Legislators “can’t discuss this [stadium issue]… There isn’t a chance in a trillion — there’s no one with a political IQ over 3 who thinks that it’s possible.” Paul Thatcher, Chairman Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission Source: Star Tribune
Dear Paul Thatcher,
I am writing to you today in regards to your presumptuous and assumptive comment above. While there is no formal test for one’s political IQ, I tell you with confidence and absolute resolution that mine is well over 3.
In addition, your comment has alienated over 2 million citizens, constituents and Vikings fans here in Minnesota. Anybody with a football IQ over 3 is aware of bulletin board material and the effect that it has on a locker room. Thank you for the additional motivation to invest more of my personal time and personal money. Thank you for delivering just the kind of message that will spark and ignite in me and in others an even deeper commitment to unite as citizens and fans. Thank you for the bulletin board material.
We the citizens speak loudest, and we will continue to speak out until our State Legislature and our Governor listens. Next time you think you can leverage the public, its opinion and want to speak on its behalf in an effort to cram a plan down the Vikings throat simply for the benefit of keeping your commission in existence and taking tax dollars, THINK TWICE!
Certainly you, Bill Lester and Roy Terwilliger are welcome to explain to me your side of the story, which I have been asking for, for over a week. Now I know why they have been unavailable.
Poor move, and poor judgment on your part Paul. It is possible, and the legislature WILL discuss stadium options with the Minnesota Vikings in the 2010 session. I will bet my political IQ against your overall IQ to prove it.
Cory Merrifield
Founder/Fan Advocate
SavetheVikes.org
Founder, funder and superfan of the Minnesota Vikings and SavetheVikes.org. Born and raised in MN, Cory has been a lifelong Vikings fan. Season ticket holder, stop by and see him in section 218! cory.merrifield@savethevikes.org 
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FANTASTIC reply, Cory! This is what we need! Keep up the great work, and I will see you Saturday at the Marriott. On behalf of every Vikings fan I know and don’t know, THANK YOU, CORY, for everything you are doing to bring attention to this stadium issue!
Why does the MSFC want to put a band aid on an issue that needs stitches? How does this affect the stadium issue going forward? Is there a way we, as fans, can send our thoughts to Mr. Thatcher and Mr. Lester?
Once upon a time the MSFC had a hand in driving the Minnesota North Stars to Dallas. Clearly Paul Thatcher and the MSFC is up to its old dirty tricks. Jay Weiner of MinnPost.com explains…
http://www.minnpost.com/jayweiner/2009/11/17/13538/metrodome_update_angry_vikings_blast_stadium_commission_resolution
I think it’s time to mobilize on the political front. We need to get the names of all the state legislators and let them know that if they don’t get a new stadium and fast they will lose their jobs. We need to find out who is running and make sure we elect people who will get the stadium deal done.
FUNNY HOW THE DOME HAS BEEN PAID FOR!BUT THERES NO MONEY!LETS START BY SAYING “IT’S PISS POOR MANAGEMENT ON THE SPORTS COMMMISSION AND YOU MR. LESTER AND COMPANY”!YOU’LL BE THE FIRST ONES TO BE THROWN TO THE STREET!GET YOUR SLEEP NOW!BECAUSE WHEN WE’RE DONE WITH THIS!YOU’LL STILL BE LOOKIN FOR A PLACE TO SLEEP EVERY DAY FOR 8 HOURS! AND NOT ON MY DOLLAR!
Outstanding job Cory!
DOES ANYBODY KNOW THE TOTAL MONETARY LOSS INCLUDING THE 25 MILLION IN TAX REVENUE, IT WOULD BE TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IF WE DID LOSE THE VIKINGS. I WOULD LIKE TO THROW THAT NUMBER OUT THERE TO PEOPLE WHO JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND THE ECONOMICAL IMPACT TO THE STATE SHOULD THEY LEAVE.
I’m FURIOUS with the MSFC! What a bunch of brain dead hacks! These guys should all lose their jobs!!!
Thank you! The lack of leadership shown by our presidential candidate who has forgotten that he still has a job as our Governor, and the MSFC is astounding. This issue has been before us for over a decade. It didn’t just jump up by surprize. We could have dealt with it when the economic times were better but our “leaders” were too worried about the next election. Now it is the 11th hour and because of the lack of leadership we are stuck. It’s time for our politicians (I can’t even call them leaders anymore)to get this done.
For many years we have paid our tax’s with no say in how it is spent. We pay for the food and shelter of those who refuse to work. We hand out a monthly check and tax free loans to anyone who can make there way to OUR great country. We listen to our ELECTED officials talk about the poor economy and budget deficits but they alway’s find a way to get there pay raise’s. To those ELECTED officials who don’t think this is an important issue, be prepaired!! WE love OUR Vikings,and you will find out that there are many thousands of us that don’t just unite on gameday,we will set aside some time so you can meet us in person. You will hear our voice and you will find out just how proud we are of OUR VIKINGS!!!!
Here is the purpose of the MSFC from their web page. I don’t think they are living up to their stated purpose. From what I can see they are doing the opposite. Gotta love the last sentence: “It is therefore necessary for the public health, safety and general welfare to establish a procedure for the acquisition and betterment of sports facilities and to create a Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.”
The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission was established under Chapter 89 of Minnesota Laws of 1977 and operates under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 473, as amended. “The Legislature finds that the population in the metropolitan area has a need for sports facilties and that this need cannot be met adequately by the activities of individual municipalities, by agreements among municipalities, or by the private efforts of the people in the metropolitan area. It is therefore necessary for the public health, safety and general welfare to establish a procedure for the acquisition and betterment of sports facilities and to create a Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.
Thank you,
very interesting article