Vikings Stadium

With the roller coaster ride that is the Minnesota Vikings new stadium quest, I've tried to refrain from bringing that mess to the Flea Flicker. Every bit of good news is quickly followed by mind-numbing political stupidity. The proposed stadium bill has to meander through a seemingly endless maze of committees in the House and Senate. My understanding of this process is that the committees are essentially there to edit, amend, and/or refine the bill before it is presented for a vote on the floor of both Houses. Over the  last couple of weeks the bill has passed successfully through a few of these committees. Each hurdle brings greater hope that this thing may finally get done. Well, that was all dashed last Monday when that particular committee of clowns voted against the bill, 9-6. The votes were supposed to be there but some promises weren't kept. The Vikings said that this would be the last attempt. There will be no new trip through the legislative mess next year. They've been told "next year" for too many years. The team can not remain financially competitive in the NFL with the outdated dump that is the Metrodome. Something has to be done this year or the Wilf family will have to sell or move the team. As much as I hate to see either I absolutely understand those actions. The politicians don't and I don't understand that. For some reason they'd rather do nothing. Instead of solving problems, dealing with issues, basically doing their jobs they'd rather do as little as possible and still keep their jobs. I swear, the hardest politicians work is to get elected that first time. It may also be the only time that they work. I'd be surprised if any have actually read through the stadium bill. If they had, they wouldn't ask the ridiculous questions that I have heard at some of the hearings. They simply don't grasp the reality that the Vikings could leave the state. Which is astonishing seeing as Minnesota has already lost professional basketball and hockey teams.

The happenings since Monday may have opened some eyes. The Vikings saying that they are through running in circles for legislative approval was followed by a Minnesota visit by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney. They came to stress the critical nature of this stadium situation. No threats needed to be issued. It seems that the sleep-walking politicians have finally opened their eyes. The stadium bill may have a new life as it passed a Senate committee on Friday. Everything's most certainly not fine as this has to get done in the next two weeks. The legislative session ends April 30. The Vikings and the NFL have made it clear that this session is the deadline. No vote will be interpreted as a "no" vote. The politicians may finally understand. They better.

Work needs to get done and the Flea Flicker says it gets done.