Bits & pieces for Tuesday, Nov. 28: Peace, drugs, alcohol
The Rochester Post-Bulletin installed a new publisher at the end of last month, and already the change is obvious. Much of the Post-Bulletin website had been hidden behind a subscriber-only firewall, which made information about the goings-on in the area difficult to find. Now no longer. As Bluestem Prairie has pointed out, "Not only are recent stories accessible, but the free archives go back all the way to 1989."
Peace is a dangerous proposition
The Fairmont City Council has caved to political pressure, rescinding a resolution supporting a Department of Peace, which it had passed unanimously Nov. 13. Back to "make war, not love."
Wal-Mart catching up with Target?
Everyone likes to beat up on the guy on top. No doubt that Wal-Mart is the big behemoth in retail, but Target beat it to the punch when it announced that it would sell $4 generic medications in Minnesota. Now Wal-Mart will do the same. Target's list of $4 generics is here. Wal-Mart's is here.
Alcohol: A growing problem in Minnesota
Yes, but in ways you might not think. Minnesota liquor stores and grocery stores are preparing to do battle again over the issue of selling wine in supermarkets. Opponents say it will put ma and pa liquor stores out of business. Supporters say it will lower wine prices to consumers.
California solved this problem a long time ago by allowing liquor stores to sell food and food stores to sell liquor, wine and beer. If anybody's been to California lately they'll know that there are plenty of independent wine shops doing a brisk business selling the nectar of the vine. As a matter of fact, in contrast to the chain food stores, they offer products from smaller vintners around the globe. Allowing the free market to operate as it should offers more diversity, not less. I'll toast to that!
As for the other alcohol problem, pity poor Kevin Schieffer, CEO of the DM&E railroad, who is trying to get a government loan so that he can sell the railroad back to the Union Pacific, which spun it off in the first place, for umpteen kajillion dollars. His ethanol tankers just keep falling off the tracks, spilling thousands of gallons of would-be fuel... or vodka.
Notice to New Ulmers, whose city is home to Schell's Beer, and residents of nearby Cambria, whose town's primary tourist attraction is Morgan Creek Vineyards: Courtland, Minnesota, where the ethanol spill occurred, could soon become the martini capital of the world. Just add vermouth.
Peace is a dangerous proposition
The Fairmont City Council has caved to political pressure, rescinding a resolution supporting a Department of Peace, which it had passed unanimously Nov. 13. Back to "make war, not love."
Wal-Mart catching up with Target?
Everyone likes to beat up on the guy on top. No doubt that Wal-Mart is the big behemoth in retail, but Target beat it to the punch when it announced that it would sell $4 generic medications in Minnesota. Now Wal-Mart will do the same. Target's list of $4 generics is here. Wal-Mart's is here.
Alcohol: A growing problem in Minnesota
Yes, but in ways you might not think. Minnesota liquor stores and grocery stores are preparing to do battle again over the issue of selling wine in supermarkets. Opponents say it will put ma and pa liquor stores out of business. Supporters say it will lower wine prices to consumers.
California solved this problem a long time ago by allowing liquor stores to sell food and food stores to sell liquor, wine and beer. If anybody's been to California lately they'll know that there are plenty of independent wine shops doing a brisk business selling the nectar of the vine. As a matter of fact, in contrast to the chain food stores, they offer products from smaller vintners around the globe. Allowing the free market to operate as it should offers more diversity, not less. I'll toast to that!
As for the other alcohol problem, pity poor Kevin Schieffer, CEO of the DM&E railroad, who is trying to get a government loan so that he can sell the railroad back to the Union Pacific, which spun it off in the first place, for umpteen kajillion dollars. His ethanol tankers just keep falling off the tracks, spilling thousands of gallons of would-be fuel... or vodka.
Notice to New Ulmers, whose city is home to Schell's Beer, and residents of nearby Cambria, whose town's primary tourist attraction is Morgan Creek Vineyards: Courtland, Minnesota, where the ethanol spill occurred, could soon become the martini capital of the world. Just add vermouth.
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