The long goodbye
December 16th, 2008 – 9:21 AMDear Readers: I’ve been informed that my services as a columnist are no longer needed at the Star Tribune. In the near future, Think Again will have to close up shop. I expect I’ll be able to keep the doors open and the lights on for a couple weeks yet. At some point, I’ll have more to say about my plans for the future.
In the meantime, starting tomorrow, I’ll be revisiting some of my favorite posts from the last couple years.
Despite our differences – and a few “blog kills” for misbehavior — I’ve grown fond of Think Again’s many commentators over the last couple years. Every day, I’ve looked forward to reading your reflections. Now, I’ll look forward to seeing your final thoughts — and the next few weeks’ long goodbye.
184 Responses to "The long goodbye"
What are the odds that Coleman is getting the axe as well?
Sorry to hear of your misfortune Mrs. Kersten. It’s tough times for the newspaper industry.
Mark, let’s hijack Coleman’s blog. Oh… wait… never mind.
I’ve never even looked at other blogs except for occasionally reading comments on sports articles.
This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end
“I’ve never even looked at other blogs except for occasionally reading comments on sports articles.”
I just know Lavelle has one or two gay marriage articles in him.
It’s bound to happen. I wish Leland was still here. Always wanted to meet that guy. He would have made the last three days of GW talk much more entertaining as he rejoiced over the bad economy and his new $2000 house. Ahh.. good times.
What the hell? Are you guys quitters?
We need to storm the gates!
Get a tank and stuff.
DJ,
You can comment on Coleman’s articles if you want. There is a post a comment function at the bottom of each article and he has his own group of Jackl’s ripping him each day, albeit in a more cumbersome fasion than KK has, or well, had.
Bummer. Have you thought of firing up a “Think Again” blog elsewhere, even as a hobby?
I’ve certainly enjoyed participating over the years, and will miss the site.
Let me know where you land, and I’ll certainly visit.
Well, this sucks! Maybe I’ll see you in the unemployment line, Katherine. I hope you won’t have too difficult a time finding other work.
This is a very puzzling decision on the part of the Strib. You must generate a lot of traffic. Why lay off someone whose work drives traffic to your site? Well, I’ve never had much faith in management. All too often they make myopic, boneheaded decisions to the detriment of everyone.
You know, Katherine, if you really wanted to continue authoring a blog, there are a lot of ways to do it. You might not get paid to do it, but you can still set up shop on your own. There are a lot of services that can help get you started. Think about it.
We’ve really developed a community here, haven’t we? A shame to see it all fall apart. If anyone wants to stay in touch, my e-mail is evilbabyfauvel@gmail.com. I’ve actually thought about starting my own blog. I’ll probably have time to do it come January, when my own unemployment promises to begin.
Katherine, sincere thanks for your work here. True, I rarely agree with you, but it’s been great to debate the issues with everyone here.
My sources tell me that Coleman and CJ are also leaving.
I always thought you couldn’t comment on Coleman columns. Hmmm… I guess I didn’t look close enough.
“My sources tell me that Coleman and CJ are also leaving. ”
It was on ‘4′ last night at 10.
I stayed up all night looking for used tanks that can fire ammo produced at D2’s factory.
It can be done.
They are firing their entire columnist staff?
Reusse was right.
“They are firing their entire columnist staff?”
No. They’re keeping the animal lady.
“Despite our differences – and a few “blog kills” for misbehavior — I’ve grown fond of Think Again’s many commentators over the last couple years.”
Back at ya big lady.
I must put together a plan of immense proportions.
People, People, there will be plenty of hotdish for everyone, no need to crowd.
Let the games begin.
Im working on a revised version of Steinbech’s classic, ‘The Grapes of Wrath’.
Its going under the working title of ‘The Soy Chai Latte of Wrath’.
Katherine,
If, for some reason, I do not push the right buttons that would warrent a “kill”, would you please have the decency to at least kill me on the last day. For old time sakes.
“Back at ya big lady.
I must put together a plan of immense proportions.
People, People, there will be plenty of hotdish for everyone, no need to crowd.
Let the games begin.”
Food fight?
OK, lets roll up or sleeves and get to work here.
Lets see….what to start with……Hmmmmmmmm……Oh I know,
How bout that Globull Warming thingy at -10°F. Its making Ice.
Must be like the economy- its gotta get colder before it gets warm AHAHAHHAHA
I hear SNL is looking for a new script writer for their “make fun of handicap people” skits.
“..would you please have the decency to at least kill me on the last day. For old time sakes.”
And let you come back for at least a couple of thoughtful posts as ..
GO Nad?
That, with a radical new funeral hotdish (substitute the canned tomatoes with cream of mushroom and celery soup with alot of frozen corn) would probably be fitting.
I’m wondering how long it will be before D2 wants all of us to get together …
It might even be fitting this time.
OH Katherine, my Katherine.
Sorry to hear that the rearranging of the deck chairs on the S.S. Strib has claimed this blog.
I say keep blogging. Look into getting hooked up with the google ads or whatever so that YOU actually get paid if someone clicks on one of your “books I love” and winds up in Amazon and buys something.
“my services are no longer needed”
Your manager calls you in his office and as you open the door you see the Human Resources person and you’re thinkin’ “this isn’t good”. Then the manager says
“Tiny your services are no longer needed”. Then he gets up and walks out of the office.
I guess this is what they mean by the “bad economy hittin’ home”
“I hear SNL is looking for a new script writer for their “make fun of handicap people” skits.”
Isn’t that reserved for some dude with a chick’s dog?
It’s strange that they are firing her. When I go to the Stribs homepage and look at the list of “Most Viewed,” Mrs. Kersten’s columns are almost always up at the top of the list.
Your manager calls you in his office and as you open the door you see the Human Resources person
Ahem, that’s “Human Remains,” ahem…
DJ is going through Step 2 of the grieving process. The “questioning phase”
Let it out….let it out
What comes next? Anger? Or was that step one? Please help me Reverend Litess.
Bummer.
Everyone take care.
Thanks Katherine.
FYM
“This is a very puzzling decision on the part of the Strib”
Indeed. Katherine can write “Hello” and it would spark 200 angry retorts from the Raging Left.
“What are the odds that Coleman is getting the axe as well?”
See here is step one..looking around for someone to beat on! The rage. The lookin’ for revenge thing.
Phase three is “Was it my fault ( you DJ ). You should have known.
“DJ is going through Step 2 of the grieving process. The “questioning phase”
Tiny = Stuart Smalley?
I thought denial was stage 1.
Is it my fault? Perhaps my comments on this blog were too obscene?
(psst… Tiny… what’s step 4?)
Step 4 is acceptance.
I know I ain’t there yet.
Lets gather in front of the Star and throw our shoes at the building.
“Lets gather in front of the Star and throw our shoes at the building.”
Dunk them in a buckets of our own urine before we toss them.
I drive by the Strib every day on the way to work. Can we do it at 5:30 in the morning so I can still get to work on time?
“Lets gather in front of the Star and throw our shoes at the building. ”
A tank could shoot the shoes filled with urine.
It would make a much better statement.
Again, a tank is necessary.
Even with tears in my eyes, I’m laughing at some of the funny posts in today’s column. (see below)
“We need to storm the gates!”
“Well, this sucks!”
“People, People, there will be plenty of hotdish for everyone, no need to crowd.”
“Food fight?”
“If, for some reason, I do not push the right buttons that would warrent a “kill”, would you please have the decency to at least kill me on the last day. For old time sakes.”
“OK, lets roll up or sleeves and get to work here.”
“GO Nad?”
“That, with a radical new funeral hotdish (substitute the canned tomatoes with cream of mushroom and celery soup with alot of frozen corn) would probably be fitting.”
“Sorry to hear that the rearranging of the deck chairs on the S.S. Strib has claimed this blog.”
“Ahem, that’s “Human Remains,” ahem…”
“Let it out….let it out”
“Indeed. Katherine can write “Hello” and it would spark 200 angry retorts from the Raging Left.”
“Lets gather in front of the Star and throw our shoes at the building.”
I’m in still in Stage 1. Have no idea when I’ll be out of it.
I emailed leland8 and let him know the sad news. He’s tending to his ailing mother so I hope he has time to read my email soon.
idunno, if I comandeered a tank and was heading downtown with it to beseige the Strib building, I might get distracted once I realized how fun it was to roll over Lincoln Navigators and stuff.
I’m kinda ADHD that way.
When the Natl Guard finally showed up with an antitank weapon I’d probably be ripping up a Hummer dealership or something, having forgotten the original mission.
I recall when that guy in San Diego that they show on all the cop chase shows lifted one from a Natl Guard armory and went on the warpath what finally got him was he was trying to get over a freeway median into oncoming traffic and the belly of the tank got hung up on the barrier with the treads hanging in air. Some cop climbed up on the thing and opened the hatch and shot him.
I have to agree with EBF, this does suck and is extremely puzzling.
Note to Nancy Barnes: This decision, along with your “no controversy before the election” are the type of decisions that are causing your paper to bleed cash. When you were promoted to editor you stated:
“Now, more than ever, it is critical that we develop content that stands above the generic news of the day,”
Thank-you Katherine for providing that content, and the forum to discuss it.
Agreed. Tanks. Necessary.
This is really upsetting. I often disagree with KK, and sometimes really treasure her columns…but i always enjoy them. Where will I get my daily dose of conservatism now??
I hope they have a good reason for this. I don’t believe readership was low…
This really bites.
“Thank-you Katherine for providing that content, and the forum to discuss it.”
I agree.
In today’s society, it was nice to have a forum to read other people’s thoughts/opinions and to contribute our thoughts/opinions.
“That, with a radical new funeral hotdish (substitute the canned tomatoes with cream of mushroom and celery soup with alot of frozen corn) would probably be fitting.”
A truly radical funeral hotdish (and apropro to GO’s legacy) would feature cream of Psilocibe mushroom soup.
“it was nice to have a forum to read other people’s thoughts/opinions and to contribute our thoughts/opinions.”
What Blog where you reading?
“A truly radical funeral hotdish (and apropro to GO’s legacy) would feature cream of Psilocibe mushroom soup.”
Visualize the contributors of this blog eating some of that hotdish and commandeering a tank ..
..armed with D2 factory rejects ..
and pee-filled shoes.
That is truly the definition of glorious.
‘Oh come, all ye faithful … ‘
On the bright side, getting laid off is often the most enjoyable part of any job.
My concern is where will I go to find the latest on the massive invasion of Minnesota by radical Somali and Latino illegal immigrants on welfare, AND keep abreast of the latest marital aid technology?
“My concern is where will I go to find the latest on the massive invasion of Minnesota by radical Somali and Latino illegal immigrants on welfare, AND keep abreast of the latest marital aid technology?”
I think there’s a contributor who has a website that shows the invasion plans as-well-as the probable outcomes. I can’t think of the name right now ..
Katherine,
Maybe you should contact attorney Sarah Morris. This sounds like a case of a bullying boss.
Makes me wonder if Katherine won’t do what obviously Keith Olbermann is willing to.
If you know the carpet pattern in your bosses office you know what I’m talkin’ bout.
Hi, all,
This is worse than a lump of coal or a switch in the stocking.
This is worse than hotdish and no fork.
This is worse than a new sled and no snow.
This is awful.
I am going to miss all of you very much.
Don’t worry FC. We’re all going to blog raid the Stribs various blogs until Think Again is back. We’re going to mob them. They won’t know where all the angry bloggers came from.
FC ..
We’re getting a tank. Don’t worry.
Hi, all,
I knew I should have bought that secondhand tank!
“I knew I should have bought that secondhand tank! ”
Don’t worry, I know of several places that may not be too upset if we’d ‘borrow’ one.
[…] Katherine Kersten – […]
Laying someone off right before the Winter Solstice …..God heartless. Merry Solstice to you too.
Hi, all,
Hey, do you think Viking could get one for us?
“Hey, do you think Viking could get one for us? ”
The voice of reason!
Yes. We need to find him.
Operation …
KK’s Hero’s
“Laying someone off right before the Winter Solstice …..God heartless. Merry Solstice to you too.”
How many people asked for this as their Quanza wish?
We’re all going to blog raid the Stribs various blogs until Think Again is back. We’re going to mob them.
Oh, how I love a protest! Yes, we must fight back against this short-sighted decision.
We need an action plan.
First, we should all post to the other blogs on the Strib, and comment on as many articles as we can. Every time we do we should demand that Think Again be reinstated.
Second, we should all send e-mails and letters to the Strib demanding that Think Again be reinstated. If you subscribe, threaten to cancel. E-mail them daily.
Third, we should figure out where we can continue our dialogs until the Strib caves in. We don’t necessarily need anyone to write a blog; we just need to keep our community alive.
OK, everyone. We’re the smartest people who read anything related to the Strib. What else can we think of? We must organize and fight this injustice! Protest!!!
Hi, all,
Here is Star Tribune Old Ogre Story #1:
In 1958, my second year of carrying evening papers (six evenings plus Sunday morning) I made a deal with another carrier to “buy” some of his route. I would pay him a pile of cash; in return. I would take over part of his route and collect all the fees. I figured in time I would make all the money back and then some.
The district manager got wind of this and told us we couldn’t do it. We asked why; he gave no reason, just said we couldn’t.
Of course we went ahead with the plan anyway, just taking care to be more secretive about it. The deal fell through only because I couldn’t raise the fee the other carrier wanted.
Now, that half-block of businesses and houses — the south side of Lowry between Lyndale and Aldrich — has been razed for the widening of the street.
All gone … all gone … like last winter’s snow …
“Mais où sont les neiges d’antan?”
“Third, we should figure out where we can continue our dialogs until the Strib caves in.”
How about that K-Ablog? That place could use the traffic.
” What else can we think of?”
A bake sale?
“Second, we should all send e-mails and letters to the Strib demanding that Think Again be reinstated.”
Right a letter to the editor EBF. Sign it EBF too so we know its you. Ill do the same.
Hi, all,
EBF, your ideas are excellent! I’ll start today. Keep Katherine!
Right a letter to the editor EBF. Sign it EBF too so we know its you. Ill do the same.
I’ll start work on it today. I’ll post it here once it’s done.
GO Saha just took the red rubber ball out of my mouth and I suggested we should all blog over at his friends blog.
You remember Michael Blaine, right? What does he go by now, OdorOfAssguard?
Lets all hold our breather until she comes back. D2 you start.
Hi, all,
Here is Star Tribune Old Ogre Story #2:
Every Tuesday evening, all the carriers in my station’s area were required to meet at the station for a pep talk and a push to canvass our routes to solicit “morning orders”: subscriptions for the morning paper, the Tribune.
I objected to this to the station manager: why should I go out and get morning orders when I don’t get anything out of it, like money?
He said that I get “points” for each order and that should be good enough. (We got prizes for points: I got a mini-stapler and a pair of wire cutters. Of course I still have both.)
Anyway, I went over his head to the district manager, who agreed with the station manager. So I went over his head to the area manager — pointing out that there was nothing in my contract with the paper that said I had to get morning orders. The area manager came to my house, talked to me and Pop … and in the end allowed me to solicit orders for the evening paper. Over a couple of months or so, I built my route from about 70 papers a day to about 100. More work, but more money. Plus the thrill of victory.
We can do this, folks! Keep Katherine!
Here’s some other places to voice your displeasure:
Nancy Barnes. Editor and Senior Vice President. Phone: 612-673-4951. E-mail: nbarnes@startribune.com
Chris Harte Publisher
612.673.1714
charte@startribune.com
“GO Saha just took the red rubber ball out of my mouth and… “
Holy Frijoles. Talk about pulling out the stops.
I’m just going to go on to random blogs and tell everyone they are idiots. Odds are I’ll be right.
I think D2 can’t comment anymore because he wept all over his keyboard after reading today’s post and now it doesn’t work. Either that or he was so pissed at the Strip he threw his computer across the room.
“Either that or he was so pissed at the Strip he threw his computer across the room. ”
or ..
He found a tank.
“I think D2 can’t comment anymore because he wept all over his keyboard after reading today’s post and now it doesn’t work. Either that or he was so pissed at the Strip he threw his computer across the room.”
Or, he’s in the basement, thumbing rounds into AK47 magazines, muttering,
“Liberal(click),Soci@list(click),Democrat(click),Red(click),Star(click)Tribune(click)”
Hi, all,
Thank you, tluck! I’ll write right away. I’ve also written to the editor and left comments on two news stories:
[Comment on the “Black Ice” article]
Hi, all, As I “speak,” it’s 3 above. After yesterday, I call that warm.
Beware of black ice! Especially in the hearts of Strib management, who are letting Katherine Kersten go. Keep Katherine!
[Comment on the Faribault student paper article]: Speaking of censorship — Hi, all, The STrib has announced that Katherine Kersten’s “Think Again” blog, easily the best in the paper, will be cancelled. Protest! Keep Katherine!
[Letter to the Editor]:
To the Editor: I got my first paper route in 1957, and have dealt, and tussled, with the Star and Tribune ever since. I’m dismayed to see that the “Think Again” blog is being shut down and Katherine Kersten — by far your best columnist, in my opinion — is being fired. I protest! Keep Katherine! Thank you.
So when formulating a plan, you should start out with:
‘What would D2 do?’
To eliminate those actions.
And then begin with a real plan?
We could stage an Andrew Lloyd Weber style musical with dance numbers and costumes? On second thought that might be a little gay. Lets go with Rogers and Hammerstein.
Hi, all,
I just emailed Barnes and Harte.
If you have the “Character Map” on your machine, down towards the bottom, there’s a heart symbol. We can use it.
I ♥ KK!
“We could stage an Andrew Lloyd Weber style musical with dance numbers and costumes? On second thought that might be a little gay. Lets go with Rogers and Hammerstein.”
Costumes, maybe, but I like Greg’s idea better, where we all ride a borrowed tank to Strib headquarters to protest.
of us will be tripping on psychedelic hot dish. We’ll put the pot in pot luck, baby.
tiny and his pug can wear matching Roosevelt Rough Rider uniforms, complete with the little round glasses.
I thik citizenjane wants to be decked out in bondage regalia.
The tank should be flying the Jolly Roger of course.
We should also commandeer some big loudspeakers to
I’m thinking Greg should drive.
Promise to snap off some
Your baby doesn’t love you any more
Golden days before they end
Whisper secrets to the wind
Your baby won’t be near you any more
Tender nights before they fly
Send falling stars that seem to cry
Your baby doesn’t want you any more
It’s over
It breaks your heart in two, To know she’s been untrue
But oh what will you do? When she says to you
There’s someone new We’re through We’re through
It’s over It’s over It’s over
All the rainbows in the sky
Start to weep, then say goodbye
You won’t be seeing rainbows any more
Setting suns before they fall, Echo to you that’s all that’s all
But you’ll see lonely sunsets after all
It’s over It’s over It’s over It’s over
Whoops somehow I hit submit whilst typing the previous post. Take two:
“We could stage an Andrew Lloyd Weber style musical with dance numbers and costumes? On second thought that might be a little gay. Lets go with Rogers and Hammerstein.”
Costumes, maybe, but I like Greg’s idea better, where we all ride a borrowed tank to Strib headquarters to protest.
Those of us not yet in recovery will be tripping on psychedelic hot dish. We’ll put the pot in pot luck, baby.
tiny and his pug can wear matching Roosevelt Rough Rider uniforms, complete with the little round glasses.
I thik citizenjane wants to be decked out in bondage regalia.
The tank should be flying the Jolly Roger of course.
We should also commandeer some big loudspeakers to make our message heard.
I’m thinking Greg should drive.
Promise to snap off some parking meters on the way downtown, Greg.
Hi, all,
We could stage an Andrew Lloyd Weber style musical with dance numbers and costumes? On second thought that might be a little gay.
Never mind that, say I. Whatever works: Webber, R&H, Lerner & Loewe, Gilbert and Sullivan, Simon and Garfunkel, Cheech and Chong, Led Zeppelin, Dr. Dre, The Who, The Stones, Riverdance, The 1910 Fruitgum Company, you name it.
I ♥ KK! Keep Katherine!
“Promise to snap off some”
Is this similar to rubbing one off?
I’m thinking Greg should drive.
No Greg should man the turret gun. Nothing scarier that an ugly guy with a mullet next to a machine gun!!
Hi, all,
Kath’rine, magic blogger,
Worked right downtown,
Wrote and blogged four seasons long,
And had a great renown.
All her reading fam’ly
Loved her “Think Again,”
And sent her lots of first-class posts
And squabbled now and then.
Alas, alack, and dreadful woe,
Our Kath’rine’s going away.
The Scrooges, Grinches — management –
Have said she cannot stay.
Our bitter tears will blind us,
But we must not lie down!
Don’t let them steal our dear away,
She’s got to stay in town!
“Promise to snap off some”
“Is this similar to rubbing one off?”
No No just hastily typed sentence accidentally truncated.
Hey everyone
I nominate EBF as president and head honcho of the “Keep Katherine” campaign. (His kind are really good at organize protests and such.)
All I ask is that you please be specific in what to do.
Oh. I thought maybe you were inspired by some of the pride parade floats.
“Oh. I thought maybe you were inspired by some of the pride parade floats.”
no, somehow I hit a the enter key I think and the post sent prematurely. The finished version is two minutes later.
But now that you mention it, we could comandeer a bunch of Pride parade and/or Hollidazzle floats and tow them behind the tank.
EBF and his hubby could be on top of a giant rolling wedding cake, dressed as two grooms on top. JonR can have a megaphone and be yelling “Answer the question! She can’t go until she answers the question!”
what WAS the question, anyway?
Why am I such a anti japite?
JonR can have a megaphone and be yelling “Answer the question! She can’t go until she answers the question!”
AHAHAHA!!!
This whole tank parade with costumes and megaphones sounds like a Salvidor Dali painting.
So who’s going to make the official decision as to where we are taking over?
Katherine,
Forget JonR’s question (if ya haven’t already) and please, please answer mine before you go.
Do I Rock?
Or a picture of cannibal Polar Bears will suffice.
GO will be wearing a polar bear suit in the protest parade.
“So who’s going to make the official decision as to where we are taking over?”
you guys are nothin but a bunch of off the topic anarchists. I pity the blog where you guys land.
“GO will be wearing a polar bear suit in the protest parade.”
Bear Nakid
“Or a picture of cannibal Polar Bears will suffice.”
Being unscientific, you fail to realize that global warming caused the polar bears to fall through the ice before chowing down on fellow polar bears. Since the bears were eating each other on the bottom of the ocean, how can you expect them to get a picture?
You may have taken a science class in high school, but you’re not Al Gore.
No Nobel Prize for you!
“So who’s going to make the official decision as to where we are taking over?”
Should we vote on it? Or blog wrestle?
Maybe we could ask John Locke?
“You may have taken a science class in high school, but you’re not Al Gore.”
That has got to be the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me. sniff sniff
Hi, all,
I will go downtown tonight and surround the STrib building at 425 Portland. After that, I will diguise myself as a press operator and sneak into the pressroom and coat all their paper with teflon so the ink won’t stick. Mwahahahahahaaaaa . . .
“After that, I will diguise myself as a press operator and sneak into the pressroom and coat all their paper with teflon so the ink won’t stick. Mwahahahahahaaaaa . . . ”
FC ..
You do have that side in you!!!!
YESSSS!!!!
“Despite our differences – and a few “blog kills” for misbehavior”
This is my favorite part. Misbehavior. Not bad behavior, just Misbehavior.
I left messages for the editor and the publisher.
Now I’m waiting for the authorities to show.
But I have a plan .. yes, I have a plan.
There is a tank no more than 10 miles from here.
Just a little more hotdish and I’ll be ready .. soon I’ll see the rest of the warriors ..
..naked polar bear cannibals.
“Not bad behavior, just Misbehavior”
That means she thinks I rock.
“That means she thinks I rock.”
Alot. she thinks I rock alot.
“Alot. she thinks I rock alot.”
A whole bunch alot. she thinks I rock A whole bunch alot
OK so the protest parade is a diversion for FC to infiltrate and interfere with press operations. But rather than the teflon on the paper trick, maybe swap out the front page typeset or image file or whatever they use to define the page these days.
Replace the front page of tomorrow’s Strib with a great big picture of someone’s full moon, “Think” written on the left cheek, “Again” on the right.
Remember to write backwards if using a mirror for guidance.
“A whole bunch alot. she thinks I rock A whole bunch alot”
I rock. She said so. More than tiny, she said.
“This is my favorite part. Misbehavior. Not bad behavior, just Misbehavior. ”
It’s like stayed vs. time served.
“I rock. She said so. More than tiny, she said.”
I heard her say it. With that post mushroom 60s flower child glaze in her eyes. She said it. I rock, she praised.
“OK so the protest parade is a diversion for FC to infiltrate and interfere with press operations.”
Can I bring all my blog personas?
Free KK!
“Can I bring all my blog personas?”
All 92 of them?
THAT is the definition of chaos.
Perfect ..
And a tank.
“But rather than the teflon on the paper trick, maybe swap out the front page typeset or image file or whatever they use to define the page these days.”
My suggestion is to swap out the front page with
MCCAIN WINS!
Then, KK can point out in her next column that no, he didn’t.
She’ll win a Pulitzer, and the blog URL will change to kerstenblog.washingtonpost.com
They’re probably going to try and sell all these blog entries .. write out from under us.
Do you realize the potential $$ involved here?
The brilliance exposed to the masses?
The true meaning of live revealed and the answers to all the worlds problems.
That’s why this is happening .. it’s gotta be.
This is truly evil corporate greed.
Wait till they witness bear naked cannibalism …
..and a tank.
And shoe-pee bombs, and projectiles shaped like a part of male anatomy with ‘D2 Approved’ stamped on them.
And a Merry Christmas banner streaming behind, with lots of lights.
Similar to the Bing Crosby movie ‘White Christmas’ at the end when they save the generals Inn ..
but different at the same time.
“She’ll win a Pulitzer, and the blog URL will change to kerstenblog.washingtonpost.com”
You realize that everyone of us would become famous. Not like Joe the plumber famous, but mroe like people asking questions and waiting for the answers….
for days.
And there’d be no real conclusion. Just a whole lotta stuff about what shouldn’t happen and how not to look like a moron doing it.
And the person would end up with a new name .. that Tiny would make up and it would stick.
Hi, all,
Beware! They’re on to us! Somehow we have been infiltrated!
I have been saving our plans, and all of a sudden Word failed the last save, and when I renamed and reopened it, it was incomprehensible symbols.
We may have to (drum roll) go underground.
Beware!
“And shoe-pee bombs, and projectiles shaped like a part of male anatomy with ‘D2 Approved’ stamped on them.”
Just make sure D2 doesn’t bring the ones with the attached sack. The sack will cause the projectiles to fly off course That also explains why penises always find themselves in places they shouldn’t be.
“We may have to (drum roll) go underground.”
Bear naked cannibal moles?
Hi, all,
Moles are a good idea. I’ve got moles in my yard. All my neighbors have moles. We can furnish the moles.
Do you think ferrets will work? How about wet cats turned loose in the press room?
I’ll get out my math books and read up on chaos theory too.
Hi, all,
I’ll also get out my Hebrew and Yiddish books and practice writing right to left.
Mark, throw out a website and we’ll all see what it’s like. Personally, I don’t really care. Preferably something that’s readable and kind of controversial.
“And shoe-pee bombs, and projectiles shaped like a part of male anatomy with ‘D2 Approved’ stamped on them.”
Someone needs to make sure D2 doesn’t approve the ones with the attached knut-sack. They tend to fly off course.
Ball-istic instability is the scientific term.
“Moles are a good idea. I’ve got moles in my yard. All my neighbors have moles. We can furnish the moles.”
Aren’t moles blind and deaf? Wouldn’t the Star-Tribune hire them as reporters?
He let out a yell that’d curl your hair
But before he could move, I grabbed me a chair
And said; “Watch him folks, ’cause he’s a thouroughly dangerous man.”
“Well, you may not know it, but this man’s a spy
He’s an undercover agent for the FBI
And he’s been sent down here to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan.”
He was still bent over, holdin’ on to his knee
But everyone else was lookin’ and listenin’ to me
And I layed it on thicker and heavier as I went
I said; “Would you beleive this man has gone as far
As tearin’ Wallace stickers off the bumpers of cars
And he voted for George McGovern for president.”
“He’s a friend of them long-haired, hippie type, pinko f@gs
I betcha he’s even got a Commie flag
Tacked up on the wall, inside of his garage
He’s a snake in the grass, I tell ya guys
He may look dumb, but that’s just a disguise
He’s a mastermind in the ways of espionage.”
Um guys….I don’t think I’m going to be able to sleep peacefully tonight.
I’ll be nightmaring about:
moles
tanks
bear naked cannibal moles
shoe-pee bombs
Teflon coated paper
out-dated campaign signs
ALL of GO’s blog personas
funeral hot dish
someone’s full moon with words on them
blog protest parade
GO holding citizenjane’s red rubber ball
Nope, I’m not going to go to sleep tonight.
I’m still in Stage 1 and I still don’t know when I’m going to come out of it.
“Oh. I thought maybe you were inspired by some of the pride parade floats.”
Right… we should storm the Star dressed in those big penis balloons.
Maybe I’m to blame
Or maybe we’re the same
But either way I can’t breathe
Either way I can’t breathe
All I had to say is goodbye
We’re better off this way
We’re better off this way
I’m alive but I’m losing all my drive
Cause everything we’ve been through
And everything about you
Seemed to be a lie
A guiltless twisted lie
It made me learn to hate you
Or hate myself for letting it pass by
All I had to say is goodbye
We’re better off this way
We’re better off this way
And every, everything isn’t only
What it seemed so hold these
Words that you never told me
It’s time to say goodbye
It’s time to say goodbye
It’s time to say goodbye
Goodbye
Bye
I need a place to be profound.
So long this is goodbye
May we meet again in another life
Like strangers passing by
May we see clearly in a different life
im going to say goodbye today, cause i dont know when,
we going to cross paths again, until then, im going to be that,
and see that, it speaks the truth, believe that, imma see that,
the reach to you,
My suffering will not be in vain,
neither will your pain, ever since u past i hear your name
rest in peace,
“It might even be fitting this time.”
Like always, I’m up for a Think Again gathering.
Katherine, sorry to hear the news. I think you were the only reason many people still bought the Strib, and this is a big mistake on their part.
I wish you the best.
Thats some sappy stuff DJ. Go watch a Christmas Lifetime movie.
Ha!! Here’s one of the songs if you want to listen to it.
Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream,
It is not dying, it is not dying
Lay down all thought, surrender to the void,
Is it shining? Is it shining?
That you may see the meaning of within
It is being, it is being…
Or
“It is what it is”
Ah, The Beatles!
Q: If mothers have Mother’s Day and fathers have Father’s Day, what do single guys have?
A: Palm Sunday.
DJ Wow….More Ice. More Mix
Hey settle down we’ll figure something out here.
Is it bad that I’ve been drinking for about an hour already?
6 Pro-Bowlers. Not bad. I think the Giants got 6 too and we tied for most players going.
“6 Pro-Bowlers. Not bad. I think the Giants got 6 too and we tied for most players going.”
Dick Weber or Earl Anthony..whats wrong with you?
Mellow out. Turn the burners off. Use the Startribune Help line. Call a friend. Take a Sedative(s)
Jeez Tiny. Where did you pull those names from? I had to Google them. Bowlers? I was talking about Vikings who are going to the Pro Bowl.
On that note, T Jack was name NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Must not have been much to choose from… but congrats.
1968 ABC Bowling. Earl Anthony had the buzz cut thing going.
EBF writes, Every time we do we should demand that Think Again be reinstated.
Frankly, I’d prefer a blog run by an enlightened writer who believes that every American has the same civil rights as KK and her spouse enjoy.
And, KK, welcome to the club of the hundreds of thousands of Americans now unemployed because of the Bush recession. Don’t forget to send him a thank you note.
Jonr,
When I read your posts I Squidwers voice. No offense.
Citizenjane,
You make me so horny. This is for you.
Unless you are really a guy. Then YOUR a homo.
“And I think it’s gonna be all right;
Yeh, the worst is over now;
The mornin’ sun is shinin’ like a red rubber ball.
You never cared for secrets I’d confide;
To you I’m just an ornament, somethin’ for your pride.
Always runnin’, never carin’, that’s the life you live.
Stolen moments of your time were all you had to give.”
JonR says, “Piss, moan, piss, moan.”
I’m sure you’d much rather have someone who says everything you’d agree with all the time. Then you don’t have to be challenged in any way.
And, KK, welcome to the club of the hundreds of thousands of Americans now unemployed because of the Bush recession.
You’re a fvcking idiot Jon. “The Bush recession”? So because he is the President right now, he is responsible for the recession? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.
You take joy in Mrs. Kersten losing her job, don’t you? What a piece of sh!t you are.
“Q: If mothers have Mother’s Day and fathers have Father’s Day, what do single guys have?”
Dirty sheets
Tiny, this blog isn’t going to be around for you to remind JonR, Downtown Dan, TrueBlue, ect how things work. The President is responsible for every bad thing that happens in America. If you lose your job in a year, Obama is responsible. Don’t forget it.
DJy,
Frickin slooow dOwn Ash I wass SaYIN eArliER ThE eConiMicky Is Alls THey SAy It IS. OuR FaulTh. BlUE cOOlllar FAulth.
SAyyyy Ithhhh don’th SpraYYTh Ithhhhs
Ummm.. GO? What?
“Frickin slow down ash I was saying earlier the econimicky is alls they say it is. Our faulth. Blue collar faulth.”
“Frickin slow down. As I was sayin earlier, the economy is all they say it is. Our fault. Blue collar’s fault.”????
Did you just seizure all over the computer?
How’s the weather out there GO?
I wonder, I ponder.
Katherine,
Was it a surprise move to let you go? Did you see it coming?
Me, I saw it coming as my co-workers were let go. I was in the position to see the jobs come to an end without new work coming in. It has been a long drawn out process.
1st, the equity in the house.
2nd, the job.
3rd, it is what it is.
It is what it is.
DJ,
Storm has subsided but not the low temps. Now wednesday morning they are callin for more snow, up to 5 inches here and 3 inches in portland. Then a thaw and more rain on saturday followed by a cold thrust into tuesday of next week.
“And, KK, welcome to the club of the hundreds of thousands of Americans now unemployed because of the Bush recession.”
You keep following that Party/Union line John. It makes it so much easier for them both of them to keep screwing you over.
Low temps? 25? What’s the windchill looking like?
Sounds like crappy weather for a while. Especially if you have rain and it freezes. So are the kids out of school all week or did they decide they can’t just take a week and a half off?
Jon, we’re still all patiently waiting for you to explain yourself and your “Jap cars” racist comment.
EXPLAIN YOURSELF EXPLAIN YOURSELF EXPLAIN YOURSELF EXPLAIN YOURSELF!!!
DJ
Low 20°F today. Kid has been having a 2 hour late start.
outdoor water spigot frooze last night. Had to pull inside paneling and put a heater in close to thaw it out
I remember when I first started paying attention to the comments on this blog. One of the first things I noticed was JonR’s loose usage of the word “bigot.”
I also noticed his constant hatred and bashing of those who didn’t think like him. Now he apparently hates Japanese people.
“Kettle, you’re so black!!”
ya all take it easy. Gotta GO play a game. I hope it aint sorry. I hate that game.
“Jon, we’re still all patiently waiting for you to explain yourself and your “Jap cars” racist comment.”
Blah blah, Bush. Blah blah neocons. Blah blah bigots. Blah blah Bush’s neocon bigoted preachers. Blah, blah blah.
$10,000 bloggers say that will be pretty close.
That sucks. It’s no fun getting snow in a place that isn’t used to snow.
Jeez Tluck, now he can’t say anything. Because that was about all he had, and now if he said it, it would just sound dumb.
You’re really ruining JonR’s next post, T. Let’s try to be more thoughtful in the future.
I haven’t had time to read every response today, but…
Do you have a plan B in case of inclement weather?
or is it climate?
You’re really ruining JonR’s next post, T. Let’s try to be more thoughtful in the future.
I left him Cheney and Rove.
Do you have a plan B in case of inclement weather?
Burn more wood, fire up the Hummer and buy more incandesants.
This is so sad.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7786612.stm
“Do you have a plan B in case of inclement weather?:”
Plan “C”-
Cannibal polar Bears dur to Globull Warming.
One photo- then I’ll believe
Good idea, TLuck. Here’s my e-mail to Barnes:
Hi Nancy,
I’m writing to urge you to reconsider your decision to end Katherine’s column. Other than Reusse, she’s the best columnist you’ve got, although I don’t agree with her politics and religiousity. If you need to save money, I suggest you cut Lileks and the two gay guys. They aren’t worth reading. Katherine always is.
Please reconsider,
God
. . . . . .
If she refuses to listen to reason, and insists on cutting her own throat, a guerilla campaign on the other Strib blogs might help bring her to her senses. Other than the sports pages, why would anyone buy the Strib after this?
If Katherine goes, I suggest we circulate a list of the Strib’s biggest advertisers with their e-mail addresses and start a viral campaign to bring economic pressure to bear.
“…..and start a viral campaign to bring economic pressure to bear.”
Cannibal Polar Bear, Huuwaaaa!
And now, the end is near;
And so you face the final curtain.
My friend, we’ll say it clear,
we’ll state your case, of which we’re certain.
We’ve lived a life thats full.
We’ve traveled each and evry highway;
And more, much more than this,
We Blogged it Your way.
Regrets, We’ve had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
We did what We had to do
And saw it through without exemption.
We planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
We Blogged it Your way.
Yes, there were times, you’re sure we knew
When you bit off more than you could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
we ate it up and spit it out.
we faced it all and you stood tall;
And We Blogged it Your way.
we’ve loved, we’ve laughed and cried.
we’ve had our fill; our share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
We find it all so amusing.
To think we did all that;
And may we say - not in a shy way,
No, oh no not us,
We Blogged it Your way.
For what is a blogger, what have they got?
If not themselves, then they has naught.
To say the things they truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows you took the blows -
And We Blogged it Your way!
“And, KK, welcome to the club of the hundreds of thousands of Americans now unemployed because of the Bush recession.”
Liberal Democrat Barney Frank and friends got this one started. Things strated going down the toilet only AFTER the dem’s took over the HOUSE AND SENATE, remember JonR?
Also, the extreme liberal bias whiched pisses over the type of reader likely to buy a morning paper really hurts the Strib.
Frankly, I’d prefer a blog run by an enlightened writer who believes that every American has the same civil rights as KK and her spouse enjoy.
From my perspective, the important thing is that we all come here for something. Some of us come here to debate; others to fight; others just to drop in now and then and see what’s going one.
The important thing is that we are a community. It’s a community to which I’ve enjoyed belonging. It’s a community I will miss if we are unsuccessful with our protest.
To me, it doesn’t matter whether you think Katherine is an Ernest Hemmingway or a hack. It doesn’t matter whether you agree with her all the time, some of the time or never.
What matters is that she has been the impetus for the establishment of a community of readers and posters. This community is special to me for many reasons. And that is why I believe Think Again is worth fighting for.
“What matters is that she has been the impetus for the establishment of a community of readers and posters. This community is special to me for many reasons. And that is why I believe Think Again is worth fighting for.”
Very nicely said EBF.
I think we should scrawl that on the tank.
Worth fighting for? Never. This pathetic columnist and her blog should have died a long time ago. Good riddance.
“Worth fighting for? Never. This pathetic columnist and her blog should have died a long time ago. Good riddance.”
Another tolerant Liberal….. TOOL
I’m happy to see you gone. I found that many of your columns appealed to the worst in people rather than people’s better angels. The columns were typically bigoted rants about “the homos” or “the muslims”. For this reason I tended to avoid reading your stuff. I would rather see the Strib invest in good political coverage than your uninformed, unoriginal and bigoted rantings.
The other reason is that all too often, I’ve seen columns by you that are eerily similar to things written on blogs. Remember “Conservative Reverb”?
lloydletta: As usual, the tolerance of the left extends just as far as you agree with them. Go back to your website of like-minded bigots and stew in your constantly frothing hatred of anyone different.
I’m happy to see you gone. I found that many of your columns appealed to the worst in people rather than people’s better angels. The columns were typically bigoted rants about “the homos” or “the muslims”. For this reason I tended to avoid reading your stuff. I would rather see the Strib invest in good political coverage than your uninformed, unoriginal and bigoted rantings.
I’ve seen blogs that are eerily similar to exactly what you just wrote.
Come up with something original. Why not try some constructive criticism rather than the usual liberal bashing and bigoted intolerance of anyone who doesn’t think exactly like you.
Of course, we all know you’re not going to try that. Instead you’ll call me a partisan Republican even though you know exactly one thing about me. I chose DJ as my name on this blog. But I’m sure that won’t stop you.
Judge away, judge away.
“I found that many of your columns appealed to the worst in people rather than people’s better angels.”
IOW, she’s a conservative. How many Kumbaya columns could you stomach? You don’t think the Sally Strothers’ bit loses effectiveness over time?
I’m sad to see you go. Even though we disagreed on views, you still have a right to a view.
I think that the Strib needs more towards the Think Again blog and other blogs to stay relevant. The print media needs to present more “New Media” in order to survive, not cut it.
Your views and perspective (right, wrong or otherwise) and the open forum discussion will be missed.
Sorry to hear this, Ms K! What a great place to have a debate where no chairs are thrown!
I sometimes wonder if too many cutbacks contribute to an economic slowdown and detract from our quality of life?
Time for you to start up your own newspaper!
Please leave a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Katherine Kersten writes a weekly column for the Star Tribune's Sunday Opinion Exchange section. The column covers a broad range of topics reflecting her experiences and interests.
In this blog, she will address many of the same issues, albeit in quicker, less formal fashion, along with pointing readers to other sources of interesting online commentary and coverage.
Subscribe to Katherine Kersten
Learn more about RSS
Books I Love
- Underdevelopment is a State of Mind - Lawrence E. Harrison
- The Schools We Need: Why We Don’t Have Them – E.D. Hirsch
- The Closing of the American Mind – Allan Bloom
- The Repeal of Reticence – Rochelle Gurstein
- Political Pilgrims – Paul Hollander
- The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism – Michael Novak
- A Conflict of Visions – Thomas Sowell
- Adam Bede – George Eliot
- The Brothers Karamazov – Fyodor Dostoevsky
- The Lord of the Rings -- J. R. R. Tolkein
Great Minnesota Blogs
Indispensible Think Tanks
Movies You Won't Forget
On Education
- Thomas B. Fordham Foundation
- Center for Education Reform
- Core Knowledge Foundation
- Intercollegiate Studies Institute
On Marriage and the Family
Sites You Shouldn't Miss
Categories
- 2008 GOP Convention (11)
- Abstinence (3)
- ACLU (3)
- ADA (1)
- Adoption (1)
- Adversary Culture (3)
- Affirmative Action (3)
- AIDS (2)
- Airlines (1)
- Airport Taxi Drivers (3)
- Al Franken (5)
- Al Gore (3)
- Al Sharpton (1)
- Amy Klobuchar (1)
- Animal Rights (3)
- Anti-Americans (1)
- art (1)
- Assisted Suicide (1)
- Athletics (1)
- Bikes (5)
- Bill Clinton (1)
- Bin Laden (1)
- Boy Scouts (1)
- Boys (2)
- Brainerd Lakes (1)
- Bridge (1)
- Bridge Collapse (8)
- British (1)
- Canada (1)
- Charter schools (1)
- Children (14)
- China (1)
- Chris Stewert (1)
- Christianity (8)
- Christmas (6)
- Cities (2)
- Clarence Thomas (1)
- Collectors (1)
- Colleges (24)
- Congress (2)
- Conservatism (8)
- Constitution (5)
- Contraception (1)
- Courts (9)
- Courtship (1)
- Crime (12)
- Critical Mass (2)
- Culture Wars (6)
- Cyberspace (1)
- Darwin (1)
- Dating (2)
- Dawkins (1)
- Death (2)
- Death Penalty (2)
- Delta Queen (2)
- Discrimination (8)
- Disneyland (1)
- Diversity (9)
- Divorce (2)
- Don Samuels (1)
- Drugs (5)
- Economics (10)
- Education (32)
- Emperor has no clothes (1)
- Energy Policy (1)
- Environmental Issues (11)
- Ethanol (2)
- Eugenics (1)
- Europe (8)
- Evil (1)
- Experts (1)
- Falwell (1)
- Fathers (4)
- Feminists (3)
- First Minnesota Volunteers (1)
- Flying Imams (12)
- Francis of Assisi (1)
- Free Speech (2)
- free will (1)
- Gambling (1)
- Garrison Keillor (2)
- Gas Prices (1)
- Gay Issues (4)
- Gay Marriage (8)
- George Washington (1)
- Germany (1)
- Global Warming (11)
- government gone wild (2)
- Happiness (4)
- Hate Crimes (3)
- Health Care (10)
- Hillary Clinton (2)
- Home Schooling (2)
- Huck Finn (1)
- Indomitable Human Spirit (6)
- Intellectual Freedom (1)
- Iran (1)
- Iraq (22)
- Islam (3)
- James Lileks (1)
- Jane Fonda (1)
- Joe Lieberman (2)
- John Edwards (1)
- John Kerry (2)
- John McCain (2)
- John Wesley Powell (1)
- Journalists (2)
- Keith Ellison (5)
- Larry Craig (1)
- law enforcement (3)
- Lawyers (3)
- Legislature (5)
- Lori Swanson (1)
- Love (2)
- Main (555)
- Manhood (3)
- Mark Ritchie (1)
- Marriage (14)
- Media (9)
- medical ethics (1)
- Melancholia (1)
- Michael Moore (1)
- Michael Vick (1)
- Michelle Bachmann (2)
- Mike Hatch (2)
- Military (19)
- Mitt Romney (1)
- Monster Houses (1)
- Morality (12)
- Mortgage Crises (2)
- Mother Teresa (1)
- Movies (3)
- Multiculturalism (4)
- Museums (1)
- Music (1)
- Muslims (17)
- Nancy Pelosi (1)
- Navy SEALs (1)
- New Orleans (1)
- Norm Coleman (3)
- Norman Borlaug (1)
- North Korea (1)
- Novels (1)
- Obama (10)
- Oberstar (2)
- Olympics (1)
- Outward Bound (1)
- Overcoming (1)
- Parenting (10)
- Peter Singer (2)
- Peter Swanson (1)
- Political Correctness (3)
- Political Pilgrims (1)
- Politics (68)
- Popular Entertainment (3)
- Pornography (3)
- Poverty (5)
- Princess Diana (1)
- Prostitution (1)
- psychology (1)
- Race (16)
- Rachel Paulose (2)
- Radical Islam (3)
- Rap Music (3)
- Religion (21)
- Rights Talk (7)
- ROTC (1)
- Salvation Army (1)
- Sara Jane Olson (1)
- Sarah Palin (4)
- Science (15)
- Self Esteem (2)
- Sexual Infidelity (1)
- Sexuality (16)
- Single Parents (1)
- Sixties (1)
- Skewering the Author (4)
- Slavery (1)
- Smoking (2)
- Social Security (1)
- Solzhenitsyn (1)
- Somalis (2)
- Sports (1)
- Statistics (1)
- STDs (1)
- Stem Cells (2)
- Suicide (1)
- Sustainability (1)
- Sweden (1)
- Tatoos (1)
- Taxes (6)
- Terrorism (6)
- There for Another (8)
- Think Again Readers (5)
- Thomas More (2)
- Tim Pawlenty (6)
- TIZA (6)
- Tobacco (1)
- Transgender (1)
- University of MN (2)
- Ventura (2)
- Video games (2)
- Vietnam (5)
- Violence and the Media (1)
- Virtues and Values (9)
- Voting (3)
- Wal-Mart (1)
- Wealth and Poverty (6)
- Welfare (4)
- Western Culture (1)
- Woodstock (1)
- World War II (2)
- Young People (18)
Archives
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- October 2006