Beets of Wrath

North Dakota looks to economically ravaged Michigan for some Joads desperate enough to move in and take some of our abundant jobs. If this doesn't work, there's always illegal aliens.

North Dakota Seeks Workers

Bobby Vee

After Buddy Holly died in 1959 en route to a show in Moorhead, a group of Fargo teenagers played the date instead. The bandleader, Bobby Vee (ne Villine), is today best remembered for a couple of hits now in endless rotation on oldies radio, and his connection a kid named Bobby Zimmerman who played piano for him in Fargo for a summer.

The piano player, who later became Bob Dylan, still admires Vee and wrote in his memoirs, "Bobby Vee and me had a lot in common, even though our paths would take such different directions. We had the same musical history and came from the same place at the same point in time. ... I'd always thought of him as a brother."

Vee discusses his career and meeting Dylan in Fargo again in 1991 in a long article in Goldmine.

Saberi Freed

Journalist from Fargo no longer pawn in international chess game.

NYT: In Turnabout, Iran Releases U.S. Journalist

Told Ya

According to this Newsweek interview, Byron Dorgan saw the financial crisis coming way back in 1999. Alas, no one listened. Especially Larry Summers.

"Big companies have spun out of control," Dorgan said. "Like hogs in a corn crib."

"Hogs in a corn crib?" Who talks like that?

Obit

Nancy Eiesland, a philosopher of disability and noted theologian, was born in Cando. She died March 10, according to this obituary. Emory University, where she was an associate professor of sociology of religion and disability studies, posted a tribute.

Staying Put

Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker discusses the decision not to evacuate with NPR and the NY Times.

He's lucky he turned out to be right.

Why?

As the country watches Fargo-Moorhead get mercilessly stomped by Mother Nature, the question arises, Why would we put up with this crap?

The NY Times provides a couple of good explainer pieces on the geology and politics of flood control and forecasting.

Permanent Flood Solutions Just Out of Reach for Fargo

A River Prone to Flooding, and Misunderstanding

And then there's this.

All Eyes on N.D.

Every morning, top of the news, there's North Dakota.

NPR: Kent Conrad tries to maintain his budget hawk cred and remain Obama's buddy. It's a lot of money, $3.6 trillion.

Then there are more immediate concerns.

Saberi Update

Journalist and Fargo native Roxana Saberi's imprisonment in Iran drags on. NPR broadcast an interview with her father, Reza, and Byron Dorgan, who's working for her release. The Washington Times has also editorialized about Saberi and its treatment of journalists and bloggers.

More complete coverage of Saberi's ordeal can be found at the Free Roxana Saberi web site.

Jubilation: Fleeting

NDSU loses in the first round to Kansas. Some related articles:

NY Times: Bison Shrink Distance Between Fargo and the Big Time
Slate.com: Odious things about this year's NCAA tournament
ESPN: What's not to love about Bison?

N.D.'s Got Jobs

The North Dakota economic miracle claims another victim. Sykes Enterprises will close a Minot call center because it can't find enough applicants for its positions, according to an AFP article.

For the record, call center jobs are usually pretty crappy.

March Madness

Holy crap! The Bison are seeded for March Madness. Having spent a total of around 30 minutes over the course of my life paying attention to NCAA basketball, does this mean I now have to start caring?

Roxana Saberi

Journalist, Fargo native and former Miss North Dakota Roxana Saberi remains in custody in Iran on unspecified charges (though possibly for buying wine), despite calls for her release by Hillary Clinton and journalism groups.

You can read more about Saberi at the Committee to Protect Journalists' web site.

Chuck

Klosterman does a quickie interview with Newsweek on his favorite books. Big revelation: Wyndmere has no black people.

Why is Chuck starting to look like that guy from Hollywood Squares?

Engery Boom

The Economist is the latest to visit Stanley, the setting of North Dakota's version of "Dallas."*

Economist: Pumped up

*It will be called "Bakken" and tell the story of a Norwegian oil dynasty and the family's struggles over what color of F-150 they should spend their money on.

Give 'Em Measured Reasoning, Kent

Sen. Gaylord "Kent" Conrad defends the stimulus plan on Face The Nation this week.

FTN: Democrats Support Stimulus

We're Fine, Thanks.

Prairie Public Radio reporter Dave Thompson files a report for NPR on North Dakota's economic miracle. The secret? Microsoft and oil.

All Things Considered: N.D. Economy Goes Against the Grain

Inauguration

Not missed in the big inauguration coverage is an appearance by "the only Jewish legislator in North Dakota," Eliot Glassheim, at the National Jewish Inaugural Ball. Enjoying even greater prominence was a delegation from the United Tribes Technical College that marched in the inaugural parade.

Chicago Is For Wimps

The Windy City, in the grip of sub-zero weather, looks to Fargo for advice on surviving a real winter.

Chicago Tribune: Battling Cold

Sorgatz Alert

According to the New York Observer, Mike "Rex" Sorgatz, formerly of Napoleon, is the toast of the New York new media crowd, possibly due to his spiky hair and oversize Elvis Costello glasses.

New York Observer: Rex and the City