Jul 20 Calling Out Ryan Winkler

Yesterday, I said that conservatives, just like all other groups, have to police their ranks from time to time. This morning, after reading Rep. Ryan Winkler's disgusting tweet, it's obvious that the DFL isn't putting a high priority on policing their ranks. I just finished writing about the DFL-orchestrated boycott of Target here. Here's what Rep. Winkler tweeted that's got me upset:

RepRyanWinkler @esmemurphy Target has been good corp. citizen, but MN political spending is new. Your show just showed risk of giving to candidates.

What's upsetting is that there's no indication from Rep. Winkler, a DFL elected legislator, that he thinks there's anything wrong with boycotting companies that contribute to right-of-center organizations. Apparently, Rep. Winkler isn't worried that threatening a company for their participation in the political system might have a chilling effect on political participation.

I'm not asking Rep. Winkler to apologize because it's impossible for Rep. Winkler to unring that bell. The damage has already been done.

Rather, what I'm asking is for Minnesotans of high integrity to reject the DFL's ambassadors whenever they don't condemn, either through their statements or their silence, the Left's thuggish tactics.

Rep. Winkler didn't utter a peep, or post a tweet, when John Cowles, the former publisher of the Strib, contributed to Dayton Family, Inc, aka ABM, a far left organization. The unmistakable message is this: Contribute to radical leftist groups and the DFL will leave you alone; contribute to right-of-center causes and you'll be highlighted for boycotting.

Is that the type of Minnesota you want to live in? Should we tolerate subtle threats to our constitutionally-protected liberties? My reply to both questions is an emphatic and resounding no.

It's time to rid Minnesota politics of the Ryan Winklers of the world and others who think it's ok to threaten corporations for their political beliefs. It's the political equivalent of paying protection money.

Comments welcome at LFR.