A Poverty of Values.

In an effort to prove that Minneapolis is a welcoming city for the Republican Convention, they're closing down libraries. City officials deny that an opening night "bonfire" has any connection to these closings.

Strapped for cash to operate 15 libraries, including the city's new $125 million Central Library, the library board's finance committee voted Wednesday to make the cuts that would close downtown's Central Library on Mondays and shut down the Roosevelt, Southeast and Webber Park branches.

Dear Minneapolis:
You no longer get to claim you are a town of educated Midwest enlightenment. You are a city of suckers, rubes, and dullards.
I'll explain it to you in simple words, so you can understand.
Libraries hold books and other things (like the computer you're using to read this, and newspapers, and other papers that hold words and pictures). With enough time, a person can learn things from these libraries. Science things, for example. And art things.
You know that big set of building just across the river from where the Twins and Vikings play? Yeah, you call it "the U," I know. But do you know what "U" stands for? It stands for University. The thing about universities is that they admit people who know about science and art things. If you, as a city, cut down the availability of hours that kids can use these libraries, they may not get to go to a university. You wouldn't want that, would you?

But you would. You do.
I know this because you would rather spend your money on new sports arenas.
Like this one.
Tuesday's action, which was greeted with applause, does not require a referendum and opens the way for the team and the county to move forcefully toward building the $522 million open-air stadium in downtown Minneapolis in time for a 2010 opening.

I'll run those numbers by you: $522 million for a new stadium.
$125 million for a new library that is about to have its hours reduced. In fact, a lot of people agree with me:
Hadley said that in a recent public survey the library conducted, nearly 80 percent of respondents said they would support a property-tax increase to pay for Minneapolis libraries.

So, all you want your kids to know about is Twins' ERAs and Vikings success inside the Red Zone. Is it because you don't want them to know about the world outside of Minnesota? Are you afraid that they'lll find out how much of a craphole their hometown is? Why do you want to hold your children back?

Or maybe you really do prize sports above learning. Maybe you do take real pride in your sports teams' accomplishments. Chew on this then: Detroit is in the World Series.

Get back to me when you want to reconsider your priorities.

Sincerely,

Frankie Machine