‘Commentary’ Archives
Doo Wop And Cannon Falls
The luckier members of my generation were again able to watch public television’s annual review of the Doo Wop Pop Rock music emergence (late ‘50s—early ‘60s). As always, it was an awesome emotional head swoon. Moreover, let us self-reflect, the splendid performances of so many popular Black artists served to educate and humanize millions [...]
Farewell by Susan Young, Mpls’ ‘Trash Lady,’ who “Bridged” to citizens
Editor’s Note Regarding Susan Young “First Class Lady” Open Letter: The recent dismissal of Susan Young as Head of the Department of Solid Waste and Recycling has met with overwhelming disbelief, disapproval, and anger by scores of people. Her professional abilities have spoken for themselves only to be exceeded by her unique abilities to [...]
High Heat
By Peter Molenaar The weather we’ve endured recently has produced the oft heard comment: “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity”. Well, OK. Let’s bear in mind, however, that temperature is a measurement of how energetically molecules are vibrating. Note: In the desert we feel comfortable even at relatively elevated temperatures. Why? [...]
What’s in a Name?
By Peter Molenaar 13,000 years ago the great glacier, which had covered these parts for many thousands of years, began to recede. Giant ice boulders left among the drift created the holes which became our lakes. One such lake would come to be called Mde Maka Ska. The people migrated northward with the receding ice. Those who remained [...]
Neighborhood Talk
As of the month of May 2011, the total Public Debt Outstanding of the United States of America bumped the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling set by Congress. This is not good. Come August, Lord knows what will happen should Congress fail to lift the ceiling. So, what’s going on? Our country’s gross debt has increased over $500 billion each year [...]
Thor and Pandora
by Peter Molenaar To the ancient observer, the approaching cumulonimbus cloud appeared as a giant hammer from which lightning bolts penetrated the earth. Hence, the hammer-wielding Viking god associated with thunder storms and destruction, but also healing and renewal, was born in the people’s mind. Thor was his name. In the modern [...]
