It is true. The Grand Excursion is a reenactment of an event. However, to add any more significance to it than the stated purpose, to highlight to successes of the St. Paul Riverfront, is to stir a cold pot. There are many historical events that never made it to the history books. Recently this forum participated in a discussion about the new history and social studies standards. If you remember this is where the Commissioner of Education wanted to eliminate significant pieces of history. Depending on your point of view this was either good or bad. History is written by the victors. So I expect there is a lot of history we don't know about. The planning for the reenactment of the grand excursion started ten years ago with one purpose in mind. To promote the completion of the planned river front development. I would argue that it isn't completed, but that is another subject. As I understand it, a member of Mayor Coleman's staff happened on a report of the original event and thought it would make a great event. That is the only reason the event is even happening. The original grand excursion happened to promote commerce up the Mississippi to what is now the Twin Cities. The fact that a President saw this as something to join in made it a larger news story. So please don't bash an event because someone participated in it who may have done something you didn't like. That would be like bashing this years event should President Bush take part because you don't like his foreign policy, or John Kerry because you don't like his position on this or that issue. Mike Fratto Payne Phalen
>>> "Pamela Frantum" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 06/29/2004 7:06:18 PM >>> ------------------------------------------------- To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------- I didn't go back and read my original post, but maybe this will clarify my thoughts. The Grand Excursion is a reenactment of an historic event within the City. Until a few years ago, I certainly had never heard of it. It was not an event covered in either American or Minnesota history classes. I doubt until the publicity started to come out for this event, few people had heard of it. This is a great learning and teaching opportunity. My point is to provide information from more than one perspectives. I realize its a civic promotion for the River. I love the River and it deserves promotion. Civic celebrations are important for a community. But tell both sides of the story so it can be a truly education event, especially since this is the first exposure so many have had to the event. I'll duck after this next statement, but it reminds me of recent arguments on teaching standards. (Whose standards are to be used?) Instead of providing one perspective of history, provide more than one ... granted, they're infinite perspectives ... There are things to celebrate with respect to the Grand Excursion, but also acknowledge those things that don't deserve celebration. Pam Frantum Merriam Park >From: "Mary Baker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: Re: [StPaul] The 4th of July >Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2004 16:34:39 -0500 > >------------------------------------------------- >To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion >Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >------------------------------------------------- >>From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >>What we can do today, rather than look back wistfully or shamefully at the >>past, is to look at who society is abusing TODAY and try to do the right >>thing. Yesterday is gone, and I didn't have anything to do with it. >> > >I agree, with the additional point that we should be aware of our history >and refrain from beating our chests about how our ancestors never did any >wrong. They were human being just like us. They did all kinds of things. > >Mary Baker >East Side > >_________________________________________________________________ >MSN 9 Dial-up Internet Access fights spam and pop-ups * now 3 months FREE! >http://join.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200361ave/direct/01/ > >_____________________________________________ >NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: >http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul > >Archive Address: > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
