Senator Scott Jensen Just Blocked Me On Twitter

Screenshot: Senator Scott Jensen Blocked Me On Twitter

I moved to Chaska a little over a year ago.

Today I decided to find my new state representatives online. My state House member is Joe Hoppe and my state Senator is Scott Jensen.

Both are Republicans. I’m not.

That’s fine.

I have plenty of Republican friends, even very conservative Republican friends with whom I can debate and disagree with agreeably. I enjoy my discussions with them because they challenge my beliefs as much as I challenge theirs. I am the richer for it; I better understand where they’re coming from as a result.

So, today I was hoping to learn more about the people who have been elected to represent me at the state capitol in our beautiful state.

First, I found Representative Joe Hoppe on Twitter, who seems like, pardon the pun, an ordinary Joe. Lots of retweeting. This one, I especially agree with:

Next, I found Senator Scott Jensen on Twitter and as I was scrolling through his feed, found this tweet:

Screenshot: Senator Scott Jensen Screwtape Letters Tweet - 01.21.2017

Since it was posted yesterday, January 21, the day of the massive Women’s Marches across the country, I naturally assumed he was referring to those very marches.

I was curious as to why he would call them “mean,” which I didn’t see in the coverage. I thought it was all about Americans asserting their constitutional rights.

I was going to reply to find out exactly what he meant by that but then noticed that someone else had already replied, so I clicked to investigate. As you can see from the above screenshot, that person was state Senator Danny Schoen, asking if he was referring to the Women’s March.

Senator Jensen responded to Senator Schoen by saying: “No, referring to those events where private property is damaged and security people are injured and personal rights are infringed,” which happened the day before, Inauguration Day.

So, naturally, I wanted to point out the obvious by saying it was weird, then, that he would make such a statement on the day of the Women’s March rather than the day before, when there was actually some property damage by protesters. I thought it was a pretty mild comment and gave him a chance to further clarify or respond.

Here’s the exchange:

Screenshot: Senator Scott Jensen Tweet Exchange

Missing from this exchange is one where I replied to Senator Jensen, accepting his explanation:
https://twitter.com/derickson/status/823254388852555777

You’ll also notice that I ended the exchange with a hope, as a constituent, for continued dialogue with the Senator:

To which he responded by blocking me (see the screenshot at the top of this post), blocking his colleague Senator Danny Schoen:

And blocking fellow Minnesotan Anthony Domanico, who had commented on the thread:

I thought my exchange with the Senator, while mildly challenging him, was respectful and I tried to demonstrate my openness to discussion. Which is why I was stunned to subsequently find he had blocked me from his Twitter account.

Needless to say, I am very disappointed in my State Senator’s decision to ignore the voice of one of his constituents.

The funny thing is, it’s not like I can’t follow his tweets anyway. All I had to do to get the screenshots of his tweets for this post was log out of my Twitter account and go back to his.

Rather than responding reasonably, Senator Scott’s act of retribution has prompted me to respond with this post. #SMH

Basilica Block Party

Every Summer, Twin Cities residents can look forward to a local music festival that has become an institution: The Basilica Block Party. Last year the festival celebrated its 20th birthday. (You should know that my employer, Karwoski & Courge, handles public relations for the festival.)

This Summer’s Basilica Block Party takes place on Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11. You can buy tickets online here.

The History Of The Basilica Block Party

Basilica of Saint Mary

The Basilica Block Party started in 1995 as a fundraiser to pay for the restoration of The Basilica of Saint Mary. Today, proceeds from the party benefit The Basilica Landmark, which restores and preserves the historic Basilica. A portion of the proceeds from the Block Party also go to The Basilica’s St. Vincent de Paul outreach program, which provides services to those in need.

The Complete List Of Past Performers At The Basilica Block Party

The prominent names who have performed at the Block Party over the years is pretty remarkable.

1995 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • Lucky Dube
  • Martin Zellar
  • Widespread Panic
  • BoDeans
  • Billy McLaughlin Group
  • The Delilahs
  • The Freddy Jones Band
  • Polara
  • Saturday Night
  • 1964 “The Tribute”
  • Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
  • Tina & the B-Side Movement
  • 10,000 Maniacs
  • Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys
  • Johnny Clueless
  • Lowen & Navarro
  • Popa Chubby

1996 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • Paul Cebar
  • The Billys
  • Steve Earle
  • GB Leighton
  • The Rembrandts
  • Tim Mahoney
  • Saturday Night
  • Golden Smog
  • Freddy Jones
  • Lamont Cranston
  • Dust Bunnies
  • Shawn Colvin
  • Jonny Lang

1997 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • Mick Sterling
  • Cracker
  • Semisonic
  • Why Store
  • Lamont Cranston
  • Smithereens
  • Saturday
  • Tim Mahoney
  • John Hiatt
  • Big Head Todd and the Monsters
  • Wain McFarlane
  • Johnny Clueless
  • Sister Hazel

1998 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • Heidi Jo
  • Tim Mahoney
  • BoDeans
  • Mango Jam
  • Sonia Dada
  • Sister Hazel
  • Saturday Night
  • From Good Homes
  • Martin Zellar
  • Big Head Todd and the Monsters
  • Dazy Head Mazy
  • GB Leighton
  • Freddy Jones Band

1999 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • Mick Sterling
  • Burlap to Cashmere
  • Everything
  • Hootie & the Blowfish
  • Accident Clearinghouse
  • Shannon Curfman
  • Cowboy Mouth
  • Saturday Night
  • Robert Bradley
  • Los Lobos
  • Bruce Hornsby
  • 3 Minute Hero
  • Tim Mahoney
  • Del Amitri

2000 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • One World
  • Robert Bradley
  • BoDeans
  • Boogie Wonderland
  • Daniel Cage
  • Soul Asylum
  • Saturday Night
  • Scott Laurent
  • Train
  • Big Head Todd and the Monsters
  • Moneypenny
  • Shannon Curfman
  • Jayhawks

2001 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • Kurt Neumann
  • Semisonic
  • Wallflowers
  • Paul Metsa
  • Tim Mahoney
  • Marc Cohn
  • Saturday Night
  • GB Leighton
  • Bob Schneider
  • Blues Traveler
  • Scott Laurent
  • Martin Zellar
  • Indigenous

2002 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • Tim Mahoney
  • Dishwalla
  • Big Head Todd and the Monsters
  • Honeydogs
  • Midnight Oil
  • Soul Asylum
  • Saturday Night
  • Seven Mary Three
  • Spin Doctors
  • Gin Blossoms
  • Phantom Planet
  • Neil Finn
  • Sister Hazel

2003 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • Frankie Perez
  • Edwin McCain
  • Suburbs
  • Panaramic Blue
  • Thorns
  • Nickel Creek
  • Saturday Night
  • Kathleen Edwards
  • Bob Schneider (cancel)
  • Suburbs (replacement)
  • Train
  • GB Leighton
  • Alice Peacock
  • Jayhawks

2004 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • Wheat
  • Joe Firstman
  • Counting Crows
  • The Humans
  • Honeydogs
  • O|A|R
  • Saturday Night
  • Great Big Sea
  • Pat McGee Band
  • Five for Fighting
  • Kalgren
  • Dan Wilson
  • Shawn Mullins

2005 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • Tagine
  • Big Head Todd and the Monsters
  • Gear Daddies
  • Summit Ave
  • Blue Merle
  • Pete Yorn
  • Saturday Night
  • Olympic Hopefuls
  • Carbon Leaf
  • The Wallflowers
  • Holiday
  • Marc Broussard
  • Better than Ezra

2006 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • Trampled by Turtles
  • The Fray
  • Guster
  • Wannabee Hasbeens
  • The Hopefuls
  • Mike Doughty
  • Saturday Night
  • Mat Kearney
  • Aqualung
  • Train
  • Nathan Anderson
  • ALO
  • Freddy Jones Band

2007 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • The Alarmists
  • Lifehouse
  • Amos Lee
  • The Great Physician
  • The Cat Empire
  • Robert Randolph and the Family Band
  • Saturday Night
  • The Sweet Colleens
  • Brandi Carlile
  • Jonny Lang
  • 2 Wurds
  • Plain White T’s
  • G. Love & Special Sauce

2008 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • Dave Barnes
  • Augustana
  • OneRepublic
  • Wannabe HasBeens
  • NeedToBreathe
  • Ziggy Marley
  • Saturday Night
  • White Light Riot
  • Test Your Reflex
  • Missy Higgins
  • Gavin Rossdale
  • Grayson
  • Landon Pigg
  • Gin Blossoms

2009 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • Erin McCarley
  • Mat Kearney
  • The Black Crowes
  • Junebug
  • Serena Ryder
  • The Jayhawks
  • Romantica
  • Rocket Club
  • Saturday Night
  • Green River Ordinance
  • Matt Nathanson
  • Counting Crows
  • Section 30
  • Tapes n’ Tapes
  • The Hold Steady
  • Tim Mahoney
  • Tyrone Wells

2010 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • One eskimO
  • Eric Hutchinson
  • Weezer
  • Hunter Hero
  • Rogue Valley
  • Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
  • Spoon
  • Dada Trash Collage
  • Kristoff Kane
  • Saturday Night
  • Ingrid Michaelson
  • Guster
  • Barenaked Ladies
  • Chester Bay
  • Robert Francis
  • VV Brown
  • Avett Brothers
  • Blue Sky Blackout
  • RedayGoes

2011 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • Scars on 45
  • Lissie
  • The Jayhawks
  • David Gray
  • G. Love & Special Sauce
  • Fitz and the Tantrums
  • Michael Franti & Spearhead
  • Zoo Animal
  • Usonia
  • White Light Riot
  • Saturday Night
  • Stuart D’Rozario
  • Gomez
  • Amos Lee
  • Ray LaMontagne & Pariah Dogs
  • The 4onthefloor
  • Citizen Cope
  • Drive-By Truckers
  • Arms Akimbo
  • The Hunting Club
  • The Pines

2012 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • Mat Kearney
  • The Head and the Heart
  • Train
  • Tyrone Wells
  • Imagine Dragons
  • Cake
  • A. Wolf and her Claws
  • Prissy Clerks
  • Phantom Tails
  • Saturday Night
  • The Lumineers
  • Fitz and the Tantrums
  • The Avett Brothers
  • Stuart D’Rozario
  • Graffiti6
  • O|A|R
  • The Boys N’ the Barrels
  • Farewell Milwaukee
  • Lucy Michelle & the Velvet Lapelles

2013 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • Mayer Hawthorne
  • Father John Misty
  • Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
  • Matt Nathanson
  • ZZ Ward
  • Family of the Year
  • Southwire
  • The Cactus Blossoms
  • Actual Wolf
  • Saturday, July 13, 2013
  • kate earl
  • Goo Goo Dolls
  • Matchbox Twenty
  • Cloud Cult
  • Walk the Moon
  • Raphael Saadiq
  • Bomba de Luz
  • Vann Stee
  • On An On

2014 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
  • Airborne Toxic Event
  • Panic at the Disco
  • Crash
  • Michael Franti and Spearhead
  • Delta Rae
  • Eric Hutchinson
  • The Weeks
  • Black Diet
  • Stereo Confessions
  • Carroll
  • Train
  • Ingrid Michaelson
  • Caroline Smith
  • Alpha Rev
  • Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite
  • The Wild Feathers
  • Serena Ryder
  • Jillian Rae
  • BBGUN

2015 Basilica Block Club Performers

  • Weezer
  • Nate Ruess
  • Motion City Soundtrack
  • DJ Windsor
  • O.A.R.
  • Mat Kearney
  • Matthew Sweet
  • Zoo Animal
  • Rupert Angeleyes
  • Tyte Jeff
  • Wilco
  • Jason Isbell
  • Jenny Lewis
  • Fly Golden Eagle
  • DJ Zak Michaels
  • Fitz and the Tantrums
  • Echosmith
  • Rachel Platten
  • American Scarecrows
  • Southside Desire
  • Aero Flynn

A Tour Of St. Paul’s New Green Line Light Rail Route [VIDEO]

St. Paul blogger (Eccentric Aspects) and photographer Nick Wormley created this awesome timelapse video of what St. Paul’s new Green Line light rail line from our capital city to Minneapolis will look like once it starts running in 2014. How’d he do it? By walking the length of the route with a camera attached to his head (here are the details)! H/T @generebeck,

This is the exact same light rail line I will be taking every day to Minneapolis for my new venture next year. Watch and enjoy:

Macy’s Sky Room [PIC]

Photo of Macy's Sky Room Noodles Entree

I will be spending a lot more time in Minneapolis next year so I figure I’ll have a lot more local material to blog about. Thus, I’ve decided to re-activate this blog with occasional posts about local stuff.

This Monday, I took the bus from St. Paul to Minneapolis (haven’t traveled by bus for years but it’s a form of transit I plan on using quite a bit now) for lunch with a friend.

For lunch, we went to to Macy’s Sky Room restaurant (which used to be Dayton’s Sky Room back in the day).

I was in a bit of a hurry because I had a meeting immediately following lunch, so I was a bit perturbed that it took forever to get our food.  By friend and I both got pasta dishes. After waiting about 15 minutes it dawned on them that they’d forgotten to make her dish but only after they made the wrong entree for me (pictured above).

The thing is, I didn’t really know what to order but the photo of an entree they had covering the back wall looked awfully good, so I said “I’ll have that,” pointing to the photo.

“Do you want chicken with that?”

“Sure,” I replied.

The dish I eventually got had no chicken, so they had to remake it. And then we had to wait for my friend’s meal to be make.

When we finally got our food, we found a table amongst the cafeteria-style seating and ate.

The food, was very good; the wait, was awful.

Chatterbox Pub in St. Paul, Minnesota [VIDEO]

The Chatterbox Pub is one of my favorite spots in St. Paul, be it for business lunches or happy hours. The food is great, service excellent, the craft beer is brewed on site and you can play retro video games to your heart’s delight!

Chatterbox Pub is located at 800 Cleveland Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116. Phone: (651) 699-1154. Hours: 11 AM – 1 AM, Mon-Fri; 8 AM – 1 AM Saturday; 8 AM – 12 AM Sunday. Chatterbox Pub in St. Paul, Minnesota via David Erickson.

8 Panoramic Photos Of Minnesota From The 1900s [GALLERY]

At the turn of the century, photographer George R. Lawrence traveled the United States and took panoramic photos along the way, eight of them in Minnesota. Mr. Lawrence would likely be dismayed to learn how easy it has become to shoot panoramic photos! Read more here and see the full collection here.

Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis, Minnesota – 1906

George R. Lawrence Photo: Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis, Minnesota 1906

International Harvester’s Flax Twine Plant In St. Paul, Minnesota – 1907

George R. Lawrence Photo: Flax Twine Plant - International Harvester - St. Paul, Minnesota 1907

George R. Lawrence Photo: Flax Twine Plant - International Harvester - St. Paul, Minnesota 1907

Hutchinson, Minnesota  – 1901

George R. Lawrence Photo: Hutchinson, Minnesota 1901

New Ulm, Minnesota – 1906

George R. Lawrence Photo: New Ulm, Minnesota 1906

St. Cloud, Minnesota – 1902

George R. Lawrence Photo: St. Cloud, Minnesota 1902

Minnesota House Of Representatives – 1901

George R. Lawrence Photo: Minnesota House Of Representatives 1901

Minnesota Senate – 1901

George R. Lawrence Photo: Minnesota Senate 1901

Rooster’s BBQ Deli in St. Paul, Minnesota [VIDEO]

Q Fanatic in Champlin used to be my favorite Minnesota BBQ restaurant. But they’ve been supplanted by Rooster’s BBQ Deli in Saint Paul since I discovered Rooster’s several years ago. Since I live in St. Paul, Rooster’s obviously is more convenient but it is also a lot better.

It’s a go-to restaurant for me on Saturdays after a few touch football games. I usually get a baby back rib dinner that includes fries, a roll and coleslaw but lately I’ve been getting the combo meal with ribs and chicken. Their spicy hot is actually hot, not “Minnesota hot,” which is mild. You can eat in, though there isn’t a lot of room for that; I always order take out. They also cater.

Roster’s BBQ Deli is located at 979 Randolph Ave St Paul, MN 55102. Phone: (651) 222-0969. Hours: 11 AM – 9 PM, Closed Mondays. Rooster’s BBQ Deli in St. Paul, Minnesota via David Erickson.