Flat and Treeless

Elk

2009-07-09T19:08:00.000-07:00

Should we allow hunters to shoot elk in overpopulated Theodore Roosevelt National Park? The New York Times says no.

And, since the New York Times forms my every opinion, I say no, we should not allow hunters to shoot elk in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

"Shaking Hands With a Dinosaur"

2009-07-06T19:03:00.000-07:00

We need to find a way to make this dinosaur thing pay. Perhaps something involving Jeff Goldblum.

NPR: Fossil Hunters Uncover Rare Dinosaur Skin

Nekoma Pyramid

2009-06-29T19:37:00.000-07:00

The Web site BoingBoing (whatever that is) mentions the Nekoma missile installation in Cavalier County, calling it "a monument to man's fear and ignorance."

Or maybe a monument to North Dakota's historical dependence on the federal money teat.

Conan

2009-06-21T16:53:00.000-07:00

About a week late, as usual.

Outlier

2009-06-05T18:45:00.000-07:00

As usual, North Dakota is out of step with the rest of the country, where the economy is in the crapper and states are flat broke. The state is the opposite of California in every possible way, just like it's always been.

WSJ: In North Dakota, the Good Times Are Still Rolling

Colbert/Dorgan

2009-06-02T18:19:00.000-07:00

Byron Dorgan made another appearance on the Colbert Report last night, plugging his book about financial regulation and touting North Dakota's homespun, earthy values.

Did he forgo the comb-over for a hairpiece? His bald spot seemed more effectively (though not realistically) concealed. Free your scalp, Byron. It's 2009. Bald men no longer have to be ashamed.

Beets of Wrath

2009-05-29T18:47:00.000-07:00

North Dakota looks to economically ravaged Michigan for some Joads desperate enough to move in and take some of our abundant jobs. If this doesn't work, there's always illegal aliens.

North Dakota Seeks Workers

Bobby Vee

2009-05-20T19:55:00.000-07:00

After Buddy Holly died in 1959 en route to a show in Moorhead, a group of Fargo teenagers played the date instead. The bandleader, Bobby Vee (ne Villine), is today best remembered for a couple of hits now in endless rotation on oldies radio, and his connection a kid named Bobby Zimmerman who played piano for him in Fargo for a summer.

The piano player, who later became Bob Dylan, still admires Vee and wrote in his memoirs, "Bobby Vee and me had a lot in common, even though our paths would take such different directions. We had the same musical history and came from the same place at the same point in time. ... I'd always thought of him as a brother."

Vee discusses his career and meeting Dylan in Fargo again in 1991 in a long article in Goldmine.

Saberi Freed

2009-05-11T19:36:00.001-07:00

Journalist from Fargo no longer pawn in international chess game.

NYT: In Turnabout, Iran Releases U.S. Journalist

Told Ya

2009-04-06T18:09:00.000-07:00

According to this Newsweek interview, Byron Dorgan saw the financial crisis coming way back in 1999. Alas, no one listened. Especially Larry Summers.

"Big companies have spun out of control," Dorgan said. "Like hogs in a corn crib."

"Hogs in a corn crib?" Who talks like that?

Obit

2009-04-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

Nancy Eiesland, a philosopher of disability and noted theologian, was born in Cando. She died March 10, according to this obituary. Emory University, where she was an associate professor of sociology of religion and disability studies, posted a tribute.

Staying Put

2009-04-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker discusses the decision not to evacuate with NPR and the NY Times.

He's lucky he turned out to be right.

Why?

2009-03-31T19:33:00.000-07:00

As the country watches Fargo-Moorhead get mercilessly stomped by Mother Nature, the question arises, Why would we put up with this crap?

The NY Times provides a couple of good explainer pieces on the geology and politics of flood control and forecasting.

Permanent Flood Solutions Just Out of Reach for Fargo

A River Prone to Flooding, and Misunderstanding

And then there's this.

All Eyes on N.D.

2009-03-27T12:56:00.000-07:00

Every morning, top of the news, there's North Dakota.

NPR: Kent Conrad tries to maintain his budget hawk cred and remain Obama's buddy. It's a lot of money, $3.6 trillion.

Then there are more immediate concerns.

Saberi Update

2009-03-23T14:04:00.000-07:00

Journalist and Fargo native Roxana Saberi's imprisonment in Iran drags on. NPR broadcast an interview with her father, Reza, and Byron Dorgan, who's working for her release. The Washington Times has also editorialized about Saberi and its treatment of journalists and bloggers.

More complete coverage of Saberi's ordeal can be found at the Free Roxana Saberi web site.

Jubilation: Fleeting

2009-03-21T17:31:00.000-07:00

NDSU loses in the first round to Kansas. Some related articles:

NY Times: Bison Shrink Distance Between Fargo and the Big Time
Slate.com: Odious things about this year's NCAA tournament
ESPN: What's not to love about Bison?

N.D.'s Got Jobs

2009-03-18T14:17:00.000-07:00

The North Dakota economic miracle claims another victim. Sykes Enterprises will close a Minot call center because it can't find enough applicants for its positions, according to an AFP article.

For the record, call center jobs are usually pretty crappy.

March Madness

2009-03-16T19:44:00.001-07:00

Holy crap! The Bison are seeded for March Madness. Having spent a total of around 30 minutes over the course of my life paying attention to NCAA basketball, does this mean I now have to start caring?

Roxana Saberi

2009-03-11T14:23:00.001-07:00

Journalist, Fargo native and former Miss North Dakota Roxana Saberi remains in custody in Iran on unspecified charges (though possibly for buying wine), despite calls for her release by Hillary Clinton and journalism groups.

You can read more about Saberi at the Committee to Protect Journalists' web site.

Chuck

2009-02-23T20:03:00.000-08:00

Klosterman does a quickie interview with Newsweek on his favorite books. Big revelation: Wyndmere has no black people.

Why is Chuck starting to look like that guy from Hollywood Squares?

Engery Boom

2009-02-13T19:45:00.000-08:00

The Economist is the latest to visit Stanley, the setting of North Dakota's version of "Dallas."*

Economist: Pumped up

*It will be called "Bakken" and tell the story of a Norwegian oil dynasty and the family's struggles over what color of F-150 they should spend their money on.

Give 'Em Measured Reasoning, Kent

2009-02-12T19:32:00.001-08:00

Sen. Gaylord "Kent" Conrad defends the stimulus plan on Face The Nation this week.

FTN: Democrats Support Stimulus

We're Fine, Thanks.

2009-01-22T19:49:00.000-08:00

Prairie Public Radio reporter Dave Thompson files a report for NPR on North Dakota's economic miracle. The secret? Microsoft and oil.

All Things Considered: N.D. Economy Goes Against the Grain

Inauguration

2009-01-20T20:00:00.000-08:00

Not missed in the big inauguration coverage is an appearance by "the only Jewish legislator in North Dakota," Eliot Glassheim, at the National Jewish Inaugural Ball. Enjoying even greater prominence was a delegation from the United Tribes Technical College that marched in the inaugural parade.

Chicago Is For Wimps

2009-01-18T17:53:00.000-08:00

The Windy City, in the grip of sub-zero weather, looks to Fargo for advice on surviving a real winter.

Chicago Tribune: Battling Cold