craig gass

craig gass

The 27th annual Taste of Minnesota kicks off Thursday, but this year, it "tastes" and feels a little different.

"Did a lot of listening over the course of the last six months," Andy Faris said. Faris and his two buddies bought the taste this winter. "Increased security was a concern for some people particularly those who wanted to bring their families down here. We've tightened security, we've made some big changes at the gates," he explained.

Perhaps the biggest change is you'll be required to cough up 10 bucks if you want to get on the grounds after 3 p.m. Those ten dollars will get you ten tickets for food and beverages. The theory is those that are willing to pay aren't passing through looking for trouble.

"We make a living selling food here and that's a big issue for us is to have the security," a satisfied Craig Gass said. Gass runs a hamburger joint a stone's throw from the main stage.

"You can feel good about bringing your family down here, we've beefed up police and security personnel," Faris said.

Organizers say its not just security that's been beefed up, the musical muscle on stage also got a shot in the arm this year. "We've doubled the entertainment budget," Faris explained.

This year's headliners include Staind, Elvis Costello, White Snake, and Judas Priest.

The Taste of Minnesota opens every day at noon and it runs through Sunday on Harriet Island. If you show up before 3 p.m. admission is free.

barbara boxer

barbara boxer

What is it about liberals and the military? Why are liberals uncomfortable with the military? Why do some liberals apparently despise our military? Is it because the armed services remind them that not every international dispute can be solved with soothing words uttered by a diplomat? Is it because they view military expenditures as taking money away from greater health and welfare spending?

The latest liberal-military confrontation occurred in a hearing room on Capitol Hill on June 16, 2009 when Brigadier General Michael Walsh called California’s junior senator “Ma’am” – a perfectly acceptable sign of military respect to both a U.S. Senator or a senior female officer.

Boxer cut her political teeth on the anti-Vietnam war protests around the Bay Area back in the day and never really changed her outlook on the uniformed defenders of the Constitution of the United States.

What happened next was remarkable. Barbara Boxer immediately dressed down the general officer, saying, “I had a… You know… do me a favor, could you say ‘Senator’ instead of ‘Ma’am’ – it’s just a thing, I worked so hard to get that title so I’d appreciate it, yes, thank you.”

According to the U.S. Army’s own guide to protocol, Members of the U.S. Senate should be verbally addressed as “Sir,” “Ma’am” or “Senator.” So, General Walsh was simply following longstanding tradition.

To read Mr. DeVore’s complete piece on Bully! Pulpit, click here.

Chuck DeVore (R.-Irvine) represents 500,000+ people in Orange County, California. He retired as a lieutenant colonel after 24-years of service in the Army National Guard and is a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010 against Barbara Boxer.