I was appalled to see your article on foie gras [Down the Hatch, November]. Animal activists have been working tirelessly to stop the production of foie gras because of its inhumane treatment of geese and ducks. Many states and countries have passed laws against it, and if you knew how they make foie gras, you’d … Read more
Excellent article on leaf blowers [“Rake Against the Machine,” November], just one of so many completely unnecessary, stupid new power tools and technologies that we can live without. Most of the dunderheads that operate them have no idea that the leaves under the shrubbery (mulch) are necessary and protective and should be left there to … Read more
Your article about music licensing [“All Shook Down,” November] was timely and important, but I’d like to make some additional points. All business owners should be aware that playing copyrighted music without permission or a license is a violation of federal copyright law. If such a violation went to court, the violator would have a … Read more
It was great to see Brenda Weiler’s 400 Bar show recommended [Broken Clock, November], but her most recent album wasn’t recorded or produced in her new hometown of Portland, as the blurb states. It was recorded in Minneapolis at City Cabin by local talent Darren Jackson (Kid Dakota, Alva Star), John Hermanson (Alva Star, Storyhill), … Read more
I really enjoy your magazine—except for the fact that you apparently worship the insufferably smug Al Franken as some kind of god [“Al Franken Is a Big Fat Genius,” October]. He impresses me not at all, and never has. I never thought Franken and Davis were even remotely amusing when they were on Saturday Night … Read more
Bravo to The Rake on its series of stories on shipwrecks [“Too Deep, Too Dark, Too Cold,” November] These were very well-researched and well-put-together articles and I very much enjoyed reading them. As a result of your articles, my husband and I will be attending the Gales of November conference in Duluth next weekend and … Read more
Stuart Greene [Sex & The Married Man, “Dancing With Myself”] has guts. Yes, we all do it. No, we never admit it. And I think his statement that sometimes sex for men is just a physical thing is true. That doesn’t mean we can’t have deep loving relationships, and we prove it all the time. … Read more
I just read your article on strip clubs [Sex & The Married Man, “Should Married Men Go to Strip Clubs?” August]. Strangely enough, someone posted it on our bathroom stall in my college dorm. So your friends regularly attend strip clubs. Good, wholesome fun, right? They’re not hurting anyone. I could not disagree more. One … Read more
I have been won over by Al Franken a little bit lately because of an interview he did on Michael Medved’s conservative talk-radio show and the Rake interview [“Al Franken Is a Big Fat Genius,” October]. Nevertheless, I think the Democratic Party is a lot like the Rake’s article: confusing and broken up! It’s heartening … Read more
Your piece about the Paul Bunyan Trail [Good Intentions, October] overlooked something. Perhaps the State of Minnesota ignored the fact that railroad rights-of-way fit into many different categories ranging from outright ownership to easements for railroad use. Perhaps it wasn’t overlooked, and the decision was to take a chance. If the latter, it was bound … Read more