Another thing The Rat and I can agree on, though we should be so lucky if outsiders were to develop an impression of Minneapolis based on anything but the weather.
But since we're stuck with this thing, we'll simply have to comission a work to top it -- maybe not the Mary Richards statue, but perhaps some sort of eigth-wonder terrestrial/orbital system of solar (re/de)flectors to moderate our seasonal temps. Sure, it's a little far-fetched, but don't we all kind of wish we'd had this long-time-coming May back in March?
»» Submitted by champs|rt53 at 8:00 AM in the post Sculpture garden
You know, the Spoonbridge has supposedly been the primo smooch spot in Minneapolis for all this time, but as long as I've lived here, I have never heard even one verifiable story of someone getting some action on or near the Spoonbridge. And I know a lot of perverts, too.
I'm about ready to write this whole thing off as an urban myth.
I challenge, out of the thousands of readers of MNSpeak, just one person to post a verifiable first-person account of The Time They Got Lucky On Or Near The Spoonbridge. Post it anonymously, if you must!
But I need to believe that this thing is a reality.
one of my family's rural Iowa neighbors passed away last week. one of the great things about him is that he would wave as he drove past your farmstead, even if he didn't see anyone in the yard. his wife explained that he didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings by not waving.
Now I live in a neighborhood where middle-finger salutes are regularly exchanged among motorists, so I kinda miss friendly waving.
Police dog day at the Capitol! A co-worker and I was walking by just as those photos were being taken. We were heading for a bill signing ceremony. Woof!
Yeah, usually it's supposed to be after school. Our district actually stopped school for it. Amazing, really.
»» Submitted by yepnope at 10:31 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Betcha comes up over 100 times when searched on eBay.... a dumb fact.
»» Submitted by nobother at 10:23 PM in the post You Don't Betcha
The only people who went to "Wednesday school" were going to the speech therapist (and that stopped after 3rd grade). Strange.
I don't think I even started that until the 3rd grade.
»» Submitted by»»» mnblrmkr at 9:29 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Never heard of Wednesday school, but when I was in school, Wednesday was "church night" (for confirmation, church youth groups, church choir, etc.) and no school activities were allowed to be scheduled, nor were any practices (sports/drama/music etc.) allowed to run past 4:45 PM.
»» Submitted by»»» mnblrmkr at 9:28 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Yes, certainly, except for the ones who wanted to kill his dog out of religious doctrine.
How is this any different than the fundamentalist anti-abortionists that want to kill doctors?
Any religion is going to have it's intolerant, even violent bigots.
»» Submitted by»»» mnblrmkr at 9:21 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Wednesday school? Seriously? Everyone I knew who had "Wednesday school" went to confirmation class at night. The only people who went to "Wednesday school" were going to the speech therapist (and that stopped after 3rd grade). Strange.
completely off topic, I'd like to encourage everyone to watch "The Paper" on MTV.com. It's amazing and ridiculous and all kinds of awesome. A reality show about a high school paper. Genius! This could only get better if the debate team was involved.
Hey, I'm like 7,000 years younger than her, if her picture is any indication.
»» Submitted by yepnope at 9:01 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Geez, where was Kitty K when I had to sit in study hall in my public junior high while the Christian kids went to Wednesday school during the school day?
ummmm....Wednesday school?
»» Submitted by grote at 8:56 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Geez, where was Kitty K when I had to sit in study hall in my public junior high while the Christian kids went to Wednesday school during the school day? We literally didn't have our regularly scheduled classes and had to sit there like the shameful heathens we were, while the Lutherans and Catholics took district buses to and from church.
Oh wait, she wouldn't have cared.
»» Submitted by yepnope at 8:37 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
But, by all means, crap on a religious text you don't understand without bothering to read the article you're using to condemn them or doing any addtitional research. God knows Google is a hard tool to use.
»» Submitted by grote at 8:19 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
But when members of the republican party stray from conservatism or when the party's nominee is not a conservative, we feel no obligation to support that party.
Keep talkin' Mazaroti.
For all your talk about the importance of loyalty, I figured it was fleeting and rather fickle. And conservatives are most often impatient. Incremental change is difficult to run out on a business plan.
We'll make a Cat Person out of you, yet.
»» Submitted by The Rat at 8:17 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Yes, certainly, except for the ones who wanted to kill his dog out of religious doctrine.
Remember, companion dogs are an offense to diversity. You have a companion dog? Youre the problem, you need to build a bridge to understanding.
»» Submitted by I poop on Qu'rans at 8:08 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
You fail to mention this:
Hurd trained at Talahi Community School and Tech. He said his experience at Talahi was good. The Somali students there warmed to the dog and eventually petted him using paper to keep their hands off his fur, Hurd said.
»» Submitted by»»» mnblrmkr at 7:48 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Would someone please explain the attraction of Manny's? Having been there several times, and only when someone else's corporate credit card was on the line, it appears Manny's exists solely so wealthy west suburbanite males can puff out their chests, say "I just had a 32 ounce porterhouse at Manny's" and think they just did something "cultural" and masculine. News flash fellas: there's better steakhouses in the Twin Cities, and what passes for "humor" at Manny's isn't funny. The place is tired and screams pre-dotcom crash economic excess. I feel like someone should be giving me the hot tip on "pets.com" everytime I have to go there.
Better steaks are readily available at St. Paul Grill, Capital Grille, Jax, Kinkaid's, Morton's, Ruth's Cris and any number of other places. And far and away the best steak I've had in the Twin CIties was at Gianni's, so all you Lake Minnetonka types should skip Manny's, save twenty minutes on 394 and a fill-up on your Escalade, and try the food right there in Plasticland. I mean Wayzata.
I'm not interested in acts of thuggery, just acts of buggery.
»» Submitted by Larry Craig at 5:43 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Jason Lewis is a conservative. I'm a conservative. Since Ronaldo Maximus, the republican party has been the party of conservatism. But when members of the republican party stray from conservatism or when the party's nominee is not a conservative, we feel no obligation to support that party.
»» Submitted by mazaroti at 5:30 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Wait, back to food.
I liked Senor Wong; service was acceptable but not fabulous, happy hour food quite good, mock duck tacos yummy, sake WAS overpriced. Both times I had rock star parking right in front.
Red Stag totally agree, good food, poor service. A friend was there on Friday and had absurdly bad service.
Where on Nicollet Mall are the tamales or Manny's tortas? I've got to get over there this Thursday.
You'll come out a right-winger. Firearms combined with conservative dogma have a high success rate.
»» Submitted by The Rat at 4:55 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
I have my own office so if I stink, I keep it to myself. But I'm convinced (deluded?) that if you and your clothes are generally clean and you don't eat junk food, then there's not much stink in you to come out.
Frogs: they do ribbit in the afternoon, but not as much as in the morning. And the puddle is more like 8 feet wide, 100 feet long and surrounded by reeds and stuff.
Looks like rain tomorrow, might have to take the bus.
David, I'm not necessarily into GTs, but got a fab deal on this one, brand new (well, now it's about 10 years old) and it's GOLD. I like my Goldie. Or, since I move to SLP, I call it Golda.
I dunno what's funny. (Hello.) Voices inside my mind are annoying... (No, I'm not!) ...but they do have some good Ideas about the funny stuff.(Really I do?) Sometimes. (Cool.) Whatever. You know, if you have voices in your mind you are not crazy, you are only crazy if you have fought with them, and lost. (Which you have.) HEY! Anyways, got any ideas? (Uh...) Come on! Said you did so hurry up! (Uh... I don't remeber.) Alot of good you do.
Jason Lewis and all the rest of them do is simply to shill the party line talking points.
Jason Lewis probably does more damage to Republicans than he does to Democrats simply because he doesn't shill the party talking points. Most of his criticism is aimed at moderate Republicans who don't pass his purity test.
He's one of those people who you want on the air. He's a useful idiot.
»» Submitted by The Rat at 4:28 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Bixby, alas, I cannot see the ads due to adblocker :(
Biking is way quicker for me because of the parking situation on campus. Biking along river road is nice this time of year, it smells like a sewer. Ah nature!
Well I have not read the book, but I know from experience that having one tight knit insular community depend upon a smaller tight knit insular community for economic well being is a recipe for strife.
Case of Mondays √
Circular argument √√√
Puns
Thread completely derailed √
Racism √
Someone quits MNSpeak...
Someone who quit MNSpeak returns under new name √
Fantastic read. I side with the townspeople. Aaron's Best is good stuff as Kosher goes, and I had to deal directly with them for a couple of large Kosher events...but I've had one too many negative experiences with the Lubavitchers to believe that the farmers in Postville are the ones being unreasonable. BTW, Agriprocessors contains the biggest Kosher meat packing plant in the entire world. And 2/3 of what they process isn't even Kosher. They're huge.
I was searching for the correct word, and meat packing plant just wasn't coming into my brain. My grandparents lived on a farm near Postville, and then moved to a neighboring town. I am fairly familiar with the town. I agree on the book, but I am biased.
Stephen Bloom is a Professor at University of Iowa. My Aunt Glenda was part of that book. She owns a shoe store in Postville. It is quite an interesting book.
yeah, I was fascinated to learn that these guys from Brooklyn had re-opened a plant that was closed after some Russian Orthodox Jews moved to town; some guy has written a book about the culture clash between new immigrants and older residents.
Postville is quite the town! I have family near there. They have a large Jewish population running a kosher butcher shop. None of the locals want to work in said slaughter house, thus they must import workers...
If teachers or imams led the students in prayer, which is alleged, you have your violation.dixit
It is not a violation of Federal law to pray in a public school; it is a violation of Federal law to oblige ALL students to participate in specific religious observances. So if this school uses the pubic address system to lead prayers, whether The Lord's Prayer or any other, I think it would be legitimate to object to that as not in compliance with Federal law.
However, the page I linked to above, cites a specific case in which Muslims students won the right to be able to have a place to pray on school grounds (just not the cafeteria) when it was time for them to pray, because it is against Federal law to prevent students from praying.
"Prayer in the schools" is shorthand for "obligatory/school sponsored prayer in the schools" not "you are not allowed to pray in school".
»» Submitted by Joana at 2:27 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
This what I want you to hear: Give me a bajillion dahlers. Give me a bajillion dahlers.
Is it working? No.
I thought a lie was a lie unless you were my sister - who calls them stretches not lies. Maybe she should be in PR rather than a teacher. HA!
»» Submitted by Cat_ at 2:22 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
KC, you broke the county! Either that or their web page is not ready for prime time.
Remember "It's time to drop the fu**-, PUCK, Minnesota" during the the Let's Play Hockey call. Maybe he's got a politician's version of Tourette's. After so many euphemisms in a day, he has to get it out of his system and say something that sounds totally inappropriate.
None of them can be trusted. If money is available then mis-infomration will follow. PR means that someone has to spin a story to fit their organizations needs. They don't tell you both sides of any story only the one they want you to hear. A lie is a lie unless you are a PR person then it is a story.
Interesting theory. Right up there with the Jewish porn dragon.
I'm rarely out the door as early as you, but our evening commute sounds about the same. Wait. How does that work?
I hear you about the music vs. nature thing. But for me, birds primarily remind me of being woken up at 4:45 by said birds. Therefore, a nice long Phish tune or some gut throbbing Radiohead are tough to beat!
Oddly enough, none of my 55 posts as justpbob or ALAMN ever earned the coveted "huh" tag. My top tag was "environment" (17 tags). I only have three sfor smoking, but one each for Twins, weather, music and drinking.
»» Submitted by jerky, half wit troll at 1:51 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
You make it sound like she was compaining, Bx. I think you misread the tone of the article. The author said the "sneer" was one of disappointment that she wasn't ordering meat, and she found the empty plate pretty funny.
I didn't 'misread' anything. I interpreted it one way, you interpreted it another. Neither of us may be correct. That's what is called an OPINION. I thought what she wrote sucked, and yeah, it did sound like she was complaining. That is the way I interpreted it, not the way I 'misread' it.
Nateek, I ride a gold GT with black panniers, and am going to DT usually between 7:30 and 8:00 am, returning between 4:30 and 5:00.
I strongly encourage you to not listen to headphones. The birds in the morning are amazing, and the wind, etc. really adds to the whole getting- out-in-nature-before-work-grind thing. You know, the best revenge is living well.
»» Submitted by»»» justpbob at 1:44 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Ditto. I try to serve as "translator" and bridge between the media and the bosses. If you think that a translator isn't need, you don't know many bosses. Many can't speak in soundbytes to save their lives -- others just can't let go of jargon and industryspeak, others just freeze, or say they "hate the media" and won't participate, because feel they they got burned in an interview 12 years ago.
I try to respect the newsies time and tight deadlines, and don't waste their time with stuff that isn't worth of ink, airtime or pixels.
»» Submitted by»»» justpbob at 1:42 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Almost every company, state funded or not, has a communications department. It has nothing to do with hiding infomation, rather ensuring consistency of information being released to the public. Frankly, I'm somewhat less concerned about what schools may be "hiding" than big corporations
None of them can be trusted. If money is available then mis-infomration will follow. PR means that someone has to spin a story to fit their organizations needs. They don't tell you both sides of any story only the one they want you to hear. A lie is a lie unless you are a PR person then it is a story.
»» Submitted by swandog at 1:41 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Someone should tell "Le Rat" that the screams are coming from inside his own head.
Being a former Barista, before there was even such a name for schlepping coffee, I sympathize with the dude or dudette behind the counter and I always over tip for my over-priced coffee drinks even when confronted with snarkiness. that's how The Raindog66 rolls.
Thanks KC, for the tip on the GOP Loving True Thai. I had my suspicions that they were Neocon operatives all along. They will get no more of my $$$ to fund the right wing killing machine. That guy at the counter is the husband of the owner and he's just probably bitter about living in his wife's shadow. One time I heard him say to a Jewish friend of mine "Jew eat?" Not "Did you eat." but "Jew eat?"
While I miss a couple of dishes there, I really prefer the left loving Grand Pad Thai anyways. They have the best Lefty Radical Spring Rolls in town! Plus their Phuck the Pad Prigin' Police is a savory gem.
There sometimes is reason for the loathing too. Some communications folks are under orders to obfuscate. Others just make life entirely too difficult for reporters. I view my job as one part advocacy, 2 parts facilitation. If I'm not making a reporter's life easier, I'm not doing my job right.
Of course, then I go home write profanity-laced tirades at The Rake. So maybe I'm not the norm.
About 75% (or more) of the news you see, hear or read (all mediums) started with one of us communications people. Newies sometimes like us, sometimes loathe us, but always need us -- just as we need them, to tell our stories to others.
»» Submitted by»»» justpbob at 1:26 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
How much time difference is there between saying "venti soy latte" and "venti house blend, no room for cream?" Maybe you should just make your coffee at home, Rat.
max...I put a jigger of bourbon and a little cream in my morning coffee mug...that smoky sweetness of the bourbon cuts the acidity of the coffee perfectly. you should try it.
Unaware of Bike Week, I biked today. Does anyone else cycle in from the west on the Cedar Lake Trail? Have you noticed the tiny little section, just west of Brownie Lake, where you can hear hundreds of frogs? It is so cool!
I bike that route everyday jane. I wonder if we've passed each other. Like two bikes on a path...
I know the frog pool you're talking about. I usually listen to music on my path portion of the commute (but not downtown). The other day my battery was out, so I was biking along and was struck by the sound. It is remarkable.
In my own commuter challenge, for me to get from 394/100 to Nordeast, it's the following:
Car: 20 minutes
Bus: 35
Biking: 25
But biking is completely Zen whereas the commute by car makes me insane. I've gotten to the point where sitting in traffic really makes me go out of my mind.
BTW - Brownie is also a hidden spot for crappies and bass...
Then we don't have to wait in line for your complex that is more dessert than coffee!
The Rat has spoken
They make you wait? Really? Cuz the counter folks at the Starbucks in SLP just turn around and pour it, rather than making the barista do it. You would actually get your coffee before me.
Oh, and I don't put any syrups in my lattes, so I'm not sure what would be dessert-y about it.
Actually it can just mean having someone as the point contact person for information. Otherwise you end up with every individual teacher or principal dealing with all these inquiries, taking time away from their real job.
Not only that, but the communications person is often the squeaky little voice advocating for transparency. PR isn't all spin, people. The amazing thing about good PR is that it's often actually about getting the truth out there.
I think both of you should be buying coffee in a separate line so that people who simply want them to splash some coffee in a cup so we could go about their business could do so.
Then we don't have to wait in line for your complex that is more dessert than coffee!
Another reason to cut funding. A PR firm implies something to spin, give that we pay for the school we should be told what we want, when we want, short of privacy issues with individual students.
Actually it can just mean having someone as the point contact person for information. Otherwise you end up with every individual teacher or principal dealing with all these inquiries, taking time away from their real job.
»» Submitted by»»» mnblrmkr at 1:10 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Why are you even asking?
I know, I just like poking the crazy little badger.
Oh, Alie. Now I have to ask you to join grote in the don't hold your breath corner.
»» Submitted by Cat_ at 1:08 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
A PR firm implies something to spin, give that we pay for the school we should be told what we want, when we want, short of privacy issues with individual students.
Almost every company, state funded or not, has a communications department. It has nothing to do with hiding infomation, rather ensuring consistency of information being released to the public. Frankly, I'm somewhat less concerned about what schools may be "hiding" than big corporations.
have PR/communications staff too. Given schools' role in the community, they have to. Or don't you want to know about the events at your kids' school, if something happens to someone on the playground, someone brings a weapon to school, or if a crime occurs in the neighborhood?
Another reason to cut funding. A PR firm implies something to spin, give that we pay for the school we should be told what we want, when we want, short of privacy issues with individual students. The whole educational process and institution is a scam. The taxpayers are paying for some kid to pray on our dime, wonderful. Oh and I do not care who they are praying to bullshit is bullshit.
»» Submitted by swandog at 1:00 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
I hear all bureaucrats are required to take that position. Something about charter schools being outside your control or something, right?
Actually, some of the charter schools are run by the Department of Education. And the charter schools are still supposed to follow the rules set by the State.
(Laughing at the contortions the PCers attempt as they ignore the facts of this story).
»» Submitted by bud jr at 12:54 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
I have done some work with some area schools on asthma, cleaner school buses, etc.
During PR for a school is tough work, and I will say the school systems do seam to have a "circle the wagons" mentality. Without naming names, I know of a communications director from a very large local school system who was told by their bosses that she could no longer talk to the Star Tribune writer with the education beat (yet they still expected positive media coverage in the Strib).
I had to step in and play Cyrano between the two parties. That's doing PR the hard way!
»» Submitted by»»» justpbob at 12:51 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
And that is why I only eat @ Manny's when somebody else is paying for it. That's the American Way, my friends.
Yeah, I know. And I don't know what the solution is, but the way it is now, leaves it open for abuse.
»» Submitted by Cat_ at 12:46 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Rich: I agree, but it seems to me that if they tightened up the way the language is written, it wouldn't leave a lot for interpretation and maybe fewer "I really want to start my own school, but I have no idea how to run it" would come into play.
I think it'd be a hard law to tighten, to say the least. The point of it is to give educational choice. So tightening down on it would trigger one heck of an outcry from the charter advocates.
What does it tell you about the government school system that they actually have a spin doctor on their payroll?
Maz, private schools have PR/communications staff too. Given schools' role in the community, they have to. Or don't you want to know about the events at your kids' school, if something happens to someone on the playground, someone brings a weapon to school, or if a crime occurs in the neighborhood?
Not to mention, schools get a very unfair shake in the media when something bad happens. Someone needs to be a watchdog to help them tell their stories. It's very rare that a school is truly at fault for an incident. 9 times out of 10 it's spurred by problems at home, or the parents are telling a very skewed version of the truth.
Rich: I agree, but it seems to me that if they tightened up the way the language is written, it wouldn't leave a lot for interpretation and maybe fewer "I really want to start my own school, but I have no idea how to run it" would come into play.
The way the law is written, it's squishy at best and leaves a lot of room for interpretation which MN allows.
»» Submitted by Cat_ at 12:40 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Wait, is it on the north side of the trail where there's that bridge over the "creek" just west of the Cedar Lake over pass? I don't remember if you can you see it from Cedar Lake Parkway (I do that a lot too, if I bike down Victory/Wirth to the trail).
Some credit the presence of religion in the schools for the lower dropout rate, delinquency rate, violence, and every other pathology that is common in today's schools.
When did we have lower dropout rates? Seriously, high school graduation rates have been climbing steadily since the 1940s with 80% of the over 25 population having graduated from high school in the 2000 census. But dropout rate is a harder stat to nail down that educational attainment, since some dropout for a time and then return to education. There is not a national standard and the data reporting is very scattered.
»» Submitted by Lunch! at 12:36 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Oh, and I hate charter schools, all of them.
I hear all bureaucrats are required to take that position. Something about charter schools being outside your control or something, right?
»» Submitted by mazaroti at 12:36 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Brownie Lake is a secret lake; you either know where it is or you don't. You can't see it from Cedar Lake Trail unless you know where it is. You can only get to it by canoe, via a secret tunnel. I'm actually not kidding!
So anyway, the frogs are in a large puddle, basically a mini swamp, that is all reedy, but very small, like 8 feet by 25 feet. It runs right along the trail, and it is west of Cedar Lake by maybe 1/4 mile. I suspect the frogs only ribbit in the mornings; I'll see if they are ribbitting on my way home this afternoon.
I bike, bus and drive from SLP to DT, and some how door-to-door, each one takes about the same amount of time.
The lines in charter schools are actually blurred rather often. I had to deal with the fallout from some of it while working at SPPS, because the district sponsored some charters. And while I think Kersten's handlers need to smack her upside the head with the definition of credible sources, I don't think this is a firing offense. It's the folks out there who are vilifying the school and are using her to do it that need to be reprimanded. Shades of Khalil Gibran in NYC.
Slightly off topic, but what I'd actually like to see is a critical examination of charter schools and see just how effective they are overall. A ridiculous amount of money gets thrown down the tubes when a teacher has a dream about a school that caters to X, but lacks the business sense to do much more than lose the money the state provides.
Harsh, but I hear it quite often -- charters have done a great deal to undermine public education while not providing much in return. I'm wondering just how true it is.
I did a little research, and LOTS of charter schools are run by religious organizations. I had no idea. Particularly our Christian Private Colleges. St. Thomas, Augsberg, North Central Bible College and Bethel all have charter schools.
So, I'd like to see a review of all the religiously connected charter schools, including the Islamic ones.
That is where the conservatives fall short in their argument. If one religion gets one they all get one. Cut all of their funding.
»» Submitted by swandog at 12:34 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
I've never heard frogs though
These are captioned frogs, my friend. Besides, how do you say "ribbit" in ASL?
I did a little research, and LOTS of charter schools are run by religious organizations. I had no idea. Particularly our Christian Private Colleges. St. Thomas, Augsberg, North Central Bible College and Bethel all have charter schools.
So, I'd like to see a review of all the religiously connected charter schools, including the Islamic ones.
Yes, the problem is that politicians are PC and sentitive, and not that threats were made against the school.
That is possible but I have not seen anything that documents this other than some allegations by individuals that have an agenda but I could be wrong. I threats were made catch them and prosecute the person that made them.
Are charter schools pair for through a referendum process or are they just given state money I really do not know. All I know is we spend way to much and get very little out of our schools. Johny can't read but he knows how push his legal agenda on the rest of us, he had every right to do it but the consequence in the end, I hope is cutting the budget for schools.
»» Submitted by swandog at 12:31 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
I know -- a swift kick to the nads will at least signal whether you're still with us, grote. As far as the continued breathing, you're on your own after that.
»» Submitted by Cat_ at 12:27 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
Which one is Brownie Lake?
I don't commute that route, but Cedar lake trail, and the mid-town are on my list of regular rides.
I was assuming Foti lost because he's a blogger, probably got lost because he doesn't get out of the house much, and had three accidents while Twittering and driving.
The paper can do what they want. If they do not like what she said then fire her. It is a bad precedent but she has no protection under the law. I think was had a similar debate about standing up for the pledge. This is the same thing. She can say what she wants but she will have to live with the consequences of her statements. It does show how some politicians are so PC and "sensitive". All I know is we pay way to much money to the schools and that in the end is the real problem. Cut the funding cut the schools cut this bullshit out.
»» Submitted by swandog at 12:18 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
I grew up in a kinder, gentler society with far less crudity and vulgarity, and a lot more civility and mutual respect. Some credit the presence of religion in the schools for the lower dropout rate, delinquency rate, violence, and every other pathology that is common in today's schools.
Ah, those glorious days of yore. And the best thing is, the further back in time you go, the better things get. Cavemen were princes among men, who greeted each other with a manly but affectionate kiss and blushed a startling red whenever they heard a discouraging word.
I agree now, and will continue to agree when the same subject comes up concerning Christian prayer in school, when I expect to see many of the people who are outraged at this school suddenly completely reverse their position.
You won't hear that from me. I think it's sad that the state has removed relgious activity from public schools, actually. I grew up with religion openly practiced in school, from christian religious instruction on tuesday morning, to singing sacred pieces in choir, to having an actual two-week school breaks called "christmas" and "easter" breaks.
I grew up in a kinder, gentler society with far less crudity and vulgarity, and a lot more civility and mutual respect. Some credit the presence of religion in the schools for the lower dropout rate, delinquency rate, violence, and every other pathology that is common in today's schools.
Am I arguing for the return of religion to public schools? No, but I can still lament what its absence has meant to education and society in general. And I'm not a religious person, as you probably know. The only time I go to church is when I go to a wedding.
»» Submitted by someone at maz' IP address at 12:14 PM in the post Fire Kersten?
You make it sound like she was compaining, Bx. I think you misread the tone of the article. The author said the "sneer" was one of disappointment that she wasn't ordering meat, and she found the empty plate pretty funny.
That has got to be the most ridiculously useless "review" of Manny's I've ever read. She orders veggies and kir, and then has to write about how they gave her an empty plate and sneered at her? I hope someone jizzed in her Hollandaise sauce. And this person writes a food blog?
I am a huge supporter of free speech. Have dedicated a huge portion of my personal and professional life to issues surrounding it.
Yet...I would not give 2 shits if KK was unfairly silenced or given the axe for this or any other reason. What she and O'Reilly and Limbaugh and Jason Lewis and all the rest of them do is simply to shill the party line talking points. When one falls another is installed to take its place. They're like cylons. The bad ones. The ones who need to be boxed.
And to call the Strib "Liberal" is a joke...they now have 2 paid Neocon Boot Licking Columnists to the erstwhile free thinker Nick Coleman and if you don't see the conservative bent they take on most every issue you simply have not been reading.
I haven't really read any of KK's recent columns and I haven't really read what issues are at stake in this case but I know enough about KK to know that I hope she gets punished. Unfairly. Fairly. Doesn't matter. FRAK HER!
Yes. If prayer is being led in the schools by teachers or school officials, that should be stopped. I agree now, and will continue to agree when the same subject comes up concerning Christian prayer in school, when I expect to see many of the people who are outraged at this school suddenly completely reverse their position.
Because they allow students time for prayer and it looks different than what we are accustomed to doesn't mean that they aren't following the rules that were set.
If teachers or imams led the students in prayer, which is alleged, you have your violation.
»» Submitted by someone at maz' IP address at 11:59 AM in the post Fire Kersten?
I'm turning into a big blueberry from overeating and taking colloidal silver, so you'll need to use a different set of cues.
»» Submitted by grote at 11:58 AM in the post Fire Kersten?
Well she did say that Grand Theft Auto was going to turn all our kids into Nazi's so it's not like she doesn't have any credibility...
She didn't actually say that. So what's that say about your credibility?
»» Submitted by someone at maz' IP address at 11:56 AM in the post Fire Kersten?
Yes, Grote. And I'll be standing by with oxygen as you start to turn into a big blueberry from holding your breath.
»» Submitted by Cat_ at 11:56 AM in the post Fire Kersten?
If you choose to not believe them, that's your right. I choose to believe her.
I choose to not believe anyone that doesn't believe in the Constitution.
KK has shown an abhorance to the equal protection clause.
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 11:55 AM in the post Fire Kersten?
I'm sorry, but that's not being specific. Did you actually read the article, and did you read Grieling's response?
It's not about who we choose to believe because it fits our agenda. There actually are real facts out there, Maz, and the complaint is that Kersten did a pretty poor job of finding them, and then published a series of poorly sourced quotes to villify a school.
totally agree with maz...which is why I anxiously await Kersten's next piece, an expose on Christian-oriented charter schools using tax money.
you guys are always claiming principle, but you only apply it where it suits you.
»» Submitted by grote at 11:53 AM in the post Fire Kersten?
Well she did say that Grand Theft Auto was going to turn all our kids into Nazi's so it's not like she doesn't have any credibility...
»» Submitted by u have a point there at 11:53 AM in the post Fire Kersten?
But I'm an "asshole" for raising it?
Nice!
The tolerance and inclusiveness of liberals is so...heartwarming!
It's not that you raised it, it's the manner in which you do so.
You're pretty liberal with the hate speech around here and your constant hiding behind the skirts of "liberals are trying to keep me quiet" is chicken shit at best.
People have a go at you because you consistently throw out ignorant and hateful comments.
Maz: We do get the principle at issue here and the issue is that there isn't an issue - or at least the issue to which you refer. Because they allow students time for prayer and it looks different than what we are accustomed to doesn't mean that they aren't following the rules that were set.
»» Submitted by Cat_ at 11:53 AM in the post Fire Kersten?
The Minneapolis public school system operated a grade school at Central Lutheran Church into the late '90s. Can't recall how many grades were there but several of our radio station station employees volunteered as reading tutors for 2nd graders there as part of our "Reading 103" program from 1995-1997.
I still don't understand. It doesn't sound like anything is being allowed at this school that is denied elsewhere. Can you be specific in your criticisms?
That's not the principle at issue. The principle at issue is, if you're going to deny taxpayer support for schools that engage in religious activities at that school, then the rule should apply to ALL schools. Pretty simple, really.
»» Submitted by someone at maz' IP address at 11:45 AM in the post Fire Kersten?
What principle are yoy talking about? The principle that it's not okay to demonize an educational program merely because Muslims are the boogieman du jour?
»» Submitted by»»»msparber at 11:43 AM in the post
