A Thousand Times Dead -

A Thousand Times Dead - In today's column, Laura Billings reiterates what she and every other non-D.J. Tice-related columnist in the Twin Cities media has been repeating endlessly for the past six months: "Minnesota Nice" is dead.

Apparently distraught over a prank death, the Naomi Gaines case, and the boat rage incident on Lake Minnetonka over the weekend, Billings declares that mythical quality dead yet again (following on its death upon the election of conservative Tim Pawlenty, its death again when the legislature followed Pawlenty's lead on holding the line on taxes and cutting the budget, its re-deadedness when the Minnesota Personal Protection Act passed, Billings bemoans the rottenness that has befallen our state of late:

If you want proof that Minnesota Nice may only be treading water against a stronger tide of selfishness and self-absorption, this is it.

"I worked 12 straight years on the water patrol, and I've dealt with a lot of people," said Hennepin County Sheriff's Capt. Bill Chandler, who made it to the scene about 40 minutes after the first call. "You always get cases where some people are afraid to come forward, but I've never seen a case where people physically hindered deputies from doing their jobs. I've never seen a case where the frustration level was so high.''

What started it all was the kind of over-amped argument that has become too familiar on our freeways — less expected on the water, where everyone claims to be relaxing.

"Minnesota Nice", though, was always a sham. Leave aside the criminal element - they'll always be with us, no matter what state we're in.

There's an entire organization of people who've moved to the Twin Cities (and I can't find the link or remember the name right now, but it's out there, honest!). They formed nearly 20 years ago because...Minnesotans just don't socialize with outsiders!

Remember Russ Shimooka? The outgoing Japanese-American sportscaster came to KARE11 in the late eighties to replace Tom Ryther on the station's evening newscast. He lasted about three months; he was subjected to so many racist taunts and phone calls, it just wasn't worth it. Shimooka went back to San Francisco, to his old job - probably not a believer in Minnesota Nice (And let's not forget Ryther, who was fired because he was old! Also not Minnesota Nice!). How about Amy Powell? Asha Blake? For that matter, any other minority on the TV in this town has gotten the same treatment, from enough people to draw comment!

So before we officially inter the concept of Minnesota Nice, let's note this: Nobody - at least, nobody in the media - bemoaned the demise of "Minnesota Nice" until Tim Pawlenty was elected to office. And five will get you ten that if we ever get another DFL governor, Laura Billings will do a column on the return of the whole smarmy concept.

Minnesotans will still behave exactly the same. Like people - good, bad and indifferent.

Posted by Mitch at July 9, 2003 04:31 PM