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Ray Schoch

Ray Schoch_2's picture
Minneapolis, MN
Commenter for
2 years 13 weeks

Recent Comments

Posted on 04/09/13 at 04:24 pm in response to David Carr on alt-weeklies, phone apps and all things media

John Edwards has a point in his first paragraph, but then, predictably, descends into his own snarkiness.

It might come as a surprise to him, but there are humans, some of them female, who enjoy sexual activity. Some of those humans also support women's rights, perhaps even in ways that make Mr. Edwards uncomfortable. He might want to choose his words a bit more carefully next time.

And as long as we're dealing with the snarky, yes MinnPost has its share, and perhaps more, of...

Posted on 04/09/13 at 10:38 am in response to Global temp trends may have paused, but hold off on the champagne awhile

According to most of the gardening and horticultural sources I regularly use as an enthusiastic xeric gardener, Denver and Minneapolis are both in Zone 4. Having lived in both places for several years, I can now testify truthfully that horticultural zones definitely do not tell the whole story. Even if the climate-change sky is not falling, a gradual change from the Minnesota climate of yesteryear to one more like Omaha will have rather important effects on everything from tourism to...

Posted on 04/08/13 at 11:37 am in response to Mark Rotenberg will take post at Johns Hopkins

I don't know Mr. Rotenberg, nor do I have any contacts or association with The U, but I'm inclined to agree with what's implied by Mr. Carlson's assessment.

While I'm not sure "bloat" is quite the right term, I can't think of any circumstances where the chief counsel for a university should be taking home multiples of the salary of the university president.

But then, I can't think of any circumstances where the head coach of a university team — any team, any sport — should...

Posted on 04/08/13 at 03:53 pm in response to Mark Rotenberg will take post at Johns Hopkins

Eddie H-J is correct. Mea culpa.

Sadly, my memory of what I've read is not as reliable as it once was, and after going back to find the number, I find that Eddie's number is much closer to being correct than mine. His base salary is $610,000. On that basis, I'm conflicted about Connie Sullivan's comment. I think she's correct, and it IS customary for CEO compensation committees to look at what other CEOs with similar levels of responsibility are being paid, so it makes sense for...

Posted on 04/08/13 at 11:27 am in response to Less prosperous school districts pin hopes on Legislature

This ought to be a no-brainer, even for Republicans.

Pulling yourself up by the bootstraps only works if everyone has boots. Unless and until funding equalization is restored, the entire notion of "equal opportunity," so often and repetitiously used by candidates for office, regardless of their political persuasion, is a cruel joke.

No one that's even the least bit interested in educational equity, not to mention an economy and society that continue to be prosperous, should...

Posted on 04/05/13 at 01:35 pm in response to Outside groups doing more and more of GOP's work

…at least a couple reporters with the stamina and connections to be able to report on “The Awakening 2013” in some depth. If Matt Taibbi can't make it, maybe William Saletan from Slate. Being able to document religious and ethnic bigotry not to mention hysteria and conspiracy theories in jaw-dropping quantity, could prove useful.

In the meantime, one can't help but wonder why, as Brian suggests, principals and superintendents are not engaged in ongoing evaluation of professional staff...

Posted on 04/05/13 at 01:57 pm in response to 'Low T' and the medicalization of male aging

Sigh.

The title to Susan's piece is right on the money: the "medicalization" of a condition that, even where present, is generally a normal part of getting old. The amount of money used to buy television time in the country in order to sell worthless potions and pills to a gullible public is staggering. We all get old, we all develop wrinkles, we all find that we can't do at age 70 what we could do at age 20. Get over it. Enjoy what remains to you as best you can, because soon enough...

Posted on 04/05/13 at 01:44 pm in response to House DFLers OK $250 million property-tax reform

… but I'll be even happier when the 4th income tax tier is added and signed into law. Then, with that relatively small issue out of the way, I'll expect a DFL legislature and Governor to devise a plan to stabilize the state's financial future by looking at both spending and revenue. If/When we begin to discuss spending cuts, let's start — instead of with social programs for those with no safety net — with "tax expenditures" in the form of loopholes for various businesses and business...

Posted on 04/05/13 at 11:57 am in response to GOP's Nienow urges delaying Vikes stadium groundbreaking

No thanks on the holding of the butts (ewww…), but I’ll be voting against the retention in office of those who voted in favor of what several have correctly identified as a stadium “travesty.” My own state representative was among those smart enough and courageous enough to vote 'No.'

Brian has nailed it regarding Mr. Hinderaker’s commentary. Quibbling over whether a Bushmaster is full-auto or semi-auto makes for a nice, theoretical discussion of the fine points of firearms law and...

Posted on 04/04/13 at 08:13 am in response to 38% of Minnesota schoolkids on free or reduced-price lunch

“…The Taxpayers League says all but 16 Republican members on the House and six Republican Senators have signed the pledge.”

This suggests that at least 22 Republican members of Congress have functioning brains. That’s a (small) foundation upon which the party can build — if they choose to.