Jim Hagen; Meet the Hutterites; Stu Whitney; and Patrick Hicks

Dakota Midday - 07/30/2012

South Dakota Tourism Secretary Jim Hagen talks about this year's tourism season. Last summer's tourism season suffered because of the assumption that the state was inundated with flooding. Despite this summer's fires, hot and dry weather and high gas prices, Hagen says numbers through June show more visits to state and national parks and stays in hotels and tourist inquiries. Also, Jeff Collins, producer of "American Colony," talks about his show that airs on the National Geographic Channel. Meet the Hutterites of King Colony, Montana, on the National Geographic Channel was the first inside look at the Hutterite family in Montana - a family divided at a crucial crossroads where technology is challenging time-honored traditions. The show was met with a firestorm of criticism and praise. Hutterite bishops from other communities criticized the show and its producer for presenting a "distorted and exploitative version of Hutterite life that paints all 50,000 Hutterites in North America in a negative and inaccurate way." Prominent members of the Montana colony have refuted the accusations by explaining "adults who are capable of making rational decisions regarding Hutterite life on King (Ranch) Colony." "American Colony" follows the 59 members of the Montana colony - almost all related. Viewers see colony members drinking, swearing, and shooting guns. The bishops argue these activities are all in violation of the sect's pacifist and pietist Christian beliefs.

Stu Whitney, Sports Editor at the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, joins Dakota Midday with the question, "Is it corny to care about the Olympics?" Whitney says that we've reached a more cynical age - where internet immediacy, steroid whispers and a more grudging form of nationalism have stolen some of the spirit from the games. He argues that over the past two decades the Olympic games have made less of an impression.

Patrick Hicks, Augustana College Writer-in-Residence, talks about his experiences with touring London and his latest poetry collection. His latest poetry collection, "This London," is about the last 2,000 years of London history. Hicks lived in England for several years  while completing his PhD, his wife is British and he's led a number of study abroad programs to London. He was in London on July 6, 2005, when the announcement was made that London would host the 2012 Olympics. The city rejoiced at the news but, a mere 24 hours later, bombs went off in the London Underground, killing over 50 people.

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