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Dakota Midday: Black Hills State Professor Goes Inside Russia

John Alsup

This weekend President Obama said the Russians were supplying heavy arms to separatists in Ukraine in violation of an agreement Russia signed with Ukraine a few weeks ago. The President said the Western campaign to isolate Moscow would continue. Obama met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at an economic meeting in Beijing last week and at the Group of 20 summit meeting this past weekend in Australia. The President’s words were among the toughest he has used about Russia’s actions during Ukraine’s crisis.

Black Hills State University math education professor John Alsup heard the opinions of some Russian people regarding the conflict during a recent trip to Moscow. He was in Russia in late May and early June around the time of the Ukranian Presidential election, following the 2014 revolution. He says the television news centered on the Russia/Ukraine conflict for several hours each night with patriotic music, Russian nationalism and propaganda. He said there was a divergence of opinion about the politics even within the family he stayed with.

Alsup shares insights from his trip Tuesday, November 18 at  7 pm in BHSU's Meier Concert Hall. He joined Dakota Midday and discussed his experiences in Russia.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
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