July 10, 2020

Sports Played Important Role in Both 1970 and 2020

Social unrest and turmoil dominated the national and campus landscapes in 1970; however, sports remain a positive memory on the 50th anniversary of my graduation from the University of Minnesota.  As sports editor of the Minnesota Daily, I was able to interact with several great coaches and outstanding teams and to follow the state’s professional teams. Today, I regularly and enthusiastically watch and read about a wide array of college and professional sports.

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June 9, 2020

Stimulus Checks to the Deceased: What Would You Do?

About noon on May 4, I opened my mailbox and was surprised to find an envelope with a check for $1,200 from the United States Treasury to my mother, care of me, first name misspelled. It was particularly surprising because my mother passed away March 31, 2018, more than two years ago. Next to her name were the letters “DECD.” At the bottom left of the check were the words “Economic Impact Payment, President Donald J. Trump.”

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April 29, 2020

Not Missing TV Sports

I am a TV-sports addict, but I don’t miss the games. I can live without them—at least for now. Sports are an integral part of society’s fabric and serve many purposes, but they are not life or death (except maybe for a Vikings’ playoff game or a Lakers-Celtics’ championship series). The coronavirus, however, is life or death.

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March 10, 2020

My 2019 Books Informed and Entertained

In 2019, I continued to be informed and entertained by several good books. I gained increased knowledge of history by reading about the courageous pioneers who settled the Northwest Territory, the brave participants in the American War of Independence, and the victims and perpetrators of violence in the bitter war in Northern Ireland.

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February 23, 2020

Reflections on Running

In
early afternoon, on Sunday, October 6, a bright, glorious autumn day, my
youngest daughter jogged down John Ireland Boulevard toward the State Capitol
in St. Paul, approaching the finish of her first marathon—about three hours
longer than Eliud Kipchoge would run six days later, but a special achievement
for her nonetheless.

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October 3, 2019

Education Lies

In How Schools Work, former U.S. secretary of education Arne Duncan writes about the big lies that pervade the education system. In fact, under the category “lies,” the book’s index lists 20 separate references such as lies about academic achievement, about college preparedness, about efficacy and preparedness, and so forth.

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