Ventura gets big ovation at St. OlafVentura stepped up attacks on Minnesota's current political leaders for supporting an expansion of gambling and the building of stadiums. "They can't solve the budget because they have no balls," he said.

Jesse VenturaJim McknightAssociated Press"All these religious Republicans don't have a problem with gambling to balance their budgets."

He also warned darkly about what he described as a serious erosion of First Amendment rights under the Bush administration. He told the students, "Speaking out about your government is healthy and wholesome. ... Don't go along to get along."

The Federal Communications Commission, he said, is rolling back free speech rights in "much the same way Nazi Germany did it."

With a black do-rag, or kerchief on his head, Ventura revealed that he did indeed get the idea for his recent "Pirates of the Caribbean"-type beard from the character Jack Sparrow played by actor Johnny Depp in the movie of that title.

Ventura always was a provocateur as governor, but his act since he left the governor's office has gotten ever more outrageous. At one point he told the students that it was hypocritical for people of his free-love generation to urge sexual abstinence. "Make all the love you want, just use a condom. ... If it feels good, do it; I did." His language has become considerably saltier.

Near the end of his speech, he joked that he was indeed a "sexual tyrannosaurus" and that "you could just ask the First Lady."

And he was as harsh as ever in criticizing the media. Pointing to reporters in the front row, he called them "Bozos" and reiterated his labeling of reporters as "pedophiles" because of stories written about his son's behavior at the governor's residence.

The Randi Rhodes Show -> So does Randi think 911 was an inside job?: "Randi recommends Paul Thompson's Terror Timeline"
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The Whitewash Continues
Latest Findings from NIST World Trade Center Investigation Released (April 5, 2005)

Cancer Patients Exposed to High Radiation: "Officials said 77 patients were affected. Twelve have since died."
_ _ _ _ _ _
The state agency fined the center $1,000 on March 24, giving the hospital 30 days to appeal.
Lets see, $1000 fine for 12 lives.
Is that an extreme fine? Is a human life worth $89 each?
Think they will appeal?

House condemns Patriot Act - billingsgazette.com: "House condemns Patriot Act
By JENNIFER McKEE
Gazette State Bureau
HELENA - Montana lawmakers overwhelmingly passed what its sponsor called the nation's most strongly worded criticism of the federal Patriot Act on Friday, uniting politicians of all stripes.
The resolution, which already galloped through the Senate and passed the House 88-12 Friday, must survive a final vote before it officially passes.
Senate Joint Resolution 19, sponsored by Sen. Jim Elliott, D-Trout Creek, says that while the 2005 Legislature supports the federal government's fight against terrorism, the so-called Patriot Act of 2001 granted authorities sweeping powers that violate citizens' rights enshrined in both the U.S. and Montanan constitutions. "

US relied on 'drunken liar' to justify war