It's Always 1968 Somewhere

When I left the University of Minnesota I paused for a second inside the May Day Book Store (est. 1975), right near campus. Nothing unsurprising there, if you've ever been to a college town. Posters of Eugene Debs, Ho Chi Minh, and Che Guevara. A big, frayed sign reading "Inside Job?" Fresh copies of books by Michael Parenti, Tom Hayden, and Tariq Ali. The Way the Wind Blew, a history of the Weathermen, up on display.

As I walked in I was handed this:

More than 400 protestors have been arrested, more than 150 charged with felonies, but the happy anarchists of the heartland are taking it all in stride. "I'm just surprised we're not getting more coverage," says Tom, holding court (I can't call him an "owner," as the store has been "proudly making no profit since 1975") at the store. "Maybe I'll buy my own TV station!"

The store's patrons ask me about Jesse Ventura at the Ron Paul rally, and what he talked about. I say he talked about himself, mostly. "That sounds like Jesse," says Tom's co-not-owner. "If he'd run for Senate I'd have voted for him anyway. Al Franken's not a peace candidate."

As I head out, a skinny college student with hair metal facial hair walks up to the counter. "Can I get a ticket for the Nader rally?"

Yes he can.

Comments

Episiarch | September 4, 2008, 4:05pm | #

Al Franken's not a peace candidate

Now that's funny.

more than 150 charged with felonies

Holy shit.

Naga Sadow | September 4, 2008, 4:12pm | #

You ignored the best part of the article, Epi. "Can I get a ticket for the Nader rally"?
ROFL!!!

Episiarch | September 4, 2008, 4:16pm | #

I left that for you. I'm very generous.

ron | September 4, 2008, 4:28pm | #

what the fuck is "hair metal facial hair"? no hair metal band has ever had any facial hair.

J sub D | September 4, 2008, 4:29pm | #

"proudly making no profit since 1975"

Liar or idiot? I confidently predict the former.

Naga Sadow | September 4, 2008, 4:31pm | #

How magnanimous of you, Epi. I can be generous as well. "I like you. When I rule the Earth, your death shall be quick and painless."

Naga Sadow | September 4, 2008, 4:32pm | #

J sub D,

Can't he be both?

Mo | September 4, 2008, 4:39pm | #

what the fuck is "hair metal facial hair"? no hair metal band has ever had any facial hair.

His moustache is a mullet.

Episiarch | September 4, 2008, 4:42pm | #

what the fuck is "hair metal facial hair"? no hair metal band has ever had any facial hair.

O Rly?

Episiarch | September 4, 2008, 4:43pm | #

"I like you. When I rule the Earth, your death shall be quick and painless."

"You're a funny guy, Sully. I like you. That's why I'm going to kill you last."

atrevete | September 4, 2008, 5:39pm | #

"Nothing unsurprising there,"

So, like, if nothing is unsurprising, does that mean everything IS surprising?

Another Phil | September 4, 2008, 6:21pm | #

what the fuck is "hair metal facial hair"? no hair metal band has ever had any facial hair.

O Rly?

Metallica is/was a hair metal band?

mitch | September 4, 2008, 7:40pm | #

"proudly making no profit since 1975"

At least that's what he tells the IRS boys.

MPLSMAN | September 4, 2008, 9:47pm | #

Why didn't you come say hi to me when you were at the U? I'm a big fan.