or had no senate vote cast.

But Coleman, Pawlenty and the Republican minions continue to tell this particular lie.

Mn Secretary of State's Office

Check here daily for updates as the gap continues to close.
As of Friday November 7, 2008 at 7 PM- Franken trails by 221 votes.
As of Monday November 10,2008 at 10 AM Franken trails by 204 votes.
As of 12;26 PM November 10 Franken trails by 206 votes.
(let it not be said that Coleman isn't seeing any vote additions in this process)
This Story
Tells us exactly how close this election is. There is a potential for about 1653 new votes within the margin of error. Depending on where they com from, this certainly could tilt the scales toward one candidate or another.

At 8 PM it's only 236 votes---

At 8 PM it's only 236 votes---

Pine county accounting error

The gap between Coleman and Franken has closed to just 336 votes (less than 1/100 of 1%) and the recount hasn't even happened yet. No wonder Coleman wanted Franken to "do the Minnesota thing."

Based on the accuracy of the scanning machines and the number of votes cast, there are potentially 2 ballots per 1000 that need to be accounted for. That means that nearly 6000 additional votes could come into play. That would certainly leave the outcome uncertain.

Don't think I missed this

Who in this world did not get choked up last night when it was announced that Barack Obama would be the next President of the United States. Images of people, gathered throughout our nation, but particularly in Grant Park in Chicago where the crowds cheers at the announcement were deafening.

It would be easy- reading this space for the past 24 hours- to think that I missed this moment in history. Quite the contrary. My sense of glee is perhaps dimmed. But my appreciation of the history and the hope are indeed palpable.

Coleman encourages Franken to "Do the Minnesota Thing"

and call off the recount. Apparently the law would allow Franken to concede. Coleman assures us that if the situation were reversed that is what he would do.

But there is nothing in Coleman's history to indicate that he is telling the truth. In 1998 he never conceded to Ventura but instead gave a drunken speech about Minnesota voters 'letting him down' and not knowing what they were doing.

He has filed one lawsuit in this campaign already and deflected the attention of another lawsuit against him toward Franken.

There is no dirty political trick that is beneath Coleman. In fact, his empassioned plea now is not for the good of Minnesotabut for the good of Norm Coleman.

In a race this tight a recount would certanly clarify that we got it right. Either candidate would be able to go to office with their head held high - at least on this issue.

This from KARE 11 seems to get it right

But AP gets the numbers a bit different with a difference between the candidates of only 314 votes.

AP- US Senate Minnesota

Precincts Reporting: 4130 of 4130 (100%)

Winner Candidate Votes %
Norm Coleman 1,211,403 42%
Al Franken 1,211,089 42%
James Niemackl 8,893 0%
Charles Aldrich 13,909 0%
Dean Barkley 437,376 15%

It could be December before we know the outcome-

Okay, I'll admit it.

I have been awake all night, so it is entirely possible that I heard Al Franken wrong. after all, why would KSTP say that he was 'demanding' a recount if it weren't true?

I know what I will do. I will find a print copy of his speech and read it again for myself:

Yeah, that's what I thought I heard. Guess Tom Hauser should do a 'truth test' for KSTP TV. They also report Franken at 41% of the vote when, in fact, both the major candidates have a count in excess of 42% and are separated by hundreths of a percentage point. According to the current tally, 570 votes exist between the two candidates ( Coleman with 1,210,940 and Franken with 1,210,370.

I give KSTP TV an F on the truth test and hold them responsible for the fact that FOX News and MSNBC are repeating this false information.

It looks like it will be days before a final tally is calculated. In the mean time, I will take Al's advice and be thankful that Minnesota has a superior voting system and a long history of laws and practices that protect the individual voter.