Bush Approval Rating Drops to 44%

Bush's job approval rating has dropped to 44 percent, with his disapproval rating up to 54 percent. The Republican Congress had an even lower approval rating, 37 percent. It's becoming clear that Bush's attempt to privatize Social Security has failed miserably, and people have turned against him. Bush and Congress have also been hurt by skyrocketing gas prices and the continued quagmire that is Iraq. Not to mention the fiasco of political opportunism with the Terri Schiavo case. His approval rating probably won't stay this low for very long, and if there were an election this year he'd probably still be re-elected, but overall this is a positive sign. Social Security is turning out to be a big mistake for the Republicans. I love it so!

Poll: Bush Standing with Public Weakening (AP)
Bush Indifferent Over Falling Poll Numbers (AP)

MN Senate Dems block floor vote on Anti-Gay Constitutional Amendment.

All 35 Democratic senators, plus one Republican (Paul Koering) and the only Ind. (Sheila Kiscaden) stood together and opposed sending the measure to the floor for a vote. The bill's sponsor is local fascist Sen. Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater. While this was going on inside the Capitol, 2,500 people were rallying outside in opposition to the amendment. The frightening thing about this amendment is that it would not only ban gay marriage, but would also ban civil unions and domestic partner benefits. This certainly does not kill it, only delays it. I fear that it will eventually be put to a full senate vote and pass, putting it on the 2006 ballot, which would almost certainly pass.

Gay-marriage vote rejected by state senate (Star Tribune)

Rally supports gay unions (Pioneer Press)

Ebola!
As the virus spreads in Angola the WHO has placed 4 neighboring countries, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nambia, Zambia and Congo, on alert.

Well, its not really ebola. The "ebola-like" virus Marburg is spreading in Angola. It is now in 6 provinces and has killed 173 people.

I've been waiting for a deadly infectious desease to surface and kill 1/3 of the worlds population. Humanity is due for a killer outbreak. I doubt it will be ebola though. Its more likely to be an evolved flu virus or something like it. But I'm always interested when something like this happens. Makes you want to watch "Outbreak" doesn't it? Dustin Hoffman...Good movie.

Deadly Ebola-like virus spreads (CNN, 4/8)

Angola virus death toll climbs (CNN, 4/3)

Smothered by the Sioux.

In one of the worst hockey games I've seen in a while the Gophers were dominated for 60 minutes by North Dakota. ND was just all around bigger, faster, and better then the Gophers. The puck seemed to be in the Gophers zone the whole night. They were lucky to only lose 4-2. North Dakota should have had at least 3 goals in the first period alone. It sucks to lose, but its really hard to lose to a team that I hate as much as UND.

Looking to next year, however, the Gophers should be a very very good team with the arrival of phenom Phil Kessel and a highly touted freshmen goaltender. An early prediction: Gophers win 2006 National Championship!

Ouch!

"North Dakota defenseman Matt Greene lays Minnesota’s Garrett Smaagaard out in the first period of the Gophers’ 4-2 loss to the Sioux in the Frozen Four on Thursday. The Sioux’s physical style gave the Gophers fits through much of the game. (MN Daily)"

Dems Get Aggressive: Hillary Clinton and Patty Murray block nomination over morning-after pill

I thought this piece of news was encouraging. ..

Sen.'s Hillary Clinton(NY) and Patty Murray(WA) have said that they will hold up the vote to confirm Bush' nominee for the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Lester M. Crawford, until the FDA finally makes a decision on selling the morning-after pill over the counter. "I'm prepared to hold it for as long as it takes to get a decision made," Clinton said. The FDA has still not made a ruling on the issue, even though the pill was recommended for over-the-counter sales in Dec. 2003. Its clear that the Bush administration is holding this up on ideological grounds even though its clear that pill has been approved as "safe." It's nice to see some Democrats actually doing some fighting for a change though, isn't it!

Democrats Block Nomination Over Morning-After Pill

You know its a slow news day when the best thing I've got is a holding up a confirmation because of the morning-after pill. And its also sad when I get excited about the Dems fighting over this! Geez.

St. Paul Mayors Race: Police Union endorses Kelly

-St. Paul Police Union announces endorsement of Kelly, citing his "commitment to public safety."
-St. Paul firefighters scoff "makes me want to light my hair on fire."

-Mayor Randy Kelly will not seek the DFL endorsement, although he will still run as a Democrat. This move is simply because he knows he cannot win the DFL endorsement(because of his endorsement of Bush), and can't win in heavily Democratic St. Paul running as a Republican(which he is).
Police Union Endorses Kelly (Pioneer Press)
Police union throws its support to Kelly (Star Tribune)

-Challengers race to win DFL endorsement is deadlocked between former City Council member Chris Coleman and Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega.
Who Will Take on Kelly? (City Pages)

2005 NCAA Frozen Four!
Colorado College vs. Denver (1pm - ESPN2)
Minnesota vs. North Dakota (6pm - ESPN2)

Frozen Four Preview

The Gopher Hockey team makes thier 3rd appearance in 4 years in the NCAA Frozen Four. The last 2 times the Gophers came away with the 2002 and 2003 National Championships. This year, however, the Gophers are a dark horse. The power play has just plain sucked all year long, and the Gopher defense, which has been great in the NCAA tournament, was not a strength of this team during the regular season and may be the downfall of this team. More likely however, is that the game will come down to goaltending. I don't think thats a good thing for the Gophers, as North Dakota's Jordan Parise is a very hot goaltender right now, and Minnesota's Kellen Briggs has been up and down. With the 2 best teams in the country, Colorado College and Denver, playing in one semifinal, the Minnesota - North Dakota semifinal seems to be a game for second place. Even so, I'll be glued to the TV tonight and sweating profusely trying to will the Gophers into Saturday night. (Although I apparently don't have cable starting Saturday, and will have to find somewhere else to watch the game.)

Preview and Prediction (Star Tribune)
WCHA Frozen Four (MN Daily)
Gophers two games away from crown (Star Tribune)
Frozen Four preview (Pioneer Press)
USCHO (College Hockey Online)

MarxistGopher's Call:

North Dakota - 3
Minnesota - 2

Colorado College - 4
Denver - 3

Spitfire! The greatest cat....in the world!

The basketball gang. A photo I took a while back w/my new camera.