Hans Eisenbeis We don’t normally pay that much attention to the local daily news. Not in a professional way—it’s too much work for too little reward, and we’re constantly annoyed at how the paper has become more about pictures and graphics than about actual news stories. But certain broad cultural trends had us interested in seeing the … Read more
In our ongoing coverage of Tom Wolfe’s new book, we mentioned yesterday that we enjoyed Jacob Weisberg’s review in last Sunday’s New York Times Book Review. What distinguishes good criticism from great criticism? We’re glad you asked. A couple of things, actually. First, we prefer critics to resist the urge to pronounce a simple verdict. … Read more
In yesterday’s Sunday Times, Frank Rich makes a point we were trying to make ourselves a few weeks ago. In the aftermath of the election, USA Today had published a story that suggested Big, Bad, Liberal Media was scratching its collective head, wondering where it had gone so terribly wrong in understanding the country–and more … Read more
We were surprised to open up Monday’s Minneapolis Star-Tribune to see Jon Tevlin’s article on religion in the workplace. Surprised, because it was very similar to a feature story that was on the cover of The New York Times Magazine about a month ago. We’d noticed Russell Shorto’s feature, not only because it was a … Read more
Yesterday, the people who organize the Gay Pride parade in the Twin Cities filed a complaint against the Star Tribune. This one could sting: They are complaining to the Minnesota Commission on Civil Rights because the Strib apparently refused to publish an advertisement for the parade that showed two men kissing. Many interested readers who … Read more
For many years, country music was one of the shibboleths of the alternative nation: If you were born after 1950, lived in a city, and considered yourself smart and hip, you’d say you liked “all kinds of music”—pause—“except country.” There were almost as many “Country and Western” jokes as knock-knock jokes. And the folk revolution … Read more
American solipsism is a funny thing. Each of us tends to believe two contradictory destinies await us: On the one hand, incredible luck and wealth will eventually be ours. On the other hand, violent tragedy is one terrorist strike away. This is the American Dream gone to seed and become a psychosis. We each believe … Read more
We were surprised when organizers of the Twin Cities Marathon decided last spring that they would henceforth allow only Americans to win our race. This, of course, instantly got up the dander of non-runners, liberals, and non-running liberals throughout the area. Within days of the announcement, the Minneapolis City Council was looking into ways to … Read more
We were a little disturbed by the explosion. All around the city, there was a sudden, violent eruption of elegant apartments, lofts, row-houses, and condominiums. And it wasn’t just along the Mississippi or in the Warehouse District. It was where a gas station had stood at Fiftieth Street in Linden Hills. It was where something … Read more
We probably hang around with the wrong kind of people. For most of June, there were complaints about the American flag. How long did it have to be at half-mast out of respect for a deceased president? This was mostly sour grapes from certain people whose memory of President Ronald Reagan was less rosy than … Read more