10,000 Thoughts from the Land of 10,000 Lakes

The splashing sound of the fountain off in the distance.  Conversation between professor and secretary.  Discussions on God, Trinity, and wisdom of the monks.  Interjection about China and a former leader Mao.  The crackling of a bag as it enters the garbage can.  Keys jingle as a professor walks by.  There is a picture of John M. Poorbaugh on the wall.  Door clicks as it opens and bangs closed as Professors walk in to get paperwork.  The tap tap tap of computer keys.  Bahrum, Bahrum, Bahrum of a scroller on a computer mouse.  I feel passionate when I come here.  I can talk about anything with the Professor.  Sherry always has a smile on her face when I walk in.  Dropping off of paperwork from print shop.  Many things happen in this place but it is still a calming place to be in.

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I read an article about a how 11 years ago a mother killed her seven children and their graves now, finally, have tombstones.  The mother killed her children one by one and then tried to hang herself.  She is now serving a 50 year sentence.  The week after the children were killed there were flowers and markers but after a while those things started to fade away.  So for the past 10 years or so these graves have been unmarked.  On the 10 year anniversary of the killings an article was written by the Pioneer Press about the family and in it a mention of how there were no grave markers or tombstones on the children’s graves. So the article inspired many people in the community of St. Paul to pitch in and raise money to help purchase tombstones for these children.

I thought that this story was newsworthy.  This story is about something that in many people’s opinions was long overdue.  Anytime something happens to a child, it is significant because children are a huge part of the future. This story was about so much more than just about gravestones, it was about community and remembrance.  It was like a conclusion to a story that you always envisioned but could never fully grasp.  I think that it was covered appropriately  because it was a tragedy and they started with the conclusion, brought us back to the beginning, and then brought us full circle again.  I think that the story shouldn’t be picked up by other media.  I think that it is something that is personal to Minnesota and the Twin Cities.

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I just read an article about Former Rep. Joseph Kennedy II will not be running for Senate.  This seat was vacated by his uncle and has been a Kennedy seat for the past 50 years.  Joseph Kennedy II believes that the best way that he can help Massachusetts is by staying in his position at Citizens Energy Corp.  There are other congressmen weighing their options about running for the seat.  The article mentioned one person who has declared running for the seat and she is Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley.  It will definitely be an interesting race.

I think that this story is newsworthy.  A seat that has been in the Kennedy family for years is now up for grabs.  This could be a big change for Massachusetts.  I think that the story was good, although I would have liked to hear a little bit more about what the political parties are thinking about.  I would have liked to hear some of their thoughts.  I think that the story was important because it was covered by CNN as well as many other small state papers.