We pedaled our singlespeed bikes for three days, roughly 50 kilometers each day, from the Thai-Cambodian border. We were traveling on National Highway 6. Some highway; it’s like a bloody Cal-Trans orgy, only they forgot the asphalt and somebody stole a fleet of Toyota Camrys which cannot be driven slower than 95 mph, kicking up … Read more
Isn’t it ironic that President Bush can invade Iraq without definitive proof it possesses weapons of mass destruction, but refuses to accept global warming [“Feeling Minnesota, Looking Nebraska,” April] because, he says, there isn’t definitive proof it exists, despite overwhelming scientific opinion that it is indeed occurring? If Halliburton, Inc., saw there was money to … Read more
Wm.™ Steven Humphrey’s article extolling the virtues of TiVo floored me [“Jennifer Garner’s Underpants,” April]. I’ve not laughed so hard since my TiVo started recording “Big Joe’s Polka Party” for me just on the off chance I wanted it. I, er, applaud Mr. Humphrey for his sense of humor!Matt Drury, Orlando, FL
After reading Wm. Steven Humphrey, I find it strange that you published in a Twin Cities magazine an article by a columnist based in Portland who is writing about his Portland cable system. Not all cable systems are alike! If Mr. Humphrey lived in Minneapolis and had Time Warner Cable he would find a service … Read more
To point out hypocrisy is often to belittle or ignore the larger argument. Colleen Kruse points out that her friend, Megan the Vegan Pagan, eats only organic food in an effort to be healthier, yet she smokes [Motley Krüse, April]. A clear hypocrisy, even if they are American Spirits. President Bush promotes the building of … Read more
You bet, the Twin Cities area had a great transit system before Green and Ossanna got in and wrecked the streetcar empire in less than three years time, 1951–1954 [“Get Rail!,” March]. Twin City Lines did have buses to augment the streetcars and a fair amount of private right of way. The vast majority of … Read more
In the most recent issue of The Rake [April], there is an article entitled “Smashing, Glass” in which reference is made to “NPR’s ‘This American Life.’” This is incorrect. National Public Radio (NPR) has nothing to do with either the production or distribution of this very popular program. “This American Life” is produced by WBEZ/Chicago … Read more
When a publication goes national and even international, steps have to be taken to make sure that local writers are not confused with national and international figures. The March edition presents an article entitled “Taters” [Down the Hatch]. The author is Stephanie March. The failure by your editors to include a brief note on the … Read more
In reading Mr. Singer’s letter [Letters, April], I couldn’t help but notice the absence of any mention on his part of the fossil fuel emissions/greenhouse gases that would be produced by the increased demand for electricity from the existing infrastructure—as to whether or not the air quality of the city would be improved by mass-transit’s … Read more
Thanks for your article on global warming. We are not hearing much about it in this country from the corporate press. My opinion is that Minnesota will be a “warm Nebraska” much sooner than 50 years from now. One of the factors that is not taken into account in some of the computerized models is … Read more