Dakota Beacon

The February New York Times article about the ND oil boom was a cleverly written hit piece that portrayed the state in a negative, unflattering light.  The NYT didn’t use the word “bozos,” but the hint was there.  A March National Geographic article about the oil boom seems more objective, more studied and technical, for example, it includes a well-illustrated explanation of fracking.  But the results of the two articles are somewhat similar.  

The NG article says little about the benefits of the oil boom to the state and its residents and, in fact, implies that the benefits of the boom flow elsewhere, while ND is left holding the bag.  Much of the article is devoted to bad things that are happening and may happen (“The prairie is being industrialized.”).  There’s evocative language about the environment, social problems and crime.  These are not made up problems, they do exist and are part of the management challenge of the boom.  What was largely unsaid is the state’s extraordinary opportunity to diversify and stabilize its economy and improve quality of life.

“Fargo is not - and has not been for years - a one- or two-horse economy.” -- The Forum was in full gallop as it extolled Fargo as an “unrivaled center for health care, banking, transportation, media, retailing, entertainment, research, education and technology innovation.”  Whew!  The Forum, as it must, periodically reminds us that Fargo is not beholden to the oil boom.

“We beat up on you because we love you.” -- A recent Forum editorial could easily have used that title.  It seems Moorhead has an attitude -- a spokesman for Moorhead’s Economic Development Authority said, “Unfortunately, we’ve got media in town (the Forum) . . . that seems to take satisfaction in pointing out negative aspects of Moorhead.  It’s almost a vendetta.”  Forum Editor Matt Von Pinnon said it wasn’t so and Moorhead should not feel bad.  Yes, Moorhead and Minnesota were once strong and stable, but now, well, times have changed.  He said Moorhead has the misfortune of being across the river from Fargo, the “business center of go-go North Dakota.”  He added that Fargo and ND are wealthier today and their governments more nimble.  Is ND losing some of the inferiority built up over years of perceived slights from the east?

Nodaks warily watch certain trends in Minnesota because, good or bad, the trends may be headed their way.  A Valentine Day brawl at Minneapolis South High School between Somali-Americans and other black students involved 200-300 students and required intervention by a police riot team.  The melee may seem faraway, but Somalis have been involved in incidents in ND: In Jamestown, a Somali was murdered by an African-American; in Minot, a Somali killed four American Indians.  Both killers came to ND from the Twin Cities. 

A Somali-American professor at St. Paul’s Macalester College said Somali refugees left a country that was fairly homogeneous.  “Those experiences haven’t prepared them to know and integrate into a larger, multicultural society.”  A Twin Cities congressional district includes an estimated 32,000 Somalis.   A Somali member of the Minneapolis school board said Somali students are not respected and the school is not equipped to deal with their concerns.  An African-American professor at Macalester said black students feel disrespected by ”very negative perceptions” held by Somali students.  Minneapolis South has about half students of color.  Few ND schools have that racial mix, but there is an opportunity to learn from the Minnesota problems.

The Spirit Lake Nation is about to take a further pounding.  The tribe has been the subject of negative publicity about its weak governance and social programs.  Child protection has been in the forefront of the criticisms.  Now, the PBS news program “Frontline” has a documentary which  will air April 1 and 2 titled “Kind Hearted Woman.”  It’s about the tribulations of Robin “Poorbear” Charboneau, a divorced single mother living at the Spirit Lake Reservation.

The beat goes on.  Three Affiliated Tribes Chairman Tex Hall accuses the preceding tribal administration of corruption, nepotism and ethical violations.  In an earlier stint as chairman, Hall was accused of the same failings, plus a few more.  Hall alleges the tribal government between his two terms as chairman leased oil drilling rights at below-market rates in sweetheart deals.  

“When I started doing this, I had no clue what I was doing. I honestly didn’t think I was overweight.” -- Someone should have noticed, for 5-foot, 4-inch Janelle Stahl of Casselton was 270 pounds.  She ignored the salad bar at Pizza Ranch, but loaded up on pizza, breadsticks and fried chicken.  Today, Janelle is much more fit and is hosting a “Biggest Loser” style weight-loss competition.  She is being carefully watched by Forum writer Meredith Holt who herself has lost over 100 pounds.  All of this courtesy of the Forum’s SheSays section.

A Minot Daily News editorial criticized Rep. Jessica Haak of Jamestown for referring to House majority leader Al Carlson of Fargo as a “Nazi.”  The Forum gave them both Prairie Roses -- Haak for the quality of her apology; Carlson for the dignity of his acceptance.

Why didn’t I think of this.  A new Jamestown Law Enforcement Center houses the police, the sheriff’s office, the Highway Patrol and the county jail -- all in one location.  However, no more face-to-face contact with prisoners -- visitors must see them by video.

“It’s an obsession that costs a lot of money.” --  Justin Eli of Bismarck has collected 2,000 items related to the “Wizard of Oz.”  He has watched the movie over a thousand times and continues to do so; oddly, his parents won’t watch it anymore.

It is hard to know how you will be characterized when you are no longer around.  Tillie Rothlisberger (78) was born in Strasburg, ND (Lawrence Welk country).  Her obituary stated she “was forced to do the usual farm chores and didn’t particularly care for this. Needless to say she took the first bus out and headed to the big city of Fargo” where she became a waitress and found a husband.  The obituary lightened up and said “Tillie’s house was always decorated beautifully with no space ignored.  Everyone appreciated her clean house with lots of sparkly crystal and white starched doilies.”  Wherever she is, hopefully, Tillie appreciates the remarks.  If you don’t want to be known for your “doilies,” start drafting your own obituary.

DAKTOIDS:  The  record value of 2012 ND crops was estimated at $11 billion.  Although the oil boom gets the most attention, about 25 percent of all jobs in the state are still related to agribusiness . . .  The Fargo-Moorhead area (Cass and Clay counties) could have 300,000 residents by 2040 according to the F-M Metropolitan Council, a big jump from the 209,000 residents in the 2010 census.  Fargo had 105,000 residents in 2010 and would jump to 154,000 in the 2040 estimate.