Pelican Rapids is home to West Central Turkeys, part of Hormel's Jennie-O Turkey Store--an employer that attracts a diverse workforce. Back in 2011, MinnPost's Sharon Schmickle reported From ethnic turmoil to vibrant diversity, trio helped Pelican Rapids transform its culture.
There's more here on the town's transformation, from the Center for Rural Policy and Development's Rural Minnesota Journal 2012.
But now the local newspaper has let the poult out of the bag, in a response to a trolly comment on its Facebook page, about the unpatriotic agenda at work in the Otter Tail County, Minnesota, small town. In Pelican Rapids Press: An anti-American rag!; Local newspaper publishes photos of Somali citizens graduating from High School!, a column by managing editor Louis Hoglund, readers learn:
With deep regret, the staff and management of the Pelican Rapids Press feel obligated to report that the local newspaper is “Anti-American.”
It's true.
The newspaper you’re holding is an un-American sheet–bent on supporting radical Islam, illegal immigration, globalism, multi-culturalism, the New World Order, ethnic diversity, affordable health care, free trade–and all that is ill with the world.
True…because Facebook said so.
Why?
The Press placed on company Facebook page a random assortment of photos picturing local Pelican Rapids High School seniors at the May 24 graduation ceremony.
In our deadline haste, we unthinkingly included a couple pictures of our Somali graduates.
Good heavens.
Shame on us.
In response to this travesty, a Facebook follower posted this comment. And, yes, I will quote it in its entirety:
“Is the PR press owned by Somalians?…The first and biggest pics are always ragheads!!…Anti-Americanism at it’s finest!”
I’ll even print the name attached to the post: Mike Morgan.
We’re not certain there is a Mike Morgan out there, and whether he really exists.
But, since everything you read on Facebook, or in Twitters and Tweets, is true–there certainly must be a Mike Morgan in our neighborhood.
And, we might add, he is evidently a true patriot. A true believer in Freedom of Expression. He is also a very brave man–willing to voice his opinions freely, behind his computer or cell phone for all to read.
We cordially invite Mr. Mike Morgan to craft those views into a few vaguely coherent paragraphs, and submit to the Pelican Rapids Press as a Letter to the Editor.
In your letter, Mr. Mike Morgan, please highlight your views of Americanism, patriotism, liberty and justice for all. I’m sure you know all about that stuff. Further, I’m certain that you can articulate those views with verve and vigor.
We’re a little old fashioned here at the Pelican Press. Unlike Facebook, we like to confirm an individual with a verifiable name to attach to those who share their opinions in our pages. We also support the open exchange of viewpoints, but we prefer that the purveyor of opinions stand behind those words by signing the letter. . . .
Read the rest at the Pelican Rapids Press. If you can spare the change, subscribe to the lively, independent small town newspaper. Like its Facebook page.
And there's this invitation to an event at the close of the piece:
A sidenote on Un-Americanism
Another reminder for Mr. Mike Morgan: If you really wish to experience a horrendous display of “Anti-Americanism,” please join us for the June 22 “Friendship Festival” in Pelican Rapids.
We anticipate a full range of subversive activity–including Somali dancers, Native American drummers, Mexican performers and even (God forbid) a Scandinavian music group–who are also descendents of a bunch of rag-tag immigrants.
Multicultural radicals…each and every one of them.
Please join us. At Pelican’s Sherin Park, from about 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 22.
It promises to be a shameless show of unpatriotic pageantry–a visual spectacle sure to reinforce what it means to be American.
Photo: One of the "anti-American" photos. Via Pelican Rapids Press.
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