Death Of North Korean Dictator Causes CT Magazine To Rethink The Valley

The enemy no more!Remember a few months back when Connecticut Magazine called the Valley benighted? 

Benighted, as in an unenlightened place, existing in a state of intellectual, moral or social darkness?

The reference annoyed some folks here in the lower Valley, as evidenced by this story we published.

Well, at 8:11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20 — Connecticut Magazine took it back!

Editor Charles Monagan published a blog post on the site magazine’s website explaining the reversal — and it had something to do with dead dictator Kim Jong-il and those creepy videos of hysterical North Koreans reacting to the news.

See this video:

From Monagan’s blog:

Viewing recent events in North Korea offers a far better example of what it means to be benighted (not to mention beat up and brainwashed).

By those admittedly very low standards, it becomes obvious that no area in our generally prosperous, well-adjusted, civilized state of Connecticut deserves to be called benighted.

So in the spirit of the season, and in recognition of what is right and just, we take it back.”

Click here to read the full post.

Click here for Naugatuck Patch’s article on the change of heart. 

According to the Naugy Patch, Monagan tips a hat to the Valley Indy readers who responded.

The passion of the reader response to the VIS (Valley Independent Sentinel) website and our own site did get me to think about, and ultimately reconsider, my choice of words,” Monagan said.

Monagan’s had a good attitude on the slight since we first complained about it.

In a comment on our original story, Monagan noted that he’s from Waterbury and that the word may have come from an old high school vocab test — or a Jethro Tull album.

In tribute to Chuck and the nice people at CT Magazine, we give you … LIVE PERFORMANCE OF JETHRO TULLS CROSS-EYED MARY:”

You’re welcome.

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