tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8638998837390550464.post8140333183921806512..comments2024-02-26T11:57:59.502-06:00Comments on Schultz's Take: The Lesson of the Vikings Stadium—Democracy FailedProfDSchultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428175737629801650noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8638998837390550464.post-34651237471942906812012-06-25T13:30:08.554-05:002012-06-25T13:30:08.554-05:00I've followed the Minnesota stadium debates, a...I've followed the Minnesota stadium debates, and I have a couple of observations. First, over a decade ago, the Vikings and the University of Minnesota had a proposal for a joint stadium that got killed in committee. If it had been approved, it would have only cost around $600 million, which would have been half of what the total cost of both stadiums will be. I know the state got asked for a lot of money on this, but it could have been a lot less if they had just acted earlier.<br /><br />Second, I can tell you what Roger Gooddell said in that closed door meeting. He said, the Vikings have been pursuing this deal for ten years. You either give them a stadium, or they move to Los Angeles. Then you would have seen a lot of moaning from Viking fans, and even harder lobbying for a stadium, which would have cost more than it does now. Your state got into this mess because it kept putting it off. I understand you may not want to see the state pay so much for a billionaire's stadium, but if you believe that, then the Vikings go to LA. (I don't have a problem if you don't mind if your NFL team leaves. It's just that there are two choices in this situation-build a new stadium, or the team leaves town. Make that clear. )Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8638998837390550464.post-40888431340314242062012-05-19T07:22:49.736-05:002012-05-19T07:22:49.736-05:00I live in district 64B and while my DFL State Repr...I live in district 64B and while my DFL State Representative Erin Murphy voted against the Vikings Stadium, Richard Cohen, my state senator did not.<br /><br />While Cohen’s vote was disturbing, his several telephone conversations with me— where on each occasion— he promised that under no circumstances would he vote for a stadium bill was most upsetting.<br /><br />Let’s face facts. Richard Cohen speaks with a forked tongue and has no honor.<br /><br />I cannot wait to help defeat Richard Cohen in 2016— and although I will try to do so this year, the incumbent has all the advantages, especially in this cycle at this date. Please take note, I was the campaign manager for Representative Paul Gardner who defeated Phil Krinkie on his second try by 50 votes, and helped Amy Brendmoen defeat Lee Helgen. <br /><br />I am tenacious, if nothing else.<br /><br /><br />Ron Lietz<br />Saint Paul, MinnesotaRonLietzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15424656768234820992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8638998837390550464.post-87339980718989959342012-05-18T09:53:29.478-05:002012-05-18T09:53:29.478-05:00A man is not judged by popularity or elections, he...A man is not judged by popularity or elections, he is judged by history and how he is remembered by later generations.<br /><br />We remember Burke as having taken a principled stance and left behind a statement of courageous wisdom on how people should be represented. Who won that election? Seems history has mostly forgotten that man, he is an answer to a trivia contest.<br /><br />This stadium debate has been a platform for many civic and business leaders--both here and nationally--to have stepped up like Burke.<br /><br />Some have tried, but none succeeded in the face of this legislative fail. The only legislator to have even tried was John Marty, while all the rest hid behind closed door deals and legislative maneuvers.<br /><br />They may win their next election, they might go on to have long careers as representatives and civic leaders. They might even overcome this, to learn from their weakness now, and actually rise to distinction later.<br /><br />History will be the ultimate proof of them as whole people, but history can already record this stadium win as a legislative and civic responsibility loss.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05252804186064393926noreply@blogger.com