Secrets of the City

Luckily, the kid is staying warm by drinking sterno.

After reading a day’s worth of sniping and trolling by a few voices on MN Speak, I can’t help but watch a story about a 12 year old kid raising money for the homeless and then hold by breath hoping that no one goes after the kid with posts full of sarcastic, caustic remarks. I think we should joyfully accept these stories, especially those who fall into the trap of “AAAHHH!!! We’re all screwed up and horrible!”

Truth be told, only some are screwed up and horrible…

BTW – mike s, my post isn’t directed at you. I was only looking into the crystal ball and pre-reading future comments made by some of the bitter voices that pop up around here…

Oh. Great. F’n Nathan Eklund’s here. Watch this thread go to hell…

Andrew, didn’t you see Nathan comment about how he’s going to send $100 to the kid right away? That’s what I thought I read.

Nathan doesn’t have $100, Jason. He blew it on pull tabs.

I love it when brothers post.

Listen here Derusha. That check was in the mail before I even THOUGHT about writing my post. I should note, however, that the check was fully subsidized not only by playing pull tabs but also by selling my brother’s back hair to a local Hair Club for Men chapter.

Re: Mics and amps in classrooms-

don’t let the city inspector know about this or they might have to shut ‘em down (ala 331 Club and the Kitty Cat Klub)

Love it.

Now if we could only all generate crabby posts, while sending money to charity, that would be pretty cool.

The kids efforts can only add aid and comfort to our enemies.

Obvious Communist Plot.

Stick in a PayPal button, and a list of charity-pledged fees, like:

Gratuitous anti-Maz or anti-Raindog comment: $2
Gratuitous anti-Chris Stewart comment: $3
Hijack a non-political thread with a Bachman/Ellison comment: $20

I think that would satisfy the people complaining about the tone or content of the comments, eh?

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Stick in a PayPal button, and a list of charity-pledged fees, like:

Gratuitous anti-Maz or anti-Raindog comment: $2
Gratuitous anti-Chris Stewart comment: $3
Hijack a non-political thread with a Bachman/Ellison comment: $20

I think that would satisfy the people complaining about the tone or content of the comments, eh?

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Does anyone else have trouble with the Strib’s website.

It’s comically slow for me.

In the spirit, here’s the direct link to donations. I put Peter Larson’s name in the church affiliation spot, so he’d get credit for the donation.

And of course, the $7.50 fee for the ALAMN Bob memorial double comment.

And of course, the $7.50 fee for the ALAMN Bob memorial double comment.

They need to un-check the box on the site configuration page that says “duplicate-post all truly excellent comments.”

I understand that it’s not been an issue before, but . . .

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I’m surprised the parents are permitting this. It’s a noble cause and all, but it’s freaking cold out lately.
He could be seriously injured doing this.

not to mention parental negligence….

I have a hard time believing that this kid does not have some influence….
I mean how many 6 year old kids do things to benefit other people?

Way to go, kid. Hope you’ve got a good sleeping bag.

How dare those parents teach their child to be giving and care about other people! They should be locked up!

“How dare those parents teach their child to be giving and care about other people! They should be locked up!“

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Six, huh? That would put the kid in the first half of his kindergarten year.

While I’m sure there’s a Cabella’s -50 degree bottom-padded sleeping bag hiding somewhere in this story, an expression of concern about his welfare and, maybe, skepticism about the maturity and foundation of his sociological views doesn’t strike me as deserving of such obvious ridicule.

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There are a lot of decent, church going families out there who may find themselves homeless through no fault of their own. My family (husband, myself, and our two children (both under five) found ourselves in a homeless shelter in Tulsa, OK back in the mid 1980’s. We were living in a mobile home in “tornado alley” that lacked the necessary tie-downs and our home was condemned. Yes, the typical stereotype of the alcohol/drug user does exist, but so are the decent people and families who have just fallen upon bad luck. One can be a “pink slip” away from becoming homeless–lose your job, can’t pay the rent or the mortgage.

God bless this young man, Mary Jo Copeland, and all others that care!!!

And of course, the $7.50 fee for the ALAMN Bob memorial double comment.

They need to un-check the box on the site configuration page that says “duplicate-post all truly excellent comments.”

Heh!

Heh!

To clarify, I saw the boy interviewed on TV. When he was six years old he spent only one night outside and raised 100 dollars. Now he’s 12 years old – so not such a little boy anymore. He seemed excited about the prospect of taking on this project. I’m sure he has some excellent winter gear and enjoys the challenge of upping the stakes of this endeavor each year (he did it last year too) – more nights outside and a larger fiscal goal.

Am I the only one who doesn’t get the fascination with Elanor Mondale?

“Am I the only one who doesn’t get the fascination with Elanor Mondale? “

– - -

Yeah.

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“To clarify, I saw the boy . . . he’s 12 years old . . .“

– - –

Oops. Missed that part. Somehow picked up that he was six.

.

I like the idea of buying indulgences. We had a similar system for my IB German classes in high school. For every violation of Deutschtag rules (usually speaking in English, sometimes other misbehavior), we were “punished” with a five cent fine, with all the proceeds going to the greater good: a end-of-year class party — European socialism at its finest.

Perhaps these indulgences to pay for the first MNspeak get-together? *chuckle*

Oh, okay. Cause I really don’t get it.

She’s an attractive woman who was on the television,

What’s there to get?

Eleanor Mondale went jogging with Bill Clinton on at least one occassion.

That reportedly put Monica Lewinsky over the edge.

That sort of thing fascinates people.

Eleanor Mondale went jogging with Bill Clinton on at least one occassion

heh. that’s one way of saying it.

She looks fit.

Daughter of DFL VP marries often, works sporadically, likes animals.

Favored mini dresses at one time.

Beats brain tumor.

If her last name was Hanson, no one would care.

Evidence that Minnesota “celebrity bar” set way too low.

Let’s move on now.

What’s your idea of an adequate setting for the bar, Bud?

Maybe this magazine can do The Morgan Graham story next time to balance the scales politically.

An adequate setting for a bar ? The Local, Brit’s.

Oh.

Let’s start with: TV news readers are not ‘celebrities’.

Off spring of politicians, even former V P’s, are not either.

But then again, we are here in the frozen insecure passive aggressive tundra, fly over land, the 16th largest media market with the worst daily paper in the country.

I could go on.

Bud is 100 percent correct.

On this point.

On this one itty-bitty point.

Bet a lot of people read the story about her. Seems to me that defines celebrity right there.

Like the silly penguin joke in A Prairie Home Companion. Two penguins are talking. One says “You look like you’re wearing a tuxedo.” Other one says: “How do you know I’m not.”

People laugh at that. Why is it funny? It’s funny because you laugh at it.

See where I’m going? Or should I go on?

… though I bet you disagree on which is “the worst daily paper in the country.”

The Strib is bad, IMHO, but I think there are others that are worse. I worked for one.

I think most of Bud’s observations today are filtered through his political bias.

Really?

I think the Daily Oklahoman is pretty widely reviled. And what’s that one owned by the Moonies?

Max: That would be Dizzy’s favorite newspaper, the Washington Times.

Ah, yes.

Matt,

I think you should add a “polling” feature to the site. You could do a more scientific analysis of reader opinion.

There are dozens of small-city dailies that are poor quality.