Paul Bunyan statues for Paul Bunyan Day

Happy Paul Bunyan Day! I'm returning to the holiday after skipping it in 2025 with three videos about Paul Bunyan statues. I begin with FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reporting Bemidji's Paul Bunyan statue turns 90, legacy examined.

The legend of Paul Bunyan is ingrained in Minnesota history, and his statue is a symbol of local pride to Bemidji residents. FOX 9's Maury Glover takes a closer look at the legacy the statue represents as it nears its 90th birthday.

The first record of loggers telling Paul Bunyan stories may have been in Wisconsin, but the first Paul Bunyan story was published in Michigan in 1906. News Center Maine mentions the date, but not the location, in History and folklore of Bangor's Paul Bunyan statue now on display.

New signage aims to educate visitors about the folklore and history behind the iconic statue.

I learned something new about the importance of timber to Bangor from this video. Any day I learn something new is a good day.

I close with Insider explaining How A Deteriorating Paul Bunyan Giant Is Restored | Refurbished | Insider.

Joel Baker is the owner of American Giants, a company that restores muffler men. Muffler men are 18- to 25-foot advertising giants that were popular in the 1960s and are becoming popular again.

He shows us how his team restores a Paul Bunyan muffler man. This includes patching up cracks on the giant, adding a structure inside, repainting it, and placing it in its new location.

I could have used this information 25 years ago when I was a tour guide and consultant for Pre-Historic Forest in the Irish Hills, which had fiberglass dinosaurs and other extinct animals that needed repairs. It's still worth knowing now, even if I don't have an immediate use for it.

That's a wrap for today. Stay tuned for another post I can share in July tomorrow followed by International Asteroid Day, the younger but paradoxically more established version of Apophis Day, to close June, and Canada Day to begin July.

Bruce Springsteen, Billy Bragg, and the Marsh Family sing about Minneapolis, Minnesota

My planned "brief entry worth sharing next month" grew yesterday with two major artists releasing protest songs along with my original choice, the Marsh Family. The biggest artist and most popular song is Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio).

Lyrics:
Through the winter’s ice and cold
Down Nicollet Avenue
A city aflame fought fire and ice
‘Neath an occupier’s boots
King Trump’s private army from the DHS
Guns belted to their coats
Came to Minneapolis to enforce the law
Or so their story goes
Against smoke and rubber bullets
By the dawn’s early light
Citizens stood for justice
Their voices ringing through the night
And there were bloody footprints
Where mercy should have stood
And two dead left to die on snow-filled streets
Alex Pretti and Renee Good

Oh our Minneapolis, I hear your voice
Singing through the bloody mist
We’ll take our stand for this land
And the stranger in our midst
Here in our home they killed and roamed
In the winter of ’26
We’ll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis

Trump’s federal thugs beat up on
His face and his chest
Then we heard the gunshots
And Alex Pretti lay in the snow, dead
Their claim was self defense, sir
Just don’t believe your eyes
It’s our blood and bones
And these whistles and phones
Against Miller and Noem’s dirty lies

Oh our Minneapolis, I hear your voice
Crying through the bloody mist
We’ll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis

Now they say they’re here to uphold the law
But they trample on our rights
If your skin is black or brown my friend
You can be questioned or deported on sight

In chants of ICE out now
Our city’s heart and soul persists
Through broken glass and bloody tears
On the streets of Minneapolis

Oh our Minneapolis, I hear your voice
Singing through the bloody mist
Here in our home they killed and roamed
In the winter of ’26
We’ll take our stand for this land
And the stranger in our midst
We’ll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis
We’ll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis

"Who you gonna believe? Me, or your own eyes?" was indeed funnier when Chico Marx said it.

Next, Billy Bragg released City Of Heroes.



City Of Heroes · Billy Bragg
Finally, the Marsh Family has been prolific this month, uploading Marsh Family sings 'Battle Hymn of the Empire' and other parodies and The Marsh Family sings 'Piece of Denmark' about Trump and Greenland, and The Marsh Family sings 'Donald's Sewage Stream', plus another about Tories jumping ship to Reform UK that I'm saving for a rainy day. They just uploaded "Minnesota" - Marsh Family adaptation of "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair)".

We hope the good people of San Francisco won’t mind us adapting this iconic track (about their city in the sixties, in the midst of protests and the counterculture movement) to treat the tragedies in recent days and weeks in Minneapolis. The original song was written by John Phillips (of "The Mamas & the Papas") and first released (sung by Scott McKenzie) in 1967, reaching number one in the UK, Germany, Ireland, and New Zealand charts, though only fourth in the US. We chose it because of its link to protest, its soaring refrains, its simplicity, its earnestness, and its celebration of love and solidarity. In our arrangement we haven’t double tracked the vocals but have added harmonies and mandolin/violin lines.

We hope it serves its aim, which is to express solidarity with the courageous and valiant protesters in Minnesota (and beyond), and to memorialise Renée Good and Alex Pretti, and sing their names across the ocean: two innocent American citizens executed on the streets in appalling scenes that so obviously echo waypoints in the historical march of fascism. Taking on the guns, masks, fear, and falsehoods requires more than flowers and songs. But they are powerful nonetheless, especially if they remind folk of previous generations that navigated trauma, and that you are not alone, and others are being inspired your courage and actions in the face of the winter of our times.

Tragedy and outrage are inspiring great music, which I'll let speak for itself.

That's a wrap for today. I plan on sharing the monologues of Colbert, Meyers, Kimmel, and The Daily Show, likely Desi Lydic, tomorrow. Stay tuned.

'The Daily Show' Celebrates Earth Day by Tackling Climate Change

Happy Earth Day! I know I told my readers that I already have more conventional videos for today's celebration, but I decided to go with TDS Celebrates Earth Day by Tackling Climate Change. I needed a good laugh.

Unlike the Trump administration, The Daily Show acknowledges the existence of climate change. In this collection of segments honoring Earth Day, Ronny Chieng breaks down rising global temperatures, Michael Kosta discovers an environmental safe haven in Duluth, Minnesota, and Troy Iwata investigates solutions to the climate crisis, including a trip to Mars and a woolly mammoth resurrection.

Michael Kosta is complaining about snow? He was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, just like my younger daughter! We know snow! On the other hand, he spent long enough to Los Angeles to know about the people there. He may be telling a joke, but he's not kidding! On a more serious note, Duluth is on CNBC's list of safest places in the U.S. from climate change, but so is Detroit, and we already have better weather than Duluth!

Troy Iwata managed an interesting transition from 2024 being the world's hottest year on record to a space ark to mammoth de-extinction. Re-establishing the mammoth steppe would help keep methane from permafrost in the ground, but that's an entire biome; bringing back one species would not be enough, which is part of why Colossal Biosciences also revived dire wolves, although those are Game of Thrones dire wolves, not the real ones. George R.R. Martin is even listed as a co-author on the paper!

That's a wrap for Earth Day. Stay tuned for Wayback Wednesday.

Kamala Harris selects Tim Walz for VP

I have a much shinier object today than "filtering the news since Thursday through comedy" as I thought I would write about yesterday.* Instead, I'm featuring MSNBC reporting ‘Great chemistry’: Harris picks Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate.

Vice President Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. NBC News' Yamiche Alcindor, Chuck Todd, former Senator Claire McCaskill and former senior adviser and chief spokesperson to VP Harris Symone Sanders-Townsend join Ana Cabrera to react to the pick.

I think Chuck Todd placing Walz in the mainstream of the Democratic Party is correct. When I arranged the five main contenders in the Veepstakes from left to center, Walz was the median candidate, smack in the center of the ideological spectrum of likely picks. On that basis alone, I think he was a good choice.

For a more tactical and strategic take, I turn to Kornacki breaks down the potential impact of Harris picking Walz.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was chosen as Vice President Harris's running mate pick. MSNBC's Steve Kornacki is at the Big Board to break down the potential impact of the pick in certain states.

I was hopeful Kornacki would find something more optimistic to say about Walz that my comment that "they would get the Democratic base even more enthused, but I don't know if they would appeal to swing state independents beyond them being white men from the Midwest." Nope. Still, he won't hurt Harris's chances, either.

I also wrote that "I think any of the five would acquit themselves well" against JD Vance. The next clip shows that will be the case as 'Happy warrior' Tim Walz is 'complete opposite' of 'angry' JD Vance: Julián Castro.

Vice President Harris announced today that she has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate. Former senior adviser and chief spokesperson to VP Harris Symone Sanders-Townsend, former HUD Secretary Julián Castro and former Rep. Carlos Curbelo join José Díaz-Balart to discuss.

I think Kamala Harris is also a "happy warrior," so the Democrats have two of them in contrast to the angry warriors on the Republican ticket. Also, Walz's experience contrasts with JD Vance's youth and inexperience in a way that balances Harris's relative youth contrasting with convicted criminal Hoover Cleveland's age. We get to have our cake and eat it, too!

I conclude with a graphic I should have made for the Veepstakes from left to center, Walz's ideological position from Voteview.



I didn't know Walz had been a member of Congress, so I didn't know about his Voteview score of -0.275, which was more conservative than 86% of Democrats in the 115th Congress while also being more liberal than 61% of the House. Based on the comments about Walz having had an A grade from the NRA at the beginning of his time in the House and having an F grade now, he has probably moved to the left since he became Governor. Still, he definitely has a more moderate reputation than Harris, who was the second most liberal member of the Senate when she became Vice President. Balance!

I still plan on writing more about Walz and Vance on Veep Day. Stay tuned.

*Also, The Daily Show was the only regular source with one of its regular hosts on last night. I wasn't feeling it.

Marching music for Super Tuesday, part two

A happy a marching music Super Tuesday! As I promised my readers in yesterday's part one, "Stay tuned for part two tomorrow, when I feature the competitive drum corps and select marching bands from Super Tuesday states west of the Mississippi River." Unlike 2020, when I ended with California, I begin with California starting with Blue Devils | #DCI2022 | Tempus Blue.

Concord, CA | 1st Place | 98.750

Concord, California's Blue Devils perform a segment from the corps' #DCI2022 production, "Tempus Blue," during the 2022 DCI World Championships hosted August 12-14 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

I always wanted a DCI corps to play "Tank!" I got my wish.

Next, Santa Clara Vanguard | #dci2022 | Finding Nirvana.

Santa Clara, CA | 5th Place | 95.000

Santa Clara, California's Santa Clara Vanguard perform a segment from the corps' #DCI2022 production, "Finding Nirvana," during the 2022 DCI World Championships hosted August 12-14 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

SCV didn't field a corps last year, but should return this year.

Continuing with the third DCI finalist from California, Mandarins | #dci2022 | The Otherside.

Sacramento, CA | 10th Place | 90.013

Sacramento, California's Mandarins perform a segment from the corps' #DCI2022 production, "The Otherside," during the 2022 DCI World Championships hosted August 12-14 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Yes, this is the same corps I featured in 'The Year of the Dragon' from The Cadets and Sacramento Mandarins for a drum corps Lunar New Year.

I'm starting to repeat myself with Vanguard Cadets | #dci2022 | Somewhere New.

Santa Clara, CA | 18th Place | 81.050

Santa Clara, California's Vanguard Cadets perform a segment from the corps' #DCI2022 production, "Somewhere New," during the 2022 DCI World Championships hosted August 12-14 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

SCV Cadets didn't tour last year, either, just like their parent corps. I don't know if they'll be on the field this year yet.

Heading to Southern California, it's Pacific Crest | #dci2022 | Welcome to the Void.

Diamond Bar & City of Industry, CA | 19th Place | 80.250

Diamond Bar and City of Industry, California's Pacific Crest perform a segment from the corps' #DCI2022 production, "Welcome to the Void," during the 2022 DCI World Championships hosted August 12-14 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Pacific Crest had a much better 2023, placing 12th at San Antonio and 14th in Indianapolis.

Returning to the Bay Area, it's Blue Devils B | #dci2022 | I Am.

Concord, CA | 22nd Place | 78.375

Concord, California's Blue Devils B perform a segment from the corps' #DCI2022 production, "I Am," during the 2022 DCI World Championships hosted August 12-14 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Now back to Southern California for Guard Girl's reaction video, DCI Open Class : Gold 2022 - The Gift | REACTION | #IllBeTheJudge.


That's just California's competitive drum corps. Follow over the jump for California marching bands that earned finalist status in Metallica's marching band contest and drum corps, Rose Parade bands, and more drum corps and Metallica contestants from Utah, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Minnesota.

A drum corps Super Tuesday 2020

As I've already done for Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina, it's time to share some marching music for my readers to watch and listen while they are waiting for the results.  This time, it's a drum corps Super Tuesday as nine of the fifteen states and territories holding primaries and caucuses today have competitive drum and bugle corps.  No marching bands today!

I am proceeding roughly from east to west, moving time zone to time zone as polls close across the country.  In order, the states and their drum corps I am featuring are Massachusetts, North Carolina, Minnesota, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, Colorado, Utah, and California.  I begin with the 2019 Boston Crusaders | Goliath representing Massachusetts.



Boston, MA | 6th Place | 94.488
Despite the biblical theme, this show has a patriotic element as it includes selections from "Hamilton."  May the candidates not throw away their shots, either!

Moving down the east coast, the next corps from a state voting today is Carolina Gold from North Carolina.  Watch Carolina Gold 2017.



12th place - 81.00
While Carolina Gold is the first DCA corps I am featuring this cycle, it won't be the last, as two DCA corps represent Minnesota, three if one includes the now inactive Minnesota Brass, Inc., which I am.  In fact, the Minnesota corps are next, as it's time to move to the Central Time Zone.  Follow over the jump.

Vox explains how America's wilderness is for sale

A month ago, I examined one facet of the current administration's environmental policy in Vox uses wolves to explain a shortcoming of the Endangered Species Act.  Today, I revisit one of the motivations behind the downsizing of two national monuments in Utah and similar actions using Vox's America's wilderness is for sale.

We need more copper. Is it worth destroying this place?
...
The Trump administration has opened up America's public lands to mining and fossil fuel companies on an unprecedented scale, lifting decades-long protections from millions of acres of wilderness across the country. In Minnesota, one proposed copper mine is pitting neighbors against each other as they weigh the benefits of new mining jobs against the environmental consequences of a new mines. It’s an old American debate that’s been further complicated here by an unforgiving reality: We need copper, and there are not that many places to get it.

As the video points out, mining is not a long-term basis for a local economy.  It leads to boom towns that become ghost towns.  On the other hand, ecotourism leads to sustainable, if low-paying, jobs.  As someone who worked as a Park Naturalist during summer 1986, I can relate to this situation.  Despite the low pay, it was my second- or third-favorite job behind my current job and maybe being a tour guide at Pre-Historic Forest.  On the other hand, the only way I would have worked for a mining company would have been as a geologist, not a miner, despite the higher pay — too dirty and dangerous.  It was safer working on the L.A. subway.

A Drum corps Super Tuesday

In the spirit of Marching Music for the Iowa Caucuses: Colts and Hawkeyes, which kicked off last month and ended up being the eighth most read entry posted during February, I present a drum corps Super Tuesday featuring the top corps from the states holding primaries and caucuses today and tonight.  The first corps to play while my readers are waiting for the results to come in hails from Massachusetts, the 2015 Boston Crusaders DCI Semi-Finals FULL SHOW | "Conquest" (original video replaced).


In case anyone is wondering, she's singing Gaelic lyrics to the theme from "Game of Thrones" and "Conquest."*  Remember, Trump is coming and he's building a wall.

Follow over the jump for four more corps from the primary and caucus states of Georgia, Minnesota, Texas, and Colorado.

First Courser and Gamrat, now Kelly and Mack

It's not just Michigan's Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat acting like "dinghy lovebirds."  Minnesota has its own part of hot-to-trot state legislators, Tim Kelly and Tara Mack.  TomoNews US reports in Minnesota lawmakers caught 'making out' in car park say they were exchanging documents.

A couple of Minnesota lawmakers are scrambling for cover after news they were busted for allegedly making out in a car park late last month recently leaked out.

Lawmakers Tim Kelly and Tara Mack who are both married, but not to each other, vehemently deny the accusation, contained in a public nuisance citation from a park ranger.

The citation stems from an incident that took place at around 4.30pm on August 25 in a Lebanon Hills Regional Park parking lot in Eagan.

Dakota County Parks Ranger Jordan Moses said he approached two vehicles that were illegally parked, where he found the male occupant of the vehicle, Kelly, 'was making out with female in car. When I approached the female's pants were unzipped and pulled down.'

What's with Republican lawmakers in states beginning with MI?

At least one Michigan legislator is taking no chances of being caught up in this mess, as MLive reports.

Michigan state Rep. Tim Kelly, R-Saginaw Township, took to Facebook to clear up any confusion: "Apparently there is a State Rep in Minnesota making the news named Tim Kelly who's philandering with another elected official, much like MI's own Courser/Gamrat fiasco. THIS IS NOT ME!!!!"

Thanks for clearing that up.

For what it's worth, the snarky Taiwanese animators have not yet put together a video about Courser and Gamrat.  I've asked if they could.  I'm sure the results would be hilarious, but I'm content to wait.

Speaking of waiting, please stay tuned for the regular Sunday entertainment entry.