Now that summer's here, you know every town in Minnesota has its own special festival, from the Raspberry Festival in Hopkins, to Manitou Days in White Bear Lake, to Lumberjack Days here in Stillwater. The organizers of the parades invite every local politician of every stripe, and they do ask that everyone keep the tone positive so the town can enjoy its celebration.

In the Lumberjack Days parade, every election year since 2006, I've marched in the contingent of Michele Bachmann's opponent. So far, I've yet to hear a jeer or catcall from her supporters along the way, despite the anger and resentment I see in some of their faces. In turn, I keep my own, shall we say, very strong feelings about Michele under wraps for the day.

So if Nixon is marching in the parade today. Do not jeer him. Be nice for it is a parade.

WHAT!!!