By Dave Begel Contributing Writer Published May 26, 2012 at 9:08 AM

Say what you will about the death of the daily newspaper, The New York Times still occupies a very special place in the fragmented world of journalism.

Despite the political praise and criticism regularly directed at the paper, it is acknowledged universally to have the best reporting staff in the world and covers the news like nobody else.

In Wisconsin we love being mentioned in the Times. Recently the Milwaukee Symphony played at Carnegie Hall and you could feel the bated breath waiting for the review in the Times. When it came out and was a great review, people swelled with pride.

Wisconsin is in the Times once again this week, with a long article with the headline; "How Did Wisconsin Become the Most Politically Divisive Place in America?"

It is a thorough read and perhaps should be required of all citizens before they go to the polls June 5. It is not particularly one-sided or the other but after finishing I'd be surprised if you, like me, didn't feel a little sadness about how we are being portrayed.

One thing it might do is help spur some action to deal with and cure the Hatfield and McCoy mentality of "us or them" that's in this state. That profound and rabid distrust and ridicule serves nothing well. We don't want to be a real-life version of a talk radio show, but that's kind of what we've become.

The Times article doesn't really offer much in the way of solution suggestions. But it's a good and insightful record of how we got to where we are.

Dave Begel Contributing Writer

With a history in Milwaukee stretching back decades, Dave tries to bring a unique perspective to his writing, whether it's sports, politics, theater or any other issue.

He's seen Milwaukee grow, suffer pangs of growth, strive for success and has been involved in many efforts to both shape and re-shape the city. He's a happy man, now that he's quit playing golf, and enjoys music, his children and grandchildren and the myriad of sports in this state. He loves great food and hates bullies and people who think they are smarter than everyone else.

This whole Internet thing continues to baffle him, but he's willing to play the game as long as OnMilwaukee.com keeps lending him a helping hand. He is constantly amazed that just a few dedicated people can provide so much news and information to a hungry public.

Despite some opinions to the contrary, Dave likes most stuff. But he is a skeptic who constantly wonders about the world around him. So many questions, so few answers.