Bob CollinsWhen you can’t muzzle technology, protesting straight weddings, the bell-ringing marathon, dreaming of a blacktop Christmas, and how do we keep Kevin Love happy?
Well, there it is, 12/12/12. The last time we’ll be able to write the date with the same numbers until January 1, 2111. Pretty exciting.
Moving on…
1) YOU CAN’T MUZZLE TECHNOLOGY
The country could use a few more people like Savannah Dietrich. She was raped last year and the two boys who did it agreed to a plea bargain, but the judge ordered her to keep her mouth shut about the entire situation.
So she did what a courageous teenager does. She tweeted about it, calling out the boys and the justice system that knows how to gang up on rape victims. With technology, people can fight back.
Newsweek Magazine has the story…
In some ways, the case exposes age-old hurdles that women and girls face when reporting sexual assault. But it is also a blunt reminder of the transformation of the American teen experience, as technologies make it possible for youthful stupidity to become known far beyond the community where, perhaps less than a generation ago, it might have remained. Photos, texts, and tweets–successors to handwritten notes passed under the desk then discarded in the trash–can be considerably more potent, both for the victim and for the accused.
The story also raises the question of protecting juveniles from the glare of a criminal spotlight. Are there some crimes when kids don’t deserve to be shielded?
Related: A third woman has been sexually assaulted at night in Minneapolis. (Star Tribune)
2) A NEW GAY MARRIAGE PROTEST IDEA: STRAIGHT WEDDINGS
Now that gay marriage is becoming legal in some states, the New York Times provides an idea for gays to protest their inability to marry in states where it is not legal to do so — boycott the weddings of straight friends and relatives.
Steven Petrow, who writes the paper’s Civil Behavior discourages the idea but says a straight wedding is a good time to make a point.
All that being said, you need to choose the high road and go to your niece’s wedding. I’ve always believed that family trumps politics, especially in matters like this. Assuming your niece didn’t actively campaign in favor of Amendment One, don’t make her pay the price for it. I’m guessing you’ve celebrated a lifetime of milestones with this young lady, all as an expression of your love and support for her. How will she feel about your absence on this important day? And how will you feel in 5, 10, or 15 years about having boycotted it?
Still, this doesn’t mean you need be a rollover kitty. Why don’t you use this as an opportunity to write your niece and explain how you feel, using the opportunity to persuade her to become yet another straight ally. You might even ask her to make a statement in support of your right to marry, as are increasing numbers of straight couples who are wearing white wristbands at their wedding in support of marriage equality. As you can see, I think you can accomplish more with your words than your pique.
What say you? Boycott or attend?
Related: Will more openly-gay cops change a culture? (MPR)
Jeremy Lilyquist of Hudson, and Derek Gilbert of North Hudson are at it again at the Hudson County Market. The Pioneer Press reports the pair stepped in last year to take over for a woman who started the Salvation Army bell-ringing marathon; a woman who made it clear this isn’t one of those phony you-get-rest-breaks-in-the-middle-of-it marathons…
Last year, Lilyquist and Gilbert took over for Helen McCombie, who stepped back from the marathon after doing it for several years. Lilyquist knew McCombie and approached her with the idea that he and Gilbert continue the tradition.
“We thought something this good couldn’t fall by the wayside, so we grabbed the bull by the horns and just ran with it,” he said.
They first proposed doing the 30 hours in shifts — an idea McCombie shot down, said Lilyquist of Hudson.
“She was pretty clear that it was 30 hours straight when she did it, so we should man up,” he said.
4) DREAMING OF A BLACKTOP CHRISTMAS
Things we didn’t know until this video (which looks remarkably like a segment of WCCO’s new mobile weather unit) was posted today: There’s a Minnesota Drive in Anchorage. Also, it appears it’s in better shape than many Minnesota roads.
Of course, the controversy continues in the Twin Cities, almost three days after the storm that dumped a dozen or so inches on the area, leaving roadways in pretty tough shape.
It’s a perfect mix for a columnist like Joe Soucheray at the Pioneer Press.
Why? What has happened? With each passing year, it seems as though the snow gets the better of us. It is tempting to blame poor plowing, but the streets have been plowed.
I guess it’s too much snow falling on a still-warm Earth, so that by the time the plows get out there they are too late to recover pavement and thus the washboard ruts that have every fender-and-body man in town rubbing his hands in anticipation of a big Christmas payday.
Which brings us to this morning’s Tweet of the Day…
The loop from NB169 to WB394 is blocked by Mr. Chuckles who lost it and hit a light pole.
— Mpls/St Paul Traffic (@MSP_Traffic) December 12, 2012
Related: A salute to snowy streets (streets.mn)
Just when we thought Kevin Love was perfectly poised to become the most popular athlete in Minnesota, he goes and complains about the burden of playing in our fair state.
In an interview with Yahoo Sports, Love made it clear he’s not over being insulted by his four-year, $62 million contract from the Timberwolves.
“I have a very, very good memory, and I always remember the people who have done right by me, and the people who have done wrong by me,” he says. “It will be embedded in my brain, and something I won’t forget about. There’s no telling what will happen. I would love to compete for a championship in Minnesota, but …”
But?
Jim Souhan at the Star Tribune still loves the guy…
Hate him for complaining if you like, but Love has become the ideal pro athlete.
He’s overachieved, shutting up all the Minnesotans who couldn’t believe Kevin McHale would trade O.J. Mayo for the dorky kid from UCLA.
He’s improved dramatically each season, dedicating himself to conditioning and his craft, transforming his body and his career arc.
He did the Wolves proud as an Olympian, once again playing better and becoming more important to his team than anyone could have expected.
He connects with fans and undertakes his own charitable initiatives, like his annual winter coat drive.
The Wolves are lucky to have Love. They’d be lucky to keep him.
Bonus: The Dropkick Murphys have released a new album and an instant Christmas classic.
TODAY’S QUESTION
A small asteroid came relatively close to Earth on Tuesday, and a larger one is passing by at a greater distance today. Yesterday’s asteroid was discovered only just before the encounter. Today’s Question: If an asteroid were to strike Earth within an hour, would you want to know?
WHAT WE’RE DOING
Daily Circuit (9-12 p.m.) – First hour: The news stories you missed in 2012.
Second hour: Revitalizing rural America.
Third hour: Minnesota’s moose population.
MPR News Presents (12-1 pm): Climate scientists discuss its global warming and its impact on severe weather, at a Commonwealth Club of California event.
Talk of the Nation (1-2 p.m.) – The Political Junkie. The 2012 election concludes in Louisiana. DeMint’s departure sets up a three-ring circus in South Carolina with both Senate seats and the Statehouse up in 2014. And, as the president prepares to reshuffle his cabinet, speculation swirls about 2016 and Hillary Clinton’s plans.
All Things Considered (3-6:30 p.m.) – MPR’s Laura Yuen provides an update on the Central Corridor light-rail project, and the race to get it done in time for 2014 and still keep businesses in business.
