Death by a thousand cuts as recount trial opens

[struggle4progress]

By NICK COLEMAN, Star Tribune
Last update: January 26, 2009 - 11:11 PM

... "In another country, we'd settle this in a different way, probably with guns and knives," Friedberg said during his opening statement Monday in the Senate recount trial. For a second or two, Friedberg left it hanging, as if, come to think of it, guns and knives might be better. But then he came back to the rule of law, with a common sense defense of Minnesota's voters, who he seemed to suggest are not exceptionally bright. "We don't have smart people counties and dumb people counties," he said, which would make a good new slogan for our license plates.

Friedberg stands in court with one arm stretched to the podium and the other stuck on his hip, elbow cocked, like Napoleon viewing the field of honor. But his face is a prankster's, and he looks like the kid who always knew how to sneak under the left field fence to get into the old Met Stadium. Don't underestimate him: If you get arrested with a smoking gun in your hand, call Joe.

Al Franken was absent Monday, out impersonating a U.S. senator somewhere. But Norm was on hand, sitting glumly at the same table as Friedberg, which usually means you are looking at 20 to life. But in this case, Norm is known as "the contestant," because he came up 225 votes short when the Canvassing Board returned its decision and he is contesting the results. Contestant Coleman looked 10 years older than he did two months ago, and was as gray as his surroundings ...

Back in court Monday, Friedberg was pulling out fat three-ring binders loaded with photocopies of absentee ballots. There are 5,000 that need to be looked at, one by one, he said. I stood up and ran out the door ...

http://www.startribune.com/featuredColumns/38432589.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUsI

[MnFats]

1. I notice, however, that MPR, WCCO and some of the others;;;

have taken to referring to Normy as "former sen. coleman."

hope they're not getting ahead of themselves..

[lonestarnot]

2. Second time I've seen MPR tonight. Is this new? not NPR?

[wolfgangmo]

3. Nope, it's MPR

That's Minnesota Public Radio which is the nations largest and best funded public radio network. American Radio Works is a part of them. They have a network of classical, jazz, talk, and community radio station that is second to none in the nation.

I guess that is what happens when you spend decades pouring money into education. Educated people demand more.

[Peggesis1]

4. Well, his term has expired...

...so, he is a former senator right now. Hope he figures out soon he's going to stay that way.