Barataria

Barataria itself means “cheap lands” in Spanish. This is the domain promised to Sancho Panza at the end of Don Quixote in return for his loyal service. I have used this name for many reasons, the most important being that whenever I’m sick of bad writing, especially my own, I re-read Don Quixote to reinvigorate my faith in language and imagery. I grew up with figures of Don Quixote around the house because, frankly, it was the 1970s. My childhood hero was the “Gentleman Pirate” Jean Lafitte, who had his own benevolent “Kingdom of Barataria” in the swamps of Louisiana.

Most significant of all, however, is my desperate need for a Sancho Panza. Inquire within.

 

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Work creates wealth

By Erik Hare, Barataria

As Democrats contemplate holding the minority position in Congress yet again, there are many ways we can handle it. We could all sit in the back and throw stuff, much as the Republicans did for the last few years. We could turn on each other and rip our own guts out in a festival of shame and blame.

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Barataria

Problem properties

By Erik Hare, Barataria

A big part of inner-city life - or any happy social life - is getting to know your neighbors. We all live near people that are different from ourselves in many ways, and in the city we live a bit closer than people in suburbs.That can cause conflicts from time to time, and there is some sense that these conflicts are on the rise.

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Barataria

The streets of Lowertown

By Erik Hare, Barataria

Anytime the streets of an old city are disturbed, the past bubbles up to the surface.  That's definitely true of Saint Paul.  The heavy construction Downtown has ripped up many of the ancient streets of Lowertown and secrets are bound to see the light of day.  Something has been found there, however, that no one wants to talk about just yet.  When will the truth be reve

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Barataria

Quantitative Easing

By Erik Hare, Barataria

The actions of the Federal Reserve have an air of dark wizardry about them - they are mysterious, powerful, and use forces that appear to be a kind of magic.  The most powerful incantation is the often-muttered "Quantitative Easing," a spell that has moved from the dark recesses of economics into th

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Barataria

Those who show up

By Erik Hare, Barataria

Polling has a strong allure in an election for many reasons.  It appears to make it possible to call the "horse race" before the steeds come through the home stretch.  It also has the appearance of objectivity, since it is supposedly based on a dark science that few people know enough to question.  Polls are a story that falls into the laps of reporters, allowing them to write a

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Barataria
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