Exactly what is this insanity?

The proposed new state Park at Lake Vermillion has all kinds of support, but the comments from local pols are show a a scary attitude:
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/07/19/vermilionpark/

and here for Sen. Tom Bakk's recent comments:http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articles/index.cfm?id=57914&section=homepage

Local Rep. David Dill has made similar comments about the state's need to sell lakeshore to make up for "lost" tax revenue. Parks are notorious for creating local revenue, and more often than not an entire economy is built around them. So why then, sell off precious, quickly disappearing lakeshore? Is it really just about taxes and local revenue, or is it something deeper ? I doubt it that is all there is. I think these guys just do not like nature. They are dems because that is the only way they can get elected here. I say protest this. We want and and need a state park, and we don't need to sell off what little precious lakeshore land we have left.

Here is how to contact:

For the St. Louis County Board:
http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/slcportal/SiteMap/HomePage/ContactUs/tabid/552/SiteMap/HomePage/Departments/CountyBoard/tabid/554/Default.aspx


ForRep. David Dill:rep.david.dill@house.mn
For Sen. Tom Bakk: sen.tom.bakk@senate.mn

Iraq Reality and wishful delusion

No, the surge is not working.The attacks still occur but coverage doesn't. For several months, this has been the major media refrain: Petraeus is a genius,and the surge is working. Unfortunately,it just isn't true:
http://www.juancole.com/2007/12/top-ten-myths-about-iraq-2007.html
Looking deeper, we see what has actually happened.The population is either on the run as refugees, or it is separated by sect and/or ethnicity:
http://matthewyglesias.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/09/a_tale_of_two_mapes.php

Lesson: Beware of lazy reporters and the status quo