Dale writes: On a July trip to Scandinavia, I took my latest copy of The Rake along to catch up on my reading. Ad you can see in my photo, I even took it along to the top of Areskutan, a 4,200 meter ski mountain in Are, Sweden. I enjoy your magazine and pick it … Read more
John writes: Dear Rake–here’s a picture of my wife Shelley and I atop Victoria’s Peak in Hong Kong. We brought The Rake to read on the (long) plane ride over and used it as a photo prop when the opportunity arose. Please make us famous! –John Steingraeber, St. Paul The Rake writes: Hope this helps … Read more
Interesting profiles on the six politicos in your “Sculpting a Candidate” article [November]. One is a good pal of mine. However, I can’t be the first to note that all six of the people profiled were employed by those on the liberal side of the ledger. Are we to believe there is not one hard-working, … Read more
Tom Bartel’s characterization of Keith Ellison [“Capulets and Montagues,” November], like his understanding of perfect political storms, could benefit from a deep breath. The election of Jesse Ventura in 1998 did reflect voter aversion to the candidates of the established parties, but Ventura’s populist image, albeit more cultural than economic, had an even greater impact … Read more
I was a little surprised by the political operatives you chose to highlight in the November issue [“Sculpting a Candidate”]. Not because of their skills and abilities—indeed, they are clearly some of the best left-leaning political minds in Minnesota—but rather because of the lack of diversity in the profiles. I find it hard to believe … Read more
I really don’t think there is a logical connection between Terminalia and, as you state, political boundary lines between Mr. Ellison and Mr. Fine [“The Rituals of Boundaries,” October]. You suggest that Mr. Ellison and Mr. Fine should come together and find some common ground on Louis Farrakhan and his teachings. Some lines need to … Read more
I really enjoyed the story about Circle Pines [“A People’s History of Circle Pines,” November]. I have spent a large chunk of my life living in the N.E. metro and have memories of Circle Pines from back in the 70s. (Yes, I still can remember!) What really caught my eye was the map on page … Read more
In “Pep Personified” [The Rakish Angle, November], Nancy Nelson’s husband explains that he gives his wife bee-themed jewelry as a private joke, because, “Aerodynamically, a bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly … but the bumblebee doesn’t know that, so it just soars merrily along.” At the risk of depressing the sales of the bee-themed jewelry … Read more
Richfielder Geoff Cuddy has been reading The Rake since day one and never misses an issue. While backpacking through Jordan, he and partner Chris Stevens camped in Wadi Rum, the desert where Lawrence of Arabia was filmed (and where the real T. E. Lawrence adventured). “The night we spent there was the full moon,” wrote … Read more
Earlier this year I was so moved by a piece of fiction in your magazine, “Thin Ice” [March] by Chris Waddington, that I tore the story out to keep. You’ve done it once again. October’s Rake fiction selection, “Party Doll” by Margaret Benbow, contains everything a reader could want, and so very much more. All … Read more