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The Dullum File

Weekend Reading


My weekend reading (done in between weed-pulling sessions) includes a new book by Theodore Hamm called The New Blue Media about the rise of the Onion, Jon Stewart, Steven Colbert, Michael Moore and others and how they are affecting politics.

Fargo's Ed Schultz is given some credit in it for attracting a national progressive radio audience when Al Franken and the rest of the Air America crew were finding it hard to.

At exactly 200 pages, the book is just about all my summer attention span can handle on any subject.

Posted by: Terry Dullum on 7/26/2008 at 6:20 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Kim's Shrimp

One more time, thanks to Chef Kim Kringlie for showing us how New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp is done. Kim did a live cooking segment with us from the kitchen of the Bronze Boot in Grand Forks on News @5 Friday. Thanks, by the way, to the Boot crew for putting up with us.

Kim brought the shrimp (heads and all) with him from New Orleans--in his suitcase! Above and beyond.

Kim is executive chef/owner/manager of the Dakota Restaurant, Cuvee and (opening this fall) Rambla, all in the New Orleans area.

By the way, if you've ever wondered what happens to the food following a cooking segment, in this case it was demanded and given to the patrons of the Boot's lounge who had been watching the live broadcast on the bar's television. That is AFTER the program's boy anchor got his sample, of course.

Posted by: Terry Dullum on 7/21/2008 at 10:50 AM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Pierce Brosnan Sings?


Pierce Brosnan cannot sing. I know this because I was dragged--not exactly kicking and screaming, but close--to "Mamma Mia!" Friday night by my current wife. For me, "The Dark Knight" will have to wait.

Brosnan "sings" only two numbers alone. Actually, one is a duet with Meryl Streep, who can sing and very, very well. What can't she do well?

Brosnan is many things in "Mama Mia!" He is handsome, charming, funny, well-preserved. Maybe, I'm just jealous. But his singing makes me long for the days when professional singers dubbed songs for actors would couldn't pull them off on their own. I've read reports of audiences bursting into laughter when Brosnan's numbers are on the screen.

Brosnan's singing doesn't ruin the movie. Let's just say it isn't the film's strongest suit. The casting may be. Christine Baranski and Julie Walters are terrific as Streep's backup singers and friends.

ABBA music is still what it is. (I'll never get those damn songs out of my head.) The Greek Islands are still beautiful.

Back to Mr. Brosnan's singing. He joins a long list of male actors who can't, cast in movie musicals, which, for me, began with Rex Harrison in "My Fair Lady. (I'm old.) At least Mr. Harrison originated the role on Broadway and, I guess, London earlier. Like Brosnan, Mr. Harris charmed his way through it. Unlike Brosnan, who seems to kind of try, Harrison sort of sang/talked his musical numbers.

That was followed a few years later by Richard Harris in "Camelot." Enough said.

Really the joke is on us. Take the money, Mr. Brosnan. Up next for you, the movie version of "Spamalot." Why not?

Speaking of jokes, once again, audiences who walk out on the closing credits of a movie are missing out on one of the funniest scenes in "Mamma Mia!" What they don't see is an "encore" by the cast in 70's drag. It's worth the admission alone.

Posted by: Terry Dullum on 7/20/2008 at 10:46 AM | Comments (5) | Permalink

Remembering Gov. Lynn Frazier



From Joyce Kingbury of Hoople, ND:

Last year Jerry Olson and Lowell Hurtt were doing some clean-up in the Hoople City Cemetery when they noticed the gravesite of former Gov. Lynn Frazier was in need of repair. They contacted family members and with their
co-operation, made necessary repairs.

They began to wonder if many knew there was a former Gov. from Hoople, and thought there should be a plaque stating his accomplishments and give recognition to his service. Again family was involved and the ball started rolling resulting in this event where about forty relatives(all out of state) will be attending.

There will be a noon lunch in the park for family and honored guests Friday, September 5, and the Dedication program at 2 p.m. in the cemetery, adjacent to the park.

We are inviting Governor Hoeven and former governors. There will be a tour to the Frazier farm home site and land east of Hoople.

The family will be guests at the UND football game on Sat. Sept. 6 where Lynn Frazier was captain of the football team while attending there.

We seem to stir interest from everyone we involve. I think it's significant that during his term, the Bank of North Dakota, the State Mill and Elevator, and the Industrial Commission were formed.

Posted by: Terry Dullum on 7/18/2008 at 9:23 AM | Comments (1) | Permalink

USS North Dakota

From North Dakota's Congressional Delegation:

BISMARCK, N.D.  Members of the USS North Dakota Committee announced Monday that the Secretary of the Navy has agreed to name a new nuclear submarine after North Dakota.

Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad, Congressman Earl Pomeroy and Governor John Hoeven said the Navys decision means that, for the first time since 1923, a USS North Dakota will soon be part of the nations fleet. The ship is scheduled to be commissioned in 2013 and is currently under construction in Newport News, Va.

This is great news for North Dakota. Secretary Winter put a lot of thought into this decision, and its a testament to the respect he has for our state that he decided the next Virginia-class submarine would be the USS North Dakota, Senator Dorgan said. North Dakota may be landlocked, but our state has contributed a great deal to the U.S. Navy. This ship will be a fitting tribute that should be a source of pride for all of our veterans.

This is a proud day for all North Dakotans, Senator Conrad said. "Throughout our nation's history, North Dakota has enjoyed a well-earned reputation for producing some of our nation's bravest servicemen and women. The U.S.S North Dakota is a lasting and well-deserved tribute to all of our state's veterans, as well as those serving in uniform today."

North Dakota may not have a sea coast, but that hasnt stopped North Dakotans from proudly serving in the U.S. Navy. Having a submarine bear our states name will be a fitting tribute to all North Dakotans who serve in the U.S. military, Congressman Pomeroy said. I commend Senator Dorgan for leading the charge to again have a USS North Dakota sail the high seas.

There hasnt been a ship named after the State of North Dakota in 85 years, Hoeven said. Thats why together we put on a full court press to get the Navy to name a submarine after our state, and we were successful. I think the more than 1,000 pictures colored by our young people which we presented to Donald Winter, Secretary of the Navy, impressed him with the grassroots effort our state made to name a submarine USS North Dakota.

Bismarck-Mandan Chamber asked Senator Conrad, Congressman Pomeroy, Governor Hoeven, and a group of prominent North Dakotans earlier this year to take part in the effort to convince the Navy Secretary to designate a new USS North Dakota. The result was the formation of the USS North Dakota Committee. Dorgan asked former Secretary of State Warren Christopher, a native of Scranton, N.D., to act as honorary chair of the committee.

Senators Dorgan and Conrad, Congressman Pomeroy and Governor Hoeven led a delegation last month in a meeting with Navy Secretary Donald Winter at the Pentagon. The group outlined a plan for how North Dakota will support the ship and its crew. They said that after so many decades, the time is right for the Navy to name a new ship after North Dakota.

Posted by: Terry Dullum on 7/14/2008 at 4:01 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink