President Bush spoke last night.
Transcript of President Bush's Speech
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Monday, June 27, 2005
Tito Puente
On Friday evening we dined at Tryg's near Lake Calhoun to celebrate Megan Kelly's birthday. I ate a pork shank and drank two Summit EPAs. Then we went to Dulano's where we drank two pitchers of Premium while listening to live bluegrass music. The live music continued at Liz's apartment when we forwarded to the end of the Wedding Singer and sang karaoke.
Saturday, Marye and I helped her Mom paint the outside of her store. Later that afternoon I played basketball with Klinker at the court on St. Clair and Prior. Over the course of several games, we played with psychos, thugs, skanks, and slim shady ballhogs. There is much to tell. Maybe later. After the game we enjoyed a couple beers and fries at the Groveland Tap. The beer did not help prevent stiffness induced by lateral movement.
I ran with Paul on Sunday morning. Paul informed me that he ran nearly 21 miles on Saturday. Huge.
I picked up several more CDs at the public library.
* Tito Puente
* Miles Davis
* Wynton Marsalis
* Abba
* Brazilian hip-hop
* Beethoven
We went to the Ha Tien Market (Thai grocery store) on University. It was great. I bought jasmine rice, sticky rice, and fish sauce. I was wearing my "I Love America" shirt. You don’t know me.
Sunday evening, we met Andrea, John, and Tim at Bowl Park near the Lake Harriet band shell. Liz joined us. We ate dinner and then played bocce. Good times.
Saturday, Marye and I helped her Mom paint the outside of her store. Later that afternoon I played basketball with Klinker at the court on St. Clair and Prior. Over the course of several games, we played with psychos, thugs, skanks, and slim shady ballhogs. There is much to tell. Maybe later. After the game we enjoyed a couple beers and fries at the Groveland Tap. The beer did not help prevent stiffness induced by lateral movement.
I ran with Paul on Sunday morning. Paul informed me that he ran nearly 21 miles on Saturday. Huge.
I picked up several more CDs at the public library.
* Tito Puente
* Miles Davis
* Wynton Marsalis
* Abba
* Brazilian hip-hop
* Beethoven
We went to the Ha Tien Market (Thai grocery store) on University. It was great. I bought jasmine rice, sticky rice, and fish sauce. I was wearing my "I Love America" shirt. You don’t know me.
Sunday evening, we met Andrea, John, and Tim at Bowl Park near the Lake Harriet band shell. Liz joined us. We ate dinner and then played bocce. Good times.
Friday, June 24, 2005
Liberal Media and Civil Rights
I was watching the Lehrer News Hour the other night. A conservative hetero perverter was censuring PBS and the liberal media. Apparently, Bill Moyer and a homophile rabbit essentially represent PBS. This bereft analysis left me wondering what the liberal media is. Usually, I read the sports and business sections of the Star Tribune, but now I have started to look at the opinion page and record the topics. Next week I will begin reporting on my vigilance for liberal media.
I read my first Katherine Kersten column the other day. I was surprised Cleaver Peasantry did not comment on the article.
Hair-braiding restrictions needed untangling
* Area woman wants to open hair-braiding salon
* She is trammeled by a requirement to obtain a state-issued cosmetology license
* The license requires 10 months of training and costs up to $14,500
* The Institute for Justice helped change the law
* Individual liberties are restored
Then the article gets interesting...
Of these, economic liberty and school choice may be the most important for Americans striving to enter the middle class. That's because, to do so, it's essential to have both a good job and a good education.
Yet today, millions of poor children are trapped in failing public schools. So long as publicly financed education remains a government monopoly, that's where they'll stay.
Nationally, the Institute for Justice is known for its defense of Milwaukee's ground-breaking school choice program, which lets low-income students choose a private or parochial school if that's where they can get the best education.
For now, Anderson and McGrath not only have opened the door of opportunity for African hair-braiders, they've also revealed the true meaning of "civil rights."
Too often, we believe we can adequately address the plight of the less fortunate by doling out ever larger sums for government benefit programs, government schools and a host of other "we'll take care of you" efforts.
But Anderson and McGrath know that real civil rights are a product of economic and educational freedom -- the freedoms that unleash the creative power of the human spirit.
unquote
* Economic Liberty
* School Choice
* Private Property Rights
* Free Speech
Who knew problem solving could be so easy.
I read my first Katherine Kersten column the other day. I was surprised Cleaver Peasantry did not comment on the article.
Hair-braiding restrictions needed untangling
* Area woman wants to open hair-braiding salon
* She is trammeled by a requirement to obtain a state-issued cosmetology license
* The license requires 10 months of training and costs up to $14,500
* The Institute for Justice helped change the law
* Individual liberties are restored
Then the article gets interesting...
quote
What's next for the Minnesota chapter of the Institute for Justice? McGrath said it emphasizes economic liberty, school choice, private property rights and free speech.Of these, economic liberty and school choice may be the most important for Americans striving to enter the middle class. That's because, to do so, it's essential to have both a good job and a good education.
Yet today, millions of poor children are trapped in failing public schools. So long as publicly financed education remains a government monopoly, that's where they'll stay.
Nationally, the Institute for Justice is known for its defense of Milwaukee's ground-breaking school choice program, which lets low-income students choose a private or parochial school if that's where they can get the best education.
For now, Anderson and McGrath not only have opened the door of opportunity for African hair-braiders, they've also revealed the true meaning of "civil rights."
Too often, we believe we can adequately address the plight of the less fortunate by doling out ever larger sums for government benefit programs, government schools and a host of other "we'll take care of you" efforts.
But Anderson and McGrath know that real civil rights are a product of economic and educational freedom -- the freedoms that unleash the creative power of the human spirit.
unquote
* Economic Liberty
* School Choice
* Private Property Rights
* Free Speech
Who knew problem solving could be so easy.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
A Defeat for Private Property Rights
Justices, 5-4, Back Seizure of Property for Development
The Supreme Court today ruled that local governments may seize people's homes and businesses - even against their will - for private economic development.
Case Background
Susette Kelo, et al. v. City of New London, Connecticut, et al.
No. 04-108
Opinion, with links to concurrence and dissents.
Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution
... nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
National Security Threat
I read this news in the business section this morning. Here's the article from the NY Times:
Chinese Oil Giant in Takeover Bid for U.S. Corporation
Chevron was going to by Unocal for $16.4 billion. Then the China National Offshore Oil Corporation made an unsolicited offer of $18.5 billion.
Chinese Oil Giant in Takeover Bid for U.S. Corporation
Chevron was going to by Unocal for $16.4 billion. Then the China National Offshore Oil Corporation made an unsolicited offer of $18.5 billion.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Minnesota Taxpayers
Federal Budget (2004 Estimate)
Health and Human Services - 24.2% (mostly Medicare and Medicaid)
Social Security - 23.8%
National Debt - 17.5%
Defense - 16.0%
Those four items total 81.5%.
Minnesota State Budget (04-05 Biennium)
Education - 41.1% (E-12 and higher)
Health and Human Services - 28.1%
Transportation - 11.1%
Those three items total 80.3%.
An Overview of State Government Spending
Minnesota Department of Finance
October 2004
Excellent general information and summary of a biennium budget:
MN State Budget Summary (02-03 Biennium)
Great link to all funding categories:
MN Governor's Operating Budget Recommendations (06-07 Biennium)
Do you ever wonder where your money goes, how much goes where, and what the programs are?
MN Department of Education
MN Department of Human Services
Health and Human Services - 24.2% (mostly Medicare and Medicaid)
Social Security - 23.8%
National Debt - 17.5%
Defense - 16.0%
Those four items total 81.5%.
Minnesota State Budget (04-05 Biennium)
Education - 41.1% (E-12 and higher)
Health and Human Services - 28.1%
Transportation - 11.1%
Those three items total 80.3%.
An Overview of State Government Spending
Minnesota Department of Finance
October 2004
Excellent general information and summary of a biennium budget:
MN State Budget Summary (02-03 Biennium)
Great link to all funding categories:
MN Governor's Operating Budget Recommendations (06-07 Biennium)
Do you ever wonder where your money goes, how much goes where, and what the programs are?
MN Department of Education
MN Department of Human Services
Polygamy
On Monday evening, Klinker, Chanda, Ziyad, and Jenny joined us for dinner. I grilled artichoke heart stuffed chicken breasts. Ziyad brought back some beers from Salt Lake City, Utah. Polygamy Porter, to be exact. Why have just one? Bring some home for the wives. Fellow patriot Dr. Klinker brought me a t-shirt that read "I Love America." God bless you.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Nothing Much
I borrowed four CDs from the Merriam Park library.
music by:
Wynton Marsalis
Muddy Waters
Atmosphere
Gustav Mahler
I am currently reading Faster by James Gleick.
music by:
Wynton Marsalis
Muddy Waters
Atmosphere
Gustav Mahler
I am currently reading Faster by James Gleick.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Cyclist Tests Positive for Bear Claw
My parents visited me last weekend. We walked to Izzy's on Friday night after a pasta dinner. I ate a Mini B, a miniature banana split. My Mini B had chocolate, sour grapefruit, and maple butter nut scoops; chocolate, caramel, and raspberry sauce; whip cream, crushed M&Ms, and two miniature bananas. It was disgusting. On Saturday we drove down to Wabasha to visit my Grandma. On Sunday we helped Laura prepare for the opening of her flower/plants/landscaping business in Wayzata by painting the inside.
In other news, I set a new land speed record on the way home from work yesterday.
5.74 miles
17 minutes 27 seconds
19.7 mph
How did I do it? Simple. I ate a bear claw earlier in the day.
After the bike ride home, I ran along the river, crossed the Franklin bridge, ran up to the witch's hat in Prospect Park, and then cruised back home. I'm training for the 1st Annual Mustache Duathlon, which will be held sometime this summer. Competitors will grow a mustache starting at least one week before the event. The race will commence at my house, from which point we will bike to Crosby, run through the woods and around the lake, and return to my house. Upon completion of the duathlon, participants will have there picture taken and relax in the backyard while drinking Premium.
Words worth investigating the etymology:
Jingoism
we don't want to fight, yet by jingo if we do
we've got the ships, we've got the men
we've got the money too!
Jingo is a euphemism for Jesus. Funny.
Fusty - this wine tastes like cask.
Desultory - a desultor was a circus performer who jumped from horse to horse.
Brummagem - goods produced in the English city of Birmingham were often counterfeit and tawdry.
Billingsgate - a fish market in England notorious for the vulgar language in the air.
Rathskeller - council cellar: a tavern in the basement of a town hall.
Capricious - hedgehog head. Really.
In other news, I set a new land speed record on the way home from work yesterday.
5.74 miles
17 minutes 27 seconds
19.7 mph
How did I do it? Simple. I ate a bear claw earlier in the day.
After the bike ride home, I ran along the river, crossed the Franklin bridge, ran up to the witch's hat in Prospect Park, and then cruised back home. I'm training for the 1st Annual Mustache Duathlon, which will be held sometime this summer. Competitors will grow a mustache starting at least one week before the event. The race will commence at my house, from which point we will bike to Crosby, run through the woods and around the lake, and return to my house. Upon completion of the duathlon, participants will have there picture taken and relax in the backyard while drinking Premium.
Words worth investigating the etymology:
Jingoism
we don't want to fight, yet by jingo if we do
we've got the ships, we've got the men
we've got the money too!
Jingo is a euphemism for Jesus. Funny.
Fusty - this wine tastes like cask.
Desultory - a desultor was a circus performer who jumped from horse to horse.
Brummagem - goods produced in the English city of Birmingham were often counterfeit and tawdry.
Billingsgate - a fish market in England notorious for the vulgar language in the air.
Rathskeller - council cellar: a tavern in the basement of a town hall.
Capricious - hedgehog head. Really.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Amish
We lost electricity at 4am Wednesday morning.
We took our one and only car to the garage Wednesday evening.
We picked up our car after work on Thursday and went home to find electricity restored. I appreciate electricity.
Back in 2002 I decided we should have an annual "No Energy Day" during the winter. That means no flipping the switch for lights, no stove, no oven, no microwave, no toaster, no hot water in the shower, no television, no phone, no internet, no computer, no stereo, no radio. Just candles, cold cuts, and sweet love.
However, we did not turn off the heat or the refrigerator.
People who romanticize the simplicity of the primitive past are full of shit.
We took our one and only car to the garage Wednesday evening.
We picked up our car after work on Thursday and went home to find electricity restored. I appreciate electricity.
Back in 2002 I decided we should have an annual "No Energy Day" during the winter. That means no flipping the switch for lights, no stove, no oven, no microwave, no toaster, no hot water in the shower, no television, no phone, no internet, no computer, no stereo, no radio. Just candles, cold cuts, and sweet love.
However, we did not turn off the heat or the refrigerator.
People who romanticize the simplicity of the primitive past are full of shit.
Uber Ultra
Jude, you’ll enjoy this post.
Kurt Decker of the Runner’s Edge on Grand Avenue recently competed in a 24-hour race around Lake Nokomis. Kurt set the Minnesota 100-mile record. Congratulations Kurt.
Three emails recounting the race are below.
For those who haven't heard, Kurt got the state 100-mile record, previously held by Brian McCollor, a little after midnight on Sunday morning. I don't have all the details, but imagine averaging 6 and a quarter miles for 16 hours. That's amazing. I went down and ran with him for a couple of the 2.5 mile laps on Saturday afternoon. He had already run over 50 miles by the time I saw him at 8 or 9 hours into it. To think that he kept up that pace for another 8 hours is mind-boggling. He never took any real breaks aside from a quick stop at his tent to grab some food. The hour before I saw him, he had taken a mandatory weigh-in and was a bit down on his weight. So his brother Kevin got him a DQ hot dog and a vanilla shake (or two) and he downed them along with a Nut Roll on the run. Needless to say, when I saw him, none of the other energy foods looked good to him.
I was struck by how Kurt could maintain his game face for so long. I must admit, I jumped in thinking I was just joining Decker on one of his long runs. Not so. This was truly a race. He was very methodical, running at about 8 minute pace and breaking the loop up with 3 short, quick walks. He kept up this same regime for every loop for over 16 hours. It is no wonder he was able to break the 100-mile record. Sean was with him when he broke it. When they found out how close he was to breaking it, they picked up the pace considerably. It sounds like they went to a sub-7 minute pace for a couple miles as Kurt broke the record by only a minute.
Not long after that, Kurt's legs began to loose strength. (Go figure.) He was able to conquer an additional 10 miles or so in the next few hours, but despite the fact that he was probably still leading the race after 19 hours, he called it quits. The winner, Scott Eppleman, ran 129 miles.
I always thought it was pretty incredible what ultra-marathoners could do, but I have a newfound respect for this end of our sport which requires more mental toughness and more race tactics than I ever imagined.
That was a heroic effort, Decker. Way to go.
-Matthew Waite
*********************************
Matt pretty much hit the nail on the head, but for those of you who couldn't be there here's my story of what Kurt did.
So I jumped in with Kurt when he had just under "four" laps to go to 100. He was 19 minutes or so ahead of pace. Or so we thought. Kurt was clipping off his 8-minute miles and walking at his designated spots. Each lap got a little bit quicker.
With "three" laps to go, it was in the bag. But Kurt continued to pick it up ever so slightly. His "39th" lap was in 22 minutes, a minute quicker than the lap before. As we approached the secondary checkpoint on the SE corner of the lake, the spot where the runner officially crosses 100 miles during their 41st lap, I announced proudly to the checkpoint personnel that Number 17 was coming and he had "one" lap to 100 miles.
The reply back was startling, befuddling -- "No he's got two laps to go," the timer said. "How could that be?" I thought. We continued on, but I was sure the timer was wrong, but we continued to pick up the pace, just in case.
We crossed the main checkpoint and they confirmed that Kurt had just under two laps to go and only 30 minutes to do it. It was time to see how hard Kurt could push. Sean Mulheron and I were running shoulder to shoulder ever so slightly picking up the pace. We hit one of Kurt's designated walking areas and I told Kurt we need to keep moving, it's only another lap and a half. Words coming from someone who wasn't at their 96th mile.
By now we were clipping along at 6:15 to 6:05 pace. We hit the secondary checkpoint. This time he did really have one lap to go. I shouted to the timer, "How much time do we have?" The reply "I don't think he's going to make it." I'm sure Kurt didn't hear it, but Sean and I did and it wasn't going to happen on our watch. Kurt had worked too hard for this and he sure as hell wasn't going to miss it by mere seconds.
It was time to throw the hammer down. Sean and I kept gradually increasing the pace. Jacob Hallen was running next to Kurt, helping him increase his stride. Sean and I were the tow cables. We got to the main checkpoint, with just under 10 minutes to go. We were flying.
"Weight Check!!" Shouted one of the race personnel. "You gotta be kidding me!!" I thought. Kurt flew on and off the scale. "Weight's good, let's go!!" We had no time to spare, let alone time for a weight check. Kurt caught up to Sean and I, Jacob at his side. We whisked by the Crew tent, we knew time was tight. We continued to accelerate on the backstretch. Time was running out.
"Come on Kurt!!" We shouted to him. "Let's go." We got to the south side of the lake, legs in overdrive, 400 meters, 300 meters. We rounded the bend and could see the checkpoint lights. Kurt's breathing was strained. He was running probably the fastest ever 100th mile. This was it!! This was to be his moment. I could see the eyes of the checkpoint personnel as we steamed into the line. They look bewildered, I yelled to them "What's our time???"
"16 hours . . ."
"Yes!!??!" I shouted.
"16 hours, 8 minutes."
"WOOOO . . . HOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!"
It was unbelievable. Simply unbelievable. Kurt literally ran his last mile at sub-6:00 pace. It was probably 5:45-5:50, maybe even faster. But without a doubt, THE toughest mile I've ever seen anyone run. He beat the record by 50 or so seconds. I think the timers are still wondering, "How the hell did he do that??" Everyone there was wondering, "How the hell did he do that??"
Hell, I even quietly wondered, "How the hell did he do that?" This is by far the toughest I've ever seen Kurt run. I was there when Kurt first subbed the 5:00 mile. I was there for his first marathon. I was there for his Marathon P.R. I was with him at his first 100 miler and Western States. Nothing compares to what he did this Saturday.
And it was an absolute privilege to be part of it. WAY TO GO Kurt!!
Congratulations and may that record last a long, long time!!
-Steve Hibbs
*********************************
Well what can I say huh. It was a very strange but so so wonderful day. As many of you know I have been training very well all winter and spring. I guess when you feel like you are in a good place in your life that can happen. Let me start by saying thanks so much to everyone who sent e-mails, called my phone for race day updates or all the people who came out to watch and or run with me on race day.
As for the race I can say without a doubt that was one of the best days I have ever had running wise. I felt great from the gun. I new what I had to do per lap to have a chance at the 100 mile state record and the 24 hour record. I thought well let's get close to the 100 and go from there after I saw how I felt. I figured I would run like 24-25 min laps. I was running 23-24 min laps and feeling very good. I had so many people out there running with me and cheering from the tent. It was great. Then came the d-day decision where to go after the 100 mile record. Well let's just say we miss counted a lap and I thought hell I am going to crush it. That was not the case. With just two laps ( 5 miles ) to go I need to haul ass to get it. Well with the help of Steve Hibbs, Sean Mulheron and Jacob Hallen we started running 6 min pace then with a huge 5:45 like last mile we dipped under the record. I could not have pushed that hard without them. Thanks guys !!! After that I new that I put my body in a bad place. I was able to walk like 10 more miles but then at 18 hours in said let's call it a day. No need to hurt myself. Maybe I could have kept walking and still won the race but maybe not. I know I did the right thing and know I can go back and get that state record of 136 miles. Plus heck I got to do my last walking lap with Sonya, my bro Kevin and my good friend Paul.
Now I have no idea how I was able to run that pace after running 95 miles before that. But I learned something that day. Sometimes you need to just turn your head off and just believe with all your body in what you can do. We all say that but myself included do not always do it. We humans and amazing and can push ourselves in many parts of our life to place we thought are not there. Thanks for believing in me and do not ever stop believing in yourselves !!!
-Kurt Decker
Kurt Decker of the Runner’s Edge on Grand Avenue recently competed in a 24-hour race around Lake Nokomis. Kurt set the Minnesota 100-mile record. Congratulations Kurt.
Three emails recounting the race are below.
For those who haven't heard, Kurt got the state 100-mile record, previously held by Brian McCollor, a little after midnight on Sunday morning. I don't have all the details, but imagine averaging 6 and a quarter miles for 16 hours. That's amazing. I went down and ran with him for a couple of the 2.5 mile laps on Saturday afternoon. He had already run over 50 miles by the time I saw him at 8 or 9 hours into it. To think that he kept up that pace for another 8 hours is mind-boggling. He never took any real breaks aside from a quick stop at his tent to grab some food. The hour before I saw him, he had taken a mandatory weigh-in and was a bit down on his weight. So his brother Kevin got him a DQ hot dog and a vanilla shake (or two) and he downed them along with a Nut Roll on the run. Needless to say, when I saw him, none of the other energy foods looked good to him.
I was struck by how Kurt could maintain his game face for so long. I must admit, I jumped in thinking I was just joining Decker on one of his long runs. Not so. This was truly a race. He was very methodical, running at about 8 minute pace and breaking the loop up with 3 short, quick walks. He kept up this same regime for every loop for over 16 hours. It is no wonder he was able to break the 100-mile record. Sean was with him when he broke it. When they found out how close he was to breaking it, they picked up the pace considerably. It sounds like they went to a sub-7 minute pace for a couple miles as Kurt broke the record by only a minute.
Not long after that, Kurt's legs began to loose strength. (Go figure.) He was able to conquer an additional 10 miles or so in the next few hours, but despite the fact that he was probably still leading the race after 19 hours, he called it quits. The winner, Scott Eppleman, ran 129 miles.
I always thought it was pretty incredible what ultra-marathoners could do, but I have a newfound respect for this end of our sport which requires more mental toughness and more race tactics than I ever imagined.
That was a heroic effort, Decker. Way to go.
-Matthew Waite
*********************************
Matt pretty much hit the nail on the head, but for those of you who couldn't be there here's my story of what Kurt did.
So I jumped in with Kurt when he had just under "four" laps to go to 100. He was 19 minutes or so ahead of pace. Or so we thought. Kurt was clipping off his 8-minute miles and walking at his designated spots. Each lap got a little bit quicker.
With "three" laps to go, it was in the bag. But Kurt continued to pick it up ever so slightly. His "39th" lap was in 22 minutes, a minute quicker than the lap before. As we approached the secondary checkpoint on the SE corner of the lake, the spot where the runner officially crosses 100 miles during their 41st lap, I announced proudly to the checkpoint personnel that Number 17 was coming and he had "one" lap to 100 miles.
The reply back was startling, befuddling -- "No he's got two laps to go," the timer said. "How could that be?" I thought. We continued on, but I was sure the timer was wrong, but we continued to pick up the pace, just in case.
We crossed the main checkpoint and they confirmed that Kurt had just under two laps to go and only 30 minutes to do it. It was time to see how hard Kurt could push. Sean Mulheron and I were running shoulder to shoulder ever so slightly picking up the pace. We hit one of Kurt's designated walking areas and I told Kurt we need to keep moving, it's only another lap and a half. Words coming from someone who wasn't at their 96th mile.
By now we were clipping along at 6:15 to 6:05 pace. We hit the secondary checkpoint. This time he did really have one lap to go. I shouted to the timer, "How much time do we have?" The reply "I don't think he's going to make it." I'm sure Kurt didn't hear it, but Sean and I did and it wasn't going to happen on our watch. Kurt had worked too hard for this and he sure as hell wasn't going to miss it by mere seconds.
It was time to throw the hammer down. Sean and I kept gradually increasing the pace. Jacob Hallen was running next to Kurt, helping him increase his stride. Sean and I were the tow cables. We got to the main checkpoint, with just under 10 minutes to go. We were flying.
"Weight Check!!" Shouted one of the race personnel. "You gotta be kidding me!!" I thought. Kurt flew on and off the scale. "Weight's good, let's go!!" We had no time to spare, let alone time for a weight check. Kurt caught up to Sean and I, Jacob at his side. We whisked by the Crew tent, we knew time was tight. We continued to accelerate on the backstretch. Time was running out.
"Come on Kurt!!" We shouted to him. "Let's go." We got to the south side of the lake, legs in overdrive, 400 meters, 300 meters. We rounded the bend and could see the checkpoint lights. Kurt's breathing was strained. He was running probably the fastest ever 100th mile. This was it!! This was to be his moment. I could see the eyes of the checkpoint personnel as we steamed into the line. They look bewildered, I yelled to them "What's our time???"
"16 hours . . ."
"Yes!!??!" I shouted.
"16 hours, 8 minutes."
"WOOOO . . . HOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!"
It was unbelievable. Simply unbelievable. Kurt literally ran his last mile at sub-6:00 pace. It was probably 5:45-5:50, maybe even faster. But without a doubt, THE toughest mile I've ever seen anyone run. He beat the record by 50 or so seconds. I think the timers are still wondering, "How the hell did he do that??" Everyone there was wondering, "How the hell did he do that??"
Hell, I even quietly wondered, "How the hell did he do that?" This is by far the toughest I've ever seen Kurt run. I was there when Kurt first subbed the 5:00 mile. I was there for his first marathon. I was there for his Marathon P.R. I was with him at his first 100 miler and Western States. Nothing compares to what he did this Saturday.
And it was an absolute privilege to be part of it. WAY TO GO Kurt!!
Congratulations and may that record last a long, long time!!
-Steve Hibbs
*********************************
Well what can I say huh. It was a very strange but so so wonderful day. As many of you know I have been training very well all winter and spring. I guess when you feel like you are in a good place in your life that can happen. Let me start by saying thanks so much to everyone who sent e-mails, called my phone for race day updates or all the people who came out to watch and or run with me on race day.
As for the race I can say without a doubt that was one of the best days I have ever had running wise. I felt great from the gun. I new what I had to do per lap to have a chance at the 100 mile state record and the 24 hour record. I thought well let's get close to the 100 and go from there after I saw how I felt. I figured I would run like 24-25 min laps. I was running 23-24 min laps and feeling very good. I had so many people out there running with me and cheering from the tent. It was great. Then came the d-day decision where to go after the 100 mile record. Well let's just say we miss counted a lap and I thought hell I am going to crush it. That was not the case. With just two laps ( 5 miles ) to go I need to haul ass to get it. Well with the help of Steve Hibbs, Sean Mulheron and Jacob Hallen we started running 6 min pace then with a huge 5:45 like last mile we dipped under the record. I could not have pushed that hard without them. Thanks guys !!! After that I new that I put my body in a bad place. I was able to walk like 10 more miles but then at 18 hours in said let's call it a day. No need to hurt myself. Maybe I could have kept walking and still won the race but maybe not. I know I did the right thing and know I can go back and get that state record of 136 miles. Plus heck I got to do my last walking lap with Sonya, my bro Kevin and my good friend Paul.
Now I have no idea how I was able to run that pace after running 95 miles before that. But I learned something that day. Sometimes you need to just turn your head off and just believe with all your body in what you can do. We all say that but myself included do not always do it. We humans and amazing and can push ourselves in many parts of our life to place we thought are not there. Thanks for believing in me and do not ever stop believing in yourselves !!!
-Kurt Decker
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Tits
'Lactivists' Taking Their Cause, and Their Babies, to the Streets
Bar-bar Walters said on The View that she felt uncomfortable when she was sitting on a plane next to a mother who was breast feeding her baby. Women took to the streets with their babies to protest. That makes for a good news story. Actually, it is a good news story. A few states have passed laws allowing women to breast feed wherever they roam. Many people are freaked out by a woman publicly bearing a highly sexualized object to participate in the natural feeding of her innocent child.
Bolivian President Offers to Resign
Same story from the BBC, but with links to additional resources.
Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada was elected president in June 2002 with only 22.5% of the vote. Rabble rouser Evo Morales was second with 20.9%, Reyes Villa was third with 20.9%, and Paz Zamora was fourth with 16.3%. And here's a good read about the elections. Goni resigned in October 2003. Carlos Mesa took over. Now it appears he will resign.
Class and Culture Series
This is a series from the New York Times. It's not very good.
Bar-bar Walters said on The View that she felt uncomfortable when she was sitting on a plane next to a mother who was breast feeding her baby. Women took to the streets with their babies to protest. That makes for a good news story. Actually, it is a good news story. A few states have passed laws allowing women to breast feed wherever they roam. Many people are freaked out by a woman publicly bearing a highly sexualized object to participate in the natural feeding of her innocent child.
Bolivian President Offers to Resign
Same story from the BBC, but with links to additional resources.
Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada was elected president in June 2002 with only 22.5% of the vote. Rabble rouser Evo Morales was second with 20.9%, Reyes Villa was third with 20.9%, and Paz Zamora was fourth with 16.3%. And here's a good read about the elections. Goni resigned in October 2003. Carlos Mesa took over. Now it appears he will resign.
Class and Culture Series
This is a series from the New York Times. It's not very good.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
two thousand zero zero
... we relaxed at Tim's house while John napped. Then we met the ladies at Sweeney's for food and drinks. Then we drove to Macalester for our class dinner. Father Rock O'Connor and former St. Paul Mayor George Latimer were the speakers. We sat next to the unattended (self-serve?) wine table. Dinner, served by Bon Appetite, was actually quite good. After dinner, I urinated in a Prestige port-a-pot. The luxurious portable shitter was adorned with silk flowers and furnished with temperature control, a sink and mirror, and carpet. Holly streaked Olin-Rice with the class of ’55. Old balls. We talked to economics professor Vasant Sukhatme. Then we walked over to a big tent where I consumed many Premiums. Then I received a message to meet Tim Pavlish under the bell. When I arrived, Tim was holding a can of beer and a Dutch Masters cigar in one hand. Nice. Then we walked to the courtyard behind Janet Wallace. The DJ didn't show, so John plugged his iPod into a system provided by Media Services. Let's get this party started quickly. Two Mac students showed up with a computer and took over the DJ duties. Nick Balster, rugby player among other things, provided the performance of the night when he dipped two balls (which were attached to cords which were attached to handles) into kerosene, lit them, and began a stunning nighttime dance. Fire balls, circular, up and down, around, all good things. Then we went streaking again. Klinker graced us with dynamic stretching. Tim jumped into the warm and murky steeplechase pit. Then we danced. Then I became very inebriated. Kevin fell off a cart and banged his head. The night progressed. Et cetera.
On Sunday we walked Grand Old Days. We watched part of the first annual strong man competition. In the first event we watched, which was a timed event, participants had to flip a 1200-pound tire over twice, stand up and push over an enormous iron pipe, and then drag an oil supertanker anchor chain over a certain distance. The next event was the axle dead lift, 500 pounds for lightweights and 550 pounds for heavyweights. No lightweight could lift the bar off the ground. Then a severely beastly man did seven reps. Huge.
Later that afternoon we grilled at Tim's house. Brandon showed us pictures from his summer in Pakistan last year. Steve and Yarrow were there.
Updates
Brandon is earning his PhD in epidemiology at the University of Washington. This coming fall Kevin will start pursuing a Masters degree at the Berkeley Planning and Development Department. In addition, Mr. Shively is competing in an Olympic distance triathlon in July and plans to run the Seattle marathon in November. Resident John Anderson wants to buy a really big and really awesome television. Gordon is attending law school at the University of Minnesota.
On Sunday we walked Grand Old Days. We watched part of the first annual strong man competition. In the first event we watched, which was a timed event, participants had to flip a 1200-pound tire over twice, stand up and push over an enormous iron pipe, and then drag an oil supertanker anchor chain over a certain distance. The next event was the axle dead lift, 500 pounds for lightweights and 550 pounds for heavyweights. No lightweight could lift the bar off the ground. Then a severely beastly man did seven reps. Huge.
Later that afternoon we grilled at Tim's house. Brandon showed us pictures from his summer in Pakistan last year. Steve and Yarrow were there.
Updates
Brandon is earning his PhD in epidemiology at the University of Washington. This coming fall Kevin will start pursuing a Masters degree at the Berkeley Planning and Development Department. In addition, Mr. Shively is competing in an Olympic distance triathlon in July and plans to run the Seattle marathon in November. Resident John Anderson wants to buy a really big and really awesome television. Gordon is attending law school at the University of Minnesota.
Monday, June 06, 2005
Class of 2000 Reunion
After departing on the red eye from San Francisco, Kevin Shively arrived at our house Friday morning at 6:45, just as I was leaving for work. Holly Harris took the red eye from Los Angeles. Kyla Hayford arrived later that morning from DC. Brandon arrived from Seattle around noon. As of the end of May, Dr. John Anderson has been a Minnesota resident. Other Minnesota residents attending the reunion included Tim “The Tool Man” Pavlish, Gordon “This Water Tastes Like Hose” Hague, Andrea Sternberg, Liz Connors, and Megan Kelly.
After work, I traveled to the campus center to pay homage to the class of 2000 with gifts of gold, frankincense, and beer - two twelve packs of local beer, Summit Grand and Summit EPA.
After exchanging brief histories, we progressed to Olin-Rice for appetizers, margaritas, and mariachi music. We supplemented the food and drink with Taste of Thai and some beers. As it does, the sun went down. As it happened, the clothes came off.
Naked 400.
The pace started slow, like a championship race. Brandon opened the throttle with 150 to go and reigning naked 400 champion John Anderson remained complacent until 80 meters, when he displayed an awesome burst of speed. However, the kick came too late, and Brandon barely escaped the strong close.
Saturday started with a long run at 10am. Let’s mosey. Brandon had to band-aid his toes, which were torn on the track the previous night. While we were sauntering five miles, Marye made pancakes and fruit salad. There was also sausage and doughnuts aplenty.
Later we met outside Weyerhaeuser to go on a Summit Brewery tour. However, we missed the tour because of a schedule misprint. But Colin Mothupi came to the rescue with two cases of warm Miller High Life from his trunk. I love warm beer. We started drinking and it started raining. Some peoples went to drink under the chapel. We went to the porch of 63 Mac. I noticed an unlocked window, so I looked around. Memories. After one warm High Life, I was ready to drink my own urine, so we left and I took peeps on a driving tour of the development boom riverside in downtown Minneapolis and then along the river near downtown St. Paul. John slept through the tour, but after two High Life’s and a doughnut coup de grace, who can find fault.
To be continued…
After work, I traveled to the campus center to pay homage to the class of 2000 with gifts of gold, frankincense, and beer - two twelve packs of local beer, Summit Grand and Summit EPA.
After exchanging brief histories, we progressed to Olin-Rice for appetizers, margaritas, and mariachi music. We supplemented the food and drink with Taste of Thai and some beers. As it does, the sun went down. As it happened, the clothes came off.
Naked 400.
The pace started slow, like a championship race. Brandon opened the throttle with 150 to go and reigning naked 400 champion John Anderson remained complacent until 80 meters, when he displayed an awesome burst of speed. However, the kick came too late, and Brandon barely escaped the strong close.
Saturday started with a long run at 10am. Let’s mosey. Brandon had to band-aid his toes, which were torn on the track the previous night. While we were sauntering five miles, Marye made pancakes and fruit salad. There was also sausage and doughnuts aplenty.
Later we met outside Weyerhaeuser to go on a Summit Brewery tour. However, we missed the tour because of a schedule misprint. But Colin Mothupi came to the rescue with two cases of warm Miller High Life from his trunk. I love warm beer. We started drinking and it started raining. Some peoples went to drink under the chapel. We went to the porch of 63 Mac. I noticed an unlocked window, so I looked around. Memories. After one warm High Life, I was ready to drink my own urine, so we left and I took peeps on a driving tour of the development boom riverside in downtown Minneapolis and then along the river near downtown St. Paul. John slept through the tour, but after two High Life’s and a doughnut coup de grace, who can find fault.
To be continued…
Friday, June 03, 2005
this beef tastes like fumigant
The EPA is proposing to add the Garvey Elevator Site in Hastings, Nebraska, to the National Priorities List, or NPL. The NPL is a published list of hazardous waste sites that are eligible for clean-up action under the Superfund Program. Grain has been stored and processed at the Garvey Elevator since 1959. Carbon tetrachloride, a common grain fumigant, was used at the facility until the mid-1980s. Past releases of carbon tetrachloride from the facility have contaminated ground water near the facility. That ground water is used as a source of drinking water.
References:
Fact Sheet for Garvey Elevator
NPL Site Narrative for Garvey Elevator
My Dad hauls corn to Garvey.
I have a red Garvey hat.
Fumigant on corn.
Corn in cow.
Cow in human.
I advocate grass-fed buffalo, or Kobe beef if you can afford it.
References:
Fact Sheet for Garvey Elevator
NPL Site Narrative for Garvey Elevator
My Dad hauls corn to Garvey.
I have a red Garvey hat.
Fumigant on corn.
Corn in cow.
Cow in human.
I advocate grass-fed buffalo, or Kobe beef if you can afford it.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
United States of Europe
Dutch vote on Europe constitution
The EU constitution must be ratified by all EU members in order to be implemented. France said non and now 60% of Dutch voters are expected to say nee. However, in the Netherlands, any rejection of the constitution is unlikely to have the same impact because the Dutch vote is non-binding.
Already ratified treaty:
* Austria
* Germany
* Greece
* Hungary
* Italy
* Lithuania
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
What the EU constitution says
Constitution full text (1MB, 325 pages)
In other news:
N Korea ridicules Rice, Rumsfeld
In what media watchers are calling a first for North Korea, state radio in Pyongyang has turned to the medium of the comic sketch to mock two of the leading figures in the US administration.
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