About
Captain Ed is a father and grandfather living in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, a native Californian who moved to the North Star State because of the weather. He lives with his wife Marcia, also known as the First Mate, their two dogs, and frequently watch their granddaughter Kayla, whom Captain Ed calls The Little Admiral.
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The Crows Nest
OpenCongress Web Widget
Ever wanted to announce your support or opposition to Congressional legislation? OpenCongress now has a web widget that allows bloggers to do exactly that. Take a look at this, and check out how easily you can build your own.
Maybe They're Flotation Devices?
The Australian Navy foots the bill for breast augmentations. The Labour Party would like to know why, and probably so would most of the voters in Australia.
The Thinking Blogger
Congrats to Fausta, who won a Thinking Blogger award. She thanks me for my friendship, but the truth is that Fausta makes it easy to be her friend. She's always positive and energetic, and she epitomizes the notion of a thinking blogger. Make sure to put her on your must-read list!
Ensign Calls For Return Of MoveOn Money
NRSC chair Senator John Ensign calls for Democrats to return all campaign funds donated by MoveOn, after their despicable New York Times ad today accusing David Petraeus of treason. "If Senate Democrats are serious about moving our country forward, they will denounce this outrageous ad and return the campaign funds MoveOn.org has lavished on them as well as the donations made through MoveOn.org -- the choice is theirs." Ensign's right, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the refund ...
Support The Al-Dura Petition
Roger Simon at Pajamas Media is circulating a petition to demand accountability for the discredited al-Dura report from France's Channel 2. This is, as Roger calls it, the "Father of all Fauxtography," and C-2 has never acknowledged its fault in airing the supposed murder of a Palestinian child. He wants C-2 to show all of the unedited footage of the incident in order to show that C-2 faked the murder. If they're resisting the demand, I'd say they have something to hide ....
There Goes The Undefeated Season
Notre Dame managed to get its first loss out of the way as soon as possible -- and as badly as possible. Georgia Tech came to South Bend and stomped the Irish, 33-3, in the worst home opener loss in school history. The offense fumbled twice and allowed seven sacks on Evan Sharpley, who must have longed to have Brady Quinn back on the field instead. If Charlie Weis doesn't turn this debacle around fast, he may want to start asking Ty Willingham for some career counseling ....
Would Early Primaries Allow More Donations?
Jim Geraghty at The Campaign Spot believes that candidates will benefit if primaries and caucuses get pushed into 2007. A loophole in campaign finance regulation appears to allow an extra $2,300 per donor for candidates if those elections are held this year. Be sure to check out Jim's analysis, and the surprising candidate that may benefit the most.
When Tom Met Jeralyn
One of the interesting aspects of politics is finding out that opponents are people, too. Jeralyn Merritt of TalkLeft met Rep. Tom Tancredo backstage at NBC's studios, and found him more likable than she had anticipated. Perhaps it was their mutual interest in Dog, The Bounty Hunter ...
Joe Lieberman A Right-Wing Nut?
That's what CAIR says, according to Joe Kaufman. He has a link to a CAIR official's blog post that calls Lieberman, along with John Bolton, former CIA director James Woolsey, and the Heritage Foundation's Peter Brookes as "extremists". Affad Shaikh also calls Dick Cheney a "fat bastard of a liar," apparently not meant as a pop-culture reference to the Austin Powers movies. (via Let Freedom Ring)
Broadband Homelessness
The Japanese have made homelessness more efficient, and more Net-friendly, too. Their Internet cafés have become homeless shelters for the struggling manual-labor sector. The problem has grown into such a problem that government intervention will shortly become a political priority.
Found My Law Firm
Power Line links twice to this story regarding an attorney at Faegre & Benson who refused to become a victim and helped capture a very dangerous man. Keith Radtke is a partner in the firm as is Power Line's John Hinderaker. Radtke is listed in satisfactory condition after getting shot in the back, but that didn't keep him from locking up his attacker in a wrestling grip until police could arrive. I don't know about you, but that's the kind of man I'd want as my counsel ....
Don't Click That YouTube E-mail
The latest in spam seems to be redirections from YouTube links in e-mail to IP addresses without domain names. They attempt to entice people by making it seem that they have been inadvertently YouTubed. I'm sure most people can see through this scam, but just in case, you've been warned ....
Rick Moran Escapes The Floods
Rick Moran has kept us up to date on his travails along the Algonquin River. Yesterday, the police showed up to get him evacuated before the river flooded his home -- but today, Rick finds that a minor miracle has taken place, and that his house survives ... at least for now. Keep Rick in your prayers, and keep checking in at Right Wing Nut House for updates.
Rule 1: Drag The Corpse On Over First
If I've learned anything in four years of blogging, don't try to be out in front of the death rumors, especially with the villains of the world. Saddam died a hundred deaths before we caught him alive in his spider hole, and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi almost as many before his demise last year. Osama may or may not be alive, but everyone's avoided speculating on his fate for a while now. Maybe Val at Babalu Blog will get luckier with his "Castro Is Dead" story. We all hope so. I'll wait for the announcement ....
Hobbs Choice
Volunteer Voters is holding its annual "Best of Nashville" on-line polls, and one of the categories is for the best political writer. Our friend Bill Hobbs, now posting at Newsbusters, and he'd like his on-line fans to cast their votes. Drop by and put one in for Bill if you get a chance!
Comments (21)
Posted by RBMN | September 17, 2007 4:19 PM
Champlin and Coon Rapids are also in the 3rd District. You need a better excuse than housing prices. :-)
Posted by Gary Gross | September 17, 2007 4:45 PM
That's so noble of you, Ed. Your willingness to take one for the team is admirable.
Posted by Todd G | September 17, 2007 4:54 PM
Actually, do I read a hint of "...and I'll run" in there?
Posted by RD | September 17, 2007 5:33 PM
Yes, Captain Ed. I think you need to take out a huge mortgage and buy a house on Lake Minnetonka-have confidence in your future. Many years ago when I was an out of state student at the U of M I had family friends who owned lake front property and built a modest home there. They graciously invited me out many a weekend and we had such fun on the lake. It was possible to buy property there then as it was considered quite a commute from jobs in Mpls to the lake and the concept of the middle class owning second homes was almost unknown. The middle class has come a long way baby but never fear Hillarycare is near and she will take it away for the common good.
Posted by Eric | September 17, 2007 5:34 PM
Posted by Todd G | September 17, 2007 4:54 PM
Actually, do I read a hint of "...and I'll run" in there?
Eric:
I got that too. Hope we're both right.
Posted by Eric | September 17, 2007 5:36 PM
Captain Ed,
You run a tight ship. I've seen recently that your site is one of the top 50 on the internet! Wish I could remember where. You would make a terrific Congressman -- you should give it serious thought.
Posted by Jeff | September 17, 2007 5:39 PM
Seeing as how the democrats hava a hypocrite gay network that's been effective for sliming political opponents, I'm starting to worry that Jim's exit and his curious nickname of "The Rammer" might be related.
Just kidding of course. Everyone knows he's a good man without a bone of bullshit in his body, and he will be missed.
So where the hell did the nickname come from?
Posted by RD | September 17, 2007 6:05 PM
Actually, Captain Ed. it looks like I gave you a bum steer...the name of the town was Excelsior not Minnetonka-I don't know about Minnetonka but chalk it up to another senior moment for me.
Posted by TyCaptains | September 17, 2007 6:15 PM
Carpetbagging FTW!
Posted by Rhymes With Right | September 17, 2007 6:26 PM
Run, Ed, Run!
Posted by Carol Herman | September 17, 2007 7:00 PM
I hope ya go fer it!
While Al Franken is NOT letting his "comic" career hold him back from seeking a senate seat.
I think you'd learn a lot.
And, I think if you got "in" ... then you'd be blogging from DC. Talk about a win-win!
From the way you post your columns, Ed, the most obvious thing is that you're the fairest guy in the world. No one is able to articulate FAIR as far as it goes; when you put up your views.
I also think you LISTEN. You give others a very fair shake.
And, who knows? With the Internet, you could discover that running for public office isn't about shaking people down for donations. You can reach out ... and it doesn't even cost ya a postage stamp.
They say, by the way, the there are so many seats in the HOUSE, that only a few really become players; everyone else sits in the bleachers waiting for their instructions.
2008? Hastert's gone. Pelosi might not remain in the driver's seat? It's a whole new season to the ball game.
Where I had once hoped, as politics in this country changed hands ... from one party to the other; someone would have figured out how to create a "farm team" as good as that there one: The New York Yankees.
Promise you'll be Steinbrenner.
Posted by Jeff_McAwesome | September 17, 2007 7:03 PM
Shame you have to be 25 to run for the House. I'd run. Do any of the other NARN folks live in the 3rd district? I think Mitch lives in St. Paul. What about Chad, John, King, or Michael? I assume Saint Paul doesn't live in the third.
We need some conservative talk show guys in the govt to counter Al Franken.
Posted by filistro | September 17, 2007 7:20 PM
I don't think the Cap'n is talking about running... just voting. At least I certainly hope so.
Being one of the top political blogs in the nation is an awesome accomplishment and a position of considerable power and influence. Being one of hundreds in Congress, spending all your time kissing babies and raising money so you can retain your seat... not so much.
Posted by Jeff_McAwesome | September 17, 2007 7:44 PM
I just read the pertinent section of the constitution, and unless I am missing something, you don't actually need to live in the district that you represent. You only need to live in the state in which you represent.
Posted by John | September 17, 2007 8:06 PM
Draft ED!
Posted by Eric | September 17, 2007 8:23 PM
Ed/Fred 08...
Fred/Ed 08?
Posted by RD | September 17, 2007 8:48 PM
I think it's just an excuse for a summer home on the lake and who can blame him(just kiddin Cap'n)
Posted by flenser | September 17, 2007 9:22 PM
Morrissey for Congress! I'd chip in for that.
Posted by Cindy | September 17, 2007 10:22 PM
None of the NARNians live in the 3rd, but most of the Freedom Dogs do as do a few other solid center right bloggers in Minnesota. There is plenty of talent in the 3rd....
Cindy
Posted by Karl | September 17, 2007 11:19 PM
Capt'n
You give us hope!
You'll need a ship, of course. And a crew. And cold beer.
Ay, an the new site be nice on the eyes, indeed.
Posted by Jack C | September 18, 2007 5:32 PM
I live in MN's 4th Dist. (St.Paul) but I'd move just to vote for Ed. If he got a house on Minnetonka, then he'd have to get a boat, so that the Admiral could have a command vessel!)