I have tickets for Saturday. So of course cloudy and temps in the 40s are on the docket. No fair!

This was my/the last post of the old thread, I'm putting it here to ensure someone actually sees it.

More than the Vikings and their official activist arm, I blame the unofficial arms for some of the negative stuff amongst the fans such as people sending profanity laced emails, making overly angry phone calls, cyber bullying while spamming up legislators' Twitter feeds, and acting like stereotypically mindless football fans at public meetings and hearings. The act of showing up in a jersey is not a negative thing. When people are acting like it's a football Sunday and behave towards people with opposing or on the fence views like they're Packers fans in the Metrodome concourse, it's too much.

By unofficial arms, I'll come out and say SaveTheVikes.org. That outfit has done some good work via focusing fans and keeping the fire burning. However, its lack of political savvy, even understanding how to direct people on basic stuff to avoid alienating potential allies or galvanizing enemies, is pretty jarring. The group, which to a great extent is really one guy at the helm, will deserve some credit when it's all said and done, but will deserve a little blame if this thing dies in the legislature.

"but has he done anything --- "

Does making a fool of himself count?

Funny I distinctly remember reports of death threats during the twins stadium journey. Baseball fans are just so above it all right? no offense Rick but why take petty shots at this other guy? You seem a bit more classy than that.

wow Rick on his high horse again I see. This site has become a total joke! Bashing Cory Merrifield for his years of work to help get the Vikings a new Stadium. To sit and say he really hasn't done anything, is an absolute joke!

For someone who claims to know so much about the Vikings and the NFL, you really are showing you don't know much at all about them.

So, what has he (Cory Merrifield) done?

He created a site where fans can unite and come together to work on a solution to keep the Vikings in Minnesota.

He came up with his own funding plan, that included user fees, some of which will be used in the new bill.

He has worked closely with the Vikings and key lawmakers, such as Lanning, Rosen, and most recenty Kreisel.

Ask any diehard Vikings fan how important Cory Merrifield has been to the Vikings Stadium effort, and they will agree with me.

It's diehard fans like Cory, Larry Spooner, myself, that make the Vikings what they are. Not some casual johnny come lately, who watches a game here and there, and claims they are a huge fan!

So, if they're not a fan like you, they're not really fans?

Rick, you keep telling us you support a stadium, yet your words would signal otherwise.

You only support it if its where you think it should be, if its paid for how you think it should be paid for, it costs exactly how much you think it costs.

I have yet to see you say anything that would prove you support a stadium, and support the Vikings for that matter. You yourself said you have never beeen to a Vikings game, yet you live about 10 miles away

yes they are fans, but if you read, i said "casual" fans. Big difference between casual fans, and diehard fans.

Back to baseball for a moment: Blackburn is throwing batting practice tonight... :-(

For the record, I never claimed to be a "huge fan" of the Vikings. It wouldn't bother me if they moved.

I just want to know my tax dollars are being spent wisely, to benefit as many people as possible. I'm not sure spending a billion dollars on a stadium for a sport that plays less than a dozen home games a year fits that description.

I have three words for the Vikings about their desires for a new palace: "Pay for it".

Your tax dollars aren't going to be spent on a Vikings stadium unless you choose to play electronic pulltabs and bingo.

Yeah sorry rick but I'm not buying the bullshit anymore. I really don't understand you taking the snipes at other stadium supporters. For the record him and his group have ALWAYS asked and reminded people to be courteous and respectful. I've seen you take shots at him in the past as well which is just odd to me. One time you made a comment about him possibly having alterior motives and asking questions about what his angle is. I replied to that on this site back then. I believe it was about a year ago or so. What's the deal dude? You are a good guy that I can testify to in how you went out of your way to handle a ticket mixup for me.this doesn't seem like the same guy to me. I've sent many people here to look at your site. Some wonder about the obnoxious know it all anti sports and anti football attitudes here. I guess sometimes the train runs off the tracks. Later all.

By the way .org isn't and has never been reserved for charities or nonprofits.his organization fits perfectly into the historical and typical use of .org.

yes they are fans, but if you read, i said "casual" fans. Big difference between casual fans, and diehard fans.

"Casual", aka, "not real". This is always a fun debate. Can you be sure to post all the ways folks can be considered die hard so we'll know if we fit the criteria?

For someone who claims to know so much about the Vikings and the NFL, you really are showing you don't know much at all about them.

As far as I can tell, he's never claimed to be an expert on either the Vikings or the NFL. He has claimed to understand the political process Re: stadiums in MN. And thus far, everything he's laid out has been pretty much spot on.

Surly line at 124, 77 people deep, time to move the pizza.

I love Surly, but I can't imagine waiting that long for it.

Being a "die hard fan" of the Vikings...does that come with antidepressants? I think I'll remain a casual fan and keep my sanity. If you're a "die hard" of any team, then you probably need to crack the window open a little and get some fresh air.

Since I called out SaveTheVikes.org by name, I'll give my opinion. Has Corey Merrifield and his movement done anything to help the Vikings get a stadium? Yes and no.

On one hand, he deserves credit for being a clearing house for news and information. His website, Twitter feed, Facebook page, and email list have been valuable sources of information about what is happening, where, and when. Even if you argue that the info was available elsewhere, he gleaned it all into a one stop shopping effort. He served as a good booster of morale. Stadium fights can be soul sapping affairs. He's kept supporters in the game by banging the drum. The guy also encouraged people to engage with their elected and appointed officials, although how those people engaged was, at times, one of his failings.

On the other hand, there have been some problems. He set a bad example for his movement and followers, while hurting his and his movement's image by engaging in needless and childish sniping with opponents of the stadium. I know it can be hard to hold back, but it comes off really poorly to the media, neutrals, those on the fence, and fellow stadium supporters who don't want to associate with that kind of stuff. On that thread, some stadium supporters, including some from within the movement, crossed the line in their behavior while interacting with appointed and elected officials, a highly counterproductive course of action. I don't hold him directly responsible for the actions of others, but Corey, in my opinion, made no more than a token effort of calling off the dogs, far less than he should or could have given the reach of his voice. I believe the manner in which he attached himself to the DOA Shakopee proposal didn't paint him in the best light. It also displayed a general political naivety that hasn't served him or SaveTheVikes.org well.

These are just my opinions and observations. Anyone is welcome to disagree. The final chapter in the Vikings' stadium drive hasn't been written, so I won't give SaveTheVikes.org a definitive grade. It's done some good, just maybe not as much as it thinks it has or could have.

Someone was wondering how they were going to promote the Ben Revere bat day on Sunday- On the scoreboard tonight it was promoted as "Bat Giveaway Game" (I see they did call up Revere for Willingham's paternity leave.)

Has anybody found anything besides ice cream to satisfy the sweet tooth at TF? My daughter and I stopped at the Holiday gas station after the game to get 3 cookies for $1.29. (They were very good.)

Merrifield? Come on. He's a know-nothing. He used to his spend his time bs'ing on the ESPN board, saying things like the Vikings are absolutely positively gone after 2011, yada yada yada. Pretending he had inside contacts and so on. He's a smoke-blowing cheerleader trying to make a name for himself on the backs of the people who actually have something to do with pushing a stadium bill.

With the Twins playing so poorly, it is good that we have the Vikings Stadium to rile up all the die hards and provide us with merriment and mirth.

"Surly line at 124, 77 people deep --- "

That many people waiting in a line that long to pay that much for a beer - regardless of how good it is - is exactly the reason the Pohlads get away with the quality of their on-field product.

Total buzzkill at the park last night. Place looked 1/2 empty in the upper decks. Blackie looked terrible so did Baloney Maloney. Picked up some fresh brats at Hoilday before the game. Sat in sec 321 row 4 for 3 innings was in 326 last year. Terrible views from there as persons heads in front of you are in the way. I liked the angle view even though farther away in sec 326 as had no obstructed views. Scoeboard does suck and the grass design sucks! Fire Devito now! Ended up walking behind home plate in sec 116. Stood at the bar rail there and then walked down 10 rows and watched the game there till the top of the 8th. The thrill is gone! Record at TF now at 14-28. Did see the Fulton tap room right across the street from the Holiday station. Yes the cookies are very good there 3 for $1.29.

Could care less about the Vikings. Last game I went to was at memorial stadium vs the Packers at the U due to conflict with twins at the met. Much better to watch football on your big screen HD sets at home. Bseball is getting to that point also.

As far as I can tell, he's [Rick] never claimed to be an expert on either the Vikings or the NFL. He has claimed to understand the political process Re: stadiums in MN. And thus far, everything he's laid out has been pretty much spot on.

From my chair, this has been my perspective on the whole situation. I think the analysis on the situation has been fair. Rick's been critical of important cogs while not straying too far into the "personal attack realm" but also supportive too. Although, I would like to see more of the "what can be done with the current bill(s)" that would get them passed. Rick has stood pat that current bills will go down but it appears that there is still some outside (and potentially inside) urgency that might force this square peg through the round hole. So I am also interested in what might happen with the current bills that might get them to go through even if they aren't the best plans. After all the best option isn't always the chosen option.

I want to see the stadium get built and hope that whatever passes out of the legislature works. I always have. My take has also been that the best course for the Vikings would have been to pursue the most politically feasible site and funding plan, something they don't seem to have done. If it all works out, great.

I can't tell if this plan's failure will be a major road block or if it will further galvanize people to find a solution. It'll depend somewhat on how the Vikes react, and whether they try to rally people or get overly defensive with their disappointment. A little bluntness is okay, but pure abrasiveness won't cut it.

Regardless, I wish the team hadn't spent so much time chasing illusions in Arden Hills and at Linden Avenue once it was clear neither was happening. They burned plenty of useful time, energy, and political capital in each case that could have gone to more productive endeavors.

For "plan's failure will" make that "plan's failure would".

There's a Holiday station near Target Field?

It's down the hill behind the Garbage Burner. If you were standing across from the ballpark facing the Oliva gate and the LRT platform, just take a right and you'll be there in a matter of moments.

It used to be a Shell station, but when gas prices went out of control around 2008, it was one of many stations that bit the dust. It sat vacant for a while before Holiday stepped in not long before Target Field opened.

Gee whiz Rick, of the four possible outcomes, you listed "stadium is built" as last!! C'MON MAN!! Clearly you have no desire to get this thing built, and you hate the Vikings!! It's totally obvious!!

Yep Raging Peasants load up on all your goods there! Great Dogs, Brats, Peanuts,sunflower seeds and yes those fabulous cookies I like the raisin oatmeal the best. New Fulton Brewery right across the street. Can park for $5.00 under the bridges there also. Hell next time I get to a game I might bring in a whole Little Cesars pizza.

Now the players are lobbying...

Adrian Peterson: Dome is "very tough" on pro athletes

You just can't make this stuff up...some of the comments these players make at times

Hmmm says Fulton tap room will have a 70 inch tv and $5.00 brews. Might be better than going to the game.

I see Jack Jablonksi and his little brother Max scheduled to throw out the first pitch tonight. Should be an emotional momment for him and the crowd. The Kid has come along ways.

Senators, presumably opposed to the Vikings stadium bill since no educated proponent could possibly think this will fly, just tacked on Racino as a funding source in committee. The motion passed in the committee by a hefty margin. If that isn't somehow removed, the Vikings Stadium is as good as dead at the Capitol this session.

DAMMIT! When we get so far with the Vikings stadium, the Legislature wants to KILL it again! Why don't the dorks want a Racino? I realize it's not the best MAJOR funding option, but at least it would help.

UUUUUGGGGGHHHHHHH

Best part (and please correct me if I read the reports on this wrong) is that the person who introduced the Racino amendment (Sean Nienow) voted against the bill anyway.

Now their going to blame everything on the Indians.

"they're" --- sorry.

The site is Ballparkmagic. Where is the magic? Can we stay on topic and discuss TF and the Twins. Couldn't a different site be created to rant about the Vikings stadium? A football stadium is NOT a ballpark it's a stadium.

I don't know why we can't have electronic pull tabs (whatever they are), AND a Racino. I love it that we have a big todo about stopping being a nanny state and let us have big boy fireworks, but boy if you want to have additional gambling options then just hold on there buddy. We'll tell you exactly how, where, and when you can choose to lose your money.

bmjundt, fine. Rick is probably working on StadiuMagic as we speak...lol.

Speaking of TF, I feel like I'm back in the woeful days of the 90s...why is the outdated and decommissioned "M" logo etched into the mound tonight?

That "M" represents the glory days -- which we all might need to hearken back to regularly this season. Pregame tonight Gardy was saying there's no help coming, it's on the pitchers. Well, great. So front office and scouting and minor league development all get a pass on this pathetic pitching situation???

Saw the Royals Advance Scout seats going for $4.99 on StubHub tonight.

Jack was not feeling well today and didnt make it out to the park for the first pitch. Too bad, he would have gotten a long, loud ovation. Hopefully he can get up there soon.

I needs me some public stadium cash... NOW!

Call J.G. Wentworth. 877-CASH-NOW.

Yep Jack Jablonski is back in the hospital. Mr Whipple aka Gardy had to be proud of the way the boys battled their tails off last night though! 5-14 projects to 42 wins this year. Better take the series vs the hapless Royals.

Sports websites reporting Atlanta Falcons want a 900+M Stadium, whats the over/under on whether theirs get approved/built before the vikes fiasco Rick?

Going to the game on Sunday, hope to see 'our guys' put together nine good innings.

Although I realize that's asking a lot... /sigh/

I called J.G. Wentworth. They referred me to Mark Dayton.

Did Mauer swing at a first pitch last night or were my eyes playing tricks?

Unbelievable...A $1 billion retractable roof stadium? The Georgia Dome just opened in September 1992...more than TEN years after the Metrodome opened in April 1982. Yet, we the people of Minnesota cannot seem to figure out the Metrodome is outdated. The Georgia Dome has hosted several major Bowl Games, Super Bowls, Final Fours, and College Football games to name a few things.

Joe Sensor's testimony has more holes than the Twins' lineup.

Stone liar.