S T A F F Co-publishers Julie Ristau, Lenny Dee Editorial Board Lenny Dee, Diane Hellekson, David Morris, Julie Ristau, Karen Starr, Charlie Sugnet, Jay Walljasper Pacific Northwest Editor David Milholland Art Direction Kate Hunt, Lenny Dee Design Direction Gail Swanlund Cover Design Connie Gilbert Designers Connie Gilbert, Gail Swanlund, Eric Walljasper, Contributing Artists Lynda J. Barry, Dave Eckdahl, Jill Dooley-Michell, James Loftus, Stuart Mead, Ann Morgan, Frederic Munoz, Kazuaki Sugi, Gail Swanlund Proofreader Ann Laughlin Account Representatives Dale Shifter, Kate Sullivan Typesetting JeZac Typesetting, Pat McCarty Contributing Photographers John Danicic, Gus Gustafson Spiritual Advisor Camille Gage Axe Queen of Space & Time Lynda J. Barry Thanks to thee ACTION, Betsy Brown, Becky Glass, Jennifer Gage, Jim Hare, Sally Hope, Cynthia Huff, Pegatha Hughes, Susan and Jim Lenfestey, Judy McElhatton, Musicmaster, Nicole and Loren Niemi, Judi Ray, Carol Salmon, Kurt Vonnegut, Ruth Weleczki ON THE COVER A Conservative’s Manifesto — Neil Postman A surprising critique of commercial television and other by-products of modern capitalism. Secrets of the Temple— William Greider How a little known institution, The Federal Reserve, determines how much money we will have. B A C K Lynda B. Goode— Lynda J. Barry A humorist’s memoirs of a zany childhood. Clinton Street Gallery— Lynn Gray, Frederic Munoz, James Loftus, Kazuaki Sugi Some of our favorite artists strut their stuff. Christmas Gifts for Chickens — Jim Blashfield What to get your favorite fowl for the I holidays. T H E 28 Information Implosion— Wes Jackson Contrary to what we’ve been told, there is much less information available today than in the past. Atomic Childhood— Gwion The recent leaks at nuclear facilities makes this story about Atomic City, U.S.A, more timely than ever. Graven Images—- Kathleen Coskran A confrontation between a female minister, her philandering husband and the cleaning lady. F U T U R E Teapot Dome is by artist Arne Nyen, who lives on a farm in Maiden Rock, Wisconsin. He had a Northwest Area Foundation one person exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. His work is part of First Bank, Dayton Hudson and Prudential Insurance collections. He is represented by Thomas Barry Fine Arts. vol. 10 No. 4 Winter 1988-89 Ad Salesperson wanted by CSQ. Call 338-0782. The Twin Cities edition is published by the Clinton St. Quarterly, 212 3rd Avenue N., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401 —(612) 338-0782. Unless otherwise noted, all contents copyright 1988 Clinton St. Quarterly. We encourage your comments, articles and art. All material should be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. UGH! Another four years. Friends think of distant ports to escape the “kinder, gentler nation,” a former chief of our secret police might install. Most hunker down into private lives, not willing to advocate change when the prospects of success are slim. In part, this gloom is the result of our ahistorical culture. We forget that most American Presidents have been Neanderthals who we wouldn’t let in the front door, not to even mention trusting them with the nation’s future. Our founding fathers were slave holders who thought only male property holders were capable citizens. Most “statesmen” since then have been little better. The supposedly enlightened leaders like Teddy Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and John Kennedy were in reality imperialists with a handsome face. Our ahistorical nature has also kept us from realizing that the last great cultural uprising, the sixties, produced many important changes. In 1964 Lyndon Johnson invaded the Dominican Republic with impunity. Today despite administration desires, enough opposition exists to thwart any out-and-out invasion of Central America. Twenty-five years ago George Wallace stood formidably at the school doors of the University of Alabama, today Jesse Jackson addresses the Alabama state legislature. Twenty-five years ago feminism and environmentalism did not exist in our lexicon. Today the practical implications of both are debated publicly and privately. These social movements came about after the cultural wasteland of the 1950s and in spite of tremendous opposition from mainstream America. From 1920-32 America endured twelve years of Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover. Out of that came the most progressive era in American history. The New Deal was not solely a creature of Roosevelt’s imagination. It was inspired by many groups and individuals who had been working diligently over years for social change. Indeed, the term “New Deal” was first heard in Washington in 1923, when Minnesota Senator Henrik Shipstead used it to describe the programs of his radical Farmer- Labor party. Concrete events certainly influence the ebb and flow of our political life. Clearly the Great Depression was an important catalyst sixty years ago. It is also clear that given the ostrich-like behavior of our current leaders, “it’s morning again in America,” will have a limited shelf life. When events force most Americans to get their heads out of the sand, the foundation for progressive change we have been developing will be of critical importance. Keep on keeping on. ★ ★ ★ This completes our first year in the Twin Cities. We’ve gotten t wonderful feedback and input from many of you. If you’ve admired our contribution to the Twin Cities we do encourage you to take out a gift subscription to help spread the word and to sustain our efforts. —Lenny Dee Clinton St. Quarterly—Winter, 1988-89 3
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