(That’s the plural of nemesis.)
When a “journalist” like Howie Hanson reports the ridiculous possibility of Central High being turned into a casino by the Fon du lac Band one day only to fall all over himself to report that the District’s new Western Middle School will be a prize I don’t blame him. Sure, his advertisers probably threatened to turn off the advertising spigot but a guy has to make a living. I’m sure Howie watched what happened to Carinda Horton with interest.
So, to demonstrate my inclination to like my adversaries I’ll relate this story from a few weeks back.
Considering all the mean spirited things I seem to say about the Trib’s coverage of the Red Plan and Let Duluth Vote I like almost all the staff I’ve gotten to know there over the years. I can think of a couple of exceptions but I don’t feel any particular hostility towards them. I was raised to separate people’s actions from the people themselves. (This is however a pretty fine line. We humans really are the sum of our actions)
Sarah Horner doesn’t call me much any more. She has to on occasion because I am a “spokesman” for Red Plan critics but if she can avoid it she doesn’t call. I certainly don’t hide my pleasure when I see other reporters bylines on Red Plan stories.
So a few weeks ago while dining with my family I was quite surprised to get a call which my new phone ID system identified as coming from Sarah. When I greeted her heartily on the phone she seemed a little disconcerted and explained that she was trying to call Mr. Movies.
I asked her what movie she was going to order and she told me, again with some consternation, that she didn’t have one in mind. I told her about a movie that I had recently watched with my wife that we had both enjoyed. I turned to my family in the dining room and asked Claudia what the name of the movie was. It was Lars and the Real Girl. Sarah said she had seen it and that she too had enjoyed it…..at least that’s my recollection. I’m an old guy who easily forgets details like that.
I wished her well and we ended the call. I’m sure she was relieved to be off the phone with me. Who can blame her judging by the kind of comments I’ve made concerning her work?
