Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Target Corp. $150k Donation to Republicans tosses millions of dollars of goodwill into the toilet.

What the hell, Target Corp?  You donate $150,000 to the anti-gay Republican candidate for Minnesota Governor, but you have donated exactly $0 to the Democrats?

I always felt really good about Target until they made this insane political contribution. As a Minnesotan, for most of my life I have gone out of my way to favor the Home State company over the Walmarts and KMarts.  I saw the good work they did donating millions of dollars to Minnesota schools and organizations, and I rewarded Target by giving them my loyalty. 

Why would Target consciously decide to throw away this good will, by making a controversial political donation that will help bring a Homophobic Jerk to the highest office in Minnesota?  Is that Target's vision for our state?

I guess some genius in the research department must have told someone important that only Republicans shop at Target, and that there is no way that Minnesota Democrats could ever be offended by your corporate meddling in Minnesota politics. You knew you would lose some gays, but they all shop at The Gap anyway, right?

Effectively immediately, my family and I will take our back-to-school shopping across the street to Walmart. The paltry $10,000 to $12,000 that my family typically spends at Target in a year (Groceries, staples, toys, TV's, books, DVD's) will certainly not make dent in Target's corporate wallet.

But it will make me feel better.

If Target will support Republicans over Democrats, then I have no further reason to support Target.

I invite you to join me in boycotting Target.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

No Minnesota Flag at Target Field? Welcome to the new Home of the Hennipen County Twins

Last Sunday was my first trip to Target Field, home of the "Minnesota" Twins.  It was a great experience, and even the outcome of the game couldn't have been more exciting as the Twins rallied in the 9th for four runs to beat the Chicago White Sox.
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My brother and I drove nearly 460 miles that day, for seven hours.  Going to a Twins game is a special experience for us, something we don't get to do every weekend because of the cost and distance.  We're happy to make the effort though, to support our "Minnesota" Twins.

It was a moving experience to watch the American Flag hoisted above Target Field, on the original flag pole that stood at the old Met Stadium. 

Yet, something weird was going on.

The Minnesota Flag flying next to Old Glory was not really the Minnesota Flag.  This one had "Hennepin County" scrawled along the bottom in big, boring white letters.  Wait a minute... this isn't even the Minnesota flag, its the Hennepin County flag!

I would never begrudge Hennepin County from flying their flag over target field. It should be there, because they stood up and made a major contribution to keeping the Twins in Minnesota, and  funding this park.  We owe them a debt of gratitude. 

But come on!  To not fly the Minnesota Flag over Minnesota Twins ball games at Target Field is a slap in the face to us "outstate" Minnesotans.  This is the flag carried overseas by the Minnesota National Guard soldiers.  As boring as the Minnesota Flag is, its still our flag, and should be present, flying right next to that beautiful Hennepin County Flag.

I don't know what the official reason is to deny the Minnesota flag a place of honor at Target Field. Maybe it is intended to be a nasty dig at the State of Minnesota. It might reflect the childish attitude that,  "if they didn't pony up, then they don't deserve to have 'their' flag flown at Target Field."

What the Twins and Hennepin county don't understand is that the Minnesota Flag is the flag of all Minnesotans, not just Governor "Dumb Ass" Pawlenty.  And all Minnesotans who buy food, hospitality and beverages in Hennepin County are helping to fund this glorious ball park through a sale tax, not just residents of Hennepin County.

Come'on Twins -- don't be so petty.  Fly the Minnesota Flag at target field.  Either that, or change your name to the Hennepin County Twins, and then see if I'm motivated to drive 460 miles to support "your" baseball team.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Koman Coulibaly - No, we have not forgotten

Koman Coulibaly probably thinks the uproar of his bad call has simmered down. No, Mr. Coulibably, we're still all here, watching and waiting for you to fuck up again. And when you do, we will be on you like hot scalding water. Its just a matter of time.

The name Koman Coulibaly is a rallying cry for fair play in futbol, and a cry for FIFA to institute Instant Review now. 

Glad to see that komancoulibably.com has been appropriated by a fan. It will give us a rallying point.