Rochelle Olson: Still A DFL PR Flak After All These Years

Sixteen years ago, Rochelle Olson and the Strib put out one of the yellowest bits of reporting there has ever been – a hatchet job against CD5 GOP candidate Alan Fine, who was up against Keith Ellison in his first run for Congress. A month before the election, Olson wrote a piece about an incident where Alan Fine was arrested for domestic abuse – somehow, without finding room to mention that there was no physical evidence, that he was never charged, that Fine eventually got custody of their son (which doesn’t generally happen for men with domestic abuse raps) and that in fact his soon-to-be-ex had been arrested for abuse later.

On my show, she said “there just wasn’t room” for all that extra information; I pointed out how she or her “editors” could have easily fit the relevant information into the story with room to spare.

Anyway, the old Rochelle is back.


Sunday, the Strib ran a piece, headlined:

Bad Republican Draft Dodger Pounces On Good Democrat.

Well, no. That wasn’t the title. But close enough. Here’s the real thing:

GOP opponent who never served criticizes Gov. Tim Walz’s exit from National Guard

The rest of the story doesn’t get any better.

Joseph Eustice, a 32-year veteran of the guard who led the same battalion as Walz, said the governor fulfilled his duty.

“He was a great soldier,” Eustice said. “When he chose to leave, he had every right to leave.”

Eustice said claims to the contrary are ill-informed and possibly sour grapes by a soldier who was passed over for the promotion to command sergeant major that went to Walz.

Eustice is indeed listed as a “Command Sergeant Major” (CSM) in the 125th Field Artillery, the Mankato National Guard unit in which Walz served.

Olson’s article refers to one “Command Sergeant Major” whose stories are dogging the Governor – Tom Behrends, whose story first came out four years ago.

But there are a total of three. Rochelle Olson and the Strib didn’t seem to think that was worthy of a mention.

And while CSM Eustice blames “sour grapes” by someone who maybe got passed over, all three of the men who’ve gone on record against Walz were Command Sergeants Major – the same rank Walz held before accepting demotion on retirement. And one of those exceptionally senior NCOs was in fact the CSM of the entire 34th Infantry Division – two levels of hierarchy above Walz. There weren’t many positions to move up to in the MInnesota Guard.

That retired divisional CSM is Command Sergeant Major Doug Julin – the senior NCO in the entire 34th Infantry Division:

Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Douglas L. Julin most recent assignment was as the Division Command Sergeant Major of the 34th “Red Bull” Infantry Division, headquartered in Rosemount, Minnesota

If Julin is upset about not being promoted, one wonders exactly how.

But Julin is upset:

Julin said he spoke with Walz directly in 2018 after Behrends sent a letter to the media about Walz’s military record. He said he expressed his frustration and concerns to Walz, who said he appreciated Julin talking to him about it, but “that was about it,” Julin said.

Julin told Alpha News he doesn’t really take issue with Walz using the CSM title after not completing all of the requirements to earn the rank. What matters to him most is how he walked away from his troops.

He wanted to share his story ahead of the election because he believes Minnesotans deserve better.

“Why should we be quiet? He uses the military to promote himself when he abandoned his soldiers,” he said. “He let the soldiers down. How can you be entrusted to be the governor of Minnesota when if something is not to your liking, you quit or you serve yourself and not others?”

Olson’s piece studiously avoids mentioning Julin, or the other retired CSM, Paul Herr – who spoke with Alphanews over the summer:

And apparently Olson and the Strib are counting on readers not investigating their claims, and just gullibly accepting their assertions as fact. CSM Eustice said:

Somehow, the Strib, Olson or the editors apparently found room to mention Jensen’s draft record (he became eligible for the draft as the Vietnam War and conscription were both winding down) and repeatedly chanting Jensen “didn’t serve” – like the vast majority of men in his age bracket whose numbers weren’t drawn in the waning days of the war.

Oh, yes, this will be a subject on Saturday.

25 thoughts on “Rochelle Olson: Still A DFL PR Flak After All These Years

  1. the mccain defense says a liberal war hero cannot be criticized for anything ever again not even when he is obviously lying and selling his constituents down the river

    see also john kerry missions seared into his memory and winter soldier testimony

  2. Alpha News is becoming the important news source the Minnpost dreamed of being for the reprobates. Y’all are lucky to have them, and should support them.

  3. The fact Jensen and Birk have nothing but unverifiable character criticisms pushed by Alpha News at this point shows they’re desperate beyond repair. Where does the MN GOP get these MAGA geniuses that run these campaigns? I remember Pawlenty and Carlson being competent. What happened?

  4. unverifiable character criticisms

    Three of the MNANG’s top NCOs, including the former senior enlisted command advisor for the entire 34th ID, spoke on the record. Some of them more than once.

    desperate beyond repair

    The fact that Flanalzagan had to sic their info-gimp Rochelle Olson on Jensen, on the other hand, shows they’re utterly confident and their internal polling is just dreamy, amirite?

  5. shows they’re utterly confident and their internal polling is just dreamy, amirite?

    Hang on! You mean Abortion!!! and the clothes that a thoroughly modern lieutenant governor wears isn’t gravitas enough to build a campaign on? Say it ain’t so.

  6. Yes, in the best political tradition — desperation isn’t pretty. Guy who never served is critical of a 24 year veteran.

    Wasn’t that Walz’ choice to stay longer? He decided to leave to run for Congress. And he won. Seems like a smart choice to me.

  7. I think John got this wrong. FIFY.

    the mccain defense says any liberal who served cannot be criticized for anything ever again not even when he is obviously lying and selling his constituents down the river

    Even when that liberal considers those who served with him to be as worthless as “19-year-olds who are cooks”.

  8. The primary is over — someone should tell Jensen. With 3 weeks to go a disciplined candidate would hammer Walz on crime, feed our face, education and a few other items that resonate with undecided voters. It’s almost like he wants to lose ….

  9. As usual, bot boy, you’re talking out of your ass, but then, in your case your mouth is interchangeable with that.

    Jensen has been running ads on the 476 carjackings and other crimes. You might want to get your news from sources besides the left wing propaganda machine. Of course, that would probably fry your bb brain.

    By the way, the New York Slimes polled independent women voters in August into early September, showing 14% were likely voting for DemoCommies. They just released their latest poll on the same demographic. Now, they are 18% GOP, about a 32 point swing.

  10. Nothing moves the middle of the American electorate like law and order. Once again the Democrats have let this issue slip off the leash. It’s the Doberman of American politics.

    All the economic statistics are going the right way — except inflation. Is there room for a hard-hitting explanation to blame inflation on war-induced energy price shocks while also explaining the advantages of running the economy “hot” to keep the maximum number of people employed while raising real wages? You would think someone in the Democratic Party could could chew gum and walk at the same time.

  11. Pingback: In The Mailbox: 10.17.22 : The Other McCain

  12. MBerg wrote: “Three of the MNANG’s top NCOs, including the former senior enlisted command advisor for the entire 34th ID, spoke on the record. Some of them more than once.”

    So, we should treat the scrutiny Jensen is getting from his fellow physicians with the same weight. Right?

  13. So, we should treat the scrutiny Jensen is getting from his fellow physicians

    You mean, that scrutiny that failed to find anything two, no, three times?

  14. Really does indicate desperation in the Jensen/Birk camp. Questioning a man’s documented military record by a couple guys who have no idea what it means/takes to give 24 years to the country/guard.

  15. ^ Apparently commanding a bunch of 19 year old cooks out amongst the rocks and cows is giving to the country/guard. Right up until the point you hear you’re gonna get deployed to Iraq.

  16. Jdm is craving what every MAGA craves — grievance and revenge. And they’ll alter the reality before their eyes to get it. Why? Easy: spite and resentment. Some people build up political anger until it bursts.

  17. Would be fun to hear what the guys and gals Kistner served with think about him.

    “A spokesman says Kistner was referring to the fact that he led combat missions, advising and assisting “partner forces” against violent extremist organizations in the non-combat region of North Africa. If he saw combat, he would have received a combat action ribbon, and Kistner acknowledges he never earned one.”

    Anybody that lies about leading combat missions automatically forfeits my vote.

  18. “ Apparently commanding a bunch of 19 year old cooks out amongst the rocks and cows is giving to the country/guard. Right up until the point you hear you’re gonna get deployed to Iraq.”

    Amen. Not to mention that staying in the guard for 20+ years without ever facing actual combat might also be considered simply putting in the minimum hours to receive that tasty pension.

    Don’t read me wrong….I have every respect and completely support our US service members. But I too have to question a Master Sergeant who abandons his unit before a very real and potentially serious deployment. Especially after 20+ years…..

  19. Typical GOP swiftboating. People who avoided military service attack the record of those who actually served.

    Like Trump calling military people “losers” and “suckers”….

  20. Typical GOP swiftboating. People who avoided military service attack the record of those who actually served.

    Except the Swift Boat Vets were, in fact, Vietnam veterans. Who questioned the service record of a presidential candidate after he practically made it the centerpiece of his campaign. Kerry’s campaign seemed to play up his image as a combat veteran, while Mary Mapes, Dan Rather, and memos purportedly typed in 1973 sought to portray GWB as a Guardsman who went AWOL and received political protection.

    Walz’s military service, just like the rest of his past, is relevant, especially if he fraudulently leveraged that service to achieve success in politics. All’s fair in love and war, Emery. Politics is both.

  21. Typical GOP swiftboating

    Did you actually read the article?

    The three accusers all served as much as or more than Walz.

    Typical DFL, hippying people who did serve.

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