Perhaps Memorial Day is fading now

Memorial Day weekend slides into our consciousness again. Why do we need a formal program to remember the "ultimate sacrifice" of so many? Of course we remember this and always will. The programs of Memorial Day and Veterans Day remind us of how much severe conflict has happened throughout history. Don't you think it can be dangerous in how it can stoke jingoism? 

Do you think the Japanese people appreciate being reminded of what happened in the 1940s? "It's necessary to remember." Of course it is, and American society is guaranteed to always remember through our history studies, just what transpired. 

The thing is, that was then and this is now. And we'd all like to proceed as if the old conflicts no longer relate to our lives. In an ideal world there would be no such conflict of course. I saw a headline the other day about how enthusiasm is dimming for the traditional Memorial Day program. Maybe this observation will prove to be wrong. But if it's true, we should ask ourselves "why?" 

A rather remarkable change has happened recently. It's with how the political winds blow. You may think I gravitate to politics too much in my thinking. I would argue it's quite relevant. This nation chose Donald Trump as its president for four years. Some of you might shake your head at my mention of Trump. He happens to still be the leader of one of our two major political parties. And he has taken a stance against foreign military entanglements. 

"No more Mideast wars." Such a polar opposite of the Cheney family. And let me say I continue to miss Chris Matthews of MSNBC who pronounced "Cheney" in a way different from the standard. He insisted his way had a basis, though the family demurred. The family had to demur because Matthews was considered left wing in politics, having worked for Tip O'Neill. Matthews was really just a fascinated observer of the political process. He had a big reach despite his background as left of center. Oh, the countless hours he spent on TV hashing over the political stuff. 

But the political climate changed. Matthews was attuned to a time when the political parties could come together, i.e. O'Neill having social affinity with Ronald Reagan outside of their "business." Today there is no middle ground, which is why there is likely no hope for America dealing with its gun problem. 

The political right propels itself with "toxic masculinity" so much. Once people sign on with that, there is almost no turning back. However, a leader as powerful as Trump can adjust the mindset some. So the Republican Party of America, the party of "toxic masculinity," is now skeptical of foreign military intervention. 

Man, when Bush pushed for the Iraq adventure, it was the tree huggers at our UMM - the predictable crowd - making the placards and venting their displeasure. Obviously it was futile on their part. Vice President Dick Cheney had everything mapped out. The neocons had a vice grip on it all. So we invaded Iraq. We lost David Day here in Morris. 

I got up early one morning to cover the send-off of our National Guard unit to Iraq. National Guard? Why were they involved? Don't we have a national military? I remember almost whiffing on getting a good photo until the very end, when I caught a well-wisher on the sidewalk of Atlantic Avenue holding up a little flag as a motorcoach with the Guardsmen rolled by. A decent photo. I got the job done. 

The mainstream of America got persuaded this action was necessary. We had to neutralize Saddam's "weapons of mass destruction." Remember that? Turned out there were none. Chemical weapons? Isn't that what the U.S. used in Vietnam? Were we ever punished for that? 

So now we have Trump turning thumbs-down on ventures like this. And if he says it, his mesmerized masses of followers will echo it. So we're done with foreign military entanglements? It's no longer a "toxic masculinity" thing. Oh but don't worry, toxic masculinity will still be around. We see it with the advancing wave of anti-abortion thinking that will discriminate against women. 

Men have no such issues to face. The Supreme Court would not be inclined the way it is, if men could get pregnant. Or, if the Catholic Church did not exist. Pro-choice was part of the movement to liberate women. 

It was during my high school years that serious sports for girls was created quite out of thin air. It literally did not exist previously. It was treated as a novelty in the earliest years. Girls needed time to establish skills. Today you might hear a group of older men discussing girls sports teams with the same seriousness as they discuss boys. Stop and think: this would have been unimaginable up through the 1970s at least. 

Memorial Day weekend was never an idle time for me at the newspaper. I was available to do anything and everything that was needed. At the end of my tenure with the paper, even my enthusiasm could not sustain me any more. Change was happening so fast. I was left mystified and stunned. I haven't gotten over it to this day. 

I remember the distinct sense of peacefulness as I walked from the outdoor Memorial Day program back to the office. A greater sense of peace I have never felt. 

I remember so many of the World War II veterans who worked with the Memorial Day observance. Their generation is barely hanging on now. I remember Willie Martin at the outdoor service. Need I remind you he's the Willie of Willie's Super Valu? I remember Erwin Anderson. Glendon Rose. Darlene Olen. 

Oh, and Eleanor Killoran playing the piano at the indoor program at the old school auditorium. I close my eyes and can still hear Eleanor playing "It's a Grand Old Flag." I remember photographing her seated at the piano with her son Skip, in full military uniform, posing next to her. A prouder mother you could not find. So sad to see the Killoran Music Arts Center go unused at East Side Park. Apathy is a hallmark of the Morris community. 

So, is there a Memorial Day program this morning (Monday)? In my mind, the WWII veterans had a role that can never truly be duplicated. It was the necessary war if not "the good war." Me? I grew up during Vietnam. Trump had to present his "bone spurs." How sad (i.e. pathetic). Dick Cheney got his deferments. 

Today Trump openly mocks Liz Cheney at rallies. Amazing. The Cheneys were once the standard bearers for Republican and conservative thinking. Today they are the enemy. Trump rules. And he's hovering in wait to move into the oval office again. His only priority will be to exact revenge vs. his political adversaries, and we might see executions for "treason." Congressman Jim Jordan has hinted as much. Yes, change can happen.

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com

Don't waste your breath, Nancy and Joe

Such distress in our discourse these days. Why do Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden even want to be Catholic? 

Catholicism! We have acknowledged this beast as being so important all our lives. Why? JFK was on the defensive about being a Catholic. He had to overcome that. Do you believe in God and Jesus? Do you accept the Bible even if not in literal terms? Do you see it as a guidepost for living and how you treat others? Do you feel compassion for the less-well-off? Well fine, you're a Christian. 

So then why does it matter if some stuffy clergy person doesn't want to offer you a little wafer and thimble full of grape juice on Sunday? More importantly, why should it matter to the stuffy clergy what political opinions you have? So you believe in continuing Roe vs. Wade as precedent? This is a disqualifier for being a Christian? 

Pelosi and Biden should tell the Catholic Church to take a flying leap. What's the big deal with just switching to another Christian denomination, one that does not have a longstanding problem of clergy molesting kids? Do you realize the lifelong psychological damage done to the kids? Shouldn't it matter to you pretty profoundly? Have you seen the movie "Spotlight?" 

Journalists were the heroes in that movie, just like in "All the President's Men." So I ply journalism myself. "Spotlight" went after the Catholic Church, "All the President's Men" against Nixon and the accumulated baggage of those times. Nixon could have been a hero by simply getting the U.S. out of Vietnam as fast and safely as possible, upon his election in 1968. Some things in life are so obvious. 

It's obvious that if Pelosi and Biden are proud Christians, they should take serious affront to efforts at barring them from communion. 

Morris MN has had its own issue with Catholic communion. This is from a funeral. You're not supposed to receive communion unless you're a Catholic. I never knew about this until there was a dust-up in connection to "Rit" Eul's funeral. It got into the letters section of the Morris newspaper. Someone was denied communion based on not being Catholic. 

I'm sure the rule is normally not enforced in a rigid way - so many out-of-town people at funerals, so how would the clergy even know? Shall we assume they are normally pretty indifferent? Shouldn't they be happy to share communion with all who put themselves forward as Christian? I'm betting there was a backstory to the Eul incident, maybe a grudge. And isn't that disgusting? 

Me, I belong to an ELCA church in Morris. The ELCA faces headwinds all over the U.S. I do believe Morris is a reflection. This morning I shared an email with a friend who I once saw in the pews but no more. I know he expressed a liking for the online service of a non-Morris church, so I suspect he and his family have shifted their allegiance.

ELCA people generally speaking are not rigid with their devotion to church these days. That's my perception.

First Lutheran in Morris was once as mainstream as you could get. Today it's considered "liberal." That means we'd like to see Roe vs. Wade just left alone. Abortion is a difficult and uncomfortable subject, to be sure. But I have to believe that a woman's right to control her own body is paramount. Let's leave it at that. The recent Supreme Court (leaked) decision would not have been made if men could get pregnant. No doubt. 

Nancy and Joe, come on over to the ELCA. Just think of the bombshell in the media if they did that. But it would be so logical, should be no big deal. You should belong to a church where you are respected. 

Go to an ELCA church and you'll hear a totally wholesome sermon every Sunday. What's wrong with that? I'd bet even all the local Apostolics would be happy with that. So, why the rigidity with so many people's thinking? Why this drift toward churches where it's essential you vote Republican all the time? For Donald Trump? To where this aim seems to supersede the gospel? 

Maybe I'm the only sane person around in a community or country where everyone has gone nuts. There's an old "Twilight Zone" episode like this. Anyway, I will now share the email I sent this morning to a fellow long-time Motown person. We have seen a lot, the two of us. We have survived school-based controversies, at least I think we have. We are UMM boosters and benefactors. Whither the future of UMM? I begin my email with reference to the ELCA churches of Morris. Naming names, they are First and Faith Lutheran.

 

The churches have given up on having anything on Wednesday night. There was one poor attempt, and it was just the Uphoffs and me. Everyone else had an excuse. That's the way this community is. "We're going to be gone." That should be on the water tower. This community built the Killoran stage at the park and now it's useless. If it gets used once all year, it's a miracle, and yet the city spends money to maintain it. The Morris Community Church used to have summer services there, but that church is gone now. I found it refreshing to hear the sounds of that service wafting through town.

The ELCA churches of Morris, I think, are struggling, and nationally the ELCA continues in a steady dive, based on what I research. I'm skeptical about giving any more money. Very small turnout for church last Sunday, and who's to say things will pick up in the fall? Mostly, people think we're "too liberal." So we're all supposed to belong to "conservative" churches where it's essential you vote Republican all the time - that's more important than the gospel. With some churches I'm really not exaggerating. So, where for me to go now?

If no band or choir for UMM graduation, that has to spell real trouble. I have written that there is "no excuse" for this. Something is in the wind, if UMM allows graduation to happen with no student ensemble music. It had been a big highlight all through the years. Now this is gone too. I have written online that the UMM students in band and choir should put the graduation on their calendar, even if they have no other reason to be on campus that day. But that's just me. What happened to commitment?

I'm sure I have written too much about the softball complex, in a negative way, but I can't help it. We had the sub-section games there Tuesday with fans from 'Waska, ACGC and West Central coming over, and the fans are absolutely screwed at this place. If you don't bring your own chair, you are basically forced to stand. Many fans are sitting out by the outfield fence, and what's up with that? They must think there is no better place. How do the outfielders feel about having fans sitting behind them all game? I wonder if the visiting fans have been venting complaints. If they haven't, then I just have to shrug my shoulders. The old UMM field is now torn up and a new field being constructed in place. Why? Drive by there, take a look, and consider if the batters will be looking into the sun too much. The original UMM field was probably designed with that consideration in mind. Is it possible the new planners didn't think of it? For one day, people obeyed the signs for not parking on north shoulder of Prairie Lane, but last night, cars were back to being on both sides again.

The sub-section softball games should have been played at Big Cat Stadium. Fans have it made there, get a great view of the field.

Prices out and around are going up but I don't sense any panic yet among the citizens. Yesterday I noticed prices were up at Caribou Coffee. Two bacon egg cheese bagels and coffee is now $15.25. And to have a contractor come to your house to do ANYTHING? Sheesh. I have two big evergreens down in my front yard. I bet Craig Beyer will be backed up for months with all the work waiting for him now. I'm on his list. How much roof work is going to be needed around town now? Maybe we should all live in large multi-family dwellings that are built like a brick outhouse.

- Brian W.

 

Addendum: Media is my lifelong specialty and I get exasperated seeing how the U.S. media has to do cartwheels any time the Pope visits the U.S. I am waiting for this attitude to be (far more) restrained. It is elementary that the Pope does not speak for all Christians. The Lutheran Church Wisconsin Synod, represented by St. Paul's Lutheran in Morris, considers the Pope to be the antichrist.

 

Addendum No. 2: It's with great satisfaction that I conclude this post with something positive, so it's a link to a YouTube post lasting just a minute and 53 seconds. It's from a young and refreshing member of St. Andrew Lutheran of Eden Prairie. It is titled "God Gives Us Strength." She draws on Psalm 29. Here's the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4P_2MoSo_A

 

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com

Six-run first propels baseball boys

Tigers 10, West Central Area 0

MACA came out of the starting gate with a gust of momentum Tuesday. The action was here at Chizek Field. Quite the bustling day for ball field action in Morris. Abundant action in baseball and softball. But the baseball action got abbreviated some by MACA needing only five innings to take care of their winning business. 

The orange and black disposed of West Central Area 10-0 in the minimum length of five innings. The burst of early momentum was with a six-run rally in the bottom of the first. This was all the support that the trio of MACA pitchers would need. 

The pitcher getting the win was Drew Storck. Storck pitched three innings and allowed two hits. Brandon Jergenson struck out a batter in his one inning. He allowed no hits. Riley Asmus blanked the Knights in his one inning in which he fanned a batter. The Tigers played errorless ball. We out-hit the Knights 8-2. 

Ross Marty had two hits, scored a run and drove in one. Kaleb Breuer drove in three runs while putting up a two-for-three line, plus he scored a run. Durgin Decker had a hit and a walk, plus he scored a run. Brett Hansen had a pair of hits, drove in two runs and scored one. Dylan Rose had a hit in his only at-bat. He also walked, scored a run and drove in one. 

WCA was limited to two hits and these were by Cole Anderson and Dane Anderson. They employed two pitchers: Cole Bruss and Cole Anderson.

 

Softball: Tigers win two

The softball complex was a magnet for activity on Tuesday. Excitement was high as 3AA-North post-season play unfolded. The Tigers played not once but twice. So on this demanding day, fans of the orange and black could enjoy wins by scores of 11-1 and 9-3. 

My coverage of the Browerville-Eagle Valley game is on my companion blog, "Morris of Course." We won 6-5 to conclude the regular season at 18-1. This post also includes a wrap of the baseball team's loss to NL-Spicer, and the conference track meet. The MACA boys won the conference. Please click on permalink and thanks for reading. - BW

https://morrisofcourse.blogspot.com/2022/05/softball-concludes-regular-season-18-1.html 

 

The softball Tuesday story

No surprise in game one as the top-seeded orange and black played the 8th seed, ACGC. This was the 11-1 win. Brienna Dybdahl tripled twice with one of these blasts coming with the bases loaded. That was in the second frame which was good for getting five runs in. We could effectively go on cruise control after that. Dybdahl had four RBIs in the contest. 

Another key Tiger was Yasmine Westerman. She worked from the pitching circle for five innings. Her strikeout total was six. With the bat she produced three hits. 

The day's work continued with the game against WCA: the 9-3 win. Sydney Dietz put the Tigers ahead with a two-run single. WCA's fielding miscues in the fourth cost them. MACA took advantage to plate four runs. Kortney Sanasack socked a two-run double. 

The pitching department saw Brienna Dydahl in typical reliable form: she had a complete game. 

Now, what lies ahead for the Tigers? It's a Saturday (5/28) game at 11 a.m. versus Pipestone, down south in Marshall. Look out for those southern Minnesota teams, as they have always been a nemesis in softball. Not sure why. Can we break the spell? It's a long trip but fans will be anxious to see. 

 

Checking out the complex

Well, yours truly walked past the softball complex on Tuesday, largely because it's my regular walking route, but I was also aware of the game action. West Central Area beat Minnewaska 14-13. 'Waska made two errors in the seventh that cost them. 

Obviously I continue to analyze the complex to see how well it accommodates events. I wouldn't want to say the fan seating provisions are bad, because there really are no fan seating provisions. The aluminum bleachers behind home plate are minimal. So fans are really left to bring their own collapsible chairs or to stand and watch. 

Many fans are setting up their chairs out by the outfield fence. They must feel that gives them the best view, but what does that say about the other choices? It's tough to watch from the first and third base sides. I would argue it's tough to view from almost everywhere. Behind home plate is an issue, because if you get out of the most central spot, you cannot see the whole playing field. 

So what kind of impression are we making on fans from other towns with these kind of facilities? 

There is a development with parking: finally the cars are seen parked only on the south shoulder of Prairie Lane. With the UMM academic year being done, I think the east parking lot is wide open for the fans, but a walk of a couple blocks is needed to get to the field. And remember, most fans will be carrying their chairs. 

The old UMM diamond has been eliminated and now there's work on a new field. I fail to see how the new field represents any sort of improvement over the long-established and quite fine UMM field with its brick dugouts. The old dugouts are gone. That field was convenient for UMM fans because the diamond was right across the street from the parking lot. 

The new field worries me because I continue to wonder if batters are going to face the sun too much. 

The layout of the whole place bothers me, especially from the standpoint of fans' interests being ignored. Yes ignored IMHO. 

Are other people commenting on this? Are visiting team fans submitting feedback? Of course it wouldn't do any good now. Maybe someday Holmberg Field could be torn up and the planning started anew? With provisions for grandstand seating like what the MACA baseball team has? 

Do we really need dugouts at all? Why couldn't players sit on benches (with back rests) behind simple nets? That's what was used when the Cougars played at Big Cat Stadium this past spring. In fact, Big Cat would be a fantastic place for the post-season games now being played. It would be a showcase for Morris and UMM. The ticket-selling job would be much easier, Lenora. The situation for fans would be fantastic. 

The situation for fans at the complex is rag-tag. The ground gets wet too. It's located close to a river and that means low ground. 

The MAHS school board has thrown lots of money at this. There are ball fields all over Morris now. Softball is life? Meanwhile I am not aware of any summer music programs, at all, for school-age youth. 

Does anyone agree with my concern on these matters, just from the standpoint of paying property taxes? Money gets people's attention, generally speaking. The City of Morris gave some money and then said "no" on a second request, for the complex. The city wants now to concentrate on parks that they totally own - very logical. 

But maybe the city should not have given any money at all. Because it did, it is legitimate for citizens to make comments to city council people or staff. I have done that, with a council person, and the line I get is that the city takes no responsibility for planning the place. "So don't bother us with that," in effect they say. The city just gave money, I was told. There's such a thing as being prudent and careful with money. 

Well, at least the cars are no longer parked in such a madhouse way out there. Someone could have gotten hurt. And in the event of that, people would have to digest my comments seriously. 

So, am I on the same page with anyone? Or do I need psychological help? Or, maybe I'm the only normal person and everyone else needs psychological help?

Why does the Killoran stage at East Side Park go unused all the time? The city spends money to maintain it. A strange town, Morris can be, and we allowed Prairie Pioneer Days to go into mystifying decline and indefinite shut-down. Word is now, something will be revived but I'm puzzled, as it will be associated with a car dealer. Couldn't the whole Chamber of Commerce simply get behind the event? 

I wonder what the competing car dealer thinks of this. And the City of Morris will be involved with "support?" I lost total faith in the city after the water treatment plant thing - lack of communication and consideration for city residents. 

Let's all yawn for summer, if it ever gets here. It's cold and damp again this morning (Wednesday). On the bright side, one could get the biscuits and gravy special at DeToy's. Some things in life you can really count on.

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com

Baseball beats Benson, softball beats 'Waska

The thermometer told me it was 40 degrees this morning. The ground continues to be wet. I still have two large evergreens blown over in the front yard. Tree service people are probably needing lots of time to keep up with demand for their services. Amidst all this, we can enjoy spring high school sports as regular season's end arrives. 

Our MACA baseball team turned back the Braves of Benson on Thursday. The action at Chizek Field had the orange and black up 5-2 over the Braves. Baseball has the benefit of grandstand seating at Chizek, whereas the new softball facility does not have that. Many fans are opting to sit out by the outfield fence, in chairs they have to bring themselves, at the softball place. Not sure if this is progress. 

But the baseball Tigers entertained their fans with winning form on Thursday. It was a day for MACA to wrap up the conference title. Congrats to the boys. 

Drew Storck was quite in command as pitcher. His four innings on the hill saw him strike out nine batters. He walked three and allowed one hit and one run. Drew Huebner pitched for two innings and did fine in the strikeout department himself: five. Huebner walked two batters and allowed two hits and one run. 

Dylan Rose had his turn on the hill as well. He fanned a batter, walked one and allowed no hits or runs. How about that: three MACA pitchers whose first names all begin with "D". 

The Tigers scored two runs in the third inning and three in the fifth. The line scores: 5-6-0 for MACA and 2-3-2 for the Braves. 

Six different Tigers each had one hit. Ross Marty had a run scored and RBI to go with his hit. Kaleb Breuer was one-for-two with two RBIs and a walk. Dylan Rose had a one-for-two line. Brett Hansen had a hit and run scored. Hunter Gibson had a hit in his only at-bat and scored a run. Trevor Buss was likewise one-for-one with a run. 

The Benson pitcher was Garrett Lenz who struck out three batters, walked three and allowed six hits and five runs (three earned) in his six innings. Isaac Minchow had two hits and two runs for Benson. Reece Larson had the other Benson hit and he picked up an RBI.

 

Softball: Tigers 9, Minnewaska 0

A rare Wednesday game had the softball Tigers winning with ease at the 'Waska diamond. So it was a 9-0 score with the orange and black excelling. 

Brienna Dybdahl pitched the whole way in this 16th straight win for the MACA juggernaut. She allowed but three hits and struck out five batters. 

Brianna Marty's bat gave a push for the Tigers: three RBIs. Yasmine Westerman connected for a double and drove in two runs. Eight different Tigers had hits in the boxscore. 

Ally Mogard supplied a 'Waska highlight with a two-bagger. Brenna Larson had the pitching loss. 'Waska is having a sub-.500 campaign. 

Our Tigers are 17-1 on the season and have earned the top seed for Section 3AA-North play. Remember, getting the top seed last year was not a ticket. Focus will be needed all the way. As the top seed we'll be host of course. So the fans will gather at Holmberg Field, there to watch as best they can from the limited places, Tuesday at 3 p.m. Our opponent is ACGC. 

Take a look to see if fans gravitate to the area around the outfield fence. Your own chairs are required there. Is that really a step up? And I'm sure the person taking the admission money - Lenora Waddell maybe? - will have to keep a close eye on fans arriving from a variety of directions. Ideally the fans should be "funneled in" somewhere. They are most certainly not, at Holmberg Field. 

It's "bring your own chair" for watching from the third base side. Ground could be muddy there too. Is all this "progress?" Behind home plate the space is limited, and if you're away from center, then you won't see the entire field. 

Am I misunderstanding things about parking? Am I misinterpreting the signs? Do they mean something other than what I think they do? "No parking this side" on multiple signs. But cars continue to be parked on both sides of Prairie Lane. Defying the signs? Maybe someone could explain to me. Maybe I'm intelligence-challenged. 

Morris sure prioritizes ball fields, no doubt about that. Softball has become king of this community, whereas I'm not even aware of a summer music program for school-age youth. The Killoran stage at East Side Park might just as well be a mausoleum. And I'm sure the city needs to spend money to maintain it. Beware grandiose ideas sometimes. And keep an eye on your property taxes. 

The winner of the game between MACA and ACGC will advance to face the winner of WCA vs. 'Waska. The latter game will be at our softball complex too. I expect fans are going to be inclined to complain about the non-fan-friendly quality of Holmberg Field. Is it impolite to complain? I don't think so. 

Cokato is also hosting sub-section games. There, Dassel-Cokato will play Montevideo, and Litchfield will face-off versus New London-Spicer. The top seed in the south is Luverne (17-3). For some reason, teams from the south have always been in a commanding position in this sport. They have been a nemesis for our Tigers, whose own stock has always been high. If the south casts some sort of spell, let's end it now.

 

High school graduation near

I don't know the date yet, but surely high school graduation time is nearly upon us. I lasted at the Morris newspaper just long enough to cover the first ceremony to be held at the new gym. It's really not "new" anymore. I remember when the 1968 gym was "new" and special. That's where all the basketball and wrestling was before the current place. 

So I covered the 2006 graduation when walls were rapidly closing in around me. Things were happening that puzzled me in terms of their intensity. But working people can find themselves victims of changing times. Maybe we are just too weary or battle-worn to keep up with it all sometimes. I was in that category to a degree, although I kept up with the new tech stuff for quite a long time. 

Forum Communications seemed never to be comfortable in Morris. Did they buy the Morris paper just for some tax purpose? Well, I was collateral damage for that. These things happen. 

I entered the community press at a far more relaxed time, you might say too relaxed. It was at the end of the Jimmy Carter "malaise" period in American life. I myself became a "Reagan Democrat" and then things started changing. Unfettered free enterprise lifted us up a lot. But the Republican Party could not stay content with that, so that today we see a grotesque version of the GOP. It has morphed into something insidious, and I'm not sure how we will all get out of it, if we will get out of it at all. 

Just watch the Federal Reserve try to keep raising interest rates. This is no magic trick. And inflation ought to be seen as scary now. I'm just saying: we might be headed for true crisis times. We may have no idea yet. 

I covered so many high school graduations at Morris Area. And at Hancock and Chokio-Alberta. Jim Morrison did not even have to consult with me on whether I'd cover the Morris graduation. It was assumed I'd do it, and I'm proud of how I did it. In later years I'd load the Ad-Viser into the Sun Tribune van at Quinco Press, Lowry, all day Friday, then race to get over to the school for graduation, possibly with some perspiration odor! But by golly, I did it. 

Today I can only grasp these images in my memory. It's as if my life has gone into suspended animation. And that's sad, really. 

In my newspaper days I'd occasionally get invited to a grad's reception. That was really nice and I miss that. I was invited to a couple in the years immediately following my departure from the paper. And since then, just one, for a DeToy's waitress. Bless her. 

Today I'm 67 years old and basically looking at my life in the rear view mirror. I really wish my heyday had gone on longer. I was willing. I missed by one week being able to cover the MACA baseball team in the state tournament. We might not have been "MACA" yet. I'm pleased to still be a friend of then-coach Lyle Rambow. And of then-football coach Jerry Witt. 

 

"Roundabout" friendship!

Jerry says I'm welcome to visit his "Harvest" church in Alexandria anytime. It would be a good idea to do that, if I can handle the "roundabout" in between Glenwood and Alexandria! Rimshot.

  

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com

Tigers dominant in sweeping Benson

It's almost sad to see the one-sided complexion of the softball games played at Benson Tuesday. It was a doubleheader day for the Braves of Benson and the Tigers of MACA. I'm sure one game would have been enough for the Benson fans. I personally feel a little sad reviewing this: scores of 10-0 and 23-0. 

The Tigers ruled the day. It is Thursday morning and the "Minnesota Scores" site tells us the MACA won-lost is 17-1, 12-0 in conference. So that's a mighty bright situation for fans of the Tigers. 

My MACA baseball update is on my companion blog, "Morris of Course." There I review the Monday and Tuesday wins by the Tigers over Melrose and Minnewaska. You may read with this permalink, and thanks. - BW

https://morrisofcourse.blogspot.com/2022/05/maca-baseball-turns-back-minnewaska.html 

 

Tigers 10, Benson 0

This West Central Conference action had the Tigers rapping nine hits and committing zero errors. Benson came up with just one hit against our pitcher Yasmine Westerman. Benson had three fielding miscues. The lone Benson hit was off the bat of Bella Wolter: a single in the first inning. 

The orange and black rallied for eight runs in the third inning. Westerman struck out eight batters and walked four. Wolter was the Benson pitcher and she struck out four batters. Just four of the ten runs she allowed were earned. She walked one. 

Westerman at bat had a hit and a run scored. Brianna Marty doubled, stole a base, scored two runs and drove in a run. Brienna Dybdahl went two-for-three with a stolen base and run scored. Cate Kehoe homered! Cate drove in four runs in this most productive performance. She had two hits and scored two runs. Sydney Dietz doubled and scored a run. 

Reilly Gibson rapped a hit, scored a run and drove in one. Then we see Kortney Sanasack with a one-for-two line and a run scored. Shannon Dougherty drove in a run. Bailey Hottovy drew a walk and scored a run.

 

Tigers 23, Benson 0

Obviously a rout, must have been painful for Benson fans to sit through. The Tigers had two ten-run innings, the second and third. Our line score shows a barrage of 17 hits and zero errors. 

Brienna Dybdahl handled the pitching work and she was in command. She fanned six batters, issued just one walk and allowed two hits. Bella Wolter and Ellie Krusemark pitched for Benson. 

Yasmine Westerman had a productive bat with a double as part of a 3-for-3 line. She crossed home plate three times. She drove in two runs. She worked the pitcher for a walk. Brianna Marty had a hit, scored three runs, drove in two and walked twice. Dybdahl had a hit and a walk, plus she scored three runs and drove in two. 

Cate Kehoe homered again! I'm sure her grandmother Janet was excited (former co-worker of mine). Cate was perfect at bat with a hit in each of her four at-bats. Her RBI harvest was five. Her runs scored total was three. She also drew a walk. 

Sydney Dietz had a hit, scored a run, drove in two and walked once. Shannon Dougherty went two-for-four with two runs, an RBI and a walk received. Reilly Gibson came through at two-for-three with two runs and three RBIs. Then we see Bailey Hottovy with a hit, two runs and an RBI. 

Kortney Sanasack was a perfect two-for-two with one of her hits a double. She drew a walk, scored three runs and drove in a run. Lakia Manska drew a walk and scored a run. 

The Benson hits were by Adysen Himley and Presley Nygaard. 

The photo: MAHS history

Photo was brought to my attention by someone who wanted me to confirm its significance. I remembered it immediately from having been in the MAHS trophy case for a long time. Maybe it has now been removed as part of the normal turnover of such stuff. So my evaluation of this photo is that it was taken at the first-ever game at the 1968 gymnasium. It was a really big deal: the move from the old, now-razed building to the new place. The old gym clearly showed its age but I felt it had a charm too. The 1955 Tigers played there and reached the state tournament in the one-class system. 

Time marches on and change happens. This community went through an ordeal to get new high school facilities constructed. There were failed referendums, controversy and of course some hard feelings. Finally the corner was turned. So I think the photo above was of the grand occasion when the '68 gym was unveiled for the first game action. I'm pretty sure Roger Schnaser was coach. Is that Chuck Taffe with the basketball? 

I was a pretty good fan in those days. A frequent worker at the concession counter always knew I was going to order "orange pop." Who would have thought that the '68 gym would get phased out? Well it pretty much has. Now we have the very large accommodations of the new varsity gym. The '68 gym had its flaws, like too-limited space for fans to exit and enter while the game was on. So the authorities had to limit that. I believe Truman Carlson had to often "lay down the law." Why couldn't the gym have been built just a little larger, a wee bit larger? Lots of fun was hard there, without a doubt.

Postcard from Fischbach

Did you get this in the mail? A little flier from Congressman Michelle Fischbach? I guess she feels abortion must be front-of-mind now. No such thought would be entertained, if the Supreme Court would just leave well enough alone with Roe vs. Wade. There was no need to upset the apple cart. 

For some reason, Fischbach seems hair-pulling mad about the "leak" that gave us an indication about what the Court is likely to do. Trump was able to appoint three very "conservative" justices including "Justice Brewsky," Kavanaugh. The U.S. Senate pulled strings to prevent Obama's nominee from getting a hearing. Then, the Senate rushed through confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett, one of the three rigid newcomers. 

Michelle Fischbach

So this "stacked" court appears headed for erasing women's reproductive health rights as they were affirmed in Roe vs. Wade. So now in this stressful time of inflation and covid, with war waged abroad, our congressperson thinks it's time we all focus on abortion. Her postcard discussed nothing else. She described the "leak" as "a foundational compromise of the independence of the Supreme Court." She continued: "I have faith that our Supreme Court justices will not bow to intimidation tactics and will adhere to the oath they took upon being sworn in." 

What about the ethical issues with what Mitch McConnell did in orchestrating the Republican-engineered stacking of the court with Federalist Society types? This does not reflect the mainstream of America, Congressman Fischbach. Don't you want government and the top court to be a reflection of this country's mainstream? Now we're all going to be driven into a fight over abortion. 

I was amused at how Fischbach used the term "abortion services," as if someone of Fischbach's political stripe would consider abortion a "service." She makes it seem so benign, as if this "service" will simply be "returned to the states" for adjudication. She talks about "regulation of abortion services." Republicans just love regulation, don't you know. 

How did the "leak" disrupt anything? Isn't it best for all of us to know what's coming? 

Women may now have decisions about their body influenced by the likes of McConnell and Ted Cruz. Are you all willing to accept that? "Justice Brewsky" will be weighing in. 

Biden? Biden is a Catholic, even though there are Catholic clergy who have suggested that the president be denied communion, based on abortion. Biden ought to reject Caholicism and find a different denomination. How about the ELCA? He'd surely be welcomed. And I think he'd still get into heaven. 

How hard can we expect Biden to fight now, since he's Catholic? He will no longer have the "cover" of Roe vs. Wade, i.e. the "law of the land." 

Wouldn't it be nice if Fischbach and others would focus their attention on other pressing matters? Didn't Fischbach vote to reject certification of election results? This is our congressperson. She would not have to be our congressperson. Vote for the Democratic nominee next time. "Vote blue."

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com

9-2 softball win and spring band concert

Nice to find some joy in the world with the things going on in terms of race-based hatred, "replacement theory" and MAGA. So the joy is found at the micro level. It's local and it's with our young people. I can forget about pulling into a parking lot in town and seeing the pickups with "Trump" stickers on the back. It isn't easy but it can be done (to forget). 

So the MACA softball team worked to an exciting win over the New London-Spicer Wildcats. The score was 9-2 in the Monday road action. Pitching is of course a prime ingredient in the sport. And our Brienna Dybdahl impressed. She set down four Wildcat batters on strikes. Her control was pinpoint: zero walks. Both of the runs she allowed were unearned. 

The Tigers' success put a damper (a small one) on NL-S "Senior Night." NL-Spicer has five seniors in the ranks. The Tigers overcame three fielding miscues. The NL-Spicer error total was four. We outhit the Wildcats 7-5. We led 4-1 after three innings. We went on to score three runs in the fifth inning and one in the sixth. 

The Wildcats used two pitchers: Nyla Johnson (pitcher of record) and Emily Ruter. Johnson fanned two batters, Ruter five. Johnson had some control difficulties as she walked four. 

MACA used a balanced hitting attack with no one having multiple hits. So we see Kortney Sanasack connecting for a double. Leah Staples had a hit in her only at-bat and drove in a run. Yasmine Westerman had a hit, drew a walk, stole a base and scored two runs. Dybdahl joined in with her one-for-three line plus she walked and scored two runs. 

Sydney Dietz had a hit, drew a walk and drove in a run. Shannon Dougherty had a hit, an RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored. Reilly Gibson added to the mix with a hit, a run scored and two RBIs. Brianna Marty stole a base and scored a run. Cate Kehoe walked and scored a run. 

The only player having a multiple-hit day was NL-Spicer's Sydney Feist: two-for-two with an RBI. Other Wildcats to hit safely were Brianna Wileman, Caitlin Wileman and Courtney Ronning.

The "Minnesota Scores" site tells us the MACA won-lost is 14-1, 9-0 in conference.

 

Joy with music

Monday was a tremendously special day for Morris Area music. It saw the return of the ice cream social prior to the spring concert of concert band and wind ensemble. Last year saw many activities of this kind trimmed back due to the pandemic. MAHS music fans haven't forgotten the tradition. The ice cream enjoyment is in conjunction with soloists and ensembles performing at the cafeteria. 

I had banana slices with my ice cream. There was a basket for donations to support music. Let's not ever allow music to be overshadowed by sports. It's all special, it's just that sports swells too much with a feeling of entitlement sometimes, right? 

The concert included seven seniors wrapping up their MAHS experience. Emily Hamm, saxophonist, is one. Yes she plays saxophone but her singing sticks in my mind more. Remember how she performed "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" last December? The microphone didn't work but it did not matter. That song was challenging from the standpoint of vocal range. Listeners would not have even noticed that issue, such was Hamm's in-command singing. 

She has also sung with the jazz ensemble. I'd like to see MAHS jazz get true music stands for that particular format. 

The concert program included photos of the seniors. So we have Ms. Hamm along with Cassidy Asmus (flute), Alexis Lhotka (French horn), Cortney Hickman (trumpet), Laura Surerus (trombone), Kaedan Fischer (French horn) and Tasha Koehl (flute). 

The wind ensemble performed "The Louvre" which was accompanied by a video. Of course the director was Wanda Dagen. She was on top of her game. She spoke to the audience more than usual. It was nice to see her give some attention to Adair Horgen, age 98. I remember photographing Adair when she directed a music group for Horticulture Night. 

I'm writing this on Tuesday morning which means I again monitor the media in the wake of the Buffalo NY shooting. The threat posed by the reactionary element in our society is starting to cross a line. I wish all the local Trump supporters would cover up or remove their pickup stickers. MAGA and Fox News have produced the momentum for what we are seeing now: a very dark place. 

My own personal fear of MAGA reached the point where I put gray tape over the small "Kamala" sticker I had on the rear of my vehicle. 

Keep voting Republican and they will come after you - you must realize their true agenda which is veiled by all the culture war stuff. They will come after your Social Security, they will come after your Medicare, they will come after your Affordable Care Act. They are on the precipice for wiping out women's reproductive health rights. 

Calm down on the cultural front - you shouldn't be racist, homophobic or misogynistic anyway - and recognize your own personal priorities. But I am becoming ever more skeptical this will happen. The Federal Reserve will continue stoking more inflation. Their "baby step" interest rate hikes are too little, too late. The Fed is too scared of upsetting the stock market. 

On my way home from the concert Monday, I stopped to buy a large Hershey bar: $3.09 price. The customer behind me said something about this. I agreed with him. Looks like the situation will only get worse. 

We have had a wonderful country, this United State of America. Let's try to not let it slip away.

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com

Asmus, Storck pick up pitching wins

First, a promo here for Monday night band concert, May 16. The concert starts at 7:30. but there's an ice cream social beforehand. Let's all be aware that festivities at the school begin at 6:30. This is a joyous return of a tradition that was nixed last year due to the pandemic. The pandemic stays on the corner of our minds. But we've also seen restoration of most standard events. How can you beat an ice cream social? Solos and ensembles perform at the cafeteria area beginning at 6:30. People then move into the concert hall for the 7:30 main event. Featured will be grades 9-12 musicians. A friend of mine talks about the "I Scream Social." Graduation is soon on the slate. UMM had its outdoor graduation Saturday. I was at Pizza Hut with a friend when a grad wearing cap came in with family. I offered personal congrats to the young man. I had been informed prior to graduation that there would be no band or choir. So I was disheartened.

Baseball: Tigers 15, BOLD 0

The Tigers of the baseball world owned the May 10 game against BOLD. The elements have been against the student-athletes through much of this spring. But the May 10 game at the BOLD diamond was on, especially to the delight of MACA fans who watched their team work to a 15-0 win. 

The "Minnesota Scores" site tells us the Tigers now have an 11-2 record, 8-1 in conference. 

The Tigers took charge early-on with a 10-0 advantage after two innings. Our hit total was ten compared to the Warriors' six. A telling stat was in errors where the host Warriors stumbled, committing eight. Meanwhile the MACA fielding was flawless. 

Riley Asmus picked up the pitching win with his four-inning performance. He struck out five batters, walked none. Dylan Rose finished up on the hill with one inning in which he fanned a batter. BOLD's pitchers were Daylen Weber and Owen Flann. 

Many offensive highlights for the Tiger crew obviously. Brandon Jergenson had two hits including a double. He scored two runs and drove in two. Asmus was a perfect two-for-two with three RBIs and a walk received. Brendan Hardy drove in three runs with his two-for-three performance. He drew a walk and scored a run. 

Ross Marty had a hit, a walk and two runs scored. Kaleb Breuer delivered a hit. Rose was one-for-two with a run scored and two RBIs. Noah Erickson had a hit in his only at-bat, plus he scored a run. Sam Kleinwolterink scored three runs and drove in two, plus he drew a walk. Durgin Decker walked and scored a run. Brandon Ross scored two runs. Brett Hanson and Trevor Buss each scored one run. 

BOLD players who hit safely were Tate Sheehan, Owen Flann, Jack Kisser and Mason Uhlenkamp.

Tigers 6, WCA 0

The story was another shutout for MACA in the May 5 contest at the Barrett diamond. So the score was 6-0 as the orange and black disposed of the Knights of West Central Area. The line scores were 6-9-0 for MACA and 0-2-2 for WCA.

Drew Storck struck out four batters in picking up the pitching win. He worked four innings, walked none and allowed two hits. The pitching save was gained by Drew Huebner who worked three innings, fanned three batters, walked none and allowed no hits. Cole Bruss took the loss for WCA. Jack Courier also pitched for the Knights. 

Our batters with multiple hits were Ross Marty, Brandon Jergenson and Sam Kleinwolterink. Marty had a two-for-three boxscore line, two runs scored, a HBP, an RBI and two stolen bases. Jergenson was two-for-four with two RBIs and a run scored. Kleinwolterink had a pair of hits, one a double, and drove in a run. Kaleb Breuer walked and stole a base. Riley Asmus was one-for-three with a walk. 

Durgin Decker had a hit and a run scored. Trevor Buss walked and scored a run. Dylan Rose had a hit, a stolen base and a run scored. 

Knights who hit safely were Cole Anderson and Dane Anderson. Bryce Kjesbo and Colton Lindquist each stole a base.

 

The big storm

If it was not a true "derecho" that blew through here on Thursday night, it had to be close. Derecho is the term for a windstorm that seems truly out of hell. 

You can drive around Morris and see many signs of what blew through here. It will be quite the effort to deal with downed trees. I'm wondering about trees or electric poles that might be de-stabilized, not actually down but susceptible to going down now. 

I was watching through the picture windows facing south at my residence, as the wind took down two large evergreen trees. On Sunday my old high school friend Art Cruze visited and took a photo. Art lives in Paynesville. He and I graduated with the Morris High Class of '73. Take a look at the photo:

 

Church today

Am I an old-timer in using the word "Baccalaureate Sunday?" Well, graduating seniors got their due of recognition this morning (Sunday) at my church of First Lutheran. And am I ever impressed: ten total! The numbers have generally gotten thin through the years, surely in comparison with my young era which was "boomer" times. That's the baby boomers. My confirmation class at First Lutheran was lined up in rows for our photo, and we weren't even combined with any other church. 

I had no idea at the time that times would change, numbers would shrink. There were kids everywhere in my day. We ran around unsupervised so much. So, we learned to be "self-starters," right? To organize our own ballgames, arrange for bases etc.? Sometimes we brag about that. The good old days? Let's not apply that as a broad brush, to be sure. 

Anyway, the free-roaming days got curtailed largely because of the Wetterling episode. When all was said and done, the episode was more about law enforcement incompetence than anything. In the meantime our culture changed. A friend of mine joked a few years back, "maybe we should all just wrap our kids in Nerf until they're 18." 

I wasn't going to stay for coffee hour at church this morning but then I realized cake would probably be served because of the special day. I was right. So I availed myself - good cake - and was reminded again of the late Allen Anderson who had an instinct for such things. May God rest his soul. 

It has been a difficult spring for the public school: quite bad weather afflicting the outdoor sports. Therefore I haven't much felt in the swing for writing about it. On some days when games were played, weather was still discouraging. Hard to get in the spirit. But now? Well now maybe (?) we can forget all that. Or will the winds blow out of hell again? Anyway, I'm looking forward to the Monday band event. Wouldn't miss it for anything.

First Lutheran is ELCA. We have the reputation of being a "liberal" church. I'm sure the majority of Stevens County churches, the conservative ones, are cheering the impending Supreme Court decision on Roe vs. Wade. Ah, you "support life!" Rather sanctimonious to say that. 

The abortion issue is full of complicated nuances with great consequences for women, once draconian laws are applied. I'm sure that in my church, there is a positive attitude about "women's reproductive health rights." One thing for sure: the current developments with the Supreme Court would not be happening if men could get pregnant. Women, you now have "Justice Brewsky" (Kavanaugh) and other men making decisions about your body.

 

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com

Winning softball two days before storm

Construction activity was proceeding at the softball complex as MACA took to the diamond to play Minnewaska. The day was Tuesday. There was no hint we would be walloped by a major storm in two days. Thank God it's Friday as I write this. We would not want to re-experience Thursday again. 

We were walloped more than once. First we got a rain deluge. After dealing with that, we were in position to hunker down for something worse. Was it a "derecho?" Maybe not that bad. But if a derecho is worse, heaven help anyone who is in its path. I have a friend in Cedar Rapids IA who shared his experience a couple years ago. But our windstorm was bad enough. 

Power was out for an extended time at my place. I wondered this morning if I could even get food anywhere. DeToy's was not only open, it was getting crowded! Karrie the waitress did yeoman's work in a staff-limited situation. We were all thankful we could get our sustenance there. 

So on Tuesday, with no hints of impending bad weather, the Tigers faced off against the Lakers of Minnewaska. The orange and black prevailed 12-2 in six innings. The triumph was our 13th against a mere one loss. We're 9-0 in conference. An indication of things to come in the post-season? 

Our pitcher Brienna Dybdahl set down nine batters on strikes. She walked just one while allowing five hits and one earned run. MACA acquired momentum with Shannon Dougherty's two-run double in the fourth. Cate Kehoe picked up a couple of ribbies. Riley Gibson's bat resonated with three hits and she drove in a run. 

The losing pitcher for 'Waska was Grace Jensen. 

I drove past the softball complex this morning to see if the scoreboard had blown over. It had not. Work is well underway on the new playing field which replaces the long-established UMM field. The idea now is to have the diamond by the pressbox, opposite where it was before. That's what the official map shows, plus I have had this shared with me verbally. 

Now, the big question in my mind is whether the new diamond will have batters facing the sun too much. Was having the diamond close to the pressbox enough justification for tearing up the whole place? My suggested answer is no. The old UMM field was a wonderful facility - it seemed to have everything. 

So now, with the new field we have to wonder: Will it be as non-fan friendly as Holmberg Field? One ought to shudder about this. High fences? Long dugouts? Have the planners learned from Holmberg Field or are they unable to learn? The cost must be steep for all the work being done at present, all the earth-moving, heavy equipment etc. Even if there is marginal improvement, it's way too little to justify the fuss. 

But I would suggest at this time there is no improvement, and the inverse could well be the case. 

The project's map shows a parking lot. The area desperately needs parking accommodations. This is from a simple safety standpoint. How much longer will vehicles be parked on both sides of Prairie Lane? Will people keep ignoring the new "no parking" signs on the north shoulder? If someone gets hurt, it could be hell to pay for someone in a responsible position. 

In the wake of last night's hellish storm, we can assume Craig Beyer is going to be very busy! I'm on his list. I wonder if the tree removal people will work in tandem. If one gets too busy, push off to the others? Maybe get Carr's Tree Service here too. 

At least I'm not hungry. My power came back on shortly before I typed this. I'm on Agralite.

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com

No band or choir for UMM graduation

We have confirmation that there will not only be no band for the 2022 UMM graduation, there's no choir either. The word on the band had come to my attention through unofficial sources. The final word from within UMM makes it official: "no band or choir." Suppose I should say "symphonic winds," but that always reminds me of Spinal Tap's "Break Like the Wind" tour. 

No band or choir for UMM's graduation? So, this puts me in a spot where I find myself too often: of being skeptical or critical. Why am I having to do this? My official source from within UMM gave me background on how the current decision (to nix) came to be. I might peg this background as "party line." At various junctures in my journalistic career, I have been expected by heavy-hitters in this community to buy into a party line. You might say it's a cross to bear for people who call themselves journalists. 

Sanctimonious to say this? Oh not at all, once you have been dragged through various issues. I grew up when our U.S. government lied to us about the Vietnam war. Relief came with release of the Pentagon Papers. What if that had not happened? Watergate came along as an almost amusing web of mendacity or whatever. Apply your own words. 

At present the Supreme Court is stepping into the circle of depravity like this. Why can't our highest court in the land project more of an air of cheer, and of facilitating totally for the betterment of Americans' lives? Instead it's defensiveness and anger, finger-pointing and reflexiveness. 

Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell have set the agenda, and such will continue until a plurality of Americans decide to give the middle finger to Fox News and its ilk. Ignore the questions from those people, just assert yourself with the kind of standards you want to live by. Those people don't lose any sleep anyway over the issues that they pretend move them so much. Not even abortion. So now we're going to dust off all the old tired arguments about abortion. So we have Joel Heitkamp (a good guy) ask "if abortion is murder, why make an exception for rape and incest?" 

Here we go again. But we chose this mess. The Christians of America have chosen it by eating out of the hand of the likes of McConnell and Trump. Clarence Thomas comes across as about the most bitter and unhappy person I have ever seen. His wife Ginny appears to have literally lost her mind. And people like this have reached the top of government influence? 

Will the erasure of  Roe vs. Wade finally wake people up? Wake people up to the "racket" that has been engineered by Fox News and all its clones? We've been handled like we're marionette puppets. We are all now fighting religious intransigence. And how much can we expect Biden to help? 'Til now he has said that even though he's Catholic, he respects the law of the land as affirmed by the Supreme Court. But now? The new law of the land will be that women do not have the basic right to control their own bodies. Old men like Mitch McConnell will make that decision for them. 

And McConnell is pushing a nationwide abortion ban. You just know this will lead to other scary things. I'm just saying. 

OK I sound critical. It's a mantle I have often worn. So now let's get into the subject of the UMM graduation. Can't we take for granted certain things in life, like knowing we can enjoy the sounds of the UMM band and choir for graduation? OK, so what are the excuses? That's what I'll call them, excuses. 

So the party line is this: "We hope it is just a one-year gap." Continuing: "As you know, there was recent turnover in the discipline over this year and covid lingered, so they just couldn't make it happen." 

A rational person would have to find this explanation strange, as the UMM band and choir gave their big spring concert on April 24. So the units definitely exist as we speak, and are presumably capable of doing passable if not excellent work. The April 24 concert was in Alexandria. There was no duplicate performance here. I have already written about this oddity. 

So let's not flog this but let's focus on sans music for graduation. Or - horrors - insult added to injury with recorded music. Do you suppose they'll do that? 

Would it be wise to skip the event? My critics in this community would say "get lost, we don't give a fuck if you're there." This is how many of my detractors tend to talk. It is also the way Trump talks, so let's remove the stigma from the "f" word. He gets quoted using it, as in saying General Mark Milley is a "fucking idiot," so I sense all the evangelical Christians are good with it now too. 

Should a person of good moral character even put himself forward as a Christian anymore? If I am forced to leave the Christian faith, to where might I turn? Jim Morrison might suggest atheism. And I would respect that option. But my late mother would not approve. 

So "turnover" is a problem in UMM music? Who directed for the April 24 event? Turnover isn't always a bad thing because you can get young people moving in who are eager to please. But turnover is cited as a roadblock to music for the 2022 graduation. When turnover impedes the normal functioning of an institution, maybe the blame goes to administration. 

Who is the executive chancellor of UMM (UMN?) now? The person in Crookston? Well that's true. Now that more people are aware of that, are they contacting the Crookston person about issues related to UMM? I won't do that. I'm sure that person would just bounce the ball back here. What? Buck-passing in bureaucratic institutions? But I get criticized for assuming such things happen. 

So I am forced to continue sharing skeptical views about the softball complex in which UMM is a partner. The newest development: to try to "crack down" on the crazy parking next to the place. It's about time. But maybe too late. Are fans already into the habit of parking on both shoulders along Prairie Lane? Maybe we can't blame them. 

There are now three signs along the north shoulder: "No parking this side." Yes, and "do not feed the bears." Just kidding on that. So on Friday I checked the place out: the softball crowd appears to be giving a royal middle finger at the attempts to govern parking. I would have expected that. Good luck trying to straighten all these people out. I write at length on this on my companion blog, "Morris of Course." So I invite you to read with this permalink:

https://morrisofcourse.blogspot.com/2022/05/can-parking-be-controlled-by-new.html 

 

I also invite y'all to listen to my newest original song to be put on YouTube. It is inspired by the Russia-Ukraine war. The title is inspired by the famous Rodney King quote. So here it is, and thanks:

https://youtu.be/7JEC2ot6t2o 

 

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com