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Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007
Wellstone’s legacy legislation
Insurance parity for mental health – one of the late Sen. Paul Wellstone’s major
legislative goals – inches ahead in Congress. But there’s still a chance that it
could be derailed again.
By ADAM GRAHAM-SILVERMAN its two-week Thanksgiving recess, back- an insurance industry that did not want to
ers of a stronger measure named for Well- absorb the cost, blocked a vote. Now, with
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Not long after stone expect to get a floor vote in the House. Democrats in control, supporters are hope-
the fifth anniversary of the death of Sen. The two sides are already in discussion on ful.
Paul Wellstone, Congress is inching closer how to reconcile the bills. “I certainly think that the change in
to enacting one of his signature legislative “I’m confident that we’ll be able to pass leadership in Congress has made this bill
goals: insurance parity for mental health a good strong bill in the House and work possible,” said Elana Wolowitz of Wellstone
problems like depression, schizophrenia and out some differences and get it to the presi- Action, a progressive group. Wellstone’s son
drug addiction. But the shrinking congres- dent yet this year,” said Minnesota Republi- David has lobbied extensively and testified
sional calendar and impending retirement of can Rep. Jim Ramstad, a longtime mental- before Congress, and Wellstone Action is
several key players on the issue threaten to health advocate who will retire at the end of mounting a nationwide grassroots campaign
derail it once again. 2008. to meet with key lawmakers.
In September, the Senate passed a com- Backers of mental health parity pushed
promise bill worked out among insurers, to enact a law in the wake of Wellstone’s
small business groups and mental health death in a plane crash in October 2002. But INSIDE Twenty-seven states have some
advocates. Soon after Congress returns from Republicans, backed by businesses and form of mental health coverage, page 4.
The iBOT effect
The Segway’s pricey ‘mobility system’ enables those
with disabilities to stand tall. It entered the market-
place in 2003, but the iBOT still suffers from low
recognition. “The problem is, people just don’t know
about it,” said Bob Stimson, who says his iBOT is
anything but a wheelchair. He blames Medicare’s
refusal to approve it for the fact that there are only
about 400 in the United States. page 5
INSIDE
MINNPOST.WORLD DAVID BRAUER Media critic Brian Lambert lady-killer Pedro Infante back to the big screen
Tonight, the eight GOP presidential candidates, heading to Mpls.St.Paul magazine. page 3 with two films featuring the Mexican pop star.
some reluctantly, meet the hi-tech generation in page 7
the CNN/YouTube debate. page 2 G.R. ANDERSON JR. Minneapolis Police
Chief Tim Dolan comments on the Ngo LINDA MACK Local architect Vince James’
COMMUNITY VOICES settlement. page 6 firm wins three of seven Minnesota Honor
Crime, justice and families: Society must Awards. page 7
regain its public voice on the importance ROB NELSON Parkway Theater brings
of marriage. page 8
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MinnPost in Print A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO NEWS Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007 • www.MinnPost.com PAGE 2
MINNPOST.WORLD
YouTube debate definitely not politics as usual
By DOUG STONE ness,” he said in an interview.
“The debate is an acknowledge-
Will the snowman appear again ment of the importance of the In-
asking about global warming? ternet in politics now and in the
Will the Republican presiden- future … YouTube is one of the
tial candidates have to answer a most effective ways to reach a
question from Democratic candi- large Internet audience.”
date Sen. Chris Dodd? He said that one of the prob-
Will the recent Mitt Romney- lems candidates have had is to
Rudy Giuliani feuding continue? not taking the Internet seriously.
In St. Petersburg, Fla., the They should not treat the Internet
eight GOP candidates, some re- format as a joke, he said. “It’s
luctantly, meet the hi-tech gen- important for the candidates to be
eration in the CNN/YouTube de- authentic.” Jacobs plans to watch
bate at 7 tonight. Following the the debate closely.
format of the July Democratic
CNN/YouTube debate, the Re- New format, new responses?
publicans will answer about 40 Across town at Macalester By JASON REED, REUTERS
video questions chosen by CNN College, Political Science Pro- Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney (left) and Rudy Giuliani
from more than 3,500 submit- fessor Adrienne Christiansen talk after the GOP debate in Dearborn, Mich., last month. Will the recent
ted. They run the gamut from gay said the debate has “the potential Romney-Giuliani feuding continue at tonight’s debate?
rights to gun control to national of engaging a part of the elector-
security to the environment. ate who haven’t been engaged,
“The White House hopefuls that is young people. The vast campaign answers and failing And to underscore the point
– accustomed to the political majority of YouTube and Internet to acknowledge the new media that the merger of politics and new
tradition of stump speeches fol- users are under 30. You get nor- world in which they were debat- media is here to stay, ABC News
lowed by queries from journal- mal people asking questions who ing. She hopes the Republican and Facebook, the popular social
ists – have no idea exactly what don’t normally get to ask them. candidates react differently, but networking site, have joined forc-
to expect,” reports CNN. “Each You might get a young mother is not confident they will. And es and will sponsor the Republi-
of the eight will answer to real asking about child care, for ex- she also hopes that questions can and Democratic Presidential
people displayed on a 25-foot ample. What TV moderators are some of her students submitted debates in New Hampshire Jan.
screen. The candidates will have interested in is quite different for the debate are used. 5, three days before the important
to deal with the person asking the from what normal everyday peo- The new format debate has primary in that state.
question as if that person were in ple are interested in.” spurred new ways of covering This is definitely not your
the room.” While Christiansen is encour- it as well. Student journalists father’s political campaign.
Will such a national conversa- aged by the new format and what from Michigan State University
tion be more entertainment than it can provide, she said that the in conjunction with the Detroit Doug Stone is director of College
substance? Democratic candidates last sum- News will use “clickers” to re- Relations at Macalester College
Not at all, said University of mer didn’t respond to questions spond to professors’ questions, a in St. Paul and a former reporter
Minnesota Political Science Pro- “in any new way. They didn’t form of real time polling the re- for the Minneapolis Tribune and
fessor Larry Jacobs. “It is a sign respond in any fundamentally sults of which will appear on the assistant news director at WCCO-
of the times. It is serious busi- different way,” giving standard paper’s web site. Other students TV. The views in this article are
will blog about the debate. not those of Macalester College.
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MinnPost in Print A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO NEWS Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007 • www.MinnPost.com PAGE 3
Media critic Lambert leaving the Rake for Mpls.St.Paul
DAVID BRAUER not disclosing his pay – “now Lambert, who was a freelancer at the Rake,
why would I tell you that?” – he
Come Monday, the relented to say he’ll be making gets a considerable salary bump to become
magazine that heralds more than he did at the Pioneer
the 50 Top Plastic Press, who pushed him out the an MSP staff editor.
Surgeons will also feature the door in January 2005 by turning
slicing and dicing of Brian his media beat into a suburban
Lambert. one. stuff and then leave [the site]. to his blog, such as video. (“I
Lambert, the dean of online Lambert leaves with no There was not a lot of sell- won’t miss the four-a-day sup-
media critics (he’s been doing similar vitriol for Rake publisher through.” port calls,” Bartel says. “Brian –
it since December 2006), is Tom Bartel, a guy who loves to and I don’t think he would deny
moving from The Rake to Mpls. mix it up and micromanage it. Does the Rake make money? this – is not the most tech-savvy
St.Paul magazine as of Dec. 3. “I enjoyed the guy – no com- For months, rumors have guy out there.”)
It’s a big media deal because plaints,” Lambert says. “My burbled that the Rake is unprof- The biggest fear for Slaughter
Lambert is a franchise player only regret, and I suspect it’s itable and Bartel will dump the fans is when MSP gets over the
in the local online world where one we share, is that it didn’t print version and go web-only. thrill of the conquest, they’ll
even glossies know they must work out on the magazine side,” “Well, it’s been discussed, but I get cold feet and dull Lambert’s
stake a claim to the future. where he had trouble getting don’t know if it’s realistic,” he blade. Lambert says he has no
“Lambert to the Slaughter” is features into the print pages. says. “All of our revenue is in explicit assurances that his style
usually the top-read thing on For his part, Bartel quips, print. Of course, all the cost side will be honored at MSP, but re-
the Rake’s site – and a stiff jolt “they offered him at least twice is in print.” ports that editor Brian Anderson
of scoop for a title that is often what he was worth” – that’s Tom Is the Rake profitable? “I “didn’t see any problem with
anything but a must-read. Sec- in a nutshell. “MSP never had an don’t think that’s anybody’s anything I’d written.” Lambert
ond, Lambert’s blunt-yet-stylish original thought of their own, so business,” Bartel replies. says the MSP honchos view
disemboweling of various local they decided to go after him.” No one has similar doubts their web site as a less-ruly beast
media poohbahs may herald a Retracting the rapier, Bartel about MSP’s haul, and Lambert than the magazine, which it had
new, more aggressive era for the adds simply, “They offered him says the magazine’s sizable staff better be if MSP wants to truly
fat, profitable and oft-cautious a lot of money and more work may allow him to add features broaden its reach.
MSP. (Disclaimer: I also write that we had, so I told him he
for MSP, though you never should take it.”
know after this post.) Bartel says Lambert’s in-
Lambert, who was a freelanc- ability to get into the magazine
er at the Rake, gets a consider- was due to a long backlog of
features (couldn’t something be
able salary bump to become an
MSP staff editor. His job breaks
down into thirds: one part edit-
bumped?), adding that Lambert
will have a long piece in the
Your ad here!
ing the City Limits blurbs in the Rake’s January issue. Bartel
front of the magazine, one part acknowledges “Lambert to the
writing features, and one part Slaughter” was one of the web
media blogging, possibly with site’s top draws, but notes “he
recent writing partner and Strib had a very loyal group of readers
ex-pat Deborah Rybak. While who would come and read his
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MinnPost in Print A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO NEWS Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007 • www.MinnPost.com PAGE 4
Wellstone’s legacy legislation
continued from page 1 One remaining sticking point is paying for the program. Since higher
But when Congress returns to premiums would reduce wages, income tax revenues also would fall
Washington Dec. 3 for a three-
week session, members’ packed – to the tune of $4.2 billion over 10 years. But an actuarial study from
agendgas could include such
big-ticket items as a farm bill, Milliman Inc. showed that even in a worst-case scenario the program
an Iraq war spending bill and the
children’s health program known would cost $2.40 per member per month.
as SCHIP, as well as finishing the
11 of 12 annual spending bills schizophrenia. Ramstad says he’s coverage, the benefits be on par he said at the July hearing.
that have yet to be signed into been on the road to recovery from with traditional coverage. Self- “Would you say the same to
law. That deadline may motivate alcoholism since he awoke from insured companies, which in- someone with cancer?” Patrick
Congress to reach a compromise a drinking-induced blackout in a clude many large companies, are Kennedy responded. “Are you
on mental health, but some say South Dakota jail in 1981. exempt, however, and thus fall going to play with someone’s life
there’s just not time. Two other champions, Sen. Ed- under federal law. who has cancer that way?”
“I don’t think you’d find many ward Kennedy, D-Mass., and his In 2002, President Bush
folks who are really optimistic son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., Details, details backed mental health parity but
about a vote in this year,” said also have a personal connection. One remaining sticking point cautioned that a plan must not
Rich Buckley, the head of the The elder Kennedy’s sister Rose- is paying for the program. Since “significantly run up the cost of
Washington office of pharmaceu- mary was disabled for life after higher premiums would reduce health care.” In 2003, a presi-
tical company AstraZeneca. The a lobotomy in her 20s. And after wages, income tax revenues also dential commission on mental
company joined groups like the crashing his car in the middle of would fall – to the tune of $4.2 health supported the idea but did
American Psychological Asso- the night on the Capitol grounds billion over 10 years. But an ac- not include it in a list of specific
ciation and the National Alliance last spring, Patrick Kennedy an- tuarial study from Milliman Inc. goals, and the president has not
on Mental Illness to back the Sen- nounced he has bipolar disorder showed that even in a worst-case mentioned it since.
ate bill after determining it would and is addicted to alcohol and pain- scenario the program would cost Given that Congress may have
not impose excessive mandates killers. Ramstad became his Alco- $2.40 per member per month. only to the end of the year to find a
or costs. (Sales of Seroquel, As- holics Anonymous sponsor. Supporters say in the long run, compromise, the broader support
traZeneca’s antipsychotic, would But father and son are now the program will pay for itself. for the Senate bill may win out.
also be likely to see a boost if the backing different approaches to Ramstad says untreated mental “If the House doesn’t accede
bill goes through.) the problem. In the largest dif- illness cost the U.S. economy to the Senate point of view, then
Once 2008 rolls around, much ference, the stronger House bill $550 billion last year. He says the opportunity to get this thing
of the congressional agenda will would refer to psychiatry’s Di- 150,000 Americans died from passed disappears for a long
be given over to issues designed agnostic and Statistical Manual, chemical addictions in 2006, time,” said Buckley, who pointed
to help or hurt the congressional known as DSM-IV, to determine and 34,000 committed suicide. out that the House bill could not
and presidential candidates. And coverage. Mental health parity would affect get through the Senate.
the pressure for immediate action “Without this requirement, about 113 million people. “What do you want?” asked Do-
will be off. insurers and employers could The bill still must be revenue- menici, who backs the Senate plan.
In addition to Ramstad, one of decide, without the benefit of sci- neutral to avoid procedural road- “If you want every last drop, then
the key Senate champions of men- ence or medical expertise, which blocks in Congress. Patrick Ken- you’re not going to get a bill.”
tal health parity, Republican Pete mental illness or addiction diag- nedy suggests increasing taxes Meanwhile, advocates say
Domenici of New Mexico, also noses should be covered,” David on pharmaceutical companies’ the anniversary of Wellstone’s
will retire at the end of next year. Wellstone told a House subcom- direct advertising, or establishing death would mark a fitting time
Wellstone joined forces with Do- mittee in July. a sin tax on items like liquor that to enact legislation. In a speech
menici in 1996 to enact a law re- The Senate bill does not de- contribute to mental illness. on the Senate floor commemorat-
quiring parity between traditional fine what would be covered, “Captain Morgan’s as well ing Wellstone, Republican Sen.
and mental health coverage for an approach that could exclude known as Cap’n Crunch,” he Norm Coleman said: “I cannot
annual and lifetime benefit limits. diseases like alcoholism and an- said. imagine a better way to honor
He’s continued to be a major force orexia but also lower its cost to Opponents like GOP Rep. Paul’s legacy than sending a
behind the effort in the Senate, but businesses. John Kline, who represents Twin strong mental health parity bill to
he was recently diagnosed with a Twenty-seven states, including Cities suburbs, say the bill con- the president of the United States
degenerative brain disease. Minnesota, already have some stitutes an employer mandate. and have him sign it into law.”
form of mental health coverage. “It seems ironic that at the
Like father, like son The Kennedys reached a key time many of my colleagues in Adam Graham-Silverman covers for-
Like Ramstad, Wellstone and compromise when they agreed to the majority profess to offer so- eign policy and economics for Con-
Domenici, other key backers loosen a restriction in the Senate lutions to decrease the number of gressional Quarterly in Washington
came to support the bill through bill that would have pre-empted uninsured … they’re proposing D.C. and is MinnPost’s Washington
personal circumstances. Domeni- state laws, even if they provided issuing coverage mandates that correspondent. He can be reached at
ci’s daughter and Wellstone’s stronger coverage. appear to do the exact opposite agrahamsilverman@minnpost.com.
brother both suffered from Minnesota’s law requires that by making coverage more costly
if insurers offer mental health and leading to less availability,”
MinnPost in Print A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO NEWS Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007 • www.MinnPost.com PAGE 5
Pricey iBOT brings emotional freedom, too
By CHRISTINA CAPECCHI “I know I wouldn’t have done it
without the iBOT.”
Bob Stimson used to bike 100 Not every entry endorses the
miles a week, ski all winter and iBOT. Nov. 7’s was titled “Stair
globe-trot year-round. So when function is pretty much useless,”
the Bloomington entrepreneur an observation others have made.
lost strength in his legs three years
ago, he lost a lot. Benefits outweigh problems
ALS put him in a wheelchair Still, the benefits far outweigh
and, in many ways, relegated that disappointment, Thomas said.
him to a second-class citizenship. “It has transformed my life. There
“When you’re in a wheelchair, isn’t a day that has gone by that
you tend to get dismissed,” said I haven’t thought, ‘Oh, my gosh,
Stimson, 65. “People tend to talk I wouldn’t be able to do this if I
to the tallest person in the room.” weren’t in my iBOT right now.’ ”
Shannon Thomas, a 37-year- The physical freedom, Thomas
old artist born in St. Paul, met a later e-mailed, is only half of it.
similar fate when she was only “It’s the emotional freedom I’ve
8. A drunken driver crashed into gained that has been the biggest
the car she was riding in, break- surprise to me.” For years, she has
ing bones that caused swelling of taken a drug to combat her intense
her spine and led to chest-down society anxiety; three weeks after
paralysis. receiving the iBOT, she stopped
Last week, Stimson and Thom- taking it. “For the first time, I felt
as celebrated their first Thanks- like I could do fine without it. And
giving with the iBOT 4000 Mo- By CHRISTINA CAPECCHI I have!”
bility System. They are bursting Bob Stimson says using his iBOT is liberating. “I don’t consider it a Bob Stimson has experienced
with gratitude for the ways it has wheelchair,” he says. “With this iBOT, I don’t feel like I’m disabled. I just similar liberation since receiving
enhanced their lives. feel like I’m inconvenienced.”
his iBOT in February. “I don’t
Years before entrepreneur consider it a wheelchair,” he said,
Dean Kamen invented the Seg- And yet, for many, the price is Coast offering to sell his rarely perched in his open living room,
way, the large, two-wheeled de- prohibitive. It was for Thomas, a used iBOT at a substantial dis- his white beard and chocolate eyes
vice marketed to the likes of mail soft-spoken brunette who nearly count. He had been looking to looking regal. “It’s almost like ro-
carriers and tourists, he was con- cried when she discovered the sell it and had stumbled across her botic skin. With this iBOT, I don’t
templating another use for gyro- iBOT on “60 Minutes.” She was blog online. Thomas received the feel like I’m disabled. I just feel
scopes, one that would extend the the 199th person to request in- iBOT in October and now chroni- like I’m inconvenienced.”
mobility of wheelchair users. formation from Independence cles its impact online. Frequenting trade shows, for
Kamen’s six-wheeled iBOT Technology, the division of John- On Oct. 15, she described her instance, is much easier. “Moving
operates in five different modes. son & Johnson that manufactures “first party as a tall person”: through a crowd in a wheelchair,
In standard mode, it can reach 7 iBOTs. “On Saturday night, I went to you get tired of getting in the way
mph, a couple of miles faster than Overcome with excitement, the first party in my life where and apologizing,” he said. “Now I
a standard wheelchair. In four- Thomas started a blog (www. everyone’s butts weren’t in my just plow ahead.”
wheel drive, it can mount curbs wheelchairrevolution.blogspot. face. I stayed in Balance Mode Businesspeople look him in the
and navigate rocky terrain. In stair com). the entire time, and wow, it was so eye and talk to him, not the person
mode, it can scale steps, rotating Soon, Thomas’ inability to af- much nicer to look at people eye at his side. And he can travel free-
its wheels front over back. And in ford an iBOT sunk in, and she to eye rather than looking up to ly. Stimson just returned from an
balance mode, it can lift users to a used the blog to explain the iBOT, everyone, straining to hear what Alaskan cruise, where the iBOT
height of nearly 6 feet, employing imagine its impact and post her they were saying and yelling so functioned beautifully.
six gyroscopes. photography. that they could hear me.” “It’s kept me in the game,” he
She wrote with touching can- On Oct. 24, she wrote: “I found said. “It’s kept me in my life.”
iBOT price in line but still dor. In one entry, titled “Stairs, out this morning that I can reach
prohibitive for many Stares, Everywheres,” she wrote, the top shelf in the frozen sec- Christina Capecchi writes about
The iBOT costs $23,900 – a “Going to a New Year’s Eve party tion at the grocery store. I had a culture and the social impact of
$5,100 markdown from its origi- tonight at a friend’s house. Stairs craving for veggie sausages, and technology. She can be reached at
nal price when it entered the mar- to get in the house, stairs to get to sure enough, they were on the top ccapecchi@minnpost.com.
ketplace four years ago. That’s the basement. Ugh. I don’t worry shelf. It was so nice to not have to
only a few grand more than some so much about them dropping me, ask anyone for help.” More at MinnPost.com
high-powered wheelchairs, once but I worry about them hurting On Oct. 30, she displayed art-
you add a seat function, alternate themselves.” work at a meeting intended to iBOT’s creator better
drive controls or special electron- Five months later, Thomas help people with disabilities start known as Segway inventor
ics. heard from a man on the East their own businesses. She wrote,
MinnPost in Print A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO NEWS Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007 • www.MinnPost.com PAGE 6
Chief Dolan on the Ngo settlement:
‘I thought it could have been higher’
G.R. ANDERSON JR. investigation. Ill will persisted. to avoid going off to military duty, a notion
This week, the city finally settled Ngo’s quickly laid to rest.) Both officers’ actions that
November has been a rough $22 million suit for $4.5 million – the largest February night were called into question in all
month for Minneapolis cops in payout in city history over a police incident. circles. “Morale has settled down,” Dolan said.
the line of duty. On Nov. 1, Park “Most of them don’t even know Duy; we have
Police officer Mark Bedard was killed when MPD blue, anyone? maybe 300 new officers since then.”
a MPD patrol car hit him during the chase of Still, MPD Chief Tim Dolan sounded re- Storlie eventually left the department
a shooting suspect. Then, early morning on signed, if not entirely relieved, on the phone and is working for a private contractor in
the Friday after Thanksgiving, one officer was Tuesday. “I thought it could have been the Middle East. If there’s any silver lining
punched and another slapped by a group of more,” the chief said – especially if the case to this, Dolan offered, it’s that “there’s been
people after entering a house on a shots-fired had gone to trial. “Regardless of the finger- a lot of major changes on how we handled
call. And early Monday morning, Officer pointing and what happened, a jury would critical incidents and plain-clothes officers.”
Daniel Grosland was shot in the ankle after feel very sorry for the injuries Duy had.” For instance, undercovers are not allowed
responding to a 911 fight call in the Ware- Dolan also offered up a frank assessment of to work alone without a supervisor knowing
house District downtown. some controversies from that fateful night, and about it, and with another officer “whenever
Later Monday, a reminder of another street what the MPD has done in response. Dolan practical.” Much evidence was misplaced or
incident gone wrong surfaced when the city said that while this may close one chapter of tampered with – inadvertently or not, depend-
of Minneapolis settled the Duy Ngo lawsuit, the story, it’s more important that Ngo’s prob- ing on whom you ask – so some other rather
which stemmed from one of the wildest events lems will never go away -- and the incident has unbelievable missteps have led to seemingly
in the department’s history. Ngo was working never been far from the minds of some cops. “I common-sense changes in MPD policy.
undercover in south Minneapolis in 2003 when don’t think there’s anybody who would trade “A forensic piece has to go from A to Z
he was shot in his car by an unknown assailant. places with Duy,” Dolan said. “He’s got seri- when handled from a scene now,” Dolan
Ngo was injured, and put in a call for help. ous injuries for the rest of his life. said. “There have been investigation changes
When officers arrived, one of them, Charles “Everybody knew it was going to be high, – there should have been 10 on this incident
Storlie, opened fire on Ngo. When the confu- the highest settlement in the history of the and there were only two. And that vehicle,
sion was over, Ngo had been shot six times department,” Dolan continued. “A lot of Duy’s vehicle, was allowed to be released
in the leg, arm and torso, totaling 15 exit and officers were just wondering when the thing and sold. It was never reviewed, and that
entrance wounds from the incident. was going to be done.” never should have happened.”
Accounts of the incident were disputed. The incident sparked much animosity Still, the Ngo shooting leaves a bitter taste.
Ngo’s name was smeared. Investigations were within the department, some siding with Stor- “Nothing changes the fact that one MPD of-
botched. Cops were suspended. The Bureau lie, some siding with Ngo. (Some cops even ficer shot another officer,” Dolan concluded.
of Criminal Apprehension conducted an spread the rumor that Ngo had shot himself “And Duy’s going to need a lot of care.”
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MinnPost in Print A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO NEWS Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007 • www.MinnPost.com PAGE 7
Bringing up Infante: Parkway pays tribute to Mexican idol
ROB NELSON teur Joe Minjares of neighboring
Pepitos – has two days remaining
Think George Cloo- in its “Festival Infante” series,
ney is a lady-killer? billed as a U.S. exclusive.
Legend has it that The Parkway’s program today
Mexican women committed sui- and tomorrow includes double
cide upon discovering the death features of “Los tres garcía”
by plane crash of Mazatlán-born (1946) and “Los tres huastecos”
crooner and screen hunk Pedro (1948): In “García” (Wednesday
Infante at the yummy age of 39. at 7:15 p.m. and Thursday at 9:35
The impressively beefy man, p.m.), Infante plays the most
who appeared topless in many charming of three cousins who
of his 60-odd films, had been vie for the hand of young Lupita
married for many years. But his (Marga López); in “Huastecos”
ever-broadening number of mis- (Wednesday at 4:50 p.m. and
tresses gave hope to female fans Thursday at 7:15 p.m.), he plays
until the end and even beyond. three siblings – a priest, a soldier,
Another legend has it that Infante and an atheist outlaw.
somehow survived his terrible Both films are proto-Bol-
crash in 1957 and lives incognito lywood musical comedies and
in the Sierra Nevadas. irresistible tributes to the Mexican
Minneapolitan fans needn’t pop star whose flirtatious ranchera
travel that far to see him, though, tune, “They Say I Am a Woman-
as the newly revived Parkway izer,” proves that what “they” say By PELICULAS RODRIGUEZe, S.A. de C.V.
Theater – now owned by restaura- can sometimes be true. Serial lady-killer Pedro Infante in 1946’s “Los tres garcía.”
Sweeping architecture: Vince James’ firm wins three of seven awards
LINDA MACK (also by HGA), and the Clure Bridge was inspired by the arc that Breuer himself might have
Project, three houses in Duluth of an oar stroke. The Lake of the applauded.
Minneapolis archi- (including his own) by David Isles house James designed for The student center at Tulane
tect Vince James is a Salmela. philanthropists and architectural is VJAA’s largest project to
man of few words and The Honor Awards, which aficionados Kenneth and Judy date and its most magnetic. The
few projects, but all are worth recognize projects designed Dayton is impeccably detailed existing closed-in student center
paying attention to. Last week, anywhere in the world by Min- and serene. A vacation house in was gutted and expanded to
VJAA, the 18-person Minneapo- nesota architects, work this Wisconsin and lofts in Chicago become a beacon of light and
lis firm headed by James and his way: Each year a jury of three and New York manage to be airy spaces.
partner Jennifer Yoos, won three highly respected architects from both minimalist and warm. Also finished this year were a
of the seven Minnesota Honor around the country spends a The Wisconsin boathouse is guesthouse for St. John’s Abbey
Awards given in the annual day and a half paging through a simple two-story box with big and an extraordinary five-build-
competition. more than 100 black booklets of scoop windows on the north to ing student activities complex
That’s what you would call a photos and selects the projects let light and natural ventilation at the American University in
sweep. they deem worthy — without into the practice floor. Beirut. Strangely enough, none
The projects are the Porter knowing the names of the archi- The addition to St. John’s of these recent VJAA efforts is
Boathouse at the University of tects. This year, the jurors were Abbey Church is understatement in the Twin Cities. Perhaps this
Wisconsin-Madison, the Pet- urban designer David Dixon of epitomized — exactly what year’s awards sweep will turn
ters Pavilion, an addition to Goody Clancy in Boston, Josh was demanded. Designed by some local heads VJAA’s way.
the renowned St. John’s Abbey Shelton of el dorado architects Marcel Breuer, the 1961 church Want to see, hear more about
Church in Collegeville, and the (architects love that lower-case is a modernist icon in which VJAA?
Lavin-Bernick Center for Stu- thing) in Kansas City, and Victor unadorned concrete creates a James and Yoos will speak
dent Life at Tulane University in “Trey” Trahan of Trahan Archi- compelling spiritual space. But and show their work at the
New Orleans. tects, Baton Rouge, La. after 40 years of use, includ- Walker Art Center’s “Drawn
Other winners in the Ameri- ing many weddings, the church Here” series at 7 p.m. Thursday,
can Institute of Architects- Disciplined design needed some extra spaces Nov. 29 in the McGuire Theater
Minnesota competition are the VJAA’s sweep was no — handicapped-accessible at the Walker, 1750 Hennepin
Plymouth Public Safety Build- surprise. Every project the firm bathrooms, a bride’s room and Ave., in Minneapolis. Free tick-
ing and City Hall by the BKV completes demonstrates uncom- groom’s room, a new chapel and ets are available at the Hennepin
Group, the Ramsey County mon restraint and intellectual an updated Chapter House for Lobby starting at 6 p.m. For
branch library in Maplewood rigor. The sweeping roof of the Benedictine monks. more information, call 612-375-
by HGA, the Wall of Discovery the Minneapolis Rowing Club The pavilion is so precisely 7600.
at the University of Minnesota Boathouse under the Lake Street married to the existing building
MinnPost in Print A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO NEWS Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007 • www.MinnPost.com PAGE 8
Editor’s note: This is the final of three excerpts from a major study conducted by the Council on Crime and Justice of Min-
nesota’s criminal justice system. The study, “Justice, Where Art Thou? A Framework for Minnesota’s Future,” generated a
report, recommendations for improvements, and a collection of community essays and research papers. Today’s installment
highlights a third essay commenting on study findings. Today’s essay is by Mitch Pearlstein, founder and president of the
Center of the American Experiment, a conservative and free-market think tank in Minneapolis. To see the entire report, visit
the group’s website, www.crimeandjustice.org.
Society must regain public voice on importance of marriage
By MITCH PEARLSTEIN what remains the definitive pas- do as well, on average, as kids better off than children raised by
sage on the connection between who grow up under the same one parent alone. However, and
Before beginning, permit me family breakdown and crime. roof with their married biological the following point is central to
three caveats. “From the wild Irish slums of the parents. The same bad news (fre- Edin and Kafalas’s analysis, “these
First, when talking about the 19th century Eastern seaboard, to quently even worse news) applies abstractions are largely irrelevant
importance of re-institutionalizing the riot-torn suburbs of Los Ange- to children living in stepfamilies. to their lives,” as the poor women
marriage, particularly in inner-cit- les,” the scholar and future senator A recent report of the National spoken about here “must calculate
ies, the only kind I’ve ever advo- argued, there is one unmistakable Marriage Project at Rutgers Uni- the potential risks and rewards of
cated are healthy, nonviolent, low- lesson in American history; a com- versity sums things up succinctly: the actual partnerships available
conflict, equal-regard marriages. munity that allows a large number “The trend toward single-parent to them and, given their uncertain
Second, in no way is my inten- of men to grow up in broken fami- families is probably the most im- future prospects, take a ‘wait and
tion to single out or gang up on sin- lies, dominated by women, never portant of the recent family trends see’ attitude toward the relation-
gle moms, as I’ve always sought to acquiring any stable relationship that have affected children and ships with the men who father their
make it clear that I respect and em- to male authority, never acquiring adolescents. This is because the children.”
pathize with the very large number any set of rational expectations children in such families have More harshly to the point, Edin
of unmarried women who are, in about the future – that community negative life outcomes at two to and Kafalas argue that this ap-
fact, raising their children success- asks for and gets chaos. Crime, vi- three times the rate of children proach “makes enormous sense,
fully, even heroically, under often olence, unrest, disorder – most par- in married, two-parent families.” as the men in the neighborhood
very hard circumstances. I also al- ticularly the furious, unrestrained 2. How have societal attitudes partner pool – the only men they
ways try to acknowledge that life is lashing out at the whole social shaped family breakdown? can reasonably attract, given their
inescapably messy. structure – that is not only to be ex- Sociologists Kathryn Edin and own disadvantaged place in the
I’m quick to point out, for in- pected; it is very near to inevitable. Maria Kafalis, in a detailed and marriage market – are of fairly
stance, that my wife and I are each And it is richly deserved.” sympathetic study of single moth- uniformly low quality.”
in our second (and last) marriage. The more I’ve thought about ers, “Promises to Keep,” write 3. How will family breakdown
She was a single mom for a long these linked issues, the more I’ve about how all aspects of family affect the justice system in the fu-
time after her divorce and before grasped how miles beyond sad they life “have shifted dramatically to ture?
we met. My three stepsons have are, starting with millions of young the left since 1960 – shifts which Might one expect matters to
turned out great despite it all. You American men, disproportionately now mean that having sex, estab- improve any time soon? Not if
get the idea. of color, whose lives are crippled lishing a common household and answers to a survey question that
And third, even though father- barely after they’ve begun. What having children have all become has been asked of thousands of
lessness increases the odds against a calamity for themselves, their decoupled from marriage.” In the high school students over nearly
children doing well, it does not in- families, and our country. ’60s, they write, two-thirds of all three decades continue on their
evitably consign them to troubled Yet as severe as Moynihan’s Americans thought that sex before same injurious trajectory. Start-
lives. Many kids growing up with strictures were in 1965, it’s in- marriage was morally wrong. By ing in the mid- to late 1970s,
only one parent at home (or in cumbent to recognize the immense the ’80s, that proportion had fall- national samples of high school
other “nontraditional” arrange- degree to which families have con- en by half, to one-third. Similarly, seniors have been asked if they
ments) are doing very well, while tinued to weaken and fall apart. in the ’60s, half of Americans agreed that “having a child with-
many other kids, growing up with Back then, about 5 percent of all believed that married couples out being married is experiment-
both their biological parents are American babies were born out of who didn’t get along should stay ing with a worthwhile lifestyle
not doing well at all. But in the wedlock, with the number for Afri- together for the sake of their chil- and not affecting anyone else.”
main – and the point is central can-American children at about 25 dren. Only about one-fifth now
– growing up without a father at percent. In updated and localized believe unhappy parents should Read the complete article at
home, especially in tough neigh- contrast, 43.6 percent of all births tough it out and remain married. www.minnpost.com.
borhoods, invites trouble. in Minneapolis in 2005 were to This is not to say, Edi and Ka-
To the three questions posed: unmarried women, with the cor- falis take pains to add, that low- Mitch Pearlstein, Ph.D., is
1. How has family breakdown responding number for U.S.-born income women believe that having founder and president of Center
affected the way the justice sys- African-American women a hard- children outside of marriage is ide- of the American Experiment, a
tem looks today? to-grasp 86.6 percent. al. They claim that surveys show conservative and free market think
More than 40 years ago – which I know of no sphere of life – that low-income women are more tank in Minneapolis. He previous-
is to say, not long after the Council not a single statistical category likely than middle-class women ly served in the U.S. Department
on Crime and Justice came to be – in which boys and girls who to say they believe that children of Education and as an editorial
– Daniel Patrick Moynihan wrote grow up in single-parent homes raised by two married parents are writer for the Pioneer Press.
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