Hanging Curve Ball

Good thing that pitchers and catchers report in about a week, because I could use a little practice personally. I surely missed a hanging curve ball this morning in my brief piece on Mark Dayton's risible "State of the State" address. I quoted him hectoring the Republicans about the importance of never shutting down the government. Quoth Governor Brave Sir Mark:

On the night of 9/11, I stood with my fellow United States Senators and Representatives on the steps of our Capitol to assure our fellow citizens that our government had not shut down, would not shut down, could not be shut down.

It is absolutely unthinkable that we would even contemplate doing so here in Minnesota. So, I ask you, legislators; I invite you; I implore you — to join with me now, right here in our Capitol and pledge to the people of Minnesota that we will NOT shut down their government, our government — not next July 1st, not any July 1st, not any day ever.

As astute observers Night Writer and Bike Bubba rightly point out, Mark Dayton is just about the last guy to decry shutting down government. Remember this?

U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minnesota, closed his Capitol Hill office Tuesday until after the November 2 election, fearing a possible terrorist attack that could harm his staff or visitors.

However, U.S. government officials said there was no new intelligence concerning a possible attack, and authorities said congressional members have not been advised to close their offices.

"There's no new threat or information pertaining to a threat that's come in. We continue to advise (people) to take caution ... but there's no new information that we've put out," said Sgt. Contricia Ford of the U.S. Capitol Police.

There were 99 other Senators and 435 Members of Congress at the time. Not one shut down his office, although they all were privy to the same information that Dayton had. Just thought you needed a reminder.