I rarely read The Rake because I get sick of the pinko rags that are many of the independent magazines in the Twin Cities. But my co-worker wanted me to read the article on god and politics [“Church and State,” June]. He’s a left-winger and I’m a die-hard Republican. I didn’t think it was going … Read more
I appreciate it when people or organizations notice that we political moderates and liberals have strong Christian beliefs, too. I didn’t realize the depth of Senator Dean Johnson’s professional and personal commitments along these lines; I am in awe. On another point the article made: How can Chaplain Hall maintain his 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (which prohibits religious … Read more
Paul Harstad, his sister, and her partner (all South Minneapolis residents) accompanied his father (of Vadnais Heights) to the land of Pharoahs. Paul says, “Egypt is a very interesting place, and holds a prominent position in world history, but why on Earth would they spend all that time, energy, and resources to build monuments to … Read more
Took the Rake to France with me, just for giggles. Spent a week on the Yonne Canal floating on a barge with two other couples, drinking cases of cremant, (the local name for champagne) and speaking French very poorly. This photo was taken from a 16th Century bridge in a town called Mailly de Chateau. … Read more
Two pictures were taken at sea level on the decent to the Dead Sea in Israel. We thought it appropriate to read about conservative politics in The Rake while visiting the places where it all started. The other pictures are at the River Jordan where John the Baptist did his work. Note in particular the … Read more
Jeff Wechter writes: These pictures were taken in Switzerland on March 10, 2005. The Crap Bar was at a ski area called Laax. Crap was everywhere. www.laax.com. The other was taken in a small town near Flims called Sogogn. Author(s) and Location: Jeff Wechter
LETTER OF THE MONTH The Rake expresses surprise [The Broken Clock, May] that for the last forty-seven years, Playboy Magazine has neglected to include “best Jazz Musician” in its music poll. Yet I’m sure I’m not the only reader old enough to remember when the Playboy music poll was exclusively a jazz poll. Jim Hall … Read more
Sami Rasouli in Najaf, Iraq. Author(s) and Location: Sami Rasouli
Mary and Steve write: We are dedicated and regular readers of The Rake — and to prove it, here is a picture of us reading The Rake in Maubisse, East Timor. (8 degrees South latitude, 125 East Longtitude — we flew to Tokyo, then Bali, Indodesian, then into Dili the capital of East Timor — … Read more
John writes: The spaceships have landed and I am going to try and seduce them with a Rake Magazine. Really though, just one week in Seattle and one week back in the T.C. I bring a Rake Mag with me whenever I fly. It’s great reading material in the air/airport. Plus, when I get to … Read more